p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"Chapter /spanspan style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;"7 Senior Management/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Sarah picked up Chuck's used coffee cup and headed over to the manager's office. At the same time the eagle eyes of John Casey realised something was amiss and started moving towards where Sarah was heading. He grabbed a broom that was leaning on a showcase and took it with him. Sarah saw he was coming and delayed opening the door until Casey got into position. Just like old times she thought./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Once Casey was in position she tap on the door and walked straight in. Her entrance surprising the three goons and Morgan. Morgan was surprised as anyone to see Sarah standing there with a cup of coffee. His jaw dropped so he looked like fish gasping for water./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""I have your coffee. Oh I didn't realise you had company." She smiled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Sarah relied on the fact that all eyes were on her so she move deeper into the office and around to the other side of Morgan's desk. For a moment she wished she wasn't dressed so conservatively, but she was wearing a v neck top so she decided to start bending forward to give a hint of view of her cleavage to the men. The distraction was enough for Casey to slip in and duck behind the open door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Now that John was in position Sarah stood upright but made no effort on leaving the office. Morgan could see John poised behind the door and he felt his backbone stiffen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""So Gentlemen, how can I help you?" Morgan spoke calmly even if his voice was a octave higher than normal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""This store owes my boss a lot of money!" the leader said with a menace. The leader had a gravelly voice./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Yes well I'm not surprised." Morgan sort of gulped. He felt uncomfortable and he had to adjust his tie. "The accounts of this store are in such a mess. I've only taken over this morning so I'm not yet up to speed with the values we're looking at."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: red;""My boss says that you owe over $50,000. He is an impatience man" /spanspan style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: green;"the leader again said with a menace./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""I see." Morgan was back footing now. He wanted to make sure nothing other than talking took place in his office. He had seen Casey in action but he wasn't too sure on Sarah. He knew she was good but how good?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Look I understand," he said, "but as I said we are the new management and we have to first get an overall picture of what's been happening to this store before any funds can be distributed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""I don't think you understand me, my boss wants his money now!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: red;""Oh I understand all right, but your boss is going to have to wait. As I've said we /spanspan style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: green;"only taken over this morning and we won't be making any payments until we have a clear picture on what the accounts look like."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"The goon leader rolled his shoulders and then cracked his knuckles, he was putting on a physical display then he hesitated once he noticed the look on Sarah's face. Gone were the soft features of a blue eyed angel and in replace of it was that of a stone cold killer, even her eyes had changed to a lifeless grey colour. The thug didn't know why but he could feel a shiver down his spine. It was enough to put the goon off his game./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"A stare off between the thug and the store manager evolved before the thug eventually blinked and turned his eyes. He glanced at the pretty secretary who was giving him the daggers look. It was about this time he had lost his nerve so he needed to save his face. He thought that he had delivered his boss's message so he could get the hell out of there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Right" he said, "Remember the boss is an impatient man so we'll give a little time to get yourself sorted then we'll be back!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"With that comment the thug signalled to his companions to leave and they followed him out the door. One of the goons who was to be last out the office door noticed the former marine who was holding the broom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""What's the broom for?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Oh, I find it handy when cleaning up spilt blood" came John's caustic reply./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"John and the goon stood and had a stare off at each other before the goon decided to follow his companions out onto the show room floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Morgan and Sarah escorted the goons out the front door of the Buy More. They watched as the men got into their car and drive away. Morgan looked at Sarah with a puzzled look on his face. He thought Chuck and Sarah were on the outs. He thought Sarah had moved on to Shaw. He knew that the Hannah girl was an opportunist fling. He was glad to see her so he greeted her warmly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Wow, Sarah, I am surprised but it's good to see you here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Thank you, Morgan. It's good that someone is welcoming me" with that comment the duo made their way over to the desk Chuck was working from./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"The eagle eyes of Casey noticed that the trio was gathered together so he made a beeline to them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""/spanWalkerspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"" he acknowledged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Casey" she acknowledged back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Well the gangs all here."/spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Morgan clasped his hands together, "Why don't we move to my office because I have a few things I want to discuss."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"They all adjourned to the manager's office and once they all found a seat to sit in Morgan began./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""As you know the accounts lady ran off with all the cash and now we have creditors wanting to beat down our doors. Well they're not happy because the store owes a lot of money. A lot of money." Morgan repeated. "How much we are yet to determine. Anyway some of the creditors have been rather nasty over the phone and it wouldn't surprise me if more of them come and give us a visit. So if that's the case, I as manager will have to deal with them, that's why I'm the manager." He started to wipe his brow with his handkerchief. /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""But as a precaution I am going to keep the veneer blinds open at all times. So if you see these blinds closed then I want you all to barge in and save me because something won't be right."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"That got a grunt from Casey, "So you want us to save your pimply arse?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""If you could it would be appreciated."