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The Schuyler Fortune VI: A Throuple of Bums-11
Joseph had successfully sublimated the question until now when he couldn't duck the reality. Now, with the fervor of the newly converted, he was out to fuck and be fucked, hoping his little head would make good decisions, determined he would transition to a full-blown (he groaned inside at the pun) happy gay man.
His initiation was an explosion of feeling and release and his ass, though a little sore, still felt alive.
Which isn't to say that he didn't have second thoughts the next morning. "What will I tell James?" "How will I tell mom and dad?" "Who is going to love me for me?"
He remembered the family story about Michael, a couple of beneficiaries ago, who had courted Marcus at Grinnell with the same thoughts in mind; for that matter his uncle Eric telling him how the family had coached him to find someone that loved him for him and how he found Brent in England who loved him but sort of knew behind his back and it had all turned out fine.
"What would he tell his cousin Mateo?"
"Was he now not going to have kids? Who would the next beneficiary be? How would he relate to Liam and Mason and John?"
It was too much to figure out in five minutes and he was smart enough to know that a lot of things don't need figuring out.
The next morning at breakfast everyone was the same person they had been the day before. Even Joseph. Pablo and Miguel gave no hint that anything had changed. Breakfast was great with pecan sweet rolls and fruit and waffles with maple syrup and butter, applesauce from Jonathan apples with cinnamon, hot chocolate, coffee and tea available.
Meyer Lemon herbal tea was also available, a local Portland delicacy.
Joseph told Liam he wanted to see the ranch and also Blossom's estate. The Schuyler helicopter landed in Waterfront Park and all of them that could squeeze on board flew to the rose gardens in Hillsboro first. Blossom had willed the estate to her son John.
John's daughter Lisette met the visitors at the house. After the tour of the house and rose garden they thanked her for the memories. She asked them about her grandmother whom she had not known well, and Joseph filled in the stories he knew. She served tea and cookies before they left.
The helicopter took off in a beeline straight for the ranch and soon reached Shady Acres. The glaziers were replacing the triple-paned windows under Teresa's watchful eye.
There were other cosmetic repairs needed after the hail of bullets during the raid. The telephone company had completed their repairs to the cell tower and tested its microwave connections.
A security firm was working on gates at the intersection of the paved road at the driveway and tall fences along the road which resembled the titanium fences around the Schuyler museum in New York.
Cameras were being installed at the front gate and on tall trees to cover the entire length of the road in front of the property that was bounded by paved road.
Motion sensors had already been placed from the road down the property line going back toward the state forest. Teresa had recommended that they investigate a dog run along the entrance to the cattle acreage; Joseph thought her best idea was for Shady Acres security to have a couple of drones up in the air, high above the highway leading to the ranch both from the east and west directions. High-definition cameras on those drones could be taught to read license plates, getting information on the criminal records of the owners in real-time. For enough money, Joseph realized, information was always available about someone or a thing.
Joseph liked the ranch house and the out buildings as well. He had an idea or two and wanted to pursue it while he had a minute at the ranch. He did some computer research and found that there was no institute primarily studying homophobic violence that he could find." I'll fix that problem," he thought. Why not build one and call it the 'Schuyler Institute for the Study and Prevention of Homophobic Violence'?
He wanted the Schuyler trust, in memory of Michael, Marcus, Eric, and Brent to fund an Institute that would draw global scholars to study patterns of homophobic violence and recommend changes in practice and law within the criminal justice system and to the various legislatures, advocating changes supported by evidence to prevent homophobic violence.
He was prepared to fund the institute with a billion dollars in a fund for Paulo to manage with the usual pre-conditions that if the entity mismanaged funds or went out of business, the principal would revert to the Schuyler trust. The dividends and growth of the fund would be available to cover Institute operations.
A small working board at the institute with a CEO and CFO with foundation experience would review the output of the institute, would review a budget each year, allocate funds for new projects, review the quality of work, and oversee recruitment of scholars, providing them with supercomputer time, office space, travel funding and stipends and benefits attractive enough to entice them and funds to publish their work.
