When I woke it was obvious that there would be no run as the weather hadn't improved much. There was no more snow but it was damp and slushy and I assumed some ice. I made coffee and toast and had a very lite breakfast. I dressed in school. Loathes and packed some work clothes to add to the one outfit I had left there. I wasn't planning on being dressed special for the meeting with the new Chief. In fact I might just meet with the Chief in school clothes. I put on the letterman jacket and grabbed a travel mug with coffee and drove to school.
At school, I parked in my usual spot and saw that JJ was already there and he was having an animated conversation with Mia. I tried to avoid Heather but she came right up to me and said Mike, thanks for bringing me the jacket. I looked at her and said Heather, Beseme el culex! (Kiss my ass). I simply went to English where there was no discussion on the assignment, just a simple essay on the topic. It was easy and I quickly wrote three paragraphs and spend most of the class trying to figure out what Heather was up to. History, my favorite class, was interesting. In Physics I simply sat down and when my lab partner arrived she said, well that was very impressive as you can be rude in both Spanish and English. Well, I'm glad your were amused but there are a lot of things about me you should try to discover. Well if that's all you learned after 3 years of Spanish, I feel I know enough. This time the teacher came over and said, you two do such good work together I would hate to separate you, but you are becoming a pain. So find a way to eliminate the tension between you two. With that we continued measuring waves, well trying to figure out how that happens.
With that over I signed out of study hall and drove to the office. Parking was worse than ever and I was guessing that people were starting to move into the other building. I needed to get over there as I haven't been there in weeks. I walked into the building and started to the elevator and was stopped by a security guard and he was in full uniform. He was also clean shaven and very fit. He said do you have a pass or an appointment? I smiled and reached in my backpack and he tensed and I smiled and said, well I have a pass. He didn't relax a bit and asked if he could see it and added, PLEASE. I handed him my pass and watched for a reaction and he said well Mike, please wear this around the building as it will make it easier on all of us. Once again I started to the elevator and once again I was stopped. He said, excuse me Mike, I need to check your bag. I just looked and handed him my backpack and he smiled when he opened it and said, thanks but you should have a better case for the computer and a maid for the wrinkled clothes. I laughed and said, have a good afternoon.
Upstairs Amy asked Mike, did you survive the strip search. I laughed out loud and and said well, I got what I asked for and he was very professional. Yes you did and I bet it becomes a pain in the ass. I shrugged and went to the closest in my office and changed clothes. I was checking messages and Liam came in and said Mike, we moved your schedule all around. I looked at him and asked ok who is first? Mike, the Chief is first, then a call to the Mayor and then Tim and I. Mike, we figure that we will have to meet after practice as we need to react. Ok, 7:30 at South Hills. Liam, I'll set up dinner for you two at 6:00 I'll get there as soon as I can. Just then there was a buzz and Liam. He led the devise and he said Mike, the Chief is waiting. I'll bring her right back. I shook my head and said give me that contraption. He smiled and handed it to me.
I was looking at my schedule when Liam returned with a very fit woman who appeared to be in her late 20's and I stood up from my desk and Liam said Mike, this is Chief Evans. We shook hands and I said hi, I'm Mike Simmons. We sat in the club chairs and I said Chief Evans do you have a first name? She smiled and said, I'm Clair but Chief Evans will do fine. So Chief, I understand you are a West Point grad and served in the army for 4 years. She said sir, that's correct. Chief, you are aware you are here at a business? Sir, I am aware that I am here at an organization who has a number of government contracts and has had for a very long time had less than appropriate security. Chief, that's correct and that's why the change a change required because the company you work for sent a team of incompetent officers here. Sir, you are correct so what the point? Well the point is that with a lifetime in the military you respect the chain of command, is that correct? She said, yes sir. Well Chief do you know my position here? Yes, Sir. Well then listen up, you are correct in that we need to tighten up. However, I'm Mike and not Sir. You can be Chief Evans, if you desire. Your team gets out of military uniforms and we will supply their "uniforms" and determine how or if they are armed. Your team will be polite and yet firm and respectful. Finally, none of my people respond to a fucking beeper. She laughed and said, well you certainly live up to your reputation. Mike, we are very good but one thing. Ok, what's that? The executives get a damn reserved parking space so we can monitor your rides. I said fine, anything else? Yes, in public, I am Chief Evans and you are Sir or Mr. Simmons. Other than that, I'm Clair and your are Mike. I said, fine and welcome aboard. She said thanks and Liam just looked at me.
