Henry and Nancy returned Thursday afternoon. They were worn out from touring the Disney parks. Both of them wanted to put their feet up and have some cool drinks to soothe their anxieties over moving, and to numb themselves from the garish commercialism they had been entombed in.
Nancy asked me, "Have you called your sister to see if she wants to move down here?"
"No Ma'am, shouldn't I do that in person? Perhaps I should ask Kevin first?" I was a little concerned as to how to go about asking them.
"If you want me to, I'll call her. Susan and I are good friends. We don't get together as a family that often, but she and I are close. We usually talk two or three times a week. How about I call her?"
"Nancy, I don't know whether that's right. I should ask them both at the same time. What do you think if I took my Truck and RV manager up there and talked to both of them at the same time? That would be the fair thing to do."
"You're wasting a lot of time, Steve. If Susan wants to come, Kevin will have the house sold and the kids packed up so fast, even you won't be able to keep her from coming."
"I have to tell you, Nancy, that I really think they need to think this through. They have two kids in school with all of their friends up there. It's going to be really traumatic for them."
"From what Susan told me, her daughter was ready to jump your bones when she was down here. The boy was a little funny as he was ga-ga over Sue and Mercy the whole time he was down here. Let me call her and feel her out. If she thinks you should talk to both of them at the same time, she'll say so."
I gave up, "Go ahead, call her, see what she says. Meanwhile, I'd better call Crystal and see if she will come by so I can talk to her."
While Nancy was talking to Susan, I called Crystal to come by for supper so we could talk a little business. She said it would be no problem as she needed to see if the place she was buying over here was empty. She said that she was going to make a formal application to the crew here tonight to join in our fun. I told her she never had to apply; all she had to do was to come, anytime.
Nancy got off the phone and said that Susan would discuss them coming down over dinner tonight. She said that the kids had done nothing but talk about Florida since they had been here. She said Kevin had mentioned that it would be neat to work for a happy organization like yours, as it wouldn't be like work, it would be a fun vocation.
"Nancy, I'm sure there are many within the organization this evening that might argue with you over that. Some days are harder than others and most everyone breaks a sweat everyday, even the office people."
Ruth had been listening and said, "You can say that again. You should have been there to help me sign up over fifty new construction people today. I have four assistants now, and that's not enough. The computer guy even had to come over to expand our employee files as we have more than he wrote the software for."
Nancy said, "I wish I had been there. I love hiring. Every new person that comes to work means your company is growing and prospering. It means another person has the same security you have. It could mean getting a whole family off food stamps and especially off unemployment. It's really neat to work hiring."
"You're hired. When you get down here, come straight to my office and I'll personally sign you up as my chief hiring assistant. Steve, where have you been hiding this lady?"
Nancy and Henry were sitting on the couch, facing the table area and entryway from the street. When big, tall, Crystal came sauntering through the door, I happened to be looking at my brother and his wife. Nancy's eyes bugged out and Henry almost spit the drink that he was sipping. It was funny, because Nancy's hand went to Henry's crotch, grabbing his obvious instant boner.
Sue saw it too, and we both turned to watch Crystal as she fixed her gaze on me and did a swivel-hip walk right up to me, very close. She said, "We're out of the office right?"
I nodded.
"This is party time, happy hour, anything goes time, right?"
I almost nodded, but Sue was instantly by my side.
"Almost anything, Crystal, but you might want to wait till later if you're wanting what you act like you're wanting," Sue said with a wicked smile.
Crystal looked down at Sue and said, "Then it's okay if I drag this sucker off to show him how much I like the best damn job I've ever had?"
Sue reached up and pulled Crystal down so she could whisper in her ear, "Go thank Steve's brother, I think the guy just came in his pants over you."
"Huh? Where? Who?"
"On the couch with that big girl next to him." Sue said.
Crystal got a glazed look in her eye, "Oh yeah, she's a beaut. I might just thank both of them instead."
Mercy appeared at my side as Crystal approached Henry and Nancy. "That girl is very predatory. My goodness, she was going to drag you into the bedroom right then. What did you tell her, Sue?"
"She wanted to thank Steve for her job, but I told her to thank Henry and Nancy, as they were both fixated on her as soon as she came in the door."
