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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 42
For Dale it had been a really strained meeting with his mother the day he'd arrived back home.
He'd told her how disappointed he was that she'd kept him in the dark about the birth of his daughter, but more pointedly, he'd threatened to cut her out of Jimmy's life if she ever again conspired with, or encouraged his son, to lie to him, as she had in taking Jimmy to visit Fleur.
The exchange had upset Jenna, so much so that Frank had stepped in, seeking out his son, and giving Dale a bitter tongue lashing.
"Don't you ever dare to threaten your mother again, she may not be entirely in the right, but I'm not having you upset her like you did today, she's breaking her heart at the thought of you stopping her from seeing Jimmy, do anything like that in the future and you and I will come to blows".
Dale was just as upset as his Dad.
"As I told Mum, she can easily avoid that happening, by not encouraging Jimmy to lie to me, I won't have it, and neither would you if you'd been placed in the same position, so I'm telling you the same, otherwise I will carry out my threat".
But Frank wasn't finished.
"You really don't see who's responsible for this mess do you?".
Dale was getting tired of all this arguing.
"Yes I do Dad, but it doesn't help holding an inquest, I know initially I was to blame, when I look back I see I was stupid, you've taught me well enough over the years to face up to my mistakes, and I've tried so many times to put it right, and all I get is more crap thrown in my face, then I find out, not only do I now have a daughter who is six months old, a child Fleur deliberately hid away from me whilst I was visiting, but my mother and my son have seen her, why?, that's what I'm asking, why didn't I know?, why didn't Mum tell me?, why didn't she tell me she was taking Jimmy to visit his brother and sister?, would I have said no?, I'll leave you to answer that question, I think you know me well enough to know whether I would have been vindictive and refused them".
Dale had walked away from his Dad, leaving Frank fuming, not only with Dale.
Back at home, Frank had launched into a row with Jenna.
"I told you at the time it was wrong, it would backfire, I have sympathy for him, I don't approve of him issuing threats to you, but even I have to admit he has good cause, did you know she hid the children away from him when he visited?, he has a son who he hasn't seen in over a year, and a daughter he's never seen, then he finds out you've encouraged Jimmy to lie to him, why didn't you just ask him if he was okay with taking Jimmy to see them?, you and I both know he would have said yes, because whatever his position, he would never see Jimmy suffering because of it, to be honest I'm bloody fed up with this saga, it's stupid, born out of no good reason, and it's being perpetuated for no good reason, it's time it bloody-well ended".
Jenna had been quiet whilst he'd been ranting, then what she said caused him to groan.
"Maybe that's closer than you think, I spoke to her earlier, I said much the same as you've just said, I'm hoping I made sense, because she's on her way here, apparently she tried to stop him from leaving, but he was so hurt he ignored her, it's going to need both of them to be sensible, to recognise an olive branch when they see one, accept it, and stop using it to beat one another".
Fleur arrived three days later.
Dale had been in the estate office pouring over plans for a new irrigation system when someone entered.
As he looked up his expression registered complete surprise, but she could see the smile starting to form, then watched as he deliberately checked it.
He'd started to speak but she put her hands up, palms facing him, indicating he should shut up.
"Please, no arguments, no harsh words, there have been enough of those, what you said when you left Montclair, you were right, I'm sorry, come to the house, see the kids, take them out, I don't know what's to become of us, but I do know your children need to get to know you".
He was caught completely off guard, and in truth he was relieved.
"I agree, no more arguments, I'm sorry too, how long are you here for?".
Her reply, accompanied by a smile, made him laugh.
"I was thinking around eighteen or twenty years, depending on what the kids need".
He was gobsmacked.
"Wow, thank you, really, thank you".
She'd turned to leave, then turned back.
"I'm going to buy some land, build a house, you'll always be welcome".
He'd just nodded, the smile on his face telling her he didn't care, his children would be close by.
In Sydney, Baz and Jez were over six months into their respective apprenticeship courses, and both were excelling in their roles.
