Mary walked into the office, one Monday morning.
"Hi, Mur."
"Hi, Mare. Oh, did you hear the big news?"
"What big news?"
"Our new station manager has come out with an edict. There's one on your desk."
She picked it up and read it:
To: All WJM staff
From: William Dixon
Subject: Alcohol
I hereby declare that the 6-martini lunch is at an end.
I know that in the past, employees have drunk alcohol at work. Some have done it openly, and some secretly.
Well, those days are over.
Starting today, any employee caught drinking in the work place will undergo discipline up to, and including, dismissal. This goes for ALL employees from janitors to senor managers.
If anyone has question about this, you may contact me at 555-1234.
Your cooperation in this matter is expected, and will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
William Dixon.
"Oh, boy! Mr. Grant is not going to like this one bit!"
Murray laughed. "No, he isn't!"
"I wonder if he's read this, yet?"
Lou came in, at that moment. He slammed the office door, went into his private office, and slammed that door.
"He read it!," said Murray.
"Uh, huh!"
The day dragged on. Lou stayed mostly in his office, coming out occasionally to give orders to Mary and Murray.
Ted made several mistakes, during his broadcast. This particularly angered Lou.
"Tell Ted I want to see him-on the triple!," he said to Mary.
"Yes, Mr. Grant."
She called Ted and told him to see Lou. He went into his office.
It was one of the worst tirades Marry and Murray ever heard. They could very clearly hear Lou, even though his office door was closed. It was nasty, and it was peppered with profanity.
"Mr. Grant is going too far!," said Mary.
"Yeah. I normally don't feel bad for Ted, but this time I do!," said Murray.
After ten minutes, Ted came out. He looked very much like a loyal dog who had just been beaten by his master! He walked into his dressing room.
"I'm going to talk with Ted," said Mary.
She went into his dressing room. He was sitting in a chair dejectedly.
"Are you OK, Ted?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Look, Mr. Grant's not himself, at the moment."
"It's OK, really."
But then, he began sobbing. Mary came over and hugged him.
"I'll talk to Mr. Grant."
"Thanks, Mary."
She went into Lou's office.
"Mr. Grant, what you did was totally unforgivable!"
"Aah, he deserved it!"
"No, he didn't! I normally don't sympathize with Ted, but this time I do. You know, you're problem is you haven't adjusted to not drinking, yet!"
"Well, I'm going to solve that problem right now!"
From his waste paper basket, he took out a full bottle of scotch.
"I forbid you to drink that!"
"All right, I won't!"
He opened the bottle, got up, walked over to Mary, and poured its contents all over her!
"Mr. Grant!"
He then felt bad. "I'm sorry, Mary."
"It's OK, Mr. Grant."
She walked out of his office.
Murray looked at her with shock. "You're all wet, Mare!"
"Yes."
Then he smelled her. "Hey that's booze! Did Lou. . . "
"Yes, he did."
He ran into Lou's office.
"Lou, what you did was totally unforgivable! That applies to Mary and Ted!"
"I know. Call them in here please."
He went out. A minute later, he, Mary and Ted went in.
"Mary, I'm really sorry." He pulled out his wallet and gave her $5. "This is for your cleaning bill. Oh, and take tomorrow off-with pay."
"Thanks, Mr. Grant."
"Ted, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean those things. And you're not the worst broadcaster ever."
This brightened him. "I'm not?"
"No."
"Then I'm the best?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, thank you! Can I get a raise?"
"No!"
"Just asking."
He and Murray left.
"Mr. Grant, I don't need tomorrow off."
"You sure."
"Yes."
"OK. Perhaps it's better that I save my drinking until after work."
"Yes!"
They hugged.
"You smell wonderful!"
"Mr. Grant!"
"Just kidding!"