CHAPTER 1
When Charlton King bellowed 'Come here!' people jumped although that command would be rare. He was more inclined to yell "Fuck Off!"Usually all he had to do was to mutter, "This is making me angry" and his support staff either jumped to pacify him or fucked off to a remote part of the building.
That was one of Charlton's strengths. He communicated well, so rarely were people left in doubt.
The company made dog biscuits at four plants across the country, with the head office in Chicago. Charlton's father had run the company as executive-chairman but after suffering severe injury going over a bluff attempting to keep with his young mistress skiing, Bruce King retired. He insisted Charlton, aged only twenty-nine with business and law degrees, take over the helm of a multi-million dollar company with highly automated systems employing 960 people.
Charlton refused but when his mother said she'd return to live back home with them if he took over the company he capitulated because his mom was expert at keeping his father under control. Bruce's temper had become diabolical since he'd been confined to a wheelchair recovering from back surgery and it being uncertain whether he'd walk again.
The jump for Charlton from being vice-president (legal) after only nineteen months to executive chairman was a big one, and the strain soon began to tell.
"You're too grumpy for me," said girlfriend Susan, dropping him for an accountant.
Beth replaced Susan in Charlton's apartment and lasted three weeks, being tossed out after complaining, "All you want to do is fuck. I want to be taken out and have fun."
There was a huge row as Beth left with her bags packed and Charlton was heard to yell, "What's wrong with you women these days -- you want everything and more? As a student I could get what I wanted by buying a dame a hamburger."
Well he'd been a student for eight years. Perhaps females had become more sophisticated over that period?
Alice lasted three months, leaving a note saying she hoped he'd get it because recently she'd not seen him. Charlton switched to Magnolia, thinking a polite Asian woman would be content to know his greatest need was to know he just wanted her to be there. But Magnolia left a note saying, "Very sorry. I want a life WITH a man. Goodbye."
At that Charlton found call girls were handy but he hated the smell of cigarette smoke in their clothes -- they usually fucked with most of them on unless he requested removal -- and disliked them chewing gum while waiting for him to fish out bills from his wallet.
So Charlton became more and more grumpier at the office and workers tended to F-O as he approached. He hired a business psychologist to advise him and chose the prettiest one but that was a mistake. He went off her as an adviser in a big way because she was unprofessional and allowed him to fuck her.
"Christ, what's wrong with women," he fumed and his sympathetic PA said, "Charlton, cool down. What you need is a business management consultant."
"What?"
"A business management consultant is a person..."
"I know what they are. Why do I want one?"
"To reorganize the top structure of this company to allow you to supervise the running of the top structure and not the entire company. You are so busy day after day you never stop running your motor, never have thinking time."
Heavenly bells rang out over Charlton's head. He kissed the unattractive Mrs Upton and pulled out five bills from his wallet and spread them out in front of her. Remembering that's what he paid the call girls he added another $100 and said, "Mrs Upton, that's a great suggestion. I feel relieved all ready. Take tomorrow off as well. You are worth your weight in gold but I'm right out of gold."
She giggled, feeling like a princess. "Charlton, you are now operating this business with presidential flair."
Mrs Upton gathered in the loot and tucked it away in case her boss had second thoughts.
Charlton, knowing he'd pick the sexiest applicant, informed the manager of HR of his requirements, saying, "An experienced person Janice, male or female, the best person to advise on upper echelon reform. I'm staying out of the election process to avoid past mistakes."
"Fully understood Charlton. Are you sure you don't want the final say?"
"I thought I just heard you say you fully understood?"
"Ah yes, I fully comprehend your explicit instructions."
Janice chaired the selection committee that included vice-president of administration and vice-president of marketing, it being the turn of those vice-presidents to sit on the next selection of a senior Grade One appointment, Despite Janice repeating the briefing she'd received, the committee appointed the sexiest applicant after the company psychologist convinced everybody including Janice that the interpretation of what the boss wanted irrefutably was dolly bird to assist with his thinking and be available to bed.
"Any other requirement," asked the vice-president of administration, a grandfather.
"I would be exceeding my professional mandate if I were to be more explicit," said the psychologist.
"This is all too airy-fairy for me," said the ageing executive, adding another of the irreverent comments of people of his generation: "In the old days we just pulled someone in off the street."
* * *
The blue-eyed blonde with swaying hips, aged twenty-seven with very little practical experience although holding a doctorate in business management, walked into Charlton's richly carpeted office.
She'd said good morning Mr King with confident authority, adjusting the lapel of her jacket to ensure her new principal would notice she was high-powered at that level as well. They would be working together very closely for six weeks and she'd suggested she be permitted to set up office in his home as well so they could work weekends in a more relaxed atmosphere and in more casual clothing.
"I didn't want a babe with promiment boobs."
"I beg your pardon?"
Charlton said he'd given strict instructions that the best applicant for the position was to be recruited, not the one with the best face and boobs."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Wait outside while I call the HR manager."
Becky walked out on the boil. She'd sue the trousers off the jerk. Who'd want to fuck him?
Janice the HR manager of course had covered her back, being able to say two vice-presidents sat in for the final selection and the decision had been unanimous. Miss Rebecca Hartford was the best consultant of the thirteen in that final selection.
The response was 'Fucking idiots' and the boss cut the call.
Charlton went to the door and invited Rebecca in and was told to call her Becky. Standing close to her he said, "I must apologize for commenting on your appearance. I though HR had given me the applicant from the bottom of the pile. But no, I find you come to me highly recommended."
Becky adjusted her lapel. "I was insulted by your reaction. Have you got something against blondes?"
"Not at the moment...er...I mean no. I have been advised to ignore your good looks and great body because they hide a brilliant student of business teaching with a doctorate and educated in the latest practices and trends. Please allow me to apologize properly over dinner this evening."
"Dinner?"
"Yes it's something one has after dark when becoming hungry or to stave off hunger."
"But isn't that rather like dating me?"
"Oh, what was on your mind?"
"Er...um...professional thoughts."
