Taking Texas By Storm
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 1

 The Hatchet Man

Author’s Note:  Since the is a sequel from a previous story, ‘Algeria Here I Come’, I’m going to introduce the main characters so that any new readers will understand what’s going on.

Me, I’m Ed Waller.  I work for the Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas.  I was sent to Algeria to see what was happening to the oil at a refinery in Oran.  It was there that I met my special partner, Brahim Safi and his brother Allie Safi.  (To be exact he’s Alexander Graham Bell Safi).  Anyway, I or, I should say we solved the problem and have received all sorts of accolades.  We are now back in Houston and everything is still moving as if we’re in the middle of a tornado.  I’m 32 years and I’ll probably never live to be 33 if people keep trying to knock me off.

Brahim Safi is 28 and has bewitching green eyes.   Brahim is going to be attending the University of Houston.  He has a beautiful baritone voice. 

Allie Safi is 10, going on fifty.  He calls me Dad.  I haven’t seen a thing that he doesn’t excel at.  He’s like a magnet and people respond to him.

We’re going to be buying the Daniels house after we make a trip to visit my parents this weekend, if everything works out.  You readers will be meeting the rest of the cast in the story as we move along.  So sit back and relax.

Brahim and I were awakened at six o’clock Friday morning by Allie, “Dad, you need to get up if you’re going to be ready when Mr. Gomez  comes to pick up you and Mr. Gump.  How are you feeling this morning?”

“Allie, my wound, (I was wounded in a drive by shooting at the company headquarters on Wednesday afternoon.), is starting to itch.”

Allie giggled, “That’s good.  That’s how my wound felt when I was wounded by gunfire and it started to get better.  Are you going to be able to drive to your parents’ house tonight when you get home?”

I hugged Allie, “Allie, I’m fine.  I could drive myself to work, but if Mr. Gomez and Mr. Gump don’t mind, we will be able to save time and money if we use the HOV lanes to get to the offices.”

Allie announced, “I’ll go start breakfast while you two get ready,  and then I get ready for school, since it only takes me five minutes to get there.”

The three of us were eating breakfast when the Daniels arrived. (The Daniels are the couple who we are buying the house from.  They are going to be retiring at the end of the academic year.  They had invited us to live with them until they could find a suitable place to live.)

Allie jumped up and bowed, “Please be seated, I’ll have your breakfast for you in a minute.”

Allie returned with two cups, “I believe the Madame likes tea in the morning, and the gentleman likes coffee black and strong to keep him from falling asleep as he’s driving to the university.”

He returned and put an omelet in front of each of them, “Now eat like all good grandparents do.”

Mrs. Daniels was laughing, “With this kind of service, we may never leave.  We'll stay here and mooch off of you.”

I chuckled, “Dr. and Dr. Daniels, I’m sure that once Allie gets involved in activities, it will be impossible to get Allie to do anything.  The three of us won’t be here for dinner tonight.  We’re going to leave to visit my parents as soon as we get home tonight.  We'll catch a bite to eat at burger place in Gonzales that the guys will enjoy.”

Mr. Daniels started to laugh, “Don’t tell me that you’re going to be taking the guys to Pepe’s Place.  They will probably be ill before you arrive at your parents’ place.  You may not be able to get in, since it’s Friday night.  They’re always so busy dishing out their dog meat sandwiches that people are standing outside waiting to get in so they  can get sick.”

Allie was laughing, “Grandpa Daniels, how do you know about Pepe’s if it’s so bad?”

“It’s a great place to go for leisurely lunch on Saturday.  You get to meet all sorts of people.  Make sure you put your money in your briefs before you go in, or you’ll be broke for sure.”

I was laughing, “Excuse me, people, but my ride is going to be here shortly.  I’ll see you this afternoon.”

As I was walking to the curb in front of the house, Greg Gump, who was going to be my assistant in charge of the Security and Transportation was approaching.  Juan Gomez, who was going to be the Assistant in the Housekeeping Department to Steve Carson was pulling up in his car.