Once we were alone Liam reminded me to call the Mayor. When he answered the Mayor asked, how bad do you want that property? Mayor how bad do you want the PR that this will generate? The union workers having good jobs and happy. The additional tax revenue. He laughed and said damn you are something else. Ok, your property comes up for a vote tomorrow and it is set to fail. I laughed and said, I figured and I'm set to move on to Moon Twp. The Mayor just laughed and said well that will start about the time you play your first game at VT. So here is the deal, the Zoning Commission members serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. If we agree they will get a delivery at their offices or homes a request for their resignations. I will have my Chief of Staff contact them individually tonight and say that if the agenda tomorrow is approved the resignations won't be needed. I laughed and said so Mr. Mayor what do you want? He said Mike, you to endorse me for Governor. How about I give you $50,000 publicly instead, is that enough? He said sure and I enjoy shoving it to Kirkpatrick. I said thanks and hung up. Once I hung up Liam started laughing and asked Mike, how do you do that? I asked, do what? Always have the last word? I shrugged and said well I never have the last word with the women in my life. Liam left saying he would be back when Tim arrived.
I called the Club and talked with Mike, the manager and asked if I could have 2 guest there for dinner at 6:00 and I would arrive later and need to meet with them after dinner. Then I asked for a private meeting room as I would not be dressed appropriately. He said sure and I thanked him and hung up. I was thinking about Heather and what the jacket thing was all about. Tim arrived and we were joined by Liam. Tim said Mike, that was an awful meeting with Kirkpatrick. Ok Tim, why was that? Well Mike, he has the zoning Board locked up and he is so pleased that he caught you. Mike, he said if he gets 50k off the price and 20,000 sq ft free in any building we build in the space. Then he smiled and said each space. Mike, he was amazed that you didn't fight. I smiled and said Tim, this morning I told his daughter to "kiss my ass". I will be more than glad to have you tell him the same thing.
Liam said Tim, the Mayor has the Zoning Board under control we should both go and watch. Tim, looked at e and asked, what did you give up? Tim, just 50k to his campaign. Tim shook his head and asked the Governor's Campaign? I smiled and said well it will go to a Campaign before he announces for Governor and I'll have deniability. Tim, I would never agree to what Kirkpatrick wants or the Governor thing. Mike, I know that but I had to present the offer and we have till 9 00 AM tomorrow. I said that's perfect call him at 8:59 tomorrow morning. Tim said Mike, I think we should simply not reply, I don't like being pressured. Liam, let's talk about architects after dinner tonight. Right now I have to get through security and get to practice.
I pulled into the parking lot at school a bit early for practice and when I started to the Fieldhouse Heather came running towards me and said Mike, I want that Jacket. I stopped and asked, why is that so fucking important? He put her hands on her hips and said because I need to be able to show the people around here that you care about me. Also, I'm tired hearing you are flirting with Winnie in Physics. Hell, event the teacher said something today. I looked around and noticed that there were a good many people still around and many were looking at us wanting to witness the events. I grabbed Heather pulled her into a hug and turned her head towards me and shoved my tongue in her mouth and we went at it for a longish time. When we separated I asked was that visible enough to make the peons happy. Heather, Winnie and have not and will not go out and I only deal with one girl at a time. However, I'm not parting with this jacket. My class ring and other shit is available so let me know. Then I said besides after tomorrow morning you might not be permitted to go out with me. She put her arms around me and we kissed again.
