Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2021 15:08:45 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 271 I was having fun with the information on the laptop that was available to me and I was sure not everyone had the same access. The conference room door opened and Liam said Mr. Simmons it is 3:05. I looked at him and he smiled and said just setting the tone. I turned the laptop off and disconnected it and took it with me to the common room. I went right to the front of the room and said good afternoon and I would say thanks for being here but you didn't have a choice. Dillon would you please have security round up anyone not here and deposit them in the conference room and have them bring their security passes. Understand this was a required meeting. I took a deep breath and said Change is never easy and it is never good or bad it simply is necessary. A year ago when I walked into the company for the first time I was physically sick at the conditions you were required to work in. That trip and about 18 million dollars produced where you currently sit. Corporations change and adjust and restructure or fail. We have changed, restructured and increased out business, our profits and our image. We have contracts with GSA, DOD, NASA. There is a new robotics division. There are local contracts with Giant Eagle most of which have been added in the last 10 months. You should expect this type of growth to continue and we will expect you to continue to adjust. Last Friday when you were asked to move your personal belongings over here and the complaining and bitching started. Collectively you are driving Dillon crazy. To let him get on with the things he needs to do we have hired Liam O'Toole. Liam started Friday and will need a week to get up to speed. Dillon will no longer deal with your individual issues as it relates to you chairs, location, sun light. Liam will deal with that. Until next week those complaints should be directed to me via email. On each of your chairs there were instructions on how to operate the ergonomic function. FIGURE THAT OUT. Understand you are the first group and soon there will be a functioning cafeteria, workout room and other things to make your work life more pleasant. There will continue to be free parking. Are there any questions? Mike, how soon will you deal with our issues once you get an email? I smiled and said anywhere from immediately to not at all depending on the issue. I care about each and everyone of you but what I have been told about some of these request some of you need to grow up. Mike, what if we find it impossible to adjust to the new environment? Well if I was in that situation I would look for employment elsewhere. I will personally write anyone who feels that way a glowing recommendation. I would rather have you working for the competitor. Mike, is the new dress code in effect? I replied Yes. Understand that is an email that I would not respond to. Mike the new phone system is difficult will there be training? I replied, you will adjust and read the damn directions. The old phone system was original to the company and as tech people you should be able to figure out equipment designed two years ago. If a number of you tech genius's need help we will schedule a training. Then I looked at the room and said my message to each of you is to adjust or move on. I'm not usually this blunt but 18 million dollars spent to improve things matters to me. Then I heard people clapping and I looked and Kyle, dad and Tim were showing support. Then it was to the conference room where I found three people sitting around the table, Kyle, Tim, Dillon and Liam were with me. I asked, so why weren't you at the meeting? One guy said we didn't feel it was important. The other two agreed. I shook my head and said well it was a mandatory meeting and it didn't matter if it was important or not. You are suspended without pay for the rest of the week and on Monday report to Human Resources at 8:00. There will be a formal reprimand for you to sign and placed in you employment file. Then I looked at one of them and said you get an addition two days for a dress code violation, Maggie will be expecting you Wednesday morning. Failure to do that will result in your termination. I looked at security and said collect their passes and show them out. Then I said Liam have a seat and I looked at everyone else and said thanks. Liam, I talked with Cole about hiring you weeks ago and was holding off over a concern about you and him and that relationship and golf. Mike, we are very close and I am aware of every aspect of the golf and to be honest the way he plays it is a lot of money and he is a priority. I need a plan B in case he doesn't make it, I hope this works out. I asked about his girl and he said they broke up as she is graduating and has a job in California and I wasn't moving. Then he said, I'm good money wise and will be looking for a big boy apartment once my lease is up in December. Liam, we have three more floors to fill and over 300 people to move so set the tone and maintain what I started today. Make them act like adults and the turnover will be the turnover. Check my calendar as it is current. Well welcome aboard, I have to get ready for practice. I drove home and went through Hazelwood and avoided the RT 51 traffic and that was a plus. I quickly changed into gym shorts and a tee, made a sandwich and was quickly off to Monday night at the movies. Naturally it was nothing that I expected and Coach had a dozen play he wanted to discuss and the first one was Wyatt's interception. It ran and Wyatt asked to see it again and again and again, then he said thanks. Then coach showed JJ punt return and said MR. Messer if that would