Little White Lies

by Paul Watkins

  A.J. walks around the desk and whispers in my ear, “Ixnay the payday. Women are so goddamn tight with money when it comes to the help… she would never understand. I mean, she wouldn’t tip a quarter for tomorrow’s stock market report.”

  I look at A.J. to see if he can say this with a straight face. He can.

  “Come on, Honey,” he says to Sheri. “Phil and I are finished here and I’m late as it is.”

  Sheri smiles at him as he takes her arm and leads her out of the library. Crossing the threshold she turns and gives me a big wink. Like I said, suspicions confirmed. Screw him. I don’t want the money. He’ll forget all about it by tomorrow anyway.

  A.J. reminds me of the boss of a friend of mine. It was some time ago, but my friend told me he had been fired no less than thirteen times by the same man. Each time he would report to work a few days later as though nothing had happened and neither he nor the boss would refer to the ‘termination’ that had taken place a day or two earlier. I think A.J. is a little like that except he wouldn’t forget about firing me. If it ever got to that point it would be permanent.

  CHAPTER 7

  A.J. has been back on the road for a few days now and life is almost normal, whatever that is. The budget continues to be a moving target, but it’s coming around. I’m not going to worry about it. A lot of movement and guessing is to be expected during the first year in an operation like this. Some of the other things we are trying to arrange are a bit more mundane, but just as important. The general rule we try to follow is that the family comes first. Everyone should understand what we’re trying to do and each person should think for himself. So far I would have to say that most people are trying… but, as always, we can get better.

  I have found A.J. to be very interested in everything that goes on here at the estate. To his credit, whenever anything has to be done, he wants it done right. Cost is never his concern. However, experience has shown me that I have to keep cost in mind since he often forgets some of his pricey suggestions when the time comes to pay the bills. Then I am usually called to task for not talking him out of the more expensive spread. The more I stand my ground, the more he likes to get into it. Sometimes I think he just likes the action, even if it’s an argument. Some people are like that. I’m not, but some people are.

  Sheri spends a lot of time with the kids, especially when A.J. is away. She often refers to him as her biggest child and definitely the one who is the most demanding, claiming he’s housebroken and that’s about it. I admire her involvement with her children. She commented to me on one occasion that she views Mary Stanley as convenient and a definite help when she has other things requiring her presence or attention. On the other hand, she makes it clear that Mary is no substitute mother. Sheri gets the kids up and takes care of them during the day, including changing diapers and baths and the rest. She considers reading to them one of her special privileges, especially at bedtime. I don’t think many women would do the same in similar circumstances.

  Sometimes I think Mary has the best of it, for she will often go for long periods of time with little or nothing to do. It’s during those times when her attitude puzzles me most. I don’t know quite how to explain it, but she seems to want to have nothing to do with the family or anyone else around here. If she is free, she goes to her room or off by herself and spends her time alone.

  The kids seem to like her, but given a choice, they will spend their time with almost anyone else who will let them stick around. I don’t know enough about kids to explain it so I won’t try, but it seems like strange behavior on her part. I think most people in Mary’s position would be very attached to the children, but she appears to work at being as distant as possible. Perhaps it’s a defensive mechanism… she doesn’t want to become too close to children who can never be her own. But the bottom line is that she is good to the kidswhen she has to be, and that seems to be all Sheri wants of her, so it will have to be good enough for me as well.

  It’s been a long day and a satisfying one. I probably shouldn’t think about it, because something always happens when I’m feeling complacent and then the dominoes start falling the other way. I’m actually thinking this when the phone rings. It’s Lionel Wilson, one of the managers in Atlanta where A.J. has two restaurants. I don’t know Lionel personally, but I’ve seen his name on some of the paperwork in the office. His operation is one of the larger and more successful of the handful of restaurants A.J. has going at this point.

  “Hey, Phil,” he opens like we’re old friends, “I need to talk to A.J. right away.”

  “Sorry, Lionel,” I reply, checking my watch, “I don’t think there’s much chance of that happening. A.J.’s going to be starting his show soon and the chances of reaching him later on are slim. What’s up?”

  “I just had a manager walk on me… the bastard never heard of two weeks notice. He gave me two minutes and I had to call him to get that much. I think if it were up to him, I never would have heard. Anyway, I’ll need a replacement pronto and I’d like to get A.J.’s input.”

  “Why? You must know your people better than he does. Make the appointment yourself.”

  “I don’t think you understand,” Lionel counters, drawing out the last syllable with lots of a’s and n’s. understaaaannnn… “A.J. always wants to be in on these decisions. If I go ahead and appoint someone on my own, he’ll hit the roof. Problem is, I need someone in there right away. The restaurant can’t run itself.” He pauses a few moments and then continues, “Shit, if I don’t get in touch with A.J., I’m going to be screwed either way.”

