Work Text:
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
MARCH 11 2003
3:47 PM
Test
Got it.
When can this go to market?
18 months?
Conservative estimate 2 years
Is that a joke?
No…
Then help me understand.
It worked fine earlier.
Yes… with 2 phones.
So far the system has only ever handled our team’s 16 devices simultaneously.
Further testing required
Not to mention a functional UI
We’ll shoot for 18 months
Just great.
In 18 months you’ll demo it for Yankowski.
Sorry?
What part of HOSTILE FUCKING TAKEOVER do you not understand?
You were sitting right there in the fucking meeting.
I'm trying to raise our stock NOW.
Figure it the fuck out!
OK
Please don’t talk to me like that.
We’ve been over this
[Read at 3:58 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
9:17 PM
What were you saying earlier about the messenger?
I said a lot of things about the messenger.
It’s unhackable?
Essentially yes
Everything is end-to-end encrypted
We’re also working on a backend PIN system that will basically put each phone and by extension each conversation on its own secure closed network.
Hackers can’t bypass the encryption because they’re not even allowed on the playing field, so to speak
Fantastic.
The agencies will be all over it.
It still has a ton of issues
Mainly that the internal relay system is unreliable
Doug and the guys are building a workaround
He’s the project lead?
Yes, for the PIN backend
Take him off.
Why?
He shouldn’t be in charge of anything.
Replace him.
I can’t do that.
It’s his code they’re working with
Copy it over or something.
I won’t have an overgrown kid costing us our company.
I know how you feel about him, but I’m not taking him off the project.
He’s a good programmer
If we can’t get around the network limit load in the short term then we at least need him on this.
He’ll take care of it
He fucking better.
You see to it.
[Read at 9:31 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
9:32 PM
Jim wants you off the PIN team
No kidding
I’m shocked
Shocked I tell you
What did you say?
I told him no chance.
Attaboy Mikey
Sorry I sassed him earlier
I know you hate when I sass him
But he called me a fuck!
I had to defend my honor
It’s OK
It was a long day for all of us
True that
You watching the new Twilight Zone?
No
It’s alright
Linda Cardellini is playing a reporter who’s obsessed with this fortune teller
Who?
Don’t know yet
It just started
I sort of recognize the actor though
I meant who’s Linda Cardellini?
Cmon man
The main chick from Freaks and Geeks!
Velma!!
Oh, right
You mentioned pizza for dinner tomorrow…
Hell yes I did
From Supreme?
Where else?
Touche partner
[Read at 9:37 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
11:43 PM
Does it have a name?
BlackBerry Messenger
That’s what we’ve been calling it.
BBM for short
Good. It works.
I think so too
[Read at 11:47 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
MARCH 14 2003
8:26 AM
Are you OOO again today?
What does it look like?
Jim, you haven’t been in since last Tuesday
Where are you?
I’m out saving our fucking company, that’s where I am.
If it’s important for you to know, then I’ll let you know.
OK
[Read at 8:30 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
MARCH 19 2003
10:51 AM
Craig got canned
What?
Today?
Apparently he came back to a notice on his desk
“Not meeting attendance expectations”
Your worse half didn’t even have the ballsillies to do it in person
Jesus
Can’t you do something about it?
The guy’s still in mourning for fuck’s sake
I know.
I’ll talk to Jim
I’d do more than talk to him if I were you
Yeah, and you’d get yourself fired too.
Let me handle it
[Read 4:56 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
MARCH 19 2003
10:56 AM
Please don’t let anyone go without consulting me first.
I don’t need your approval to make personnel decisions.
Just like you don’t need mine.
You can hire or fire whoever you want and I can’t stop you.
Craig has been with us since the very beginning.
PocketLink would have never gotten made if it weren’t for his help
He writes good reliable code and he is as loyal as they come
He’s also missed the past week and a half of work in the middle of a hostile takeover.
In my mind that’s a resignation.
He was in Ottawa with family.
His dad just passed away last week.
Sorry to hear that.
He’s been the one paying all the hospital bills
And if we cut a break to every guy with a sob story then we’d have no company.
That’s not the point.
This was maybe the worst thing you could have done for team morale
You know what’s going to be real good for team morale?
To not get ourselves bought out by absolute fucking cretins.
This was necessary.
You’ll see.
When?
