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“It’s all about me!” shouted Milton to the rental car clerk. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about who else has a car reserved! You are to worry about me, nobody else. I am the only thing you are to concentrate on. I am the only thing that matters in your life. So, what are you going to do for me?”
“I’m sorry sir, I am doing the best I can,” replied a tearful clerk.
“Well, it’s quite evident, your best is doing nothing for me,” shot back Milton. “If you are incapable of taking care of my needs, then get someone out here who can.”
The battered clerk returned shortly with the manager.
“Sir, I understand we have a problem,” said the manager.
“I have no problem,” replied Milton. “Your clerk refuses to take care of me.”
“Sir, she is not refusing, . . .”
“Do I have a car?” interrupted Milton. “I don’t see any keys in my hand. Do I have a car? It’s a simple question. Yes or no.”
“You see, we do have one car left, but, . . .”
“Then, I will take that one,” commanded Milton.
“Sir, that vehicle is reserved,” explained the manager.
“Reserved?” shot back Milton. “Are they here? I don’t see anyone else here. Am I missing them? Have I gone blind?”
“It is reserved for a family that is flying in within the hour,” the manager said.
“Here I am ready to give you my money,” replied Milton. “I want that car and I want it now! A halfway intelligent person could figure something out for that family. It is your job to take care of me. I want that car now!”
“Give him the car,” surrendered the manager.
“But what about, . . .”
“We’ll figure something out when they get here,” replied the manager.
The rental clerk took Milton’s credit card and completed the rental contract. She handed the keys to Milton and he turned to leave.
“I’m sorry I’m late, sir,” said a familiar voice.
“Where have you been?” asked Milton.
“The traffic was terrible,” replied James.
“Your traffic problems are doing nothing for me,” said Milton. “I rented a car, since I didn’t know when you would get here. Your actions are disrupting my schedule.”
“I am sorry, sir,” apologized James. “I will do my best to get us to the office as quickly as possible.”
Milton threw the car keys back on the rental clerk’s desk.
“I don’t need the car,” said Milton. “Since I didn’t rent it, I don’t want to see a charge on my card.”
James directed Milton to his car and they drove away from the airport.
“Will you need me to take you home this evening?” asked James.
“No, Carol will pick me up,” replied Milton.
“The missus is out of town?” inquired James.
“I’ve had a long week. I don’t feel like chit-chat,” said Milton. “Just turn the radio on and let me relax. Try to find some good music, not that crap you usually listen to.”
Only the sound from the radio broke the silence as they drove to the office. About three blocks from the office Milton spoke.
“Pull over and let me out.”
“Here, sir?”
“Yeah. I’ve been cooped up so much I want to walk a few blocks,” explained Milton.
James pulled the car to the curb and Milton got out.
“Don’t dilly-dally,” ordered Milton. “I’ve some important things to go over with you. I need you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Milton took in a few deep breaths as he starting walking toward his office. It was a pleasant afternoon and the sidewalk was full of life. Milton had not walked very far when a slovenly dressed man approached him.
“Excuse me sir, could you spare some change?” asked the man.
“Why should I give you any of my money?” shot back Milton.
“I just want to get a bite to eat, sir,” replied the man.
“Well, why don’t you get a job and earn some money like I do?” snorted Milton.
“I would sir, but I haven’t been able to. Are you hiring at your job?” inquired the man.
“Here’s my card. Look me up sometime. I’ll see if I’ve got anything,” said Milton as he was handing the man his business card.
“Thank you sir. Thank you very much,” said the man.
Milton continued walking toward his office. About halfway into the next block he noticed a police officer. He approached the officer.
“Hey, there’s a bum back there that tried to steal money from me,” Milton said. “Here’s my card if you want me to press charges.”
Milton walked into the building and rode the elevator up to his executive office. He opened the office door and was greeted by Dot and Millie.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
“Welcome back, sir.”
“I need some coffee,” said Milton. “Bring it to my office.”
In a few moments Dot entered Milton’s office carrying a cup of coffee. Milton took a sip and immediately spit it into the wastebasket.
