The Shack series

chapter 72

"Morning Mrs J,"

he shouted as found clean underwear, picked out a shirt and began dressing. As he pulled his trousers on he could smell coffee coming from the kitchenette. Then the tantalising smell of bacon cooking. He grinned, picked up his electric shaver and began to remove his five o'clock shadow. Satisfied he ran his hand over his chin and face, then picked up his aftershave and applied a small amount to his face. He pulled on a pair of loafers and headed for the door.

In the kitchenette Mrs Jarnewski had the plate warmed and was piling bacon, tomato and scrambled eggs onto it. She placed a small rack of toast on the counter and poured a strong black coffee into a sizeable mug, which bore the inscription Parker Industries dot com. He sat at the bar stool and picked up the coffee.

"Mrs J can I ask you a question, do you like working for me?"

"What's wrong Parker, you got fed up with me?" she asked in her lilting Polish accent.

"No far from it, you're the best Housekeeper I've ever had, but I've been thinking, well questioning really. Am I a nice person, do you like working for me?"

"You pay me on time, that's nice."

"Yes, okay, but am I a nice person, do you feel comfortable round me?"

"I'm married, I have five kids, I work eighteen hours a day, what do I know about 'comfortable', eat your breakfast, before it goes cold."

"Wait, wait, you work eighteen hours a day?"

"What! you think I finish here and go get my nails done, have a spa break. Parker, I have three cleaning jobs, and then I have to look after my husband and the kids. Where you been living all your life?"

"But why three jobs, don't I pay you enough?"

"Parker you pay good for three and a half hours, but that don't bath the baby."

"I never knew, so you then go on to other clients and clean their houses?"

"Yes except Sunday's."

"What happens Sundays?"

"I go to church and clean my house, what you think?"

"I have no idea, but you need to do these two other jobs to make ends meet?"

"Josep works very hard, he does nine hour shifts at the factory, so he's pretty bushed when he gets in, we see each other for about seven or eight hours, most of which is asleep in bed. Five kids takes a lot of money Parker"

"Wow! I'm sorry I never knew. Look, Mrs J I've been a bit lucky, I sold my business, make a fortune. Well the thing is I'm just caretaker there now, until they get their own man up to speed that is, then I have a title but no job. I'm not going to have to work so hard, but I will still need someone to do my place, could you do more hours?"

"How, I got no rooms in my day?"

"What if I increased your hours and the pay rate, to cover what you would lose dropping one of your jobs, or even both?"

"You want me full time Parker?"

"That's exactly it, I want you full time, except you get time off with pay when you aren't needed, plus all weekends off."

"Why you doing this Parker, I don't need charity, I work for my living, you got fancy for me? Think I would drop my pants for you instead of Josep?"

"Mrs J that was never my thought or intention. No I need to have someone here to look after things and keep the place tidy whilst I'm away, and to cook and clean for me when I'm here."

"You going away for long, what about my wages?"

"Mrs J I will be paying you direct into your bank account and it will come every month and I'll pay a month in advance so you have a cushion, okay?"

"I trust you Parker, but you worry me sometimes. okay I do this, but you no pay I go like wind"

"Right thank you, I'm so glad you will do it, I may have a long term guest here soon, so there'll be someone here most of the time."

"Miss Rachel moving in with you then?"

"Ah! no, err, Miss Rachel and I are no longer seeing each other, we split yesterday, she thinks I'm not the person she wants in her life."

"You upset her?"

"Yes I'm ashamed to say I did, by being selfish and childish, but it's a good thing she found out before we did move in together."

"I like her, she got you covered, she is smart biscuit."

"Cookie, smart cookie."

"Yes I like her, shame, still now you on own, maybe better all round."

"Thanks Mrs J, you're all heart."

"Welcome, now I can't stand here all day, work to do, you finish in bathroom?"

"Just need to clean my teeth then I'm gone. Thanks Mrs J, can we start the new arrangement next week?"

"Okay Parker I tell others I must leave at end of week, I have cousin who will take over."

Lester grinned finished his breakfast and went to clean his teeth.

Lester's day consisted of showing the new guy the ropes. Chairing meetings to integrate the new boy and generally saying goodbye to the people who had stuck with him over the last fifteen years. He had arranged for a meeting with all the staff, a final goodbye and he nervously paced the floor of the conference room before they arrived. As they entered he shook each by the hand and hugged and kissed some of his older colleagues.

He stood at the front and the murmurs were swiftly silenced.