The outreach program of the Institute would be overseen by the CEO and a small group of political and legal specialists including lobbyists, ex-Senators and Congressional leaders and Joseph himself.
There was one matter which Joseph wanted to clear with Liam. He asked Liam if he could meet with him and John and Mason.
The meeting took place after dinner on Wednesday night. As they gathered in the library with its tall walls of books and old dark wood with a crackling fire and with the Fresca floats finished, Joseph presented his idea for the Institute and funding. He added that the ideal spot for the Campus would be in northern Virginia.
There were a very few bits of acreage left undeveloped near Washington D.C. close to great transportation that allowed helicopter traffic and private jet traffic. He said he didn't think that obtaining one of those would be insurmountable.
He also said that he needed personnel he could trust. These people would need to be in key positions to keep the feet of the 'brains' and the 'business types' on solid, firm ground.
Then Joseph expanded his proposal. "I need three people on the board of the Institute out of five, all paid well with great benefits, to come in once a week to review on-site and be there also for the monthly board session. I intend for the board to vote on some issues in between face to face meetings by electronic means by virtual tele-communications.
"If I build a runway and hangar here on the ranch and provide pilots and crew and park Sweet Pea here, would you guys be willing to fly out once a month and once a week? You can use Sweet Pea however and wherever you like in the meanwhile."
"My intention is to fly directly to a landing strip on the property in Virginia. I want the property to be isolated away from passing traffic and very well guarded and secure."
"I expect that the Institute will be a focus of demonstrations and even violence so that the exits from the Campus will be multiple for vehicle traffic. I would love to speak with Teresa about security measures...she thought of those drones long before they were needed and used them effectively, I thought."
"What do you think?"
Liam answered for himself. "I think it's a great concept. It's long overdue to happen in this country. Hopefully the scholars could do original research and also have a mechanism to review any literature already published to guide further projects."
"I think it would also be helpful to have an Ivy League university connection so that they could send interested students for a fellowship at the Institute. I'd also like to see a visiting Scholar in Residence program and manage this at the Ph.D. level."
"As for myself, I'd would definitely be interested in participating at a Board level, with the proviso that I be a citizen member with a full vote."
"I don't want to pretend that I'm an attorney or an expert in running a foundation, obviously."
"John and Mason, what do you think?"
"John and Mason were still a little stunned and said they would like to have some time to think about the proposal."
"Thinking is never a bad idea," Joseph said. "Please think it over and talk it over between yourselves. By the way, you all should know that my first thought was to include my cousin Mateo on the Board, but not as an officer."
"Will that working together be uncomfortable or lead to friction among you?"
"Perhaps you may want to discuss that among yourselves and let me know. He is a painter, not an attorney or banker or foundation expert either."
"If he feels that he is supported, he may function very well at sniffing out bullshit as a citizen member too."
Liam didn't want anything to do with Mateo at that point but didn't say so and put that subject on the agenda to talk to his throuple about. He didn't miss Mateo, felt he was unstable inherently, but knew that diverse minds might make for better decisions in a group. By this time, he had a headache.
"Let's meet again after dinner tomorrow evening and discuss the project," Liam invited.
"Sounds like a plan," replied Joseph.
The throuple discussed the plan for hours later that night. Liam told John and Mason that he had zero desire to mate with Mateo again and that included a high level of discomfort being in the same state, let alone the same room with him.
"I think that may mean that you have some unresolved issues, Liam," said John. "Avoidance is a personal issue just like too much togetherness and Daniel taught us to resolve issues rather than avoid them for less stress." Liam took John in his arms and thanked him for the reminder. Mason said that if he did that much traveling back and forth, he wanted to make a difference.
"I can see myself looking over the auditor's reports as a second opinion before they get to the board, checking deeper into numbers to make sure they make sense. I have a good sense of smell for corporate bullshit. In other words, if a payment for $20,000 is marked as entertainment, I look at the actual check and research the invoice."
"That's what I'm good at. Watching as controller to make certain the banks are happy and the accounts big enough to cover accounts payable and payroll won't be a problem for the Institute. Count me in if you guys join up."