By the end of the week.
You trust me don’t you?
Not sure if I do on this one
Then what are you still here for?
[Read at 11:04 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
MARCH 21 2003
9:22 AM
You hired Paul Stannos?
What do you think I was making all those layoffs for?
This guy was head of Google phys eng
Exactly.
He’s going to help you shrink the network.
But we can’t afford him.
Can we?
Don’t worry about that.
Just put him to work.
OK
[Read at 9:27 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
APRIL 01 2003
2:10 PM
Hey, I’ve been seeing something weird on the relay hubs the past couple days…
Not an April Fools joke, by the way
What is it?
Array counts are way up across the board. 24 relays in 15 minutes at one point
Central has it worst, but Atlantic and Pacific aren’t far behind
That doesn’t make any sense.
That it does not. I have no clue what’s causing it
Maybe a switch went bad?
All our gear looks good. Just looks like there’s way more traffic on the network than usual
Maybe something crazy’s happening on the Internet somewhere?
Maybe someone died
Adam Osborne died a couple weeks ago, but nobody cares about that except for us…
A shame, truly
I’ll go ahead and run a diagnostic
OK, and just keep an eye on the hubs.
Counts will likely settle down later in the week
10-4
[Read at 2:17 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
APRIL 09 2003
11:23 AM
CODE RED
ALL HUBS DOWN
GET TO THE NOC STAT
Shit
Coming
[Read at 11:23 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
APRIL 09 2003
12:01 PM
I really don’t appreciate you screaming at me over the phone because you did something I told you not to do.
We wouldn’t be crashing right now if you weren’t overselling the network limit load
Please just stop selling more phones
What the fuck do I pay you for then?
I just got you Stannos and there’s a dozen more on their way.
So put your eggheads together and SHRINK THE FUCKING DATA!
Hasn’t that been Priority #1 for the past month?
It’s not that simple
And you don’t pay me.
The shareholders do
Well guess who’s going to be our ONLY fucking shareholder if we don’t jack our stock up ASAP?
It’s all hands on fucking deck.
The sooner we get our shit together the sooner we avoid becoming PalmBerry.
PalmBerry?
That’s Yankowski’s bright fucking idea for us.
You understand what we’re up against?
Yeah
Good.
At least someone does.
Get it done.
OK
[Read at 12:09 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
APRIL 17 2003
2:45 PM
How toast would I be if I just went up to Jim first thing tomorrow and walloped him right in the face?
On a scale of 1 to very
Extremely.
Hmm
Still worth it I think
You should really watch your temper with him
MY temper?
Were we sitting in the same meeting just now?
If I have a temper with him then he has boiling lava with me
You can’t let every little thing he says get to you.
You’re one to talk
He insults you right to your face and you just take it like a bitch
I’m not a bitch.
That’s just how he is
We put up with him the same way he puts up with us.
So we put up with obscene verbal abuse and he’s putting up with what exactly?
Come on, Doug…
All the movie nights, the gaming during work hours…
It reflects poorly on us, especially while we’re dealing with all these network issues.
But we get shit done don’t we?
Yeah
You see my point though
No I don’t actually
But whatever
You still down to see the Rob Zombie movie tonight?
I’ll drive
Sure
Tight
[Read at 2:51 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
APRIL 21 2003
3:44 PM
Do you have a minute?
I’m about to get on a con call with Verizon’s people.
What is it?
Why did you hire this new COO without talking to me first?
Because we need him.
And you would’ve said no.
It’s not just me
Ritchie Cho from Motorola is saying to keep him as far away from engineering as possible.
He’s our insurance policy against the bullshit you allow in that department.
I can’t rely on you to rein in their antics.
So I had to outsource someone who will.
I’ve given him free reign over personnel decisions so tell your buddies to tread lightly.
That’s not fair, Jim.
I think it’s more than fair.
Show Purdy around would you?
Make him feel welcome.
Fine
[Read 3:49 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
APRIL 21 2003
6:22 PM
So this new relay system… We’re reprogramming entire towers?
How are we supposed to get this done by Friday?
Everything’s in the outline
We’re all going to have to pull long hours this week.
Whatever it takes
I don’t know, Mike…
It’s my anniversary tomorrow night. My wife and I have an 8pm reservation at Charcoal
I already had to miss my kid’s dance recital last week
Sorry about that, man
But this needs to get done one way or another.
