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 37

What’s It To You?

After everyone had departed the meeting room, I went to my office and decided I needed to have a salary figure to show Tom, since he was going to probably be the Executive Vice-President before the end of the day.  I stopped at Jackie’s desk, “J. R., I’ll be in the finance office talking to Dwight Taylor, if you need me.”

Jackie looked at me funny, “President Waller, how did you know that my friends call me J.R.  Even Brittany calls me that most of the time.”

I shrugged, “I just assumed that might be what your friends called you, since Jackie could either be a girl’s or a boy’s name.  I don’t think you would qualify for a girl.”

Jackie laughed, “Oh, so you’ve been checking me out in the bathroom, have you.”

“Not exactly.  You forget that I’ve met Jason and Janelle, so I figured that you must be a male.  Page me if you need me.”

When I arrived at the Finance Office, Dwight saw me, “President Waller, what can I do to help you?”

“Dwight, I need to put together a pay package for Tom Bloom if he is approved to be my Executive Vice President.”

Dwight laughed, “Ed, didn’t you mean to say when Tom is approved.”

I laughed, “Whatever.  Do you have the figures for what the previous Vice Presidents‘ salaries were?”

Mr. Taylor led me into his office, “Their salaries depended on how long they had been here.  Somehow their salaries were tied to longevity, rather performance?”

“Is that true for all employees?”

Mr. Taylor nodded his head, yes, “Unfortunately, that’s pretty much been the case.  That’s especially true in the technical divisions.  Some of those people have been around since before this facility opened.  As far as I can determine, those people are probably costing the company more than they are helping the company make.”

I took a deep breath, “Dwight, I had the feeling that those people were sitting on their laurels.  Could you prepare me a listing of the past vice presidents' salaries and a separate listing of the salaries for the technical divisions?  It’s too bad that Mr. Odom and I have to go to Europe next week.  I’m really itching to get into the technical divisions to tear them apart.  Make sure the information is in a folder marked for me and is stamped confidential.  While you’re at it, could you show me how much of a pay increase the people have received in the last two years?”

My pager buzzed.  I pulled out my cell phone and called the number, “What’s up J. R.?”

Jackie laughed, “Mr. Odom wants to talk to you and your wrecking machine is waiting to talk to you.  What do you want me to tell them?”

I laughed, “I’m on my way.  I’ll be there as soon as I can catch one of them machines that made Jason’s tummy feel funny.”

When I walked into my office, Joe, Katie, Tom, Rob, Carlos and Rico were sitting there waiting for me.  I looked around, “Let’s go to the conference room.  J. R. could you bring us something to wet our whistles, while we’re working.”

Jackie laughed, “I’ll call my uncle and have him bring two gallons of moonshine.”

I was sitting with my back to the entrance, “Okay people, what is it that you want to talk about?”

Katie handed me some papers, “Here are the policies to govern the receiving and distribution of the supplies for the warehouse area.”

Rob handed me another set of papers, “President Waller, these are the procedures for the departments to request new supplies or things that are in the inventory.  You will notice that the requisition must provide justification as to why such items are needed.  We have made it very clear that the requisitioning person may be asked to personally justify the request.”

Carlos handed me another list, “These are the items that we would like to put up for the employees to purchase.   We have a policy that outlines how the items can be purchased.  The policy makes it clear that the purchases will be available only after they have been paid for.”

I looked at Tom, “Tom, are you satisfied with these policies and plans?”

Tom nodded in the affirmative, “We’ve done the best we can on short notice.  We may have to revise the documents as we go along.  I suggest that you approve and sign them, President Waller.”

“Why would I sign them, I'm just the President.  I need to send them to Mr. Odom for approval.”

Mr. Odom spoke, “Waller, I’m tired of doing your work for you.  They have to do with the administrative management and you need to sign them.  I watched as your people were working, and they were very thorough.  It’s your responsibility as President to sign such documents.”

I grinned, “It’s a conspiracy to get me shot again.”

We were just about finished when Jackie came in, “Mister Withem is here.  He has some news to share.”

Mr. Odom responded before I could, “Show Todd in.   What he has to say probably impacts on some of these people.”

