Thankfully, I work early having forgot to set the alarm. It was still dark out but I went for a run. At home, dad was already up drinking coffee and reading the paper. I grabbed some coffee and sat down and looked for the sports page. Turning immediately to the high school section I started to read the article about the game. It was straight forward with little insight and no player interviews. There was a very positive report about the student reaction after the game. Just then dad pushed the business section in front of me and pointed to a small article which stated MJS Enterprises considering second project. The article went on to say that plans were underway and various sources indicate an announcement is pending. I looked at dad and said, the Mayor. Dad said well if it's the Major, you need to fire him and laughed. I cut the article out, found a red marker and wrote in all caps, WTF and set it aside. Dad, looked at me and said, well I'm guessing this will be an interesting brunch. I smiled and went back to the sports. Once dad left to shower and get dressed, I went outside and tried to calm down.
It didn't take me long to relax and I felt I had the upper hand and upstairs, I showered, shaved, tended to my hair, put on grey slacks, a blue dress shirt, red tie and a blue blazer. Down stairs I saw dad and said, dude we are going to Oakmont not Kennywood. Dad said, so I see you figured the no tie thing was BS as well? I said well not until I saw the article. During the 40 minute drive, dad and I talked about the company, what he was working on and how he was turning work down because of a lack of potential hires and lack of space. I thought I wonder how hard it would be to add an additional floor onto the project. So dad, do we need to start this other building to accommodate Technologies. He said, Mike we could take over both buildings but that lack of diversity could bite us both in the ass if something happens.
At the club I parked as close to the entrance as I could. Inside we were met by the manager who smiled and said, good morning Mr. Simmons, looking at my dad, so you are here to meet with the Mayor? Dad said, nope but Mike here is meeting with the Mayor, I'm just along for the food. I looked at the manager and said, so as rude and uninformed as you are, how do you keep this job? He gave me a dirty look and said, follow me. We were seated at a table out of the way and that pleased me. I looked around and there were a number of people that I actually recognized. I asked dad the time and he said 11:25. The waiter came and I ordered coffee and dad did the same. Then I saw someone I really want to chat with. I said, dad please excuse me.
I went across the room and said good morning, Mr. Palmer. He smiled and said, Michael good to see you have a seat. I sat down and said, this must be your lovely wile, I'm Mike Simmons. We talked for a minute and I motioned for dad to come over, when he came over I made introductions and Mr. Palmer said, please sit. Then I was asked about the manager and I said once again he is unhappy. Dad, chimed in with, well most people when told they were rude and uninformed would be less than happy. Both the Palmers laughed. I looked over and saw the Mayor looking at us and said. Well my host is here we should be going? Mr. Palmer said, Mike let him cool his heals. Then he said, I've been following some of your activities and you certainly play hard. The article in the PG was the first time you let your hair down in public, what brought that on? I said Major Messer, I hired him. I was told I know and was asked how is JJ? I said good and we are becoming friends. He smiled and said fantastic, he could give you a test on the golf course. I said, wow, I did not know that. The waiter came over and he took orders for the Palmers and I handed him the article from the morning paper and asked that he hand it to the Mayor. Dad laughed and I said, there was an article in the morning PG that did not please me so I just sent a message to my host before we start negotiating.
Well, it looks like there was an immediate reaction. The Mayor came over and said, excuse me I need to speak with Mike. Mr. Palmer said, well Mr. Mayor, I have things to discuss with him as well, we won't be long and the Mayor retreated to the table. We chatted for a while and I was told just to hold back any support for the upcoming state elections. I laughed and said, I already played that card after I shut down the construction project. I thanked both of them for the chat and said I was sorry for the intrusion but it was time to get to work. I was reminded about golf and was told that JJ, his dad and that both of us could join him for golf some time soon. I said, sir that 5 and he said, Mike I can count and I own the place so it won't matter. I said thanks and went to join the somewhat pissed off Mayor.
Dad and I went over and sat down and I was asked, was that you needing to meet a celebrity or do you actually know Mr. Palmer. I said, Mr. Mayor I've met him and actually had lunch with him at his club, why is that important? There was no reply and I said are we eating or starting this fight now? He said, I don't really care what you two do, I'm leaving. I said, damn a complete surrender because of a note on an article I didn't like or you finally realizing how big the circles are that I run in? Understand, messing with the current project will result in a long term all out fight. The PR side I will win very easily. Then there will be the lost union jobs, should I go on or are you going to sit down and be reasonable? Without saying a word, went to the buffet. I looked at dad and said, well I guess we are eating.
