Things were rapidly getting out of hand and I opened the garage door and invited everyone in to get out of the cold. I went into the game room and moved the sofa and other furniture to make some room. Back in the garage I led the camera guys in and said work it out. I then went back to the garage and led the reporters in saying that I would be back in a minute. In dad's office Tim dad and I discussed an approach and Tim would recap the events and then we would all take questions.
Back in the game room Tim said I would like to bring you up to date on how we all got here tonight. Three night ago Mike was stopped by two borough police officers and me was asked to perform some tests to verify his sobriety. Mike refused asking for a blood test. He was told that was t possible and to do the agility drills. Mike refused again asking for a blood test. Then he called me and I talked with the officers. I was told that they had no reason to pull him over and had no indication he was impaired and was not driving recklessly. Mike was sent on his way. Tonight returning from dinner with his dad, Mike was stopped again and again he asked for a blood test. There was no choice this time as Mike was with his dad. Mike was cuffed and driven to Jefferson Hospital for the blood test. He was told to end this or things would get worse. Mike countered by asking that the blood test include a drug test. Then the niece of Police arrived and said that Mike could go home and Mike insisted on waiting for the blood test. The Chief talked to me and I was no help and then told Mike to go home and forget all this or things would get ugly. If you know Mike at all he is not the type to be threatened, so in Mike's words game on. You all know what happened at the hospital and why we are here. We will take questions.
Mike, what is it that you want from all this? I thought for a minute and said, that was made perfectly clear to both the Chief and Council President. First, I would like an apology from the Mayor for the conduct of his police officers. Second, some form of discipline, short of termination, for the two officers and the Chief and finally an assurance that I will stop being harassed and only be stopped by the police if there is an actual reason.
What happens if that does not happen? Tim replied I will prepare a 10 Million civil law suit and file it first thing Monday morning. The Borough is aware of all this and they have till noon tomorrow to resolve this.
So Mike, where was dinner tonight? Dad replied at a local country club and unless my memory is failing me Mike had 2 Arnold Palmers and a cappuccino.
Mike, what do you think caused all this? I said, I'm not sure but most likely it has something to do the breaking up of the tailgating parties on Saturday.
Mike, who else was involved in that, we understand there were three others. I said that's correct and like me the others are minors, I will have no comment.
Mike there are reports that the same group met with the Freshmen class to discuss those events, can you elaborate? That is correct if you add to that group our dates. As for the discussion it was a school event. It was attended by the Principal, recorded and remotely attended by school board members. You will need to talk to the school administration about the details.
Mike did you and Carrie earlier talk with the Freshmen earlier this year? Yes and same answer, please contact the school.
Who is Carrie? I smiled and said not involved in all this.
Mike, what will VT say about all this? I have not talked with them and I'm sure they are not pleased by the drama but pleased about another passed drug test.
Tim then said guy this is getting away from the events of the day, I think we are finished, thank you.
Once the media left it was dad Tim and I. I asked Tim if he wanted to stay and watch the news and he said that sounds like fun but I'm drinking iced tea. We all laughed and I thanked dad for a great night at Oakmont but with your permission I'm drinking scotch and a lot of it. I grabbed Tim a beer and said just spend the night in the guest room, it all ready for visitors. Then I fixed dad and I a drink and we were chatting and dads phone rang. He answered, listened for a while, shouted FINE, WE WILL SEE YOU IN COURT and he hung up laughing. We all looked and he said the Chief. I was into my second drink when dad's phone rang again and the conversation was with the school Principal. As he was getting a lot of calls. Dad gave him the cliff notes and said he was free to give them anything they wanted but that the school should get something out of it. Dr. Johnson said not to worry that they would protect Mike, dad said thanks and hung up.
I looked at dad and asked, can I go to the game tomorrow night? Tim replied, yes but your not driving. I said fuck that unless you can tell me something that I did that was out of line? Besides, I'm going alone and will be right home. The game is at Duquesne and I'll be right home. Tim smiled and said well that's more than I had hoped for. Just then there was a loud knock on the door. Tim said Mike get upstairs and he went to answer the front door. It was the President of Council. He asked what it would take to settle this? Tim replied, I thought that was perfectly clear at the hospital? Tim was told that they needed to hear it again. Tim said, an apology from the Mayor, discipline for the two officers and the Chief short of firing and assurances that the harassment was over. Without that by 9:00 tomorrow morning we will be filing first thing on Monday a 12 million dollar civil suit. The Council President said well I guess we will see you in court and he thought it was 10 million? Well have the Chief call here again and it might go to 15. Look, you guys blew this up and it could have just gone away, instead you decided to mess with the kids reputation. Tim replied, I think it's time for you to leave and you just made it 15, please keep it up.
