The day started with the typical run and JJ wished Cole good luck on the tournament. At home it was coffee and toast. I showered and shaved and thought I needed a haircut but that was not happening. I put on a charcoal grey suit and a white shirt, skipped the tie and drove to the office. Naturally I stopped for coffee and when I opened the door to the office there were 6 ties draped over the back of the guest chairs and on my desk was a note from dad telling me to please select one that went with my outfit and to make sure it was around my neck and properly in place for the ceremony. I thought, ok this isn't worth the fight and I picked one out and put the rest on dad's desk. Then I wrote a note saying, I picked one and won't need these.
I picked up the statement that Riley gave me yesterday, reviewed it and threw it away. It was good but not me, next I'll be reading from a teleprompter. I spent the next 30 minutes putting together a short statement and turned to the piles on my desk. There was absolutely nothing important and I checked my emails and there was one from that lobbyists guy I had met a couple of times asking if he could attend the groundbreaking and for a minute of my time. I immediately replied that there would be no issue with that. Between that and the Oakmont golf request my radar was going full blast.
Just then Riley and the Major appeared and we spent an hour reviewing the groundbreaking. It was going smoothly and I was handed a list of people that I needed to chat with. There would be a press briefing 30 minutes after we finished the event. I was reminded by both to be polite and professional and not to be impatient with questions, I thought were stupid. Then I was asked if I had read the statement and I said yes and I have a revised version that will be delivered. The Major looked at me and asked, why is that? I said it was very good but wasn't me. I have included it totally in my remarks. Jim looked right at me and said just don't fuck it up. I smiled and said Jim, I have this. This means way too much to me to be talking a chance. I simply need to be me and I've bet a ton of eggs and my reputation and standing on this project. It will be like the first project, on time and profitable. Then I said, I've made changes on the outside of building one and I'm sure other will notice, please refer that questions to Allen, the construction manager. I'll be having no comment until I know more about what caused the changes. The Major said well we start at 4. I said great, I'll see you there at 2:30.
I spent the rest of the day studying the information that Dillon had given me and damn him and Kyle were doing a great job. Ruth at some point stuck her head in and asked, if I needed anything and I assured her I was good and just working on something. She laughed and said the only difference between you and your dad is he closes the door. I laughed and said thanks for checking. I worked for a while and at 2:00 left for the groundbreaking. I parked and saw there were very few people around but I saw Major Jim and asked for a minute. We walk to a private area and I sad Jim, understand I read the statement and it was very good and everything is in the more off the cuff remarks. It's just a less formal approach. He smiled and said, asshole I'm not upset, I totally expected that. You are amazing when you are relaxed and I've never seen you this relaxed. Jim, I'm excited about this project because it's all me. That's why the opening statement needs to be all me.
I was walking around talking with people and suddenly I realized that there were a lot of people here. I went up to Major Jim and before I could say anything he said, what the fuck did you do? I looked him right in the eye and said, well that's exactly what I was going to ask you. I have talked with anyone about this except well the Mayor, the President of City Council and that congressman dad and I golf with. The we both said at the same time THE MAYOR. Just then dad came up put his arm around me and said, wow son a great crowd. I looked at him and said, so why did you invite the whole world? He said because I wanted to toot my son's horn. I laughed and said and if I hit a flat note? He said you won't as you are simply the ring master. I asked if the Major knew about all this and he said nope. I'll gladly accept full responsibility. I shook my head and said well thanks for the tie. I was still working the crowd and I saw Beth and did a double take. I freed myself from the group I was with and saw she was with an older guy which I assumed was her dad. I went up and said well hello and offered my hand to the guy with her and said, I assume you are Mr. Andrews, I'm Mike Simmons. He said well it's nice to finally meet you and I looked blankly at him and he laughed and said, well I'm the guy who approved the loan for all this. I thought shit, they know about my finances. Then he said Mike, a word please. We took a step away from Beth and he said, Mike she has no idea but naturally I do and will let you reveal thing as this may or may not work out. I smiled and said you have no idea how much I appreciate that. I generally have women problems when they realize I walk on money. He laughed and said well you are much better situated than most of the people here. I said thanks and we joined Beth. We chatted for a minute and the alarm on my phone buzzed and I said well it's time to get the show on the road. As I started towards the podium I saw the workers starting over so I but my special hard hat on gathered the team and the Major quickly quieted everyone down and introduced me in very matter of fact terms. I took a deep breath and stepped to the podium.