Back at the table, I said Pete, I'm simply not ready and there are options. They range from a duplicate building to a commercial and entertainment area. Hell, I have all those people going there and no place close to eat. That's not the only issue, there is money and my college choice. Oh and some sort of life of my own. So it will be weed control, I never wanted the damn land, it was just too good to pass up. So, why are dad and I being pushed, so hard to start? He said, Mike I need a booming regional economy. I replied, you have two major projects going on right now and I'm involved in both, find someone else? How are you involved with the building in town? I said, well look into J & J Architects. You will discover they are a subsidiary MJS Enterprises. He said, fuck how did you pull that off? Look, it's like everything else, there was an opportunity and my imagination saw an opening and my team worked it out.
Ok, Mike would you consider a second shift on the project and speed up completion. I said Mayor thats a great idea, let me check on the costs and talk with the foreman. I don't want people getting in each other's way. He stood up shook my hand and said TRUCE, I smiled and said deal. He said, gentlemen I have to get going please stay and it is all on my tab. I said thanks and went for more food. As I was coming back to the table, I was waved over to sit with the Palmers. Dad joined us and I was asked, so Mike how did that go? I smiled and said that the Mayor was firmly in his lane and that I agreed to look into speeding the current project up, with no promises. So he is all right with that? I replied well he pretends to be and everyone laughed. We talked for a while and at some point I asked about his jet. He said that he loves to fly. I told him that we wanted a jet to make travel easier for dad and for my many trips to and from VT. Then, I told everyone about my trip to NC and how the pilot let me actually fly the plane and that I was hooked. Mr. Palmer said that the flight school at the county airport was excellent and I should consider something less difficult to manage than a Jet. He said to call Doc at his office and the information would be sent. He asked if I had received the autographed picture and was not happy when I said that I had not. He said, expect it this week and I said thanks. Then I thanked him for the time and assist with the Mayor and told Mrs. Palmer how much I enjoyed meeting her. We got up to leave and I was told that the Manager would appreciate a minute of my time. I said sure, no problem and I'll be nice, he said Mike there is no need to be nice, enjoy your day.
I stopped in the office and found the manager and said, good afternoon, I was told to see you on the way out. Mr. Simmons.... I stopped him and said please I am Mike. He said well by club tradition I'm to call all members Mr. I said, please explain? Well last week your were accepted as a junior member. I said I thought, that was for sons of members? He said, well that's correct, somehow in your case that requirement was waved. Welcome to Oakmont. I said thank you but who pulled those strings? He said, sir I don't know. I said thank you and went back into the dining room and said, Mr. Palmer thank you? He smiled and said, Mike I knew about it but I didn't do that or start that. Apparently you have friends here you don't know about. I am looking forward to playing with you here, but this was not me or my associates. I said thanks again and once again, I'm sorry to have intruded on your day, yet again.
On the way to the car, I got a hug from dad and he said, dude, I'm fucking impressed. I bet the first time we have dinner here you get mobbed like I do at South Hills. In the car, I called Brian and said, find out who pulled strings at Oakmont to get me a junior membership and start with anyone associated with Arnold Palmer. He said, holy shit, I'm on it. I said thanks and hung up. I looked at dad and asked, so what triggered this and he said, the TV interview. Brian should look to see if there are any associates or family members of Mr. Carnegie. I said, dad I'm thinking some one at CMU. Dad laughed and said the possibilities are endless so just let Brian work is magic. I said, dad you know this will drive me nuts. He said, I'm aware.
At home I went inside, grabbed workout clothes and went right to the gym. Pumped up by the meeting and events of the day it was an intense workout. I sat in the sauna and relaxed and it was great to be alone. I reached the limit of sauna time, showered and went home. I called Jim and we talked about stuff and I asked about JJ and was told he is great and him and Dee are good. So Jim do you know anything else about him? Mike, he is like you hard to get to know. He is revealing more as he settles in. I said thanks and that I would see him in school tomorrow.
The next call was to Ryan and I asked him to talk with Tim and Brian and explore adding a second shift to the project. I need to know the costs and the possible benefits. He said, sure and he was feeling better and was getting bored. I said thanks and hung up.
