The Story of Charlie Mullins

by Jim Wygand

  “Mr. Shaw,” one of the reporters interrupted, “you must be aware that you will be taking on one or another of two very strong incumbents for a Senate seat. Are you prepared for a campaign?”

  “To be perfectly honest,” Phillip lied, “I had not even thought about a campaign yet. I have been extremely busy with the acquisitions and I was caught by surprise by the suggestions that I run for office. The only thing I have decided so far is to respond to the call. I am convinced that I can be a good Senator and contribute to the well-being of this great country. I have no illusions about the qualifications of those already holding office. Once the IPO has taken place, I will spend some time analyzing issues and preparing myself for a campaign. But I am not ready at this point to discuss specifics. I hope you understand.”

  As soon as Phillip finished his sentence hands flew up again. “I think I have said enough now. You all know what everyone has been asking for years, that is, will the Shaw Corporation ever go public? For years the answer has been ‘no’ and had it not been for a number of my friends and colleagues, it might have continued that way. I am stepping down as CEO and putting the company up for public ownership to avoid any conflicts of interest should I be elected to public office. Let me say in closing that I am sure than many of you will be far more critical of me as a candidate to public office than you have been of my performance as CEO.” Phillip laughed and the room laughed with him. Stepping from behind the lectern, Phillip worked the room, shaking hands with reporters and thanking them for coming to what would be his last press conference as CEO of the Shaw Corporation. Several reporters tried to get some off-the-record comments about Phillip’s political views and the kind of campaign he intended to wage. Phillip dodged the questions by repeating that he had not yet had time to think about his campaign. After rubbing elbows with the reporters, Phillip took his leave and the reporters all rushed back to their offices to write their stories, edit their videos, and speculate on the future of the Shaw Corporation and Phillip’s chances to get elected to the Senate.

  When Phillip returned to his office, Warren Carpenter was waiting for him. “I watched the conference from the back of the room, Phillip. You were terrific! It was nice to know that you have not yet given any thought to your campaign,” Warren laughed. “Boy did you handle that one well!” They both laughed heartily.

  “You want a scotch, Warren? I think I need a drink after that conference. It’s not too early is it? I mean hell, I’ve just quit my job as CEO of the Shaw Corporation!”

  “Let’s have one, Phillip. That conference deserves a toast!”

  Phillip went to a liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of single malt scotch and poured a couple of fingers of the expensive stuff for each of them. They clinked their glasses together and Phillip said “To a helluva campaign.”

  “Here, here,” Warren Carpenter replied and they both emptied their glasses in a single bolt. “By the way, Phillip, that was a masterful touch having Fred Perkins at the conference. It showed continuity and teamwork are valued and recognized.”

  Phillip laughed, “Poor Fred, he didn’t have the slightest idea what to say or do. He just nodded to everyone in the room and sat ramrod straight in his chair. He looked almost like a statue! That was his fifteen minutes of fame and I suppose he will treasure the moment until the day he dies. I know he is difficult, but he is loyal, if inarticulate except when berating someone and I hope he stays on with the new management. He’s competent but damned difficult and hardly a political animal. He’s about as political as a Doberman!” They both laughed heartily. “Now, let’s start talking about that campaign, Warren. Let’s go back to the house. Nobody’s going to work today after that press conference. They won’t even know I’m gone.

  * * * * *

  Laura Metzer burst into Charlie’s office, “My God, Charlie, did you hear the news? Phillip Shaw is going to sell the company! The whole building is buzzing with rumors. Everybody is scared to death that they will lose their jobs. Jesus, Charlie, what’s going on?”

  “Take it easy, Laura. This is news to me too,” Charlie lied, “but I am certain that Phillip Shaw is not going to throw this company to the sharks. Maybe he is just tired of running it. He did have a heart attack you know!”

  “You know what somebody told me? He’s going to run for the Senate in the next elections. Can you believe it?!”

  “Well, think about that Laura, would he be able to run for public office if he had thrown his company to a bunch of sharks? He wouldn’t get many votes from people who had lost their jobs, would he?”

  “No, I guess you’re right Charlie. But, it’s still scary. I mean what if the new owners do what a lot of others have done and go through the company with a hatchet?”

  “Laura, look at the acquisitions Phillip made. You can be sure that Phillip has locked in any new investors to long term relationships with the acquired companies. The Shaw Corporation has been repositioned in the market. The new owners are buying into what is practically a new company. They won’t be inclined to put people on the street.”

  “Yeah, but what about people like you and me who are linked to executives of the company? If Fred loses his job, his successor will want to bring in his own team. Have you thought about that, Charlie?”

  “Of course, Laura. In the first place, I don’t think Fred will get the ax. He’s well regarded in financial circles and he knows where the rocks are here. It’s possible of course, but I don’t think it is probable. Didn’t Phillip invite him to be at the press conference? I’m sure he had a reason for that. Phillip Shaw doesn’t do anything without thinking about what it means and how it will be interpreted, believe me.”

  “God, I hope you are right Charlie. Billy is still in college and I would hate to have to look for another job before he finishes.”

