Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:09:52 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was lways bout the bets 366 The hot shower thawed me out and it was long and relaxing. Golf wasn't made to be played in this wind on the coast. Then I remembered that was exactly where it was born. I dried off and dressed in black jeans and soft shoes and the last totally cleaned shirt I had was a VT polo shirt. I just hung around the room and then went and knocked on JJ's door and he yelled MJ, it's open. JJ was sitting on the sofa drinking a Pepsi and watching the local news. MJ, grab a drink and have a seat. I grabbed the last Pepsi in the small refrigerator and sat down. I looked t the TV and laughed. So JJ what interest do you have in the local news? JJ laughed and said MJ, when they started they teased the charity event here today saying a teen took Pebble Beach to it's knees in a wind storm. MJ, it is local reporter but I'm watching the San Francisco news. I took a beep breath and leaned back and waited for the commercials to finish. They came back from the ads and went right to the weather. There was a great forecast for tomorrow and the viewers were told that the winds would become mild around 3 A M. When the weather was done the News Anchor said we have an interesting story from Pebble Beach Golf Links today. Golf Magazine reporter Jim Rusnic was on the scene for an amazing feat. We have Jim live at the Club, let's hear what he has for us. Well Alisha, yesterday and today the PGA and the USGA put together a charity Pro Am event. The event had 36 teams there was a Pro leading 35 teams and there was this very talented amateur. This Amateur is a 17 year old high school Junior and has already won a PGA event. He is totally unique as he wears + 4's and interacts with the spectators. On Saturday, in calm conditions he shot -7 and that was the low round of the day. Today the event was shortened to 9 holes because of the 23 + miles per hour winds. Today in some of the worst conditions ever Cole Simmons shot -2 on the back 9. All I can say is that his next scheduled event is the Masters and I'm wondering if after that he turns Pro. Cole, is a polite hard working young man, he signs autographs until there are no more requests he credits his Caddie and his brother for keeping him grounded. When I met with him he went on and on about how much support he gets from his stepdad and his mom Megan Simmons, who is a federal judge. He also has huge suppler from Fred Couples and Arnold Palmer. He plays out of Oakmont where his coach is located. Everyone is trying to keep this kid under the radar, I think that ended today. JJ looked at me and asked MJ, are you going to give your rents a heads up? I smiled and said nope. We have reached the point that they need to figure out who and what they are dealing with. I have said all I will say on the issue. I'll support Cole, be there for him and keep the check book open. So JJ, can we go eat, I'm hungry. JJ laughed and asked, do we have transportation. I laughed and said, well let's find out. In the lobby I asked if my rental had been delivered and I was handed the keys and he said the red Mustang outside. I smiled and thanked him and JJ and were on our way. We drove past Torrey Pines, another great golf course and JJ insisted we stop at the Lone Cypress and it was cool but JJ was more impressed than I was. We got to Monterey and easily found the restaurant. It was a fish place overlooking the smallish harbor. We were seated quickly at a seat by the window, which wasn't hard to get as there were very few people there. The water cam over and said good evening, I'm Tom what can I get you gentlemen to drink? I ordered an Iced Tea and JJ asked for a Shirley Temple and poor Tom tried hard not to laugh. Looking at the menu either was all seafood and I was good with shrimp scampi and JJ said that was ordering Halibut and we both settled on a salad and skipped the appetizers. MJ while you were fighting the wind I took care of the flight prep shit. So JJ, what have you planned for tomorrow? MJ, we leave for the airport at 7:45 transportation is ordered. Our passengers leave at 8:30 and I'm hoping wheels up no later than 9:00. I ordered fuel for here and in St. Louis and I'm hoping to be home for dinner as we have the time switch. Oh, everybody has been told what we need to have happen and when it needs done. Before I could even reply to all that the waiter came over with the drinks and we quickly placed our orders. I looked at JJ and asked dude, is this a commercial flight with a schedule? MJ, I'm just setting expectations and this isn't a group of people who have paid for a charter. I laughed T that and said so what else, I know there is more. He smiled and said well I have had a lot of time to think and dad has put a lot on my plate. Hell, I have student to teach now. Besides I'm sick of school and basically I simply want to move on. MJ, that is a great school but pm not as attached to