“God Almighty, Dot!” Milton cried. “That tastes like crap!”
“Sorry sir,” apologized Dot. “That old coffee machine has seen its better days. Would you mind if we bought another one?”
“Sure, go ahead,” replied Milton. “You, James, and Millie take up a collection between you three and get one. And don’t buy some cheap brand. I like good coffee.”
“Would you like to contribute any toward the purchase?” asked Dot.
“Get me Byron on the phone,” said Milton, as he ignored Dot’s question. “I need to talk to him.”
“Yes sir.”
In a few minutes Millie informed Milton that she had Byron on line one.
“Byron.”
“Hello, sir. Welcome back to the good old USA,” replied Byron.
“I need you to take care of something for me,” said Milton. “Expenses at your plant are unacceptable. As I see the figures, I want you to get rid of twenty-five people.”
“Twenty-five, sir?”
“I want this done today,” replied Milton. “I want you to take a close look at their work records and get rid of those that you can fight against them drawing unemployment. I’m don’t want my insurance to go up.”
“Sir, I don’t believe this is totally necessary,” objected Byron. “There are better ways. . . .”
“I didn’t ask for your beliefs,” interrupted Milton. “I want this done and I want it done today.”
“Yes sir. But your father would, . . .”
“This is not about my father! This is about me,” snorted Milton. “I am not running a welfare state here. I’m not running a popularity contest. This is a business. This is my business! Can you do this for me, or do I have to come out there and do it myself?”
“I’ll do it sir.”
“Oh yeah, before I forget, you’ve got an employee by the name of, hmm, let’s see, Joel Baines,” said Milton.
“Yes sir.”
“I want him to be one of the twenty-five,” ordered Milton.
“Sir, he’s been with the company almost since the day your father started it,” objected Byron.
“The last time I was at your plant, he questioned me in front of your people about the cost of his health insurance,” revealed Milton. “I don’t need that. I want to hear from you in the morning that this has been done.”
“Yes sir.”
Dot came into Milton’s office and said, “Michael is holding for you.”
“This is Milton.”
“Welcome back, big brother,” said the voice from the other end of the phone. “How was Argentina?”
“I think my presence was enough to close the deal,” replied a confidant Milton.
“Well, we’ve got a problem,” interjected Michael. “The banks here are starting to get worried about Argentina’s economy.”
“So?”
“I’m not sure we’re going to get the start-up cash,” explained Michael.
“My God, Michael. Do I have to do everything to get anything done in this company?” an exasperated Milton said.
“Oh, sure, you do it all big brother,” shot back Michael. “You’re so involved that you moved your ‘executive’ office to the high rise. I’m the one here at the ‘real’ working office.”
“You don’t need to get snippy,” replied Milton. “I don’t need an attitude.”
“Well, you just remember,” retorted Michael. “While you’re up there in your surreal office, I’m down here in the trenches working with the people who really make this company.”
There was silence as the two brothers collected their thoughts.
Milton broke the silence, “I talked to Byron. He’s going to let twenty-five people go.”
“Why”
“His expenses are way too high,” explained Milton.
“I’ve looked at the figures,” objected Michael. “The heavy expenses are short term. The plant will turn around. It just needs a few months.”
“A few months?” laughed Milton. “Do you need a refresher course in ‘Market 101’? The only way to keep the stock high is to cut expenses.”
“The stock market isn’t the only thing that matters,” interjected Michael. “You know Dad wouldn’t ever have done anything like that.”
“I don’t see it that way,” objected Milton. “I know where the money is.”
“Speaking of ‘where the money is,’” said Michael. “If you know where it is then maybe you could explain it to Peter. He and his accountants are having a hard time reconciling everything.”
“I don’t need that worry, Michael,” stated Milton.
“I guess not,” replied Michael. “Especially when you’re too busy spending it.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Look around you,” explained Michael. “Look at all the money you spent furnishing your ‘little kingdom’ there. With what you spent on that office and the rent you pay, we could have taken that money and given it to Byron so he could keep his workers.”
