Date: Sun, 1 May 2022 22:27:13 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 326

I drove home alone as JJ and his dad left in the Major's car. At my
place I went right in the house and checked in with Dad nd Megan and they
laughed when I told them about the Major and how he tagged along to
protect our asses. I looked right at the two of him and said, it turned
out it was unnecessary. People are starting to think we should join Ray
at the Air Force Academy. Dad found that hysterical. Megan almost too
seriously said Mike, I have the clout to get you in. I laughed and said
well that wouldn't be necessary but I don't salute. I said good night
and started to my place. I stopped at the door and turned and asked,
Jessica? Megan said it's either that or golf and he might not have
either as grades will be out after the first of the year. I shrugged and
went to my room.


 I threw my bag on the floor in my room, grabbed a bottle of water and
started on school work. That took about an hour and I started on math for
CMU when the phone rang and it was Winnie. I answered with I'm hoping
you not calling to tell me your pregnant. She laughed and said Mick,
that's a hell of a way to answer the phone. So how was the trip? Winnie
it was great and I loved flying the jet. So what's up? I don't usually
get calls from the girls I date. She laughed and said Mick, I'm not
typical. I said obviously and why are you calling me Mick, I thought MJ
was what we agreed on? Well I need something special to call you when we
are alone and there aren't many options. Hell you call me babe. Well
babe, let's see how that works  but I really like MJ. We talked about
her day and my trip and JJ and his dad and it was fun and drama free.
That chat took about 45 minutes and finally I said I'll see you in
school and we hung up. It was now late but I spent another hour on the
CMU stuff. I prepped the coffee, set the alarm and jumped into bed. With
a big and complicated day on the horizon sleep came easier than I
thought.


Monday brought very cold temperatures and I wasn't running with temps in
the teens. I showered and dressed more for work than school, stool dad's
newspaper and poured a coffee and turned to the sports. There was already
a lengthy article about Saturday's game which went into Central Bucks
and their "star" players. Reading through the article something hit me
and all their D1 recruits were skill positions, there was a running back
two receivers a safety a linebacker but no QB and no linemen. I wondered
how the skill people would do running for their lives. I thought we
matched up pretty well with them. With that I grabbed my letterman's
jacket, returned dad's paper and drove to school.


I grabbed my stuff from my locker and went right to English and that
didn't last as before class started Doc Johnson, the principal motioned
for me and we started to his office. Mike, that was a great game you guys
had Friday but I have to tell you this run you guys are on has started to
stress us out. We sold 17,000 tickets Friday and got no compensation back
for travel and the boosters are almost out of money. Mike, what I need is
for you to listen so that you know the issues and can explain the
potential Spartan nature of your weekend. In my office is Mr. Heilman,
the league director and we will have a conference call with Dr. Lombo.
PAAA Executive Director, and see what we can work out. Mike, I'm hoping
you being there and your upcoming meeting with the oversight committee
will make them pay attention. Doc, is there any help from the District?
Doc, laughed and said nope. I just shook my head. I was thinking just
listen my ass as he knows they will piss me off and I'll weigh in. I was
determined not to let that happen.


In Doc's office sat Mr. Heilman and he looked at me and asked, why the
heck is he here? Well it's like this, this young man will have to
explain to his team why after they have busted their asses all year nd
made the state championship game they will have to spend 3-1/2 hours on a
bus, play a game and spend another 3-1/2 hours in a bus and get back home
well after midnight. However the call I asked you here to attend is a
discussion of what we will get for travel and accommodations for the
team, coaches and band kids. Heilman laughed and said, just leave the
band kids home. I was furious but just shifted in my seat. Doc looked
right at him and said the band kids have worked hard all year as well and
if they have to sit in the stands like they are required to do in your
tournament so be it, but they are going. Just then the phone rang and Doc
was told there is a Dr. Bob from the PAAA on the phone for you. When Doc
answered the phone a very business like PAAA Executive Director asked Dr.
Johnson, what can I do for you? Well I have Mr. Heilman and Mike Simmons
here and you are on the speaker. Why is Mike there? Well Doc he
represents the team. There was laughter on the other end and then I
heard, they don't need a representative what they need to do is play a
game, they are lucky to be there. I grabbed the arms of my chair and
counted to 10. Then I mumbled STRIKE ONE, I didn't want anyone to hear
that but everyone in the office heard it as I got a look from Doc Johnson
to be quiet. Well we need clarification about the reimbursements for the
weekend. Well we have 30 rooms reserved for your players and coaches. We
pay 75% of the cost and bill your school the balance. I shot the league
Director a dirty look as I thought he should be paying the rest. Dr.
Johnson asked about the band and cheerleaders and was told bring them if
you want but we only pay for people essential to the event. I don't know
how I kept my cool but I did. There was no movement in the discussion, it
was what it was and any give back to us would require an equal giveback
to the other 7 teams playing.


