by David Rhodes
The man at the counter was very well dressed, too well for the neighborhood he was in. The man at the table was reading something and hadn’t really noticed, but the woman had. She knew a score when she saw one. She leaned over and said quietly, “Pete, look at this guy drinking coffee. Look at that suit, he has money.”
Pete glanced up and said, “Yeah, maybe. What of it?”
“Well, let’s get it. We can shake him down as he leaves, and he won’t know what hit him. He looks like he’s loaded.”
Pete looked up again as the man was saying something to Lucy, the old waitress behind the counter. Lucy was laughing and saying, “Now that was funny. Thanks.”
Pete shook his head and said, “Let’s leave him alone, Marilyn. We got other things to think about.”
“What other things do we have to think about other than making money?” she asked. “There’s absolutely nothing going on. Especially around here. Even Jimmy doesn’t have anything going on.”
“Just give it a rest,” Pete told her.
Marilyn snorted but as the man stood up she smiled at him when he looked in their direction. He paused and walked over to them, but Marilyn was surprised when he spoke to Pete, “Excuse me, can I bother you for a moment?”
“No, we’re busy,” Marilyn jumped in. “Take a hike.”
The man looked at her and said, “I was talking to him, not you.” Then he looked back at Pete and asked, “What book are you looking at?”
As Marilyn stood up and balled her fists, Pete looked at the man for a few seconds then replied, “It’s about hotel management.”
“That’s what I thought,” the man said. “I wrote it. I’ve never actually seen one being read though. Can I sit down and talk to you for a few minutes?”
“No, you can’t,” Marilyn said angrily. “And in a minute I’m going to - ”
“Can she wait outside?”
“What?” Marilyn spluttered.
Pete held up his hand and told Marilyn, “Stop.” He thought for a moment then said, “Marilyn, wait outside.”
“You can’t mean you’re going to talk to this clown can you? He’s just - ”
Pete gave her a look that made her immediately stop talking. “I said, wait outside. I’ll call you back in when I need you.”
She looked at the man then brushed against him as she stalked outside. She stood by the large plate glass window and kept looking in, waiting for Pete to signal her.
The man sat down and said, “I hope I’m not causing you any trouble with your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend, she’s a business associate is all. Now, why am I making her mad?”
As the man reached out a hand he said “First, my name is Charles Dawson.”
Pete looked at it for a moment then sat up and as he shook hands he replied, “I’m Pete Reese.”
“Pete, I have a question for you. Are you actually interested in hotel management?”
Pete paused again, then slowly he answered, “I do have some interest in it.”
“Do you have any experience in it?”
Pete slumped back down and said, “No.”
Charles sat back in his chair and said, “Okay. Now I have another question. When you look out the window, other than your extremely mad business associate, what do you see?”
“A run-down neighborhood that’s getting worse every day.”
“You’re right, Pete. Now, what do you see with your heart?”
Pete blinked and looked out the window, back at Charles, and then out the window again. Slowly he answered, “I see a neighborhood that used to be a great place to live. My family lived two blocks from here and I don’t remember any bad times until I became a teenager. Then it just went downhill. This place used to be one of our hangouts when I was a kid. Now it’s just a dump.”
“I see the same thing when I look out there,” Charles agreed. “But I see something else, a way to make it a great neighborhood again. You see the building across the street?”
“The Lincoln Hotel? It’s nothing but a flophouse. It’s called the Stinken Hotel now.”
“That’s what it is now. But I just bought it, like I’m buying others just like it in neighborhoods just like this one. I’m also going to buy this café and a small movie theatre a block over. I’m going to remodel them and try to take this neighborhood back one building at a time. What do you think of that?”
Pete nodded his head and told Charles, “That would be good.”
“I need someone to run the Lincoln for me. Someone like you.”
Pete looked surprised and asked, “Don’t you have people who can do that? I don’t have any experience and I just started reading this book. I can’t help you.”
“You’re right, I do have people who could run this hotel. But none of them will. Too bad of a neighborhood. I need someone who can provide me with ideas, fresh ideas, a list of things that need to be done to make the Lincoln respectable, and has the conviction to get it done. I like what I heard just now. What do you think? Do you have ideas?”
“Yeah, I have ideas, but I don’t know how to run anything.”
“We can teach you the basics, all you need to know. But there will be a lot of learning as you go, and it might be tough. You would need help.”
“Marilyn would help.”
Charles shook his head and said, “I don’t know. She seems pretty volatile. You need someone who will do what you ask and do the right thing. I can’t have this falling apart.”
“She can do it.”
“Call her back in.”
Marilyn stormed in and as she sat down, Charles said, “Tell her.”
“Tell me what?” she asked angrily.
“This man, Charles, is going to fix up the Lincoln across the street. He wants me to help him.”
“What a - ”
“Stop,” Pete commanded. “What’s the first thing you would suggest that needs to be done?”
“This is total - ”
“Marilyn, you’re smart. That’s why we run together and why I thought of you for this. So be smart. Tell me, right now, what would you do?”