“I deserve this. I need this,” objected Milton. “I’m the one that makes this company work!”
“Yeah? Sometimes I think you make it work for you,” shot back Michael. “How much are you spending on the ‘girls’? I can’t wait to see your expenses for this last trip. Those Argentina girls don’t come cheap, do they?”
“You’re getting obnoxious,” replied Milton.
“Yeah, and that whore you’ve got now. . . .”
“Don’t call Carol that,” ordered Milton.
“Oh, that’s her name,” said Michael. “I wondered what the ‘flavor of the month’ was called. How much have you spent on her?”
“Her and I have needs,” said Milton.
“Well, you’d better watch those needs,” replied Michael. “If Peter and his group find some of those hidden items, that you don’t think I know about, your desk is going to be out on some street corner.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why Molly puts up with your ways, I’ll never understand,” mused Michael. “You’ve got a good woman there at home and still you can’t keep your pants zipped when you see some young thing.”
“Have you got anything productive to say?” asked Milton. “I’ve got work to do.”
“Just watch yourself, big brother. Just watch yourself.”
After hanging up the phone, Milton called for James to come into his office.
“Yes sir?”
“I want you and Millie to start searching for a new accounting firm,” ordered Milton.
“You’re going to replace Peter?” asked James.
“Yes, that is my decision,” replied Milton. “You two search and find one who charges less. And James, I don’t want this to get out. I want this kept in this office.”
“Yes sir,” said James. “Is there anything else?”
“Have Millie send out a company-wide memo encouraging everyone to purchase more stock in this company,” ordered Milton. “It’s a good buy and it’s good for the company.”
“Yes sir.”
“Tell her to build it up and make it a very appealing offer,” continued Milton.
“Yes sir. Anything else?” asked James.
“Yes, tell Dot to get Sid for me.”
“This is Milton.”
“Hello, Milton, this is Sid,” came the voice from the other end. “What can I do for you?”
“I want to liquidate some of my stock,” replied Milton.
“Sure, which ones?”
“Most of the company stock that I have,” said Milton.
“Your company stock?” said a surprised Sid. “I don’t understand.”
“The only thing you have to understand,” replied Milton. “Is that this is what I want done.”
“Well, sure, but it’s not that easy,” explained Sid. “To sell the amount of stock you have, not to mention the possibility of the SEC becoming interested in your insider trading, is going to take some work.”
“Well, you take care of it for me,” said Milton. “I want you to keep the SEC out of it. Do it quietly. Do it quickly.”
“I’ll do my best,” replied Sid.
“I’m counting on you, Sid,” said Milton. “Don’t let me down.”
Dot came into Milton’s office.
“Excuse me, sir. Molly is on line three.”
“Dot, I’m coming in early tomorrow,” stated Milton. “I want everyone here when I arrive.”
“Yes sir.”
“This is Milton.”
“You can’t call your wife when you get back into town?” came the irritated voice from the other end of the phone.
“I haven’t had time,” replied Milton. “I have a business to take care of.”
“Yeah, well now I know who you’re married to,” said Molly.
“Is there anything you really want besides an argument?” asked Milton.
“I just called to let you know I’m going to spend a few days at my parents,” explained Molly.
“Well, I wasn’t going to be home tonight anyway,” replied Milton.
“Yeah? What’s the bitch’s name this time?” asked Molly.
“I don’t have time for this,” said Milton.
“Well, have you got time to think about a divorce?” asked Molly.
“Why are you talking that foolishness again?”
“I’m tired. I’m really tired,” sighed Molly. “I want a normal life. I don’t think you do.”
“I don’t think you’re ready to give all this up,” replied Milton. “Remember the prenuptial agreement.”
“Ah, screw that, and screw you too, mister,” shouted Molly. “I’m to the point where I’d rather be hungry and in rags than keep putting up with your crap.”
“I can tell you’ve been drinking again,” replied Milton.
“Well, I might as well,” retorted Molly. “It’s the only thing in this marriage that makes me feel warm.”