Liam took Mason into his arms and thanked him for being such a willing, talented guy.
"Speaking of willing," John said, "I'm willing to play tonight. Any chance we could all get together?" It turned out there was not only a chance, but a deep-seated, full-throated, hard-dicked willingness to kiss and fuck. An hour later they all lay panting on their king-size bed, giggling at John's 'any chance' remark. Even John.
Mason said they all ought to be losing weight with this level of caloric expenditure.
"You'll have to check the receipts for that expenditure," John needled Mason.
"You expend any more and I'll need to check your receipt," Mason said calmly, "I know just where to find your receipt too; don't think I don't know in which alley your files are kept."
Liam broke up laughing.
"Your idea about an Ivy League connection was brilliant," said John. "I had visions of those gorgeous college seniors, make mine blonde and handsome with muscles on the side, please, frequenting the halls of the Institute asking for directions."
"You'd give them directions all right," laughed Mason. "I can just see you opening your Campus residence door saying 'Oh, did I direct you here?'...oh well, as long as you're here..."
Liam groaned and then giggled at the thought. And thought again. "It gives new meaning to 'scholar-in-residence'. They all howled until they were breathless, held their heads and bellies, and hoped the vision would pass while they were yet still alive.
John wondered if Joseph ever laughed. They didn't know and there was another thing none of them knew. Joseph, having tasted the apple, was hungry for another and was currently stark naked getting another massage with Pablo and Miguel.
This time Miguel's full body rubbed his front and Pablo's full body found his ass, thrust through his sphincter, and brought Joseph to his desired conclusion in a frenzy of male mating that thrilled Joseph. He decided that on his arrival back at the museum in New York, he and his cousins would try something similar if they agreed.
He had been aware for a long while that Paulo and Mateo were lovers as well as brothers but had no idea if Paulo would ever consider including another or not.
Then again, he had to work with Paulo on a business level and didn't want to muddy those waters either.
Perhaps he would just keep his eyes open for another to love.
He eventually decided the last course would be better. By his return to New York, he had put in motion the trust donation to the fund and notified Paulo who in turn planned the initial investments with the help of the supercomputer.
He called a large industrial realty firm just south of Washington D.C. in Virginia and gave them his requirements. They agreed to meet in New York with him three days hence with proposals ready.
The purchase would be made in the name of a holding company with a non-descript name 'Little Notch Corporation' which was itself owned by an LLC he had formed a long while ago named Shepherd Enterprises LLC. The address of the LLC was an attorney's office in Delaware. The LLC owned nothing else.
The point to the obfuscation was to avoid the publicity glare that might jeopardize the sale or required permits and licenses required for a large campus with its utility requirements and jet landing strip and helicopter permits.
He did speak with his Senator and Congressperson privately, so they wouldn't be blindsided and asked for their help in return for a very large campaign support PAC. He knew them personally and they knew him and appreciated his prior support.
He told them he expected, for his money, their active support should the subject come up and they agreed that was fair.
He contacted the architectural firm that designed the museum and described the Campus he had in mind and asked them to begin drafts.
Joseph's next move was to hire a law firm in Manhattan to float a trial balloon about the project including university connections to the Ivy League colleges. Out of the eight schools, four responded positively. Two of those four sent details about how they envisioned their involvement might happen. The other two remained open to further proposals.
Joseph saw this as a positive and vowed to push on. He knocked on Mateo's suite door one night. Mateo answered, just headed for the shower. "Hey cousin," Mateo smiled, "long time no see. Guess you've been busy too, huh?"
"Yeah, I have a project on and haven't been sociable much."
"Sociable much? I'd say incommunicado sounds more like it. What's new down the hall?"
"I spent some time in Oregon a few weeks ago." The sparkle faded from Mateo's eyes. "Oh?"
"Yeah, I saw Liam and John and Mason at their ranch and gave it a tour."
"How is...how are they all doing?"
"They seem to be adjusting to the boonies ok. They have a lesbian neighbor, an architect, who helped save their ass when a local band of white-supremacists decided to try to shoot their ranch to bits. Long story."
