At school I went directly to the team room and took my usual seat in the back and was waiting for the movies to start. JJ and Josh sat beside me and things didn't start and we were never late. The Coach appeared with Clark and Wyatt and I thought now what? Coach immediately started on the plays and was more positive. It was just like last year. After an hour and a half of films coach said guy just a few more things. Jim is out for at least a month and he will be starting rehab in a few days. The surgery was not as invasive as first thought and he could be back for the playoffs. As a result Clark is the next man up and we all need to get him ready. Tomorrow he will start to take snaps and run the offense. It will be 50/50 tomorrow and Wyatt will have the majority of the snaps on Wednesday. The message is focus and help both them out. JJ looked and me and said damn, that's different, an explanation. I shrugged and asked are we going to Wyatt's tonight and JJ replied, no it's tomorrow and Wyatt told me that in school this afternoon, you do know some of us have afternoon classes. I smiled and he said, let's go to your place. Having cancelled the head doctor I said sure.
At my place JJ went directly to the refrigerator and grabbed me two beers and sat down. He asked if I had any smokes and I said not here, I smoke if they are around. Ok JJ, out with it what's the issue? He looked at me and said Jim. So JJ, you are jealous? MJ, I just need to know where he fits in your life? Hell you have that awesome picture hanging above you desk. Then out of the blue you invite him on the trip yesterday. I leaned in and hugged him and said dude, you are very sexy when you are jealous. We kissed and I pulled away and said Rules 1 & 4. He pretended to be mad and asked, what the fuck are those and I hate these games? Ok JJ, it's simple, shut the fuck up and listen. JJ, Jim and I we're very close last year as the two of us and a few others were responsible for winning a District Championship. Something that a team from our school hadn't ever accomplished. There were no blowouts last year and we invented and changed plays. It was all Juniors and a few seniors. We simply had each other's backs, I took all the heat and Jim was a wingman. Then he verbally committed to VT and we remained close. Then they recruited another QB and Jim changed is mind. Then he without me knowing he went to all those camps. JJ, the team doesn't hang out together, other than football, do you know why? He looked but didn't say anything. I simply said JEFF and his drunken orgies and a stern waning to the entire class about those. That resulted in us doing our own thing outside of football. Jim and I didn't get back together this year because of football and your sexy ass. You and I hung together outside of football. It's different with you. Try as you might to hide it, you are my equal in every way, emotionally, physically and even intellectually. Dude, no one is close to having me even consider that. JJ, we have bonds, I think, that I have never had with anyone else. If I lost you it would be beyond awful. Besides, I love you. JJ smiled and said Rule 1 and kiss me. I simply burst out laughing and kissed him.
It was getting really hot and intense my door flew open and Cole appeared. He went right to the refrigerator grabbed a beer and threw himself in a club chair. JJ laughed and asked, bad day? Guys the State athletic association says that I can't compete in high school golf because I'm not an amateur. MJ, if this shit sticks, I won't be able to participate in the districts or the states and the district championships are in two weeks. Guys, mom has filed a federal lawsuit saying that my civil rights are being violated and she did that in the 3rd District in DC. Avoiding a conflict of interest. I laughed and said well it will never get that far. Are you sure you are clean and haven't done anything to void tour status? MJ, absolutely and AP is furious. He is calling the USGA, the PGA and having them weigh in. Cole, you will be playing golf on Sunday with everyone that matters in the USGA. Then JJ said Cole, we as a football team supported you as we did with the school board. We will have this as well and he stood up and said, I'll see you tomorrow, I have groups to gather. Once we were alone I asked Cole, what did AP say? MJ, he was furious and was calling the state. Well, I'll get the political people involved, including a Senator. Cole this will be over by the weekend, just relax and practice. He smiled and I knew would be there for me. He finished his beer and left.
I went to my room fired up my laptop and logged in at work. I knew the District was large and yet was surprised to find that it included 152 schools, 10 counties and 6 congressional districts. Then I checked and found that we had contact information on every congressman and both US Senators. I printed that information and started leaving messages. It was a lengthy message with a brief history and my name, company and title and contact information. The last thing I did was to leave Dr. Johnson a message asking for a mid morning meeting. Then I reviewed English and was about to jump into bed and JJ called.
