Street 4

The "event" was the final agenda, so we'll have to wait a little longer.

[There are concerns about market volatility, but surprisingly quick recovery…]

I was half listening to the speaker when suddenly, the man sitting in the row ahead of me turned around to look at me.

A familiar face.

He's the Vietnamese guy who was assigned to the same department.

'Was his name Phuong?'

Phuong's eyes were rolling, trying to seek agreement from me about the absurdity of what the white man had just said.

Thanks to him, I was able to shake off the dust from an old memory.

'Yeah, that's right.'

It was 2013.

The taper tantrum.

The period when dollars flowed rapidly in the market.

Here's the situation in summary.

After the financial crisis, the U.S., worried about a recession, flooded the market with dollars.

Then, in 2013 of all years, they started discussing, "Now that the economy seems to have recovered, should we start holding back dollars a bit?"

Investors panicked upon hearing this.

No one knew how the market would react if the supply of dollars changed.

When investors are anxious, they tend to flee to advanced economies, and this time they pulled all the dollars they had invested abroad and parked them in the safe assets of advanced economies.

And where were Phuong and I assigned?

The emerging markets department.

The very emerging markets from which investors were pulling out all their dollars.

Forget performance; it meant we were assigned to a department destined for losses.

[Next, we'll hear from the Chief Ethics Officer…]

This is not the time for this.

Focus.

[…Bringing sensitive stock data home is prohibited. Remember the "New York Times test" when using email. Only write what you're okay with seeing printed on the front page. As for departmental information…]

No inter-departmental information sharing.

Ignorance is no excuse.

You know what happens if you get caught, right?

We know even if you steal just a Post-it.

Big Brother is always watching…

When the speaker got to this point,

"Excuse me."

An unexpected event occurred.

Someone in the second row stood up abruptly.

This was the sign of the incident I had been waiting for.

"Sorry, I have to leave…"

The man insisted he had to leave, and the people in the same row twisted their bodies and lifted their legs to make way for him, the "inconsiderate man."

The room buzzed.

"What's with that guy? Is he nuts?"

"At this timing?"

Everyone was throwing verbal stones at him.

A high-ranking official came all the way here to give a good speech, and this guy leaves?

There's a limit to stupidity.

But that's not all.

One person wasn't enough.

I waited a little longer, exercising patience, and soon the same thing began happening all around the auditorium.

"Excuse me."

"Sorry."

"Pardon me."

Two, three, four…

As the number of people leaving increased, the murmurs changed.

"What's going on?"

"Is something happening?"

"Why all of a sudden…?"

It was too many to dismiss as just a few socially awkward people.

This was some kind of phenomenon.

"Excuse me, I'll step out for a moment."

Finally, someone near me stood up to leave.

The woman's voice was unusually high, so I could clearly hear her whispering to the person next to her.

"What's going on?"

"HR sent me a text. Told me to leave."

"Now?"

"I think… I've been fired."

That's right.

Everyone who just left the auditorium had been fired in real-time.

The rookies sitting next to me had pale faces, sitting up stiffly.

They were surely recalling the unsettling rumors that had been circulating all summer—rumors about a large-scale layoff.

Fifty people had already been laid off.

The results from last quarter weren't good…

"There's talk that the bottom 10% are going to be cut for sure…"

"Could it be that our job offers will be canceled too?"

What we thought were just scary stories… turned out to be reality.

I'm the only one who saw this coming.

'Or was I?'

In the past, I didn't realize it, but the expression on the white man on stage hasn't changed.

His speech hasn't faltered either.

This means he knew in advance.

This was all a staged performance.

A public execution.

'As expected of Goldman. This is how you earn the title of a villain.'

Even in 2023, the year I died, Goldman had fired employees in an unusual way.

They notified employees, 'You have a meeting with the CEO at 7 a.m.,' and then ambushed those who arrived early by firing them on the spot.

At that time, it caused quite a stir.

There was a lot of public opinion asking why they had to fire employees in such a manner.

This can be explained with a simple example.

For a moment, imagine Goldman as the Titanic.

Passengers boarded the Titanic, trusting its reputation.

They believed it to be the biggest, safest luxury cruise ship.