When the call ended I looked right at Heilman and asked so how much are
you chipping in? He smiled and said son, not a cent. I looked right at
him and said, I asked you nicely a while ago in your office not to call
me son. You are not my dad and I am eternally grateful for that. Form now
on you will need to address me as Mr. Simmons if you expect a response
from me. Heilman started to say something at I looked at Doc Johnson and
said, there has been drama all year, I guess the last week will bring
more. This afternoon I am announcing to my team that I will not be
playing Saturday. Then I am going to my office and calling a press
conference and telling them that I can't play as the cheerleaders and
band will have to pay their own way and I find that and the fact that we
as players have no say in any of this is morally reprehensible. I won't
ask any others to join me, I'm simply done and this is unfair. Then I
looked at Heilman and said we as a school and community payed for you
tournament and more. Heck at the finals we sold over 17,000 tickets and
you netted more than $130,000. We won't have to talk about the,other
three games when we more than sold out out allotment, unless you want to.
So you need to pony up as well. Mike, that's not happening. I said Doc,
I really wish you had not involve me in this disaster, I'm going to
class and I walked out.


I made it through History and Physics and being with Winnie helped my
mood. When class was over Doc Johnson was waiting for me at the classroom
door. He said Mike, I know you have to go so let's walk and talk. I said
sure and he said that he was on the phone with the solicitor and we both
feel that if you announce you aren't playing most of the team will join
you in the boycott. I emailed and said just have them ship the silver
metals. Doc actually laughed at that but said, I am asking you to hold
off 24 hours before you say anything to the team. I smiled and said well
just for you. Doc they are right in that we shouldn't have input and the
adults should watch over us kids. The problem is that with few
exceptions, like you, that doesn't happen. There is always an agenda
item that gets in the way, at least next year they won't pretend. It's
all business all the time and they don't pretend. To answer your
question, I will hold off till noon tomorrow but the band and
cheerleaders go and most of that gets paid for by the District and the
State. Doc, I have as much or more influence than those two Executive
Directors. Doc smiled and asked Mike, you sure about that? Well Doc check
the evening news as there will be a reveal to your question. With that I
drove to the office.


At the office I immediately found a guy in his mid to late 20's sitting
in the small lobby. He immediately stood up and asked if I was Mike
Simmons? When I said yes he said he was Chad Michaels from the
Kirkpatrick Law firm and he said I was to hand deliver this to you before
noon. I Sami keep and said thanks and started to walk away and he said,
Mr. Simmons I m to wait for for your reply and hopefully a signed copy.
Well in that case how about we keep it to Chad and Mike? I will need to
have my legal people look at this so how about we grad a coffee or
something to drink and we go upstairs. We went through security and he
was issued a pass and walked to the common room. Chad was just looking
around. I grabbed a coffee and he took a bottle of water and we took the
elevator to the 4th floor. I introduced Amy to Chad and she said Mike,
Jack as been in and out all morning and finally asked me to call him as
soon as you arrived. I laughed and said well I need to meet with Tim so
would you please have him meet me in my office, it's important. As for
Jack I'll see him in an hour. Amy said fine but if you turn around you
will bump into Tim. I turned and said good morning, then introduced Chad
and handed Tim the envelope Chad had give me. We all headed to my office
and Tim had opened the envelop and was reading as we walked.


At my office Tim went to the club chairs and simply read the documents.
Chad, was looking around and spent a long time looking at the wall. I was
looking out the window and Liam appeared and we went over and I
introduced Chad. Liam and Chad were talking and I went back to watch the
river and to calm down. Reflecting on the morning I knew that it was an
unfair mess and that I would play but wouldn't be holding anything back
with the legislative committee. There would be some confessions and I
would have to accept that as I would be letting two many people down,
including myself if I sat out. Just then Tim said Mike, a minute please.


When I sat beside Tim he said that it was a very clean sales agreement
and that there was a drawing and survey and 90% of the land was zoned
Commercial and the other 10% was zoned light Industrial. Tim explained
that and I was very happy. Then he said Mike, those on,y issue is that
where you are to sign is says Michael J. Simmons JR, Chairman MJS
Technologies. Mike, I know you want Enterprises to own the property and
we can work that out as we go along. Tim call asshole and tell him he
made a mistake and that if he agrees we will make the change and I'll
initial and sign. Tim looked and me and said, don't give them another
reason to fuck this up, we can transfer the property but we need to
clarify the structure of you holdings. I said fine took the contract went
to my desk, grabbed a pen and signed the document. Tim took a picture and
when I asked about that he said well for your wall and the press release.
I laughed and said, well not the wall.


