Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2018 08:21:06 +0100 From: Clive Westwood Subject: Life's Illusions - Book Four, Chapter 35 Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. Http://Donate.nifty.org/donate.html Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 35 Vinny had completed three and a half months at Guardian's Torremolinas HQ when Rick declared him competent. He'd been working alongside Rick since arriving in Torremolinas, then had a run off month before Rick officially handed the position over to him. The division had been set up to cope with the ever increasing demand from all areas of business to access the legitimacy of insurance claims. They didn't attempt to settle the claims, that would be the job of whoever had passed the claim file to them, their role was to use their vast knowledge and resources to look for any indication of fraudulent behaviour. He'd taken the department at face value in those first three and a half months, but the more he saw, the more he was convinced, he didn't like the setup, and was determined to improve it, in a call to his Poppas he'd said as much, with his Poppa Piers replying. "You can't say you don't like the setup unless you envisage an alternative method of working, so I'm guessing you already have a plan, am I right?". Vinny hesitated. "Yes, but I'm nervous, it's quite radical, I want to completely refigure how the department operates, it's just not efficient, it wastes time, expertise, and it's costing a lot more than it should". Milo now chipped in. "Have you produced a viable working model for change?". Vinny answered him. "Yes, and I'm confident, it will revolutionise the departments efficiency, reduce cost, and increase the overall earnings potential". Piers came back in. "Then present it, it's what you're there for, but remember, when you're questioned, don't second guess yourself, maintaining confidence is essential when presenting a plan for change, check and double check before you ask for a meeting, then, if it all stacks up, breathe deep and go for it". Vinny had requested a senior management, 'Change Request' meeting and today was the day. Rick had been asked to attend purely as a formality, this was Vinny's first meeting, and it was unprecedented that a relative newbie would request changes to proven operational procedures at this point. Vinny was actually bricking it going into the meeting, so much so that Rick pulled him aside. "Okay, if you're going to shit your pants, I think we'd all prefer you do it now rather than later, so if your plan is so lame it won't work, why are we even here?". And it did the trick, Vinny was indignant. "My plan will work". Rick smiled. "That's my boy, just remember that determination, when you're questioned". Josef opened the meeting and handed the floor to Vinny. "Over the last few months I've been bedding in, but I've also been evaluating, and I don't believe we are being as effective, or as efficient as we could be, so, I have a plan, we currently cross check against the historical data base manually on every case, it takes roughly one hour to complete the necessary checks, I want to automate that search, use what I call 'Key Attractors', then we'll only work ongoing cases that have definitely rung the bell, as long as the data base is constantly updated, and we devise a formula for how the 'Key Attractors' are gathered, and what the search looks for, it will free up a massive amount of man hours". Rick almost screamed out, pointing at Juan and Josef. "I bloody knew I was right, he's definitely a fucking guru, I've been struggling with how to cut the physical workload for so long and it was there all along, but I have to ask, at what stage in the process would we place that search?". Vinny replied with confidence. "I'd want to completely change the life cycle structure, we are currently paying highly trained operatives to do mundane tasks like setting up cases on the system, entering basic data, work that doesn't need a highly skilled operative, it needs a trained copy typist who is capable of making intelligent decisions within a given range and criteria, on a much lower pay grade". Nobody spoke, in fact they were all hooked, so Vinny continued. "Files would be set up on system within forty eight hours of receipt, no later, the scan would run automatically overnight on the day of setup, the results would be reported at the start of the following business day, cases identified as having suspected interest would be allocated to Operatives, cases where no flags were raised would be returned to our Principal that same day and our billing process activated. He was amazed, they were still listening, their expressions begging him to go on. "Cases currently take on average eight days to be reviewed, that's because a large proportion of the files have nothing to interest us, they are passed back to our Principal as clean, but we're still investing a lot of dead time into manually checking all of those files, I intend to do away with that". This time he didn't wait, after pausing for a few moments he continued. "But I want to appoint an internal auditor to constantly look at Operatives competency levels, identify failings, implement refresher training, that isn't an easy position to fill, it has to be someone with an exemplary knowledge of the life cycle from cradle to grave, but I have someone in mind". Josef finally asked. "And you think this could work?". Vinny now understood Rick's advice. "With respect, if I only thought it could work I wouldn't be laying it out here for you, as I understand it, that's not why you employed me, I'm certain it will work, I'm certain it will result in an improvement in productivity, and I'm certain it will increase our bottom line figures for