Once he left Tim yelled Mike you can come down now. I was filled in on the discussion and Tim said it was now15 million and I laughed and said don't get greedy. What I really want is the fucking apology. Tim laughed and said well you will get somewhat less than 15 million and it will include the apology. I switched to iced tea and turned on the TV. We continued chatting and Tim asking about Oakmont and I said well the dining room and clubhouse are fantastic and steeped in tradition but I only want to play the course.
The news came on and the first story was LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STAR CLEARED OF TRUMPED UP DUI CHARGES. There were a couple of other stories mentioned and they went to commercial. Tim said well that's a perfect start, I bet it gets better. The story started with an explanation of the two DUI stops and that I insisted on a blood test to absolutely prove I was not impaired. The first video was of the Chief at the hospital saying the kid drive around here like a maniac and wonders why he gets pulled over. Then the reporter stated Mike Simmons has a spotless driving record. Then moved to some of my statements "at a hastily arranged" briefing at my home. I thought that it couldn't get better until Dr. Johnson appeared touting my academic record, saying that kid is so much more than an athlete as he is top in the class and a student that entire student body, staff and administration look up to. The segment ended by saying there will be more to follow.
I looked at Tim and he said after that after that this will be resolved very quickly. Just then my phone rang and it was the Major and I handed it to Tim saying you might need to deal with this. Tim answered saying good evening Jim and we did not have a chance to give anyone a heads up and yes we should have called you. It wasn't till 15 minutes before the news that things settled down here. Senior, hung up on the Chief and there was a visit by a council member, who I simply asked to leave. They all want to settle this by pretending none of it happened and that it will ruin Mike's reputation if we push forward. Oh, Jim I promised a 15 million dollar law suit, first thing Monday and gave them till 9:00 AM tomorrow to get back to me. Tim, listened for a minute and then handed me the phone. I said hi Major, sorry about all this. Mike, how you holding up? I said fine but it ruined a very delightful night. Mike where were you tonight? Having dinner with dad at Oakmont. Do I need to fix anything, like the receipts at the damn Tavern or South Hill for iced tea? I laughed and said no, it was always iced tea what you talking about? He laughed and said I simply needed to know. So Jim are you telling me that a PR person is also a fixer? He said within reason, just don't push it and keep it legal. Jim, how is JJ? Mike, thanks for asking, he is fine and once again in total awe about how you manage things. I'll see you early tomorrow. Jim, thanks and I appreciate all you do.
I looked at my phone and there were 6 voice mails. Carrie, Jim and JJ. I said good night to dad and Tim and went to my room. I considered call in Carrie but it was almost midnight and thought, shit I'll deal with all that in the morning and deleted the messages from numbers I did not know. I took a quick shower and jumped into bed.
Feeling great and with nice weather, I went for the typical run. I had a sense that I was being watched but put it out of my mind as I was not being bothered. At the house there were two reporters and I was asked how I was doing, I replied great but you need to talk with Major Messer about anything else, have a great day. Inside, I made coffee and sat down with the paper. Damn, it was better and in much more detail than the TV segment. Tim, came down grabbed some coffee and I handed him the paper. He read it got up and said, Mike I have a feeling I need a change of clothes as this will be over before you go to the game tonight. Please don't get into trouble today. I told him that I was going to the gym to workout and he asked if I could please go to the school to do that? I said no, I need the equipment at the gym and school doesn't have what I need. He left shaking his head.
I went upstairs and called Carrie and I filled her in on things and she said that she was working all day and that she was not going to the game. I said that I had promised dad and Tim that I was going alone and would not be going out. She said that she felt that was a good idea and hopefully we could spend some time together on Sunday. I said I love you and hung up.
