by Oliver Rill
I smiled over at Matt in the car. “You’re beginning to understand why,” I corrected him. “Just you wait. You’ll be amazed.”
“Okay. What do you mean?” Matt asked.
“You’ll find that we are very similar in many ways.”
“We’re similar too, aren’t we?”
“I can’t think of a single thing that we have in common.”
“Ouch! That hurts!”
“But it’s something that I like about you. You make me think differently and that’s refreshing.”
“And I thought you just liked this!” Exclaimed Matt in jest, and struck a classic bodybuilder pose.
In the evening Matt drove us to a trendy bar. He didn’t drink, so it’s lucky he had drawn the short straw on being the designated driver. Aristo was too tired anyway, but couldn’t bear to miss out on something. During the evening after a trip to the bathroom I was surprised to hear that they had a date for tennis in the morning.
“Matt, it’s Sunday and you have the weekend!” I said.
“And that’s what I want to do – spend the day with my new Greek friend.” He countered. “I am going to beat the hell out of him on the tennis court!”
“HA!” scoffed Aristo. “I am going to make you eat dirt!”
Matt drove us home in an exalted mood. I knew that he expected an invitation to come in, but I held off.
“Ok boys. I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” Aristo and I looked at his bags in the hall. “I should really unpack those.” Aristo turned to look at me. “You know, Matt is really nice, isn’t he?” he said, then turned back to the bags. “I am going to deal with those bad boys in the morning!” He decided and we both sloped off to our bedrooms.
The next morning we were rudely awakened by Matt’s insistent ringing on the doorbell at nine O’clock. He was full of beans and energetically busied himself in the kitchen cooking up tasty omelets. After breakfast I showed Aristo the Thunderbird and gave him a quick test drive in it.
“That car is so coooooool!” Then the other two ran off to tennis and I stayed at home and worked on the presentation at the dining room table. I had to learn it off by heart. As I flicked in and out of the presentation, an alert caught me off-guard and clicked into the familiar world of Facebook. A wave of nostalgia overtook me as I caught up with my friend’s lives in Berlin and let my Mom, Marie, MM, my Dad and other friends and family know that I was still in the land of the living.
Matt invited himself to lunch and unselfishly offered to grill the steaks. We sat by the pool, eating and drinking. Aristo and I told Matt about Sifnos and how beautiful it was there. At some point, Matt stood behind me and massaged my shoulders, possessively, while he talked to Aristo. It was almost as though he were marking his territory.
“When did you see your friends or family last, Matt? I’m getting quite worried that they will think we have kidnapped you.”
“Do you want to get rid of me?” He asked, offended.
“Of course not. I just don’t want you to neglect your life on our behalf.”
“Oliver, we have already … Just relax. Ok?”
As Aristo went to fetch more beer from the kitchen “Not for me, thanks, ‘Risto.” I piped up. I didn’t was to be all fuggy for the big presentation with Ad in the morning.
“How long is he going to stay?” asked Matt.
“I hope a good long while. I hope I can get him to stay until April or May.”
“And you are not going to look at me in all that time?” He grinned at me. “You’re going to do without this here for that long?” He said, making the appropriate gesture to match his words.
“Are you teasing me?” I asked.
“Think about it, Oliver. I’m going home now.”
Aristo stood at the open French windows, two beers in his hands and raised eyebrows as Matt said goodbye and left. I drank Matt’s beer and then we turned in.
The next morning I woke Aristo at nine. We had breakfast outside and I was able to show off what I had learned from Matt about making omelets. I asked Aristo to get dressed but in spite of his good looks, it looked as though I would have to get him into appropriate clothing for the job, without messing up his natural style.
We drove to JB Homes in convoy style, me leading the way and Aristo behind. A glance at the clock told me that I had a half hour to muster courage. That was until I learnt that the presentation had been cancelled at short notice. Ad had come back from his week of absence to find a pile of problems that needed immediate resolution and asked me if we could postpone until tomorrow at the same time. I bit down a heavy sigh.
I thought we could use the time productively and marched up to the Architect department. Once there I asked if anybody could help me with some advice. The general verdict on this was ‘Sorry, no time’ or ‘sorry can’t advise on architecture’, until we found someone who would at least listen to our questions. I explained that we didn’t need a detailed, to scale plan, but a ‘back of a cigarette packet’ type sketch would be enough. I really needed a professional eye and a ‘corralling of thoughts’, the rest I could do myself, or even get it outsourced.
Within a half hour we had a rough plan that was actually quite detailed for what it was. The architect apologized for the roughness of it.
“Man that is exactly what I wanted! You have really helped. Thanks a million!”
Meanwhile Matt had managed to arrange a couple of reps from Bombardier at short notice to meet with us. It really had been a spur of the moment decision for the guys. I went to the meeting alone and asked Matt to deal with the job advertisements and Aristo to wait for me, then we could run over to Venice together.
“Oliver, a Mr Chambers called. He wondered if he could meet you for lunch. He was sorry about Friday and … er … what shall I tell him?”