it as you are. Besides dad is getting me out on work release every Friday and the plan is for me to be at the school all weekend. You know, so that the other guys can get some time off. I laughed and said JJ welcome to the real world. Just then the salads arrived. The JJ asked so MJ, what's with you and the exploding situation with Cole. MJ, the next step is not going to be managed by me. Once the decision is made I'm all in. As nicely as I could and without me saying it, he needs to turn Pro. It is obvious that he has no desire to play amateur events as he hasn't entered any. My guess is that he feeds off the spectators and there are damn few at the amateur events. He will be a big hit to start but he will need to win to keep the following and with the sponsors to start he could be set for life. JJ laughed and asked, so you took Megan around in a cart and simply let her see her son in action? Yup and then I turned the process over to AP and yesterday dad took over. The sad part about all this is that Cole's dad, Wes, will rear his ugly held after ignoring the kid for a couple of years. JJ, people are in the fucking Olympics at a younger age than Cole and he is working is ass off and has great grades. He needs to let loose. He has a great fall back position as a Pro at a big time club and nobody appreciates how much money those guys make. I was done with this conversation and was glad the food came and I could change the conversation. Thankfully JJ did that and said MJ, we need to be at VT for the start of camp around July 10th, when you planning on going to campus. JJ was was thinking right after the July 4th holiday. There will have to be earlier trips as we have to shop for furniture for the apartment and I have no idea what Winnie is doing and I'm actually hoping she changed her plans and goes somewhere else. JJ laughed and said well I don't have that problem and I don't even have a date for the fucking Prom. I laughed and said JJ, that won't be a problem as they will be lined up once we get back. JJ, we also have to find a way to get ground transportation there, your truck and my "Stang". The food was great and we both discussed way to limit high school shit. Then JJ laid the big one on me saying with things at the school, track was no longer an option. I smiled and said " THANK YOU JESUS" I never wanted to do that andI could have kissed him right there. MJ, the coach is going to be pissed and now I'm betting VT will be as well. JJ, fuck them all and I'm telling you right now, I'm not going to be is school all that much so I won't have to hear much of that shit. We finished eating, passed on desert nd drove back to the lodge. At the lodge I returned the car and did that paperwork and when we walked by the lounge I heard, Mike, I need you for a few minutes. JJ laughed and said well have fun with my dad, I'm going to bed and the said, alone as it's a long flight tomorrow. The Major was sitting with his partners and the wives and I noticed that he wasn't drinking. When I started over he got up and pointed to an empty table in the corner. Mike, I need to discuss a few things with you and there is no need to have the others aware. We sat down and he waved the waitress away and said Mike, I promise this won't take long but there are a number of thing you need to get done this week. Ok Jim, I get that what do I need to get done. Well Mike, I had to send out a press release about the announcement on the building plans and I scheduled a media event and announcement for Wednesday 5:00. You will have to make a decision tomorrow so that we can get the winner or winners there. When you get to the office the proposals will be in your office as Amy has most likely already done that. Jim, I hope not as the conference room on the first floor would be better. Jim shook his head and said ok, but please don't be a pain in the ass, just make a fucking decision. Here is the press release please red it and then make it happen. Ok, Jim what else? Well you just bought 4 units in Blacksburg, subject to an inspection. The two bedroom unit on the first floor will be vacant in late May as they graduated. I assume you will want that unit. Jim, has Heidikamp lined up someone to manage that. Mike he is working on that. Also down there, construction on the hanger starts next week on Wednesday. Wow Jim, I should go away more often. Jim laughed and said look, I'm not done yet. Thursday you have a 2:00 meeting with Jack and Riley and before that happens you need to meet with Amy and smooth her feathers. Starting Friday I'll be letting Riley do your PR work and will vet everything she send out. Finally, you need to line up a management team for the restaurant. It should be completed in a little more than a month and that team will have to fill out the staff. I laughed and asked Jim, is that all? Mike, not right now and I assume JJ told you about the changes in his life. Jim, yes and you made him grow up fucking fast. Jim laughed and said, yes we did and he