Chapter 12

I kind of muddled through the next days, trying to concentrate on what needed to be done once I took over HH's business but Red was never far from my thoughts. Damn I miss that girls something fierce. I still was wearing the CB, never took it off. I don't know, it was like as long as I wore the blasted thing, there was a chance that one day she would be back and take it off herself.

Well the day of the closing came and I wish I had picture of HH's face when I walked into the meeting. He exploded with series of profanity and got up to leave.

"Mr. Levi, my client and I as well as Ms Jones from the title company are going to leave you alone for exactly fifteen minutes so that you can explain to your client the consequences of breach of contract. For your information I have a paralegal standing by at the courthouse with completed papers and the filing fees ready to file the law suit for breach of contract and for collection of the now two days overdue note we hold."

When we come back in, the papers better be signed or the call goes out to file and it will be too late."

"Time starts now".

We went into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and about ten minutes later Lori came looking for us. "They are ready for you, There was some shouting and cussing. That guy sure is crude. But he seems to have calmed down."

We got it done with minimal fuss and now together with Michelle, Red, Greg end I owned HiTEK, Inc.

I got the plant just before noon and saw Greg's team as well as number of uniformed security people waiting for me. I wanted make sure that there would be no vandalism or any other kind of mischief going on.

I walked into the office asked for Mr. Walters, the VP and General Manager. From the look on his face as well as the demeanor of the receptionist, word had reached them already.

"Mr. Walters, nice to meet you. I guess you know that I'm the new owner. There is an audit team waiting outside as well as some security staff. Is there a public address system in the plant? I would like to make an announcement."

"Yes there is in the production manager's office."

I was introduced to the production manager and he handed me a microphone.

"Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is ... and I'm the new owner of HiTEK. It is my full intention to run this company the best way possible. For now all your jobs are safe. However, I want you to shut down production in an orderly and safe manner. There will be some uniformed persons around to make sure nothing unfortunate happens. Once the plant is shut down, I want you to go home. Don't worry, you'll be paid for the full day. I expect everyone back here tomorrow at eight AM for a meeting. The evening shift will also be there and again after the meeting you will be off for the rest of the day with pay. Production will resume Monday morning."

"I would like all production super visors to stay for a while as will talk to them later on. Thank you for your cooperation and I sincerely hope for a successful future for us all. Enjoy your afternoon off."

"Now Mr. Walters I would like to meet the management team. Oh and if you please pass the same information about going home and coming back tomorrow to the clerical staff."

The meeting with management was a bit tense as told them that for the time being they would keep their jobs but that might find it necessary to make some changes down the line.

"I would appreciate it if everyone here could provide me with a resume by the middle of next week. It will be one way to get to know you a bit better, having background info on your education and previous employment."

That got the room buzzing "Please relax, for now it is just a way for me to learn about you. I mean it when I say that I don't expect to make too many changes."

Mr. Walker and another gentleman walked up to me. "This is Mr. Torino the treasurer and VP finance. We are resigning effective immediately. We expect full payment of our severance package."

"Well gentlemen, you will have to get that from Harry the terms of sale, clearly state that other than unfunded pension contributions and payroll I'm not liable for any payments to employees like severance payments. So I wish you luck in trying to collect. Oh, and since you are resigning, please give all the keys including those for your company cars to one of the security staff. Feel free to call a cab or someone else to come and pick you up. Security will accompany you as clean out your desks and office of only personal items."

They were both totally stunned. They had not expected that.

"Well gentlemen good luck." I turned and went to talk to the assistant treasurer who was talking to Greg's guy.

"I want all and mean all company cash transferred into new accounts that are already set up. The only one that will stay the same for now will be the payroll. Please make sure it is funded for the next two pay periods. That will give us time to evaluate the payroll service, etc. All, and mean all computer passwords are to be changed."

Next I talked to the production supervisors, trying to see if they had any kind of handle as why there were so many problems with the product for the army. I was especially puzzled why quality control did not catch these.

I didn't get any clear answers and I told them that for the time being their jobs were safe but that I might make some changes in the future.

I decided to go home and let the audit team do their job without me hanging over their shoulders.

Once home, I called Michelle to see if she wanted to go out to dinner but she declined saying that the girls in office were having a pizza party. Well that leaves me out.