Yeah, alright
[Read 6:27 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
APRIL 21 2003
9:01 PM
Are you still here?
Yup
Got a feeling that our new friend Zangief will skewer me if I leave before midnight
Just come back to my office, please
I want to apologize for earlier.
He’s got a soul after all!
It’s a miracle!
Coming
[Read at 9:03 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
APRIL 28 2003
1:48 PM
Great news, we just got 85% of our customers back online.
West coast is mostly in the clear
Thank God.
What’s your estimate for the other 15%?
Another few days, maybe
Depends on how fast crews can get out to the towers in the more remote areas.
Great.
One less thing to worry about.
Thanks Mike.
No problem
What am I saying, it was a huge problem
But you know what I mean
I knew what you meant.
[Read at 1:55 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
MAY 01 2003
4:03 PM
O great and powerful boss man, I humbly beseech thee
Can we PLEASE for the love of God have celebratory movie night tomorrow?
As long as it’s after 7
Hell yeah
I’m between Point Break and This Is Spinal Tap
You’ve seen both of them a million times
But none of these newbies have!
They’re not film people
I’m taking responsibility for their education
You gonna join us?
Probably not, sorry
I’m planning on working late.
What’s the status on the PIN?
Good
Fine
Scott’s running some independent tests on the network
We’re just waiting on results
OK
Spinal Tap!
I’ve made my decision
This is the greatest decision I’ve ever made or ever will make
[Read at 4:09 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
MAY 08 2003
8:47 AM
We’re on the front page of the Financial.
Go team
I have to say you really came through for us this quarter.
It was a group effort
Everyone’s worked their tails off for the last month and a half
You know what your problem is?
You’re too modest.
It’s the truth
I can’t take credit.
I’m giving credit where it’s due.
Just take the damn compliment Mike.
Thank you, Jim
That’s more like it.
[Read at 8:52]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JUNE 18 2003
1:14 PM
BBM status update: everything’s moving along very smoothly
All internals are at least in the primary debugging phase by now.
The UI and the PIN system are still in development but progressing as normal
We can launch at the top of next August barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Perfect.
I’ll let marketing know.
Plan on a full functional demo for the board two weeks beforehand.
Maybe I can fly in Woodman and some other big cats too.
Sounds exciting
We’ll have everything ready by then
Deal.
[Read at 1:17 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
AUGUST 02 2003
1:24 PM
What the hell is the Pontian Society of Southern Ontario?
Never heard of them, but I’m Pontian
What does that mean?
Sounds like a cult.
Ha ha, no
Pontian as in Pontic Greek
It’s a group of Greeks who settled in a certain part of Turkey.
I was actually born in Istanbul
When we moved to Windsor, I didn’t even speak English yet
Interesting.
Never knew that about you.
There’s a lot you don’t know about me.
I’m sure.
In any case they want to interview you.
Shelley can send you the details.
Sounds good
[Read at 1:37 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
SEPTEMBER 19 2003
3:09 PM
I got a technical officer from Nextel on the line who’s skeptical about BBM.
He’s holding on 2.
Can you talk to him?
Sure thing
Thanks.
[Read at 3:10 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
OCTOBER 30 2003
11:32 AM
You gotta do something about Purdy
What happened?
He’s banning costumes tomorrow!
When we already had a group costume all planned out!
It’s undemocratic
Sorry, but don’t you think we have more important things to worry about right now than costumes at work?
It’s Halloween Mike
Tell me what’s the harm in costumes on Halloween?
Is a Jason mask really gonna wreck our bottom line?
You’re going as Jason?
Ethan is Jason
I’m Jim Lovell
The theme is Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon
I already got the astronaut costume and everything
Your team’s a week behind schedule, Doug.
Let’s prioritize.
I see you’re going as Reverend Moore
[Read at 11:36 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
NOVEMBER 13 2003
2:49 PM
The board wants to know if there’s any way we can move the launch date up.
They think a Q2 launch will give us a bigger overall boost.
It’s possible
Depends on how quickly the PIN team can finish building out the network.
Jesus Christ.
Why is that clown always at the scene of the crime slowing shit down?
I hope you’re not talking about Doug.
Of course I’m talking about him.
What’s his fucking problem?