As I climbed in, I explained, “Juan, I asked Greg to join us.  I hope you don’t mind.  We’ll be able to take advantage of the HOV lanes and save time and money.  We can take turns driving.”

Juan laughed, “I don’t mind at all.  It’s going to be so nice not to have to go to work at six o’clock in the morning.  My wife and sons just about kicked me out of the house this morning because I was disrupting their routine.  By the way, Manny wants to know if Allie can spend the night.”

I shook my head no, “Guys, we need to get away from the headquarters as quickly as possible, tonight.  The guys and I are going to be driving to my parents’ home tonight.”

When we went into the building, we were greeted by Ozzie.  (Oscar Thompson).  He didn’t realize how important he was going to be in my reorganization.”

He greeted us, “Good morning, boss, I’ll talk to you after the morning rush is over. Ms Miller has contacted some former employees who are going to be returning to work, now that you’ve gotten rid of Mr. Twist.  Since they have already had background investigations, it’s just a matter of getting them to complete the paperwork, so they can start to work immediately.”

I took Greg to Ms Miller who was behind the desk, “Myrabelle, this is Greg Gump.  He will be in charge of security.  It sounds as if you have everything under control.  Call Mr. Gump if you have any problems.  He's going to be my executive assistant.”

Ms. Miller laughed, “It sounds as if you’re dumping all the dirty work on him.  I’ve known Greg forever.  Have you met his two bratty sons and his wife?”

Greg snickered, “Look M.B., you better be nice to me, or I’ll tell your sister how mean you really are. Mr. Waller did meet Curt and Kim last night, so be careful what you say.  Mr. Waller, my wife and this broad are sisters.”

I guess I had a funny look on my face because Myrabelle informed me, “Mr. Waller, Greg’s father hated me for two reasons.  First, I was one of the few people who told him what a dumb ass he was.  I was so glad when you were able to see right through the bastard.  Second, he probably hated me more because I have lover who happens to be female, and no, she doesn’t work here at Shell.  She works for a competitor.”

“Myrabelle, why did you feel compelled to tell me that?  It’s none of my business.”

“Look, if you’re going to be friends with Greg and Kim, you were going to find out eventually, since we spend some time at their house.  We go there to get away from our postage stamp apartment at The Pines.”

Miss McIntyre from the Transportation department arrived.  She looked at me, “Good morning, Mr. Waller.  There are a lot of happy people around today, since Mr. Toner won’t be around to collect Job Protection Insurance today and it’s payday.”

I looked at Miss McIntyre, “Please call me when Mr. De Soto arrives.  I personally want to fire his ass.  By the way, this is the head of the Transportation Office, Mr. Gump.”

Miss McIntyre nodded, “It will probably be about noon when the Big D arrives, since it’s payday.  He always comes in late on paydays after Mr. Toner has had a chance to collect the insurance payments.”

“Please call my office when Mr. De Soto arrives.  We’re located in room 4903.  Give my receptionist Mrs. Grimes the message and she’ll be able to get in touch with me.”

Greg looked at me, “Ed, are you trying to get me killed?  De Soto is reportedly connected to the mafia.”

I looked at Greg, “I thought it was your family and friends who shot at me.  Are you saying that I’m going to be shot at again?  Greg, I apologize for that comment.  Let’s go see what’s happening in our office.  I’m supposed to meet with President Odom at eight o’clock.”

When we arrived in the office, Tammy had Joe and Grant playing interior decorators.  They were hanging pictures on the walls.  Tammy looked at me, “Marlene called and said that you were to go to the President’s office as soon as you arrived.”

I walked into the President’s office reception area, and Marlene pointed to the door of the President’s private office, “Mr. Odom is waiting for you, Mr. Waller.”

I went and knocked on the door even though it was open.  President Odom looked up, “I rather thought you might have been here earlier.”

I grinned, “I was, sir, but I was stuck on the first floor taking care of security and transportation business.”