unit earnings Rick actually giggled, and got a glare from Josef for it. Josef replied. "You are correct, it is why we employed you". He then looked at Juan, who nodded. "Can you guarantee a commencement date with seamless transition at this point?". Vinny was factual. "Not a concrete timeline at this point, I would need to recruit a whole new section, I would put a thirty day provisional period on that, then training and testing, I believe I could have the plan operational in ninety days". Josef asked more, in truth, he would admit to Juan and Rick later, he was just trying to rattle Vinny, and he'd almost pissed himself at the reply. "And if I wanted that timeframe reduced substantially, and insisted on sixty days, no more?". Vinny was prickling now, that was a stupid question. "Then you should get someone else to do it for you, I'll happily pass my findings over, but I wouldn't be associated with the disaster you would produce, in fact, I wouldn't be here". Now even Juan was on the verge of laughing, because he saw Josef's face, never before had he encountered that sort of challenge, but he had to credit his brother on his recovery. "It was a question, a simple answer would have sufficed, I don't appreciate threats". But Vinny's answer really stumped him. "It wasn't a threat, it was a factual statement, I can deliver, in the timeframe I indicated, if that's what you want, let me know, because I don't appreciate being dicked about either, I'll be in my office". Vinny then got up and left the room, and as the door closed Juan couldn't resist any longer, he burst out laughing, and so did Rick, finally Josef couldn't help but join in, saying. "Okay, I agree now, that boy definitely has my attention, and he can't be rattled, he isn't prepared to compromise, now I can be confident, when he presents a scenario to us it will be a firm action, I, we, can have confidence in his opinion, I'll go speak with him, if we're all agreed, he can go ahead". They all three agreed. Josef was being watched in awe as he entered Vinny's section, Vinny's office door was closed, and Josef knocked, then waited as the response came, 'Wait', a few minutes later came the shout, 'Come In', and Josef entered as an Operative left. Vinny didn't bother to close the door, he didn't care that his staff heard him. "You didn't need to knock my door, next time you don't wait, walk straight in, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you, I was giving direction on a complicated fraud case, what can I do for you". Josef smiled, this boy was just unbelievable, no airs, no graces, he was beyond good, he just hadn't got a clue how good he was. "You can put into operation the plan you outlined, in the timeframe you outlined, and this time it's my turn to apologise, I had to see if I could rattle you, and I got my answer, I know now, you will give me fact, warts and all, it's exactly what I need, I govern a massive international company, I don't need suck ups, I want to be told no when the answer is no, if I can bully you into compromising I will, it's your job to stop me from going any further than where you are comfortable, you proved to be a very competent adversary, thank you, don't change that". Later that evening Josef would recount his run in with Vinny to Carry. "You wouldn't believe his resolve, I'd imagined I could bully him into submission, I mean, you have to admit, Paulette wraps him around her little finger, he's a wimp where she's concerned, it should have been a simple exercise, so imagine my surprise when he completely trashed me, I went down like a shot elephant, he basically told me if I wanted a yes man I should look elsewhere". Vinny had moved into 'The Nest', and he would be the first to admit, he was happy there, they had their suite on the opposite hallway to Carry and Josef, it had originally been two ensuite rooms which Carry had remodelled to comprise, bedroom, sitting room, twin walk in closet/dressing rooms, and twin bathrooms, it also had doors leading out to a huge balcony which caught the morning sun before becoming shaded later in the day. Vinny soon understood, the Josef at home was totally different to the Josef at work, and Paulette warned him before their first meal, her Momma wouldn't stand any business talk at mealtimes. They ate as a family most evenings which Vinny appreciated, the conversation always flowed easily. Paulette was now well into her eighth month of pregnancy, though no one had made comment about the timeframe. As luck would have it, she went considerably over her official due date by three weeks and her gynaecologist was talking of inducing the birth when it happened naturally. Paulette had been uncomfortable all day, with cramps and twinges which she put down to the baby's moving around. By ten in the evening, they'd retired to their suite where they'd fallen into a familiar pattern. Vinny would run the tub in Paulette's bathroom, then helping her in, he'd climb in behind her and gently massage her shoulders, she told him countless times how it relaxed her ready for sleep, though lately she'd never managed more than an hour or so before the baby's antics woke her again. That night, he'd helped her back out of the tub and into her robe. Vinny had been pulling on his Pj's when he heard her shout him, he'd run from his dressing room to her bathroom, she was standing in the middle of a large puddle. "My waters have broken, I had the first real contraction a couple of minutes ago". Vinny grabbed his cell and punched the stopwatch app, then he reached for a replacement robe from behind the door, dropping a large towel on the floor, he led her away from the puddle and onto the towel, then helped her out of the wet robe and into a clean dry one. As he was wrapping the robe around her