But one day, the crew approached some passengers to ask for their understanding.

"Sorry, but the ship is too heavy. For the safety of everyone, could you please disembark? Of course, we'll take you to the next port."

How do you think the passengers who overheard this would react?

They'd probably all rush to disembark at the next port.

If there's a safety issue, why stay?

Now let's modify the scenario.

The crew grabs some passengers by the collar and throws them into the sea, shouting:

"Reduce the weight immediately! Throw anyone overboard!"

How would the remaining passengers react then?

They would beg for their lives.

Even if the ship were to sink, it would still be better to stay on deck for now.

And that's not all.

The remaining passengers would analyze the characteristics of those who were thrown overboard and act accordingly.

Only those wearing hats went to the watery grave?

Who here still plans to wear a hat? Raise your hand!

In this way, not only can they prevent a mass escape, but they can also quickly propagate the desired employee traits, promote self-censorship, spread a unified corporate culture, and crush the morale of potential rebels.

There's a lot to gain from this.

Worried that doing this might lead to backlash?

No worries.

Goldman isn't a regular bank.

Their clients aren't the general public but corporations or institutional investors.

And those clients regard the sacrifice of humans for profitability as a kind of virtue.

They're the type to send a bottle of Dom Pérignon upon hearing the news.

You think this doesn't make sense?

You wonder how this could happen in the land of freedom and democracy, America?

Remember this.

Wall Street is not America.

This is a world of ruthless survival.

The common sense of the general public doesn't apply here.

Wall Street has its own culture, language, logic, and laws, and the first rule is: "Eat or be eaten."

If you got fired, it's your own fault.

You should have eaten them first, you fool.

Clap, clap, clap!

The people clapping enthusiastically all have burning eyes.

— "As long as it's not me!"

— "I must survive no matter what!"

This is full-on survival mode.

In six months, they'll become great citizens of Wall Street.

Meanwhile, the confused and hesitant ones will become delicious prey.

On stage, the host was now putting a full stop on this little event.

[We have a welcome party for the new hires this evening! Senior staff will also be attending, so please make sure not to miss it.]

Today is the day of the new hire welcome party.

This means Goldman deliberately planned this public execution before the welcome party.

With this, it's certain.

I've truly returned.

To that time, to that era.

Welcome to Wall Street.

After the event.

As people exited all at once, a crowd gathered at the entrance.

I really dislike crowded places.

Normally, I would wait until everyone left, but today is different.

'I have to see my face at least.'

I quickly want to head to the bathroom and check the mirror.

I'm sure my body isn't some grotesque water balloon, but I also want to see my face.

"Surely, they won't cut more people, right?"

"There might be additional notifications later today."

Anxiety was spreading all around, but I felt like I was flying.

Step step.

Damn, it feels amazing just to walk, I'm about to go crazy with joy.

The sensation of my feet touching the ground—it's been so long.

I had spent my last year tied to a hospital bed.

'Now, I just need to check my face…'

There's a crowd in front of the restroom too.

I thought of going to another floor, but the elevator area was also chaotic.

Just as I was heading toward the stairs—

Bzzzz—

My phone rang.

"Ha Si-heon? This is HR. Where are you right now?"

It's the Human Resources department.

Now that I think about it, I did get a call around this time before.

I know exactly what they want to say, but I can't avoid meeting them.

"I'm near the vending machines."

"Please wait there for a moment. I'll be right over."

So much for admiring my rejuvenated face.

Oh well, it can't be helped.

I changed direction and moved toward the vending machine, where a pretty Hispanic woman in a two-piece suit approached me.

"Mr. Ha Si-heon? We'd like to provide some guidance regarding your department…"

"Can we talk after I grab a drink first?"

I interrupted her and gestured at the vending machine with my eyes, to which she smiled.

"Oh, since I took away your break, I'll treat you. What would you like?"

"Water, please."

She selected bottled water from the vending machine, and as soon as I received it, I unscrewed the cap and drank immediately.

Gulp—

Damn, refreshing.

It's been a long time since I've felt water going down my throat.

I had been on IV nutrition for the last few months.