Jez had chosen to follow the course of Artists Royalties, and he was revelling in learning how the mind bogglingly complicated process all came together, his Department Manager had nothing but praise for him, as he'd put it.
"We have university graduates, with degrees in accountancy who give up after a few weeks or months, they just don't get it, and I admit, it's hellishly difficult, yet you graduate high school, walk in here and just get on with it as though it's a simple process that you've been working with for years, I'm really proud of your progress Jezz".
Baz had aced just about every test set for him, and had progressed to supervised management.
The clincher for Baz had been instigated by his Department Manager.
A few minutes before a meeting which involved a young Pop Artist, plus both Executive and Legal Team from a Recording Company, his Department Manager had asked Baz if he felt ready to take the meeting, he'd be in attendance, but wouldn't become involved unless Baz needed him to be, inside he'd been shaking, but you wouldn't have known it looking at him.
The Artist had refused several requests for promotional appearances on TV and Radio shows, claiming she'd already fulfilled her commitment, the Recording Company were furious at being rejected, determined to exact a penalty from the artist.
Baz had spoken with their young client prior to the meeting, under the illusion he was gathering data for his department managers use, the Artist had agreed she would do another couple of promotional appearances if absolutely pushed to do so, but reasoned, she'd done five each of TV Chat Show, and Radio Show interviews, one more of each than stipulated in her contract, plus she'd just come back from a ten week tour, during which she'd never once refused either TV or Radio interviews, she'd also completed fifteen album signing dates which was five more than contracted to do, she felt the more she gave the more they were demanding.
Baz had entered the meeting room a couple of minutes late to hear the Recording Company Exec forcefully telling their almost tearful client.
"If we want another ten interviews you'll do them, unless you want to meet us in court, and we can reduce your Royalty percentage using the terms of your contract".
Baz smiled as he entered the room along with his manager, their own legal expert, and a scribe who would record the entire meeting, much as a court recorder does, following them.
He waited for the scribe to signal he was ready to commence.
"Good morning everyone, I offer apologies for my lateness, I believe we all know each other so we can dispense with the introductions, but Mr Randal, I caught your rather strong diatribe as I was entering, and I can tell you, it definitely sounded like cloud cuckoo land rubbish to me, none of which I might add is going to happen, now, why don't you humour me, lay out your ridiculously unreasonable requests one by one, I'll deal with them individually".
Straight away Randal was spitting feathers, and the Artist looked admiringly at Baz, who gave her a sly wink.
Baz successfully demolished every item raised, and turning over the pages of his clients contract almost disinterestedly, he'd finally issued his own stark warning.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but, as I see it, we're currently ten months into this contract, which is limited to twelve months, my client has worked exceptionally hard to produce results far in excess of any other artist you have links to at present, something which to date you have failed to acknowledge, I shouldn't need to remind you, but forgive me I will, you don't have an option to renew".
Baz's abrupt silence caused the exec to look directly at him.
"I'm glad I have your attention, because I would respectfully suggest, on the basis that my client has achieved such phenomenal success with her first album, you would be wise to start playing nicely, or you could find yourself out of the playground in a couple of months time, oh and one more thing".
This pause saw Baz's glare centre in on his quarry.
"The next time you come to these offices for a scheduled meeting, don't start without our client has representation in the room, if I ever hear of it happening again the meeting will be cancelled, you will be escorted off the premises, and you will never enter these offices again, I take real exception to you thinking you can bully my client whilst I'm not present, now, I think that's all, so if there's nothing else, please vacate the room, I need to speak with my client in private".
When the Recording Company exec and his entourage had left Baz was showered with praise and hugs from his client, who'd thought she was going to be forced into doing more interviews, in fact, at that point she thought Baz walked on water.
Later in his Department Managers office Baz was apprehensive, it was now his managers turn to give an assessment of the performance he'd witnessed, then Baz heard.