President Odom laughed, “I know.  I arrived as you were talking to Myrabelle.  Might I ask why you chose to put two of the Gumps on your staff?”

I shrugged, “You can ask, but I might not tell.  Sir, Greg and Grant are both college graduates with very respectable resumes.  They have been very straight forward with me.  Greg, was fired from his last position for decking his boss for putting the make on Greg.  Grant is gay and his partner just happens to my administrative assistant, Joe Blank.  They have promised me that they will be able to keep their penises in their pants during business hours.”

President Odom must have heard some rumors or something.  “What exactly do you envision the two men’s responsibilities being?”

“Sir, I haven’t really had much time to think about what is going to happen.  I plan to have Greg be my right hand man or executive assistant.  I have already informed him that he will be responsible for managing the Security and Transportation Departments.  That’s just for starters.” 

“I plan to have Grant be the focal point for listening to employees’ complaints.  We need to have someone who people will not be intimidated by and will complain to without fear of reprisals.  He could prevent cases such as the scams we uncovered yesterday.”

President Odom looked at the clock and it was almost 8:30.  He pushed the intercom, “Marlene, would you check to see if Mr. Kravitz has arrived in the building?”

President Odom turned back to me, “Ed, what are you planning to do about the deplorable restroom conditions.”

I nodded, “Mr. Thompson, who has been working in Security, has a degree in Hotel Management.  As soon as he can bust away from the security department, today, I plan to put him in charge of the cleanliness of the building and the food facilities.  The two people in housekeeping are going to have their hands full taking care of the work orders with half the previous manning.”

The intercom came on, “President Odom, Mr. Kravitz has not arrived yet.”

President Odom took a deep breath, “Ed, I want a time clock installed so all, and I repeat all employees, are required to punch in and out.  I think we’ll probably be reducing our staff and salaries significantly.  Be back here at ten for a staff meeting, unless Marlene calls you before then.”

When I returned to my office, Ozzie was sitting there.  He looked at me, “Okay, boss, what’s my job going to be?”

I looked at him, “I hope you brought some other clothes.  Why don’t you change out of the uniform?”

“I’m not changing in a bathroom around here.  They’re filthy.  I bring my own sanitizing sheets with me every day.”

“Go into my office and change while I talk to the rest of the staff.  I promise we won’t try to check to see if you’re wearing dirty underwear.”

Oz turned around and stuck out his tongue. “I don’t wear underwear.  I can’t afford it on the money I make.  By the way, how much am I going to be paid for whatever it is that I’m going to be doing?”

I was liking this guy more and more, “We’ll discuss that when we see what you look like when you’re dressed.  Maybe we should come and check you without any clothes on.”

“In your dreams, Super Shellman.”

“Oz, your dossier says that you have a degree in hotel administration,  Is that correct?”

“Yes.  I suppose the next question is why am I not working in that field, and the answer is because there aren’t any good paying jobs available in the area right now, especially for a man of color, and I can’t afford to move.”

I shifted the conversation to an entirely different subject.  “Oz, you’re dossier didn’t reflect that you were married, would you be amenable to working on weekends if you had to?”

“I’m not married.  I’m free to do whatever, if the price is right?”

Tammy started to laugh, “I’ll pay you twenty dollars to take me to dinner.”

Joe, Gregg and Grant were standing there laughing, Oz didn’t skip a beat, “Mrs. Grimes, let me see if I understood what you said.  Did you say you were going to pay me twenty dollars if I let you take me out to dinner.”

I stopped the frivolity, “Oz, go change.  Tammy, see if you can get in touch with Steve Carson or Juan Gomez in housekeeping.  Greg, go check with Ms Miller if she needs help, and then stop by Human Resources to see if there is anyone who you could put in charge of the Transportation Department to handle the day to day business.  Are you going to be able work with Myrabelle?”

Greg shook his head yes, “MB is probably the perfect person to manage the security department.  She’s like a mother hen.”