Marilyn smiled at Pete and asked, “Really?” Then she looked at Charles and told him, “You need to replace every ground level door and window with whatever will keep the wino’s out. Make the lobby look nice to begin with then start on the top floor and work your way down. That way you can start booking some rooms and when the people walk out the front door they aren’t walking through a bunch of trash and dead people.”
Charles smiled and said, “Thanks Marilyn.” Then he asked, “Is there anything I need to know about either one of you that will keep you from taking this job?”
“We’ve both been arrested,” Pete admitted.
“Paid your dues?”
“Yes.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“Drugs?”
“Not really,” Marilyn answered. “I mean a few here and there.”
Charles looked at her for a moment and said, “What you mean is you used to use drugs, but you just gave them up.”
Marilyn opened her mouth then closed it. She looked at Pete who was just starting to look through her, so she quickly said, “Yes, I just gave them up.”
“Okay,” Charles said. “But I do need to make something clear. I like what I’ve heard, but I’ve never been accused of being able to read people. I make mistakes just like anyone else and this deal in this café will cause a lot of people to question my sanity. You’ll be handling money. You’ll be in a position to take advantage of things if that is what you do. You’ll have free time to do things you used to do. And then I’ll probably get a call from Sharon Jenson, my Security Chief, and I don’t want that.”
As he handed them both a card he told them, “I’m going to put you in touch with my business director, Ben Weston. He probably won’t like you at first, you’re a little rough around the edges so to speak, but if you’re honest with him you won’t fi
nd anyone better to work for. He’ll make sure you get all the training and backing you need. What do you say? Need to think on it?”
“No,” they both said at once. “And you won’t regret this,” Pete added.
She was standing on the sidewalk in the rain, crying again, when the stranger came up and asked, “Do you know which one of these buildings is Terrace View.” As she looked up to answer he continued, “I am so sorry. I didn’t realize you were upset, I’ll ask someone else.”
As he turned to walk away she said, “It’s okay. It’s this building right here. Same one I live in, same as my ex-boyfriend.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” the man said, “but if I could bother you for one more second, do you know a Lisa Wells? She lives in this building.”
“Well, that’s me,” Lisa said. “What do you want with me?”
“This is great. I’m Charles Dawson and Professor Welton told me you are the smartest person he has ever met.”
“Yeah, so smart I don’t know who to date or when to come in out of the rain.”
“It is raining, isn’t it?” Charles said. “Is that coffee shop across the street a good place to talk?”
“Yes,” Lisa told him, and they quickly walked to it and sat in a booth. After she dried her hair with a napkin, Lisa asked, “Why do you want to talk to me?”
“I want to offer you a job, temporary to begin with, but possibly full time if you work out.”
“What would I be doing? What do you do?”
“I own a multi-national conglomerate company that - ”
“Of course, Dawson Enterprise. I thought I recognized you but why would you be in front of my apartment building? I like your diversification and - ” she suddenly went red and stopped talking.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…I was sounding too smart. I don’t want you to think I’m a know it all. I’m sorry.”
Charles leaned back and told her, “Lisa, I am surrounded by smart people. Men and women. I make it a point to hire the smartest people I can find. I think you would fit in with any group of people I asked you to meet after you accept a few things.”
“What?”
“That you are smart, that you want to be smart, and you want to be accepted for being smart. And you won’t listen to anyone who thinks you are too smart. In my business there is no such thing.”
“I could try, I mean yes, sir.”
“I’m Charles.”
“Okay, Charles. What is it you would like me to do?”
“What do you know about dinosaurs?”
“I’m sorry, not much at all.”
“If I give you a list of some books, could you learn a little something?”
“Of course.”
“Great. I am meeting a well-known paleontologist, and his equally well-known paleontologist daughter, in a few days to discuss giving them a grant for a dig. I have had an interest in paleontology for quite some time, so I can talk the talk. But, I need someone who can understand some of what they are talking about and all about what they are spending. I know you are good with figures but if you can get up to speed with some dinosaur information, that will help. What do you think?”
Lisa smiled and said, “This sounds exciting, I’d love to help. What are the names of your paleontologists?”
“Ron and Lauren Fontana. Here is a list of their books and some others on paleontology that I have found quite interesting. Do what you can with them, we leave for New Mexico in three days. We’ll be there at least a week meeting them and going to the dig site, so I can get a feel for things, or rather, so we can get a feel for things. I will want all the input you can give me.” Charles paused and asked, “What’s wrong? Can’t get away from another job?”
“No, well, I mean I work part time at a nail salon, but I didn’t realize we would be going someplace else and you know, spending the night.”
Charles paused for a second then told her, “You don’t know me, so I can understand any concern you might have about this sudden offer which includes sleeping arrangements. Let me tell you what I have planned. You and I will fly first class to New Mexico where hopefully we will be picked up and taken to our separate rooms. I have booked two rooms in what I have been told is an excellent hotel on the campus of Buckland University.