I was no longer early for practice and inside JJ started to laugh as soon as he saw me and said, for a dude who needed help with Spanish you certainly learned the nasty part. MJ, almost everyone heard it and some new instantly what you said and others took till lunch. JJ, they need something to do. I got dressed in full pads and practice was a fucking bitch. The hitting was intense and when on defense every play was a run and when on offense it was the same and I was pummeled all practice. I finally went to the Offensive Coordinator and said Coach, I've had enough and I sat on the bench. I was sitting there and Coach Weston asked if I was ok? I shook my head and said Coach, you are going to get someone hurt. I know this next game will be physical but you need healthy people to win and I've had enough getting pummeled on both sides of the ball. Mike, I've know for a long time you were getting soft. You just proved it. I shook my head and said, damn I wish my wallet. Mike, what do you need from your wallet? I smile and said a dollar so I could give it to you and you could buy a clue. Just then the Offensive Coordinator came over and said Coach, I took Mike out. He has worked hard and doesn't need any more hits. I sat there thinking well one of those two won't be coaching here next year. A few minutes later Coach Weston ended practice and simply said same thing tomorrow.
I took a quick shower and Wyatt came up to me and said that Grandpap said no films tonight as they are very straight forward and the give away pass plays. I smiled and said correct as the recovers are wider and run to their spots and the line has a different stance. Wyatt asked, so did Heather kiss your ass? Wyatt, sometime soon you will need a foreign language to put a bitch in her place. Mike you mean like this? Then in almost perfect French he said, Embrasse-mui le cul. I laughed and said well that will work. As I could just make 6:00 I flew home and changed into appropriate clothes and drove to the club. I was surprised as seated at a table for 4 were Tim, Liam and Dillon. I simply sat down and said a schedule change and I'm hungry. Jake, my favorite waiter came over and I ordered an iced tea and a scotch was returned in an iced tea glass. I thanked Jake and asked about the wife and kid and he replied all good and his first birthday is in a couple of weeks.
We ordered dinner and I asked Dillon, what brings you out tonight? Mike, with the new building I assumed I would be involved so I thought I would tag along. Besides Carley is out with her girlfriends. Well Dillon, I have other plans for you and your involvement in the building will be to keep Liam out of trouble. Allen has agreed to stay on as Project Manager and I'm sure the Union people are on board or Rocco will be retired earlier than he plans. Dillon, in addition to being President I would like you to work with the Naval Academy and launch a grade book program targeted towards public education. Kyle and I agree that we need you more visible. Dillon, both Kyle and dad will b talking with you about this and you will need to develop a program team and visit the Academy and the Admiral. We worked through dinner and selected an architect and Liam was asked to set a meeting up with them as soon as the deal closed. Just then my phone rang and it was the Mayor. I asked for a minute and we all went to the private room, I had reserved. Once we were settled I said good evening Pete, what can I do for you? Well Mike, I need $5,000 to grease the skids for the Zoning Board. Well Mr. Mayor, that will never happen and the donation to your Governor's Campaign is as far as I'll go. We can just wait and see how things turn out. Enjoy your evening and hung up.
Tim immediately asked Mike, did you offer a political donation to the Mayor to get him to influence the Zoning Board? Well Tim, this was the Mayor's idea to fuck with the Zoning Board. He said he would need an endorsement for Governor and suggested a donation. It will be months down the road and difficult to tie to the land deal. Mike, that's bull shit and you know it. You have been 100% above board since I came on and I simply won't put up with it. I said ok, you are correct and I called the Mayor back and said that I had to reconsider the political donation and that vote tomorrow would be what it became and that the Moon Twp. thing was real and the land was big enough to move the company and sell the buildings. The Mayor was furious and I said that I just can't do unethical things and that I made a mistake.