"What did you do for fun out there anyway?"
"I had my first massage."
"You what?"
"Yeah, a couple of guys that work for them, Pablo and Miguel."
"I know them, I hired...did you know those guys are gay?"
"I do now."
"Don' tell me they tried to..."
"Thank God they did indeed..."
"And what..."
"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."
Long silence. "What are you trying to say, cousin?"
"I liked it. A lot."
"Oh." This was a lot for Mateo to digest quickly. He was a bit stunned and a little turned on too. He tried to see Joseph giving or getting and his mind didn't summon either image.
So, he dropped his towel, looking at Joseph's eyes carefully, "Have you showered yet tonight, cousin?"
"Not yet."
"I want to hear more. Join me?"
Loren and Selene's little boy, now grown, displayed behavior in the shower that would have shocked them.
His cock, as hard as marble, began to be very uncomfortable and it found refuge between the cheeks of his cousin's shapely ass. Joseph's threw the first fuck of his life into his cousin Mateo in the museum named after a great-great-grandparent (adopted and adopted) of theirs, the two cousins by adoption, not by blood, brothers by gender preference and now lovers, tentatively, for fun.
Eric would never know that his adopted son was taking his brother's son's cock like a champion. Neither would Brent or Loren or Selene. Some things were just...private.
Joseph told Mateo some things about the new project. "Can I have your support as I do this?" Mateo was happy to help.
Real estate was complicated. There were 900 acres available in one parcel, swampy, no trees, poor soil, nowhere near major roads and a another piece of ground with one hundred and fifty acres, forested, dry, great access to major arterials, but blocked by federal rules as being too close to another major airport to have a jet landing strip.
Joseph made the decision to purchase the nine hundred acres of land, which, as it turned out was more of a linear piece of ground than rectangular, easily allowing for the runway along one side and the buildings at the other end on the other side of the property.
He bought the property through the LLC and immediately began to remediate its defects. The swamps were drained properly. Pumps were installed to keep that problem from reoccurring.
Tens of thousands of cubic yards of dark loam were trucked in and plowed into the poor soil of the perimeter, the planned lawns, and the building sites.
A thick barrier of trees was planted around most of the perimeter of the property in two separate thick rows with a high unscalable defense-quality fence all around the property with gates at all exits. This first fence was located just inside the first row of trees. Fifteen feet further inside the property an identical fence was placed just inside the second row of trees.
The space between the fences was developed right in the center to accommodate a paved road, raised about four feet for security patrol vehicles.
The jet runway was constructed to easily accommodate the Gulfstream 650-ER jets plus room to expand for larger jets and a hangar built to house two Gulfstreams. A large heliport and hangar were built close by and a road paved to the Campus.
Roads were constructed from the Campus to the gates and then further to connect with the main arterials in the area. Separate gates at the very perimeter of the property were built along with seriously daunting bunkers to deter demonstrators from entering the property.
Signs were erected warning of swift prosecution for trespassing.
Then Campus construction began.
Residence halls, an administration building, a computer building, a separate large library with extensive study halls and project storage, ultra-broadband optical underground internet access to the nearest node of the backbone of the internet, a cell tower, backup generator power for the entire campus and a well-equipped kitchen/cafeteria with extensive food storage, frozen, fresh and dry...these formed the beginning of the Campus. Maintenance buildings were planned.
The residence halls were furnished, the kitchen/cafeteria stocked and the servers in the computer center linked to the Schuyler supercomputers.
At the same time construction was progressing, two related projects were beginning to take place. One was the hiring of a CEO and CFO and the first board meeting. The other was the massive hiring of personnel for the Campus.
Joseph thought long and hard about the top two spots. He valued experience but didn't want an "I'm retired and waiting to die' type either. He valued a gender preference of gay, but knew he wasn't allowed to advertise or hire based on that.
He valued foundation experience. He decided that a headhunter firm could do this work as well as he could and do it legally and ethically. He contacted the best in Manhattan and left it in their hands.