Next I called JJ and he answered saying MJS how the fuck are you? I hear you had a very fun morning. I said, ok how in the fuck did you know about that? He laughed and said, dad. I said ok, so how good of a golfer are you? He said just ok. Asshole, I know better than that WHATS the fucking handicap and where? Ok, Mike I'm guessing more happened at brunch that I was aware of? So JJ please just tell me before I have to find out myself. He said, MJS it's not the greatest course, I've played but the Houston CC and it's a 4. I said, interesting and I bet you Jim and I will have a blast this summer. In fact a small tournament, South Hills, Latrobe and Oakmont. He said, Fuck how you pulling that off? I said friends in high places and I hung up.
I immediately called the Major he answered and I said the meeting with the Mayor went well and the Mayor is down to a simple request that we add a second shift to speed the project along. I said that Brian, Tim and Ryan are working on cost assessments. I'm just keeping you informed. He said thanks, anything else? I said, Jim I'm guessing you already know that. Have a great night. He said, ok hold on. Ok, Jim I'm all ears. Mike as an astronaut, even a former astronaut I pretty much have connections all over the place. There are time I chose to use those connections for people who are good to me and my family. I could work anywhere and we somehow chose each other. You have been every bit as challenging as I thought and hoped for. More more importantly you have helped both my kids and that's a bonus I did not count on. JJ is especially changed because of you. I said, thanks but who at Oakmont? He said, Mike that was easy and it wasn't Palmer, well he was there in the background. The membership at that club includes the movers and shakers of the Region. People you don't even know are watching you and you are impressing all of them. So two or three well placed calls and your pending application, which had already been reviewed, and it was done. Ok, Jim who or what is funding this? He said, you know think about it. Oh, by the way Arnie could not get over how you handled the Mayor. He is becoming a fan. I said thanks, hung up took a deep breath and screamed DAD, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU.
Down stairs, dad was in the kitchen and laughing his ass off. He gave me a big hug and asked, how the fuck did you figure all that out in under an hour? I said, I followed the bread crumbs. Mike, it was something you really wanted and I thought you deserved it. By the way the club manager fought against it so hard he was almost fired. I said nice to know and we can book the wedding reception there anytime you want. He said, in a future date, I hope. You two have hurdles to work out yet.
Ok, dad what are the rules at Oakmont? Mike, unlimited golf for you and your guests are $95 each. You will be billed monthly and, no I'm not paying that. By the way you get billed $750 every month weather you use it or not. Dude, your Trust can more than deal with that. Dad can I expense it using Enterprises, he laughed and said, work it out with the business office but don't look for many exceptions there. Then he said, the down side is iced tea is just that. I said, dad I got it, thanks.
I called Carrie and said, she could set a date for the wedding as, I'm a member at Oakmont. She said great, do I get a choice? I said yes you pick the date and I pick the location. I said, babe, we are going to dinner there soon, you need to see how special it is. Mike, you have been obsessed with that place forever, let's see what it's like.
I called Jim, again and went into details and telling him about the tournament I was setting up with him and JJ. He laughed and said, damn we should set the bets now. I laughed and said, ok we each get to set a bet. I'll get JJ on it. I'm thinking late April. I said fewest holes over par, he said fine. He was quiet for a while and he said, what about fewest penalty strokes. I said fine, I call JJ and let him know and see what he has in mind.
Just then, my phone rang and it was Brian, he said Mike starting a second shift would cost a lot and get little return. I talked with Allen Wallace, your foreman, and he said that it would result in mistakes. He suggests that an hour of overtime a couple of days a week would be much more productive. I said, Brian please have Ryan get me cost estimates and I'll think about it. Oh, by the way, I figured out the Oakmont thing so no need to investigate. He laughed and said, just give your dad a giant hug. I said asshole and hung up.
My next and last call of the night was to JJ, he answered saying MJ, now what? I said MJ? He said yes, the three initials were too long and I like MJ better. I said fine and would you please pick a bet for the golf tournament? He immediately responded with GIR. I said perfect we are all set. Talk to you tomorrow.