I pointed to a seat, “Please be seated, Todd.  You have the stage.  Todd grinned, “You can keep the stage.  The contractors who were in cahoots with Mr. Sampson are running scared.  Dr. Rudy and I had visits from two companies' legal counsels who are offering to payback what they overcharged Shell for the materials they provided.  It seems that the companies are afraid of the adverse publicity they would receive if Shell Oil were to take them to court.”

I had some thoughts, “Todd, would there be anything to be gained for Shell by taking the cases to court if the contractors and suppliers were willing to pay us back what we were overcharged.”

Todd nodded, “Not really.  We can’t legally file charges against contractors for providing kickbacks to Mr. Sampson, since it had no effect on the company other than to show that there wasn’t anyone watching what was going on in the contracting department.”

Carlos raised his hands, “Might I say something, and this is my personal opinion?”

 

“Please do, Carlos.”

Carlos was a little hesitant, “President Waller and Mr. Odom, I think it would be advisable to take care of the legal things as quietly as possible.  The company has had enough publicity lately and people are going to wonder about the top level managerial skills if there is much more adverse publicity.  Those of us who have been involved know better, but to the uninformed, they are going to begin having doubts if there is too much adverse information that is made public.”

Tom nodded, “I agree with what Carlos said.  We need to take care of as much internally as we can before going outside the company where we cannot control what the media writes and says.  If the companies are willing to make retributions for their overcharges, we should take it.  The companies aren’t going to publicize what happened, because they don’t want any unfavorable publicity either, because it would not be good for their business.”

There was a knock on the door and Marlene entered, “Mr. Odom and President Waller, your visitors have arrived and are waiting for you in the Executive Dining Room.”

“I signed the documents that the people had given to me.  I handed them to Tammy, “Ms Grimes, please have these taken to the printer and ask that they be expedited so they can be in all offices by the first thing Monday morning.  Work with Joe. Katie and Grant and send out the same information on the computer, so that no one can claim ignorance as to the guidelines.”

Tammy pouted, “You’re going to make me pay for taking a few lousy minutes off, this morning.  I’ll call my parents and tell them I’m being forced to work all weekend.”

That caused the others to laugh as they were leaving.  It was apparent that Tom was nervous as we were walking to the dining facility.  “Ed and Mr. Odom, I’m very nervous.  This is all so new to me.”

Mr. Odom put his arm around Tom, “The people you are going to be meeting are just the neighbors next door, except that they have some money.  Relax and you’ll do fine.”

After the introductions had been completed, and food orders had been taken, the questions began with Ms Sanders starting, “Mr. Bloom, how would you describe your lifestyle?”

Tom shrugged, “Ms. Sanders, I’m not sure that I quite know what you’re asking.  I guess many people would look at me as your average American boring male.  I’m happily married and we have two wonderful sons.  Does that answer your question?”

Ms Sanders moaned, “Why is it that the good looking ones are always taken?  What is it that your wife does, and how old are your sons?”

“April, my wife is a stay at home Mother who volunteers in the school.  She has her master’s degree in education, but we think that she needs to be available for the boys.  Caleb is eight and Jeremy is six. One other thing, my wife plays violin in the Houston symphony.”

Mrs. Carr asked, “Mr. Bloom, how would you describe your style of leadership.”

Tom arched his eyebrows, “Ma’am, I’ve never been in a leadership position before.  I guess I would be a leader who demonstrates by doing somewhat the same things as President Waller, except I don’t plan to get shot at, or April would make me resign.”

Our food arrived and it was every bit as good as last time.  While we were eating, a Mr. Gray asked, “Ed, how is it that you settled upon Mr. Bloom to be your Executive Vice President.”

“I decided that he had all of the qualities that I wanted in the person to fill that position.  He accomplished more in a short period of time, than most people would in a month.  I liked what I saw when he was interacting with the rest of my staff.  He’s right; he leads by example and gets good results.”

Mr. Odom added, “I agree with what Ed says, and I was really impressed when Tom responded that he needed to talk the job offer over with his family before he made a decision.  That indicated that he would also be looking out for Shell if he were to accept the position.”

The rest of the lunch talk was friendly and wasn’t centered around Shell Oil.  Mr. Odom stood, “We need to be moving to the conference.  It’s ten until two.  You all are well aware that people are punctual when it comes to these teleconferences.  They treat time as if it were gold.”

Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Sanders were walking with Tom as they were going to the Board Room.  Mrs. Crabtree had decided to go shopping and was going to meet Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Sanders in the lobby after the meeting, since she wasn‘t a board member.  I stopped in the office to see if there was anything that needed to be taken care of.

Jackie looked up at me, “You’ve had a number of calls.  I think we have another problem that you and you’re people need to take care of.”

‘Oh great! Just what I needed on a Friday afternoon.’

I walked into the Board Room and sat between Tom and Mr. Odom.   At precisely two o’clock, President Odom started to speak, “It is now two o’clock.  I call this meeting of the Shell Oil Board of Directors to order.  Marlene has assured me that we have the necessary quorum of directors available in person or on the phone that we can conduct the one business item.  That is to approve the assignment of Mr. Thomas Bloom to be the Executive Vice-President to President Waller.”

Mrs. Carr announced, “This is Leanne Carr, and I so move.”

Mr. Gray spoke, “This is Leonard Gray, and I second the motion.”

Mr. Odom announced, “The motion has been made and seconded that Mr. Thomas Bloom be named as the Executive Vice-President to President Waller.  Is there any discussion?”

“This is Warren Gates.  I have a question for President Waller.  Are you saying that you are going to run Shell Oil with one vice president?”

“Mr. Gates, I hope to have only two vice-presidents when I can find a suitable second person.  Mr. Bloom will be the Executive Vice President for Support Services, and the other person would be The Executive Vice President for Technical Services.”

Dad asked, “This is Al Waller.  Mr. Bloom, please tell us about yourself?”

Tom looked at me and I shrugged my shoulders.  He took a deep breath, “Sir, I don’t know what it is that you want to know.  I’m a thirty four year old white man.  I’m married and we have two wonderful sons.  I have my master’s degree from the University of Texas, in business administration with an emphasis on accounting and marketing.”

Dad interrupted, “How do you feel about working for a man who is younger than you and lives a different lifestyle than you do?”

Tom started to laugh, “Mr. Waller, I’ll probably always be working for people younger than me.  As far as President Waller’s lifestyle, that has nothing to with us being able to do the jobs we’re being paid to do.  As for President Waller’s family, we met them last evening.  My wife already knew Brahim from their work on the upcoming opera, and my two sons have been walking home with Allie after school in the evenings.  Is there anything else that you would like to know?”

I could almost hear Dad laughing, “Mr. Odom, I call for the question.”

The motion passed and after Tom was congratulated and everyone had departed, Mr. Odom walked Tom and me back to the office when Marlene came to us, “There’s a Mr. Rod Calderon here to see you, Mr. Odom.”

Mr. Odom looked at me, “Marlene, why don’t you show him into President Waller’s conference room.  Ed, this could prove interesting.”

Tom asked, “Do I need to be there?”

I shook my head, no. “Why don’t you go talk to Jackie, it seems that he has another problem that we need to look into?”

Marlene ushered a very distinguished looking man into the conference room.  Mr. Odom stood, “It’s good to see you again, Rod.  I’d like to introduce our new president, Ed. Waller.”

After the introductions, I felt as if I was being scrutinized.  Mr. Odom asked, “Mr. Calderon, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?”

Mr. Calderon pulled out a brochure, “We are looking at establishing a counseling center for young people who are without a home.  We are especially interested in providing services to the young people who have chosen an alternative lifestyle and whose parents have turned their backs on them.  We would also provide counseling to unwed mothers-to-be to make sure they don’t take the lives of their unborn children.”

I was seeing red, “Senor Calderon, exactly why is that you’re here?”

The man took a deep breath, “We were hoping that perhaps Shell Oil would be a benefactor in our effort.  If we could get several big companies, such as yours to help us, it would be a signal for other companies to follow.”

I stood, “Gentlemen, I need to go check on some things.  I’ll be right back.”

I went into the office and Tammy was sitting there, “Tammy, please call Mr. Taylor in finance and ask him to come to the conference room.  Also call Carlos and tell him I want him in my office as soon as possible.”

I went back into the conference room, “I’m sorry for the interruption.  Senor Calderon. Might I ask why you’re so invested in this project?”

“I have always had a soft spot for young people who are going through difficult times.”

