RAYMOND

Steps to consider on this writing journey:

1. Outline Your Story: Begin by outlining the key events, emotions, and themes you want
to explore in your book. Think about the overarching narrative arc and how you want to
structure your story.
1. This is the story of an undergraduate student by the name of Franz who wanted
to get a first experience in accounting and found an internship in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.

2. Develop Your Characters: Since you'll be a central character in your book, take the time
to flesh out your character, along with other significant individuals in your life. This
includes providing depth to their personalities, motivations, and relationships.

1. Character Portrait: Raymond, the Gruff Accountant

Raymond, a 76-year-old man of Italian origin, bears the hallmark olive skin tone
common among his compatriots. His face, etched with severity, features hollow
cheeks that hint at a life well-lived. Despite shedding some weight in recent years,
remnants of his past obesity linger—particularly in his fatty breasts. Raymond
likely endured diets and slimmed down, yet his belly now sags due to the pull of
descending organs.

Behind this physical façade lies a brilliant mind. Raymond boasts over 45 years of
experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). However, his eloquence
doesn’t match his professional prowess. His language, peppered with expletives
like “Fuck,” “Shit,” and “son of a bitch,” punctuates nearly every sentence.
Perhaps it’s his way of venting the frustrations accumulated over decades of
crunching numbers and navigating financial complexities. Or maybe, deep down,
he relishes the shock value of his coarse vocabulary—a rebellious streak that
defies the buttoned-up world of accounting.

Raymond’s dichotomy—the juxtaposition of intellect and vulgarity—makes him a

fascinating character. His colleagues may wince at his choice of words, but they
can’t deny the wisdom he imparts. After all, behind every expletive-laden tirade
lies a nugget of financial insight, delivered with a gruffness that only Raymond
can muster.

And so, the seasoned CPA marches on, his colorful language echoing through the
halls of the accounting firm. Whether clients appreciate his candor or cringe at his
profanity, Raymond remains unapologetically himself—a testament to the
complexity of human nature and the unexpected ways it manifests.

2. Character Sketch: Sean, the Accounting Enthusiast

Sean, a slightly overweight man with a receding hairline and a neatly trimmed
beard, exudes an air of discretion. When he speaks, his voice resonates with
clarity, each word meticulously articulated. Sean’s passion lies in unraveling the
 intricacies of accounting, and he possesses a knack for making complex
accounting concepts accessible to others. His enthusiasm is contagious, and you
can sense that he could effortlessly teach accounting to anyone willing to learn.

In group conversations, Sean is a force to be reckoned with. If a technical

question arises, he’s the first to dive in, eager to share his expertise. His responses
flow seamlessly, and he remains undeterred by the intricacies of the subject
matter. Sean’s commitment to demystifying accounting principles is unwavering,
and he revels in those “aha” moments when his explanations resonate with his
audience.

Despite his name hinting at Italian origins, Sean’s heritage remains a mystery.
Perhaps it’s the universal appeal of numbers and balance sheets that transcends
cultural boundaries. Or maybe Sean himself embodies the essence of accounting
—an intricate blend of precision, passion, and the joy of unraveling financial
puzzles.

3. Jinah(partner)
Jinah, an enigmatic and focused individual, dedicates herself tirelessly to work.
She rarely engages in conversation, preferring to listen silently to others.
Originally from Korea, she was adopted by a US officer as a baby. Her Asian
heritage and compact stature define her. Raymond, our source of information,
revealed that Jinah’s adoption took place in Korea, and she was subsequently
brought to the US by her adoptive father.

Jinah’s unwavering commitment to work suggests a deeper purpose—one that

drives her relentlessly. Perhaps she harbors ambitions beyond the ordinary. As the
company’s sole Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she stands poised to assume a
pivotal role. Raymond, at 76 years old, and his non-accountant son, Nick, leave a
void that Jinah may be strategically positioning herself to fill. With Sean also
contemplating departure, Jinah’s ascent seems inevitable. The company’s fate
may well rest in her capable hands.

Jinah’s stern demeanor is nearly unparalleled. Only Raymond surpasses her in

severity. Her favorite phrase, uttered with unwavering conviction, is likely, “I
don’t care.” But there’s another refrain she frequently employs when she declines
participation: “We don’t have time for this.” Jinah’s no-nonsense attitude and
strategic positioning within the company hint at a calculated ambition—one that
may soon propel her to the forefront of decision-making. As Raymond’s legacy
hangs in the balance, Jinah stands ready to seize control.