Mercy looked at the three of them and said, "Why don't you show them where they can have a private conversation. All three of them are about to spontaneously combust."
I was laughing loudly as Sue went over and talked to the three of them. They disappeared into the house, with Crystal looking at me saying, "I'll talk to you later."
Sue came over and said, "That was freaky. I've never seen three people get so hot for each other that fast."
Mercy said, "Oh yeah? I think we would have had a near meltdown in the comedy theater if all three of us were not control freaks ourselves."
We were putting the food on the table when the three came from Henry's and Nancy's room. All three looked freshly showered and had a satisfied look to them. Crystal sat next to me and asked, "So what's up, Boss, what do you need."
I told her the story of Susan and Kevin and that it was possible they might want to come down when they heard that Nancy and Henry were coming to work. Crystal said she could use just about anyone who knew how to coordinate service requests and mechanics. She said she had not had a lot of luck finding that right guy yet. Perhaps Kevin could be that guy. She said that my own delivery group was big enough for a dispatcher now, as we were delivering equipment to the entire eastern half of the US, and soon would be going beyond.
"Bring him on, Boss," Crystal said. You know I'll put him through the paces to find out what he's made of. If he's married to your sister, he'll probably be a good guy. Bring him on."
Mercy hollered from the door, "Steve, your sister's on the phone."
Sue nudged me smiling and saying, "Guess you'll have them all down here soon."
I answered the phone with, "Hey, Sis!"
"Do you really have a job for Kevin down there? You're not playing a game with me or getting back at me for all the times I teased you when you were little, are you?"
"No Suze," I said using the nickname I gave her when I was three, "I was talking to the truck and RV manager just a minute ago and she said she has a place and so does shipping at the main shop."
"How soon do you need him?" Susan asked.
"Soon, Suze. I can hire him as of his last day where he's at now and have a mover there to bring your stuff down. How about I come up to get you and you can find a place to live first, though. That way you'll be moving to where you want when you leave there."
"Good idea, Steve, come get us now. Kevin lost his job today. The IRS came in and closed the company this afternoon. We won't know if Kevin even gets his paycheck for this week."
I thought for a minute, "What about the kids' school?"
"They both would love to come down there permanently, and know they would be giving up their friends here. They met a lot of kids down there, so it wouldn't be like they didn't know anyone. Besides you are going to have to dodge your niece. She has the hots for you like you wouldn't believe. I don't know what you have, but it's driving her nuts."
Tell you what, "Pack up tonight for a quick trip, I'll come up in the morning to pick you all up and bring you down. If I leave at seven, I should be there by nine or so, that's eight your time. We'll be back before noon here. The kids may have to bunk on the couches, but they shouldn't mind. We have kind of a full house lately. We'll have a limo come by and get you so you don't have to worry about anything but getting up, eating, and coming to the airport."
"Thank you, Steve. Funny how Nancy called me just before Kevin walked in the door almost crying. He was afraid we would lose the house because there isn't that much work up here right now."
"Never fear, Suze, I'm always here to help you guys. Remember that, okay?"
"Okay, Steve, thanks. Do you want to talk to Kevin?"
"Put him on, see you tomorrow."
"Hi, Steve."
"Hey, Kevin. I heard about your bad luck today, but as you know, there is good luck in the land of hurricanes if you want to come."
"We would all love to come down there, Steve. I hate the winters up here, even though I know I'll grow to hate the heat down there. But if you really have a place for me within your organization, I'd consider myself very lucky."
"Well then, you just got lucky, Kevin. Consider yourself an employee as of today. When you're down here tomorrow, I'll get you signed up with our personnel department so your salary will begin as of today. Don't worry about the move as the company will take care of the movers and will sell your house for you at the appraised value. We need you here, not worrying about selling your house."
"Damn, Steve, you just don't quit raining good stuff on us. We'll be ready for when you come. What time will you be here?"
"I'll be at the airport about eight in the morning, so the limo will probably pick you guys up about seven thirty. Just be ready to enjoy working, Kevin. See you then."