"Absolutely bloody outstanding, that's the only way to describe what you achieved this morning, even I, with all my years of experience would have really struggled to defeat a couple of those points, but you just drove a truck through everything, there were a couple of instances where I knew you were using artistic licence to stretch the truth, but you did it in such a way that even I believed you, then you very politely told him to go fuck himself, I can only say well done Baz, I'm really impressed, that's your fist one nailed down".
In order to fly solo, Baz had to complete ten successful outcomes, thereafter, he would be qualified and wouldn't need management supervision, and those successes came thick and fast as his reputation gained weight.
Interns on the same apprenticeship program as Baz came to him regularly, fearing they would have to give in to Recording Company demands on their clients, invariably, after listening to a brief overview, Baz's response was the same.
"Inform them that the attendee list has changed, I'm taking the meeting, you meet with me no less than one hour before the scheduled time to get the strategy ironed out, make sure you have the full file with you".
It wasn't long before the mere mention of Baz presiding over a meeting became the single-most common reason for meeting requests being withdrawn, Recording Company Executives leaving with their tails between their legs also became a common sight.
But his reputation wasn't just as someone who took on the industry's pit bulls, his name became just as familiar to Artists, in particular the ones who were under the impression once they'd made it, they could flout the rules, ignore their commitments, roll around in a drug and drink crazed haze, they invariably ran head on into a brick wall called Baz, who was completely and utterly anti drugs, unless prescribed by a registered, legally practicing physician, for legitimate medical treatment, he operated a three strikes policy, before he spelt out the options clearly, clean up your act immediately, or find another management company.
Early on in his career, rival companies judged him inexperienced, rubbed their hands together, thinking they were grabbing a bargain when he carried out his threat to cut an artist loose, they'd move swiftly to snap up Baz's rejects, only to find time and again, they'd taken on a nightmare client, it wasn't long before rejection by Baz consigned an artist to oblivion, and mostly, artists started to heed his warnings.
TF Management had Artist Managers available if the artist didn't already have a manager, it was what Baz had been training to do, to be Pil's manager, but unfortunately, and unbeknown to him, he was about to become a casualty of his own success.
A delegation from the Gregous HQ, along with managers from the various other offices was due to arrive over the weekend, with meetings scheduled for the following Monday and Tuesday.
Baz's uncle's Van and Reece were to be amongst the party, purely because Van had three, sold out nightly performances in Sydney, unlike the rest of the party, they would be staying with Milo and Piers.
It had been good welcoming Van and Reece, the weekend was a fun family time, eating out, attending a concert at Pil's school, and on Sunday, the boy's and Gracie organised a cookout at home.
After they'd eaten, there was the usual practice of clean up, the boys stripping the grill down, whilst Gracie transferred all of the used crockery to the kitchen, loaded the dishwashers and set them off.
Whilst the boys were cleaning the grill Van asked if he and Reece could borrow Baz.
They'd gone into Milo and Piers office, with Baz feeling decidedly apprehensive.
Reece had been the one to explain.
"Firstly Baz, don't be concerned, it's nothing bad, if anything, what we want to discuss has come about because of your excellence".
Baz smiled, but he was still baffled, until Reece went on.
"Your performance at TF is nothing short of phenomenal, but it gives us something of a quandary, you see, your Department Manager, has decided to retire, and we need to secure a replacement".
Baz chipped in now.
"That's a shame, he's a great guy, I've always got on well with him, have you found a replacement, or are you still looking?".
Baz saw Reece look nervously to Van who took over.
"Actually, our management team tell us we don't need to look, we're fortunate in having someone already in place who is more than capable of filling the role".
Baz smiled again.
"Wow that's good, who is it, do I know them?".
Now it was Van's turn to smile.
"You would if you looked in the mirror, we, or rather, they want you to take it on Baz".
To Reece and Van, his face was an absolute picture, his mouth fell open.
"I, .....oh, well ...., gosh ......, what ......, ......... No ..".
And then he went silent, obviously trying to focus.
They watched the different expressions flit across his face, then he looked directly at them, and said.
"No, sorry, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but Pil needs me, I made him a promise, I'm going to be his manager when he's ready, and that's not far off now, so, no, I can't do it".
