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

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Chapter 2

 I’m Totally Lost

At the staff meeting, I was surprised to find my name tag next to President Odom’s.  He started the meeting and the first thing that he announced was that I was in charge of security, transportation and housekeeping.  His next statement made everyone’s ears perk, “He is also going to be the person that makes sure that everyone who works here does a full week’s worth of work to earn their pay.”  He added, “That includes all of you.  There will be no more overtime pay.”

A gentlemen spoke up, “That doesn’t seem fair.  If we have to work overtime, why shouldn’t we get paid?”

President Odom pointed to me.  I stood, “From what I have observed in the few days since I’ve been back from Algeria, most of the people around here are moving about as fast as a snail.

I wasn’t done, “Starting next week, my assistants and I will be doing a time study of each of your departments and making recommendations on your manning.  I’m positive that if a number of women and gentlemen from one office can spend several hours in the cafeteria, which is closed until further notice, by the way, there are other departments that are overmanned, as well.”

President Odom looked at me, “Well stated Mr. Waller.  I have instructed Mr. Waller and his people to install a system that will keep a record of when people enter and exit the building.”

A lady asked, “Does that include when people leave the building for lunch?”

“Ms Kerschner, it includes every time you enter or exit the building.”

An older gentlemen shook his head, “President Odom, there are going to be long lines in the morning waiting to get in, between seven thirty and eight o’clock and at quitting time.”

“Mr. Masters, if that were to happen, then it would seem that perhaps offices might stagger the hours that people work.  I’m sure that Mr. Waller and his people will expedite the process so there are minimum delays.  After what I have witnessed the past two days, there is no doubt in my mind that it is necessary to do this, unfortunately.”

President Odom stopped any more discussion of the time clocks, “Now let’s get on to the business on the agenda.”

When the meeting was over, at noon, Mr. Odom motioned for me to go to his office with him, “Shut the door, Ed.”

“Ed, sit down.  I apologize for putting you on the hot seat.  I didn’t expect the resistance that we had today.  I am appalled that someone hadn’t caught on before now to what was happening.”

“President Odom, I have broad shoulders.  I’m sure that I’m going to have some detractors, but I’m also sure that we have already made some friends by the actions that we have already taken.  It will be interesting to see what the response is when people come to work on Monday and find that the restroom facilities and public areas have been cleaned.”

“President Odom, I made an arbitrary decision to have Mr. Thompson go to the University of Houston to recruit some temporary workers to clean the bathrooms this weekend.  I made the decision that we would pay them $10.00 a hour for putting their lives in jeopardy in the filthy bathrooms.  I know that you said there would be no more overtime; but in this case, we will need some of Shell staff here to supervise the temporary help, so I think that they should also be paid $10.00 a hour as well.”

Mr. Odom nodded, “Ed, I have no problem with that.  Technically it isn’t overtime, since they would be performing a task that they are not responsible for doing.”

“Sir, how much authority do I have to set the salaries for the people who will be working for me?”

“Ed, this could get a little dicey if it’s not handled properly.  Let me have Marlene contact the heads of the Human Resources and Financial Affairs and we’ll meet with them at two o’clock here in my office.  In the meantime, make a list of what you think the people should be paid and meet me here at 1:30 so I can review your suggestions  You might include a brief job description for each of the positions.”

“Thank you, sir, I'll go do that now.”

Mr. Odom laughed, “Don’t make them too detailed.  Ask Marlene to step in here, please.”

When I arrived at the office, Tammy looked up, “It’s so nice that you could join us, Mr. Waller.  Are you going to spend all of your time in the president’s office? People are going to wonder what’s going on between the two of you.”

Tammy followed me into my office. “Oz wants to talk to you.  He would like for you to call him on his cell phone, here’s the number.”

I called the number and was almost ready to hang up when Oz answered, “Oz here, I’ll be with you in just a minute.”

I heard talking, “Excuse me a second, the boss is on the phone, I need to ask him some questions.”

“Mr. Waller, how many people can we hire?  You can not believe how many students are looking for work.  Is there any possibility that these could turn into more than temporary positions?”

“Oz, I would say that you can hire as many as you have supervisors to monitor them.  I’ve cleared it with President Odom and the supervisors would be paid $10.00 an hour, in addition to their regular salaries for this one time shot.  As far as the jobs turning into full time positions, that would be up to you and the people in Human Resources.  What type of paperwork are you having the people who are applying complete?”

“Ed, I stopped in Human Resources and picked a hundred copies of the standard forms that they have people fill out when they apply for jobs.  Let me talk to Tammy, please.”

