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 20 

What Do We Do Next?

I was awakened on Wednesday morning by a strange sensation, I had the feeling that my penis was in a vacuum cleaner because the suction was making my body spasm.  It didn’t take long me to lose control and I flooded the vacuum cleaner.

Brahim finally pulled away and looked at me, “I was just replenishing my supply of honey.”

When we went to take a shower, it was obvious that Allie was already up because his towels were wet and there were beads of water still on the wall and mirrors were fogged over.

When we arrived in the kitchen, the coffee was ready and we could hear Allie doing something.  He finally appeared and he had his lists with him. “Dad, are we going shopping again tonight?”

I shook my head no, “Tonight, the first thing we’re going to do is go open bank accounts for you two guys.  We need to start packing for our trip to New York this weekend.  Mrs. Carr wants us to bring our tuxedoes.”

Allie put his hands on the breakfast bar where I was drinking my coffee, “Dad, why would we need tuxedoes.  I thought this was going to be a fun visit.  Wearing a tuxedo doesn’t sound like much fun to me.  I'd rather go to the Double Zero Ranch.”

There was a honk and I had to leave, “Allie, we’ll continue this discussion tonight when I get home.”

I climbed into Tom’s car, “Sorry, to keep you waiting, but we were having a family discussion about why we had to take our tuxedoes to New York this weekend.”

Greg asked, “Why would you, Brahim and Allie have tuxedoes? 
I thought you grew up on a ranch.  Ed, what is it about you that we don’t know?”

“Guys, it’s a long story.”

Juan answered, “We have the entire trip to the headquarters, so start talking.  If you don’t get finished, you can finish your story on the way home.”

I started telling the guys about my experiences in Oran, Algeria and how both Allie and Brahim were shot.  I tried to tell them about the trip back to the states as best as I could remember, and no one was saying a word.  When we pulled into my parking space in Tom’s car; Tom turned to me, “Ed, you’re making this up aren’t you?”

“Guys, everything I said was true.  If you don’t believe me, ask Allie or Brahim the next time you see them.”

As we were walking toward the building, we were intercepted by one of the security guards, “Mr. Waller, you’re to come with me.”

When we approached the side door, I asked, “Am I going to be coming and going by the side door for the rest of the time I’m employed here?”

The young man laughed, “I’m afraid you will, sir, until we’re told otherwise.  Of course, if you’re Superman as Ozzie says, you could always fly in and out of windows or off the rooftop.”

I looked at the young man’s name tag and it said Sheraton.

I stopped for my latte and pastry and went to my office and everyone was already assembled with a face that I didn’t recognize.  I had just gotten seated when President Odom arrived with Marlene. 

I looked at President Odom, “Do you have something that you wish to talk to me and my team about?”

“No, I just wanted to find out what everyone has been, and is, doing so I’m not blindsided anymore.  This is what my former Vice Presidents should have been doing, but weren’t.  Ed, you lead the discussion, since this is your office and you know what’s going on.”

I looked around the table, “There’s someone present whom I don’t know.”  I walked to the gentleman, “I’m Ed Waller.”

The gentleman stood, “I’m Erik Jensen.  I work in the Engineering Division.  I’m a structural engineer.  Mr. Thompson and Mr. Carson asked if I could be here this morning to address what we could do to make the Cafeteria a more open space as Mr. Thompson would like.”

I sat down, “Thank you for coming, Erik, have you had a chance to look at the project?”

“Yes sir, I have, but my boss just about shit in his pants that the work order request hadn’t come through him.  I swear the man thinks he’s Hitler.  Anyway, I looked at the area in question and it is indeed a load bearing wall.  The only solution I have come up with so far would be to make a wall like you would see in an aquarium where you can see what’s happening in the interior of the cafeteria.”

“That would require removing the wall between the studs and replacing them with glass.”

President Odom started to laugh, “I like that idea.  We could refer to the cafeteria as the Fish Bowl. Erik, have you had a chance to look at how much it would cost?”

“No sir.  As I said before, the division chief’s, Mr. Gordon, nose is out of joint because someone dared to bypass him when asking for information.”

President Odom nodded, “Erik, I’ll take care Mr. Gordon.  I would like for you to have an approximate cost figure for Mr. Waller’s staff meeting tomorrow.  Thank you for coming.”