I went downstairs, grabbed a jacket and more coffee and went and sat in my chair outside. I was relaxing and thinking about how many people I had involved in all this and wondered if it was because I paid them or if they cared? Then JJ jumped into my head and damn, that dude was special. He seemed to care and fuck he could push back and I wondered who my best friend was, him or Jim. It seemed that Jim was pulling away or was it me pulling back? Now that I was totally fucked up mentally I thought it was time for a workout. I grabbed a change of clothes and left for the gym. The work out was intense as it usually was when I was stressed and again there was a sense that I was being watched. I decided to shower at home and as I was leaving I was approached by a guy mid 20's asking if I had a minute. I asked who he was and he said Don Mills. I said, so Don should that mean something to me? What do you need? He said, no it shouldn't and I'm with the Brothers for Brothers Foundation. I was hoping you would consider a relationship with us? Don, have you been following me today? He said yes, I was hoping to get you alone after your run and the media were there. Here I did not want to disturb your rather intense workout so I waited. Ok,Don what you looking for from me? Mike, two things; you adopt a brother and then you do some TV commercials. I laughed and said I am already in the process of adopting a brother and you need to go through Major Messer at MJS Technologies. He said, he would do that and he was sorry for the intrusions today.
At home, I could not even get near the driveway as the media was all over the place. I parked in JJ's driveway and during the short walk to my house I was mobbed by the media. I stopped and said, obviously there is something going on that I am unaware of and will have no comment until I find out. I went straight to my room, stripped and took a very hot relaxing shower. I fixed my hair and but on jeans and a South Hills CC polo shirt and went downstairs where I found a smiling dad and Tim sitting in the kitchen. Dad said grab a drink and have a seat and Rules 1 & 4. I grabbed an iced tea and sat down not saying a word. Tim looked at dad who said, somehow rules with numbers work for Mike, don't ask. Tim said, I have had a very busy morning and you were correct the receipts always show iced tea. You really need to call VT. The media is here because I called a press conference as I think we have a deal.
As I hadn't said a word dad said Mike rule 4. I said thanks and so Tim what did you work out. He said the offer I need to present is the that the 2 officers and the Chief are suspended for two months with no pay. The Chief was to retire in June and that has been moved up but he will be paid for May. The President of Council has resigned. There is a financial settlement of 1.75 million. Tim, that's a strange number but I'm sure you know that won't work. Mike, I said that was the offer I needed to present. What do you want? I said an apology and 2.5 million. Tim, replied will an apology from Borough Council work? Well, I guess if that's all I can get? Mike, if that apology works for you we have a deal? How the fuck did that happen, Tim. Mike collect yourself and back to Rules 1 & 4. I don't know for sure what they are but I damn well like them.
There were guidelines of what they would accept and your requirements meet those guidelines, one phone call and an hour and its over. I said, Tim fuck the rules, what did I leave on the table and he replied 500k. Mike, I need to brief the press and finalize the deal. Major Messer is on his way and there will be a press briefing, so get your act together. I said thanks grabbed a cigarette and went outside. At some point dad came out and sat down. I said dad I've been thinking. He laughed and said I was afraid of that, what's up? I don't want the money but I will take it to fund the MJS Foundation all the money and 500k from the Trust. Dad said, Mike we need Tim. I said, I know and he is very busy give me 30 minutes and both of you please meet me in my room. He said sure and we both went inside.
At my desk I found a pad and started to jot things down:
200k to the fire department
100k each to police, EMS and the library
100k each to a caddy scholarship to Oakmont and South Hills, managed my the head Pro
200k for a $5,000 scholarship to the top male and female students, managed by Dr, Johnson and Coach Weston.
For the scholarships to the caddies and the students, matching funds up to $20,000
1 Million for technology startups managed by Dr. Kyle Williams, CEO of MJS Technologies
50k grant to Brothers Brother to be managed by Don Mills.
I thought that totaled about 2 million. The rest would be invested to maintain the foundation. Dad and Tim came in and I handed dad the paper and said have a seat and that is very rough. Dad handed it to Tim who looked and said very rough indeed but more than enough for the media. I said, guys is the Major here? They said yes and I asked if he would please be asked to come and and talk? Oh and give him the rough notes. A few minutes later the Major came in saying well thanks for mitigating the rubble.
He said, downstairs you will find the media in the game room, like last night and it will be me introducing you and a statement that I think you have already formulated then questions feeling with the topic of the day. You good with that? I said absolutely. He said please change that shirt we don't need a club logo. I went to the closet and changed to a Nike golf shirt that was form fitting. He laughed and said fuck, that the first time I've seen you shirtless and that shirt leaves nothing to wonder about. I said, I know and I'm still pumped from the workout. He laughed and said don't bull shit me you are unbelievably ripped and not over done, let's get this over with.