I looked over a crowd of a couple hundred people and smiled and said thanks for taking the time to be here today. Before we start I would like everyone to look at the fantastic progress that we are making on building 1. As it takes shape you can start to see how it reflects where we have been as a region. There is steel, which is rusty, aluminum and soon to be glass. The next time you are here, it will be for the grand opening of that building and you will see by the interior and the furnishings it will reflect where I hope we are going, moving forward. That building should not have exterior skin on it at this point. The men and woman working on this project have it way ahead of schedule. Their professionalism and work ethic reflect the other aspect of Western Pennsylvania, an almost endless supply of hard working men and woman. I started to clap and soon enough everyone joined in.
That brings me to building 2 which we start today. It will also be a 4 story building housing MJS Enterprises, Dino-Vox Technologies and be the home for the union workers, who are working their asses off for me and my companies. Then there will be a restaurant and small offices for startups funded by my foundation. Unless something opens up we will continue with the Strip District location. Building 1 was easy as it was built and designed for Technologies. This building had one tenant, MJS Enterprises, our Commercial Real Estate division, Standard Property, found and negotiated leases for the other two floors. In addition there is another building under construction designed by J & J Architects, the designer's of building 1 that Standard Property has rented completely. The last piece here could be a restaurant and a marina and boat club.
I paused and looked directly at the Mayor and said, the cooperation with city officials, led by the Mayor, has been more than outstanding. They have been very helpful in moving both projects along. We would not be having this fun ceremony today without their complete cooperation. Western PA people have always taken care of our people, it like the motto for our football team ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE. Thanks and now let's turn some dirt and get on with moving this Region forward. There was a huge applause and the workers were shouting MIke over and over again. The Major took the podium and said Mike will be available for media questions 30 minutes after some dirt is tossed. Everyone laughed and we lined up and dad was beside me and the Major counted down and we stuck the shovels in the ground and threw a shovel full of previously loosened dirt. Again there was an applause and the workers call MIKE, MIKE, MIKE and I waved them to stop, I grabbed the mike as said ok your done for the day just go home and hug your significant other and there was a cheer.
I was getting congratulations from dad and the Major when the congressman I played golf with came up and asked, so what are you running for? That was a damn good campaign speech. I laughed and said don't worry you have 31/2 terms before you have to worry. He laughed and said that's correct but others better start worrying. Then I asked so what's the minimum age to be elected Mayor and he shook his head and walked away. I found Beth and her dad, he looked at me and said well so much for a slow reveal. I laughed and said well Sunday was going to blow that up anyway, so would you like to join Beth, Wes and I for golf on Sunday? It was going to be a surprise, I have a 10:30 tee time. He asked, South Hills? I said well they were booked so I decided on Oakmont. Mike seriously, where we playing? I said, well some old course on Hulton Road. I said, well I do need a favor? He said well what's that? Well, three sets of clubs don't fit in the trunk of my Stang. He said why 3 sets? I said well I keep a set at the club and we will be walking, I have caddies reserved. Then I said, Beth I'll call you once this is over, right now I have to meet the press. She said, dude you are picking me up we are not doing this over the phone. I said yes deer and her dad burst out laughing. I pulled her close and whispered, this was just the tip of the fucking iceberg, and it is very early in the relationship to go much deeper. She then said musketeers and their women were always a complication. I laughed and headed towards the press briefing.
