Hidden Boss
Author's notes: Since I started writing, I've had several hundred comments. This is one that stuck in my mind. "Realism Suspended and enjoyment embraced" It was so simple, yet so positive!
It made me wonder why all the readers couldn't adopt a similar attitude. If you don't like a story, back out. Click it off. Why do some feel the need to hurl insults because something isn't to their taste?
**********
Beth, my PA, buzzed me. "Mr. Franklin wants you in his office at 11AM."
Franklin? That was unexpected. Even though I was VP of Employee Relations, he didn't talk with me often. A call from him was usually a '
you fucked up
' kind of forewarning often followed by a personal escort out of the building clutching a cheap cardboard box.
I looked at my watch, fifteen minutes. "Okay, Beth, let them know I'll be there."
I set my work aside and sat back to mentally review everything we were working on. I couldn't think of anything negative. Things had been going well for the last little while.
Well, there was only one way I was going to find out. Speaking of which, it was time to move.
Walking past Beth's desk, I whispered, "Can you pack up all my stuff in a box?"
She giggled. "Get serious you doofus. Nobody's firing you; they love the job you do."
"No nasty rumours then?"
"Nope, but you better get your keister moving, or that might change. Don't keep HIM waiting."
I clasped my palms together like I was praying, then crossed myself and headed out leaving Beth laughing behind me. A lack of rumours was a good sign. The PA's often knew things long before the
'dearly about to be departed'
found out.
Franklin's PA, Jacinta, motioned me to a chair and clicked on her intercom. "Chris is here, sir."
A minute later, two of the other Vice Presidents, Donaldson and Hepburn, walked in. Mr. Franklin had announced his intention to retire in the next year, and those two had the inside track for his job. For my money, I hoped it would be Hepburn that got the nod. Donaldson had a reputation for never having met a dirty trick he didn't like. Hepburn was a straight shooter. He was the kind of leader you could count on.
Jacinta announced them while they sat and made themselves comfortable, staring at me, obviously wondering why I would be there.
The room got tense when two security guards walked in right after and sat without being told. Donaldson and Hepburn gawked at me, concluding I was about to get fired, and they'd been invited to witness my humiliation. The why of it escaped me; I couldn't think of a thing I'd done wrong. But every corporation has a day when it's actions don't necessarily make sense to the people involved.
Jacinta looked up and announced, "Mr. Donaldson, you can go in now."
It was quiet inside Franklin's office for a couple of minutes. Then voices got loud, culminated by Donaldson's furious exit from the office, slamming the door. The two security guards immediately stood and followed him out.
Hepburn and I stared at each other in shocked surprise, then a grin lit his face as realization set in. With Donaldson gone, he was the only contender for Franklin's job. Then the expression on his face shifted subtly, giving me a suspicious look. If he was the heir apparent, what was I doing there? I didn't need any angst between us, so I mouthed, "Congratulations," to him. That placated him, and he nodded his thanks.
"You can both go in now, gentlemen," Jacinta announced, unperturbed by the events.
Inside, Franklin waved us over to his coffee prep area and told us to help ourselves before sitting on his couches. This was his warm and friendly approach, not his '
you fucked up
' reception. Stirring my coffee, I sat back and relaxed. Whatever was coming couldn't be that bad.
He went straight to the point. "I wanted you two here for two reasons. First, I wanted witnesses about what just happened to Donaldson. If there are any rumours to be started, I want them to be accurate. While I respect the need for sharp business practises sometimes, Donaldson exceeded every parameter I had. Too many underhanded shenanigans. Putting him in charge would have lost us our best staff in the long run and impaired the company. He needed to go, and my only regret is I didn't do it sooner. You two of all the managers on this floor would understand that best. Make sure the information circulating is accurate. I want it clear we won't tolerate a repeat of his behaviour."
He paused to take a sip of his coffee.
Wow, just wow! That he would include me in on an inner circle matter was a real coup for me. I'd make sure Becky got the goods. That would get it out faster than standing and making a public announcement.
