I sat down and looked around and saw that everyone was ready. Mason had water at each seat and a notebook and him and Dillon were seated on the side. There were a couple of extra sets so I asked them to please join us at the table. There were smiles and they moved to the table.
I looked around again and said, I know some of you are wondering why you are here and what's going on. Well each of you play an important part in my life and comprise my team. I have decided to include you because I don't have a feel for this at all and that is very unusual. Please offer your opinions and be blunt and push back. I said, as you know I own in various ways two plots of land on Second Avenue. One has a major project underway and one is growing weeds. The property under construction and the building is owned by my Trust and is leased to Technologies. What you might not know is that I through my Trust own controlling interest in Technologies. The second plot of land which is under discussion is half owned by my Trust and half by Technologies, which as I mentioned I have a majority interest in. So the bottom line is that I own a lot of land. Apparently some one or a group want to buy the second, smaller plot and I believe Brian can go into detail on that.
Brian started by saying this isn't a straight forward deal. In fact it is hard to believe it could be more complicated. The Mayor feels he needs a booming economy in the region as he gets ready to run for state office. There are two large projects underway ours and one in town that is a spec building. J & J Architects are involved in both and the Mayor wants our second project started. Mike has resisted and the Mayor has nudged in a lot of directions and Mike has still resisted. Now there is this offer to buy the land from a group of investors assembled by the Mayor. The offer is for roughly 3 times what Mike bought it for. This will be spec building and stress occupancy and more importantly stress the labor market.
I asked the CEO of my construction company for a report on labor availability. He said, Mike thanks but there is no way that there are enough skilled union workers to do three projects. While there were non union workers available it would not help the Mayor politically to go that route. Mike, I have to tell you that if you started a non union job a lot of the good will you developed on this project would be lost. I said thanks and asked Allen Wallace the foreman about progress on the new building and worker morale. He said, Mike the building is ahead of schedule already and the morale is great, the opportunity for overtime is wonderful and the occasional box lunches are appreciated. Then there was the day you shut down the site and everyone was paid. Things are great.
Next was Carrie and she laid out in great detail the options outlined by J & J Architects. I thanked her and said of course we can simply keep the plot of land and sit on it. Then I said, I think it time for a bread and I think the dinner Mason and Dillon ordered is here. Please feel free to chat amongst yourselves and we will resume after we eat. I got up and went to the rest room and ran into Coach Weston. He said Mike, are you intentionally setting this up so that you keep the land and do nothing or are you unaware? I said coach, the struggle is between that and taking two million and let he be what it becomes, my workers are safely in place. There would be a lot of rubble and the Mayors political aspirations toast. You are right I don't want to start another project. However should we take the 2 million and buy the land back for half that after it fall flat on its face. He said damn, you are something else. How the fuck do you know all this? Coach, I simply follow the bread crumbs and I won't have the final say there needs to be a Trust meeting. Besides, I'm formalizing Enterprises and expanding that scope.
Back in the Board Room, a catered dinner was set up and and people were talking and I simply went to my office and relaxed. I waited 30 minutes and went back to the Board Room. I felt we could continue so I sat down and everyone got the message and I started by asking for opinions on the options. There was quiet and Coach Weston asked what the advantages were to selling the property? I said money and an ultimate win. Then to my surprise Mason asked, Mike can you explain. Yes, it would be spec non union building that would ultimately be fatal to the Mayors state wide ambitions. The building would sit vacant and be available at a very reasonable price? Then I was asked are you sure? If I was sure we wouldn't be sitting here. Then it was Dillons turn to surprise me when he said so Mike there are 2 choices, sell or keep the property and do nothing, is that correct? Well Dillon if you say so and everyone laughed. However, Dillon that seems to be the feeling. We kicked those options around for about an hour and then I said I have a few announcements, pertain to Enterprises.
First of all dad will be Chairman of the Board of Enterprises, that was agreed to privately but I want to make it formal. Also previously agreed to Tim will be legal council. I am asking Coach Weston and Mason and Dillon to be on the Board of Directors. Also, I will be asking Ryan to be CFO. Enterprises currently gets income from the NASA space in the Strip, form a subsidiary J & J Architects and in addition I am asking Dillon and Mason to get a Real Estate license. We will be hiring a Broker and that will be a major part of Enterprises. The perk for this is that the Board meetings will be the second Saturday of the month at Oakmont.