When I answered he said MJ, I talked to a lot of guys tonight and we will play this week and if Cole isn't eligible for high school we will forfeit the rest of the regular season. Dad wrote a piece and I signed it and we sent it to the papers and to Dr. Johnson. I said thanks, I think but Cole will appreciate it. He chuckled and asked, and you? Pissed off that I studied for English and won't be in class. I immediately sent Major Jim an email asking him to be in my meeting tomorrow with Kyle and Jordan. A reply quickly appeared saying thanks, I thought I might be fired. I laughed, prepped the coffee, set the alarm and jumped into bed.
I was up way before the alarm, put the coffee on and ran to get dad's paper. I threw the paper on the table and filled my coffee mug. Damn it didn't take long as the story was on the front page. The headline was "LOCAL GOLFER RULED INELIGIBLE FOR PLAYOFFS" Then it went on to say the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association (PSAA) has determined that Cole Wayne Simmons is ineligible because he is not an amateur. The article said that the details of the decision were sketchy as the Executive Director of the PSAA said it was board decision based on on the Pro Tour and won a Tournament along with other information. The article went on to say that Cole had played in a number of Pro Tournaments and that the PGA confirmed he had no monitory payments of any type. Then the big thing, when it went on to say that according to JJ Messer a team Captain and VT recruit said that the Defending District Football Champs and topped ranked team in the state will forfeit their remaining regular season games after this Friday, unless the unreasonable decision was reversed. Then there was mention of the law suite being filed in federal court in DC's 3 District Court concerning a possible a Civil Rights Violation. Then they said this was Breaking News and the story would be updated.
I showered and dressed for work and most likely the media. Grabbed a second mug of coffee and drove to school. I parked the car and witnessed a complete zoo. As I approached the building teammate after teammate said that they were good not playing. I simply said thanks but please tell that to Cole. I saw Heather and she laughed and said damn, hanging out with you is never a dull moment. Babe, this will be resolved by noon or it will really get nasty. It's just starting. In English the teacher said Mike, Dr. Johnson would like to see you 3rd period. I said thanks and was asked so why wait till 3 rd period? I shrugged and said well I am prepared for English and history. She shook her head and started class. On my way to history JJ got to me and said, I can't believe I haven't been called to the office. JJ you mean you haven't been summoned YET. He just laughed and we went to class. As much as I like history, I couldn't wait to get out of class.
I went straight to Dr. Johnson's office and was shown immediately in. As soon as I was seated I was asked did JJ do that on his own or did you have him do it? Doc. It was all JJ and his dad. The law suit was Cole's mom and remember she is a Federal Judge and the case was filed in DC to avoid a conflict. Ok, what have you been doing? Well I messaged 6 congressmen. The Senators are on tab for today and the state representatives tonight then the state Senators tomorrow. Oh the media after practice as I'm sure they will be there in mass. Well what do you need from me? I said a witness as I intend to call the PSAA Executive Director. He found that hysterical and said there is no way you get Dr. Lambo to take the call. You can certainly try and I'll enjoy watching this scene. He turned the phone and gave me the number from memory.
The phone was answered with Good Morning PSAA, how may I assist you? May I please speak with Dr. Lambo? She said, please hold. The phone rang again and it was answered with Dr. Lambo's office, how may I help you? I would like to speak with Dr. Lambo, please. Well he is very busy who is calling? Oh, I should have introduced my self I am Michael Simmons, Chairman of MJS Technologies. Well what is this about Mr. Simmons? I said a golfer in District 7. Well Mr. Simmons he is very busy. May I have him call you back? Excuse me what is your name? I am Mrs. Emerson. Well Mrs. Emerson I know that he is busy and I bet he has heard from 6 congressional offices this morning and from the Pittsburgh newspapers. Well a few minutes with me might eliminate a call from two Is Senators and ABC news this afternoon and then 20% of the state legislature tomorrow. Please pass that along and I'll be glad to hold. Sir, I already told you that he will call you back? Ok, here is my number and in 5 minutes I'll be chatting with the News Department of ABC. Mrs. Emerson, have a pleasant day and I hung up.