  He sounds miserable. This is the problem when the boss insists on keeping his finger in every pie. He pays managers to manage, but he won’t let them do their job. Personnel selection isn’t exactly a science and I’d be amazed if A.J. had any better idea regarding the appointment than the manager would… the manager, incidentally, who is on the ground and knows all the players. Also, A.J. should start changing his style and I can’t think of a better time than right now. Here we go again. Business is like some sticky substance… I get within hailing distance and it reaches out and grabs me.

  “I don’t think it will be that bad, Lionel,” I offer. “Let’s go ahead and make the appointment… I’ll take the responsibility.”

  “How in the hell are you going to do that? A.J. will never let me off the hook.”

  “You’re not on the hook. Mr. Jackson has made me his assistant and I’m assuming responsibility for this.”

  It’s a bit of a stretch, but not far off the mark. I really should be helping out more. How’s that for a mental massage?

  “Once we decide what we’re going to do, I’ll fax a confirmation to you so you can proceed. Then I’ll take the decision to Mr. Jackson at the first opportunity.”

  I pause and wait for a reaction, but Lionel just stays quiet at his end. Too much thinking can make your head ache. I’d better push on.

  “All right, let’s get started. Who would you consider for the job and why?”

  Still no answer from Lionel, but just as I’m about to prod him again he comes to life.

  “There are two good candidates,” he begins tentatively. “One of them has been with us a little longer than the other and is probably the better choice, except for one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s a she-type problem. We’ve never had a female manager before and I’m not sure how A.J. feels about it. My guess is. not too good. So we should probably go with the guy, which I wouldn’t mind doing if it was about six months or a year from now. we just need a longer look. Down the road I think he’s going to be good, but he’s not quite ready for it just yet. He needs a little more experience.”

  “Lionel, if your life depended on making the right choice… forget about your job for the moment… who would you choose?”

  “I would choose the girl, if it were
simply a matter of who could do the job best. But if I choose her, A.J. will probably go into orbit. I’m not kidding about this… I think he’ll really lose it. So to go along with your little game, I might lose both… figuratively speaking… when A.J. gets hold of me.”

  The sound of his chuckle projects more irony than mirth. Sitting here I can’t help but think that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I have faced this type of issue so many times over the years. Go with the so-called safe choice or go with the right choice. Fortunately, for me, when I was in business I was the leader of the band, so when it came to this type of thing I could do it right. The problem was making certain others did things for the right reasons as well. It doesn’t eliminate mistakes, but it’s a start. Doing the right thing in business should never mean betting one’s career.

  It’s a little difficult for me to put myself in Lionel’s place right now. Even in a small organization like A.J.’s there’s fear of the boss’s style and whim. I wonder if it was like that in my business? It probably was without the slightest awareness on my part and A.J.’s most likely in the same boat. What a world we live in! It seems life is a constant process of putting on the other guy’s shoes to find out what it’s like for him. I guess that’s how we come up with all those clichés: the grass is always greener, you have to walk a mile in his moccasins, and so on. Empathy has to be the most difficult of life’s many lessons and it seems to never end. Well, better get on with the task at hand before Lionel wimps out on me.

  “Here’s what I want you to do,” I continue. “Call both candidates into your office the first thing in the morning and talk to them separately, the girl first. Appoint her as acting manager for a period not to exceed six months. If we can’t make the appointment permanent by that time, then we have made a mistake, or there’s some problem we’re not aware of. There willbe no change in pay until the appointment is permanent. When the promotion is final, all back pay will be brought up to date. That way we’re less likely to lose a good employee if the temporary assignment doesn’t work out. Back pay in that case would be paid out as a bonus for her extra effort. We want to keep her salary intact until we know what we’re doing. Otherwise we’ll have a lower level person with a manager’s pay scale and you can never back them down. It’s human nature, they understand philosophically what’s happening, but the money blinds them to the reality of the situation. It’s one thing to move her back to her old job… it’s something else to reverse the pay. No sense in losing a good employee if we can avoid it.

  “After you talk to her, talk to the other candidate and tell him he was up for this job, but the reason he didn’t get it is because of his lack of experience or whatever else you feel he needs at this time. Describe the areas where he should concentrate his efforts and tell him he will probably get the next opening when it occurs… as long as it is six to twelve months out and assuming he continues to improve. Put everything in writing and put a copy in their individual files after they have had a chance to review and initial it. Always have an employee initial and date any agreement of this type, regardless of how informal it might be, so there will be no misunderstandings later on. Okay?”

  “You make it all sound so easy,” Lionel says laughing. “Very businesslike, but the shit is still going to hit the fan… just so you know.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean, but we’re doing the right thing. As long as you have a good handle on the people there we have nothing to worry about. As far as the female issue is concerned, Mr. Jackson will go along with the decision. He’s a very fair man. Or, at least, that’s my impression during my brief experience with him. Good management isn’t a gender thing. It comes with talent and experience. Don’t worry, he knows that.” I pause to think about what we have discussed and to see if there is anything else we should cover. “I guess that’s about it. I’ll fax the substance of our decision and your authority to proceed. What’s your fax number?”