"Hi guys, thanks for sparing the time to hear me today. I am sad to be leaving you, but the time has come for me to take a back seat. I know some of you have been here for the whole fifteen years and some have only just started. Nevertheless I feel you are all my family, I know some of your backgrounds and home life, but I don't know you all and I regret that. Whilst I'm leaving, Maxco have given me an honory Life Presidency, so if you need help then give me a ring. I'll leave my details with Sandra, who will be my eyes and ears at Parker Industries when I go."

He nodded at Sandra his long term PA and she smiled then crumpled, but her friend Anne wrapped a motherly arm round her.

"What I'm about to say next, Dexter knows nothing about, but I'm sure he'll have no worries with me saying it, once he hears it. "

He nodded at Dexter Thorsonn, his replacement. Dexter raised his hands in a "go for it"," whatever", gesture.

"Thanks Dex. At the sign off, I agreed to fund a payout to all existing staff of a years salary, tax paid. That includes you to Dex. I did this as I have more money than I can shake a stick at and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved, no, what you have achieved on my behalf. This is payback time"

A low buzz went round the room and even Dexter sat up and looked bemused. Lester raised and lowered his arms until silence fell again.

"Hey don't think this is over generous, without every one of you doing your job, I wouldn't be here today. I had the ideas, I had a vision, but you guys supplied the grunt, the muscle and put the meat on the bones of this baby. I know that each of you gave up a portion of your home life to do it too. This is my thank you. The money will be paid this month in time for Christmas"

A round of applause swept the room. Lester smiled and raised his hands again,

"Guys that's about it, apart from I also have a guarantee that there will be no redundancies here for at least the next two years. Now you can go back to work and make me proud, well prouder than I am already, thank you."

Applause now broke out again and Lester walked into a storm of hugs and kisses from his staff. Finally he and Dexter were left on their own.

"Lester you can't possibly include me in this deal, I work for Maxco and..."

"No Dex you work for me! Parker's, while wholly owned, is a separate division of Maxco, independent and only answerable to the board. They bought the company, you run it and I'm still Life President, so I figured you're one of my guys, you therefore get the same benefits."

"You're too generous Lester, thanks, I'm glad I work for you."

They shook and Lester left for his old office. He had a quick few words with Sandra and gave her a big hug and kiss, before handing her back into the arms of Anne, who nodded and wished Lester luck.

Lester had a lunch with his ex wife organised so he went home to change, turning round in thirty minutes. He caught a cab to the restaurant and arrived on time. Charlotte kept him waiting thirty minutes, he sat and leisurely drank a glass of fresh orange juice and soda. Seeing the Maitre d approaching with Charlotte he rose and waited for her to be seated.

"Hello Lester, what's this all about?"

"Hello Charlotte, how are you keeping, are you well, how's Troy?"

"He's history, I'm OK, but what's this about?"

"It's about Elizabeth, our daughter and you!"

"Hmm this sounds ominous, okay Lester I'll buy it, what's your grubby little scheme now?"

"Charlotte, whilst I respect the fact you have every right to be suspicious, this time I'm clean."

"Well that'll be a first."

"you're probably right, but hear me out. I've had a bit of an epiphany, I realise now what a complete and utter s**t I was to you and Elizabeth, I can't take it back, but I'd like to make it easier going forward."

"You could go away and not come back."

"True, but I want to come back, well I want to make more time for Elizabeth and I'd like to help you."

"Lester, have you found God, or are you mainlining bullshit now?"

"Look Charlotte, please listen to me, just listen."

The waiter approached and they hurriedly scanned the menu and ordered.

"Before you take off Lester, I have an important exhibition this evening and I need to get back to the gallery to finish the hanging and finalise the catering and stuff."

"Okay, mind if I tag along, I'd like to see the exhibition myself, am I too late to get an invite."

"Lester you hate modern art, why would you want to come?"

"To support you and to understand where you're coming from."

"Are you serious, look if you've taken over Lester's body, this is not how he operates, you've picked the wrong guy to lead your infiltration of earth."

She grinned and raised an eyebrow at him. He giggled and raised his glass in salute.

"Touche, no this is real old Lester. But as I say I seem to have had a sudden and catastrophic realisation of just how screwed up I am."

"What happened Lester, did they take your toys back?"

"No the opposite, they've given me all their cash and I can buy the earth now."

"What?"

"Ever heard of Maxco, they own everything and the mineral rights. They bought me out, lock stock and all the barrels. Guess what they paid me."

"A stone of monkey nuts? five beans? a golden ticket from Wonka's chocolates. I don't know Lester. I have no idea what you're worth now"