When I got off the phone, I found out Sue had already called the airport to have the plane ready and the limo service in Cincinnati. Sue said that I could have had Ryan's pilot bring them, but I said that it might interfere with Ryan getting back tomorrow. She agreed knowing how much Ryan and Michelle enjoyed being home on the weekends.
The excitement had been pretty intense, but it was finally time for me to go to bed. Beth and Ben were going to stay up with Merlin and Missy for a while. Sue and I told them they should go up to the hot tub and relax for a while. Sue poked me in the ribs as I said it, but gave me a devilish grin.
Mercy said as long as Tiny and Ruth don't show up there, they shouldn't do anything anyone else would do. Sue and I both laughed knowing what went on up there.
As people exited and went to bed, I noticed that Crystal went into the house with Nancy, and a little later, Henry walked in, adjusting his pants. Henry obviously had a thing for big babes. He had two nice ones waiting for him, that was for sure.
Mercy woke me at five forty-five saying, "I love you, Steve. It's time to get up."
As I pulled her on top of me, a hand grabbed me and pushed me into Mercy. Sue whispered into my ear, "I love you, Honey, you're already up."
We three laughed through an orgasm for Mercy, then one for Sue. I got up and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee in my normal first thing in the morning dress, nothing. Just as I finished and turned to go back to the room, I was met face to face (sort of) with Crystal, in one of Nancy's robes.
"Ummm," Crystal sniffed. "You smell wonderful." She reached down and encircled my still semi-stiffy and said, "Oh my, this could get very interesting."
Sue came out into the kitchen, also buck naked, and said, "If you're still horny this morning you're going to have to be satisfied with Mercy and me. This guy has to be in Cincinnati in a couple of hours."
"I'll help him shower," Crystal said.
"Yeah right," a naked Mercy said in the doorway.
"Jesus, were you already boffing both these babes this morning? What time did you get up?"
Sue said, "Mercy and I are quick on the draw. Let him go so he can get ready. Mercy is going to go with him, so they both need to get going."
We had been edging back to the bedroom, with Crystal following. I quickly shaved, while Mercy sat on the pot then started the shower. I peed then joined her for a quick wash. As we dried off, we could hear the erotic sounds of two women really going after each other. Mercy said, "Sue is a hungry one sometimes, isn't she? I know how she feels though, because since I've been pregnant, I can't seem to get enough. Sue and I have been at each other constantly. It's a good thing you sleep so soundly or you'd never get a good night's sleep."
We dressed, gave each of the, now very fragrant, women a kiss, then had a cup of coffee on the patio. I went back in to remind Sue that Juanita would be here shortly, and that Martin and Glenda may need a hand this morning. She said they were going to get a shower then.
I filled a thermos of coffee and grabbed a couple of go cups as we walked out the door. Shawna was carrying CJ across the road, in her super sized T-shirt, as we were getting into the truck. Mercy reminded me that we would need Sue's Expedition when we got back. Oh well, at least Crystal would be at work. I wondered what Susan would think of her brother and sister-in-law if Crystal showed up tonight.
Mercy and I had an uneventful flight up and were met by the excited family. All were anxious for this to be a good move for all of them. I wanted that as well.
The whole way back, Mercy and I could hear them excitedly talk among themselves, wondering about schools, the universities, and all of the things families wonder about.
When we were getting ready to call in for clearance to land, the kids hollered up to ask if we could fly near the water. I called in to cancel my flight plan and filed a VFR plan within the general area for another half-hour. We went out to the north end of Clearwater inter-coastal beach and slowed. I tilted the airplane and flew almost sideways so they could look down into the water from a thousand feet. I flew all the way down to the end of Pass-a-grille beach then turned around and flew back up the same way. There were lots of rays, but very few sharks out. Mercy called the house to tell Sue it was time to come and get us.
As soon as we landed, I could tell there were far too many people at the operations building. I pulled up in front of the building and opened the door, then dropped the stairs. Sue and Stevie, Beth, Nelda, Ernie, Nancy, Henry, Merlin, and Missy were all there. It took several minutes for all the hugging and kissing to get over with so I could get the luggage unloaded and finish with the log books. The attendant laughed with me at the reception we received, then took the plane to put it to bed. I told him I would be going back up there in a day or so but would call him.
