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

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Chapter 43

Oh What a Weekend

Needless to say, Saturday was a very busy day.  Thankfully, Khalid and Amir were available to help.  We had to have something for people of all ages, since there were four children going to be present at the shindig on Sunday.  Allie decided that we would have a simple chicken on rice dish, with some fruits and vegetables, since we were going to have so many people. 

We had an early dinner, since Khalid had indeed gotten us tickets to see the Houston Cougars' football game.  We even got to meet Coach Howie Lane after the game.  We were seated in the same section as the Strong family and Mrs. Lane.  Of course, Matt and Allie became friends almost immediately, and it was comical to hear Matt explain to Allie what was happening.  Houston won by a score of 14 -10. 

Allie, commented as we were leaving,  “American football is the same as soccer.  It has some exciting times and some boring times.  I'm not sure which is more exciting.  It seems to take American football longer to be played, since the teams are always changing people and they keep taking time out for penalties and injuries.”

Matt laughed, “The players are always looking for excuses to rest.  They’re a lot bigger than soccer players, and they run out of gas faster.”

After church on Sunday morning, Allie had us all helping in the kitchen.  Unfortunately, the weather turned cool so we wouldn’t be able to eat outside.  We had everything about ready when Grandpa Darryl and Uncle Tom arrived.

We had just gotten them settled in Allie’s room when the people from the office arrived.  They had walked from the Bloom’s house since it was easier than driving.

After the introductions, the young people went to help Allie in the kitchen and I went to see if there was anything I could do.  Allie told me to go take care of the guests, “I’ll send for you when I need some help.”

The before dinner conversation was about the game which Grandpa Darryl, Uncle Tom and the Odoms hadn’t witnessed.  The Blooms had been there, but were in a different seating section than we had been. 

Matt came into the room, “Mr. Waller and Brahim, Allie says he needs your help, and that dinner will be ready in about five minutes.” 

Dinner went without a hitch and after the dining room table had been cleared, the business meeting was held in the dining room.  Brahim, Khalid, Amir, Grandpa Darryl and Uncle Tom took the non participants into the living room and Allie had taken the young people to the kitchen where he was showing them some games from Algeria and making a dessert at the same time.

The people around the dining room table were Doris Lane, Tom Bloom, Eric and Laura Strong, Mr. Odom and me.  After a few preliminary questions, Laura asked, “Mr. Waller, might I ask how it was that you met Eric?”

Eric cringed, “That’s not a question you should ask a perspective employer.”

Laura was very curt, “I want to know if it is because of your sexual prowess that he’s even discussing hiring you.  If that’s reason, then you’re not even going to consider the job.”

I looked around the table, “Mrs. Strong, I did meet Eric on a flight, earlier this year.  Since that time, I have found a partner and his brother, whom I consider to be a son.  Mr. Odom and I did meet Eric on the flight to Amsterdam this week, and he said he was looking for a job since the airlines were cutting back and that flying wasn't nearly as interesting as it once was.”

Eric took a deep breath, “Mr. Odom and President Waller, there may be another problem.  I know that I have had several romps in the hay, so to speak, with other persons from Shell.  They’re bound to recognize me and make trouble for me and the company.”

I stood, “Eric, what has happened in the past is history.  If people start to give you trouble, it’s a two sided sword.  They would probably have more to lose than you do, since at least Laura already knows the score.  I’d be willing to bet that almost everyone you had a fling with will avoid you like the plague, once they know that I’m aware of the past events.”

Mr. Odom changed the path of the conversation, “Ed, how do you see Eric helping the company?”

“I would like to have Eric involved in the technical divisions, since Tom has the Administrative and Services departments well under control.  For now, Doris is going to be our point person in the tech divisions, because of the information she has provided.  I would like to have Eric on board in the morning, to see what’s involved in getting rid of the laggards and people who have been skimming the cream from the company.”

Eric was hesitant, “What am I going to do about giving the airline notice of my departure?  The flight schedule has been set for the rest of the month, and I’m scheduled to fly overseas three more times, this month.