the next contraction caught her, she groaned and grabbed him for support. Looking at the stopwatch on his phone, he worked out they were four minutes apart, and that's when Vinny started to panic, that was too close together, far too close, everything they'd been led too believe said they would be around ten, or eleven minutes apart at first. He helped her to their bed and got her settled comfortably, he couldn't chance leaving her so he dialled the hospital and asked for an urgent hookup with a midwife. Whilst waiting for them to connect him he dialled Carry's cell number, and within moments heard a groggy. "Hello". The grogginess was quickly wiped away when she heard what Vinny said. "Her waters have broken, she's in labour but I'm worried, the contractions started on four minutes, now they're down to three, it's coming now, I'm on hold for a midwife, you'll need to help me, hurry". Carry was out of bed in a flash and running for their room. Meanwhile, Vinny had explained the situation and was talking to a midwife. "Three minutes and twenty seconds, we need you here now, I'm putting you on speaker, I think I can see the head, shit, it's too late, you'll have to tell me what to do, ........okay, .......Paulette try to hold off, resist the urge to push, it's coming on its own, ......it's moving fast, .........the heads almost fully out, you mean now, or at the next contraction, ........okay got ya, .........Sweetie, when the next contraction comes push as hard as you can, .... I have the head and I'm watching the shoulders they're nearly out, ....., Paulette push now sweetie". Vinny stood spellbound, he was holding their son. "Oh wow, he's here, it's a boy, he's beautiful". Then there was an almost indignant wail from the little bundle in Vinny's arms. "Yes son, I'm your Poppa, and if you'll just give me a minute to sort your cord, I'll introduce you to your Momma". At that point Carry burst through the door into their suite, and Vinny gave Grama her first task. "Carry, take a lace out of one of my shoes over there". When she brought it back he asked for scissors from the bathroom whilst he tied off the umbilical cord, then, taking the scissors she handed to him, he cut the cord and wrapped the little bundle in a blanket. He placed their son into his Momma's arms just as the medics arrived Mother and son, with Poppa, were whisked into an ambulance and taken to the maternity hospital. Grampa and Grama followed behind, almost in a daze. On the journey to the hospital Carry described how cool headed Vinny had been, how she'd been shocked to see him cradling the child when she'd entered their suite, and how he'd calmly directed her to get a shoe lace, and scissors, cutting the cord as if it were an everyday experience, and telling Jo. "I think he's going to be a wonderful father". At the hospital Paulette was checked over and the baby pronounced a healthy eight pounds exactly. When they were settled in her private room Carry asked if they'd chosen a name yet, Paulette smiled and answered. "Andrew Josef, we wanted to honour Vinny's late Poppa, and my wonderful Poppa of course". Josef was completely made up. Carry took pictures of Paulette and Vinny holding their new arrival, then sent them, along with a message around the wider family. 'It is my absolute pleasure to announce and welcome the arrival, weighing exactly eight pounds, of Andrew, Josef, Grant-Alonso-Bowles-Cruz into this world and our family, mother and son are doing well, though he gave us quite a run for our money, arriving in exactly fourteen minutes start to finish, thankfully Midwife Vinny kept a cool head and performed perfectly, delivering his son single handed, with only telephone directions, for anyone wanting to send message cards, flowers, or presents of any kind, send to 'The Nest', it's looking like Paulette and Andy will be discharged within a few hours". Vinny had sent a separate copy of the pictures, with a message to his family in Sydney before Carry informed the wider family, it read: 'G'day family down under, just wanted to say hello to my Gramps, Milo and Piers, to my Uncles, Baz, Jez, and Pil, and to my Aunt Gracie, I'm Andrew (Andy) Josef Grant-Alonso-Bowles-Cruz, I only just checked in so I'm a bit tired, hopefully I'll get to see you all soon". When Milo and Piers received the message they forwarded it to each of the children's cell phones, knowing that at nine in the morning on a Saturday, only Gracie would possibly still be asleep. True to form they heard the boys whoop whooping as they headed towards their Poppas bedroom suite. Piers and Milo hadn't realised how significant the baby's first name was until an emotional Baz said. "They gave him Daddy's name, that's really special, when can we go see him?". Piers had expected that question and was prepared. "You all finish next Friday for two weeks, so I'm guessing we'll leave as soon as you are out of school". Baz jumped in with. "Jez and I have our final exams Thursday afternoon, we don't have to go in on Friday, Gracie finishes Thursday because her teachers have a training day Friday, but Pil has his last exam Friday morning, we can be clear by lunchtime". Piers was laughing. "Thanks Baz, I can never keep track of your timetables, it's a good job you've got it memorised, so, I'll let them know we're coming next weekend, and I think we should go shopping later for something to send Andy as a welcome from all of us". Over the next two weeks most of the wider family visited, some on a short overnight, on their way somewhere else, some for several days, and some, like Sydney and Chicago, came for a week. Little Andy was a joy, content to sleep through any level of noise, and affording his parents unbroken sleep most nights. After a week Vinny went back to work. He