So I fixed myself something to eat from the freezer and did some reading. I had grabbed a bunch of rejection slips that the Army had sent and tried to make some sense as to why we had problems. The assemblies were shipped to a company in California for installation into who knows what. Some might be due to transport damage but not in the numbers they show.

See what tomorrow brings.

So Friday morning the whole staff was assembled in the cafeteria at eight in the morning. I had previously arranged to have coffee and doughnuts available for everyone.

Once more I told everyone that their jobs were safe for the time being.

"For the time being is the operative word here Ladies and Gentlemen. Last month we had a rejection rate of 50 percent. This company cannot stay in business very long if this continues. I know some of you are unhappy about the wages but with the current situation, there is nothing that I can do about that. However, here is my promise, the first month that we have a rejection rate below 25 percent. I'll pay a hundred dollar bonus to everyone here. If it goes below 10 percent there will be a two hundred dollar bonus.

"So I'm open to suggestion as why we have this problem and what can be done about it. There are plenty of computers around so that anyone can type up something and stick it into the suggestion box without us knowing where it came from. What puzzles me most is, why quality control doesn't pick up the problems before the units go out to the customer."

So there it was out there almost an accusation of sabotage. Folks were looking at each other, but nothing was said.

"Well that is all I have to say for the moment. Enjoy your weekend and I'll see everyone on Monday morning ready to go."

The meeting broke up and I went inside to talk to the audit guys.

When I was ready for lunch one of the production supervisors approached me in the parking lot. Everyone else had left.

"Sir could I speak to you?" "Sure but forget about the sir. I'm Peter. What can I do for you?"

"I've done some checking on the rejections and they all are from the day shift. We have some in the second shift but they get caught in quality control. Just thought you should know that."

"Thanks a lot Bill. It is Bill right?" "Yes s... , Peter". "OK for now, please keep this under your hat. How would your QC guys feel if I put them on the day shift?"

"Two of them would love it, the third one not so much because his wife works the same hours he does at one of the hospitals."

"Thanks again. I'll think about it over the weekend."

We went our separate ways. Now that was interesting.

So I spent the rest of the day and all day Saturday at the plant.

Sunday I decided to goof off and take care of household chores, go for a run and stuff like that.

As I was sitting, listening to some blues, that's what was fitting my mood with Red gone, I remembered her letter and the suggestion to go to the Sixth Street Bar. So I showered and changed and went there for dinner.

Like last time I was sitting at the bar when Cindy walked up to me, put her arm around my shoulder and said "Hey, I didn't think you could look any sadder than last Sunday but you sure managed. Finish your dinner and then join us over there." Then very quietly "that's an order."

Then at a normal level, "the price of admission to our merry group is a round of drinks, you'll want to take care of that before you come over. Jimmy knows what we want."

So I finished my burger and beer, asked for another one, then pointing at the table where Cindy seemed be holding "court" "and a round for that table over there please" handing him my credit card.

As soon as the waitress was heading over to their table, I grabbed my beer and followed.

"Hello every one, this is Peter, he's a friend of Red's." That caused some surprised looks in the group, especially a couple of the girls. Introductions were made and as we got to a guy named Karl, I looked at him.

"I've seen you some place before, not quite sure where."

"Yes sir" that sat me back. "Please no sir, just Peter." "Well you are the big boss now and..."

"Yes now I know you work in production." "Yes sir". "Look Karl, I'm not saying it again, it's Peter at least here. If you're not comfortable at work, that's one thing. For your information, I have plans of changing the "culture" there. I want a team, not a bunch of robots."

"But enough of talk about work, how will the Giants and Jets fare this year?"

"That started a lively conversation and I quietly got another round for the group. Someone put some money into the juke box and suddenly there were folks dancing. Cindy grabbed me "come on Peter, show me your moves." I laughed you'll be lucky if I don't destroy your feet." But actually I do fairly well on the dance floor. A slow one came up and Cindy wouldn't let me go instead she kind of pressed herself into me and before I knew it she had grabbed my dick in its cage. A big smile came over her face making the whole room seem brighter "I like, you're keeping the face toy." My face must have been priceless, I was so shocked. Cindy laughed and whispered in my ear. "Your secret is safe with ME."