Laura frowned, “Eric, if the price is right at Shell, you can tell the people at the airline to shove it.  They have been tightening the screws for you older people to quit so they don’t have to pay the new hires as much.  They’ll probably jump at the opportunity to get rid of you.”

I started to laugh, “Mrs. Strong, I’m not sure what the compensation package will be, as of yet.  I’ve been rather busy.  I think I can assure you that Eric would be making enough to support you in a lifestyle that you would find to your liking.”

Doris chuckled, “President Waller, don’t be too sure of yourself.  Nothing less than the being able to keep up with Oprah Winfried will make Laura happy.”

The conversation was interrupted by Caleb Bloom, “You are to join the other big people for dessert.  President Waller, Allie says you’re to take drink orders. He says that there is coffee, hot tea, iced tea or milk.  Dessert smells really yummy.”

I went to get the drinks while the other people went to the living room.  The five young people brought us some sort of fruit bar that definitely had an Algerian flair.  Khalid grinned when he saw the dessert, “Allie it’s been a long time since we’ve had this dessert.  Where did you find the recipe?”

Allie giggled, “Who needs a recipe?  I just threw in everything that I could find that seemed to fit.”

Allie’s dessert was quite a hit, and the young people were having seconds of the date, orange and coconut bars.  Before the Strongs departed, it was agreed that Eric would be at the headquarters at eight in the morning.  I informed the participants that we would be having a staff meeting at nine, before we were going to invade the technical divisions to see what damage we could do.

I decided to drive my own car and Tom was going to drive, so there would be two options for our riders to leave.  I wanted to go in early and get my thoughts together.

After the local guests had departed, the others of us went into the kitchen so we could talk.  Grandpa Darryl’s appointment was for two o’clock.  Uncle Tom said, “I’ll stay at the hospital with Darryl.  He’s such a wimp that I’ll need to be at his side all the time.”

“Watch it, Tommy, or you’ll be sleeping in the bathtub.”

Allie giggled, “It’s going to be awfully crowded with both of in there, Uncle Tom.”

Khalid announced, “We need to go back to Washington for another set of talks that start on Tuesday.  Our flight to D. C. leaves at eleven in the morning.”

Allie asked, “Will you be coming back to Houston again before you leave for Algeria?”

Khalid shook his head, no, “We just received word that my father is not feeling well and that there is already jockeying for the take over of the government by several opposition factions.”

Grandpa Darryl asked, “Are you going to try to succeed your father?”

“Heavens no.  I saw what the position did to my father and I sure don’t want that to happen to me.  Besides, the opposition would have a field day with my relationship with Amir.  We’ll be happy to stay out of the spotlight.  Perhaps the successor will feel sorrow for us and assign us to a diplomatic post somewhere.”

Brahim and I did take some time for fun after we went to bed.  Brahim was laughing as we were coming down from our high, “Ed, I never knew that being married to a big executive would be so busy.  Do you really enjoy it?”

 

“Bra, I do enjoy it, but I resent that it takes so much time away from us.  Of course, your upcoming opera isn’t making it any easier.”

Brahim nodded, “Fortunately, the opera is coming together and it’s about time.  Our first performance is November 10 for celebrities and families. We’ll need to make sure that Dad and Mother Waller are here.  Luckily, you and Allie and our friends are going to be in some of the best seats in the house, thanks to Mrs. Daniels and Mrs. Odom.”

When I was getting out of the shower on Monday morning, Amir came into the bathroom and started to laugh, “Once a showboat, always a showboat.  I remember the first time I met you and the guys in that Oran Sheraton.  A lot has happened since then.  You were a whipping boy, then, and look at you now.  You’re still just a boy, but you’re the President of a major corporation.”

“Amir, are you and Khalid really willing to step back and let someone else take the reigns of Algeria in the place of Khalid’s father?”

“Khalid is reluctant to pull away from the power, but he realizes that because of our relationship, it would be nearly impossible to control the country, seeing how the anti gay the country is.  We talked for many hours and we’ve decided that his stepping away from the government was the best for us, and the country.  We aren’t going to be paupers and we do have our law degrees that we can fall back on.”