Reece looked completely proud of Baz, of his choice to honour a promise to his brother, but Van's face was a picture of thunder, and his words echoed his expression.
"Don't be stupid boy, this is the opportunity of a lifetime, your brother can find another manager, we expect you to take this role, after all we've invested in you, you should be accepting it out of gratitude, but mark my words, you will accept, if you know what's good for you, and for Pil".
Reece was shocked at Van's outburst, as was Baz, but unlike Reece, Baz's shock quickly turned to anger.
"I will accept if I know what's good for me, and for Pil, meaning what?, I'm out of a job if I don't accept, and you won't honour your promise to launch Pil, you'd do that?, break a solemn promise, out of spite, that's wrong in so many ways, well I guess I don't work for you anymore then, I would have told you where to shove your job, but I have better manners, and I definitely have a better moral compass, a couple of things you might want to work on, goodbye TF".
Baz walked out of the office, leaving Van looking completely astonished, and Reece looking fit to burst, something he immediately voiced to Van.
"What the hell did you just do, we now have a department without a manager, and you just lost us the best management negotiator we've ever had, have you completely lost the plot, the boy told you why he couldn't take it, and I agree, a promise is more important, doubly so when it's made to family".
Van accepted he'd fucked up.
"It was meant to intimidate him, get him to say yes, how was I to know he would react in that way?".
Reece sighed.
"Really Van, you thought you could intimidate someone who has the Execs of most Recording Companies quaking in their boots, yeh, that was well thought out, not".
Van was now getting irritated by Reece.
"If all you can offer is sarcasm, keep quiet, I need to figure out how to get him to change his mind".
Reece sighed loudly again.
"What don't you understand Van, he said no for a very important reason, he's not going to change his mind".
They were sat glaring at each other when Milo walked in, with an expression Reece knew straight away was going to bring further trouble.
"You threaten our sons under our own roof, how dare you, I suggest you pack and find a hotel, our offer of accommodation has just been rescinded".
Now it was Reece's turn to screw up.
"I doubt my sons will be pleased to know you threw their father out on the street, I'm guessing you probably won't have a job tomorrow".
Piers had just come through the door, catching Reece's statement, he started to laugh, and Reece wrongly took it that he thought Milo was being foolish.
"Tell him Piers, he's playing a dangerous game".
Piers was still laughing, and texting on his cell phone as he said.
"Your sons won't need to sack us, I just sent Josef a message tendering our resignations, with effect immediately, I told him you were going to see that he sacked us anyway, so it's no loss, I've also disconnected all of Guardian's communication links, I'm guessing that won't go down too well before he's even had his morning cereals, now, I've also saved you a job with your packing, I got the kids to help me throw everything out of your room onto the front drive, that just leaves the rest of the rubbish to eject, so move it, both of you, out, now".
As Piers slammed the door behind them, Milo was absolutely howling with laughter, and everyone was laughing with him, except Baz, who looked ready to burst into tears.
Piers saw it as soon as he turned from slamming the door, he headed straight for him, pulling him into a hug, which stopped the others immediately.
"Hey, what's the matter, I haven't had that much fun in a long time, why the long face?".
Baz's voice was verging on crying.
"It was all my fault, I didn't know you'd react like that, they're family, we shouldn't have thrown them out, it's not right, don't be angry, I asked Sam to take them to the hotel where the others are staying".
Piers cradled his face, looking straight into his eyes.
"Baz, family shouldn't have done what they did, no one, not a single soul on this earth gets a pass when they threaten our children, anyone who thinks they can, and doesn't expect your Poppa Milo and I to come out fighting is a bloody fool, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you, offering help after the way you were treated, I bet your Daddy is proudly saying, 'that's my boy', just as I am, now, it would seem Jezz is the only one still employed in this family, which is a pity, because Gracie and Pil are on holiday for the next week, we could have gone to The Gold Coast for a few days".
Jezz responded like a shot.