is up for it and it's a plan B in case he doesn't mKe the NFL. I thanked him and said thanks for the meeting, it saved on taxes. The Major shook his head and went back to his table and I went to my room. In my room I stripped to my underwear and put on sweatpants and started to pack as there was a lot of shirt that I had worn and besides all the shit the Major piled on me I needed to do laundry in a bad way. The packing was easy as I just rolled everything out and forced the bag closed. I left out jeans and a long sleeved crew neck for the trip home. With that I grabbed a soft drink out of the refrigerator and sat on the sofa and looked at the press release. It was on MJS Enterprises stationary. It apologized for another delay as Chairman Michael Simmons was delayed as weather on the West Coast prevented him from taking off in his Cessna Citation. After consulting with his copilot James Messer, vice president of the Messer school of Aeronautics the mutually agreed to postpone the return trip. A final decision will be announced on Tuesday at MJS Technologies. The event will be closed to the public and open to print media with appropriate credentials. A CD will be provided of the event immediately after. Media will be admitted to the facility starting at 4:30. I wondered about all that but assumed it was the Chief and security concerns. I laughed and the tight schedule was to force me into making a decision. The Indians were running the reservation and I needed to get control. I put the press release with my clothes for tomorrow. It was still too early to get in bd and I grabbed my Walkman, attached my ear phones and hit play and laid on the bed. I just laid there and was thinking about the building and the various proposals and that drama. I decided that I would stop at the office on the way home and take a quick look. I might even take a few pictures. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and I got up and opened the door and found dad standing there. We stood there looking at each other and I finally asked him in. Dad I only have soft drinks and I'm flying tomorrow so there is no drinking. Dad laughed and said, I should have gotten you a pilot's license three years ago. I laughed and asked dad, what's up? Mike, did you happen to see any news reports today? I shrugged and said, yup and then JJ and I went to dinner. So Mike, what did you think? Dad, I think the three of you have a lot to work out. Mike, I fucking know that and neither Megan or I want to put you in a position to decide any of this. Thanks dad but I won't let you guys get me involved. So what do you want? Mike, how tough is Cole? I laughed and said dad, that's not the right question. Ok Mike, what is the right question? Dad, you are the dude with questions nd the funny part you know the answers and just want them confirmed and I'm not doing that. Dad was quiet for a minute and said, well I need an answer to this question, what worries you about Cole? Dad, he works too hard and could be having more fun. Mike, I really need you to answer this question, is the costume and clowning with the spectators important to his game? Dad, I don't know you need to ask Cole. Mike, you played 27 holes with him and watched a lot more, is he that good? Dad, this was Pebble medium, the rough wasn't up and the greens we slow and they are a bit bumpy. Yesterday was 3 different weather conditions. We started with no wind that a mild breeze and then a bit windy. He shot 7 under and could have been lower. Mike, why not lower? Bumpy greens and Golf Gods. Dad 7 under is a good score in mini golf. Ok Mike what about today? Dad, why did Cole pick the back 9 to play today? Mike, I don't know. Well if I was you I would find out and it might tell you something useful. As for his play today there might be 10 people on the planet who could do what he did. Dad, I'm done enjoy your trip back. Dad stood up and said, thanks I think. Once dad was gone I set the alarm, stripped and jumped into bed and was quickly asleep. I was up before the alarm and it was a quick shower and I had to open the bag for underwear. I quickly repacked the bag and dressed. I checked the room making sure I had everything. With that done I went and had coffee in the restaurant and waited for JJ. JJ arrived and got two coffees to go and handed me one. We checked out and got on the shuttle to the airport. Once there JJ said he would be right back and handed me his luggage. The jet was in perfect position and we wouldn't even need a tow. I opened the cargo hatch and put our bags inside. JJ was quickly back and he thanked me for prepaying the fees and said that the IFR flight plan was filed and he immediately started checking the Jet. We were finishing up when the shuttle appeared and luggage was quickly stowed. JJ went upfront and started the inside pre start check and I got everybody situated and strapped in their seats. I reminded them that we would let them know when they could move around and that there was