He left the nature of the new foundation intentionally vague, only offering a great salary and benefits designed to lure the best. He also left much of the personnel hiring to this firm.
He spoke to his security chief at the museum about his problem with hiring good people. The chief surprised him.
"No matter who you bring on board, Joseph, you would have to vet them yourself, if it's a major position. You are doing the hiring, not the headhunters."
"In addition, our job as a profession is to design surveillance for the first number of years that is very much in the background and very detailed for each person no matter what their job is. It is intensive work and worth it. A janitor that has intentions to wreck your work can do it with outside help."
"A private corporation has the right to monitor its workers for quality work and for security of its objectives within the law, of course."
"You need to inform prospective employees of the risks of the work, what is expected, exactly, of them, and what is forbidden and compensate them for the stress well, stipulating in their employment agreements that the extra pay is exactly for that purpose, providing a medical presence on site, preferable psychology and family medicine for counselling and have them sign arbitration agreements for disputes."
"Non-disclosure clauses that have obligations that outlive their employment with real penalties should be obtained. Most reasonable people recognize that there are risks to any work and a series of employment talks and videos and chances to answer questions will settle a lot of disputes before they become disputes."
Joseph wondered if he had bitten off more than he could chew until he read online that two teen gay kids had been murdered that afternoon in Wisconsin by a gang of men who didn't think they belonged in their town.
He realized if he didn't bite big bites, perhaps no one would in time to save more lives.
The first resume for CEO from the headhunter firm showed a fifty-year old man, currently CEO of a large foundation in Connecticut, having been a CFO prior to that. His family name was familiar, well-connected in Washington D.C. His reason for moving was money and to be closer to his family in Richmond. His foundation had grown under his leadership and his references were stellar.
The second resume for CEO showed a thirty-year old man, currently CEO of a community organizing project in Detroit, good recommendations, no indication of connections and his reason for moving was money. His organization had grown over time.
The third resume showed a forty-year old man, currently CEO of a bank in New York City, moving for money, great recommendations.
Joseph's first reaction was that young implied more energy and plasticity, perhaps a better response to tutelage. He checked himself and decided that was reverse ageism. His second thought was someone moving closer to family might have a divided attention span and be using a company for personal reasons, then realized that might not be the case. Did community organizing had anything to do with...then his mind jumped to the point...it had everything to do with change and action and energy. Wanting a higher salary was a valid reason for changing jobs, he thought.
He asked that the thirty-year old man be asked to interview first.
Jack Sanders had reflected long and hard about interviewing for an unknown Institute owned by an unknown entity for an unknown purpose. He really liked the benefits package however and the Detroit winters he could do without. He had told no one so far but remembered that progress was usually made by moving outside of one's comfort zone.
The interview was a two-day process, the first an interview with the principal followed by an air trip to northern Virginia to see the 'plant'.
What happened astonished him. He arrived at the address and was pretty sure he'd gotten it wrong until he re-read the letter and confirmed it. This was an enormous building with a sign that read "The Schuyler Museum". He'd never heard of it. On arrival he was greeted by a butler, no less, and escorted to the fourth floor. The place looked like a luxury hotel. He was introduced to one Joseph Schuyler and invited to have a seat.
"Would you care for water or tea, coffee?"
"Water please. Thank you very much."
A bottle of Fiji water and a glass on a tray were placed on a table at his side by a footman and he poured a glass.
Joseph looked at him and said, "You're probably wondering who the hell I am and what the hell this is all about. I left the descriptions purposely vague because we wanted to maintain privacy of our mission at first and avoid publicity that might hamper initial operations."
"We are well into establishing what I believe is the first Institute for the Study and Prevention of Homophobic Violence, an academic related study/think tank in northern Virginia."
"Our output should advance knowledge in the area and provide real data and concrete recommendations to law enforcement and Congress to make progress against homophobic violence."
He paused, a little puzzled by the broad smile on Jack's face.
