For the holiday season, we thought we’d share our own version of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” In our story, it’s the night before a long-anticipated high-tech start-up launch.
With appreciation and apologies to Mr. Moore, we present, “’Twas The Night Before Launching…”
Twas the night before launching, when all through the modern, open-spaced loft-like office
All the creatures were stirring, including the office dog, Morris.
The prototypes were hung by the espresso machine with care,
In hopes that rabid early adopters soon would be there.
The interns were nestled all charged up in their Keds,
While visions of IPOs danced in their heads.
And partner, Jen in her ‘kerchief, and I in my Giants cap, no doubt,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s roll-out.
When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the thinkspace to see what was the matter.
Away to the shared reception desk I flew like a flash,
Avoided the foosball table and tripped over the trash.
The elevator lights were blinking like glistening snow
Gave way to the electronic bell tone, a little too loud, don’t you know.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But eight cardboard boxes carried by an overnight courier.
With a single envelope, so official and flattened,
I knew in a moment it must be the patent.
More unique and proprietary our product is now set,
We are free to launch with but Series B money to get!
“Now, Dashboards! now, Design Patterns! now, Pseudocode and Rootkit!
On, Compile! On, Checksum! On, Dual Boot and Heuristic!
To the top of the market! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
He sprang back to his van, to his team gave a whistle,
And away the deliverer drove terribly unsafe like a missile.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Launch Day to all, and to all a good-night!”
