I drove home alone as JJ and his dad left in the Major's car. At my place I went right in the house and checked in with Dad nd Megan and they laughed when I told them about the Major and how he tagged along to protect our asses. I looked right at the two of him and said, it turned out it was unnecessary. People are starting to think we should join Ray at the Air Force Academy. Dad found that hysterical. Megan almost too seriously said Mike, I have the clout to get you in. I laughed and said well that wouldn't be necessary but I don't salute. I said good night and started to my place. I stopped at the door and turned and asked, Jessica? Megan said it's either that or golf and he might not have either as grades will be out after the first of the year. I shrugged and went to my room.
I threw my bag on the floor in my room, grabbed a bottle of water and started on school work. That took about an hour and I started on math for CMU when the phone rang and it was Winnie. I answered with I'm hoping you not calling to tell me your pregnant. She laughed and said Mick, that's a hell of a way to answer the phone. So how was the trip? Winnie it was great and I loved flying the jet. So what's up? I don't usually get calls from the girls I date. She laughed and said Mick, I'm not typical. I said obviously and why are you calling me Mick, I thought MJ was what we agreed on? Well I need something special to call you when we are alone and there aren't many options. Hell you call me babe. Well babe, let's see how that works but I really like MJ. We talked about her day and my trip and JJ and his dad and it was fun and drama free. That chat took about 45 minutes and finally I said I'll see you in school and we hung up. It was now late but I spent another hour on the CMU stuff. I prepped the coffee, set the alarm and jumped into bed. With a big and complicated day on the horizon sleep came easier than I thought.
Monday brought very cold temperatures and I wasn't running with temps in the teens. I showered and dressed more for work than school, stool dad's newspaper and poured a coffee and turned to the sports. There was already a lengthy article about Saturday's game which went into Central Bucks and their "star" players. Reading through the article something hit me and all their D1 recruits were skill positions, there was a running back two receivers a safety a linebacker but no QB and no linemen. I wondered how the skill people would do running for their lives. I thought we matched up pretty well with them. With that I grabbed my letterman's jacket, returned dad's paper and drove to school.
I grabbed my stuff from my locker and went right to English and that didn't last as before class started Doc Johnson, the principal motioned for me and we started to his office. Mike, that was a great game you guys had Friday but I have to tell you this run you guys are on has started to stress us out. We sold 17,000 tickets Friday and got no compensation back for travel and the boosters are almost out of money. Mike, what I need is for you to listen so that you know the issues and can explain the potential Spartan nature of your weekend. In my office is Mr. Heilman, the league director and we will have a conference call with Dr. Lombo. PAAA Executive Director, and see what we can work out. Mike, I'm hoping you being there and your upcoming meeting with the oversight committee will make them pay attention. Doc, is there any help from the District? Doc, laughed and said nope. I just shook my head. I was thinking just listen my ass as he knows they will piss me off and I'll weigh in. I was determined not to let that happen.
In Doc's office sat Mr. Heilman and he looked at me and asked, why the heck is he here? Well it's like this, this young man will have to explain to his team why after they have busted their asses all year nd made the state championship game they will have to spend 3-1/2 hours on a bus, play a game and spend another 3-1/2 hours in a bus and get back home well after midnight. However the call I asked you here to attend is a discussion of what we will get for travel and accommodations for the team, coaches and band kids. Heilman laughed and said, just leave the band kids home. I was furious but just shifted in my seat. Doc looked right at him and said the band kids have worked hard all year as well and if they have to sit in the stands like they are required to do in your tournament so be it, but they are going. Just then the phone rang and Doc was told there is a Dr. Bob from the PAAA on the phone for you. When Doc answered the phone a very business like PAAA Executive Director asked Dr. Johnson, what can I do for you? Well I have Mr. Heilman and Mike Simmons here and you are on the speaker. Why is Mike there? Well Doc he represents the team. There was laughter on the other end and then I heard, they don't need a representative what they need to do is play a game, they are lucky to be there. I grabbed the arms of my chair and counted to 10. Then I mumbled STRIKE ONE, I didn't want anyone to hear that but everyone in the office heard it as I got a look from Doc Johnson to be quiet. Well we need clarification about the reimbursements for the weekend. Well we have 30 rooms reserved for your players and coaches. We pay 75% of the cost and bill your school the balance. I shot the league Director a dirty look as I thought he should be paying the rest. Dr. Johnson asked about the band and cheerleaders and was told bring them if you want but we only pay for people essential to the event. I don't know how I kept my cool but I did. There was no movement in the discussion, it was what it was and any give back to us would require an equal giveback to the other 7 teams playing.