“We will attend a lot of meetings which will require us to look nice, listen attentively and probably eat some tasteless food at a diner or two. At the end of each day I will want you to tell me exactly what you think and why you think it. You will also need to write up reports that I can send to my board members.
“We will also need to dress down for the field and sleep in separate tents for at least one night and maybe more. I don’t know if you like the outdoors but I’m sure there will be bugs of every description and a lot of sun.
“At no time will I hit on you or try and get you into my bed. I can only give you my word on that and tell you that you may carry a firearm with you at all times if you think it is necessary.”
Lisa smiled and apologized, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you are a bad man. It’s just that I’ve - ”
“You’ve had some problems with men who took advantage of you.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe one that made you cry recently?”
“Maybe.”
“Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Well, I don’t have very many nice things to wear. Can you give me an idea of what I need to buy, and I hate to ask, but can I get an advance on my salary?”
Charles took out his phone and as he sent a text he said, “You will need business casual clothing, but very nice.” He wrote an address on the list of books he had given her and said, “You now have a thousand dollars of credit at this store. Tell them who you are, and they will provide you with everything you need. Is there anything else?”
“No, sir. Well, maybe, how much will I be making?”
“I am paying you $500 a day for your work. I hope that is satisfactory.”
“But that’s 3,500 dollars for the week. That’s 182,000 dollars a year. It would take me over seven years to earn that much.”
“Then you are seriously underpaid,” Charles said. “I’ll have a car waiting for you outside your building at 9am Friday morning. Does that work for you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Charles.”
As they found their seats on the plane, Charles nodded and told Lisa, “I’m impressed, I can’t believe you read all the books I suggested plus you found out all that extra information on the Fontanas. Did you find any of it interesting or was it just an assignment?”
“At first it was just reading but then I actually found it interesting. Not only the careers of the Fontanas but also paleontology in general. I’m not sure I could lay in the hot sun for hours brushing sand and dirt away from a fossil, but the results are fantastic. I also went over to the museum and checked out their dinosaur exhibit. They were much bigger than I imagined. I mean I expected big, but they were huge. I’m glad I never saw one.”
“I’m glad you’re taking an active interest in this,” Charles told her. “Hold on for one second, I promised someone I would call them about now.” He quickly made the call and said, “Good morning Major Donald, how is the camp? That’s great, did you get the help I suggested? Are they working out like we hoped they would? Great. How about your people? Everything sounds great, I look forward to meeting with you sometime next week and we’ll see about planning a schedule for the rest of the year. Well, you are welcome, but it was your idea. Thanks, and goodbye.”
He looked at Lisa and told her, “I met Major Donald a couple of months ago at a retreat. She had recently retired and hadn’t found a job she was really interested in, but she did have an idea. She wanted to build a campground that would focus on empowering women. There would be hiking, camping, zip lines, rock climbing, an obstacle course and well, a lot of other interesting things.
“She was wanting to work out a
business deal with me and I just laughed and funded her for three years. She didn’t realize I wasn’t a business man.”
“What do you see yourself as?” Lisa asked.
“A philanthropist, but one who will push you to do your best and expect nothing less.”
“I better stay on my toes then.”
“You’re doing just fine. No, better than fine, you went way past that. Remember how smart you are and don’t be afraid to show it.” He paused for a second then added, “And be yourself.”
“There they are,” Danny said as he stopped the car near a sign that read Science Hall. Charles and Lisa got out of the car and the man walking toward them started smiling and said, “Mr. Dawson, how good it is to meet you.”
“Please, I’m Charles and this is Lisa, my Executive Assistant. I have to tell you I have been looking forward to this meeting since you started corresponding with me. Well, you and Lauren of course.”
“Of course, of course,” Ron replied as he shook hands with Charles. “And this is my daughter, Lauren.”
Charles shook her hand and said, “Hello,” and Lauren nodded and quietly said “Hello.”
As Ron shook Lisa’s hand she exclaimed, “What an honor it is to meet you. I have read all of your work and you have gotten me very interested in fossils and dinosaurs.”
Ron smiled again and said, “You know Lauren called me an old fossil and a dinosaur just this morning.”
Lisa laughed and told him, “You are funny. I bet you are nothing but trouble.”
Ron took her arm and replied, “You don’t know how much. Come on in out of the heat and let me show you around the paleontology department.”
Charles turned to Lauren and shrugged his shoulders as he said, “Sorry, I’m not that much fun.”
“Is that what an Executive Assistant is for?” Lauren asked.
“Just a bonus,” Charles replied. “I know thousands of people, and Lisa is the smartest person I have ever met. She knew nothing about paleontology three days ago and now she sounds like an encyclopedia. We talked about all kinds of fossils and dinosaurs on the flight.”
“Do you like paleontology too?”
“Yes and, oh, just a minute.” Charles turned back to Danny and asked, “Danny, would you like to go to lunch with us? I found what you were saying about your writing class very interesting.”