Does he need a reminder of his goddamn job description?
I’m monitoring their progress
They’re working as fast as they can.
Any proprietary system like this is going to have its growing pains.
Would it be taking this long if you were in charge of it?
No
Probably not
Exactly.
Charles has been itching for the green light to kick his ass to the curb.
Why does he need permission from you?
I thought you gave him the power to make those decisions
I did.
But I’m not an idiot.
I know what that would do.
You’d better not make me regret being nice.
[Read at 2:54 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
DECEMBER 23 2003
4:52 PM
Mom wanted me to tell you that dinner’s at 5pm tomorrow
And the guest room is made up for you if you want to stay over
She says she doesn’t want you to bring anything but we’re definitely gonna need more wine
Sure
White? Red? What kind?
Just get whatever’s on sale at Wine Rack
She liked the one we got last time
I’ll try to remember what the label looked like
I have something for you too
I thought we said no gifts!
I guess it’s just anarchy around here now
Ha ha, calm down
It’s nothing crazy
Just something I saw at Great Hobbies and thought you’d like
You don’t need to get me anything
Ahh Great Hobbies
I miss wandering around in there
We should go there over the weekend if they’re open
That sounds nice
[Read at 4:58 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
DECEMBER 25 2003
12:11 AM
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Jim
[Read at 12:12 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
JANUARY 05 2004
8:42 AM
Happy New Year
The devices on our test network have been overheating
I think the issue is our substrate
Happy New Year
I was afraid of that.
FR-4 is expensive
Sure, but it works
The real question is, is Balsillie willing to cough up the cash for it?
Let’s see if we can condense functions first before we make a big move on supply.
It might actually be a LOC issue
I’ll come take a look at the test phones later.
Copy that
[Read at 8:45 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
FEBRUARY 14 2004
8:22 PM
Hey, I’m down here running some tests
We need to upgrade our substrate from FR-2 to FR-4 to handle the new level of input
But CCI doesn’t make FR-4 so we would have to find a different supplier
It would be an additional 450k annually for the FR-4.
Fine.
Send me the details later and I’ll take care of it with purchasing dept.
Thanks
Still there this late on Valentine’s Day?
I’m sure your wife is thrilled.
I’m not married…
Really.
Then what’s with the ring?
It was my dad’s.
Family heirloom from the old country
Not a wedding band.
Fair enough.
You’re not married either, are you?
No.
I figured you weren’t
How?
You probably wouldn’t be taking any work messages tonight if you were
And that’s exactly why I’m not.
The market doesn’t shut down for every bullshit Hallmark holiday. Why should we?
True
Never thought of it like that
Seems like you’re not much of a ladies man.
In all these years I’ve never heard you mention a girlfriend.
No, not me
I don’t get out much anyway.
That’s for the best.
Trust me.
Women are needy. They demand too much attention and time we don’t have.
Don’t you think?
I guess so
You said at Harvard they taught you to make sacrifices
A lot of our guys have sacrificed family time for us.
This way I guess we’re avoiding having to make the sacrifice in the first place, right?
Exactly.
You get it.
Good man.
Well, thanks for the approval on the substrate.
I’ll be heading out of here soon
No problem.
Why don’t you meet me at Morty’s for a round?
We shouldn’t let the couples out there hog all the fun tonight.
I’ll buy.
That’s alright
Thanks for the invite, though.
Have a good night, Jim
You too.
[Read at 8:35 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
APRIL 29 2004
4:39 PM
I need you to work up some sort of BBM prototype on the Quark for Verizon by Friday.
What do you mean prototype?
You think this thing is going to sell itself?
BBM isn’t a device, Jim
It’s a software update for the existing devices.
If they see a demo of the software on our newest model they’ll buy the phones WITH the software.
We’re not going to make any money on free software for phones we already sold.
It’s not rocket science.
No, but it is computer science
:-)
Don’t quit your day job.
Have everything ready by Friday AM.
Plane leaves at 11:15.
Don’t forget your suit.
OK
[Read at 4:43 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: SCOTT HAMELIN
MAY 17 2004
11:37 AM
Hey, you guys forgot to submit last week’s status report.
Yeah, about that…
We found a major bug on Wednesday.
So it’s back to square 1 for us in terms of PIN routing…
Are you serious?