Mr. Jensen exited and President Odom looked at me, “Ed, I’m sorry to have interrupted your meeting.  Please have your people continue.”

I looked at Tom, Grant and Joe. “Were you guys able to figure out how best to deduct the pay for the hours people didn’t work last week?”

Tom answered, “I took the records home with me last night and massaged them and it is really going to be simple once I get the program working.  Mr. Taylor and my contact, Miss Lammers, in the Finance Division have been extremely helpful.”

President Odom spoke up, “Tom, I would be interested in seeing how much money was saved by what you people are doing.”

Tom nodded, “There is one problem though, it’s going to be difficult to account for sick days or vacation days.  I need to figure a way to take those days into account.  I’ve talked to a friend in the Technology Division and he and I are going to get together this afternoon to see if we can create a program that will take those kinds of days into account.  I think maybe the company policy on vacation days should be rewritten.  As it is written now, it is very vague.”

I nodded, “Thank you, Tom.  It appears that you fit the team well.  Joe and Katie, you’re the writing persons on the team.  We’ll expect the new leave policy by the time the Board meets next Tuesday.”

I pointed to Grant, “I understand that you have some issues in the Contracting Division.”

Grant nodded, “Yes sir, one of the employees of the division came to me and said that the head of division, a Mr. Boyer, made the final decision on who all the contracts were awarded to.  She claimed that he always awarded to the highest bidder as long as they weren’t females or of a minority culture. She also thinks that he is receiving kickbacks from the contractors.”

President Odom took a deep breath, “Ed, you and your people are going to be extremely busy.  We’ll need to sit down and decide which one of the divisions is going to come under attack next.  We may need to enlarge your staff.”

Steve stood, “Ed, Juan and I really need to get to the office to make sure that everything is running smoothly.  Call us if you need us to do anything.”

I nodded, “We’ll meet again tomorrow at eight.  Hopefully we won’t have so much to discuss.”

Everyone had departed except Tammy.  She looked at me, “Ed, you need to find some more people.  Your people are going to get burned out if you don’t.  President Odom is leaning on you to do the work of a bunch of people.  You need to stop and smell the roses.  When am I going to meet this Allie person?  Katie’s sons think he’s some kind of God.”

I started to laugh, “I guess you’re looking for a babysitter.  Perhaps you and Trig can bring the boys to the house and meet Allie and his brother.”

Shortly before ten Joe and Katie came into the office and Joe announced, “It’s time to attend the changing of the guard.”

The three of us walked into the president’s office and Marlene pointed to the conference room, “The President is awaiting your arrival.”

The room was filled with people.  Of course my name tag was next to President Odom’s and Joe and Katie’s name tags were beside mine.  At precisely ten o’clock President Odom stood, “Thank you for coming. I wish I could say this was a happy occasion, but that is not the case.  I have, here in my hand, statements that say you people in the Legal Division have been charging people of the company for legal fees.”

Mr. Kravitz stood, “Adam, that’s not true.  My people would never do such a thing.”

“Art, sit down and shut up.  They are no longer your people.  Ed, please go collect Mr. Kravitz’s security badge, since he no longer works here.  The security people are waiting to show Mr. Kravitz to the exit.”

After two security people escorted Mr. Kravitz out of the room, President Odom turned to the other persons.  “A large number of you will be receiving pink slips before the end of the day, saying your services are no longer required here at Shell Oil.”

A young man jumped up, “You can’t do that; we’ll file a lawsuit against the company.”

President Odom glared, “Go ahead, and we’ll file a countersuit suing you people for all the fees you illegally charged the employees of this company when they came to you for advice.”

An older woman stood, “President Odom, are you going to axe us all because some of our associates were doing things they shouldn’t have been doing?”

President Odom looked at the lady, “Evelyn, you weren’t listening.  I said, ‘A large number of you will be receiving pink slips before the end of the day.’  I did not say all.  Mr. Waller, Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Blank will be visiting your offices this afternoon to determine who goes and who stays.  They already know some of the people who will be going because of the testimonies they have heard.  That concludes this meeting.”