I put a copy of the signed contract in an envelope and handed it to Chad
and said, I need more coffee so I'll walk you out. Chad looked at me and
Liam laughed and said well no one in the company fetches, so if Mike
needs coffee he gets it like everyone else. Chad said damn, it's not
like that at the Firm. On the way to the lobby Chad asked Mike, is the
dress always this casual here? I said yup and I hate ties but we do dress
up when we have to. However, we like to set the image and it's starting
to catch on as I feel casual and more relaxed equals happier employees
but we do have a dress code. At the lobby we exchanged business cards and
I got the much needed coffee and went back upstairs.


In my office I found Liam, Tim and the Major and I joined them in the
club chairs. We discussed the Press Release and I said that I wanted
Technologies and Kyle and Dillon extremely excited and that plans were
being developed and that in the upcoming months there would be a titan
wave of activity and jobs. Guys don't mention Enterprises at all. I'm
willing to play this game about who Owens the property and there is a
difference as if Technology owns it dad owns almost half, otherwise I own
it all. Tim after the holidays we can firm up a plan for the structural
changes. We worked on the details and I was thrilled to see Liam all in
and involved. Seems like he was tired sitting back and watching. We
finished up and Tim and the Major left and Liam and I stayed put and I
told him Jack would be here soon nd I wanted him to stay. Liam said sure
as this might be fun.


I was only a few minutes when Jack appeared saying Mike, Amy said you had
time to talk. I smiled and said sure have a seat. Once Jack was seated I
said, I assume you know Liam, he is my go to guy and sits in on all my
meetings. So Jack what's up as you asked for this meeting. Mike, I was
hoping that this would be a friendly chat and that in a year I could come
back and do great things with drones and robotics and it seems that might
be a problem for you. Jack, I totally understand what you did and unless
I'm mistaken you let the CMU kids with some direction build acceptable
landers that will never leave this planet. Then you scrounged pars and
built small flying objects that can be fun, useful and deadly. You also
spent no time at all updating Kyle, Dillon or me what the fuck you are up
to. I actually get your need to fly in space and that you earned that
ride because you saved the lives of a kid and his ride along in the
Persian Gulf. Jack I get that it was an admiral's son and that you
didn't crash land as you were out of fucking gas and tried to save the
jet you were flying and in the process wrecked your back. Jack, you
deserve whatever they are willing to give you for all that. What you also
need to understand that around here the days when I can simply say "so
let it be written, so let it be done" are over. An exception for one is
an exception for all. I have people I answer to and I'm responsible for
finding a way to feed over 500 employees and their families. I don't see
anyone offering me a week's vacation to orbit the earth. Yes, I took
that all on willingly, but not knowing the consequences. So if I were you
I would find the contract you signed when we hired you and read it,
understand the terms and the restrictions as well as the benefits and
have fun in Houston and make time to work on some things for us. Jack, it
is what it is and I hope you understand.


Mike, I get all that and the Major blasted my ass for not being up front
with you. What about Megan? Jack, I can't and wouldn't in any case
discuss an employee with another employee. Jack laughed and said damn,
I'm her husband? I laughed and said not yet. Look you were there were
her and I discussed her options, that will have to do and at the end of 9
months she can have her job back in the meantime I will appoint an acting
COO. Jack looked at Liam and said, well congratulations on the promotion.
Liam said Jack, I understand that is not an option for me and Mike has
had two unscheduled appointments today and signed a deal for the property
next to us so unless you have something else he needs to move on. I
don't know if Liam had ESP or what but Major Jim appeared and he was on
a mission and sat down in a club chair and opened a folder. Jack said,
damn you are busy. I looked at Jack and said Major, thanks for the chat.
Jack stopped and he was going to say something but shook his head and
left. Liam just laughed and said Mike, that wasn't a chat you just put
the Major in his place and he know it.