Gulp, gulp—

One sip wasn't enough to quench my pent-up thirst, so I downed half the bottle, at which point the woman gave a slightly awkward smile and began speaking rapidly, like a machine gun.

"We also sent you an email, but since you didn't reply… Your department will be operated flexibly for the time being."

The emerging markets department is doomed.

Since there's no need for new hires in a department that's gone under, it means they have to send me somewhere else, but they don't know where yet.

"For a while, you'll be temporarily assigned to departments requesting extra personnel and will assist with various tasks…"

I shouldn't be idle while waiting.

It means I'll be deployed to help out wherever extra hands are needed.

Basically, like a temp worker.

In the past, I would've been anxious about being laid off this way, but now it's different.

I know none of the new hires will be fired.

'Actually, this is great.'

I want to transfer departments anyway.

Being a wanderer with no fixed department should make it easier to move.

"Can I choose my preferred department? I'd like to apply to healthcare."

"Oh, I see. But that's not up to us to decide; it's up to the departments…"

"I'm a medical school graduate. But there was no healthcare rotation during the internship."

"Sorry, what?"

It was strange that I was assigned to the emerging markets department in the first place.

"Looks like my expertise in a hometown I left 20 years ago seemed more relevant than my recent medical degree."

It means these people assigned me based on my photo, not my resume.

They saw "Asian" more clearly than "doctor."

"Uh, that's…"

The woman's face stiffened.

Her expression said, 'Why are you being so prickly? It's not my fault.'

I know, of course.

But as an Asian, the default assumption is that I'm a pushover, so sometimes I have to show a bit of attitude.

Of course, I can't end it here.

No need to make an enemy unnecessarily.

"My words came out a bit harsh. I apologize. You must be going through something similar."

"Sorry, what?"

"I mean, in HR."

"Oh…"

The woman let out a helpless laugh.

Black hair means emerging markets, and being a woman means HR.

She's been exiled to a lousy department because of stereotypes, just like me.

At this point, we've established enough of a mutual understanding.

"I can't apologize on an empty stomach."

I bought the most expensive drink from the vending machine and handed it to her, and she took it with a wink.

"This way, I'm the one benefiting."

Yeah, subconsciously, she'll feel indebted.

That's the point of giving it.

"In exchange, I have a favor to ask."

"If it's about transferring departments…"

"I heard some senior staff will be at the welcome party. Will anyone from healthcare be there?"

"Ah!"

She openly showed relief.

That information was worth about the same as the price of the drink.

It's easy to spill the beans when there's no burden.

"There's going to be a really tall guy there, Brent."

After all, a department transfer only happens when someone from that department says, 'This guy's really good.'

It's faster to cozy up to them than to plead with HR for days.

"Well, I've done my part in delivering the information!"

The woman was ready to bolt, but I couldn't let her go just yet.

It's always good to keep useful contacts.

"What's your name?"

"Sorry?"

"You know my name, right?"

"Oh, it's Liliana."

We belatedly exchanged a handshake, and Liliana smiled again before turning away.

'Not bad.'

It's good to know someone in HR because that's how you find out where there are vacancies.

Satisfied, I grabbed another bottle of water from the vending machine.

"Excuse me."

Liliana had returned at some point, eyeing my water bottle.

"You're not planning to skip class on your last day, are you?"

Sharp, aren't you?

I was thinking about heading to a nearby café to sketch out my future plans…

"You can't miss it. There's a test today."

No fooling her.

I may look like a chick on the outside, but inside, I was once a panther in the jungle of Wall Street.

"I've already completed Series 63 and Series 79."

I finished all the analyst certification exams.

This training center is run by an external agency, so any test they give here doesn't mean a thing.

"The bottom 10% of grades are reported to HR."

The warning in Liliana's eyes was crystal clear.

There was just a mass layoff.

How would HR deal with a new hire slacking off during this chaos?

"You owe me one now, right? Well, see you!"

Liliana gave a triumphant smile and walked away, and I reluctantly headed towards the classroom.

'Yeah, I was getting cocky.'

Panther, my foot—right now, I'm just a lowly newbie.

First, let's make sure I keep my neck safe from the chopping block.