"No shit? I mean, really?" I know you can't ask me, but I can tell you that if I'm hired I want to bring my partner down with me. I'm your guy if you have a job for him. Mark Roberson, he's an expert at IT, computer networking maintenance and trouble-shooting for a Fortune 500 company in Detroit."
"Welcome to the Club, Jack. You're hired if you like the contract." Joseph handed the contract to Jack, who read it carefully, page by page, took a pen out of his pocket and signed, followed by Joseph who signed it and handed it back to Jack to date. A notary was called in to notarize the document.
"That seemed easy, Jack. When can you start."
"I should give my organization six weeks-notice. I have a second-in-command that can immediately step into my shoes, however, and a good relationship with the board so if I ask for a shorter period, I can come soon. I will have to ask my partner how he's situated in that regard. I would like to move with him if possible. I hate being away from him for even two days"
"OK, let me know. We'll fly down to Virginia this afternoon if that suits."
"My time is open."
Joseph picked up the phone and spoke with the scheduling secretary. "Tell the pilots we're leaving at four for Dulles. We'll have 2 with an early dinner." He covered the mouthpiece and asked Jack if there was anything he was allergic to or wouldn't eat.
"Only asparagus."
Joseph spoke into the phone..."no asparagus. Call us when the limousine is ready. We need reservations at the Willard InterContinental tonight. Thank you."
"Are you hungry? Snacks. We'll have dinner on the plane at 4:15 or so."
"I'm good, thank you."
"Can you tell me more about the financing for the project."
"Yes, there's a billion-dollar fund here in Manhattan dedicated to the work and another billion or two can be added. We're going to throw money at this until we get it right. The capital stays in the fund. The dividends and growth go to pay the bills."
"Each billion with a return of 10% per year, sometimes more, sometimes less, should net one hundred million per year to pay the bills. The development of the Campus is nearly done and that was before any money from the fund was used."
"Oh." Jack was having trouble contemplating, trouble breathing easily, heart racing and realized that he would soon be hyperventilating if he didn't do something, so he put his hands over his mouth and nose and did a rebreathing technique which, after a few breaths, did the trick.
"We don't have a CFO yet...haven't had a chance to interview for one."
"Do you care if they are young or gay?"
"I just hired you."
"I know a genius, 37, a little on the shy side, a workaholic, who has a Masters (finance) from Wharton who has done very well until his boss wanted a job for his son recently."
"He worked for a large entertainment company in Hollywood until last month. His name is Connor Ruhl. I don't know if he's working yet or not?"
"Ask him to send a resume to the same headhunter you talked to and we'll talk to him first. That's your first task. Here, I'll drink to that with some Fiji water too." Joseph rang for the footman and amiably made conversation in the meanwhile.
"You are probably wondering why the Fiji water and not something cheaper like Dasani or Arrowhead Springs or Evian or other great waters of the world. The truth is that Fiji was my grandmother Blossom Jones' favorite water..."
"No, she couldn't have...I know Blossom Jones. My grandmother went to church with her in New York. Something about Africa, I think. Besides you're white and she's..." he stopped there, totally confused.
Joseph laughed. "Everybody gets that one wrong. My dad managed the Blossom Jones Fund for Africa for much of his lifetime. Blossom's son Marcus and his partner Michael adopted my dad and his twin brother, Eric who was the beneficiary of the Schuyler trust before me."
"You're the beneficiary of the Schuyler...am I supposed to remain calm, cool and collected now or anything?"
"Sure, I'm human."
"Not out there, you're not." Jack blushed. "I mean, you are, it's just that no one knows much about you or anything, just rumors of the money and art and stuff."
"Part of your new job is to make sure it stays that way. My personal life is mine, not anyone else's."
"Deal. I'm thinking that would be task one."
The phone rang, "The limousine is at the front door, Mr. Schuyler."
"Grab your bag and let's fly, Jack. Oh, by the way, I'm gay too. I've known for less than two weeks. I don't know where I've been all my life. I'm not partnered and not looking particularly. Those are facts my parents don't even know."
Joseph's bags were in the foyer being carried out to the limousine by footmen when they stepped out. Jack handed his bag to a footman who thanked him and opened the car door for both men.
