[ ! ] AND THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GOES TO...
not one person in the crowd was holding their breath — everyone expected the award to go to simon lee. he seemed like the obvious choice and even after receiving a touching tribute, there was no doubt about the winner of the award. the audience was polite enough to quiet down for the declaration. the tuxedo clad presenter opened the envelope and for ten boring and unnecessary seconds stared at card with one name written on it. when he finally parted his lips to speak, the crowd could hear the uncertainty in his voice.
[ ! ] LAWRENCE FAIRCHILD !
the sound of audible gasps filled the hall. only after a long moment, someone dared to start applauding. the first cautious claps turned into a proper ovation. the 62-year-old man walked up onto the stage to accept the award. his smile was brighter than the stage lights. his speech barely reached its audience — everyone was too confused by the twist. out of all for nominees lawrence fairchild, the ceo of fairchild media, had not been taken seriously. fairchild media was a conglomerate standing on its last legs, how was lawrence fairchild deserving of the award? the unexpected ending for the award ceremony left the crowd feeling uneasy: if lawrence fairchild was still considered an important figure in the industry, had they been too quick to write him and his company off ?