“Ok, agree to that, but near the office here. Around 1 p.m. You two go over to Venice alone. Matt, show Aristo around and talk to your Dad about this plan here. Aristo, make a photocopy of it before you go. You’re responsible for it from now on!”
The meeting with Bombardier went swimmingly! Bombardier unexpectedly had six CRJ700s that they could deliver at short notice. I was sorely tempted to just sign them off. I rang Doug for advice.
“Sign ‘em off!” giving his approbation. I replaced the receiver, returned to my office and the waiting reps and signed a delivery sheet for the six small jets.
As the reps left, I had time to sit in my office alone and reflect. The enormity of what I had just done hammered home. My heart lurched. I had just ordered a small fleet of planes, got a friend to travel all the way from London and worked tirelessly to enlarge the business. What if it all went wrong? Matt was relying on me, Ad had taken a huge chance with me and put all his trust in me. What would happen if my version of business went tits-up and reality hit me in the face before kicking me out on my backside?
I tried to calm my dark thoughts and ran over to the diner around the corner. It was … well … classic, I suppose, with red and white check benches standing opposite each other. I guess it was for Americans similar to what the Germans call a ‘kneipe’, the English call a ‘pub’ and the French call a ‘Bistro’. Somewhere easy-going to relax and chat while grabbing a bite to eat. However, it suited me, I had a craving for a double cheeseburger with an indecent pile of fries, but the thought of Matt quizzing me on my return had me ordering a very decent salad.
Of course, Mr Chambers wanted to sound me out. He was tall and thin, with dark hair and a large forehead. In his blue suit he came across as your average office type. He came straight to the point and said that he had heard we had ordered more machines and he was just asking since the president of American Airlines was a friend of Ad Bass, which new routes we were planning. As I listened I got an unpleasant feeling in my gut. I replied that if we had an alliance, I would be happy to share the information with him, as it was, but at the moment, I couldn’t really talk about things that were still very much in the e
arly stages. He countered that his boss and Ad had known each other for such a long time, it was stuff they shared all the time! He had heard about our 737s that we had on order and he would have been happy to let me take over three of his airplanes as a mark of his goodwill (after all the delivery on orders could take so long). It was unfortunate however, that he wouldn’t be able to get an alliance going, as they already had one going with One World Alliance.
My mind went into overdrive. Another three Boeings. We would have nine then and six Bombardiers making 15 planes in total. It was tempting. I made my excuses and walked out onto the street, dialing Doug’s number as I went.
“Who from? Ok. I’ll just have to have a word. I’ll call you back in five minutes.” The call came within one minute. “Ok. Take them, but Ad says then no more new planes for a while. We’ll talk about it in the meeting tomorrow.”
I went back to the diner and told Chambers that we may have an interest. I kept it very cool, because gut instinct told me that if I made a song and dance about it, I would be undermining my position.
“Ok, Mr Hoffmann. I have three brand new ones. They haven’t been fitted out or even painted yet. They are in Boeing field. I was going to offer you older ones and I am really laying my neck on the line with this. But I’ll do it. If you sign for them and let me know which routes you are planning, I’ll pass the three new ones to you. Is that a deal?”
“Na, ‘fraid it won’t work for me.”
“Ah come on. Tell me where you’re planning on flying to.” I shrugged.
“No deal.”
“I’ve got to have something for giving you three brand new machines!”
“Well. Ok. Ok I’ll tell you. Chicago, Atlanta and New Orleans.”
I had no idea if I really was going to take up these three destinations or even if I would get slots in Atlanta or not. I was bluffing. I would like to go to these cities, one day. Maybe sooner, maybe later. We closed the deal and I called Matt on the way back to the office and told him to get his sexy ass into the office. Like right now! My stomach was churning with anxiety over these new acquisitions and my heart was racing.
It occurred to me that Aristo didn’t have a phone. We would have to sort that out. I picked up the phone and asked the IT department to figure his system permissions and equipment requirements while Matt weaved his way in and out of the traffic. He was to learn about my new acquisitions on arrival and then get stuck in to ordering new seats for them.
I got to work on the LSG catalogue. I had neglected the procurement at the weekend and was reminded of what I had ordered when they called with queries.
Up till now, Steve had been the one who had ordered the catering in the past, strangely enough. I asked him what he had ordered in the past.
“Oh yeah, always the same, just the standard drinks trolley and the choice of two sandwiches.”
I needn’t have bothered him!
I made a list of flights categorizing them into those under three hours, up to six hours and long haul. Each with economy, business and first class wanting to talk it through with Aristo and Matt. I grabbed the catalogue, irritated again that there was no conference room and thinking about the people who needed to be there. It would be good to include Mark in the meeting as well as Amanda and Steve (in spite of Steve’s performance on the choices so far). Mark was the one who would have to sell our flights and had a better idea of the customers than anyone.
I gave Mark the lists and explained that he should put an idea what each of the customers would like next to them. Mark was obviously pleased to be asked. It was something that was more in his line of work normally and he completed the task with great care by ringing customers up and asking them. Great work!