Tim said thanks and reminded me that he hired him to keep me out of court. Tim, I simply made a mistake and it won't happen again. He laughed and said, I know it will and you will get the same damn response from me next time. There will be a lot of people gunning for you after this and either you are clean and I mean squeaky clean or I'm out. I smiled and said, I hear that loud and clear. Tim said good because I'm your attorney not your fixer. Tim, I understand and we went back to the table. Desert was ordered and I had a cappuccino and things returned to normal.
Back at home I poured another Scotch and reached for a cigarette and stopped. I said shit, I'm getting just like dad. I was frustrated as I was sure that the Zoning Board would turn us down and that Kirkpatrick and David would win. I was simply ready to move in a totally new direction. I knew Tim would be at the Zoning meeting and would have plenty to say. It would be what it became. I laid in bed thinking about Wednesday and wishing JJ was here. There was the Zoning shit and the meeting with Lee Chang and robotics then practice and I wasn't taking a beating like that agin and finally Heather and where that was going. Basically, I wanted that land and that was all there was to it. I fell asleep wondering if I could appeal.
Wednesday brought unseasonably warm weather and I was hoping that would be around for a wile but anything but rain would be good for Friday. Rain would take away our speed and passing advantage. I showered dressed in clothes for work and drove to school. There I went right to the Athletic office and found Nancy working away. We chatted for a while and I asked if by chance there were any tickets left as I needed two. She said yup, as I held back 20 for things like this. I paid for the tickets and as I was leaving coach asked Nancy, what did he need? I turned and said TICKETS, is that ok with you? He shrugged and went into his office and I took two steps to follow him and Nancy said Mike, don't he is like that with everyone and to be honest, I'm sick of it. I said ok Nancy for you but him and I are not in a good place. She smiled and said well that's a big group you are in.
I went straight to the administrative offices and asked if I could see Dr. Johnson. I was told to have a seat and they would see if he was available. Almost immediately I was told to go back to his office. He looked at me and said, what's the problem? I said well Doc, I'm over loaded today and just can't do this place today and I can't miss practice. Well what are ie issues? Well a zoning meeting, a interview for an important job at work, the Mayor and football. Doc laughed and your current girl? Well actually she isn't on my radar today but yes, that's an issue as well. Mike, you can go home sick but can't practice. I said I know and after the beating I took yesterday that wouldn't be a bad solution but coach has enough pressure on him. Mike, I heard about yesterday and actually I'm worried about Chuck and the pressure and his health. However, that is what it is. Mike, don't you have a doctor's appointment or something? Doc, I wish I did and he smiled and said well there was a message this morning from you dad and he said you have a 10:00 with Dr. Adam's. I smile and said damn, I forgot about that and I was told that I was excused after first period. I said thanks and went to English.
I was quickly in the car and stopped at McDonalds for coffee. At the office parking was difficult again and when I found a parking spot I grabbed my backpack and found my pass and put it on. Inside the security team was there in what I would call relaxed uniforms and
All I saw attached to the officers belt was a communication device. My bag was checked and I was cleared. As I waited for the elevator Chief Evans appeared and said Sir, may I please have your keys. I just looked and she said well we would like to move your car to your parking space on the side of the building and ver close. I handed her the keys and said it's the Stang ragtop and it's parked in the last row by 2nd Ave. she smiled and said well that sounds like a hot set of wheels. I shrugged and got in the elevator.
On the 4th floor Amy said Mike, everyone was in meetings all morning and left a few minutes ago for the Zoning meeting. Amy, please send any call to voicemail except those from at the meeting. She laughed and said well there are already 4 in voicemail. Ok Amy, I'll check on those. While my computer was booting I checked the messages and two were from reporters and they were simply deleted. One was from Kirkpatrick and that was deleted and one was from Old Charlie, which I immediately returned. Charlie asked if he and the kid could still come up and I said sure as I have tickets to the game and that dad would drive them and they could sit with him as well. Charlie's said thanks and then added that he would not be going back to the winery and that David had arranged for a flight back to D. C. at 6:00 Saturday evening. I didn't ask about the change and thought it would simply reveal itself.