I handed the phone to Tammy. 

“Oz, what do you need? … Okay, I can do that.  I’ll check with the others and call you back. … Okay, I’ll check with Steve and see what supplies are available.  Is there anything else your majesty? … See you about four.”

Tammy handed me two more messages, “Greg wants to talk to you and so does Steve Carson.  I’ll call and tell them that you’re available.  Do you want me to go grab a sandwich or something for you?”

“Tammy, that would be great, I’d like a tall unsweetened ice tea, too.  Here, take this twenty and get yourself something as well.  I have to do something before I need to be in the president’s office at one thirty.  Does the computer in here work?”

Tammy laughed, “How would I know?  This is your office.  Do you need me to turn it on for you?”

I was typing when Greg Gump arrived.  He knocked, “Ed, do you have a minute.”

“Of course, Greg.  Is there a problem?”

“Yes and no.  Ed, do you realize what all is involved in the Transportation Division.  It’s not only the limos and the chauffeurs but the mechanics who maintain the limos and the cars of the executives.  Quite frankly, I’m surprised that you haven’t been authorized a company car or something  The division is also responsible for making the travel arrangements for people who travel, as well as making sure the travelers have all the proper documentation.  I searched the files and there is no one in the division who is equipped to handle the division.”

“I talked to Myrabelle and she thinks it would be advisable if I were to be located in the proximity to the Security Desk with everything that is going on since I’m technically in charge of security.  I think I should take on the position of Transportation/Security until we can find someone to take the position.  You can always boot Joe up a notch and Grant will make him pay, after hours, for being so bossy.”

There was a knock on the door, I looked up and Steve was standing there, “Do you have a minute, Ed?”

“Of course, Steve.  Come in and grab a chair.  Tammy said you wanted to talk to me.”

Steve sighed as he sat down, “Ed, I found the equipment that we need to do what President Odom wants.  It’s not cheap.  It’s equipment like they use on cruise ships to make sure that everyone is accounted for.  I talked to Myrabelle in security and she recommends that we have four machines in operation during peak hours.  I can have them delivered and installed tomorrow morning, so we can start ‘Operation Log In’ on Monday morning.”

“Do it.  President Odom announced at the staff meeting today that was what was going to happen.”

“Ed, I’m concerned about what the relationship between Oz and me is going to be.  Aren’t we going to be duplicating work.”

I shook my head no, “Steve, I technically am in charge of the Housekeeping Department.  I can assure you that there will not a problem with any duplication of effort.  Oz is going to be the Food and Cleanliness Manager, and you are going to be in charge of Facilities Maintenance.  The two of you will need to work closely to coordinate your efforts.” 

I looked at the two guys, “I need to finish something before I meet with President Odom at 1:30.  Be here at 4:00 o’clock with Juan and Myrabelle for a staff meeting.”

I finished the job descriptions and put a suggested salary next to them.  I looked at Tammy, “I need to go to the bathroom, but I’m almost afraid to go for fear I’ll get some dreaded disease.”

Tammy chuckled, “That’s why I was so glad that you had me go get you a sandwich and some tea.  I could go to the bathroom in a clean facility.  Here, take some of the antibacterial wipes with you.”

I went to meet with President Odom, again.  Marlene asked, “Mr. Waller, why don’t you move your desk in here?  It would save you a few steps.  President Odom is expecting you.”

I knocked and President Odom motioned for me to enter.  He was talking on the phone, “Thank you, Miss McIntyre, Mr. Waller just now arrived in my office.  Please have Mr. De Soto come to my office and notify security that we need them to send some people to escort Mr. De Soto from the premises.”

Ed please ask Marlene to escort Mr. De Soto in and stay to take notes of the meeting.  I wish that Vivian and Dwight were here to witness what’s about to happen.”

Marlene stuck her head in, “President Odom, Ms. Lawrence and Mr. Taylor are here.  Would you like me to have them wait until after Mr. De Soto leaves?”

“Please show them in, Marlene.  They need to witness what is going to happen.”

I stood as the two visitors entered, “I had met Ms. Lawrence from the Human Resources Department but I had never met Mr. Taylor even though I had seen him.  I shook Ms. Lawrence’s hand.  “It's nice to see you again, ma’am.”

I went to the other gentleman and shook his hand, “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of officially meeting you, Mr. Taylor; I’m Ed Waller.”

President Odom looked up from the papers I had handed him, “I’m sorry, I thought the two of you had met each other.”