Dr. Johnson asked damn, what happens when you get mad? I shrugged and said it usually doesn't get that far. Mike, you were very firm, yet polite with the Secretary, why? I shook my head and said in life you should always be nice to the secretaries. So Mike who do you know at ABC News, I said Diane and my phone rang and simply said hello. Then I heard hi Mike this is Dr. Lambo. I said, hi Bob, I was expecting your call. He immediately said well son I am Dr. Lambo. Well Dr. Lambo, I'm not you son and since we are playing these games I am Mr. Simmons. Well I know you as an high school senior, who is a very good player on a very good team. You are also the step brother of the golfer you called about. Doc that's nice to know but let's not continue the games, how did you come to the conclusion that Cole had lost his amateur status? It wasn't my decision as it was a board decision and except for the folks from you district, it was unanimous. Well, that's almost too funny to respond to. I run 2 boards and am on one board and then there is the USGA committee for the 2 Opens at Oakmont. You run that board and feed them all the information, just like I do. So please answer the question in sentences based in reality. Well Mine he won a Tour event, he flies all over the country playing golf, there are reports that he has an endless supply of new clubs and expensive outfits and he has expensive coaches. Dr. Lambo, there must be more to it than that as his status has been confirmed by both the PGA and the USGA and he is already exempt into the US Amateur next year. Well, Mike and - I stopped him and I said Bob please just tell me as you are wasting my time. Well Mike, in addition there have been complaints that he shouldn't be playing high school golf as he has unfair advantages. So Bob, you are telling me that a high school kid who is academically eligible and meets all the other requirements can't play because he is too good to play? Oh I forgot he is 16. There was no answer and I said well the others should play better and practice more. Again no comment. Ok, as a 17 year old senior and the highest rated linebacker in high school sports, I also too good so I'll quit and move on to VT. Oh, last thing the highest rated 4A football team in the state will not be playing any more games this year. He said Mike we won't be threatened. Oh, Bob that's not a threat, it's a heads up. When ABC calls, I hope you have the (Dr. Johnson was shaking his head) the ability explain this away better than you have to me. Mike, I'll take it to the Board next meeting. I laughed and said well conveniently, for you, that is a few weeks too late. I guess I'll be seeing you in DC in a few days and I hung up.
Dr. Johnson said Mike, that was a little heavy handed. I said well then I better leave as I need to call Diane at ABC news. Oh, the team voted and we are not playing the rest of the regular season. You need to talk with JJ about that. I was asked to make the call to ABC in his office so he could have my back, if necessary. I simply punched Diane's private number into the phone and when she answered I just right to it and in 20 minutes she was ready to go. She said Mike, it will be on the evening news tonight, with or without cooperation from the PSAA. I said thanks and that the building would be 75% occupied late next week and she said get the Major off his ass, I would like to sit in your office for a follow up. I laughed and said thanks.
I thanked Dr. Johnson and he laughed and said that he enjoyed it. With that I drove to work. Liam was waiting for me and we talked about Cole's situation and I told him please just have him focused on Sunday and this will be over by Monday. Let's see what we are doing about airplanes. We were all in the large conference room and it was all business. I started by saying I needed to know the amount of money we were spending and on what. Jordan smiled, having anticipated that question. Mike, in fiscal 1991, which closes in a couple of weeks, we have spent $75,749.00 on air planes. That includes the month to month leases on the two planes, fuel and related items. In short it costs us roughly $100 an hour. On the $75,700 includes insurance. You will need to understand that the leasing company company pays for maintenance. Is that detailed enough for you? I said absolutely as those are all in the ball park with what I had figured out, thanks. So Jordan, who owes what as this is a big number and totally outside the budget. Jordan laughed, which didn't happen often and said it isn't TECHNOLOGIES' budget you need to be concerned about but what ENTERPRISES owes for all those business trips to the Winery. Here is the breakdown: Technologist - $18,973, Enterprises - $37,874, MJS and his buddies $18,902. Mike the Enterprise part of all this is trips involving the Winery by you and Jace. Mike, I get that you know this is all easily covered by the companies, as for what you owe it is a drop in the bucket, other than flying you don't spend anything. I don't know what happened but there was a large check written by you and then an equal amount was deposited a few days later. Mike, I know all this because you have me watching your bank accounts because you don't, in fact after we deduct this amount you still need to move money out of checking as it just sits there. I smiled and said, I get it pay this bill and transfer $20,000 thousand to my investment account and have that dude buy more Apple stock. That still leaves me with about $5,000 in checking. Jordan just looked and I said dude, I always know, I just never remember to do something about it.