Major Jim had three Press Releases ready and I read each one, they all
had the picture of me sitting at the desk with the wall as a background
signing the sales agreement. The Release was Kyle using his degree and
title announcing the agreement to purchase the adjacent land. Dillon as
President saying how it provided a much needed place for growth and the
new building would continue to focus the company on growth and new
opportunities. Dillon went on to thank the Chairman for is patience in
dealing with the old time attorneys and business leaders that continue to
make things difficult for growth and development. Kyle also weighed in on
cranky politicians who live in a you scratch my back and I'll scratch
yours mentality that promotes more of the same and inhibits growth. Then
there was a comment from me saying how happy I was to iron out a mutual
beneficial agreement that enables MJS Technologies to grow and to
demonstrate what an industrial building should look like along the rivers
of the region. I smiled and said Jim this on is perfect and you know
Kyle, Dillon and I will need security. The Major laughed and said, yup. I
asked that copies be sent to Diane at ABC and Pattie at KDKA. Oh Jim,
please send an advanced copy to Kirkpatrick. Jim laughed out loud and
said, absolutely.


I looked at the time and packed up for practice which was movies, I was
sure. At school, I went right to the field house and the place was set up
for films and I was glad that the routine wasn't changing, even with the
extra day. Once we were all there Coach appeared with Dr. Johnson. Doc
started by congratulating us on achieving something that no other team
from our school had accomplished. Then he said guys, this weekend is
complicated and expensive and besides football you have a lot of other
things that need your attention. You are representing this school, your
school, this community as well as your families and yourselves. That's a
tall order, one I expect you to carry out with class. Coach wants to
leave early Saturday around 8:30 and it is about a 3-1/2 trip. There will
be lunch for you guys at a restaurant. Then the trip to the hotel where
you will go after the game. Understand there will be no drinking, no
smoking, no girls and no damage to the rooms or other property. Oh and
I'll be there and the noise better be at an acceptable level. I have
worked all day and we have obtained rooms for the band and cheerleaders
at another hotel and they have the same restrictions as you do. Then he
said, I'm sure Coach as a lot more details but have fun and kick some
ass, but do it with class. We spent 90 minutes on films and the schedule
for the week was pads Tuesday and Wednesday off Thursday and special
teams on Friday. I was starving and wanted to eat when an assistant coach
came up and said Mike, Dr. Johnson would like a couple of minutes.


In the Principal's Office Doc said Mike, I pulled this off with no
additional help from the District or the PAAA. I got 5 businesses to
donate the needed money and I even upgraded your hotel. I need you on
Thursday afternoon to ride with me and thank these people personally.
Also, they are expecting a signed game ball and I'll have that here
Thursday. Can you do that? I smiled and said absolutely. Also, after
practice on Wednesday we need the Captains to sell tickets in the
cafeteria. I've asked for 20,000 tickets and Nancy can't deal with
that, I assume it will take about 2 to 3 hours. I said, sure and I'll
let the guys know. Oh Doc, make sure you watch the news tonight and for
the record my appearance before the overbite committee in January just
got a lot more interesting. Doc laughed and said well you know I'll be
there. I laughed and said you want a ride up in an airplane? He smiled
and said, sure.


I drove to South Park and stopped at Danny's Hoagies and ordered an
Italian hoagie and drove to my place, poured an iced tea turned on the TV
and took a bite of sandwich and the door flew open and in walked Megan
and dad carrying Ashley. Dad said well I saw the Press Release and wanted
to see how the TV people dealt with it. Megan laughed and said Mike, I
know Kyle and Dillon had those words put in their mouth Jim should switch
to writing fiction. I shrugged and devoured the sandwich. The news
started with Breaking News and Pattie appeared at my build and and said
well it looks like once the weather breaks this plot of land will be
teaming with union workers as today Mike Simmons and MJS Technologies
signed a sales agreement to purchase an additional 4 acres along the Mon
river. There was no details in the announcement and we are very
interested in hearing about the plans especially for the area zoned light
industrial. Earlier we asked the Mayor why this deal took so long. Pete
appeared on the screen saying well sometime things move slower that
people want and things never seem to move at Mike's speed. Then I
laughed as Pattie said well Mr. Mayor you might consider buying a faster
scooter as I hear Mike flies jets these days. The attorneys for the
sellers, the Kirkpatrick Law Firm, refused comment. Also, we would like
to wish Mike and his team the best in their upcoming State Football
Championship Game and more details will follow.


Then I saw a message on my phone from NY and it simply said dude, you
made the ABC Evening News, thanks for the heads up. We changed to ABC and
the story was towards the middle of the broadcast. The Anchor showed the
picture of me signing the agreement and said we continue to follow the
activities of young businessman Mike Simmons as he continues to drag the
Pittsburgh Region, kicking and screaming into the future. I just laughed
but then there was a picture and mention of the New Building of the
Year.


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