A final announcement deals with a change at Technologies as Dr. Williams new position will be CEO he will report to Mr. Simmons, who is now President and myself who remains Chairman. The Director of Technology will be hired to deal with what Kyle currently does. Questions? As there were none I thanked everyone and said that there would be a Trust meeting starting in 30 minutes in the Board Room.
I found Carrie and said it might be a while and it she wanted I would call a cab. She said, Mike you are awesome but Dillon will be taking me home, I asked during dinner. I said babe walk me to my office. Once we got to the office I grabbed her and we made out for a while. I said you were awesome and I'll be sure to tell Jodie that. Back in the board room, it was only dad, Tim and me. Dad thought it was a win either way and we should take the money and put the fight with the Mayor off for a while and simply let him fail. Tim, thought that might make him bolder but the money would be nice. I said so let's vote. Dad and Tim voted to sell and I said, I'm good with that. So the offer is 2.25 million and Tim said well 2 million I said ask for 2.5 and they both asked are you trying to blow this up? I said no, just covering expenses. They laughed and I said not a penny under 2 understand that. Dad agreed and I had mixed emotions. But there would be more fights and the profit was nice.
I drove home starving as I had not eaten at the meeting. In the kitchen I found food in the refrigerator, poured a glass of iced tea. Just then Brian called asking what was decided and I said sell the land but no less than 2 million. He laughed and said fuck that would be awesome and you can buy it back for half, I said I hope so. Then I told him I promoted Kyle to second in command with a new title and Brian said you have no idea how important that was. So was he looking or were people coming after him and Brian said yes. He was thinking he would never be given a chance here and that you would finish college and just take over. Brian, I have no intention of doing that, Technologies is my IRA. Have a good night and I hung up.
I called Kyle, when he answered I said, so were you going to tell me before or after you took a new job? Mike, I would have told you and worked it out. I needed security. Ok Kyle, I had no idea you were looking until tonight and Brian told me. You still want the promotion? He said fuck yes, I do. Ok the new agreement will have a non compete, you good with that. Mike, I am not but can we talk tomorrow? I said here at home after dinner. He said fine and I want this to work. Kyle, so do I see you tomorrow and I hung up. It was a wild fucking day and I was exhausted but I called Carrie and told her how well she did at the meeting. She said thanks and that it was impressive how I directed the entire event to what I wanted. I laughed and said, babe that's a bit of an over statement. We decided at the Trust meeting to sell. She thought the meeting with the "kids" went well. With that I said good night and I love you.
Tuesday started with the typical runs and morning classes were very uneventful. At lunch the Freshmen were all wearing hats backwards. Jim, JJ and I just looked at each other with no idea what the fuck was going on. If it was a message and I was sure that it was it was so down low that none of us got it. We talked about it but did not react. After school, I went to the stadium to work out and there was not a freshman in sight. JJ and I worked out and while I was drying off after the shower, Jim came in and sat down beside me. He said Mike, there upset that we "hijacked" the game. I said well let them stay home, but it's time to send a message back. Spread the word dress for school is beach attire, Jim almost fell off the bench laughing. About a dozen well place phone calls and it was set.
I drove home starving and there were pork chops in that red sauce with a lemon and onion on top and mash potatoes and iced tea in the refrigerator. I was excites as that and the lemon chicken were my favorite. I was eating and reading the paper and my phone rang and it was Kyle asking if we were still on? I said absolutely and he said he was leaving the office and would be over directly.
I went upstairs and made sure my room was presentable. Back downstairs I grabbed another iced tea, thought about a cigarette and turned the news on. Nothing really held my interest until the sports came on. There was a segment on the game tomorrow and there was a clip of the theme and the alma mater. Just then there was a knock on the door and Kyle was here. I asked if he wanted something to drink and he asked what I was drinking and I said whatever you want and we both decided on beer. Then I said Kyle, let's go upstairs. He shook his head and we went in my room. He looked around and said so this doubles as an office. I said yes and he asked about the picture with Jim and I explained. Then the Palmer picture. I said the Major had a meeting with Arnie and we met at the county airport and he put me in an F-15 and tried to make me puke. We eventually landed at Latrobe and he met with Mr. Palmer and we had a great lunch.