The Press briefing was in the very large tent and there were more reporters than I has seen in one place before. There were 3 local TV stations and ABC news and a bunch of print people. I thought this news cycle will last till Monday. I sat down at the table and every hand went up. I saw Patty from KDKA and pointed and said, Patty I think you deserve the first question. She smiled and said that was quite a campaign speech, what you running for? I said Senior Class President. The place erupted in laughter. She immediately fired back, can we be serious for a minute? I said that opening statement was not a campaign speech and I'm not running for anything, well just not yet. That's all I got. My immediate plans are to finish high school and go play football at VT. While that is happening finish 2 building and move people in, I really think that might be enough. The next few questions were about schedules and a timeline for moving in. Then the ABC guy asked Mike, there seems to be a shortage of programmers and tech people, how is it that you are surviving? I said well we have a great relationship with CMU and we hire almost anyone from there that would like to stay in the area. We pay well and the cost of living is less here than in a lot of other places. Naturally, as a future Comp. Sci. Major at VT, I'm hoping to tap into that program as well. The follow up was tough and to the point. Mike a lot of companies are sending those jobs out of the country, what are your thoughts on that? I will never say we will never do something but understand clearly, that will happen only if we are left with no other choice. We are very profitable, we pay above the average, cheap out of the country labor does not interest our management team.
I was then asked, so how will you deal with things while you are in Virginia and at school? I said I have a very good, very young team. We look at things very closely and from all sides and most importantly think outside the box. We are the first of a new generation and if the torch isn't easily put past but we will simply take it, if that's that is required. Every hand went up and I called on Patty again. She said so is this a declaration of war on the establishment? I said hell no, I want to work with everyone but we are not the damn steel capital of the world or that smokey city on the Mon river. We are young and dynamic and looking towards the future. What's that is saying you can either lead, follow or get out of the way. My message is that we at Technologies and Enterprises are leading the way into the future. We have chosen that role and others will need to choose their role as well. Then I was asked Mike, recently you stunned a lot of people saying the economy would be slowing down, how does that fit with your goals? I said well the economy has already slowed down, look around and you are seeing 2 of the 3 building projects in the region. The occupancy rate in existing building is nearing a record low and interest rates are high to keep inflation in check. Right now we are set to weather this slow down and lead the resurgence, it won't matter if I'm playing football or sitting on my ass. The team we have in place and will carefully expand is ready. I said ok, one more question, we all have things to do. I called on a guy that I knew would hit me with a soft question and he asked about my unique hard hat. I smiled and said I understand the workers pitched in about ten cents each and bought this for me. It has my Enterprise logo on the front and a Hokie bird on the back. I said thanks and there was a big cheer and I looked up and everyone turned around and the entire work force was there clapping and wearing a hard hat exactly like mine. I just started to laugh and picked up the mike and yelled, ONE FOR ALL and they answered ALL FOR ONE.
The reporter from ABC stopped me and asked for a minute and the Major shook his head indicates yes. I asked, what's up? He asked, so just who are you? I said a 17 year old with a 30 year old brain, who is the ring master of this growing circus. He said well that sums my impression up very well. He said Mike we would like to do an in-depth interview with you at the local studio but it will be with our national crew. I said, one of the ways I stay out trouble is for me to stay in my lane and let the team members do their thing, will you please talk with Major Messer. He said thanks and walked away. Patty came up and asked did I ask better questions and I laughed and said, yup you didn't disappoint. Then dad came up and said, Mr. President, nice job and we both laughed.
Then I saw Beth and her dad and I went over and her dad said well that was very interesting. I said how so? Mike, you know damn well you just challenged the powers to be to get their heads out of their asses and get on with things and stop looking backwards. Beth said dad, why don't you get out of here Mike can drive me home. I got her aside and said Beth, please go home with your dad as I have things to do and I will pick you up around 7:00. Just so you know I don't like being controlled and I don't control if it isn't going to be a joint thing, I'm out. She said Mike, it isn't like that I am just confused out of my mind. I smiled and kissed her cheek and said welcome to my world. Beth, what you saw yesterday at South Hills is me, please understand that and it might have been better I'd you were not here today but it will be what it becomes. She smiled and her and her dad started for their car.