There were enough cars for everyone to get back, and my pickup held the luggage fine. When we arrived at the house, Martin was on the patio watching TV, with Glenda and Juanita in the kitchen. The kids instantly got on the pool table, while the rest of the women began getting food out on the table.
Lunch was good today. We had black bean soup, with Cuban sandwiches made with left over roast pork. It was nice for us all to eat together. Juanita sat next to me as we ate and said, "You make me feel special the way you treat me. Thank you."
Sue leaned across me and said, "Juanita, you are special. Thank you for coming to be with us. It's our pleasure."
Juanita asked, "Do I work for you, or for one of your companies?"
I looked at Sue and asked, "I don't know, how did we set Glenda up?"
"Glenda's an employee of S&S so we could help them with their Medicare insurance. So I guess Juanita will also be an employee with regular benefits."
Juanita asked another question, "Do you have to have my social number? Is that important?"
Recognizing the problem, I leaned down and asked quietly, "Was your husband a citizen?"
"Yes he was, but I never did get a social security card because when we came, we were escaping from Castro. My Jorge became a citizen, but I couldn't learn the language then. Eventually I did, but now I may be against the law, you know like the Mexicans, you know, a river back, um, I mean a wetback."
Beth heard the conversation and said, "Don't worry about a thing, Juanita, I'll call Ben and he'll have one of his young men come out and get you all taken care of. If you want, he'll even petition to help you become a citizen, we will be your sponsor."
"Could I vote then, in the big elections?" Juanita asked.
Sue said, "You sure could, and if you work for us, you'll pay into Social Security and be able to receive a pension when you're old enough."
"That will be good. I was afraid for when I was older. Thank you all for helping me. This is like having a big family."
I smiled at her and said, "We are a big family, Juanita, just a great big family."
When lunch was over, I took Kevin to see Crystal. At work, Crystal is all business. She went over what he had done before, and showed him what she would have him do. He said that would be too easy, didn't she have something harder for him to do. Crystal said, "You do this right, and I'll bury your ass with more to do. There's no end to the responsibility you can have around here. We have a lot of Indians, but hardly any war chiefs willing to direct the battle. When are you coming to work, tomorrow?"
I stepped in, "I need them to get moved first, so how about a week from Monday."
"Damn, Boss, I could have used him a month ago. Get him down here ready to work. We've got people to see, places to go. Get out of here if he ain't workin." She was laughing all the way back to the shop area.
Kevin shook his head, "Man, she's something."
"You ain't seen nothin' yet, Kev, absolutely nothing."
We drove down to the shop and had Ruth sign him up. When we were done, he turned to me and said, "I would never have believed you would hire me just like that. I figured you would hem and haw around a while, and maybe get me a job with another company, but not here. Thanks, Steve, you've turned out to be a hell of a lot more than I could have hoped. You know, your sister doesn't even know you all that well, even though she knows you better than your brother. We all couldn't believe you were everything it looked like you were, and here you are, saving our butts when we needed them saved. This is a big deal, Steve, a really big deal."
Back home, Susan and Nancy were deep in discussions. They asked me to take a walk with them. As we left the house, they asked me to walk them back toward the area Nelda said her new house was at. We looked at the spots left open and the two of them were looking at the last two places up near where Juanita's trailer was. They asked me if they could get a couple of those little golf carts if they moved way up there. Of course they could, I said. They asked me if I knew of a place they could look at homes. I said let's go back and we'll get the guys and we'll go take a look.
We stopped by the park office and I asked Charlie if the two lots were the only two that were available together, and he nodded. I told him to hold them for a couple of days for me. He nodded and said he would do it.
At the house, when I announced we were going to look at mobile homes, Sue wanted to go with us. Missy and Mercy said they would watch the kids, so we loaded up in the Expedition and drove down the road to take a look at what the guy had. As soon as he saw me, he got excited. I have never been on his lot without him making a sale. I guess he figured this would be the same.