hadn't been idle during his week off following Andy's birth, he'd arranged for an agency to pre-interview selected candidates for the Admin Entry roles, he had twenty vacancies to fill. By the time he returned to the office they had forty four applicants who had passed the requirements he'd set out in the initial job description. Guardian's Control Room Operatives were tasked with the job of carrying out a security sweep on each applicant, Vinny refused Rick's suggestion that his own Operatives could do the sweep, as Vinny reminded him, they could become work colleagues eventually, he didn't feel right allowing a one sided situation where future colleagues would know completely another's private business. Then came the arduous task of formally interviewing the candidates. Vinny roped in Rick and two Control Room Managers, working on the basis, if they each managed three interviews per day, they could get through them in around three and a half days, it would then take an additional two days to sift through and rate the applicants. Paulette had said to Vinny that she was becoming a little bored at home each day, so Vinny asked her to help him by rating the first section of the interview which was a time sensitive, copy typing test, he wanted the applicants rated in order of, first the number of spelling, or other mistakes evident, and secondly by the time taken to complete the section, she was more than happy to be of help. Paulette's evaluations, along with the overall markings, and general observations of the interviewer resulted in twenty eight applicants who had successfully achieved, or exceeded the pass rate Vinny had set, allowing him to request HR to send out job offers to the highest scoring twenty applicants. Three of the successful applicants had achieved a one hundred percent pass score, two of these Vinny earmarked for Team Leader roles and he rang them personally to gauge their reaction, and offered the Team Leader roles to them, both were over the moon, accepting immediately, on an enhanced salary. Vinny had been working tirelessly to accomplish everything he'd promised within the ninety days. He'd almost completed the program which would scan files overnight searching for 'red flag' items, reasons to perform a full and detailed review of the file, but time was against him, the loss of a week when Andy was born had seriously impacted his schedule. Vinny was working flat out daily, then using Josef's office at 'The Nest' each evening, until Paulette put her foot down. "Vinny this has to stop, you're exhausted, I understand you gave a commitment, but without working evenings how far over the schedule would you be?". Vinny could answer that easily. "About four days". Paulette shook her head. "Tomorrow morning you go see Poppa, tell him you will be one week over schedule, he'll try to knock you down, stand firm, tell him you're a week behind because Andy's arrival impacted your schedule, remind him you're not asking for an extension, you're informing him delivery will be delayed by one week, leave him with no doubt, it is not negotiable". Vinny nodded, and she continued. "Now come to bed, it's been a while since we played jigsaw". Vinny shut his laptop and followed her, his cock chubbing up at the thought of playing jigsaw. The following morning when he walked into Josef's office he was understandably nervous. "I'm sorry but I have to inform you the delivery of the project will be one week behind schedule, it's regrettable, but it is what it is". Josef completely surprised him. "Okay, understandable, my grandson gave you a bit of a problem time wise, thanks for letting me know, I'll deal with it". Vinny came away feeling elated, knowing nothing of Paulette waylaying her Poppa at breakfast, whilst Vinny was still dressing. Their conversation had been brief, more of a thinly veiled threat from Paulette than a conversation. "Poppa, Vinny will inform you today that he's going to be one week late delivering on his project, it's entirely because of Andy's rather abrupt arrival, you will accept he needs an extra week, unless that is, you'd prefer me to be having this conversation with Momma, however, that conversation would involve me being tearful, at my wits end because of Vinny's exhaustion, and your overbearing demands on him, choose carefully Josef Caswel-Thorn". She hadn't waited for, or expected a response, simply kissing him on the cheek before proceeding to get her fruit and cereal, but she knew, the use of his full name would get her what she wanted, she'd reminded him of the way her Momma would address him if she was displeased, and where that would place him, firmly in the dog house. Josef had smiled to himself when she was out of sight, thinking, now that's a true Thorn woman. Three months later Vinny was sat in a meeting with Josef, Juan, and Rick, and he was blushing furiously, he didn't receive praise well. Josef was talking. "I have to admit, when we were first presented with your proposal to restructure a tried and tested practice, I was not onboard, but you won me over, and I have to admit, you were right, not only has your restructuring meant we are more efficient, and more productive, at a much reduced cost, it has attracted a mass of extra business, so don't blame me for what you've got yourself into". Suddenly Vinny became worried, that didn't sound good, but Josef was smiling as he said. "Every other division worldwide wants the same setup, so appoint your successor here, because you're going out and about, first stop Sydney". And Vinny relaxed, he'd been longing to go home, to see his brothers and sister, his Poppas, it would be like a holiday, not work. TBC Allan Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com. Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.