At Teterboro, they boarded Raspberry and for the third time that day, Jack was astonished at how other people lived. They arrived after dinner at Dulles, a very short flight. The men transferred to a very large helicopter which landed within a few minutes at a private pad in the middle of nowhere.
Jack saw buildings, a runway, a very large hangar, trees, well-manicured lawns, and landscaping. There were no signs. Joseph and Jack walked toward the biggest building and took the elevator to the top floor. At the end of a hall they entered a large office suite, with a lot of natural light, skylights and dramatic lighting to highlight display shelves.
"This will be your office, said Joseph, "You have a private anteroom and a room outside of that where your secretary will 'live'. There's a work area with counters for projects here and overhead displays for your computer which is provided. In general, private computers should stay home for all employees, so you should set the example. If you need or want additional software, funds are available. You have a private bathroom and shower."
"The cafeteria is available or if you wish, meals will be served in this nook of your office from a computerized menu you can fill out each day for the next day or you can change it anytime for any meal. CEO perk. This is your conference room and the board room too."
"There's storage available in this room and another board/visitor bathroom also maintained by the maid staff here closer to the board room."
"If you need other features, we can re-model pretty easily, so just let the facilities manager know. You will hire that person and decide how the facilities crew is hired. The CFO and you will decide salary structures with board guidance. I get to decide the CFO hiring and salary and perks since I'm chairman of the board."
"We already have three civilian members of the board and a family person who is an unofficial advisor to me without authority to make decisions."
"Mateo is a gay painter who is my cousin by adoption and I'm including him to keep the family happy, more or less. He has some good instincts and won't interfere in your work. He isn't the commanding type and does not want a job here. He's a wealthy man in his own right."
"Mateo, my cousin, used to be in a relationship with one of the civilian members, Liam Markham, so we'll see how that goes, but I'm outing them to you for the good of the company, not just because I'm an insensitive asshole. Liam is in another throuple now with the other two civilian members, John Baylor and Mason Surrey."
Jack began to chuckle. "I know who Mateo Schuyler is. I didn't know he was related. My partner and I have one of his paintings hanging on our dining room wall. We bought it on our honeymoon in New York at a gallery. We love that picture."
After the tour, the helicopter took them to a heliport in Washington D.C., then they traveled in a limousine to the Willard, took separate suites, and gathered at 8 p.m. to talk in the lounge.
They discussed the job, Jack's expectations and his growing list of questions about management style, security, hiring, budget, connections with the university, lobbyist firm hiring, law enforcement organization contacts, library management, computer and IT issues, contact information and then, suddenly the topics ran out and they were both talked out.
"See you in the morning for breakfast. My plan was to return to New York at ten a.m. tomorrow. Why don't you just take Raspberry to Detroit from Teterboro and forget the commercial hassle unless you have other appointments first. Enjoy the service."
"You won't be flying commercial for the job so why not introduce yourself to the service now. It's included as part of your benefit package. The flight should take an hour and twenty minutes and there's no TSA or boarding process. You can show up 5 minutes before departure. It's very civilized."
"Thank you. That will get me home a good deal faster. I'll call my partner to pick me up then."
Jack's flight was smooth from TEB the next day; his partner was delighted to see him and astonished to hear that he had a job offer too.
They both had talked about a warmer winter climate someday and the more Jack and Matt thought about it the more excited they became.
A resume for Jack's partner was soon faxed to the headhunter agency for the IT position.
Jack followed up with an email to Joseph with his partner's name for Joseph to interview. Jack spoke to his board chair in Detroit who thanked him for the notice and told him to take his unused sick days and get started on his new job in a week.
"Your second can step into your shoes, thanks to you and we'll be fine, but we'll miss you. Your work here was the best thing that ever happened to us. Thank you for your service for the community."
Matt's situation was different. His boss was not amused and was cold about his leaving. Matt then realized how his corporation devalued people. "I guess as long as I'm contributing to their bottom line, they're friendly. The second I become a problem, I'm not their friend. How could I have been so stupid?"