I looked at Mr. Odom and he nodded.  I asked, “Senor Calderon, is there something in your personal and family life that has caused you to become involved?”

 

“No, our oldest son is about your age and is married and has three children.  He works as an assistant manager of a shoe store.”

I decided to rub it in, “Does your son have a college degree, or is he always going to be in a minor role?”

“He doesn’t have a college degree because he couldn’t keep his hormones in check.  The same for our daughter, whose husband is a construction worker.”

The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door; I went to answer, “Thanks for coming, Mr. Taylor.  We have some questions that we need your expert advice on.  Mr. Calderon has asked the company to become a benefactor for a new project that they are starting.  Do Mr. Odom and I have the authority to make such a donation on behalf of the company?”

Mr. Taylor frowned, “President Waller, that would depend on the size of the contribution.  What is the amount that we are talking about?”

Senor Calderon answered, “We were hoping that the company would perhaps make a donation of ten thousand or more.”

Dwight shook his head, “Any contributions over a thousand dollars have to be approved by the Board of Directors.”

“Thank you, Dwight; I thought that might be the case.”

There was a knock on the door.  It was Tammy who whispered, “Carlos is here and he’s like a cat on a hot tin roof.  He thinks he’s in trouble.”

“Have him standing by and I’m going to leave the door open so he can hear the conversation.  It is definitely not he who is in trouble.”

After Dwight had departed, Senor Calderon stood, “Sorry to have bothered you.  We were hoping that you would be able to help us.”

“Senor Calderon, we didn’t say we wouldn’t help, but I have a personal concern.  You mentioned an older son and a daughter, what about your youngest son whom you and your wife threw out, when you found out that he was gay.  Do you even have any idea where Carlos is today, or do you care?  It seems to me that you are living a double standard.  One for your public image and one for your misguided personal values.”

Mr. Calderon pointed to Mr. Odom, “Adam, how dare you sit there and let one of your employees talk to me like that?”

“Rod, it so happens that I totally agree with what Mr. Waller has said.  We know what you did to Carlos, and we find that totally unacceptable, when you go around talking out of both sides of your mouth.”

I went to the door, “Carlos Miguel Calderon, your presence is requested in the conference room.”

Carlos came into the room, “Senor Calderon, I’d like to present the head of our Warehouse and Distribution Department, Mr. Carlos Calderon.  He’s been with the company for several years.  We’re hoping that we can keep him, after he gets his business degree, in December.”

“Carlos, I’d like for you to meet ,,,:

Carlos interrupted, “President Waller, I know the great Senor Rodrigo Calderon and I don’t choose to talk to him, since he and his wife and their wonderful bigoted children have totally abandoned me for five years. If Senor Calderon would like to talk to me, then he needs to come to me, because I will not grovel at his feet.  I’m probably making more money than he, my brother or brother-in-law.  He’ll probably be asking to borrow money so he can maintain his status in society.  Well, I ain’t going to be a party to his high and mighty attitude.  I would like to be excused.”

After Carlos had departed, Mr. Calderon had tears in his eyes, “He really does hate me, doesn’t he?”

I looked at Mr. Calderon, “Sir, I don’t think he hates you, but he has no respect for you.”

The conversation was interrupted by Tom, “Boss, we need to go.  The guys are ready and you need to drive to your parents’ house, tonight.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: It is amazing how many people are total hypocrites.

Mr. Calderon seems to fill that bill quite nicely.

I believe he picked the wrong mega corporation to spring his ideas to.

It's nice to see the contractors jumping all over themselves trying to save their butts from the bad publicity.

I missed seeing Allie and the other boys, in this chapter. I wonder how well my operation went, or should I say how my recovery is going.  I certainly am glad that I have Tom there with me.

Do you realize we will have been together for 40 years, as of Labor Day?  It seems to me that we are a pretty good example of two people who love each other, and we are not doing a darn thing to damage the institution of marriage.

Seriously, if there are any readers out there, who are, or know someone who is, an albino, and needs cataract surgery, please let me know, and I will gladly put you in touch with one of the most capable and conscientious eye surgeons I have ever had the pleasure to know.  She is one of only a hand full of people in this country who is capable or willing to perform the type of surgery to significantly improve the vision and comfort of someone with the unusual eye condition that I have.

I am ready for another chapter, and I love this story.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 08/06/10