soft drinks and coffee. With that done I jumped into the right seat and strapped in and put the headset on. I checked to make sure my side was clear and JJ started the right engine. Both engines started easily and at 9:02 AM JJ retracted the landing gear and we were on the way home. The fuel stop at St.Louis was easily accomplished and I could tell JJ was pleased with himself. Once we were back in the air JJ said MJ, I need a break you able to take over fro a while? I said Rodger that and JJ got up and want in the back. He was immediately replaced by Cole and he strapped in and put the headset on and said thanks MJ. I looked over and shrugged. Cole laughed and said that approach with mom was classics and then sicking AP on her was a great touch. Cole, what mattered was how you played, nothing else. Cole laughed and asked so who are the other 10 people on the planet who could shoot 2 under in that wind storm? I shrugged and said dude, you are welcome now send JJ back. When JJ returned he simply strapped in and looked out the window. I did notice that he casually checked the instruments. He just quietly sat there looking out the window. I let that go and concentrated on what I was doing and it was easy as there wasn't much traffic and we were making good time aided by the jet stream. Finally I looked over and said so VEEP, what's up? Ok MJ, how did you find out about that? I shrugged and said Press Release about me being delayed in getting back. JJ shook his head and said, if I get stuck with that nickname I'm going to explode. MJ, my uniform jersey will only have JJ on the back. Then he said, thanks for the break I got it the rest of the way. We were back in Pittsburgh at 4:45 and that was way ahead of schedule. JJ took care of the inside shutdown procedures and Cole helped me to secure the jet. I opened the cargo hatch and when the thanks for the great time were over and it was only JJ and I we just stood there and JJ said well that was fun. Then I said JJ, I need to stop at the office and I promise, I won't be long. I just need to sneak a look at the proposals for the new building. Just 30 minutes at the most. MJ, I'm good as I have no one to call and my sister will be with that jerk Sam. I laughed at the Sam thing as I hadn't thought about him in a long time. At the office there was the usual security thing and JJ was given a visitor pass and we went to the conference room on the first floor. I laughed as the blinds were pulled down and the door was locked. That wasn't n issue as my pass easily opened the door. What I saw was 12 models of what could be the new buildings. I started to look and there was one that looked like a pile of cubes were piled up and JJ said MJ, that would drive me crazy as all the different angles would drive me nuts. I was drawn immediately to one that was 4 stories in the shape of a V and made of all glass. There was an envelop at each model and I opened the one that interested me and it said all glass with titanium supports at each corner and horizontal strips at each floor. Then it indicated solar panels on a flat roof. In looking closer I saw that the sides of the building were a bit higher than the door to help hide the panels. The manufacturing building was a three story building shaped like a shoe box and made of the same material. I took a beep breath and turned the page hoping to see whose proposal that was but that information was not available. I then started to look at the various other models and most were just boxes with vastly different materials. The only other one that interested me was an aluminum one that was mostly glass and was shaped as an X. JJ said MJ, there are only two that I would choose. I smiled and said the V and the X and JJ said, yup and I know you are favoring the V. I said correct but one of the two are done by Winnie's uncle and Amy has eliminated the information on the designer and I don't want want to work with Uncle Bill. With that JJ and I signed out and I said one more stop and we walked to the other building and they were still working on the restaurant. JJ laughed and said now you're talking a sports bar. Who is doing that project? I said the same people who designed the building, J&J Architects, I gave them their start. So MJ, I'm betting one of the designs you like was done by them. JJ what makes you think that? JJ said, come over here. There was a table with plans for the restaurant and the Marina. JJ handed me a folder and I opened it and it contained information on titanium dealing with strength and texture. I hugged JJ and said dude, thanks for bing a snoop and now I will sleep well tonight. With that, I asked JJ if he was hungry and he replied, starving and we drove to the tavern for a quick meal. All that was left was to get home unpack and call Winnie. I knew what I wanted for the building and working with J & J on the total package would be fun and drama free. Thanks for reading and if possible please consider a donation to NIFTy. IT IS IMPORTANT.