Unfortunately yes…
Doug didn’t mention this to me at all
I know.
He was worried you’d freak out…
Go figure.
So that’s what, a 2 week setback?
More or less.
It’s not nuclear, but still not great.
Sorry Mike…
Just fix it quick, OK?
I mean it.
For sure…
[Read at 11:40 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
11:41 AM
When were you going to tell me about the PIN bug?
Dammit
Who told you?
Scott
You’re not doing yourself any favors by hiding these problems from me.
I wasn’t hiding anything
Yes, you were
And this is why!
Because you make mountains out of molehills
I’m CEO, I need to be looped in on these things.
And a bug like this is NOT a molehill.
Especially when we’re this close to the finish line
Look Mike everything’s fine
This time next week it’ll be squashed and sorted
You don’t have to worry about it
I wasn’t all that worried until now…
[Read at 11:45 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
6:07 PM
Sorry about earlier man
It’s OK
Let me make it up to you
You got plans tonight?
Got some work to finish up
I’m staying late
No you’re not
I got an advance copy of Enemy Territory and we’re playing it
Holy shit!
How’d you get it?
I have my ways
I’m heading home now
Picking up a large pepperoni pie from Supreme on the way
Come by before it gets cold
I’ll still be a couple hours
Well my microwave is busted
You like cold pizza?
Not particularly…
I know you don’t
That was rhetorical
Take a breather and come over
Alright
See you in a bit
:-)
[Read at 6:13 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
MAY 31 2004
1:49 PM
Hey Mike, we need some help with code restructuring
Could you come down here when you get the chance?
Can’t Doug help you?
He said to page you.
Fine, I’ll be there soon
[Read at 1:49 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JUNE 08 2004
3:22 PM
Thanks for coming with me today on such short notice.
Boston is a shithole but at least they know hockey.
No problem
I’ve learned by now it’s best to just keep my suit at the office.
Never know when I might need it these days
Boy scout.
It looked sharp on you.
Did you take it to a tailor?
Yeah, a couple months ago
The one in town on Bridgeport
I just needed him to fix a hole in the sleeve, but he went ahead and altered the whole thing.
You should dress up around the office more often.
Well, I could never compete with you in the fashion department, ha ha
Don’t flatter me.
Not like you can move any farther up the corporate ladder.
Fair point
[Read at 3:28 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
JUNE 24 2004
9:36 AM
Remember my cousin Callie?
The one who sings?
Of course
We were hanging out with her at Christmas
She’s really nice
Yeah she rules
She’s getting married to some boring accountant tonight at Old City Hall
Wanna come with me?
Tonight?
All I have is the suit I’ve been wearing to pitches with Jim, is that OK?
For sure
You’d even be fine in just a button up and slacks
Nothing too fancy
Cool
I’ll be there
Nice
I’ll let my mom know
She’s gonna be so psyched
Sometimes I think she likes you more than me
Why wouldn’t she?
I’m so charming and personable.
Hardly
It’s because you’re the only one who indulges her antics anymore
Where do you think I got all the practice from?
Oh so you’re a comedian now huh?
Yes.
What time should I be ready?
5:30?
I’ll pick you up
That’s early.
I might still be working
You’re killing me Smalls
It’s a Friday for Christ sake
I’ll drag you out of here if I have to
Alright, alright
5:30 it is
[Read at 9:39 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JUNE 24 2004
10:53 PM
Still working late?
[Read June 25 at 8:13 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
JUNE 27 2004
10:19 PM
Hey
You alright buddy?
Helloooo
Earth to Mike
I know you’re reading these
You were like Dracula in the lab today just lurking around
And not even a cool Dracula like Castlevania Dracula
What gives man?
Come on Mike
You can’t ignore me forever
This is about Friday night isn’t it?
No
He lives!!
It’s not about Friday night.
I’m just stressed about the launch
Kind of seems like it might be about Friday night
I wasn’t that bad was I?
I don’t want to talk about this over BBM.
Well since you clearly don’t want to talk about it face to face
It’s either this or email
Or fax
Or snail mail
Or carrier pigeon
What do you want me to say?
Literally anything dude
Would it help if I went first?
Can we just talk about it later, please?
OK here goes
I thought it was nice and I don’t regret it at all
I’m sorry if you do but I’d be lying if I said otherwise
Now your turn
I don’t
Don’t what?
