I Woke Up 330 by M.P. Arsent
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"Lay it on me, Stan."
"Somehow Adams has heard about your proposal."
"Not really all that surprising. He must consult for any number of investment groups."
"Well, regardless, bottom line is he's published an opinion that this is the most foolhardy proposal he has ever read."
"I expect that I'll be getting calls tomorrow if not sooner."
"And just what are you going to say?"
"That Adams is entitled to his opinion, but all that has to be done is to look to past performance."
"You're not going to give them any specifics?"
"Let them earn their money and do their own research."
"That's leaving things awfully open-ended Dennis."
"That may be Stan, but do I really need people thinking I'm sowing sour grapes?"
"Yeah, I suppose not."
"Plus if he is on campus this year I don't need to give him any more reasons to be on my back."
"I'm betting that if he is on campus the Dean will have given him some strict guidelines to adhere to."
"Possibly, but I wouldn't count on him doing so."
"Actually, neither would I."
At which point my intercom buzzed.
"Mr Roger Banes, financial editor for the paper line 3"
"Good afternoon Mr Banes. What can I do for you today?"
"Good afternoon Mr Sawyer. Do you have any comment on the article Mr Culver Adams has published today?"
"I've not had a chance to read that particular article as yet. would you care to summarize for me?"
"He has called your proposal to convert the old 'Y' building into a workout gym and gymnastics center, and I quote 'foolhardy'."
"Well, he is of course entitled to his opinion as anyone is. I would say though all one has to do is to look at his past performance to judge the validity of his statements."
"Care to elaborate Mr Sawyer?"
"I do not. It is all public record for anyone willing to go looking."
There was a few seconds of silence.
"I do believe I understand Mr Sawyer. Thank you for your time."
"Not at all, Mr. Banes. One down how many to go do you think?"
"Who knows? I suppose that depends on how many believe what Adams is peddling. You want to read this?"
"I suppose I had better just in case there are more specific questions coming."
I took the article from Stan and started reading. There was nothing really specific there to refute. It was all generalizations.
"He's been very careful not to call out anything specific."
"It was always his style to cast general dispersions without anything to back them up."
"I'm surprised anybody actually listens to him, let alone how he has any standing at the college."
"He got his original position at the college while he still had a bit of a reputation to protect. If he weren't tenured I'm betting he would be gone by now."
"I don't suppose there are any grounds here for Dean Evans to use this as the straw that broke the camel's back is there?"
"Not that I can see unless it is against college policy to attack an alumnus, which you technically are."
"I don't think this article is strong enough to be considered an attack. Once again he was careful to state that this is an opinion."
"Mr Sawyer, you have a call on line 2, Dean Evans."
I put the phone on speaker.
"Dean Evans, what can I do for you this afternoon?"
"I assume by this time you have seen the article authored by Mr Adams?"
"I have sir."
"I'd like to request that you be very.....measured in your response and if at all possible to keep the college out of it."
"I certainly don't have a problem with that sir, and those were my intentions to begin with."
"Very good. Thank you for your time Mr Sawyer and we'll be seeing you a week from Friday I assume?"
"At the latest Dean Evans."
"Very good. Stay safe."
"Ok, what was that all about Dennis?"
"If I had to guess, to keep things as calm as possible once I get back on campus. They don't need Adams going off on a tear on the other students just because he is pissed at me."
"I suppose that does make a bit of sense. Well, there's the closing bell. I didn't see anything today to get concerned about."
"Neither did I. See you in the morning."
I headed home and got there before Karl as usual.
When Karl did get home, he could damn well read my mood.
"What the hell is it this time?"
"Culver Adams strikes again. He published an article that states his opinion of my proposal to buy the 'Y' as 'foolhardy'."
"And how many phone calls has that gotten you so far?"
"Just two. One from the newspaper and one from Dean Evans."
"I can well imagine what both calls entailed. So what did you say to the paper?"
"That Adams is entitled to his opinion, but all anyone had to do was look to the past to see what that was worth."
"You weren't specific?"
"Nope. Let them earn their money."
"And the Dean?"
"Wants me to be as low-key as I can about the whole thing and to try and keep the college out of it."
"Which leads me to believe that Adams is going to be on campus this year."
"That was the last report from Dean Evans. Think you'll wind up with any classes with him?"
"Always a possibility Den, unless Dean Evans has had his hands on my schedule as well."
The phone rang and I went and answered it.
"Dennis, it's Bob Evans."
"You couldn't wait 2 weeks?"
"I probably could have but by then I'd be playing catch up. I've kept my ears open all summer Dennis. I knew that something with you would come up."
"So you've seen the article that got published today I take it."
"I have. Care to comment?"
"I'll tell you the same thing I told the local paper. Adams is entitled to his opinion just like everybody else. Having said that, the Dean has asked that I try and keep this away from the college."
"Fine, I can respect that. I just wanted to have the background for when we do get back on campus."
"Be damn careful you don't make yourself a target Bob. I'm sure that Adams wouldn't have any problem at all going to your instructors and they will likely have to listen to somebody with tenure."
"Hey, I knew what I was signing up for when I went into journalism. I'll be fine Dennis. See you in a couple of weeks."
"See you soon Bob."
"Bob? Bob Evans, from school?"
"Yeah."
"That guy is going to be able to write your biography."
"Assuming anybody would want to read it."
We soon sat down to supper and then crashed in front of the TV for the evening.
Tuesday morning came with a cloudy sky, but no rain.
"Time to get it in gear lover."
"Yeah yeah. We going to keep this up even after you stop competing Den?"
"I don't see any reason why. It helps keep us in shape. We stay in shape we live longer."
"Yeah, that's the way it is supposed to work."
We soon met Roland and Aaron at the corner and we were down to the track and got our laps done.
"So, anything worth talking about happen yesterday?"
"Well Aaron, somebody wrote an opinion about my proposal to buy the 'Y'."
"In favor or against?"
"Against."
"You going to go to bat to refute it?"
"I really don't need to. Lately, his batting average has been piss poor if anybody cares to check."
Dana passed us as usual on his morning patrol.
Back at the house Karl and I were showered dressed and fed and soon off to work.
As usual, Stan was already there.
"Didn't see anything in the overnights and Europe has been quiet this morning."
"I'm not going jinx us by saying it."
"I heard that."
Soon the day got underway and Harrison Bartlett called.
"Dennis, I just wanted you to know that I don't happen to agree with Mr Adams on your proposal. If things shouldn't go as planned, I'm prepared to go into this with you."
"I appreciate the thought, Mr Bartlett. I am still waiting for one potential investor to answer me. I hope to hear from them by the end of the week."
"May I be so inquisitive?"
"I'm sorry sir, but I'd prefer not to say until contracts are signed."
"Quite right. Well, stay safe Mr. Sawyer, now and back at school."
"I have every intention of trying Mr Bartlett. If there's nothing else sir?"
"No there isn't. Have yourself a good day young man."
"You as well sir."
The day continued on pretty much as usual until 4 o'clock.
"Mr Sawyer line 2, Oliver Adams."
Also posting to 721 Anderson Avenue