He had two dozen double-wide homes from fifty-five feet all the way to seventy feet. Henry and Nancy found a sixty foot long home with two big bedrooms, a huge living room, with a connecting kitchen. They liked the open look it had. It took a while, but Susan and Henry liked three different homes. The three were sort of alike, except one had a very nice master suite, with two other decent sized bedrooms. It had a decent sized kitchen that blended into the family room, but it had a formal living room that they all felt would be wasted. Neither of the other two had as nice of a master suite, but had a more open architecture. I took the dealer inside and asked him how hard it would be to tear down the wall and replace the carpet so it could be one big room. He smiled and said, "Piece of cake."
I asked the two to come with me as we walked into the family room. I told them to look through the double doors of the formal living room and for them to visualize the whole area as one big room. Susan said immediately, "I'll take it." Henry rolled his eyes and winked at me mouthing a silent, "Thanks."
The dealer asked if I needed them delivered today. I told him he had a day or three to get it done this time. He was almost disappointed. It took some haggling, but we finally agreed on a price for each home. Again, I think he would have been disappointed if we didn't dicker. Susan and Nancy had decided that Susan would be on the end, with Nancy on the inside, so the kids would have a straight shot at the woods and lake.
Back at the house, the four of them said they wanted to go back and begin packing. Ruth and Tiny were there and asked them when they wanted the movers. They all said, Wednesday or Thursday. Tiny said he would contact the local Century 21 realtor and get both houses appraised and get listings on them. Tiny said, the company would buy out the mortgages so the homes could be sold more easily. The realtor would arrange for new carpeting, painting, and any other touch up that may be needed. We felt if we put them in perfect shape, they would sell fast and everyone would be happy. Tiny would have our local attorney up there work with the realtor and closing office.
The two families were now part of S&S and free to move. Nancy was going to work for Ruth, and Susan was probably going to work for Sue in the new plant. That was yet to be determined. Susan may just be a house mom.
I went over to the cart shop and ordered another small cart and a cart that could easily carry four, plus a bunch of groceries. That should take care of the local transportation needs. The crew was excited to be getting two more families, this time with kids, plus we now had Crystal as a permanent neighbor, along with Juanita. Once again, the patio population grew by a bunch all at once.
Ben and Beth went back to Bayshore as they felt the place was getting a little crowded. I told them both that six of them would be gone tomorrow, but they left anyway. Merlin and his troupe were going to finish their gig tonight, so everyone waited up to help them celebrate. The other magicians came out to the house to drink and have fun doing silly tricks with everyone. The two kids loved the magic and made one of the young guys show them how to do some tricks. Merlin commented that we had the makings of a regular magic club. He told me to remember to call when I wanted to get it started.
Sunday morning, after breakfast, we loaded up the families and took them out to the Aero Park. Mercy and I were flying my sister and brother to Cincinnati, and Sue had hired Dewey's plane to take Merlin, Missy, and his troupe home. Missy said she would be back soon to help Mercy as she grew in pregnancy. Mercy scoffed at the attention, but Missy said she was definitely going to be there when the baby was born.
We made the round trip in about five and half hours, including an emergency landing for Mercy to pee. She said she just couldn't use the potty in the plane for some reason. That Sunday evening, we were all relaxed around the patio, feeling good. Sue said, "Who wants to take a ride? Michelle and Nelda are going to watch the kids, so let's hit it."
I loaded up the big garbage truck with the sidecar. Mercy was behind me and Sue was in the side car. Our first stop was Hap's to say hi for a single beer and some Cokes, on the Big Jim's to see Double D, then on to the St. Pete bar to see the club there. We backtracked to the Crab Shack for some onion rings and grouper sandwiches, then went up to New Port Richey for the ride. About ten, we headed home in time to get there about ten thirty. We relieved Michelle and Nelda, and we all talked a while before heading to bed. Sue said it was too bad we didn't have more babysitters so we could all go up to the hot tub again. Mercy said that she would sit the next time, as long as she was taken care of when we got back. She didn't like the idea of someone else messing with her while she was carrying my baby. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'm happy to be your lady at home. I love you both and will show you when you get home."
We didn't go then, but considered it for the future. Mercy was very aggressive that night, showing us both how much she wanted to be with us. I think she was trying to show us we didn't need anyone else but her.