Regret it
Oh thank God
You had me worried there for a second
Sorry
Yeah, it was nice
Had you ever thought about it before?
Yes
I’d thought about it
But I hope you understand that it can’t happen again.
?
Why not?
What do you mean, why not?
Look at where we work.
What would people say if they found out?
Who cares?
It’s none of their business
We’re not taking out an ad in the paper about it
What does it matter?
It matters.
I’m your boss.
You’re my subordinate.
I have professional ethics I need to abide by.
Are you actually fucking kidding me right now Mike?
It’s the truth.
“I’m your subordinate”
You’re really gonna play that card with me?
Someone has to.
INCOMING CALL: DOUG FREGIN
10:59 PM
[Duration: 5 min 23 sec]
11:05 PM
I’m sorry
[Read at 11:05 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
JUNE 28 2004
9:41 AM
Is Doug in? He’s not reading my messages
He’s out sick
Bummer. He said he would show me his new The Thing soundtrack picture disc
He’ll be back soon
Let’s focus on the launch demo.
Roger that
[Read at 9:45 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JUNE 30 2004
11:53 AM
On Monday let’s get a mockup going of the BBM interface so we can print it on easels for the demo.
I can do that.
I’m here now
You know how little kids think that the teachers sleep at the school?
That’s how I picture you.
Sleeping at RIM HQ.
You’re not far off.
Especially these past couple weeks
If only half our employees worked as hard as you.
Has Doug been pulling his weight?
Seems like his team is behind by a few days
Told you.
You’ve got to lay down the law with him.
Tell him what’s what.
I know you two are buddies but come on.
At what point is enough enough?
We’ve been friends since grade school.
He’s like family to me
A lot of people are like family to me too.
But I don’t bring them to work with me.
You get what I mean?
I guess so.
Should I send these markups to Janine?
Yeah go ahead.
OK
See you on Monday
See you.
[Read at 12:02 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
JULY 02 2004
12:22 PM
How did the infrastructure trial go?
We haven’t gotten to it yet
Allan and Scott got pulled into a meeting
OK, keep me posted.
[…]
I’m sorry about the other night.
Are you still mad at me?
Are you done being an asshole?
Yes
Then I guess we’re cool
Cool
That’s good
Shelley just sent an intern out to get lunch, did you want anything?
I’m alright
Thanks though
Can I ask you something?
Sure, anything
I know you’re very concerned about appearances or whatever
But I just need to know
Imagine we never went down to Cambridge to pitch Pocketlink to Jim
We’re still at our old office in the plaza with the guys
Soldering circuit boards and selling modems like old times
You think we would’ve had a chance?
I think so.
Really?
Well if not Jim then I’m sure someone else would’ve bought PocketLink, right?
Never mind
You’re right
Enjoy your lunch
Will do
[Read at 12:31 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
JULY 07 2004
4:48 PM
When’s a good time tomorrow/Friday for you to walk me through your team’s portion of the demo?
Actually, do you mind if we hold off till next week?
Why?
Well, it’s not exactly 100% there yet. UI integration has given us some unexpected errors
You’ve got to be kidding me
Don’t freak out. It’s fixable stuff
Doug and I are on it
How much longer do you need?
At this point we’re all waiting on you.
Come by next Tuesday
OK
[Read at 4:52 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JULY 10 2004
8:56 PM
Are you still here?
Yes
Come up to my office.
I want to talk to you.
Everything alright?
Relax. Nothing crazy.
Just want to go over some numbers.
OK
On my way
[Read at 8:58 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
JULY 13 2004
10:27 AM
Look I know you’re pissed right now but I swear everything will be good for the demo
How?
How can you be sure?
Because you keep promising that everything will be good, and then it’s not.
It’s starting to make me wonder why I’ve been sticking my neck out for you.
Do you realize Jim and Charles are just waiting for a good enough excuse to fire you?
Fuck those guys Mike
Listen to me
You know we’ve been working round the clock to try and make this thing work
David’s UI people royally fucked us on compatibility and we’re the ones who have to deal with it
It’s always something or someone else’s fault with you.
When are you going to take some responsibility?
I am taking responsibility!
Right now!
I promise on Monday everything will run smooth
Swear on my life
If you say so.
[Read at 10:32 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JULY 17 2004
11:36 PM
Are you at the office?
