I was up before the alarm and is was an indifferent day and could either rain or not rain and was a little windy and I went to the common room and put coffee on and dressed in shorts and a long sleeved tee. I filled the travel mug and drove to the practice field and was the first one there. I was thinking about my afternoon when I saw Carter get dropped off and he came and sat beside me. I looked at him and asked Carter, did you have a fun night at McDonalds, he smiled and said yup. Mike, I'm glad you are here early, I was hoping to grab a minute. Carter, what's up? Well there is a good many of us that are starting to think Sam is impossible. I just shook my head and asked, so what you doing about it? Well this split Sam has fostered needs stopped so today we will start with Sam as usual and every few minutes a couple of us will join the upperclassmen. Eventually that will leave Sam with a small group. I looked at Carter and asked, so what do you need? Well when we make the move involve us in what you guys are doing, that will get more guys on board. When and if Sam joins us all together, simply involve him. My guess is that he will be all alone on an island of his own making. Mike, you only have to deal with him for a year we have him for 3 but there is a freshman QB that will push his ass and that kid has no ego, well yet. I said Carter, you got a deal.
Once Jim and JJ arrived I briefed them on the developments and then we went around to the upperclassmen and let them in on the plan. At the usual time Jim, JJ and I simply got up and walked to the part of the field we were using and everyone followed. Sam yelled, ok guys let's get to it and his group started to the other area they had been using but I noticed 3 guys who had been with Sam went with us. By the time we were done with the wind sprints 12 of Sam's buds had joined us. Jim put a group together that was a 50/50 mix and on defense we had as many as available with an upperclassman standing there giving them reads. I told the backers that if the O-lines stood up at the snap most likely it was a pass and then told the to watch the receivers and the more focused they were the more likely it was s a pass. With every play more and more joined us until we has all underclassmen on the field with Jim at QB. Sam and about 5 guys were now forced to join us one watch. Finally 2 more joined us and I was getting concerned about Jim's arm but he seemed fine and Jim and JJ saw Sam and his remaining buds walking to the car and they looked at each other and yelled, ONE FOR ALL and everyone screamed AND ALL FOR ONE. Sam's reaction to that was to raise his right arm and he gave us all the finger.
We were finished for the day and I collected my things and started towards the car and saw Sam sitting on the hood of the car. I told Jim and JJ that I had this and they should simply watch from a distance. I went right to the car opened the trunk deposited my gear and went to Sam grabbed him and lifted him off the car and deposited him on his feet in the parking lot. I smiled and said if you ever do that again you will regret it forever. He started to say something and I said JUST STOP FUCKING AROUND AND TALK WITH COACH. I got in the car closed the door and Sam started to open it and I shoved it all the way open knocking him to the ground, closed the door and drove home. At home I called coach and laid out the events of the morning and I was relieved when all he said was thanks and we hung up.
I had made a full pot of coffee and it was cold by now so I poured a cup and reheated it in the microwave and reviewed the resume for Zaid. That was about the 6th time I had done that and I remembered the background check and sure enough it was in my email. I opened to find a 23 year old from an upper middle class family, a clean police record, one sister and mom a teacher and dad an insurance salesman. Great grades and he had run track in high school. With that out of the way, I took a long hot shower and decided on dress, I knew dad had said a blazer and I could always take it off but the required a long sleeve shirt and there was no fucking way I would wear a tie. Then I thought Zaid would be uncomfortable enough so I but on khakis and a light blue shirt and the fucking blazer. Dad and I would need to talk about the dress code and a shit load of other things but we would be in the office together for two days and there would be enough time for that.
I drove to the club and was 10 minutes early and I was told that my guest was already here and I went to the patio and went up to him and said hi Zaid, I'm Mike Simmons and he had the blank look on his face and jumped to his feet we shook hands and he said he was sorry but he thought the interview was with the same guy as the other day. We both started to laugh and I said well you have every right to be confused as I was to meet with you the other day but dad was in his helicopter and took over. Then you first interview was with the person you might be replacing. Jake came over and asked about drinks and I said we needed a few more minutes. Once we were alone again I outlined for him in detail who I was and my position in the company. I saw Jake heading over again and I said Zaid, we are about to order drinks and just so you know I'm having a beer and you should order something you would like and it can be alcoholic. When Jake came over he ordered a beer and I ordered an iced tea. He looked at me and I said Zaid, simply ask the question. He smiled and asked so how is iced tea a beer? Well, I order iced tea and that shows on the bill that way and in a very discrete glass I get beer or scotch. Oh that happens at a number of places and yes I am about to be 18.