When the call ended I looked right at Heilman and asked so how much are you chipping in? He smiled and said son, not a cent. I looked right at him and said, I asked you nicely a while ago in your office not to call me son. You are not my dad and I am eternally grateful for that. Form now on you will need to address me as Mr. Simmons if you expect a response from me. Heilman started to say something at I looked at Doc Johnson and said, there has been drama all year, I guess the last week will bring more. This afternoon I am announcing to my team that I will not be playing Saturday. Then I am going to my office and calling a press conference and telling them that I can't play as the cheerleaders and band will have to pay their own way and I find that and the fact that we as players have no say in any of this is morally reprehensible. I won't ask any others to join me, I'm simply done and this is unfair. Then I looked at Heilman and said we as a school and community payed for you tournament and more. Heck at the finals we sold over 17,000 tickets and you netted more than $130,000. We won't have to talk about the,other three games when we more than sold out out allotment, unless you want to. So you need to pony up as well. Mike, that's not happening. I said Doc, I really wish you had not involve me in this disaster, I'm going to class and I walked out.
I made it through History and Physics and being with Winnie helped my mood. When class was over Doc Johnson was waiting for me at the classroom door. He said Mike, I know you have to go so let's walk and talk. I said sure and he said that he was on the phone with the solicitor and we both feel that if you announce you aren't playing most of the team will join you in the boycott. I emailed and said just have them ship the silver metals. Doc actually laughed at that but said, I am asking you to hold off 24 hours before you say anything to the team. I smiled and said well just for you. Doc they are right in that we shouldn't have input and the adults should watch over us kids. The problem is that with few exceptions, like you, that doesn't happen. There is always an agenda item that gets in the way, at least next year they won't pretend. It's all business all the time and they don't pretend. To answer your question, I will hold off till noon tomorrow but the band and cheerleaders go and most of that gets paid for by the District and the State. Doc, I have as much or more influence than those two Executive Directors. Doc smiled and asked Mike, you sure about that? Well Doc check the evening news as there will be a reveal to your question. With that I drove to the office.
At the office I immediately found a guy in his mid to late 20's sitting in the small lobby. He immediately stood up and asked if I was Mike Simmons? When I said yes he said he was Chad Michaels from the Kirkpatrick Law firm and he said I was to hand deliver this to you before noon. I Sami keep and said thanks and started to walk away and he said, Mr. Simmons I m to wait for for your reply and hopefully a signed copy. Well in that case how about we keep it to Chad and Mike? I will need to have my legal people look at this so how about we grad a coffee or something to drink and we go upstairs. We went through security and he was issued a pass and walked to the common room. Chad was just looking around. I grabbed a coffee and he took a bottle of water and we took the elevator to the 4th floor. I introduced Amy to Chad and she said Mike, Jack as been in and out all morning and finally asked me to call him as soon as you arrived. I laughed and said well I need to meet with Tim so would you please have him meet me in my office, it's important. As for Jack I'll see him in an hour. Amy said fine but if you turn around you will bump into Tim. I turned and said good morning, then introduced Chad and handed Tim the envelope Chad had give me. We all headed to my office and Tim had opened the envelop and was reading as we walked.
At my office Tim went to the club chairs and simply read the documents. Chad, was looking around and spent a long time looking at the wall. I was looking out the window and Liam appeared and we went over and I introduced Chad. Liam and Chad were talking and I went back to watch the river and to calm down. Reflecting on the morning I knew that it was an unfair mess and that I would play but wouldn't be holding anything back with the legislative committee. There would be some confessions and I would have to accept that as I would be letting two many people down, including myself if I sat out. Just then Tim said Mike, a minute please.
When I sat beside Tim he said that it was a very clean sales agreement and that there was a drawing and survey and 90% of the land was zoned Commercial and the other 10% was zoned light Industrial. Tim explained that and I was very happy. Then he said Mike, those on,y issue is that where you are to sign is says Michael J. Simmons JR, Chairman MJS Technologies. Mike, I know you want Enterprises to own the property and we can work that out as we go along. Tim call asshole and tell him he made a mistake and that if he agrees we will make the change and I'll initial and sign. Tim looked and me and said, don't give them another reason to fuck this up, we can transfer the property but we need to clarify the structure of you holdings. I said fine took the contract went to my desk, grabbed a pen and signed the document. Tim took a picture and when I asked about that he said well for your wall and the press release. I laughed and said, well not the wall.
