Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2021 21:48:16 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 280

Wednesday was a beautiful morning and started with JJ, Cole and I doing
the usual run and Cole bitching some about the pace. JJ was in a much
better mood and as I was meeting Kyle close to home I had time to change
and dressed in clothes that stretched the dress code to the very limit.
At school, I parked in my usual spot and started toward the building and
there was Heather standing in that spot, I started to walk by and
stopped, grabbed her and stuck my tongue as far down her throat as I
could. She pulled away swung and this time I simply moved back and she
missed my face. I looked at here and said babe, I asked you to find a
different spot, or simply ignore me. Then I simply went to class and was
fully engaged in the poetry shit when the classroom door opened and Dr.
Johnson said, excuse me but I need Mr. Simmons. This time the sexy
teacher said whatever. Dr. Johnson said Miss Abrams a word later when you
are free. I thought shit, now what. In the hall Dr. Johnson said Mike
walk with me. Then he asked what would happen if you got a 3 day
suspension for that display earlier today? I shrugged and said, well I
would get caught up at work and we would lose a football game Friday. He
laughed and said, please find another place not around school for that
activity. When we got to the administrative area I was led into the
conference room and there was the network crew with a camera and Dr.
Johnson simply left saying have fun.


I was totally pissed off but calmly sat down. The producer said Mike,
I'm sorry for the short notice but we have a special tonight and what to
hear from a few student athletes about their year and since we were here
we asked for an hour of your time. I looked right at him and said well
let's get this done as the student part of this athlete would very much
like to be in class. They attached a microphone to my tee shirt collar. I
immediately took it off and cupped it in my hand and calmly asked what
are the ground rules? Mike, this isn't complicated, we have a number of
questions we will ask and expand on those answers. I asked and edited
how? This session will be edited not for content, in any way but for
time. I said fine but understand poor questions get poor answers and will
everyone be as unprepared as me? The answer was well no one has more
notice than anyone else. You are by nature and experience more prepared.
I reattached the microphone and said fire away.


There was an introduction and bit of a background on me and the first
question was; Mike you are on a very good team and have won all the
games, yet there has been drama all season, why is that. I smiled and
said well we are very experienced and lost once last year the state semi
final game. We have grown and matured and have become a very tight team.
It took some adjusting by us and by the coaches. It is pretty much
resolved and we are in a great direction.


Mike, you were one of the most recruited athletes in the country can you
tell us about that? Sure, my dad and coach and I controlled that process.
I am different as I have no intention of playing beyond college as
education was first and foremost a consideration. I simply eliminated a
lot of schools because their emphasis was not education. Mike, would you
list some of those schools? No I won't, please move on. Well Mike why
VT. Well first of all their graduation rate and that when I went too far
they actually pushed back. I intentionally pushed and they pushed back.
Then the Dean of the computer science department agreed to count any
credits I earned at CMU. Mike as a follow up, how many credit will you
have going in to VT? I simply said 22. Mike that's very unusual. I
looked right at the camera and said well I am very unusual and shocked I
was chosen for this project. Mike, you were chosen because you are so
different and you are a tough interview.


Mike, with all you have going on in your life why is football important
to you is it fun? Great question, last year was a blast, we were
undefeated district champs and snuck up on everyone and managed a final
win at the stadium. This year, we are expected to win. Those expectations
by everyone are not fun. Sure we have placed that on our shoulders and
have worked hard and gotten bigger and stronger and 2 kids moved in from
out of state and if they were looking for a football powerhouse, that's
not us. We could be a one trick pony as we until last year never won
anything. It's our senior class, a once in a generation group of over
achievers who thrive on success and demand the things we need to be
successful. Academically we have been like that since 1st grade. We
surprised the crap out of everyone athletically. Mike, to be fair you
lost some key players as well, I believe a QB and a receiver. I simply
replied correct. Then I said, you simply play with what you have.


Mike, beside expectations what's different? You have won every game by
big numbers. That may be true and we are injury free, so far and we all
know that won't continue. We are very tight and react when an athlete in
any sport is treated unfairly. We simply expect to win and anything else
is unacceptable and that's a pressure we put on ourselves.


Mike, do you hang with your teammates outside of football. I said nope,
we all have our own lives. And we come together for football and when the
season is over we will collectively support the other teams. You
couldn't find a football party here ever. I'm not the best one to ask
as I have a lot going on outside of school and football.