  “Relax Laura, even in a worst case scenario it will take the new owners a long time to evaluate the company and the personnel. They’re not going to walk in the day after buying the company and start kicking people out. If I remember correctly, Billy should graduate this summer so that won’t be an issue in short order. Besides, I just don’t see you getting fired anyway. Take it easy. I know people are on edge, but if I know this company and Phillip Shaw, there won’t be any upheaval. Maybe a few waves, but no upheaval.”

  “Thanks Charlie. I feel better, not good mind you, but better than before. I’ll leave you alone now. Thanks for the ear.”

  “No problem, Laura. See ya later.” Charlie felt bad that he could not tell Laura everything. She was scared, just as everyone else would be now that Shaw was going to change hands. He knew he would get a lot of questions from his buddies in Shoreville and they would all reflect the same fears that Laura discussed with him. He drew some comfort from knowing that both Sharon Gallagher and Diane Simms would be worried and not thinking much about him for the next couple of weeks. In fact, since he was an important source of information about what was happening in the company, they would make it a point to not antagonize him. But, in spite of his anger at Sharon and Diane’s behavior, he could not help but feel sorry for them. They had kids in school, mortgages on their homes, and their husbands had good jobs. Their lives would be disrupted by the IPO and they would be on edge for a long time wondering if and when the ax would fall.

  Phillip Shaw was right. Nobody in the company did any work that day. As the news of his press conference was passed along the “water-cooler-telegraph” people either stood around speculating about what would happen or walked quietly back to their desks to worry.

  Charlie had seen this kind of reaction in individuals who were afraid of being fired but he had never seen it take over an entire company. He decided that he would call a staff meeting of his own personnel to try to put them a little more at ease. He summoned a meeting for 3 pm and was surprised to see everyone standing around his office at two-forty-five. No one was talking or telling jokes. The mood was somber. He led the group to the meeting room just down the corridor and everyone sa
t down in absolute silence. Charlie could not tell his staff everything he knew but he could assure them that their jobs were less in danger than they all seemed to think. He explained that he had known about the acquisitions from Fred, of course, and from what he could see, the acquisitions virtually ensured that no one would be given walking papers after the IPO. A couple of employees asked why he thought this would apply to the staff people whose jobs involved processing papers rather than producing things. Charlie told the group that first of all he was sure that Fred Perkins would still be around when the dust settled. This led to a couple of good natured groans from some of his staff. Charlie smiled and continued to explain that there was no real reason to fire any of the financial staff. When he finished the meeting the employees appeared a little more relaxed. He could not in good conscience make any promises but he could also not bear to see his loyal staff go home before trying to help them stay calm and be a little more confident about the future. He knew that this staff meeting was just a small prelude to what he would hear at bowling league night tomorrow.

  Charlie and all the employees in his department left the office promptly at 5-o-clock. Within 5 minutes not a single person was around. Charlie went directly to the parking lot, got into his car, and drove to Philly. Within 20 minutes he was pulling into the garage at Gina’s building.

  * * * * *

  Gina was waiting for Charlie with a vodka martini in her hand. She handed it to him and grabbed her own manhattan and accompanied him to the couch. “I had the TV on when a reporter came out with the breaking news that the Shaw Corporation was going to be sold. I figured you would leave the office precisely at 5 and that you would need a drink.”

  Charlie kissed her, “Boy was that a good call! What a day, Gina. Yeah, I do need a drink. Thanks.” He took a deep gulp of his drink before sitting down with Gina. He clinked his glass to hers and said, “Here’s to us now, sweets. It’s been a long, hard slog but we made it.”

  “Here’s to our life, Charlie. I know this has been very tough for you. I’m with you for whatever lies ahead. I love you.”

  “Gina, I’ve never seen so many terrified people at one time. Everyone in the company is wondering who will be the new owners and whether they will have a job when the dust settles. It’s really sad to see it, even knowing that not much will change. The anxiety is palpable and, probably to large degree, not justified but they don’t know what I know. They are suffering.”

  “Those poor people, Charlie. They all have responsibilities, kids in school, mortgages, car payments, bank loans, and God knows what else. Each and every one of them must be a nervous wreck. Shaw is by far the biggest and best paying employer in the whole region. Isn’t there anything the company can do to assure them?”

  “I think Phillip Shaw did as much as he could. He doesn’t have much control over what the new owners will do. He has to trust his business acumen and believe that he has structured the company in such a way that no buyer would want to mess too much with it for fear of messing up a good thing. He’s a sharp businessman and has done what he could but no one is really going to feel good until the dust settles on this thing. The Shaw Corporation was for many of those who worked for it a bit like the Catholic Church; priests, bishops, cardinals, and popes come and go, but the Church is still the same. Everyone just took it for granted that the Shaw family would stay in charge forever. People get settled in their lives and see the company as a rock. It’s always there and it is solid. Now they fear the rock could be moved and they are disoriented. Besides, they’ve seen it happen all over America. Companies move entire facilities to China. Jobs are exported to India, or Brazil, or Mexico. Whole communities get wiped out. The Shaws are sure to make a lot of money on the IPO and a lot of people will resent the fact that their lives have been disrupted while the Shaw family makes a bundle. They will feel betrayed until things settle down. I truly believe that Phillip has done a good job of making sure the disruption will be minimal, if only because he plans to run for office and it wouldn’t do to have destroyed whole communities through the sale. But, I don’t know of any way to make people feel safe under the circumstances.”