Ok, enough about me for now tell me about you and I mean tell me about stuff not in the resume? Well I run about 5 miles almost every day and follow all the local professional teams and love watching hockey and going to games. I will if possible travel to WVU and watch basketball. I have a very serious girl friend that goes back to a last minute prom date. Mike before you ask we are a biracial couple. Look Zaid, I don't give a fuck about that. Understand I run a tech company and the work force is very diverse although we do not currently have many African Americans. You will have to adjust to that and to environments like this if you intend to work with me. I belong to 3 country clubs and this is not the highest profile one. Mike, thanks for that. Amy and I will be moving in together as soon as we can both get a job. Zaid, how old is you sister and he said she will be a high school senior. Zaid, you have a very unique minor in American History what interests you? Just the Jake came with the drinks and asked about food and Zaid ordered a club sandwich and I had a chicken salad with house dressing. Then Zaid well I would be fucking with you if I didn't say African American history wasn't of some interest. Then he said, I'm sorry and I said Zaid here's the deal if it's you and me I don't care about the language but if in public, I expect a big boy vocabulary. He smiled and said understood. Then he said no one should have a business degree with out understand the industrial revolution and how we got out of the Great Depression. As we ate I said Zaid, I have one more question, did my dad comment on you hair? He said well actually this shaved sides and the pile of kinky stuff on top is a new look, it was dreads in college. I laughed when I considered dad's reaction to that.
Then I said Zaid, your turn ask anything you want. Well Mike, all the cards on the table as I know a lot about you as an athlete as my sister is in the band and I happened to go to the game against your school last year and you were for real and I looked a few thing up. So what do you expect from an assistant? Well that everything goes through you and you determine what I need to deal with and what gets passed to another executive. Ok, so who runs the company you or your dad and I answered, I do. Dad is a few weeks into stepping back. If we would ever have a vote, I win as I have controlling interests. There is also a winery in New York and several business under a corporate umbrella called MJS Enterprises and there are the two building under construction. I said that's the Cliff Notes. He laughed and said would I have an assistant? I simply said nope but I get my own coffee, order my own food and tend to my dry leaning. He had a few other questions that I answered directly with short answers.
Zaid, my team is very young and they learn on the fly and there haven't been too many mistakes and I have fired two people, one for trying to hack into the DOJ and the other for falsifying expense reports. It is expected that you would make mistakes just not the same one over again. Would you like to work with me and my companies? He smiled and said I believe I would. Ok Zaid, what you looking for in compensation? He said $19,000 to start. I said well I was thinking $18,000 plus expenses. How about we meet at 18,5 + expenses? He said sure, when do I start? I smiled and said the day after you pass the drug test and I asked that he set up an appointment with Dr. Drennan and he smiled and said well no problem as you just wasted some cash. Monday you can call Human Resources and get the paperwork nonsense under way.
Then I asked him if had another hour free and he said sure. I signed the tap and got in my car and drove to the buildings. We went right to the trailer and the only hard hats were my special ones and when I handed it to him he looked and said damn you that tight with the Union dudes? I said yup and they bought them. Well, I see a Phoenix. Before I could say anything he said a building of steel, glass and aluminum built on the site of an steel mill. I asked Zaid, why would the past rise from the ashes? He laughed and said well to house the future. Is there anything finished and I said well the furniture displays should still be up. We went into the granite lobby and he said a nice transition stability linking past and future. Once we enter the space and the floor was down and the walls painted and he saw the the furniture he just stood there and he looked up and said please tell me no tiles and that's the look. I said correct and he asked who did all this? Well I outlined what I wanted and it was discussed and modified and the furniture is new and this will be the first install in the country and they did a case study and will advertise the furniture, us and the architect firm. He laughed and said and your not paying a penny? I said correct but let's go upstairs. On the 4 floor I showed him the corner office with the outside space and said well if your still here your office will be next to this one and the view isn't bad. With all that done we started to the car and I said keep the hat you will need it and keep good records and don't rent hotel rooms for prostitutes and he laughed out loud and said not a problem. At the club I said, welcome aboard and I'm thinking this could be fun. He stopped and said Mike, you know my sister will want me to break you leg so you will miss the game with her school. I laughed and said get in line.