Then I Moved on to my next topic and asked where do we stand with Textron? Kyle said Mike, since you have stayed away from bumping heads with Jim Hardymon things have progressed. Basically Mike, he doesn't like you but likes your possibilities and ties to AP. Yes there is your star power. I just shook my head, not understanding my star power and sat quietly and listened. Kyle continued saying the two planes would be delivered the week after the Cessna deal closes, the Jet is in production and will be delivered the first week of February as promised and he has included a simulator and maintaintance on the Jet. I looked at Jordan and said scrap the Apple stock idea and but Textron and if fact sell some other stuff like Pepsi and GE and buy a bunch of Textron. Then I looked at Kyle and said great job, I'll need just one more thing. Kyle said ok, what's that? I said a seat on their board. Kyle just looked and I said don't worry, I'll deal with that, see when he can come in to finalize the deal. There was dead silence in the room and Kyle calmly said everyone out except you and he pointed to me. I said, fine but he stays and I pointed to Liam. Once it was the three of us Kyle took a deep breath and asked, why blow this up? I smiled and said, I'm just taking advantage of my star power and it we don't have to include it in this deal, I'll simply buy the seat and vote shares. Mike, that's fine but you don't have the time? I said Kyle, I know that and I simply appoint him, pointing at Liam, to attend. You know the Assistant to the Chairman. Kyle laughed and said that's great but please don't make it part of this deal. Well Kyle, get him in here and I'll close the deal you set up and be extremely cooperative. Kyle smiled and asked, what's the catch? Well something might come up and I'll have Liam sign the papers in my place. By the time the meeting happens he will be able to do that, with my permission. With that I went upstairs to my office.
I wasn't lone long as Kyle appeared and as soon as I saw him I said let's go outside. Once we were seated outside I said, so your upset? He said yup as that was a very business like meting and you appeared in a mood that expected answers and were laying down the law. I smiled and said well, I was checking on Jordan and he passed. What about Jim and I? Kyle there was no test there, I want that plane deal and knew you had it locked down. There is never a test for you and you fucking know that. Ok, and what about your current project? Kyle, do you mean Liam? He laughed and I said well he is not a project as I have been watching him for a while and he is perfect for me as my man Friday. Mike, will you let him negotiate and sign papers? Yup, that's the plan with a very precise set of instructions and an even shorter leash. Tim is working on the contract and he is getting a raise and a car, if we work this out. By the way you are getting a $10,000 raise and a car, that is if you are staying? Mike, I'm not quitting, I'm doing what I'm paid to do, which is run this fucking company and you need to find a way to get along with the Textron people, all of them, and not buy you ass a seat on that board. Also if you send Liam to that meeting his ego will explode and blow this deal up and I'm about to sign a big deal. The fact that you will have a serving of humble pie is something you will have to get over. Can we get this deal done with a little drama as possible? I said absolutely and Kyle said damn this place is awesome. Kyle you have the other office with an outside area? He looked and said I that that was your dad's? Nope he is taking the center office and if he isn't around more he might not get that. Kyle, I thought you knew? Kyle actually smiled and said, that's better than a car. Back inside he looked around and said Mike, you need to make your place less sterile? I said well that might happen tomorrow but you need to call Bruce at the dealership and see about some furniture. Kyle left and I looked around the room and thought I need to make this room me.
It was time to leave for practice and I grabbed Liam and had him walk me to the car so we could talk. I asked for a list of state house people and their personal contact information and email that to me. He said no problem and that Kyle said to tell you there is no need for you to meet tomorrow as it was discussed today. I said great, you and I can have a working lunch in my office on 4. It was off to practice.
At school I walked into a very quiet and business like atmosphere and I looked at JJ and he shrugged, indicating he had no idea. I did notice that Jim was in with the coach, but was glad he was around. On the field, in full pads we ran plays for almost 2 hours and they were full speed and the defense was intense as well. Jim was with the QB's the entire time and he had a clipboard. Sometimes we ran a play once and sometimes it was the same play a couple of times and when that happened the QB changed and Jim and the QB would talk. Coach spent the entire time just watching. When we finally finished, Coach simply said great practice and I'll see you tomorrow for more of the same. On the way to the locker room Wyatt asked if I was coming to look at films. I replied sure for a while but I have calls to make. He said that dad was cooking burgers. I smiled and said, awesome and went for a shower.
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