The Shady Side of the Street: The Resignation Decision of a Top Salesman

"He had everything—money, success, the parties, the girls."

[🎧 The audio version is available at the bottom of the page.] ⬇

(Scene: Mr. Chung’s Office, Central, Hong Kong. It’s a Monday morning. The office hums with the noise of phones ringing, keyboards clicking, and muted conversations.)

(YOU, 38, one of the top salesmen, stand at the door of Mr. Chung’s office. MR. CHUNG, 56, is engrossed in signing papers and adjusting his reading glasses. He doesn’t notice your hesitation.)

Mr. Chung (without looking up): Hey, Alan. You wouldn’t believe my Saturday night with that new executive from TM Group. We went to the Tigers Club with some of his buddies from Singapore. Great crowd. You should’ve been there—the roast duck and char siu were to die for. You’d have loved it.

(You stand still at the door, a white envelope in your hand. Mr. Chung’s casual tone catches you off guard.)

Mr. Chung (glancing up): Got something for me? What’s that?

(You hesitate, feeling the weight of the moment. But, with a breath, you step forward, offering the letter with both hands, bowing slightly—like a Japanese worker presenting something important.)

(Mr. Chung raises an eyebrow, sensing the change in your demeanor. He takes the envelope, slicing it open with a paper knife. His eyes flick between the letter and you, a furrow forming on his brow.)

Mr. Chung: Alan, I… I didn’t expect this. If this were ten years later, I’d get it. But now? I need to hear it from you. What’s going on? Want a raise or something?

You: No, Mr. Chung, it’s not about the money. You’ve been generous to me since I started here, and I’m thankful for it.

(Mr. Chung stands, walks over to the window, gazing out at the bustling city below.)

Mr. Chung: Alan, I thought I knew you. But with that look, it’s clear you’re not going to change your mind.

(He turns, locking eyes with you, searching for hesitation. He finds none.)

You: Mr. Chung, I—

Mr. Chung: Call me Victor. We’re not just coworkers. I’ve accepted your letter, after all.

(You nod, feeling a mix of relief and guilt.)

You: Thank you. I know the timing isn’t great, especially with the peak season coming up.

Mr. Chung: Did you find another job?

You: No.

Mr. Chung: Is it the people here?

You: No, not at all. My team’s great. I couldn’t ask for better.

Mr. Chung: So, this is a “naked resignation”?

You: Yeah.

Mr. Chung: And with no warning?

You: I’m sorry, Vic.

(Mr. Chung leans on his desk, thinking.)

Mr. Chung: When did you decide this? How long have you been sitting on it?

You: Six months.

Mr. Chung: Six months? Never saw it coming. You hid this well from me.

(You smile faintly, but quickly regain composure.)

Mr. Chung: Out there, you’re a wolf—sharp deals, quick moves. But inside, you’ve always been loyal. That’s what I like about you. If you’d stayed, you could’ve been running this floor in your 50s, maybe sooner. So… what changed? Has something happened recently?

You: No, nothing specific. But I’ve been thinking about it… for a while now. About two years.

Mr. Chung: Two years? I had no clue.

You: At first, it was just a thought. A seed. But over time, it grew. Eventually, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Mr. Chung: You should’ve talked to me. Maybe I could’ve helped.

You: I didn’t want to disappoint you.

Mr. Chung: Alan, you think too much about others. Even if you leave, we’re still friends.

You: Of course.

(A pause. Mr. Chung gestures toward the sofa. You both sit down.)

Mr. Chung: But I still need to understand—what made you come to this decision?

(You hesitate, then speak.)

You: Do you remember Jason Poon?

Mr. Chung: S.Y.? Of course. What about him?

You: S.Y. is dead.

(Mr. Chung’s face freezes.)

Mr. Chung: I didn’t know… when did it happen?

You: Last summer.

Mr. Chung: S.Y… He was one of our best. Left for Sunrise Group after five years here. Didn’t know you two were close.

You: He was my university roommate.

Mr. Chung: Oh… I never knew.

You: He introduced me to this company.

Mr. Chung: How did he…?

You: I found his body.

(Mr. Chung listens intently as you recount Jason’s death.)

