Southern Justice, Part 46
I’m Fixin’ To present part 46 of Southern Justice:
When Chris Adams and Jones entered Rick Junior’s office, Chris noticed immediately there was a copy of today’s newspaper on his desk, with the picture and story about the FBI raid on the Gentlemen’s Club facing up.
Chris secretly hoped Rick Junior wasn’t going to put him through the ringer over it like Jones had.
He breathed a silent sigh of relief when he didn’t. Rick Junior was all business. After a quick nod to each of them he said, “Hey, fellows, please grab a seat. We have an important item to discuss. But before we begin that, I would like to congratulate you both. I’ve just received our quarterly report from Sales Administration and our year-to-date sales are 10 percent over last year and five percent over plan—thanks to your efforts.”
Rick Junior continued, “But that’s not the main reason I called this meeting. The real reason is that due to my father’s demise and the growth of the company, I think a reorganization of the company is in order, and also necessary. Also, I want to do something else that is overdue, and that is to split the ownership of the company among the three of us.”
Chris looked at Jones who was already looking at him. They smiled at each other and did a high-five. Afterwards, they both turned back to face Rick Junior and Chris said, “Wow! Dang, I can’t believe you’re doing this!”
“You sure about all this Junior?” Jones asked.
From behind his desk Rick Junior replied, “We’ve been partners—more like brothers—just about all of our lives. Even though dad started the company, it’s what it is today because of the efforts and dedication of the three of us. We’ll share everything equally, okay?”
“Yeah, heck yes, of course it’s fine with me. Thank you, thank you very much!” Jones voiced his approval.
“Chris, how about you?” Rick Junior asked.
“Yeah, it’s a great thing you’re doing, thank you,” Chris confirmed.
“Now that we have that settled, this is what I have in mind for the reorganization,” Rick Junior said while passing a single sheet of paper to each of his new partners. “We’re stretched too thin for an organization this size and all we’re able to do is hit the hot spots, so to speak. If you both will follow me as I read from the top; I’ll assume the position of president and chief operating officer, while each of you will become executive vice presidents retaining your present scope of duties.
“We also need to staff up. We need a chief financial officer—I suggest we promote Vickie into that position. Are you both with me so far?”
Chris and Jones nodded in unison.
Rick Junior continued: “We’ll hire a director of sales and a director of marketing to assist each of you. Finally, I’m doubling our salaries immediately and declaring a million-dollar bonus for each of us. Just in case fellows—just in case. If the worst happens then we damn well won’t be left out in the cold. We’ve all worked hard and sacrificed a lot. It’s time we had a life, took a real vacation, and in my case, spend some time with family. A joy I hope the two of you will experience someday. That’s it. What do you think?”
“I think you’re right on target with everything,” Jones answered.
Chris nodded and said, “It all sounds great to me.”
“Good,” Rick Junior said. “Now, to the issue of ownership. In spite of this will business, which won’t be in effect for 30 days, I’m going to proceed with the idea that my deceased farther left this company to me.
Consequently, I’m going to have papers drawn up selling each of you an equal one-third of Pic-Ric Products. This is the part I’m not sure of. I think I can do it for a nominal fee. Damn it, we need a lawyer on call so we don’t have to wait and depend on our outside firm—–”
“You’re absolutely right,” Chris interrupted. We need one on staff.”
“Okay,” Rick Junior nodded. “Add that to your reorganization chart—a vice president and legal counsel with an assistant. Got anybody in mind?”
“As a matter of fact, I do!” Chris blurted out.
“Good!” Rick Junior exclaimed. “When can you get him in here to go to work?”
“Maybe this week,” Chris reported, “but it’s a she instead of a he. I mean a lawyer is a lawyer, and I’ll stake my reputation on this one!”
Rick Junior breathed a heavy sigh of relief and said, “We need to move fast on all this, especially the ownership issue. Any news from our outside law firm on contesting the will,” (Rick Junior seemed to snarl out the words rather than speak them) “the will my mother-in-law is in possession of?”
“I spoke to Roland James this morning and he said he hoped to be ready to file in a couple of weeks,” Jones reported
.
“Push him, Jones. We’ve only got about three and a-half weeks,” Rick Junior said. Then he turned toward Chris and asked, “Any thing you can report to us yet?”
“Uh, no, not quite yet, but soon!”
(tmdunagan@aol.com)