I put a copy of the signed contract in an envelope and handed it to Chad and said, I need more coffee so I'll walk you out. Chad looked at me and Liam laughed and said well no one in the company fetches, so if Mike needs coffee he gets it like everyone else. Chad said damn, it's not like that at the Firm. On the way to the lobby Chad asked Mike, is the dress always this casual here? I said yup and I hate ties but we do dress up when we have to. However, we like to set the image and it's starting to catch on as I feel casual and more relaxed equals happier employees but we do have a dress code. At the lobby we exchanged business cards and I got the much needed coffee and went back upstairs.
In my office I found Liam, Tim and the Major and I joined them in the club chairs. We discussed the Press Release and I said that I wanted Technologies and Kyle and Dillon extremely excited and that plans were being developed and that in the upcoming months there would be a titan wave of activity and jobs. Guys don't mention Enterprises at all. I'm willing to play this game about who Owens the property and there is a difference as if Technology owns it dad owns almost half, otherwise I own it all. Tim after the holidays we can firm up a plan for the structural changes. We worked on the details and I was thrilled to see Liam all in and involved. Seems like he was tired sitting back and watching. We finished up and Tim and the Major left and Liam and I stayed put and I told him Jack would be here soon nd I wanted him to stay. Liam said sure as this might be fun.
I was only a few minutes when Jack appeared saying Mike, Amy said you had time to talk. I smiled and said sure have a seat. Once Jack was seated I said, I assume you know Liam, he is my go to guy and sits in on all my meetings. So Jack what's up as you asked for this meeting. Mike, I was hoping that this would be a friendly chat and that in a year I could come back and do great things with drones and robotics and it seems that might be a problem for you. Jack, I totally understand what you did and unless I'm mistaken you let the CMU kids with some direction build acceptable landers that will never leave this planet. Then you scrounged pars and built small flying objects that can be fun, useful and deadly. You also spent no time at all updating Kyle, Dillon or me what the fuck you are up to. I actually get your need to fly in space and that you earned that ride because you saved the lives of a kid and his ride along in the Persian Gulf. Jack I get that it was an admiral's son and that you didn't crash land as you were out of fucking gas and tried to save the jet you were flying and in the process wrecked your back. Jack, you deserve whatever they are willing to give you for all that. What you also need to understand that around here the days when I can simply say "so let it be written, so let it be done" are over. An exception for one is an exception for all. I have people I answer to and I'm responsible for finding a way to feed over 500 employees and their families. I don't see anyone offering me a week's vacation to orbit the earth. Yes, I took that all on willingly, but not knowing the consequences. So if I were you I would find the contract you signed when we hired you and read it, understand the terms and the restrictions as well as the benefits and have fun in Houston and make time to work on some things for us. Jack, it is what it is and I hope you understand.
Mike, I get all that and the Major blasted my ass for not being up front with you. What about Megan? Jack, I can't and wouldn't in any case discuss an employee with another employee. Jack laughed and said damn, I'm her husband? I laughed and said not yet. Look you were there were her and I discussed her options, that will have to do and at the end of 9 months she can have her job back in the meantime I will appoint an acting COO. Jack looked at Liam and said, well congratulations on the promotion. Liam said Jack, I understand that is not an option for me and Mike has had two unscheduled appointments today and signed a deal for the property next to us so unless you have something else he needs to move on. I don't know if Liam had ESP or what but Major Jim appeared and he was on a mission and sat down in a club chair and opened a folder. Jack said, damn you are busy. I looked at Jack and said Major, thanks for the chat. Jack stopped and he was going to say something but shook his head and left. Liam just laughed and said Mike, that wasn't a chat you just put the Major in his place and he know it.