“Spend some time at your parents house,” suggested Milton. “Take all the time you want. I’ll call you next week.”
Dot came into the office.
“Excuse me, sir. Your mother is on line one and Carol is on line two.”
“I want you to find me a family type lawyer and get an appointment for me,” ordered Milton. “I’ll take Carol’s call.”
“Yes, sir. Uh, your mother seems very upset,” replied Dot.
“What about?”
“I don’t know exactly, but she did mention someone named Joel Baines,” explained Dot. “She said he was an old friend of your late father’s.”
“Tell my mother I’ll call her later.”
“Yes sir.”
“This is Milton.”
“Hi, cupcakes,” came the sweet voice from the other end of the phone.
“Where are you at?” asked Milton.
“I’m down in the street, waiting on you,” replied Carol. “I’m getting hot down here.”
“We’ll have to do something about that,” laughed Milton. “Where have you been?”
“Out shopping,” said Carol. “Wait until you see the diamond necklace you bought me.”
“What did you get for me?” asked Milton.
“Something special,” teased Carol. “You’ll love it tonight.”
“I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
The next morning Milton arrived at his office early.
“Good morning, sir,” said James, Dot, and Millie.
“Have you got the Argentina contract?” Milton asked Millie.
“I’m sorry. I just got here. . . “
“Do you have the Argentina contract?” interrupted Milton. “It’s a simple question. Yes or no.”
“I am getting it, sir,” Millie said as she fought back tears.
“Dot, did you buy a new coffee maker?” asked Milton.
“Yes sir.”
“Bring me a cup,” ordered Milton. “I’ll be in my office waiting on my contract.”
“Yes sir.”
Shortly, James came into Milton’s office and handed him a cup of coffee.
“Millie just sent the Argentina contract to your desktop,” informed James.
“James, I want you to start thinking about replacing Millie,” said Milton.
“Sir, she’s having it tough right now,” explained James. “Her mother is seriously ill.”
“I have a business to run. My business,” retorted Milton. “Everything depends on me. It is all about me.”
“Yes sir. I’ll leave you to study the contract,” replied James.
“James, don’t let your loyalty to Millie cost you your job,” said Milton. “Be loyal to me.”
“Yes sir.”
Milton was deep into studying the Argentina contract when James came back into his office.
“Sir, I wanted to let you know, that Millie had to go home,” interrupted James.
“For Christ’s sake, what for?” Milton blurted out. “I’ve got a business to run here.”
“Uh, she got word that her mother just passed away,” James replied.
“Well, am I supposed to do something or what?” asked Milton.
“No sir. But Dot and I would like to take off and go see her and make sure she is all right,” said James.
“You two are going to leave me here at the office all by myself?” Milton said.
“I have forward the phones so that they’ll ring on my cell phone,” James replied. “That way you will not be bothered. In fact, it will give you the chance to think and possibly reach a decision about the new contract.”
“How long are you two going to be gone?” asked Milton. “This is a business, you know. I don’t have to remind you whose name is on this business. This is about me.”
“Yes sir. We’ll be back in under two hours,” replied James. “We want to stop and order a floral arrangement.”
“Am I going to pay for that?” asked Milton.
“We thought it should come out of company funds,” James said. “Then your name will be on it too. That would be a nice touch.”
“Well, don’t overspend,” ordered Milton. “You know, not everyone who dies is a saint.”
“Yes, sir.”
Milton swung his chair around to look out his office window. He loved the view of the blue sky of Manhattan, especially since he had the office moved to the upper floors of the North Tower. Rubbing his eyes, he turned his chair back to his desk.
“I’ve been on the road so much lately, I don’t even know what day of the week it is,” he said.
James replied, “It’s Tuesday, September 11th.”
“It’s hard to believe that it’s already September,” mused Milton. “The year 2001 is just going by too fast.”
He looked at his watch. It read 8:05 a.m.
“You two go on and hurry back,” he ordered. “I don’t have all day.”
THE END
Copyright ©2003 by Jerry W. Crews
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