Back at home I found dad and said thanks and pending the drug test I have a new assistant. Mike, I was glad to help. Dad, I need more help and I grabbed his glass and went to the kitchen and filled 2 glasses with ice and filled them with scotch. In the office I handed dad a glass and reached for a cigarette, lit it. Ok Mike what do you need? Dad, I need to understand what's going on and I'm not sure that possible. I really need to know what's going on with you, what you need from me, what you need from the company. Those are my issues and you have issues with the baby, with Megan, with Cole, with the company or should I say the companies as the start-up has your attention. Dad lit a cigarette and said Mike that is a lot.
Mike do you know how Technologies started? Dad, I have an idea but please tell me. Mike, it was midway through my Junior year at college. You know I was a business Major at Pitt what you don't know is that I spent every free minute fucking around with computers. Totally self taught. Mike this was 1967 and very early in the technology revolution. Well it was an inventory program. It was very simple program, goods in goods out and instant costs. I simply sold a couple of packages and all of a sudden we were underway. I needed real computer help and hired a few geeks who refined the program and did tech support. We developed into a small company that developed programs. It was tell us what you need and we developed a program. I was married in 1969 and Bill was born the same year and you were born in 1973. Once Bill was born and your mom took over and we grew further and further apart. I simply threw myself totally into the business. You were the only exception and you mom was pissed as I took control of you. It was work, work, work. I kept selling and hiring people to keep up and finally Adam managed the business. That's why he fought the Trust. So now that I have Megan and kid on the way, which wasn't planned but we did nothing to prevent it. We simply willingly knew that was a possibility. Mike, Megan is very good for me and we are madly in love.
Mike, I got from you what I expected, it's just 2 years a head of schedule. With the baby on the way, that's perfect. Your team can certainly run things and you can keep an eye on things. You should be able to be concerned about less and less and trust them. What I would like is more time away from the office and more time here. Something I missed with you and Bill. What I promise you is that when you leave for VT, I will be back and keeping things off you plate. We will talk almost every night and trips home shouldn't be frequent. I am hoping you will be going there late July at the earliest. In the meantime I will take the foundation off your hands. I said dad, thanks for all that but I need to talk about two other issues, your salary and your office in the new building. Dad smiled and said well I have already talked with Human Resources and will be taking a 50% cut until March. As for the office, I have seen the new 4th floor layout and I like the big one in the middle, you can hide out in the corner. I got up refilled the drinks and we just sat and talked for an hour. Finally I said dad I've taken enough time abut he was worth it. Just so you know I'll share your plans with Major Jim so the team will know you plans. As I was leaving, I stopped at the door and asked, so do you have any plans for tomorrow. He said golf at South Hills with Weston and Joe, my usuals. Dad would you like to take them to Oakmont for golf and lunch. Dad said that would be awesome and early, if possible. While dad checked with his buddies I called the Pro Shop and asked about early tee times and was told wide open between 8 and 9 then nothing till 2:30. Dad gave me a thumbs us and I asked for 8:50 and we were set.
I grabbed an iced tea and headed to my room and sat at the desk, my only option, and called the Major. First order of business was to thank him for the time with JJ and to tell him how well he managed the plane. Then I told him the basics of my chat with dad so they could plan. When I told him about Zaid, he was pleased, saying that would be a good thing for everybody. Then he asked how I was doing as JJ wasn't saying much about the trip. I laughed and said well Jim that's rule 2 and normally I would add rule 6 but you are special. He laughed and said thanks. Jim, I'm a lot better and thanks for that.
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