have been a fair catch you we're benched for the afternoon. JJ laughed and said, heck coach even the cheerleaders thought I would fair catch that. Then he said I'm learning to live with the QB play and their freedom but what determines the linebacker play? Chad said well Josh calls that and we hold off as long as possible to determine if there is a double team. Ok what happens if they call the plays quicker? Josh said we simply guess and they are never sure. Coach said well the three of you and the staff need to talk. Then the films were of next Friday's game. I watched and thought we are bigger, faster and more athletic and this won't be close. The 15 players we saw were so well broken down I was wondering if Wyatt's granddad had done that. I didn't care I just wanted to go home. I saw JJ and asked what he was doing and he said night flying with dad and I'm in command and that's is special as I'm never in command. I laughed and saw there was a familiar car parked next to mine and damn Sam leaning against it. I went up to him and said damn your getting bigger are you maturing as well. He ignored that and asked, if we could please talk. He said I bought hoagies and iced tea and if I remember there is a picnic table at the back end of the upper lot. I said ok but I have had a tough day and I'm not in the mood for bull shit. Sam said deal and we drove to the upper lot and Sam produced the food and drinks. We sat there eating and I finally said, ok Sam what's up. Well two things one you can help with and one to let you know what's happening. Sam, what do you need help with? Mike, football. So you are having trouble reading defenses thus the 2 interceptions, correct? Mike, that's most of it. Sam, that comes with experience but if you spend a lot of time looking at film, that will help. He said thanks and that his coach had said that was well plus I will play a quarter of JV. I just smiled at that and Sam said, Mike if I came back..... I stopped him and said you would be QB2 and never more unless Wyatt got hurt or left. He is that good, in fact better than that good. Mike how does he read defenses so well, I actually went to your game Saturday? Sam his grandfather was a big time high school coach in Ohio. He spends hours breaking down film together for fun. Sam this is nothing new, I have told you all this before. Ok Sam what do you feel I should know about Carrie? Well things were bad when she told the rents her and Rob were expecting but the other day Rob demanded a paternity test. I was thinking why was that necessary, then Carrie flew into a rage. Now I'm thinking Rob had a good idea. Mike, if that's the case it would have to be an older guy as he is the only person she hangs out with that is her age. Sam is she still working at the architect firm? Sam said that's another thing when they found out she was pregnant they let her go. Mike, they still pay her as part of a commission on a deal she got for them. I just started to laugh and I said Sam, I would bet any amount of money that Rob is not the dad. Sam sat there with his mouth open and then said my rents are going to beat the brat out of her. We finished eating and as I was leaving I said Sam, transfer to Central they need a QB and you know the routine; a faith based education and bigger class sizes and he laughed and said thanks. I thanked him for the food and drove home. At home I went right into the house and Megan was reading and we were chatting about the baptism and as I was afraid, it would be a smallish reception at the club. Megan there is never dad and smallish at the Club and she shrugged and said, I know. I asked where Cole was and she pointed upstairs something about a damn paper. I was about to go to chat when Ashley started to fuss and I went to pick her up and immediately knew that was a mistake as I could feel her unload in her diaper. I put her in her bed and grabbed a diaper and whiles and thought how hard could this be. Well when I opened the diaper there was shit all over the place. Megan asked if I needed help and I said well I have this but how does someone this small shit this much. I finally managed but needed new clothes which was the diaper and an undershirt. Once we were finished I handed her to Megan so I could wash my hands and Ashley attached Megan's boobs through her blouse. I washed my hands and went looking for Cole. He door was open and he had headphones on and I went in and got his attention. He took one look at me and said, yes I'm ok with your new employee. Neither of us know why but that nut in HR was cooperative. I just asked, are you sure? MJ, this is perfect and when I hit it big he could easily make a million a year and if not he has a job I think he will like. Win, win. Then I told him about Sam and the drama with his sister and Rob wanting a paternity test. Cole laughed and asked, so you put that thought in his head. I looked at Cole and asked, whatever gave you that idea? MJ, there is no way you didn't instigate that. Then Cole asked did you see the new English teacher. Cole I have her first period and I sprang a rocked the second I saw her? So MJ are you going to hit on her? Cole, as much as I want to that's just sick. Oh speaking of sick, I hear you lost a bet to Wyatt. Cole shrugged and said yup and he already collected. So, details please. MJ it wasn't much I ate his ass, sucked his balls and swallowed his load. He is a very streetwise kid and he can shove that eaglet image up the general public's ass. I laughed and said good night. In my room I put a light rock tape in the walkman and started on CMU. I was almost done and had just a couple of days to submit the assignment. There would be two more and I would have 3 more credits, pending a final exam. I