With a tremendous day behind me, I climbed into bed and was thinking, what's next. Up way before the alarm so I put some coffee on and grabbed school clothes and went for a workout. At lunch I bought 9 tickets for the playoff game. They were for the usual six and I found Sam and handed him 2 tickets, he said thanks, but he had tickets and I said just give them away? He said thanks again I rubbed his head and thought damn, get a hair cut. Back at the table, it was just fun and I took a ribbing about being a snob with memberships at two country clubs. I laughed and said, I'm aiming for Laurel Valley, but need to earn that.
Tuesday went the same way and excitement was building for the basketball game on Wednesday. This one would be a bit more difficult, we had beat them twice in competitive games earlier in the season and three victories over a good team was always hard. It was fun, just being a spectator. I was wondering what Sam would try to pull of this time. Well, I didn't wonder long as after lunch there were signs up all over the building, it said dress for the game was beach party and I laughed out loud. I grabbed Carrie, on the way to class and I said this is going to be fun and she said well, I'm just going to kill him. Beach party in the end of February, I'll freeze my ass off. I shook my head and said, think how much fun the Tavern will be? She said Michael, you are a jerk and went off to class.
In study hall I signed out to the guidance office. At the office I was told Mr. Ramo was busy and that I should set an appointment. I said fine and was told the next week was the earliest possible appointment. I set the appointment and said, I'll see you tomorrow. She said, why would you do that? I smiled and said thank you and went back to study hall. Unhappy with the long time for an appointment and not anting to throw my wight around, I sat there considering my options. On the way to the stadium for my workout, I thought fuck, I'll just let it be.
The workout was good and as I was leaving I noticed Sam waiting for a ride. I stopped and we were chatting. Then he asked if we could have a bet on the game? Sam, so how intense have your bets been? Mike the tasks that ended up in sex tasks were only with one guy. So Sam, who is that guy? He looked at and said rule 2 and I said fair enough. So do you care to share what happened when you lost? Mike, it hurt like fucking hell, well at first. We were at his place and I was told to remove my pants and boxers and lay on my back on the bed. He put a condom on, slapped my ass squeezed a glob of lube on my hole. Lifted my legs and just rammed it in and I screamed. He covered my mouth with his hand and slowly started to fuck me. At some point it felt better. He shot a load and went to the bathroom and came back dressed. He looked at me asked if I was ok and said get decent. Then it was like it didn't happen. I hugged him and said, so you alright with sex of different flavors? He laughed and said now that him and Kathy had done it ABSOLUTELY. I looked at him and said I'll think about the bet, but get a fucking haircut. I asked again, Sam are you ok? He laughed and said, Mike are you ok? I said, Sam I'm good. He smiled and said so am I, quit fucking worrying about me, Christ you are starting to act like my dad. Sam, what's the bet? He smiled and said, I bet we lose. I looked at him and said that's a fucking bet. I looked at him and said, dude I'll stop hovering.
At home, I called both Brian and Tim and discussed the overtime. They said that Ryan had worked the numbers and everyone thought it was a good idea. Then I called Allen Wallace, the foreman and we talked about the overtime. He suggested 2 hours 2 or 3 times a week. I thought for a minute and said, I'm good with whatever as long as it is voluntary. He said that we should start with 2 hours twice a week, Monday and Wednesday. I said fine and every other Wednesday, I would send box lunches for 50. He said, damn that would be awesome.
I was fucking starving and downstairs I found dad eating. I asked if he saved me anything? He said, refrigerator and kept reading the paper. I found the famous Lemmon chicken and iced tea. While it was heating I checked my emails and delegated all but one, which was from the Mayor. Dad finished reading and asked about my day. I told him about the guidance counselor and he asked what I needed him for? I said to set up a math program that would be college credits and school credit, as I was tired wasting my time in the high school math classes. He moved on to the building and how well it was going. Then he said, Mike your assistant needs more to do. I said well I just unloaded 6 emails on him a few minutes ago. Dad, looked at me and said Michael he is bored. Then dad said, you should have him spend one day a week at the construction site. I thought for a minute and said, consider that done. By the way, you told me to slow down and I have, so the assistant being bored requires me to get active again. Dad looked at me and said, don't you have school work?
Upstairs I threw myself on the bed and called Carrie. I asked if she found beach attire for the game. She laughed and said yes, but it was the dumbest idea ever. Then she complained about work and how hard it was to keep up with school work. I laughed and said, no shit but what did she think would happen. I said less time for your nails and she hung up. Then I spent an hour on history and went to bed.
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