  “Charlie, you sound a lot like my uncle!” Gina said. “Things are as they are and we have to live with the situation. I guess you’re right but I really feel sorry for the families who will have to worry their way through the situation.”

  “Me too, Gina, but I am powerless to help in this case.”

  “Well, at least you can try to help your friends in Shoreville.”

  “Yeah, tomorrow is league night and I am sure I will be barraged with questions. I’ll do what I can, but it’s not going to be easy for anyone right now. There will be some anger and a lot of fear. I’m sure of that. I saw it in the past whenever the economy turned south. This is much more dramatic and more widespread. I’ll do what I can, but it won’t be enough, I’m sure of that.”

  “Are you hungry Charlie, I can fix something or we can go out. It’s up to you.”

  “No, sweets, I think I would just like to order a pizza a little later. I want to watch the 7-o-clock news to see what’s reported on the press conference. Maybe we could open a bottle of wine and have some pizza. I’m really not in the mood for a fancy dinner or making you work. I’d like to just have you beside me. Is that OK?”

  “Sure, Charlie, I know what you must be going through. But don’t feel responsible for this. Phillip Shaw was going to sell the company anyway. He wants his political career and you can feel comfortable knowing that you did your best to protect the jobs of your friends and colleagues.”

  They sat down to watch the evening news. The local stations ran the story of the IPO and Phillip’s announcement of a calling to public service as the first item on the agenda. There were film clips of Phillip’s presentation followed by analysis of what the whole thing meant for the Delaware Valley communities. The national networks covered the press conference in the business news segments. The emphasis was on the expectations for the IPO and for Phillip Shaw’s bid for the Senate. A few pundits had been brought in to comment on both. The consensus was that Phillip had done a masterful job of preparing the company for long-term growth. There were comments on the quality of the management team and the likelihood that there would be no major upheavals inside the company. The comments on Phillip’s planned political career were also positive but emphasized that he would have to face a difficult campaign to unseat an incumbent, especially the one who had been a Senator for several terms.

  Charlie took some comfort in the national news reports and hoped that his friends in Shoreville had seen both the local and national coverage. Tomorrow night would be a little easier if he could refer to the rather positive outlook of the pundits.

  When the news was over, Gina turned off the TV and put some relaxing jazz on the CD player. She called and ordered a pizza and asked Charlie to open a bottle of wine. She could see that Charlie felt better but was still worried for his friends. She walked over to him and embraced him tightly. “It’ll all work out OK, Charlie. I know it. I’m here for you. Your friends will be all right.”

  “I believe that Gina, I really do. They will suffer because of their fear, but I’m pretty sure they won’t lose their jobs. It’s just that I know what they are going through. I saw my parents go through it a few times. Nobody likes to really know that life is uncertain. Faith and hope far outweigh objective reason in people’s lives. I’ve felt that way myself a lot of times.”

  “Do you want to talk to Uncle Carlo, Charlie?”

  “No, Gina, we will see him on Sunday anyway and I’m comfortable that things have been done with as much care and concern for the fate of others as could possibly be the case.” Charlie ate a couple of slices of pizza slowly and drank a little more wine than usual. Gina, too, ate slowly but drank little wine. She was worried about Charlie. After listening to some music for a couple of hours and sitting in silence on the sofa with Charlie’s arm around Gina, they went to bed. Tomorrow would be
a tough day for Charlie Mullins.

  * * * * *

  Wednesday was not a typical work day at the Shaw Corporation. People walked around hugging the walls with hangdog expressions on their faces. They seemed to be moving in slow motion while thinking about something else. Charlie took comfort in seeing that his team seemed at least a little more relaxed than many of the other employees. He was glad he had held the staff meeting. During the day he made it a point to walk around the office and encourage those who seemed to be the most worried. He stopped by Laura’s desk and noticed that Fred Perkins was again wearing his blue suit. “What a bastard!” Charlie thought. “The least he could do would be to provide some support for his people!” But he knew that empathy was not in Fred Perkins’ emotional lexicon. He was basking in his 15 minutes of fame and could not care less if everyone else was scared shitless. Laura was a little more composed than she had been yesterday and said, “Thanks for your words yesterday, Charlie. I think you are right. Some things will change, but there’s not going to be any mass executions. I feel better.”

  “That’s good, Laura. Try to take an objective approach. Phillip did his homework and he has no interest in selling out the employees. In fact, he will need their votes, so he wants ‘em happy. Stick with it.”

  “Thanks, Charlie. Did anyone ever tell you that you are just one helluva nice guy?”

  “Maybe once or twice, Laura, but I try not to believe them,” Charlie laughed, “see ya’ later.” Charlie headed back to his office. He had to prepare himself for the questions of his friends that night.