really enjoy this and was thinking it would be a shame to get this degree and simply manage the company. I was determined not to go there for a while. I worked on the math project and was shocked to find that it midnight. I set the alarm and set the coffee. Then I stripped and jumped into bed. Tuesday getting dressed I realized that the new work dress code was a pain as I was overdressed for school and there was no time to change between school and work. Miss Kline continued to infatuate me to the point I couldn't concentrate. Carrie and her continued dirty looks were also an issue. On the way out of class Carrie stopped me and said, I know you are behind the paternity test. I said yes I was and I'm sure you have been fucking clients to get business. There was another attempt to slap my face which I avoided and I immediately heard that's enough you two and Miss Kline was standing there. Then she said get to class and I hope it is different classes. It wasn't but I just went on my way. I don't know what happened to Carrie but she wasn't in Government and Policies. The rest of the day was uneventful and I stayed for lunch. JJ said he didn't land till a bit before midnight and he better be an easy practice but he got his night flying in for the Jet shit. I signed out for work and drove to the old building. First thing I checked the emails and just laughed as there were 6 complaints and only one was legitimate. That email was answered immediately and the employee was asked to chose a chair from an empty location and place the broken chair in the conference room. Two emails dealing with phones were simply delegated and 3 had messages returned with IDC (I don't care). I confirmed lunch with Kyle at the sports bar around the corner at 12:30. The rest of the day was the laptop. At school I quickly changed into practice pads and went to the field.with a drama free and relaxing day I was into this. I was exclusively on defense and the coaches were watching us as linebackers fuck with the offense. Eventually we were called out and the defensive coordinator said he want the ability to call the lineup on occasions and that the freshman kicker would signal whatever lag he was stretching would indicate which way Mike would move. We agreed to that and once we were alone Josh said if he starts getting over involved we will do what we want. I said Josh you have to deal with these people next year. Mike, they will need to deal with me. Josh was put back in and there was a Junior and sophomore with him at linebacker and they picked the routine quickly. Most of the work went to underclassmen indicating that coach was thinking an easy game. I couldn't disagree from the films but we better be ready. I couldn't remember when I had an easier day and I was caught up in all the classes. At my place I went right to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer, then put it back and settled for iced tea. I threw myself on the loveseat and was totally bored. I called the Major and asked what planes were available tomorrow and I was told both and he asked what's up? I said I needed a day. He asked where I was going and I said Annapolis for lunch and he found that hysterical. Ok, why you going there and I said good seafood. Mike are you going alone? Jim that's the plan, why? Mike that's a long solo. What if you make it dinner and you can fly back at night and get that out of the way, I'll tag along. Jim, that would be great. We agreed to meet at the airport at 3:00. Oh Mike, just so you know you are not real popular at the new place. Jim please tell me something I care about but I'll order breakfast for the group. We hung up and I immediately called Dunkin Doughnut's and ordered 10 dozen doughnuts to be delivered to the new joint. I went to the house and found dad and asked if he would like to join me and the Major for dinner tomorrow night in Annapolis. Dad looked at me and asked why? Dad simply because I can and I need a day for me and we have an easy game this week so I'll simply miss practice and be sick. Well Mike, that sounds like fun and I assume Jim is along for a reason? I said yes, night IRF flying for jet certified. Dad we are meeting at the airport at 3:00 so it will be wheels p around 3:30. Then dad asked if Cole could come and I said absolutely. I wasn't back in my room when JJ called and he asked, so why in the fuck we having dinner in Annapolis? JJ, because I can and I need a day, are you tagging along? He said yup and I'm flying down as I need the hours and you can fly back at night. I said well that works and please work up an IFR flight plan. JJ what is coach going to think about all this and JJ said keep up as Jim, Josh, Chad and 3 linemen are all taking the day off he will be worried about the virus running through the team. MJ, I'm actually going to school in the morning and going home sick, I can't afford to miss Spanish. So JJ, you still teaching that class? MJ, I'm a humble student and we both laughed. We hung up and now I was in a great mood. The fact that I would surprise the shit out of dad was an absolute bonus I checked over the CMU assignment and submitted it and would get the results in a day or two. With that I simply went to bed. Wednesday morning was a fantastic mid September day so I went for a solo run and when I returned I called school and said I had a stomach virus and the Secretary laughed and said you and half the football team. I replied, well I guess we spend too much time together. Then it was a long shower and khakis and a polo shirt and I grabbed my laptop and was off to the new location. I pulled into the parking lot and damn, I didn't have a space. I thought I would have to talk with Dillon about that and then thought how I would have