Tammy handed me the phone. “Juan is on the line.”

“Juan, President Odom wants a time clock or something installed so the times that every employee enters and exits the building are recorded.  See if you and Steve can come up with something.  I’ll have Joe come talk to you and Steve.”

Tammy answered the phone, “Okay, Marlene, I’ll send him with his diaper bag.  Mr. Waller,  the President demands that you get your body into his office immediately.”

I walked out of the office and Mr. Odom met me, “Myrabelle just called and Kravitz finally got here.  I want to be in his office when he arrives.”

Mr. Odom was sitting at Mr. Kravitz’s desk when he arrived, “How nice of you to finally come to work, Art?  I guess the legal department doesn’t do anything before nine thirty.”

The man was taken aback by the presence of Mr. Odom at his desk.  He took a deep breath, “I was taking some compensatory time off for working overtime yesterday.”

Mr. Odom was so calm, “Look, Mr. Kravitz, I have it on good word that you spent the afternoon playing golf and then had a business soiree with members of your staff.  I came to talk to you yesterday afternoon, and there was no one here except a temporary receptionist to take any calls.  I hope you enjoyed your usual Thursday golf outing, because that is the last one you will be taking on company time.  I trust you and your partner had fun at your business meeting last evening.”

President Odom stood, “Come on Ed, I need to go get ready for the staff meeting.  See you at ten, Art.”

As we were going to the elevators, Mr. Odom, looked at me, “Ed, I apologize for making you the hatchet guy, but there seems to be something in the water around here and these people think they can rest on their past laurels and that’s going to change.”

When I walked into the office, Ozzie was sitting there.  He was very impressive.  He was dressed impeccably with blazer and a tie.  I walked up to him, “Excuse me, sir.  I don’t think I know you.  How can I help you.”

He glared at me, “Look boss, would you tell me what you want me to do.  It’s boring sitting around on my ass waiting to find out what you want me to do.”

“Okay, you’re in charge the cleanliness of the building and the food service department.  The first thing that you need to do is to find some temporary help.  I suggest that you take Grant and Joe and find some people who would be willing to make a few bucks over the weekend while you and whoever you can find would be willing to supervise them as they clean the bathrooms and hallways.  We’ll worry about the food department later.

I should have anticipated the next question, but I hadn’t, “What are these people going to be paid, if I can find any who would even be interested in endangering their health in the filthy bathrooms?”

I thought for a minute, “I’ll make this a one time shot.  If you can get the sanitary conditions of this facility back to an acceptable level over the weekend, we’ll pay the people $10.00 an hour.”

Tammy spoke up, “Does that mean I would be paid ten bucks an hour for supervising people in addition to the measly pay that I’m now receiving?”

“Yep, but whose going to take care of your sons?”

“I take the late shift after I put the boys to bed.”

Grant giggled, “So, you’re saying that me and Joe would get to boss around any hot studs we find if would be willing to work as supervisors?”

Oz smirked, “Only if you can keep your dicks in your pants.”

Joe nodded, “Count us in, when do we start?”

Oz grinned, “Let’s go to the University of Houston and get started on the recruiting.  I‘m sure that we‘ll find enough people to meet our needs.  We‘ll start the cleansing process tomorrow morning at eight.”

Tammy grinned.  “I’ll check with some of my acquaintances who work here  and see if I can find some people who are interested in making a few bucks.”

I stood, “Excuse me, but I need to go to the staff meeting.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: Well, my goodness, that was quite a good start on this new story.  I recommend that if you haven't already read Algeria Here I come, that you do so.  You haven't had a chance to see Allie at his best as yet, in this story, but I am sure there will be great things from him in the next and future chapters of this story,  He also really shines in the previous story.

Ed is going to really clean up things around the Shell Oil plant.  He won't stand for any slackers pulling in money without pulling their weight.

I am certainly ready for the next chapter.

Darryl The Radio Rancher

Posted: 10/30/09