Marlene came in with a gentlemen wearing a hat, and I decided that Greg was right, in that Mr. De Soto was a member of the mafia.  He started bellowing, “Why the hell was I locked out of my office, and where is Toner?  He owes me some money.”

President Odom stood, “Mr. De Soto, you were locked out of your office because you no longer work for Shell Oil.  We know that you have been running an extortion ring making people in the Transportation Department pay a job protection insurance payment each payday for at least the last three years.”

“That's a lie.  You have no proof.”

“Oh, but we do.  Mr. Toner spilled his guts when we confronted him before he was fired.  Please hand Mr. Waller your security badge so that you can no longer get back into the facility.  We have taken your records from your office and will be filing charges against you on Monday.”

As I approached the man to get his security badge, he wheeled around, “So, you’re the rat whose causing all the trouble.  It’s too bad the Gumps missed you.  I can assure you that someone is going to be taking you out.  You’ve caused a lot of lives to be ruined.”

He went to take a swing at me, but I ducked and hit him where it hurt most.  Of course I probably bruised my hand, but it did the job.  The man was definitely in pain as the two security guards led him away.

Marlene was laughing, “Mr. Waller, remind not to make you angry.  President Odom, do you need me anymore?”

“Marlene, please make five copies of these pages for us and bring them in.”

President Odom handed Marlene the pages that I had given him.  He turned to Ms Lawrence and Mr. Taylor, “I would like the two of you to get together and prepare a statement of the money that Mr. Waller has saved with all of the firings that have taken place in the past week, so that I can show the Board of Directors that we are trying to cut costs.”

Mr. Taylor nodded, “President Odom, I already have my people working on such a report.”

Ms. Lawrence asked, “Should we be looking to be filling the vacancies that have occurred?”

I spoke, “President Odom, I have the feeling that there have been layers of levels building a name for themselves and adding to the bureaucracy.  I would suggest that we take time to evaluate how the departure of the people, who have been relieved from duty, impact on the company’s operations.”

President Odom nodded, “Ed, I agree with you.  Viv and Dwight, let’s not hire any new people until we can evaluate the damage of what has been caused by this young hot head.  He has taken people from within the company to try to solve the problems.  I think that after Monday there will be some more people leaving.  In the meantime, Dwight, I want you to adjust the following people's salaries starting on Monday.”

President Odom handed us each a copy of the notes that I had made.  I figured that he was just telling Ms. Lawrence and Mr. Taylor what the job descriptions were to be and the amount each of my people were going to be paid.  I stood and shook hands with Ms Lawrence and Mr. Taylor, “President Odom, I have scheduled a staff meeting for four o’clock.  I need to go.”

As I was walking out, I was joined by Ms. Lawrence.  “Ed, I assume you realize that Joe and Grant are more than just acquaintances.  Isn’t it going to be difficult to keep them apart while they are here at work?”

I looked at Ms. Lawrence, “Ma’am, why are you so interested in what is transpiring between Joe and Grant?  They have assured me that they can keep their hormones under control while they are here at work.  Until they give me reason to believe otherwise, there should not be a problem, since they already told me about their relationship.”

She wasn’t done, “I’m guessing that with the money they are going to be making, they will be moving out.  Maybe my husband and I can finally get a good night’s sleep.”

“Mrs. Lawrence, I’m totally lost by this conversation.  Do you mean that Joe and Grant have been living at your home?”

“Joe is our foster son,  he came to us when he was sixteen.  He had been severely abused by his father, not sexually, but he was at the point where he was about to lose control.  Thank goodness for our other foster son, who you also know, was able to get Joe back on the right track.”

“Joe met Grant in college and after Grant’s father found out that Grant was gay, he moved in with us after his father threw him out of the house.  Fortunately, Dan had connected with Mike and they found a house.  They were a little miffed when you decided not to move in with them.  They have fallen in love with Allie.”

“Mrs. Lawrence, I’m totally lost.  I have no idea what or whom you’re talking about.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Joe, “Hi Mom, thanks for bringing the boss home.  We’ll talk to you tonight.  Grant and I’ll fix dinner.  Mr. Waller, everyone is assembled for the meeting.

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: One thing for sure, when it comes to stories by E Walk, there are going to be a lot of people who are related to other people we have met.  Of course, that is just one more interesting thing which I really like about E Walk's stories.  This story, and its original predecessor have become one of my all time favourites.

There is always new interesting problems to be faced, and lots of novel ways of looking at problems.  Of course it goes without saying that I love Allie.

I am ready for the next chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 11/13/09