Mike we are aware but will you give the viewers a short summary. Well, I
am building 2 buildings, I am Chairman of a large computer company, I own
a commercial real estate company and am principal owner of a winery in
New York. Oh, I almost forgot I'm on the USGA Committee for the two US
Opens to be held at Oakmont.


Mike, what do you do for fun? I love to pilot a plane. What do you fly?
Well for now it is a twin engine Cessna but we have on order the newest
Cessna Citation IV jet and we talk possession in February. I'll be
cleared and trained to fly that by the time it is delivered.


Mike who is your favorite team? The Stanley Cup Champ, Penguins. Well any
Pittsburgh team.


Mike what is the one thing you would change about high school sports?
That the adults who run things see us as developing teens, with some real
issues and not as players or people to be  idolized.


Mike, thanks for your time and cooperation.


I simply took off the microphone and placed it on the conference table
and started to class. As I got to the reception desk I was asked to see
Dr. Johnson. I knocked on the door and he yelled Mike, come in. There
sitting in the guest chair was Miss Abrams. I was asked to sit down and
Dr.Johnson asked about the interview. I said doc it was ok and I simply
answered all their inane questions nicely. He laughed and said thanks.
Miss Abrams was shaking her head and Dr. Johnson asked what didn't you
like about Mike's answer. There isn't a student who should think a
question asked by a veteran reporter was inane. I shook my head and said
Miss Abrams obviously you haven't been interviewed much. She said
that's true. Well Miss Abrams I have booked many hours on TV and even
the most successful reporters ask inane questions and I usually answer
them with inane responses, today I elected not to do that.


Then Dr. Johnson asked if I would tell her a few thing about who you are
and what you do? I just spit back what I told the media people and added
the foundation. When I finished she laughed and said well I get that your
dad gave you a boat load of money and you run around pretending you are
in charge. What I want to know is how the USGA put you on those
committees. Dr. Johnson said Mike, please count to 20 before you answer.
I said nope and said well I am a member at Oakmont, Latrobe and South
Hills. The Oakmont members put me on the committee. Again Mike, your
dad's money. I looked at Dr. Johnson and asked would you please
enlighten her, I might simply explode. Dr. Johnson said well you are
correct Mike's dad gave him a substantial trust. Mike has in a very
short time inked deals with NASA, DOD, Annapolis, the local grocery chain
and is in the process of moving the company to new buildings on the Mon.
river. He is by his latest tax filings the second largest tax payer in
our district and could buy either of us with pocket money. He is one of
the wealthiest individuals in the county and yet here he sits the best
student in this school and has never asked for a single favor or
exception. In return for all that we as administrators have relied on him
for years and on a regular basis pull him out of class. So I suggest you
deal with it as I am sure he will. You may go but Mike please stay. Once
we were alone Dr. Johnson said please just deal with her and hopefully
she will develop some people skills and realize that some of you guys are
her equals. The he asked about football and I said they are fine and
yesterday's issues was JJ wanting to play defense as college coaches are
on him again as he is a better d-back than wideout. He acted out as he
wasn't sure about VT. We are going there this weekend and things will be
fine. How did you know about that? Mike, I told all of you that I'm
watching. If you say things are good I'll take your word for that. I
said thanks and asked if I could practice today as I haven't been to
class all day. He laughed and said get to gym.


I did the gym class thing which was sitting there and watching and simply
signed out for work and drove to my place. I quickly showered and dressed
in appropriate clothes for the Club and grabbed an iced tea and was
relaxing. It was another complicated day and I was hoping the meeting
with Kyle would be good and a drama free day. I was actually relaxing and
enjoying the day. Then I picked up the phone and called dad. When he
answered I asked if he could be free for dinner. He was quiet for a few
seconds and said sure and I said perfect we can go to my club. He said
that's fine but what's up? I laughed and said nothing we haven't hung
out in ages and I'm free tonight. With that done I drove to the club and
got an outside patio table, the weather would be changing and these
opportunities would come to an end.