I looked at the clock, “I really need to get a move on.  I want to get to the office and get my head screwed on straight, before things start popping for the day.”

Allie came into the bathroom, “Move over, I need to go to the bathroom.  He pulled down his briefs, and let what he needed to get rid of fly.”

As I was getting ready to leave, Khalid and Amir came into the kitchen.  Khalid commented, “Allie doesn’t seem like a little boy, anymore.”

“Guys, he’s not a little boy.  He’s going to be starting classes at the middle school, starting today.  He’s really excited about finally being able to learn something new.  We should have place him there in the beginning, but Dr. Daniels thought he needed some time to adjust to his new way of life, here in America, before he had too many challenges thrown at him.  I’m sure that was a good decision.  I just hope that he won’t resent what we did, later.”

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Allie with Grandpa Darryl and Uncle Tom.  I hugged Khalid and Amir since I wouldn't be seeing them for a some time, or so I thought.”

When I arrived at the headquarters, it was still early, and I stopped to talk to Tripp before I went to my office.  “Tripp, do you regret setting up the Pit Stop here at Shell.”

“Ed, this has been a goldmine for me.  I just have to figure out a way to keep changing the selections enough so people don’t get bored.  People would yell bloody murder if I were to change the selections drastically.”

“Tripp, I would be the first in line to bat you about the head if you were to do that.  Have a good day.”

When I walked into the office, the lights were on and J.R. was already sitting at his desk.  I looked at him, “It’s a conspiracy.  No one wants me to have any quiet time so I can get my mind in gear for what needs to be done.  What are you doing here at this hour?”

J. R. was dead serious.  “My wife kicked me out of bed for molesting her.  Actually, I need to take some time off, today.  We have an appointment to look at some houses this afternoon.  I figured that I'd better make up the time, so you won’t dock my pay.  I called Tammy over the weekend to make sure that one of us would be here to cover your backside, at all times.  Is there anything in particular that you want us to do, today?”

“J. R., that’s why I’m here early, so I can figure out what needs to be done.  When Eric Strong arrives, would you make sure that he’s taken care of?  Make sure he has his paperwork completed, and find him a temporary spot to park his body until we figure out where he’s going to be situated, permanently.”

“Aye, Aye sir.  Anything else?” 

“Yes, let everyone know that the staff meeting will be a nine, this morning.”

I was sitting in my office when Grant knocked.  Grant, Joe and Katie came into the office, Katie handed me several sheets of paper, “Boss, this is the best we could do in a short time with the information that Grant has provided us.  We have enough information to make some heads roll.  How do you want to proceed?”

I read through the document and sighed, “This corruption in the tech divisions is as bad or worse than what we’ve uncovered so far.  Call the division chiefs of the technical departments, and tell them that there is going to be a mandatory meeting for all personnel assigned to their divisions in, the conference room, at one o’clock this afternoon.  I think our job will be much easier after the meeting, now that I have this information to corroborate the information that I was given about what has been going on.  Alert the Human Resources Department and tell them to be prepared for a number of resignations and dismissals.”

“You need to notify the finance people that anyone who resigns or is relieved of duty will not be receiving any monies for vacation time, or anything else, until we have had time to review the requests and either approved or disapproved any payments.  Remind me to tell Todd, that his presence is required at the meeting.  By the way, I want the three of you to accompany me to a meeting at the Civic Auditorium tomorrow afternoon, at one forty, to provide my backup support for a meeting with the city employees.”

Tammy stuck her head in, “Boss, the gang is all here with bated breaths, waiting to see what you have to say.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Things seem to continue happening at Shell.  You would think that the rogue employees would take the hint and simply resign, but it looks as if Ed and his crew are going to have to play hardball. 

I don't think any of those crooks are going to just quit their high paying cushy jobs, any time soon, without some kind of disturbance. 

The good guys are going to need to be very careful, if these people are just as greedy as the other groups of crooks who worked at Shell, and were responsible for some of the past events.  

We will just have to wait and see what happens in the next chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 09/17/10