"Whoa there Poppa, if Baz is unemployed then so am I, let's get packing.
Sitting on the terrace of their penthouse apartment on The Gold Coast, Pil brought Milo's cell phone out to him.
"Poppa, this thing is going crazy, and you have about twenty text messages".
Milo laughed, saying.
"I wonder who those could be from?".
As he took the phone from Pil it started ringing again, checking the caller display first, Milo answered it.
"Hello ex boss, why are you clogging up my inbox, go away, we're on holiday".
Milo cut the call, then he and Piers burst out laughing again.
At around eight that evening the Apartment door bell rang, Baz answered it.
Josef, Carry, Vinny, Paulette, and little Andy, were there, Josef said.
"Ah, the demon child who created this hell I'm having to deal with".
Baz felt awful, and immediately started apologising, but Josef stopped him, pulling him into a hug, as Piers appeared.
"I'm joking, you numpty, they deserved everything they got, family should know better, and I get the impression, after a short sharp lesson from your Poppas, they have somewhat realigned their moral compasses".
Piers was laughing and Carry joined him, with Josef saying.
"Don't start her off again, our pilots probably thought she was on day release from an asylum on the flight here, she hasn't stopped laughing for two days since she found out about you throwing Poppa and Vans stuff out onto the driveway, I swear she's wet her knickers at least four times".
Carry was now laughing hysterically again with her arms around Piers when she screamed.
"Oh god I've done it again, I need to change my knickers, I haven't laughed this much in ages, thank you Piers".
Once they were finally comfortable with drinks on the terrace, Josef reminded Piers and Milo of something which surprised Baz, Jezz, Pil, and Gracie.
"Don't slip up, no one knows you already had vacation time booked, supposedly I'm here begging you to reconsider your resignations, but I will tell you, purely for future ammunition, Juan said good riddance, they always were a pain in the arse, that was just before Ralph bitch slapped him".
They all descended into laughter again with Carry saying.
"Oh Christ, Paulette, I might need to borrow some knickers, I'm running out, literally".
When they'd calmed a little, Josef spoke to Baz.
"You shouldn't feel bad about anything, and I'm guessing this is exactly what your Poppas have told you, family don't attack family without expecting to get severely savaged, and no one will offer any sympathy, it's a no, no, but I would like to know what else caused you to say no, purely out of curiosity, because everything I've heard tells me you are an absolute guru at what you do, so you could have done it for six or twelve months, until Pil is ready, but from what I've heard, you gave an immediate no, so, explain it to me, and that is asked with a please, not an ultimatum".
Baz looked a little nervous, but he answered.
"I don't want to be a Department Manager, all those spreadsheets, budgets, reports, they confuse me, but sit me in front of someone whose challenging a contract, and trying to hurt one of our clients, and I'm in my element, I'm in destruction mode".
Josef chuckled, looking at Milo and Piers he said.
"And there you have it, how bloody easy was that, if only they'd stopped to ask".
Josef paused for a minute.
"Baz is there anyone you can think of who could hold down the position?, if you gave them support for the next few months, you handle the client meetings, but someone is needed to deal with the office crap".
Baz brightened.
"Yes about three, but I think I know one who would excel if he didn't have to do the client meetings, he's a bit crap at that side of things, I always do his meetings for him".
Josef sighed.
"Okay so we're sorted, just one other thing".
He now turned to Pil.
"How long before you think you'll be ready to go for it Pil?".
Pil was surprised by the question, but he answered honestly, something which brought a tear to Piers eyes, until he fully evaluated what his son had said.
"Not in the next twelve months, I don't want to leave my family yet, but it doesn't really matter, your Poppa and Van said they won't help me anyway so I might not do it at all".
Josef rustled his hair.
"Oh I don't think that will be a problem, my Poppa and Van are currently very busy trying to placate three very irate American cousins, who are seriously not impressed that you were given some duff information, they asked me earlier to tell you, a promise is a promise, whenever you're ready they've got you".
He turned back to Baz.