You: It was last summer. Jason hadn’t replied to my messages for a week. At first, I thought he was just busy, but something felt off. So, I went to his apartment.

(You pause, taking a slow breath.)

You: The door wasn’t locked. I pushed it open, and the smell hit me first—that sour, rotting stench. The place was a disaster—bottles, cigarette butts, takeout boxes everywhere. And near the coffee table…a used condom.

(Mr. Chung frowns but says nothing.)

You: At first, I thought he was just passed out from a wild night, but then I saw his cats.

(You swallow hard.)

You: He had two. They were starving—meowing weakly, rubbing against my legs. That’s when I really started to panic. I stepped past the couch, through the hall… and then I found him.

(You exhale shakily.)

You: He was on the balcony, sitting in a chair. His head tilted back, eyes closed, like he was enjoying the night breeze. For a moment, I thought he was just sleeping. But then I realized—he wasn’t breathing. His skin was pale, his lips parted, his hands limp at his sides. And then…

(Your voice catches.)

You: He was still wearing the condom. Nothing else.

(Mr. Chung expression darkens, but he remains silent.)

You: It was still on him, like he’d just finished, maybe laughing, maybe reaching for another drink. And then—a stroke. Just like that. Alone, on that chair, in the summer heat.

(You take a deep breath.)

You: The doctors said it was quick. His body just shut down. No chance to call for help. He must’ve sat there for days. The party ended. The girls left. No one noticed.

(A long silence. Mr. Chung rubs his temples, sighing.)

Mr. Chung: I’m sorry, Alan.

You: After that, I couldn’t stop thinking about how he ended up like that. He had everything—money, success, the parties, the girls. Maybe he had fun that night. But in the end, none of it mattered. He was alone. And his body just… gave out.

(Mr. Chung pauses, lost in thought, before speaking with care.)

Mr. Chung: People are different, Alan. Jason ended up that way, but that doesn’t mean you will. From what I see, you’re not caught in the chaos like he was. You live differently. You’re—

(He stops, his eyes locking onto yours, as a realization dawns.)

Mr. Chung: Or… do you?

(You don’t answer. The silence between you both says enough.)

(Mr. Chung exhales, quieter now.)

Mr. Chung: I’m not one to judge. Everyone has the right to choose their path. But… when does the chaos end?

(He shakes his head slightly, as if wrestling with his own past.)

Mr. Chung: Well… I’ve had my fair share of crazy times. Still do, now and then. Life’s a mix of light and dark, clean and dirty. We all walk the same street. In the end, life’s short, right?

(He sighs, pats your knee, and stands.)

Mr. Chung: Did you tell Amy about this?

You: No.

Mr. Chung: Why not?

You: What’s the point? She’ll probably leave once she finds out. Relationships built on money and status never last.

(Mr. Chung studies you, considering your words.)

Mr. Chung: That’s how the world works, sure. But people… they’re not always as bad as you think.

(A faint smile tugs at his lips.)

Mr. Chung: And I actually think she’s a nice girl. If you really talk to her, she might understand.

You: Yeah… maybe. But not for long. Anyway, I’ll try.

Mr. Chung: So what’s next for you?

You: I don’t know yet. I think I’ll travel for a while. See the world. I’ve never lived abroad—just short trips. I want to experience something different. Maybe then, I’ll figure out who I really am.

(Mr. Chung watches you for a moment, then speaks with quiet certainty.)

Mr. Chung: You’re already a good person, Alan. But changing your surroundings won’t change what’s inside. Everywhere’s the same, in the end.

You: Yeah… I know. But I still have to try.

(Mr. Chung nods slowly, sensing the resolve in your eyes.)

Mr. Chung: I hope you find what you’re looking for. And if you ever want to come back, you know the door’s always open.

(You shake his hand. As you leave his office, a mix of emotions—relief, doubt, sorrow—settles in your chest. The door closes behind you, and you step out into the uncertain future.)

(Inside, Mr. Chung stands by the window, gazing out at the shady side of the busy commercial district, lost in thought.)

(Posted on 31.1.2025)

#TopSalesmanResignationDecision

(🎧 Audio Version) The Shady Side of the Street: The Resignation Decision of a Top Salesman