Hepburn and I both nodded our heads. We understood it would get done.
Franklin went on, "Number two is an opportunity for you, Chris. We've been offered a chance to participate in a TV show called Hidden Boss. I like the idea. You spend more time out of the office in the field than anyone; I think this would be right up your alley. You're charismatic with people and good looking. Perfect for TV. It could take up to three months. My impression of your PA, Becky, is that she's perfectly capable of running your department these days. Is that accurate?"
I nodded agreement. "Yes sir. I'm gone a lot, and as you point out, she's perfectly capable. If I had to leave my position for any reason, she'd be my recommendation for taking my place. I've also seen that Hidden Boss show on TV. I like it. It would be an excellent advertisement for us as a company. I'm totally on board to do it."
"That's great," he responded.
He gave Hepburn some instructions, "Larry, we'll put Becky in charge of Employee Relations temporarily. Make sure her pay is commensurate with the new responsibility. Also, circulate a notice so nobody gives her any grief. I also expect you to back her up if she runs into a problem she can't handle. I doubt she will; she strikes me as a smart young lady. I also need you to be prepared to support Chris with any problems he may encounter. Make sure there are no hiccups in our backing for him. This is important. I really want this to go well. Oh, obviously, we have to keep this under our hats. We can't have it getting out to the store employees. Just Becky, Jacinta and the three of us and will know what's going on. Maybe include on Becky's notice that Chris is working on a major project for the company and will be gone for three months."
Hepburn nodded. "I'll get right on it, sir."
Franklin rubbed his hands together gleefully. "I'm looking forward to seeing this come together, gentlemen. It'll be hitting right around Christmas. We want it to be good. If any ideas come out of this to benefit our employees, implementing it for Christmas would be a bonus."
We both nodded our understanding.
Franklin steepled his fingers, looking thoughtful. "On another note, Chris, we want you to have a good look around that location. Something's wrong there. Weekly receipts are all over the place. Times they are super busy, and times you could shoot a cannon through the place. I'd like to know why. Location? Management? Staff? I'd like an answer and a solution if possible."
"I can do that, sir."
"Thank you. The producer will be phoning you later today. They want you starting Monday, there's some training required before you step in front of the camera. Please get Becky ready for her new role."
The meeting broke up; I wandered back to my office, somewhat stunned. Me, a movie star! Amused at that thought, I figured I should spend some time practising my autograph. No doubt, legions of fans awaited me in the future. That was good for a belly laugh. Arriving back, I waved Becky into my office to give her the news.
**********
It turns out that working in front of the camera isn't as simple as standing there grinning like a dumb-ass fool. No sir! No dumb-ass fools need to apply.
You have to lose the habit of looking at the camera every time something happens. Like it's going to give you a clue as to how you just did. You know, cameraman faints on the floor absolutely overcome with amazement at your talent. It's a natural reflex that actors work hard to overcome.
This show had no working script; it was all off the cuff. What we did got recorded live.
You need to clearly enunciate your words; slang is not an acceptable word choice. A local expression might not be understood elsewhere in the country. You have to lose the habit of cursing if something goes wrong. Bang your leg, you say ouch, not mother fu...! You try not to turn your back on the camera. If you can help it, don't talk without being visible to the camera. Creepy, disembodied voices are a no-no. The cameraman helps, but you have to help him too. There was a lot more, but those were the main issues.
Then there was the makeup. Although simplified, it still took me an hour to accomplish. A professional could do it in fifteen minutes, but they wouldn't be at my side every day. I had to learn to do it myself.
The producer pronounced himself satisfied with me three weeks later. The following Monday, the first day in October, I arrived in Chicago to start work at one of our stores. The store had been completely re-wired with multiple cameras and microphones under the guise of updating the security system. The Director and his staff could sit outside in a van and control everything. No one would know they were there. Outdoors, a cameraman might follow. But that could bring unwanted public attention, especially around the store. For outside, I had a hidden camera built into a button on my shirt, and there were cameras in the parking lot.