Mornings, with two ladies with gently swelling bellies, are especially nice when they are snuggled up to you with their heads on your shoulders. You feel very loved to have the bodies of both ladies against you with their hands on your chest or stomach. It makes you reflect on what brought you to this point, and what you need to do to keep this bliss.
The clock with the big numbers by the TV said it was five forty-five, so I gently pulled my arm from under Mercy, and slowly climbed over Sue. Neither one moved much as their state of making babies required a little more sleep for their bodies. As I got out of bed, they migrated together to spoon, with Sue behind Mercy.
I quickly fired up the inside coffee pot, took a quick shower, and dressed. A few minutes after I turned on the light on the patio, Glenda came shuffling over to join me.
She poured herself a cup of coffee, gave me a hug, then sat in one of the big wooden rockers next to me. "Martin's doing fine this morning. He's sleeping so good, I took his blood pressure and he didn't even wake up. We got a scare, but I'm going to have him around a while longer. I think we'll both make eighty, maybe even eighty-five."
I patted Glenda's hand saying, "You two will be around for a long, long time, Glenda. Just enjoy everyday you can. If you two want to go somewhere to visit or vacation, let me know. I'll make sure the two of you get there."
"That's sweet of you, Steve, but we're doing fine. We don't want for anything and we have plenty of what we want. My goodness, we eat almost all of our meals right here now. Since I've been making lunch for you guys, Martin and I have had three meals a day here at least six days a week. You and Sue have made our days full and fun. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't get to play with little Stevie, Robbie, CJ, or Mia everyday. I can't wait for three more to get here. It will be great to watch them all."
Ruth and Tiny walked in the back door with Sandy and Drew. They all gave Glenda a hug then drew a cup of coffee. Shawna and Charlie, with CJ, came over followed by Debbie, Hank, and Robbie. Three golf carts pulled up with Juanita leading Nelda and Ernie, with Ryan and Michelle following. Phil pulled up in his Chrysler, hopping out and coming around to open the door for Judy. They carried in a big box of sandwiches and another box of pastries. Joan, Betty, Tom, and Al walked in rubbing their tummies saying they were hungry. Mandy and Bob came in the back door about the time Hanna, Jim, and their tiny Mia, arrived. Both Sue and Mercy came over to sit on my lap, giving me a hug while they woke up. Mickey, dressed in her uniform, came in followed by Samantha in a gown. As each person came in, the pulse picked up, the chatter grew louder and laughs filled the air. Sue got up to get Stevie, as we heard and saw him moving around waking up. Mercy went for a couple of glasses of orange juice, getting one for Sue and one for Shawna, who was busy nursing CJ. Crystal walked in the door, came to me, gave me a kiss, then went over to Mercy and Sue and kissed them too. She poured herself some coffee, grabbed a sandwich, and was instantly involved in a conversation with Mickey.
I loved to watch the flow of people and their conversations. They all had some conversations going with someone else. Even Bob was signing with Samantha about something. Soon we would add six more people to the morning get together. I wonder how the two school age kids would affect the group, or if it would just flow another way. I also wondered how long it would be before some of their friends began joining them for breakfast.
Tiny said he had a couple of thoughts about Tim's school idea, and we should probably talk seriously about it. He said it could be a great way to find new employees. Phil said we needed to make sure we were making progress toward expanding the golf cart building, as his men were unable to forecast production to make sales. He also was anxious to begin working with the two new distributorships so he could assist them in building the company's sales.
Sue was commenting to Hanna that they might want to put on a second shift in the park, as she had several companies that wanted their clothing made in her plants. Sue said the biggest problem with most of the contracts was her demand that she was able to approve or disapprove the fabrics the people wanted sewn. Sue's argument was that a well-sewn piece of trash material is still a trash garment.
Betty said they needed to find a material buyer that could come up with larger quantities for fabric for their Wal-Mart products. She said they were shipping enough of just two basic blouses that they could tie up production of two of the plants in the park. Betty was constantly pushing for a better quality of material so our product would be easily distinguishable from the oriental made products. So far, the Wal-Mart buyer was re-ordering in large quantities. Betty looked like a genius for pushing to make basic garments. She said every lady needed a couple in her closet for everyday wear. Then if you consider the different colors a person might need, a lady could have eight to a dozen of the blouses in their closet. Betty said the same garment that was being sold in Macy's was on the Wal-Mart racks, just a different label.