Downstairs the Major went right to the front and introduced himself as the PR guy for both Technologies and Enterprises and said that Mike has statement and then he along with his dad and attorney will answer questions on the topic of the day. There will be other opportunities to discuss other topics and Mike will be more available going forward. I went to the front and said Good Morning, sorry to have you all back after the long night we gave many of you last night. Being a high school kid today is complicated and I realize I am not the typical high school kid. Growing up is hard and every kid pushes and bends the rules and I am no exception. Dad has a job to set boundaries and my job is to push those boundaries and to develop into a responsible adult. I think I do my job well. I push and I bend but don't break and I think I am already very responsible. Dad has limits and I have a lane to be in. Last Saturday me and a couple of buddies erred out of our lanes and broke up a couple of tailgate parties before a basketball game. For some reason people didn't like that and here we are today. I won't bore you with rehashing the events of last night. I am please to announce that the Borough and I have agreed to a settlement. There is a resolution of apology from Borough Council which will be available shortly, the officers and the Chief have been disciplined, the President of Council has resigned and there was a financial settlement of 2.5 million. There were gasps at the 2.5 million and I said questions? Every hand went up and I saw dad and my team laugh and I said, oh I forgot to discuss the money.
This is very rough as the settlement is about an hour old so bear with me. All along I said this was about the apology and I compromised as I wanted it from the Mayor and as he was unwilling to do that, I settled on the statement from Council who's is being distributed. So I am announcing the formation of the MJS Foundation. My legal team is more than a little upset about the lack of notice and the 10 day time frame to get it finalized. In addition to the 2.5 million, my trust will add 500,000k. There needs to be a Trust meeting to accomplish that.
I stopped and still every hand was up. I just pointed to a guy from the PG and he asked, any plans for the money? I went into detail using the notes as a guidelines.
The next question was what did I think of the police officers involved in this? I said I did not know either of them and had not talked with them and hoped that they would return to serving the community in a positive manner.
Mike, you and your dad were out to dinner at a local Country Club, was it South Hills? I smiled and said no it wasn't.
Mike, what's the connection with Brothers Brother Foundation, I said it is a work in progress as is the Foundation while most of it if firm in my mind that is an option, I'm considering.
Mike, how long have you been working on the Foundation? I said about an hour.
Mike, seriously? I said yes, I'm always serious about money. I saw the Major tense up a little.
Mike, you mentioned your Trust and you have done a lot with that, what's the value of the Trust? Once again, no comment.
Mike, I'm sorry I have to ask, as Oakmont caddies are called out in your Foundation proposal, is that where you and your dad had dinner last night? I replied, yes. Again the Major showed some discomfort.
Mike, have you talked with the coaches at VT about any of this yet? I replied, nope I have been busy.
Mike, are you pleased with the settlement? Somewhat, I replied.
Mike, what would you like to see different? I said, a real apology, that was heart felt and meaningful. The Major started forward and I shook my head and he took a deep breath and stopped.
I took a deep breath and said, I hope everyone understands that I get singled out because on occasion and I tend to react when that is random and unfair. This event was both and was an attempt to tarnish a reputation I have built as a student, as an athlete and as somewhat as a business man. I was presented with the means to make a difference and am trying to do that. The reputation of my school and this community is important and the fact that community leaders would try to sweep the actions of a couple of mall cops and the Chief of Police under the rug flies against everything I stand for. It would be much easier for me to invest the damn money and put my feet up buy a big house, have a wife and a few kids and play golf.
I'm guessing that Major Messer and dad are less than pleased with that blunt comment. Are there any more questions?
A hand went up and the question was we asked last night and didn't get an answer, who is Carrie? I said same answerer as last night, look it up and I left the room. I went upstairs and put my headphones on and tried to settle down. About 30 minutes later the Major knocked on my door and I said come in and have a seat. I got up and took the other leather chair and asked, so how much rubble? He laughed and asked did I care? I said, nope. He said good because you dad went on for 10 minutes about how disgusted he was with the Borough and those mall cops. I said shit and thanks for all the help. Mike you were real good with the media and that rant was appropriate but I could have done without the mall cop comment. Oh, JJ would appreciate a call. I said Jim he is first on my list and thanks.
I went downstairs and thanks Tim for all the work and gave dad a hug for having my back on the mall cop thing and said that I would be in my room with school work and relaxing. I said I would be leaving for the game around 7:00 and would be right home. I knew dad was concerned about me but I needed to be alone.
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