As Matt and Aristo got to the office I passed Aristo his new laptop and cell phone, reminding him that he shouldn’t be making calls abroad with it, but he could, of course, contact his family and friends in Greece through internet-based calls. Aristo sat at my desk, setting his phone up, while I told Matt the news.
“Wow! So we have 15 planes now? And what about the slots?”
“Goddammit!” I moaned. “Of course we don’t have any. We’ll need to speak urgently to LAX and fix the routes. And Matt, I need a list of the smaller airports for the CRJ fleet. We’re definitely going to fly to Santa Barbara that much is certain. Then we’ll work out the rest according to your list there.”
“Ok. I’ll get on with it. And tonight we’ll all go to the gym together. That’s all three of us. Then I’m seeing someone afterwards.”
“Oh Matt …?” I asked queried him with pleasant surprise.
“Yes. I have a date, Oliver. Tonight after gym.”
I smiled and nodded. “That’s great.” I said and felt a slight pang of jealousy.
Aristo and I had a discussion about the Venice offices. Aristo reckoned it would be a matter of a couple of weeks of fairly straightforward work if we used the architect’s drawing. That was good news. There was a possibility that the first team could move in at the end of the week. The ongoing work might cause a noise problem in working conditions for them though.
The three of us went to the gym straight after work. Matt left early and Aristo and I drove over to the mall to look at clothes for him. He was a little slow on the uptake, feeling as he was, a bit shy about it, but I managed to persuade him to allow me to get a few bits and pieces for him. When we got home, Aristo wondered where the breakfast things had gone. I pointed out that his bed was probably made up too as Gavin had been in earlier. The fridge had even been restocked with things from Matt’s list of ‘allowable foodstuffs’. I felt that same pang as I thought of him. It was funny, I had told him the whole time to see more of his family and friends and knew that he had a girlfriend, but after two weeks of more or less 24 hour companionship, suddenly he wasn’t there anymore and I missed him. And he had a date. I tried looking at it honestly. It didn’t bug me that it was a date. He’d told me often enough that he prefers women, but him not being here did. Yes, I missed him suddenly and I shouldn’t let that happen.
“Is something going on between you two?”
“You’d laugh if I said it’s complicated, wouldn’t you, ‘Risto?”
“He did say that you two were flirting a bit, while we were playing tennis.”
“Hmmm.”
“And he’s cool. What’s the problem?”
“Working together, him being hetero and sleeping together. That can’t end well.”
“Oh come on! You are footloose and fancy free at the moment. Go with the flow. If problems do raise their ugly heads, you can end it. You have all the balls in your court and nothing to lose.”
“Did he tell you to put in a good word for him?”
“No, I think he’s a good guy.”
“Perhaps you too should date. It would be much simpler for you both!”
“There’s only one man for me, Oli.” We both laughed.
“I am really glad you’re here. Stay as long as you can, ‘Risto.”
“And I like it here. It’s cool. Just thinking of the car! And the pool. And the tennis and … Hey – am I going to get a salary too?”
“I’m not sure if you are allowed to work officially. If not, I’ll pay you out of my own pocket. Don’t worry about it. I’ll have a word at JB Homes tomorrow.”
The presentation finally took place the next morning. Matt had stayed behind and was up to his eyebrows in arrangements for slots and flight routes.
I stood nervously in front of Ad in the conference room. He had his two lawyers beside him and Doug sat attentively next to the right. I spread my vision before them. A reliable airline that was not cheap, but value for money. It offered enough room and comfort with robust, well upholstered seats, good food and drink , appropriate on board sales. It would bring flying back into its heyday, to make it something special, something that you look forward to and remember for a long time after.
I presented the logo, the rationale for the menu and decor choice
s and at the end gave the status of things as they were. Then I sat down and heaved a sigh of relief.
Ad looked around the room then back to me.
“I thought you were going along this road, Oliver and I wasn’t disappointed. So much for that. What sticks out like a sore thumb is that the economic and financial analysis are missing from your presentation completely. You’re selling us a flying dream and we have invested, but don’t know if we are going to get anything back. You have produced more outgoings but not taken any effort at all to increase income. On the contrary, you have even stopped sales and told Mark to tread water. Do you want to go bust in two months? Feel offended if you want, you’re going to need a very thick skin if you go down this very slippery slope. What you have done is good, that’s true enough, but now you have to look at the other side to balance it out. See what I mean?”
I opened my mouth to start to defend myself, but Ad was having none of it.
“You’re in luck. There isn’t much happening in the industry’s magazines and you can read there that something big is happening here. Keep the momentum going and get a PR advisor. And, I want to see a few figures on my desk by tomorrow morning. A sound profit and loss balance sheet.”
The group started to move, but I managed to grab one of the lawyers.
“I’ve got a foreigner who needs to work here …”
“Send me his documents and I’ll sort it. But that’s the last one. We won’t get any more through, ok?”
To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Of course, Ad was right and he had opened my eyes. I had already worried if I had taken on too much. And the first presentation went down the pan. Was it all too much for me? In my mind’s eye it had looked so good. Was it totally irresponsible to bring Aristo here just at this moment in time?