After the people from the legal division had departed, President Odom turned to Katie, Joe and me. “I apologize for putting you people on the spot again.  But honestly, I don’t have anyone else I can trust.  Ed, your other people are already doing more than they should need to be doing.  Surely it will slow down soon.  I’ll buy you all lunch.”

Katie shook her head no, “I need to go pick up my husband and take him to get his car, so Allie doesn’t have to baby-sit the boys so long.  Thank you for asking.”

Joe grinned, “Grant and I are going to get out of the building to get away from the rat race for an hour and soak up some rays.”

I looked at President Odom, “I’d baby-sit you, except I have a date to have lunch with my banker, Eric Carson, to talk about how to make my money work for me.”

I stopped at a deli and took the lunch as I promised.  Eric was waiting for me, and I handed him a copy of my pay statement and the forms to have my check automatically deposited.  He looked at the pay statement.  “Mr. Waller, is this amount correct?”

“That’s the statement I received on Friday, so I guess so.  It must have been, because it was deposited in the bank back home and I bought a vehicle this past weekend.  We finished our business and I asked, “What is you friend’s name who works at the branch near the house?  My friend and his brother need to open an account and I would like to do it tonight.”

Eric laughed, “It just so happens that Barry is closing tonight.  His name is Barry Keiffer.  Let me give you one of his cards and you can call him and tell him what time you’ll be there.”

Eric handed me a packet, “Ed, if you will sign these papers your permanent checks and debit card should be arriving at the first part of next week, at the latest.”

When I arrived at the building, the security person who had called me Superman in the morning was processing me in.  “Good afternoon, Boy Wonder, how are things here in Gotham City.”

The young man laughed and yelled, “Hey everyone, Superman Waller was out of the building for an hour and four minutes.  Someone call Joe Blank and tell him to deduct four minutes from Superman’s pay.”

“Watch out, Robin.  When I get even, I get even good.”

The young man asked, “How did you know my name was Robin?”

I chuckled, “Easy, young man.  With my x-ray vision I can see into the minds of evil men.  By the way, you forgot to put on clean underwear this morning.”

Mr. Sheraton laughed, “You need glasses.  I don’t have any underwear on because it was all dirty.”

“Robin, be in my office at four o’clock this afternoon.  I’ll clear it with Ms Miller.”

I stopped to talk to Myrabelle, “Is everything going okay in your division?”

She nodded, “Yes, the new system is working great.  There may be another problem brewing though.  There have been rumors that people are out to discredit you or perhaps have you eliminated.  You need to be extremely careful.  You shouldn’t leave the building by yourself as you did this lunchtime.”

“Myrabelle, surely no one would be stupid enough to try something when the streets are filled with pedestrians.”

“Ed, when animals are wounded, they turn vicious.  Please be careful.”

“Myrabelle, what do know about Robin Sheraton?”

She shook her head, “Ed, I know very little about the gentleman.  I know he’s married and that he was only too glad to return to work after you fired that Trent person.  Why do you ask?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I get the feeling that he has more potential than to be stuck in the role of security guard.  I have asked him to come to my office at four.  I need to go.  We need to clear out the Legal Division, as you heard at the meeting this morning.”

When I arrived at the office, Katie and Joe were waiting.  I looked at Tammy, “Please get me the dossier on a Robin Sheraton who works in the Security Department.  I’m scheduled to meet with him at four o’clock.”

I looked at Joe and Katie, “Do you have the pink slips?”

Joe chuckled, “They’re not exactly pink, but I do have a package of termination forms.  I have advised the Human Relations division that none of the Legal Division can resign before we’ve fired the people we know were charging the employees for legal fees.”

I realized that I was extremely lucky to have people like these two working for me.  When we walked into the area, we could feel the coldness in the air.  No one made an attempt to greet us until Ms Rudy approached us, “Mr. Waller, can I assist you and your people in any way?”

Katie nodded, “Ma’am, we know who the people we’re going to be terminating are, only by name.  Since your name wasn’t mentioned, perhaps you would be willing to point out the people who will not be returning to the headquarters tomorrow.  Two security guards appeared on the scene.  Mr. Sheraton snickered. “We were sent to help Superman, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.”

Joe looked at the man, “Rob, what have you been drinking?”

Mr. Sheraton took a deep breath, “Your boss accused me of wearing dirty briefs, I’m paying him back.  Now what is that you need us to do?  I have a very important date at four o’clock.”