Tiny told Sue about a large T-shirt and embroidery operation that was being offered for sale for the first time. He asked if she was interested. She said that her two locations were probably all she really wanted right now.
Tiny nudged me and said, "How about we buy this place and produce our own T-shirts. The place can make the shirts and has the screen printing equipment for our products. We could save a bundle if we produced our own raw product. The embroidery operation does a lot of work for uniform companies, and produces baseball caps for several advertising companies."
"How come it's for sale? An older couple owns it and want to retire. They recently spent quite a bit to upgrade equipment, so they were not planning for the company to decline. They have enough contracts that the place could be profitable, but we are selling about two thousand gross of T-shirts a year. Sue's plant can't handle our quantities as they are so overbooked. I think we are making someone else rich, while the quality of the T-shirt declines and the screen printing quality goes down. If we do our own manufacturing, we can control the quality."
I thought for a minute then asked, "Where is the factory at, Tiny?"
"On the next block from where the utility body shop is. If you were to get that business, you would have three blocks in a row within the park, plus Sue's plant."
Nodding, I said, "Let's take a look at it today and see if your guys can put together some numbers on the deal."
Tiny grinned, "Already have them. Hang on; I'll go get them from my car."
Tiny came back with a fat folder that told me this was not a brand new venture to him. He had been working on it long enough that he had a bunch of information. I sipped coffee as he took me through the numbers. He showed me what we were paying now, and what the projected cost would be for a quality garment if we made it ourselves. We would be saving more than twenty-five percent by making the product ourselves, if the numbers were all correct. Tiny wanted me to meet with the existing owner as he said I was good with older people.
"Set it up. Keep in mind that I may have to ferry relatives soon," I said, as most of the patio groups were getting ready to leave for work at the shop or at the park.
Ryan and Michelle came over to see about their fieldwork. Ryan said that we needed more field techs for the central plain area. He said that now that we were selling in the oil fields, our product needed more representation. He said that since our field techs received commission, it should not cost us a dime over the long run to increase our presence. He said if we could handle the initial startup cost of a dozen more men, he could show a large increase in revenue from the area. I told him to get with Ruth to begin bringing more field techs on. He would need to work with Tiny's office for trucks and tools though. He would also need to schedule the new men for training, both here and at the factory, so they could perform warranty work.
Next, Ryan brought out the folder for the Atlanta distributorship. After he had displayed numbers for the past quarter he said, "This place needs a stronger manager. So far, it's been difficult to make the changes in the operation to bring it up to our standards. It's not the employees but the manager. He's just not willing to institute the quality we demand. He constantly says, "It can't be done." We brought him here for a week but he's still not convinced and has said our "Perfect" signs are stupid."
"Do you have someone to replace him?" I asked, knowing you needed continuity in management to keep a place rolling.
"The senior mechanic in their repair area has a great attitude. He prides himself by producing good work and has his people producing excellent quality. They have followed Abe's trick of displaying errors caught by others and tracking customer complaints and problems. He only spent a couple of days down here, but has completely repainted his shop similar to Abe's. It is the only place you can tell the place is an S&S shop."
"Do you want me to go get rid of this guy for you?" I asked, knowing that discharging people is always tough.
"No, I can do it," Ryan said. "I should probably let Michelle do it as this guy is a real jerk to all of the female staff within the distributorship. He'd last about an hour down here with Sandy or Mandy. Better yet, let Crystal get hold of him."
"You know my feelings on treatment of employees and especially when women are involved. Get it done and let me know. I want that shop, as well as Chicago, completely remodeled. I want them cleaned and painted along with the floors. We need to make sure we institute the policy of cleaning up before the day is done. The clean shop will make the employees happy and let the customers know we are proud to produce quality work. Tell everyone that I will be coming to look at the places in less than a month. That should get them rolling."
"Thanks, Steve, I didn't want to get too crazy. All of the little dealerships are doing well and are growing. It's fun to watch them take pride in their work place."
I kissed Sue, Mercy, and Stevie good bye and left for the shop.