I called Dean Chi at CMU and he started right away asking why I hadn't submitted any work? I said very busy but he should look for a completed couple of assignments early next week. He laughed and said Mike, you are wasting time with football. I asked what he could tell me about Lee Chang. He laughed and said well I do admire how you change the topic. Well Lee was here yesterday afternoon asking me about you. Well to answer you question he is extreme. I laughed and asked how so? Extremely intelligent, stubborn, determined, focused. He is very hard working, knows what he wants and is learning how to do what it takes to get that. He is becoming street smart. So Michael, does that sound like someone you know? I laughed and said, well I would bet that is exactly what you said about me. Well, I did tell him that you were very street smart. I will tell you what I told him - you will instantly hate each other or form a bond that will turn thing upside down. There was a chuckle and he said, I'm enjoying my front row seat. Well Dean, you certainly have paid for the admission. With that I hung up.
My phone rang and it was dad. He immediately said Dr. Johnson called and I was told you left school for a doctors appointment are you ok? I laughed and said dad, he said you set the appointment. Dad, laughed and said well just so you know it's covered. So dad, was the Dr. Adam's thing a message? Mike, enjoy your day and I hope the Zoning meeting goes well. I said thanks and hung up wondering if it was Dr. Johnson sending the message.
There was no news from the team I decided to grab a bite to eat. I got my keys from security and as I got to the car my phone rang and it was Major Jim. Mike, it didn't go well as we lost 5-4. There is a lot going on we need you to make a statement and we need time. I'll need you free to meet with the media at 7:00. I said fine but in my office. I know you have an interview and practice and we all want you keeping your schedule. Mike there will be 3 TV stations and print media both local and national. Jim, have them set up outside, no podium and I don't want to hold a microphone. I want to be casual, yet firm and deeply disappointed. Also, I'll need details on what 2 buildings would mean to jobs and revenue to the city. Then I said press only and definitely no political people. Jim, I need to get to practice as things are not good there, either. Oh, see if you can get lights on the vacant lot. Jim, laughed and said, I'm guessing you were ready for this. Jim, I'm a Boy Scout, always prepared.
Back up in my office I grabbed a legal pad and started working on what I was going to say tonight. I work on it till Amy appeared with Lee Chang in toe. I thanked Amy and asked Lee to join me in the club chairs. Lee, we can eliminate the need to discuss your academic record as it is more than excellent. So what do you want to tell me about yourself? There was a very general discussion of where he lived and nothing interesting or important. I simply got down to business and asked what he thought about the change in our program? Mike there are 5 of us and one is circling the globe and is more help up there than he was down here. That leaves 4 of us and one will graduate and has a job and is moving on. Basically there are 2 of us I would move on with. So Lee, you want the position? Mike, who would I report to? Me. Budget? Enough. Location? Where do you want it? Not on campus. Ok, we have room here. Look, this would be your division, I want it to eventually make money and I'm patient, with a direction moving in a positive direction. Well I'm done playing with toys. Well, I need you to talk with Maggie and she will get you started and you have $500,000 and I want a report every two weeks. Understand, Maggie will set this all up and you are part of Technologies. Work with her on salary for you and your friend. Lee that leaves a lot of shit on the table and we will work it out. We will do this quickly and I would suggest you get acquainted with our inventory program, we track things and I think we should be able to move things. Talk with Dillon and we can talk again on Monday. Lee, there will be a contract but I'm waving the drug test. Lee, I know there are a ton of details but we can do this. Lee laughed and said I knew that when I walked in her. Also, we can start with $100,000 and I have ideas. I also appreciate you keeping this meeting with all you have going on today.
As Lee was leaving Tim, Liam, Dillon and the Major appeared. We went to the conference room and spent about 20 minutes discussing an approach for the meeting with the press. Finally, I said guys, I got this but I need to get to practice. I asked, again, for lights on the property involved in all this and I left for practice.
THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND FOR READING.
PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO NIFTY. IT'S EASY AND DETAILS ARE ON THE NIFTY HOME PAGE.