Wonder. It's a wet evening in early 1949 outside a restaurant in Harlem, New York.

Pepsi Special Markets National Salesman outside a restaurant in Harlem, New York.

Pepsi Special Markets National Sales Manager Ed Boyd waves good night to a salesman after a team

dinner.

But the mood is solemn.

Ed has told his men that Pepsi's profits are down and the team may soon feel the effects.

The four salesmen have interpreted this as a warning that layoffs are coming and they're

all anxious.

But there's nothing they can really do about it and Ed has

tried to reassure them as best he can. Now the men debate where to head next. Ed doesn't like

bars and clubs so won't be joining them but he figures the salesman

needs some time to process the bad news without their boss around anyway.

So he's about to hail a cab and head home when he hears a voice from behind

him. Mr Boyd?

It's Alexander Jackson, the Harvard graduate from Chicago.

Ed turns thinking the young man simply wants to say good night.

When Alexander looks serious, I was hoping we could speak privately if you have a minute.

Sure, of course. The two men amble up the block out of earshot of the rest of the group.

So what's up? It sounds like layoffs are coming.

If you're going to ask me if your job is safe, Alexander, the honest answers, I don't know.

I can't sugarcoat it.

No, no, Mr. Boyd, I'd like to volunteer. Volunteer.

...