Hey, Jim
No, I only went in for a few hours this afternoon
Just to finish some things up before Monday
On a Saturday.
You’re always working.
Yeah, I am.
So are you
That’s true.
We make a good team that way.
Sure, yeah
Is everything OK?
Everything s just fine.
OK…
You’re not at the office, are you?
Fuck no.
I just came back from a date.
Oh, nice
How did it go?
How do you think?
It was a waste of time.
Sorry to hear that
You two didn’t get along?
She got mad at me for looking at my BB at the table.
Ironic, ha ha
Did she know who you were?
Of course she did.
Surprising that she wouldn’t let me take her home.
Women like that are only after one thing.
What was the name of the restaurant?
Couldn’t tell you
You were quick to change that subject weren’t you?
Sorry
I just figured it’s none of my business
It could be you rbusiness.
What?
Have you been drinking?
You sound like a cop.
No officer I haven”t touched a drop all night.
I don’t know if that’s true
Why would I lie?
I promised I would never lie to you.
You remember?
That was a long time ago
A promise is a promise.
Yeah
Have a good night, Jim
Wait
You got to intervie wme.
Now it’s my turn.
Tell me what you’re still doing up.
Nothing really
I can’t sleep.
Just thinking over everything
For the launch?
Yes
I try to go for long walks sometimes when I get like this, but even that hasn’t helped.
You’re nervous?
What kind of question is that?
Of course I’m nervous.
If BBM doesn’t go, that’s 2 years worth of everyone’s work down the drain.
Plus the 450k we spent on the FR-4
450k is a drop in the bucket for us.
I guess so
BBM will go.
Don’t worry about that.
You built a great product.
Thank you.
I appreciate it
I’m going to try and get some sleep.
Goodnight, Jim
You know before Bell Atlantic said yes to us I couldn’t sleep either.
I was the most stressed out Ive ever been.
Trying to get us out of the million dollar hole you dug us into.
I even mortgagedm y old house just so we could make payroll.
Yeah, I remember
I don’t know what I was thinking with that USR deal.
Sorry
It was bad.
I was jerking off 3 times a day just to blow off steam.
Sometimes 4.
You ever get like that?
I think that’s a little too personal for work, Jim
We’re off the clock.
You can answer.
I just don’t think it’s appropriate.
I’m going to bed
Goodnight
No you’re not.
Answer the question.
Can you stop, please?
You always expect me to just take orders from you.
I’m sick of it.
You’re not my boss
You and I are equals
I don’t think you really mean that.
If I didn’t know any better I’d say you liked taking my orders.
Like you need me around to tell you what to do.
You love doing what you’re told.
Don’t you Mike?
You’re out of line.
This conversation is over.
I’m turning off my phone
Then do it already.
[…]
Still there?
Yes
Knew it.
Where are you right now?
In bed
Good.
You want me to help you relax?
Yes
Yes what?
Yes please
That’s it.
You’re gonna take my advice.
Blow off some steam my way.
Got it?
Yeah
OK
Should I start now or
Do it.
OK
[…]
[…]
Don’t reply.
Just read and do what I say.
Put 2 fingers in your mouth.
Suck and use your imagination.
I know you’d look good on your knees.
When I come I’d hold you down to make sure you swallowed it all.
But I’d be nice and give you a warning first.
Now get on all fours.
I’d probably have to take my time warming you up.
It’ll hurt but you’ll get used to it.
Unless you’ve done it before.
Have you?
You can answer.
Yeah I have
Then I’d watch you do it yourself.
I’m 7 inches hard.
You think you could take me?
Answer.
I think so
You’re not inspiring confidence.
Yes
I could take it
That’s better.
Are you close?
No
I mean, I already finished
Before you had me get on all fours
Oh.
Sorry
I couldn’t help myself
Is that bad?
No.
I thought you said you were a virgin.
I don’t know…
I guess I still am?
What’s that supposed to mean?
It’s complicated.
Tell you what.
Once BBM launches we can make that answer more definitive.
Yes?
Alright
I mean yes
Good.
See you on Monday.
Yeah
OK
See you
Have a good night
[Read July 10 at 12:05 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
JULY 19 2004
8:48 AM
Woodman’s here.
So is the board.
We’re just waiting on James.