By three o’clock we had terminated eighteen persons, including the young man who threatened to sue the company.  I got on the intercom.  Just because you didn’t get your walking papers today doesn’t mean you won’t at a later point in time.  I hope that you got the message that there will be absolutely no charging company employees for advice that is given on company time.  What you do in the evenings and weekends is your business.  But you were hired to do forty hours of work for the company and that’s what you will do.”

“Joe and Katie, thanks for everything.  I’ll see you back in the office shortly.  I would like to have a few words with Ms Rudy.”

The lady grinned, “Mr. Waller, it’s Mrs. Rudy, if you please, or even if you don’t please.   Let’s go into my office and talk.”

We walked into her office and there was a name tag that read, Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Rudy.  I asked, “What are you a doctor of, since I don’t think its law, and I assume that your maiden name was Johnson.”

“Very astute Mr. Waller, I have a doctorate in business management, and yes I was Evelyn Johnson before the kids popped out.”

“If you have you doctorate in business why are you working the Legal Division?”

“Because I have my law degree and I’m a corporate lawyer.  I’m just getting back into the business after being out of it for twenty years.  Now the children are grown or in college.  I decided to get back in the business a year and a half ago.”

I asked, “Mrs. Rudy, did you know what was happening, and if so why didn’t you tell someone?”

“Yes, I began to realize about six months ago what was happening, and when I talked to Kravitz, he pooh-poohed me telling me I was imagining things.  I went to Vice President Farnum, and he also told me I was imagining things and threatened to have me fired for spreading malicious rumors.”

“Mrs. Rudy, I have another question.  When we visited the Law Division, two Thursdays ago, everyone was gone for the afternoon playing golf.  Were you playing golf as well?”

Mrs. Rudy shook her head no, “I was on vacation that week.  Our oldest daughter was having her second child and I went to take care of the older child.  I never participated in the Thursday afternoon golf outings.  Not only were people being paid to play golf, which I had a problem with, there was a lot of hanky panky going on.  Besides, I’m probably a better golfer than any of these clowns around here.  I had thought about being a professional golfer at one time.”

I picked up the phone, “I hope you don’t mind.” 

I dialed the President’s office and Marlene answered “This is President Odom’s office.”

“Marlene, is his royal highness available?  I have something I would like to discuss with him.”

“I’ll tell him you’re on your way.”

Mrs. Rudy reluctantly accompanied me since I hadn’t told her where we were going.  When we entered the office, Marlene looked up, “Mr. Waller, isn’t Evelyn a little old for you to be cavorting with?  The President is expecting you.”

I went to the open door and knocked, President Odom motioned for us to enter.  “President Odom, I believe you already know Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Rudy?”

He looked up, “I know Evvie, but what’s with the Dr. and Johnson bit?”

“We’ll explain as we go.  Sir, I recommend that we make Dr. Rudy the head of the Legal Division.  She would be perfect.  She not only has her doctorate in Business Management she’s also a corporate law specialist.  She tried to tell Mr. Farnum what was happening he in essence told her to mind her own business.”

“Ed, why are you bringing your problems to me?  I thought I made it clear that the Law Division was under your jurisdiction.  If you think that you want this golf pro to be the head of the Legal Division, then do it and stop bothering me.”

“Ed, I’ve known Evelyn and her husband for about ten years and I had no idea that she was doctor or that she was a corporate lawyer.  Evelyn, welcome aboard.  You’re going to have to make sure you take care of your new boss and keep him out of trouble.”

I looked at the clock and it was almost four o’clock. “Sir, I need to be excused.  I have an appointment to meet with Boy Robin at four.  Dr. Rudy, we have a staff meeting scheduled in my office across the hall at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.  Please be there so I can introduce you to the rest of my overworked staff.  You may be able to provide some legal advice to assist us in taking care of all the problems that President Odom keeps giving us to solve.”

President Odom threw a paper clip at me, “Get out of here Waller.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: It looks as if it will take a while for Ed and his team to completely clean out the corruption and rot that is eating away at Shell.  Let's hope he can do it without anyone being hurt or killed, especially Ed himself.

I can hardly wait for the next chapter!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 03/26/10