Deviant gave us an opportunity this week to revisit this territory.

The Challenge: Deviant needed a way to thank an executive at a certain well-known Atlanta-based beverage company for his partnership on a number of endeavors.

After a quick interview and some research, we proposed a modern, custom, break-out waterfall table with a laser-etched dedication. “Sounds perfect,” Deviant told us. “One problem: security at the company is tight: you can’t bring furniture in.”

To further complicate things, Deviant wanted the table to be a surprise gift. We had to install the table and get in and out of the company HQ while the recipient was to be in an hour-and-a-half long meeting.

Meh.

So, to overcome all of this, we designed the table for rapid installation and discreet transportation – utilizing the language of heavy duty portfolio cases, the table packs up to look like something a hopeful design job applicant would carry around for, oh, you know, an entry-level packaging job.

Using this excuse, we made it past security, installed the table, took some Polaroids, and made it out before the intended recipient got back to his office.

Now we’re just trying to figure out if we can get away with adding the term ‘mercenary’ somewhere on our resumes.

To pull it off, we drew on our network of talented and enthusiastic design and production mercenaries.

We owe a hearty thank you to those who heeded the call: Michael McReynolds, Mark Montgomery, Melissa Cullens, Michael Gluzman, and Jason Travis. As the midnight oil burned, these individuals were rock steady.