Be right there
[Read at 8:49 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
JULY 19 2004
9:53 AM
What the hell was that back there?
2 weeks until launch and your code’s still getting runtime errors?
Relax Mike
Like I said it’s a server issue
The code is fine
Allan and Scott are working on it
Don’t fucking tell me to relax.
Your deadline has long passed, so I don’t understand what else there is to ‘work on.’
That was supposed to be a final demo but you went and made your whole team look like idiots in front of the board.
Who pissed in your Wheaties this morning man?
You did!
I’m throwing my name and livelihood behind this product and here you are asleep at the wheel.
Yet again.
Your name?
Your livelihood?
Get a grip Mike
I’ve got a grip.
You’re the one who needs to get a grip.
Ooo burn
You sound like old Charlie boy
Charles wouldn’t have given you nearly as many chances as I have.
You said I wouldn’t have to worry about the PIN, but clearly that wasn’t true.
I really regret sticking my neck out for you.
You’re off the project.
What the fuck?
For real?
Yes, for fucking real!
You can stay on the team, but I want Allan reporting to me from now on.
Mike come on
This is crazy
You don’t have to do this
You’re forcing my hand.
Look if this is about the wedding we can forget any of it ever happened if you really want to
It’s fine
I promise I’ll live
You really think this is about that?
Your schoolboy crush?
Because it’s actually about you dropping the ball on a major product launch after you SWORE ON YOUR LIFE you had everything handled.
I should have known better than to believe you.
Wow
OK then…
I want to see a FUNCTIONAL demo by tomorrow EOD.
Got it?
Yes your majesty
[Read at 10:08 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
9:46 PM
I want you to know that you’ve always meant so much more to me than a phone or a paycheck
Before all this BBM bullshit I would’ve said that even if RIM went belly up tomorrow and I lost every fucking dollar in my bank account it wouldn’t matter because at least I’d have you
But I don’t even know who the hell you are anymore
That’s your problem, Doug.
You’re the same as you’ve always been.
[Read at 9:48 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
JULY 22 2004
1:02 PM
Runtime errors with the PIN have been corrected. Everything on our end is a go
Great.
Thanks.
Sure thing
Side note, do you mind if I ask what’s going on with Doug?
What do you mean?
I don’t know, maybe the fact that you booted him off lead and replaced him with me?
What happened?
That’s between me and him.
Well, he’s starting to really freak us out
He’s barely spoken to anybody the past few days
He’s fine.
He’ll get over it.
If you say so
I guess just let me know if you need anything else before launch
Yeah, I’m going to need you to send me backlogs of any new code you’ve written since 7-16.
Copy that
[Read at 1:05 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
AUGUST 01 2004
11:58 PM
Everything ready?
Yes.
Two minutes.
Great.
Great work Mike.
Thanks for everything.
This is going to be huge.
I hope so.
[Read at 11:59 PM]
[AUGUST 02 12:03 AM]
S O F T W A R E U P D A T E C O M P L E T E
W E L C O M E T O B L A C K B E R R Y M E S S E N G E R V 1.0.1
CONVERSATION WITH: ALLAN LEWIS
AUGUST 02 2004
9:33 AM
Software is running great on my 6710
Congratulations Mike
Thank you.
Thanks for all your help, Allan.
You got it
Just so you know, Doug hasn’t come in yet
Thanks for letting me know.
[Read at 9:34 AM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
AUGUST 02 2004
12:05 PM
My offer still stands.
Remember?
Yeah
When?
Any time after 11:30.
OK
[Read at 12:07 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: DOUG FREGIN
AUGUST 02 2004
3:38 PM
You’re a no call no show on our biggest day of the year?
Sorry
Stomach flu
Not like you’d miss me anyway
That’s not true.
Sure it is
[Read at 3:39 PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
AUGUST 02 2004
11:39 PM
5600 Berkshire.
Gate code 21723.
On my way
[Read 11:40PM]
CONVERSATION WITH: JIM BALSILLIE
AUGUST 03 2004
1:21 AM
Just so we’re crystal fucking clear, that never happened.
Got it?
OK
[Read at 1:22 AM]
OUTGOING CALL: DOUG FREGIN
1:24 AM
[Declined]
1:24 AM
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1:25 AM
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1:25 AM
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1:25 AM
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1:26 AM
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