Kyle, I need you to listen for a minute. I had no idea you were stressed about your position at Technologies, until I got home last night and Brian told me. That "promotion" was recognition for all you do. I have been working on a reorganization of the company so it is in place when we move into the building. While I have not figured out the title that is correct, I view you as equal to dad. He is all things marketing and you are everything else. Does that work for you? Kyle, just looked at me and said well what is your role. I said Chairman of the Board and big picture guy. I don't want to run this place, but fuck someone has to get this place structured. So Mike, what happens when you go to VT and play football. Kyle, hopefully you are in place to run the joint, we both know all dad want to do is marketing and it is driving him nuts we can't take on more projects. Ok, and when you graduate? Kyle, I'm hoping Technologies and Enterprises are merged and you are President of Enterprise's largest division. In fact, that's why I made Dad President and you CEO. How does that sound? Oh, there was and remains the intent of a raise. If you feel bored or not challenged enough, start something and shift it to Enterprises. Look, I have been involving you more and more so you should have realized, I need you and don't want you going anywhere. Do we have a deal?
Mike, I have been thinking about this all night and all day and if it wasn't for you, I would be gone already. From that first meeting when you asked if I wanted to be called Dr. or did I have a real name, I was sold. Sometime you scare the shit out of me but fuck you have always come through. I watched yesterday with interest and awe as you manipulated a group of people to give you what you wanted all along. Mike, things change and you will be a different person after one year at VT and your goals and thoughts will have changed. You are so fucking young but damn you are so fucking interesting. How about a 6 year contract and with a non compete during that time, if I break the contract. I said, would a 5k raise this year and an annual salary and performance review with me every March 1st. Would that work? I said, I'll talk with dad about the title changes and get that in the contract? Kyle, I'll have Tim do the contract and you and I can discuss it in detail, will that be ok? He said, Mike thanks and this will be a fun ride. Kyle, I'm serious about expanding Enterprises into a multi faceted Corporation.
Once Kyle left, I called Sam. He answered saying Mike, that's not me. I said Sam what's not you? He said the protest. Sam, I have no idea what you are talking about, I called to set the time for the task you owe me. It will be immediately after school on Thursday and it will be 2 hours of intense and unpleasant activity. He said ok, I have been waiting. I asked, have you considered the limits? He said yes, no shit, no marks not covered by clothes and no broken skin. So Sam, you would be all right with Jim being involved? He said I guess. I said good and I'll see you tomorrow and hung up.
I called Carrie and I asked if she had herd about school dress tomorrow and she said, damn that's the best response possible. Then she said well they might not be going to the game and I said shit I better learning the words to the alma mater. She laughed and said some Beach Boy shit as well. I laughed and said well I can't carry a tune in a bucket. She said, tell me something I don't know.
I went down stairs and found dad in his office, reading, drinking and smoking - all the usual shit. I said dad, I just met with with Dr. Williams. He said I know I saw his car, did he finally resign? I said WHAT? Mike he has been looking for a while. So dad were you going to let him leave? He said, nope just counter offer and try to keep him, he does a great job. I figured you knew that and this the "promotion". Dad, I did not know about that until last night when I talked with Brian. Dad, what would you think of the title change? So you want to make Kyle CEO? I said yes and you President. He thought for a minute and said that works, what else? I said a 6 year contract with a 5k raise and yearly reviews with me and a non-compete. Damn, how did you pull that off? I said, my good looks, are you ok? He said absolutely. I said, I'll ask the Major to issue a press release. He said, please change the sign on my parking spot. I laughed and said, I'll get right on it.
Upstairs I called Jim and we discussed the tasks for Sam. I asked for supplies from the pharmacy. I was interested in a big enema bag, condoms, anything to punish his nips, and sounds, if he had any. He laughed and said he would just stop at a porn shop and see what he could find. I said the nastier the better, it's lesson time. Then I asked if he would bring a camera. Jim, simply insurance for rule 2. Mike, that's just not a good idea. Jim, the mood I'm in with him, none of this is a good idea. Jim, I'll figure it out and I'll pay for the toys. We hung up and I knew I would tone it down but the kid needed put in place.