reacted to that complaint and changed my mind. As I was putting the roof up on the car Kyle came over and asked, damn don't you have people to do that? I laughed and said how about we skip lunch and just meet for a while. Mike, to be honest I would rather have you out in public as I'm sure you are pissed about that surprise yesterday. Kyle, I'll behave but it is on my agenda. We agreed to meet in the conference room at noon. Inside I went to the conference room opened the laptop and went to the break room for coffee. I was glad to see there was coffee and apparently 10 dozen doughnuts were not enough. I wasn't surprised to see a number of emails with facility issues. There were 9 so I printed each of them as since everyone was on one floor I easily found each person and discussed the nature of their issue. While this was much more time than I wanted to spend the message should be clear and that I cared but things would be different. Only one issue resulted in a change as a small stature person's work surface was a bit too high. He was asked to leave a note for maintenance and that it could be lowered and we agreed on 2". That was however 90 minutes of my life I would never get back. I was doing the laptop thing when I saw Riley and waved her to come into the room. When she came in I asked if she had time to shat and she said sure and I indicated a seat next to me. I asked so how are things and she said she was heavy into the move to the second floor and that was her turn to get bitched at as Dillon was pushing hard for the fourth floor. I asked about Jack and she said in heaven playing with his adult toys and loving life on campus. I asked about the wedding and she said well there isn't much left to do and that Jace, as best man, was planning a bachelor party at the Winery in New York. It seems that he can't leave Judy for any time at all. She laughed and said it's actually sickening watching those two. Oh, I was to tell you it's scheduled for the weekend after the State Finals. I laughed and said well that's nice but who knows about that. Then she asked what happened to Carrie, she isn't with J & J anymore? Riley, I'm not sure other than she is pregnant. So Mike, who is the father? I said good question but not me and Riley laughed. Then it was back to the laptop and I was already frustrated as I wanted mine live. Just then a security officer knocked on the conference room door and I waved him in. He said sorry to bother you but a Scott Cleary is here asking to see you. I told him that he worked for me and asked that he be shown the way back. Scott immediately handed me. 3 ring binder and he said business plan with projections 6, 9, and 12 months out. Then he handed me three folders and said new hires for your approval and a list of potential sites. I glanced at the hires and asked that Maggie review these and if she is good and they pass a drug test they are approved. Then I asked if he would please assign one of his designers to work facilities here for a week. He said sure and I said thanks and I'll get back to you about this, great job. Kyle was right on time and he had two iced teas with him and as soon as he sat down he said Mike I need you phone and I handed it to him and he handed it right back and said unlock the damn thing. I did what he asked and he worked on it for about 5 minutes and handed it back. Then he said on the mail icon when you open it you will find 3 addresses. Your personal email is first, second is MJS@technonogies.com and the last is MJS@enterprises.com. You should have passwords for each account that are different and never write the passwords down. I said thanks and would you please work you magic and make this thing live? He laughed and said reboot and login again. When I did, it was live and current. Kyle said I did that right before I came here, it's an apology for the surprise. Well Kyle it is appreciated but please stop with the surprises and I promise to listen and see what's best. Then I said, please ask Dillon to work Liam hard and let's see if he can do more than manage my brother. Kyle laughed at that. We spent a total of 20 minutes and then he asked so how is it that you are here all morning? I said stomach bug and he laughed and I sad a bunch of us are flying to Annapolis for what they think is dinner and it is actually business and dinner. Kyle looked at me and I said yup I'm pulling a dad and we might have a new client. Then I added details later. He asked about football and I said well it appears to be an easy game but at least 8 of us took off from school today and can't practice. Mike, there is no such thing as an easy game. Well Kyle you should have see the films. Suddenly Dillon appeared and said Kyle we have a meeting. Once alone I checked the sales numbers and thought it wasn't the best week but income was up but so was expenses. I spent another 30 minutes and being hungry, did the teen thing and drove to McDonalds and then to the airport. I was finishing my food, drinking iced tea and was craving a cigarette when my car door opened and the Major sat down and asked, what's going on with the blowing off school and football and this need to eat in Annapolis? I looked at him and said good seafood and a day the fuck off. Michael, that's bull shit and I'm not buying it, who is the damn meeting with? Major at this point it's need to know and right now you don't. He looked at me and said son, I'll ground this fucking airplane in a New York minute. Major you just crossed a line most people don't even try. Yes I did and trust me I'll cross it again because we both know I can and will every time you act like a dipshit. Now, why Annapolis? Major, dad and I have a meeting with the athletic department and the fucking