"So whoever is chosen, you'll help them, just carry on doing what you do best, let them manage running the office".
Baz nodded.
"I was actually going to suggest my taking charge of the department on an operational basis, running workshops for the guys, change the way they respond to attacks on our clients, I'm certain I can teach them how to take control of a meeting, I know we can achieve much better outcomes".
Josef was beaming.
"Thank you Baz, that's a fantastic idea, but don't let it see the light of day just yet, after all, I think you'd be the first to agree, it would be better appreciated if they think you had to be tempted to do it, on a strict twelve months contract, with an option to extend, on your part, but not on theirs".
Josef had called his Poppa and Van whilst they all listened in.
"Poppa, I'm with them now, the whole family is out on The Gold Coast, but thankfully for your sake, Piers and Milo accept that a request from you or Van to sack them would fall on stony ground, which means they'll be back in charge at Guardian next week, ........... Oh yes, .......... well I thought you would be pleased that I'd sorted out the problems you created for me, ............. Yes I have spoken to Baz, I've also spoken with Jezz, ............. No, ............ they're not as easily placated, both have job offers coming from all directions, ............ No, they haven't agreed anything as far as I'm aware, ............ Yes I can ask, when were you thinking?, ........... Okay, let me pop you on mute and I'll ask for you, but Poppa, you're going to have to be really creative if you want to keep them, hold on".
Josef turned to Baz and Jezz.
"Would you be willing to meet with the TF Senior Managers on Monday of next week, both of you?".
The each nodded their agreement.
Josef grinned, and gave them a wink, he was up to something.
"Poppa, Yes they'll meet, but with conditions, ............... You and Van are not in the meeting, ........ Bluster all you like Poppa, either you agree, and stick to the rules, or they take their pick from a whole host of lucrative offers, and they'll be lost to you, ........... I'll pass that on to them, but I'd suggest you let them lead the meeting, they, Baz in particular, know what you want, I get the feeling he has a fairly simple solution that will solve your problem, and bring benefits as well, so make sure your Management understand, ........... That's good to hear, but Poppa, and I really shouldn't have to remind you of this, ........... You haven't apologised to any of them, it's well overdue ............. Yes I know what Piers did, and if it helps you to get things into perspective, Carry told me, if you'd pulled that stunt in our home, she'd have thrown you and your fucking baggage off the balcony, her words I would add, ........... Anyway, I'm signing off now, you're on your own, make sure that meeting next week is as agreed, bye Poppa, see you soon".
As soon as Josef ended the call Baz asked.
"Why did you cut them out of the meeting uncle Joe?".
Josef nodded to Milo for an answer.
"Because they're family who attacked other family without reason, and as your uncle reminded them, so far, they haven't apologised, but you would still have been courteous and kind to them, because that's who you are, well that's not happening".
Josef and Carry stayed on for several days.
They'd flown home to Sydney on Sunday afternoon, ready for work on Monday.
Baz and Jezz had arrived early at the TF Management offices.
At exactly ten in the morning they were ushered into the board room, to be met by all eight TF Senior Managers, including Van and Reece.
Baz had walked into the room ahead of Jezz and immediately saw Van and Reece, sat smiling, almost smirking, he'd put his arm out to stop Jezz going any further, saying.
"It appears they're not ready for us Bro, there seem to be too many people here, let's go back out and give them chance to correct the matter".
As they exited the room Baz turned to face the assembled group.
"Five minutes, then we're out of here, that was foolish".
In the room, after the door closed several of the managers almost attacked Van and Reece, with one in particular, the General Manager of Chicago office saying.
"He's right, you both should leave, I already have the boys from 'None Missing' breathing down my neck, I don't need further problems".
Van and Reece made to argue but another managers voice caused them all to focus.
"That's four minutes, we have sixty seconds left before they walk away".
Van and Reece stood without saying anything and walked out of the room.
The Manager from Chicago went to find Baz and Jezz, who were walking towards the elevator.
"Gentlemen, I believe we have some ten seconds left, would you care to come in?".
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.