Finally, I called Tim and described the plan for Dr. Williams and told him the details and that I wanted to see it before Kyle did. He said fine and asked about what dad thought about the change? Tim, dad said he was good so I didn't push for details. Back downstairs I checked with dad to make sure he was good with the changes. He said, Mike you didn't change anything, just titles. Oh and you kept a valuable employee. He said that's why I have you to do things I would never have thought of, it's late get some rest. Thanks dad, you are the best.
I woke to a really warm morning and was hoping spring was here, put on shorts and a sweatshirt and went for the run. It was awesome and I decided to do everything possible to relax and have it be a teen day. I dress In swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt and drove to school. The entire Junior class and more that half the seniors had beach attire, the Freshmen had hats on backwards. You could feel the tension in the building. The morning classes were uneventful and things were very tense at lunch. There was nothing to do but let it play out. I was hoping they stayed away from the game. I signed out of study hall and went to workout and the place was deserted. I was working out and Sam came in and I ignored him. I finished my workout and headed for the shower. I was enjoying the shower and the hot waters when the curtain flew open and a fully dressed Sam said Mike we need to talk. I grabbed him and pulled him in the shower, push him against the wall. Holding him by the neck, I said look you fucking deviant, how dare you interrupt my shower. We don't need to talk you need to fucking listen. You claim to be the ring leader, so fucking fix it. I don't give a shit how your class is dressed they all better be there supporting our team. Leadership means responsibility, get it done, I let go of him and he fell to the shower floor and I said get the fuck out of my sight. I made the water hotter and just stood there letting the tension just drain out of me. I dried off and drove home and called Carrie. I said babe, I'll be over at 6:30 please be ready and I'll beep the horn and please come out, I do not want to be near your brother or even see him. She said, the way he blew into the house dripping wet and right to his room I figured it was you. He has been on the phone the entire time. Carrie, I was in the shower and he tore open the curtain demanding to talk. I was naked and he wasn't but he ended up on the floor in a heap, I'm sorry but anyone else would have been a bloody mess. Mike, I get it he isn't the ring master he thinks he is. I'll be ready, please relax. Thanks babe, I love you.
As we had decided to take separate cars and it was an easy ride, Carrie and I were there early and we found the student section for our game and we were watching the game and chatting. She said Mike, your women have this and it will be one hell of a beach party. I think the Freshmen are coming in something different. However they will cooperate and it will be drama free. Babe, I hope so. The place started to fill up and it seemed that we were all in beach attire. A few minutes later a large group in white shirts came in and it was our Freshmen. As the first game ended a couple of girls started singing California Girls which was immediately followed with Be True to Your School and I was laughing so hard that I almost fell out of my seat. The next song was Good Vibrations and then the team appeared in their Hawaiian warmups even the one Freshman. All of a sudden the white shirts were gone and it was all beach attire. Sam turned around and very discretely gave me the finger. I saluted and mouthed good job.
The game started and it was a blow out after the first quarter. The entire team was in sync and everything went their way. After the game we did the alma mater thing and I looked at Carrie and said, I know it's a week day but how about the two of us go to the Tavern. She said fine and off we went. Inside I ordered an Arnold Palmer and she ordered a Sprite. The owner just look at us and we both ordered burgers. It was a nice quiet and it was great to be alone together. I paid the check and dropped her at home. I was a block from my house when all of a sudden a police car lit up and I pulled over. A police offer appeared at each window and I was ask for my license, owners card and insurance information. I said some are in my wallet and some in the glove box. The officer said ok, just go slow. I took out my wallet and handed him the license and reached for the glove box and grabbed the other information and handed it over. They went back to the car and were obviously checking the information. They came back and I was asked if I was drinking? I said that I had had 2 Arnold Palmers, you know iced tea and lemonade. I was told to get out of the car and they started with agility drills. I did the first one and said, ok I want a blood test. The officer said oh shit, how about we forget we pulled you over? I said how about a blood test? I was told they made a mistake and they were sorry and that I could go. I said well let's go to the hospital we can discuss the other issues after I pass the test. As they started to walk away, I called Tim and went back to the squad car and said, gentlemen my attorney would like to talk with you and I handed them the phone. There was a lengthy conversation and when I got the phone back Tim said Mike cooperate and just go home, I said yes Sir. I looked at the officers and said, have a great night and I hope you learned that I don't bull shit even to snot nosed Freshmen. I got in my car and drove home.
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