football coach. Now back the fuck off. He got up and slammed the door so hard I was surprised it stayed shut. As he walked away I called JIM and he turned and I said FRIENDS? He smiled and said yes but a pissed off friend. I simply smiled at that. JJ appeared as I was dealing within the roof and I asked for the flight plan and he said so it's one of these types trips. Who pissed in your diaper besides you? I said, your dad. He handed me the plan and I said so why are we flying over the White House and the capital? MJ, it's the capital then the White House. Then he handed me a real plan and I simply said file it and I'll start the pre-check and see if your dad is still talking to me. At the plane I asked Jim if would help with the pre-check and he said nope but I'll watch as my ass is on board. I finished the check and Jim asked, so we set? I said well the craft is but that's up to the PIC. Just then JJ appeared and checked the fuel and he looked at his dad and said well if this dipshit says we are good this PIC is good. Now will you two kiss and make up so dinner isn't fucked up. As everyone was there JJ yelled let's get going, I'm hungry. Everyone got on and JJ was last and made sure things were secure. He jumped into the left seat, strapped in and started the engines, one at a time and checked the gages contacted the tower and we were quickly in the air. JJ and I were able to chat and no one could hear us and the topic was the girls. Did we want or need them? Why were they a package deal? What if we broke up and then a lengthy discussion on how and when to do that. I was amazed how well JJ handled the chat and yet flew IFR. Finally he laughed and said that's enough with THE FIFTY WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER. JJ they are not lovers, just itches to scratch. MJ enough, I'm busy. We were soon enough on the ground. The plane was secured and I said dad and I have a meeting and dad just looked. We have 6:30 reservations at Bonebowl Grill. It's located on the water so you'll have no issue finding it. JJ just shook his head and said Cole let's find some fun and Cole said well do that with your dad, I'm going with MJ and dad. With that we wend in different directions. Dad dressed in a jacket and tie asked if I had a change and said nope Jeans and a polo were fine and that he should lose the tie. We found our way to administration building and we went inside and before I could say anything the Lieutenant stood up and she said Mr. Simmons, Admiral Lynch asked for you to wait for him in the conference room and he will be right with you. Cole was just looking around and dad asked Mike, really? I said yup and you are here to back me up. Just then Admiral Lynch entered and I stood and we shook hands and I said Admiral it's great to finally put a face to that voice. Well Mike, Admiral Truly and several others at NASA speak highly of you and your organization as they do of your dad. Dad and the Admiral shook hands and then he said well Cole, I was hoping to see you in the plus 4's. I thought shit homework has been done. Mike, unless you are here to tell us you will be joining us here next fall we should get to work. Well Admiral then we should get to work. He nodded and I said, as a summary you want current grades available for every student and available to select people as well as to the students. There are privacy and security issues. Mike, that was a great summary and understand that cadets can only see their own grades and class standing. Well Admiral we can set that up and it will work unless the Cadets share their password and login with a fellow Cadet. Mike try as we might stupidly is hard to overcome. Mike, can this be done and when? Admiral it can be done and as an example our company financials are available in real-time to select members. Understand it is as current as your instructors make it. Input is key and like dad always says, garbage in garbage out. Admiral, if you were looking at an individual Cadet and a grade was entered you would see that happen. As for when a BETA run to start second semester and fully active for the start of the next school year. The BETA run would include grade book training for the faculty. Admiral I know this is a different process as we are not bidding and have been selected and that you have financial restraints for the entire program what is your budget. Mike we want the entire package and as quickly as possible and your time schedule works for us and with the hardware upgrade we have 4.5 million for the program. Dad, immediately said Admiral we need a minute in private. The Admiral said sure and I'll be back in 10. Cole just sat there and dad said Mike we have most of this done and you almost gave that away so we can do this for 4 million and make 1 in profit at least. So we should give them 500k back and tell them we are retaining the rights and patients. Then eventually a scaled down version will be in demand by every school district in the country. I looked at Cole and asked, so what do you think? He laughed and said you two just gave them 500k that you didn't need and started a new market and people will be years catching up. I laughed and said you are wasting your time on golf. The Admiral returned and he was thrilled and we shook on the deal. I asked if he wanted to join us for dinner and that Major Jim Messer would be joining us. He hesitated a minute and said sure, I'll need to change and I said well reservation at Bonebowl at 6:30 and he said I'll see you there. With that the three of us went for a short walk around campus and then started to the restaurant. NIFTY could always use your help. If you are in a position to do that, please consider that. THANKS FOR READING AND FOR THE MESSAGES.