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... By good intentions.

Article Excerpt
"SO, MR. SANDOVAL--YOUR company has won the bid for my little project. I suppose I don't need to tell you that you had some ... fierce ... competition?" The client smiles at Roy.

A smile from the Big Man is a fearsome sight. It makes Roy want to run far, far away, very fast. Fortunately for his status as low-bidder on this project, certain portions of his anatomy are not cooperating. Inside his steel-capped work boots, all ten toes have begun to gibber and moan among themselves, and to try to slither back up inside his feet. (He is aware that other parts are trying to slither up inside elsewhere.) The toes are blocked in their efforts because the feet have swiftly and silently turned to stone. Rooted to the spot, Roy decides there is nothing to do but act like the professional he is.

"Si, and I guarantee we'll bring this project in on time and within budget."

"You are aware, I trust, of the ... penalties ... that accrue for nonperformance?" Now the client is beaming. Fangs glint in the ruddy light.

Ice crawls up Roy's legs to his knees, which begin to quiver like an underdone flan. He tries to imagine a steel rebar shoring up his spine so he does not simply fall to the simmering ground and scream.

"Si. We'll be getting started now," he forces himself to say. "There's just one thing, Senor," he adds, as the Big Man starts to turn away.

"And that is ... ?" The client's tone is silky; the gaze he fixes on Roy could strip the flesh from his bones.

"You're required to supply me with a copy of the approved Environmental Impact Statement before we can start," Roy manages to choke out past a tongue that wants only to flap in abject terror.

"I'm required?" The Big Man is suddenly a lot bigger. A lot redder. A lot hotter. He looms over Roy like doom personified. He is almost as terrifying as Roy's abuela, Maria Luisa Carmina Portillo de Santiago, when she is voicing her disappointment in her grandson.

Steam rises from Roy's sodden clothes, but he plunges ahead. "Si. Section 47 of the contract, page 64: 'Contractee agrees to obtain and provide contractor with certified approval of project from the Environmental Protection Agency, and any and all local approvals and licenses, before work can commence. Approved EIS must be available for public inspection at all times at the contractor's site headquarters. Failure of the contractee to obtain such approvals shall not be counted against contractor's performance. Failure to obtain such approvals within a timely fashion shall cause this contract to terminate without prejudice against contractor," Roy quotes from memory. He pulls his damp copy of the contract from his jacket pocket in case the client is not convinced.

The moment stretches out. The Big Man contemplates Roy, and Roy stares back, bug- and cross-eyed, unable even to wipe away the sweat that pours down his forehead. Then the client shrugs.

"I can see that you are indeed the right man for the job, Mr. Sandoval. Here is your copy of the EIS." He snaps his fingers and a thick document materializes in his hand. He hands it to Roy; fingerprints smolder in the margins.

Roy checks the EIS carefully. It has all the correct stamps and approvals, and is signed by the commissioner of the EPA herself. Somehow Roy is not surprised to see...

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