Just then Jack appeared and I said, Major how was your day? He said scary as I've underestimated you about the bets, you various choices in sex and now in how you get 250 people and a crew of union workers to eat out of your hand. You are a born politician, the only problem is that you seem to have ethics. I said thanks and he said when you were up there talking I wanted to just jump your bones. I laughed and said for an older man you are certainly honey a lot. He laughed and the other Major came up and said naturally your dad has invited people to the club and Jack you and Riley are included. I asked the major to make sure Rocco was invited. He looked at me and said, you are not ready for a national interview with ABC. I said I know, I'll see you at the club. As I was walking to the car I saw the lobbyist guy waiting at my car. He shook my hand and said, I figured you would get her eventually. I said so what's up? He said, you are making a pretty big splash and today will only ratchet that up, there are couple of state senators that want to meet with you informally. I said, well do me a favor and work with Major Messer on that, I never set up my own meetings. He said no problem he would call him tomorrow. I said thanks and drove to the club.
Dad was in his glory and there was no private room, it was full blown Country Club. I went up to him gave him a hug and said dad, I'm out of here as soon as the news is over. He laughed and said, I totally get that. There were drinks and I was drinking Arnold Palmer's as I was driving to Beth's after this. I looked at my phone and tossed it to Major Jim and said looks like you have a busy evening. He said well I'll have a hour while you fly me to Latrobe tomorrow. Wheels up at 8:00. I said, yes sir. It was a casual time and fun and at 6:00 the news came on and we were the lead story and by 6:10 I was in my car on the way home. At home it was straight to my room and a quick change of clothes into jeans an thigh tee and dockers and no socks. Downstairs I grabbed some pretzels and drove to Beth's. I knocked on the door and Wes opened it and said are we really playing Oakmont, Sunday morning? I said yes and he said fucking awesome. I laughed and said well of course you will need your adult vocabulary and I'm figuring an late lunch. Beth appeared and said Mike, can we please get out of here before I'm totally embarrassed. Once in the car I asked if she was hungry and she said starving. I didn't ask and drove to Danny's and we ordered a hoagie and two drinks and drove to South Park. It was easy to find an empty grove and we sat at a table and talked. She asked Mike, how do you switch back so fast from ring master to you? I said well ring master is an act. Then she said Mike, will you please just listen and don't say anything till I'm done? I said ok. Mike, I can't say I don't care about money, but I can say I don't need tons of it and I know you have tons. What I need is a guy to be with and grow together with. Have good times within a reasonable way. I know other than that hot car, you spend money in a reasonable way. I'm the type of person that needs to know things and can't tolerate secrets. Right now I need to digest things and see if we can develop a relationship and just be high school seniors. No gifts and I can actually play public golf courses, thoughts? I said ok, how much do you think I'm worth financially? She said a couple of million? I laughed and said, if I sold everything? She said I have no idea, how much? I said a couple of hundred million. She looked at me and said holy shit, is that for real? I said yes and if you let that get in the way, we won't have more than 5 or 6 dates. I explained the Trust and dad's desire to retire the day I get a degree from a university and how I will have a year worth or credits when I play my first down at VT. I am committed to three years and will not play Pro ball. Oh, except for Cole, i don't spend much. I use the three country clubs for business and I love playing Oakmont. Thoughts? She got up sat beside me and said just shut the hell up and kiss me. We kissed and it got intense and a hand was on my knee but stayed there. I waited a few more seconds and moved it to the table. The kiss got more intense and when we broke it apart she said damn you are amazing. I said well don't test me again just ask? Sex for me is a very special thing, I never just jump into bed. We were quiet for a while and I asked if she wanted to give this a try? She laughed and said, nope I want this to work and hope we can adjust to each other. I said well me too but I need to take you home as I'm exhausted and have to fly to Latrobe tomorrow. We walked to the car holding hands. At her home, I walked her to the door and gave her a kiss and said I'll call tomorrow night and we can firm up Sunday.
At home I watched the late news and went to bed, thinking it was a very good day.
THANKS FOR READING AND FOR THE COMMENTS.
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