I sat down and as I was early and Jake appeared and we chatted about his
wife and the kid. I asked for an Arnold Palmer and he looked and I nodded
and just Kyle arrived and when asked about his drink he said I'll just
have what Mike is having. He sat down and we just chatted about things in
general. The drinks came and we ordered food. When Kyle tasted his drink
he just shook his head and said, that figures. Then Kyle was all business
and said Mike, I know you look at the financials and things are very good
but there is an issue of a health care increase. It will be about 8% and
we should really shop it. The problem with that is the relationship with
Highmark and our desire to keep things local. Then we could start making
the employees pay a small part. Kyle the turnover will get out of hand.
Mike, I know that and that option is an absolute last choice. Kyle, what
does this cost us in real dollars? Mike, Maggie says 1.5. Kyle, let me
bring it up to John Carson tomorrow at lunch and see what happens. Kyle
agreed and the food arrived. The next topic was Liam and Kyle was very
impressed with the firm yet reasonable way he deals with people. 100% no
bull shit and yet no one gets pissed. Then he added, he won't be an
assistant long. I looked at Kyle and said he will be a very well paid
assistant for at least 4 years. I hoping he is a mini me. Kyle smiled and
said well he is on the right track, but it's early and I'm not afraid
to clip some wings. Kyle, I'm glad to hear that, better you than me.
Then he said speaking of clipping wings you should tell Dillon and Riley
since they are sharing a position it should be half pay. I need Dillon as
CEO and Riley as COO, I'm really not caring what they want or what games
they are playing. I thought for a minute and said I'll chat with Maggie
and we will get that done. Kyle laughed and said you mean Maggie will do
it? I got serious and said Kyle, I said we and I mean that. Dillon is too
important to have this fuck things up. He immediately asked and Riley? I
smiled and said pregnant in a year or less and we will have to see where
that leaves us. We finished eating and I suggested that he simply go home
and hug the wife for me. He smiled and said well going home was already
in the works. I thank him for making the trip to the club as it made
thing easier for me. He smiled and said just settle the thing with Dillon
and Riley and I'll come here every week. I just laughed and we walked to
the cars.


As soon as I got home I called Maggie and we talked about Riley and
Dillon. She said Riley was important and very good but that Dillon was
absolutely necessary. Then I was told no matter what keep both. I was
glad to hear that and we discussed a plan and that Dillon would be CEO
and Riley would be COO. I thanked her for the time and called Liam and
asked that he set up a meeting with Dillon and then Riley a half hour
each starting at 11:00. He asked if he should be there and I said yes. I
also asked him to cancel my meetings with John Carson and Scott Cleary
Then I called Kyle and asked what his title was and he replied well I'm
President but our structure is fucked up. In reality you are chairman, I
am CEO, Dillon should be President and Riley should be cOO. Mike that's
how it works everywhere but here and to be honest I don't give a fuck
about the titles, just so the works get done. Thanks Kyle as of now you
are CEO with a $5,000 raise and I will, tomorrow make the other
adjustments. He laughed and asked if he could watch. I said sure and with
that done I got ready for practice for practice.


On the drive to school for practice I realized that I needed to get out
of study hall and sign out for work a bit early. I thought about clearing
it at the office and decided to simply sign out. This school shit was
getting old very fast and a January graduation was looking more and more
like the thing to do. At school I quickly dressed for practice and it was
the typical last live practice of the week. Once again I was only on
offense and JJ was on both and was cooperating and at full speed. It was
looking like the drama for the week was finished. Then Wyatt came up to
me and said Mike, my grandfather said I shouldn't engineer things so
people can play more. He also said dudes bet on our games. Wyatt that is
all correct. We need you to just play every down like it matters and
coach will deal with playing time. We never want it to look like you are
controlling the score, do you understand? He said, well now I do thanks.


JJ and I walked to our vehicles together and he said he was hanging with
Mia tonight and did I want to call Heather and meet up. JJ, I'm not
making that mistake again and I will call Heather but a lot of double
dates are not a good thing, remember the last two. He shook his head and
said got it. At my place I dressed in grey slacks, blue shirt and blazer
and put on a tie and went looking for dad. In the house I found dad and
Megan chatting and Ashley asleep. DD looked at me and smiled and asked,
so how bad was the thing you did? I laughed out loud and said well I
restructured the company to make it like everyone else in the business
world, gave Kyle a small raise and will deal with the rest tomorrow.
Tonight it is simply boys night out, let's go I changed thing to
Oakmont.