  Hanging up the telephone I know two things have just happened. One is that A.J. is going to take maximum advantage of this situation and really get pissed-off. While I have been poking in and around A.J.’s restaurant business for the past few weeks, my involvement has been mostly minor administrative matters. This is a bit closer to the bone. The other thing that’s happened, if I keep my job, is that I am going to be back in the management game whether I like it or not. But I probably shouldn’t blow that bridge until I’m on it.

  CHAPTER 8

  Except for the time I was in combat, I think I can count on one hand the number of occasions, since I was a kid, when I have started the day without a physical workout of some kind. These days I start with an easy run and then go to the gym for a karate session. Sometimes I work with one of the security staff and other times I work alone. When a partner is not available I often work on kata. A kata is a choreographed fight against imaginary aggressors or opponents. During the kata one exercises certain karate moves that concentrate one’s attention on skill and timing. When a kata is performed with full power, it is a major workout in itself. Several katas performed sequentially can really get the old heart started. Kata isn’t worth a damn when it comes to fighting, but when you’re alone it’s better than nothing.

  I want to clear my head and prepare myself for the upcoming session with A.J. This is his first day back and Atlanta’s on his mind. I know he knows about the manager Lionel and I appointed and he’s spoiling for a fight. Either that or I’ve misjudged him completely. My fight is in the gym and that’s where I want to leave it.

  Cooled down and showered, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I think this place is getting to me. In a sense, I suppose I’m looking forward to the confrontation almost as much as he is… maybe we’re both sick. But I’m not into it for the sake of confrontation. It’s an important point with me because it will probably affect my work here in a very significant way. The house is under control now and it would help if I could become more involved in the restaurant end of the business. I have to admit I am more than slightly intrigued. Besides, A.J. can use some assistance in this area as well as his entertainment business. From where I sit, he’s been overwhelmed for some time now.

  I have prepared an agenda for the meeting and the appointment is the first item of business. We might as well get right into it because I don’t think he will pay attention to anything else until we get it out of the way. Entering the library, I find him sitting at his desk, reviewing the agenda I provided for the meeting.

  “Good morning, Mr. Jackson, did you have a good trip?” I ask, making every effort to sound as though I am filled with good cheer. Actually I am full of the good stuff. Seeing A.J. again, not that he’s been gone that long, is always a boost. He has an aura of energy around him and one can’t help but feel it as soon as you come in range. He exudes confidence. A slight nod acknowledges my greeting, otherwise no reaction.

  “You may have heard that your Atlanta, Restaurant 2, manager quit. We, Mr. Wilson and I, made a new appointment to replace him. I would like to explain what happened and why we appointed that particular manager.”

  How’s that for taking the long way around the barn? This time the response is a blank stare. I’m trying not to smile… he’s so pissed-off he looks like he’s about to bite the desk.

  “As you may know, the manager quit, without notice, on the twenty-fifth. I received a call that night from Mr. Wilson. He wanted to contact you at that time and give the news to you directly. Also, he wanted guidance from you regarding the person you would like to appoint as a replacement.

  “I decided it was not an appropriate time to call since you were about to go on stage. While any type of managerial change is always important, I did not believe this was an issue you had to be involved with right then. So after talking to Mr. Wilson for a while, I decided to help him with the decision. He seemed to have a pretty good handle on the staff and I figured you would probably want to go with an acting posi
tion before making the appointment permanent. A probationary period will give you and Mr. Wilson an opportunity to evaluate the manager in the actual job.”

  I pause to see if he would like to comment. The steady stare continues as before… perhaps a bit more intense.

  “I told Mr. Wilson to talk with both candidates,” I continue. “That is, tell one why she got the job and explain the probationary period; and tell the other why he did not get the job and what would have to change or take place for him to be in line for the next opening. Both interviews were documented and signed off by all parties with copies in their personnel files.

  “Mr. Wilson made the recommendation, but I made the decision. He is on record as wanting to go directly to you with this. I think Mr. Wilson sounds like a good man and with a little guidance he could probably be a lot more help than he is now. Eventually you will need real managers who can pull their own weight. As your organization grows these people will have to take on more responsibility. You are paying people to do a job… they should learn to do it.”

  I have a hunch all this good advice is falling on deaf ears.

  “Phil, I’m not going to shit you on this.”

  Ah, the silence is broken.

  “I want you to know I have a real problem with you getting into my business at this level. I mean, what the hell do you know about any of this? Nothing, that’s what! Not a goddamned thing. And Lionel doesn’t know much more. You two could have screwed things up… big time! As it turns out, I probably would have done the same thing, except I would have made the appointment permanent. I believe in making the manager secure. I have found that people do a better job when they feel secure in their position.”