Major Jim had three Press Releases ready and I read each one, they all had the picture of me sitting at the desk with the wall as a background signing the sales agreement. The Release was Kyle using his degree and title announcing the agreement to purchase the adjacent land. Dillon as President saying how it provided a much needed place for growth and the new building would continue to focus the company on growth and new opportunities. Dillon went on to thank the Chairman for is patience in dealing with the old time attorneys and business leaders that continue to make things difficult for growth and development. Kyle also weighed in on cranky politicians who live in a you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours mentality that promotes more of the same and inhibits growth. Then there was a comment from me saying how happy I was to iron out a mutual beneficial agreement that enables MJS Technologies to grow and to demonstrate what an industrial building should look like along the rivers of the region. I smiled and said Jim this on is perfect and you know Kyle, Dillon and I will need security. The Major laughed and said, yup. I asked that copies be sent to Diane at ABC and Pattie at KDKA. Oh Jim, please send an advanced copy to Kirkpatrick. Jim laughed out loud and said, absolutely.
I looked at the time and packed up for practice which was movies, I was sure. At school, I went right to the field house and the place was set up for films and I was glad that the routine wasn't changing, even with the extra day. Once we were all there Coach appeared with Dr. Johnson. Doc started by congratulating us on achieving something that no other team from our school had accomplished. Then he said guys, this weekend is complicated and expensive and besides football you have a lot of other things that need your attention. You are representing this school, your school, this community as well as your families and yourselves. That's a tall order, one I expect you to carry out with class. Coach wants to leave early Saturday around 8:30 and it is about a 3-1/2 trip. There will be lunch for you guys at a restaurant. Then the trip to the hotel where you will go after the game. Understand there will be no drinking, no smoking, no girls and no damage to the rooms or other property. Oh and I'll be there and the noise better be at an acceptable level. I have worked all day and we have obtained rooms for the band and cheerleaders at another hotel and they have the same restrictions as you do. Then he said, I'm sure Coach as a lot more details but have fun and kick some ass, but do it with class. We spent 90 minutes on films and the schedule for the week was pads Tuesday and Wednesday off Thursday and special teams on Friday. I was starving and wanted to eat when an assistant coach came up and said Mike, Dr. Johnson would like a couple of minutes.
In the Principal's Office Doc said Mike, I pulled this off with no additional help from the District or the PAAA. I got 5 businesses to donate the needed money and I even upgraded your hotel. I need you on Thursday afternoon to ride with me and thank these people personally. Also, they are expecting a signed game ball and I'll have that here Thursday. Can you do that? I smiled and said absolutely. Also, after practice on Wednesday we need the Captains to sell tickets in the cafeteria. I've asked for 20,000 tickets and Nancy can't deal with that, I assume it will take about 2 to 3 hours. I said, sure and I'll let the guys know. Oh Doc, make sure you watch the news tonight and for the record my appearance before the overbite committee in January just got a lot more interesting. Doc laughed and said well you know I'll be there. I laughed and said you want a ride up in an airplane? He smiled and said, sure.
I drove to South Park and stopped at Danny's Hoagies and ordered an Italian hoagie and drove to my place, poured an iced tea turned on the TV and took a bite of sandwich and the door flew open and in walked Megan and dad carrying Ashley. Dad said well I saw the Press Release and wanted to see how the TV people dealt with it. Megan laughed and said Mike, I know Kyle and Dillon had those words put in their mouth Jim should switch to writing fiction. I shrugged and devoured the sandwich. The news started with Breaking News and Pattie appeared at my build and and said well it looks like once the weather breaks this plot of land will be teaming with union workers as today Mike Simmons and MJS Technologies signed a sales agreement to purchase an additional 4 acres along the Mon river. There was no details in the announcement and we are very interested in hearing about the plans especially for the area zoned light industrial. Earlier we asked the Mayor why this deal took so long. Pete appeared on the screen saying well sometime things move slower that people want and things never seem to move at Mike's speed. Then I laughed as Pattie said well Mr. Mayor you might consider buying a faster scooter as I hear Mike flies jets these days. The attorneys for the sellers, the Kirkpatrick Law Firm, refused comment. Also, we would like to wish Mike and his team the best in their upcoming State Football Championship Game and more details will follow.
Then I saw a message on my phone from NY and it simply said dude, you made the ABC Evening News, thanks for the heads up. We changed to ABC and the story was towards the middle of the broadcast. The Anchor showed the picture of me signing the agreement and said we continue to follow the activities of young businessman Mike Simmons as he continues to drag the Pittsburgh Region, kicking and screaming into the future. I just laughed but then there was a picture and mention of the New Building of the Year.
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