It was a 32 minute drive to the club and we got there right at 6:45 as
per my reservations. Clark, immediately appeared and said Mike, it's
good to see you, we haven't seen you in weeks. I have a table for you a
bit out of the way as you requested and he looked at dad and said Mr.
Simmons welcome to Oakmont. Dad said thanks and we sat down. The table
was a bit more than out of the way and I appreciated that. Dad ordered a
scotch and I asked for an iced tea. It was a very nice and relaxing start
and dad ordered a steak, packed potato and a small salad. I was tempted
to just ordered the same and at the last minute ordered halibut and rice
with a salad. This was like old times and I had to laugh as this time it
was at my club and he was my guest. It was amazing that the only
intrusion was when Clark reappeared and asked how he could order more of
that wine. I gave him Jace's number and said ask him to simply fly it
down. Dad had an after dinner drink, well more scotch and I ordered a
cappuccino. We had talked about everything, work, family, football, my
grades and he laughed about the sexy English teacher who was actually a
bitch. I even broached the January graduation and he was only mildly
displeased. When we were finished dad thanked Clark for the hospitality
and we drove home. In the car dad asked if I did anything special so that
we were not interrupted? I smiled and said nope, you see none of us are
special, well except AP and Carole. We are simply members.


At home we hugged in the driveway and dad went to the house and I went to
my place, that was strange but how it was and I was finally adjusting to
the way things had become. Inside I called Heather and she answered with
Mike, I'm glad you called. I asked what what's up? Oh, nothing but it
the first time you called and I thought I was simply a dance date. I
found that absolutely hysterical and replied, please do bo that. Mike, do
what? Heather, be insecure. I had dinner with dad at the club. Mike,
don't get mad but we had dinner at South Hills and I didn't see you.
Heather, tonight it was my treat so dad and I were at my club. She
laughed and said, so you took him to The Tavern? I laughed again and said
not by any stretch of your uninformed imagination, I took dad to Oakmont.
Babe, I told you I belonged there and Latrobe. Mike honest to God I
thought you were fucking with me, can I please play golf there? I said
sure but finding time to do that will be hard. JJ and I need to go to the
VT game on Saturday so we are flying down on Saturday morning early and
flying back on Sunday. Then next weekend is the dance and I was going to
ask if on Sunday you wanted to fly to the Winery in New York. It would be
early morning and back late same day. So bottom line if JJ can get up
early Sunday we can do a 2:00 tee time at Oakmont and if that happens
understand we are walking with caddies. She laughed and I said we don't
ride at Oakmont with out an excuse from a doctor. She laughed and said
damn, I need to absorb all this and I promise I'll be in a spot at
school tomorrow that can become our special spot. I shook my head and
simply said goodnight.


I had an hour before I needed to be in bed and started English reading, I
was absolutely going to be more than ready. That took about 15 minutes
and then I put the Walkman on and listened to classical music and laid on
my bed and zoned out. I must have fallen asleep because a loud blast of
thunder woke me and it was still dark and my Walkman had stopped as the
tape had ended. I ran to the bathroom and set the alarm and was quickly
asleep. The alarm woke me and it was still storming so there was no run.
That gave me time and I took a long hot and relaxing shower. I dressed
for a very professional day at work but left my jacked and tie in the
car. At school with the rain continuing there was no one outside and I
didn't see Heather and just went to English. I was early and just sat
down and started to reread the assignment. Miss Abrams came in looked at
me and asked Mr. Simmons are you here for the day or do you have a
business meeting. I simply smiled and said, I'm not sure why don't you
simply call Dr. Johnson and ask? She glared at me and said well this is
my classroom so that's up to me. I shook my head and continued reading,
I wasn't going down this rabbit hole and deeper. People started to come
in and she moved to other concerns. Once class started I was peppered
with questions and was called on constantly. It was actually comical as
she couldn't get me to trip up. When class was over I went upfront and
asked for a minute and was told she had just that. I smiled and said well
it won't take that long but you need to know that I don't take well to
being unfairly singled out. Besides there are other students in your
class who deserve your attention. Then I said thanks for the 40 minutes
and 45 seconds of your time, I enjoyed it. I simply left her standing
there and went to class.


Well history class was 10 minutes and Dr. Johnson was at the door asking
for me. In the hall he said Mike, I hate to ask but did you threaten Miss
Abrams. I got very serious and said my exact conversation was: Miss
Abrams do you have a minute and she said I have just that. Then I said
"well it won't take that long but you need to know that I don't take
well to being unfairly singled out. Besides there are other students in
your class who deserve your attention. Then I said thanks for the 40
minutes and 45 seconds of your time, I enjoyed it." He smiled and said
that's what I expected but AP English teachers are not that easy to
find. I shrugged and asked if there was a way to test out of the class,
as I want the college credits and need English to graduate. Then I added
could you please check and see if I could graduate at the semester. There
was this sick smile and he said Mike, we both know you can but I would
rather you didn't exercise that option. This school is better with you
here, even part time. I said thanks and I'll make a special effort to
get along with her but in my option she simply needs - I was stopped in
mid sentence and he said I agree but please don't finish that thought. I
went back to history finished my classes, skipped study hall and signed
out for work. I was there long enough to find out that practice was
cancelled as there was a varsity girls' volleyball match after school
and the weather was too bad to be outside.