4. Nick (partner)
5. Laurie (employee)
6. Diana (Employee)
7. Ricardo (Employee)
8. Carlos (Employee)
 9. Franz (the intern and main character of the story)

3. Capture Emotions and Insights: Reflect on your experiences and extract the emotions,
insights, and lessons learned along the way. Your reflections can add depth and
authenticity to your storytelling.

4. Consider Narrative Style: Decide on the narrative style that best suits your story. Will
you write in the first person, as if addressing a specific individual like Diana, or will you
opt for a more traditional third-person narrative?
1. Third person

5. Engage Your Audience: Think about your target audience and how you can engage
them through your storytelling. What themes or messages do you want to convey, and
how can you make your story resonate with readers?
1. The story will combined two different topics: Accounting and Harassment
(bullying).

6. Seek Feedback: As you write, consider sharing drafts with trusted friends, family, or
writing groups for feedback. Their insights can help you refine your narrative and ensure
that your story is effectively communicated.

7. Stay True to Your Voice: Throughout the writing process, stay true to your voice and
authenticity. Your unique perspective and experiences are what make your story
compelling.

CHAPTERS

 Florida.
 Sounds off.
 Read, Think, and ask questions.
 Bullied.
o The Four Workplace Bully Types.
o Jinah: the gatekeeper.
o Avoiding investing in me: no QuickBooks, no UltraTax
 Build your case.
 The pursuit of a job.
 21 miles a week
o I carried my cross
 Unfairness.
 Intolerance to frustration.
 Played
 God is on your side.
 Deliverance.
 o I accepted my crucifixion.

"If it costs you your peace it's too expensive"

-Paulo Coelho
Dear Diana,

I hope this message finds you well. I sincerely appreciate your kind words. Rest assured, I am
doing fine.

Regarding the recent events, I wanted to clarify some details. If you happen to still have access
to the last emails from Jinah, you'll note that initially, I was instructed to place the tax return in
the designated drawer, hence the hole-punching. Subsequently, Jinah's follow-up email directed
me to finally leave it on her desk. The mailing of the Tax Return to the IRS has never been
mentioned.

You advised me to gather evidence to defend myself in such situations. However, pursuing this
path demands considerable time and energy, which I lack the inclination for. My presence in the
company was unwelcome, likely due to the envy and animosity sparked by my association with
Raymond. Sadly, I became a target.

While I prefer not to delve into every detail of my experiences in the office, suffice it to say, I
felt manipulated throughout. When Raymond shed light on the exit from this tumultuous
situation, I seized the opportunity to depart.

Raymond holds a special place in my heart, akin to a father figure. I feel fortunate to have
crossed paths with him and his wonderful family. Likewise, I cherish the connections I've made
with you, Laurie, Carlos, Ricardo, and Nick.

Wishing you all continued blessings,

Franz
 Introduction

Jinnah approached from behind and as she put the tax return on my desk kindly asked “Hey
Franz, why did you punch the hole on the tax return if it is destined to be signed by the client?”
“I did not know this was destined for the client” I returned. “Now you know” she added. I asked,
“Do you want me to print a new copy for you?” I asked puzzled, “No, that’s fine, I printed a new
copy” she answered with her usual velvet voice as she left my cubicle and headed to her office.

This was 9:30 this Monday morning and felt already disappointed. I thought I would never do
the right thing in this company, but this was Monday morning, and I did not want to feel negative
so early. After all, I had a restful weekend which does not happen very often, and my anxiety
was low. I fought, “Let’s begin the week positively and finish this consolidation in Excel
effectively. My spreadsheet was very clean, all debit expenses were correctly reduced, and I
correctly zeroed out the receivables to only keep the cash amount in the adjusted columns. I was
satisfied with my work.

It took weeks to understand the concept of consolidation and to be able to apply it without asking
for help to anyone at the office. Being a fresh undergraduate in accounting does not mean you
understand everything. It’s the contrary and the gap can be huge between college and reality.
Students who easily understand accounting concepts at school quickly become productive once
in a work setting. I had a good GPA of 3.53 but I was slow in class and even slower once I
started to work in a business structure. Being French and graduating at the age of 53 in the US is
not very common. If for some people, it is considered an exploit, for many others it is rather a
handicap. Companies do not want to invest in you for they quickly perceive the difference
between what you say and what you want to communicate and that annoys most accounting
managers. Accountants can be very snobbish and disregard you if you are not a genius like them.