It was still raining hard and parking at work was a bitch and thankfully
I had an umbrella in the trunk. I was barely on time and found Liam
waiting in my area. He immediately asked, so what's going on you have
people upset. I laughed and said well that happens when Kyle and I are
upset. I'm restructuring the company and ending some drama. If Major Jim
is around please ask him to sit in as he will need a press release, if he
isn't available you can take notes and give it to him. Please have
Dillon wait outside till you get back. Liam laughed and said sure and I
hope I don't see this side of you very often. I actually felt sorry for
Dillon as he was pacing and I could see him through the glass wall. Liam
returned without the Major and I waved Dillon in and said have a seat. To
ease the tension I got up and sat beside him and there was a faint smile.
I said Dillon, you can relax and we, well I am about to make a few
changes to the management structure of the company. Let's start with the
easy one, I am chairman and principal owner. Dillon sat there very calmly
waiting for the other shoe to drop. Dillon, Kyle's duties will not
change and his title will be the more tradition one. He as of last night
is CEO, so we are clear he runs the fucking place. Dillon's eyes got big
but he showed no emotion. Just to be clear Kyle reports to me. To be
clearer Kyle and I meet every week and it will be a very rare occasion
when I say no to him.


I took a drink of my coffee and looked at Dillon and said well that gets
me to the position of President. That position will along with Kyle be
the face of the company and be responsible for making sure the company
follows its mission, policies and procedures that are in place. Also that
we are making money. That person is third in command and all the
executives report to the President. The President reports directly to the
CEO. There was still no reaction and I asked Dillon, would you like to be
the  President of Technologies? That brought a reaction and he leaned
back in his chair and started at the ceiling. I wasn't saying another
word. Then Dillon asked what did you just say?  Liam just laughed and
said dude he just made you president of this company and was nice enough
to ask if wanted the job. Then he said oops, that was not for me to say,
sorry. Dillon then asked if he could hear the other changes and I was
pissed and said, look I just told you you were third in command and as
such you can deal with whoever and whatever however you want if it's a
responsible and reasonable manner. Also, with this change there is a
bonus based on profitability. So is that a yes or no? Mike, I need to
know about Riley, does she get a job? Dillon, she will be asked to be COO
and be in charge with the day to day operation of the company.


Look Dillon, you are both important to me and vital to this company, now
please accept the position and get to work so I can talk with Riley.
Mike, thanks so much for trusting me. Dillon go talk with Kyle as he is
expecting you. Once Dillon got up and started to the door I asked Dillon
were the issues between you and Riley about who would report to whom?
Dillon immediately sat down and started to answer. I stopped him and
said, you just answered the question. Understand, that was childish and
unacceptable and if you ever act like that again you will find your ass
escorted out of the building. I have offered and you have accepted a
position that a lot or people would kill to get. Your new position means
that you are always professional and put the company before any childish
feudes. Dillon do you understand? He looked right at me and said, I get
it. I smiled and said Riley will be reporting to Kyle and she is getting
the same talk. Go find Kyle and good luck.


As soon as Dillon left Riley appeared. Unlike Dillon she was very relaxed
and comfortable. I went through things the same way and explained things
exactly the same way I did with Dillon. When I brought up the issue with
Dillon she said it was complicated and completely unnecessary. I looked
right at her and said well if it continues you will both he escorted out
of here. She shrugged and said it won't be an issue. Then she said
thanks for dealing with the issue. I said good luck and she left.


 Once we were alone I asked Dillon to give me 30 minutes as I wanted to
check the financials and check emails. It was only 2:00 and I had a lot
of with no practice. I looked outside and damn it was still raining hard
and then I wondered about the river.


PLEASE, IF POSSIBLE, CONTRIBUTE TO NIFTY, IT KEEPS THE STORIES COMING.


THANKS FOR READING AND FOR THE NOTES AND COMMENTS!