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"After easing Morgan's fears for his personal safety, they got around to discussing the other major problem of the store. The lack of accurate account figures, Morgan had stated that he has already has someone from an employment agency coming to help out in that area. The person should be arriving soon./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"It was Casey who made the snide remark./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Seeing that we are all here for an undetermined length of time I'm saying we make /spanWalkerspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" the accounts executive. She gets her own office and she can be in the store and keep an eye on the Intersect."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"That got a gulp from Chuck. He could feel a blush developing in his cheeks. Sarah on the other hand gave Casey a slinkeye./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Do you know how to do the accounts?" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Morgan asked looking at Sarah./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"All eyes turned to the pretty one./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Sarah picked up Chuck's used coffee cup and headed over to the manager's office. At the same time the eagle eyes of John Casey realised something was amiss and started moving towards where Sarah was heading. He grabbed a broom that was leaning on a showcase and took it with him. Sarah saw he was coming and delayed opening the door until Casey got into position. Just like old times she thought./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Once Casey was in position she tap on the door and walked straight in. Her entrance surprising the three goons and Morgan. Morgan was surprised as anyone to see Sarah standing there with a cup of coffee. His jaw dropped so he looked like fish gasping for water./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""I have your coffee. Oh I didn't realise you had company." She smiled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Sarah relied on the fact that all eyes were on her so she move deeper into the office and around to the other side of Morgan's desk. For a moment she wished she wasn't dressed so conservatively, but she was wearing a v neck top so she decided to start bending forward to give a hint of view of her cleavage to the men. The distraction was enough for Casey to slip in and duck behind the open door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Now that John was in position Sarah stood upright but made no effort on leaving the office. Morgan could see John poised behind the door and he felt his backbone stiffen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""So Gentlemen, how can I help you?" Morgan spoke calmly even if his voice was a octave higher than normal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""This store owes my boss a lot of money!" the leader said with a menace. The leader had a gravelly voice./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Yes well I'm not surprised." Morgan sort of gulped. He felt uncomfortable and he had to adjust his tie. "The accounts of this store are in such a mess. I've only taken over this morning so I'm not yet up to speed with the values we're looking at."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: red;""My boss says that you owe over $50,000. He is an impatience man" /spanspan style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: green;"the leader again said with a menace./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""I see." Morgan was back footing now. He wanted to make sure nothing other than talking took place in his office. He had seen Casey in action but he wasn't too sure on Sarah. He knew she was good but how good?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Look I understand," he said, "but as I said we are the new management and we have to first get an overall picture of what's been happening to this store before any funds can be distributed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""I don't think you understand me, my boss wants his money now!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: red;""Oh I understand all right, but your boss is going to have to wait. As I've said we /spanspan style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: green;"only taken over this morning and we won't be making any payments until we have a clear picture on what the accounts look like."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"The goon leader rolled his shoulders and then cracked his knuckles, he was putting on a physical display then he hesitated once he noticed the look on Sarah's face. Gone were the soft features of a blue eyed angel and in replace of it was that of a stone cold killer, even her eyes had changed to a lifeless grey colour. The thug didn't know why but he could feel a shiver down his spine. It was enough to put the goon off his game./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"A stare off between the thug and the store manager evolved before the thug eventually blinked and turned his eyes. He glanced at the pretty secretary who was giving him the daggers look. It was about this time he had lost his nerve so he needed to save his face. He thought that he had delivered his boss's message so he could get the hell out of there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Right" he said, "Remember the boss is an impatient man so we'll give a little time to get yourself sorted then we'll be back!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"With that comment the thug signalled to his companions to leave and they followed him out the door. One of the goons who was to be last out the office door noticed the former marine who was holding the broom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""What's the broom for?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Oh, I find it handy when cleaning up spilt blood" came John's caustic reply./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"John and the goon stood and had a stare off at each other before the goon decided to follow his companions out onto the show room floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Morgan and Sarah escorted the goons out the front door of the Buy More. They watched as the men got into their car and drive away. Morgan looked at Sarah with a puzzled look on his face. He thought Chuck and Sarah were on the outs. He thought Sarah had moved on to Shaw. He knew that the Hannah girl was an opportunist fling. He was glad to see her so he greeted her warmly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Wow, Sarah, I am surprised but it's good to see you here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Thank you, Morgan. It's good that someone is welcoming me" with that comment the duo made their way over to the desk Chuck was working from./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"The eagle eyes of Casey noticed that the trio was gathered together so he made a beeline to them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""/spanWalkerspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"" he acknowledged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Casey" she acknowledged back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Well the gangs all here."/spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Morgan clasped his hands together, "Why don't we move to my office because I have a few things I want to discuss."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"They all adjourned to the manager's office and once they all found a seat to sit in Morgan began./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""As you know the accounts lady ran off with all the cash and now we have creditors wanting to beat down our doors. Well they're not happy because the store owes a lot of money. A lot of money." Morgan repeated. "How much we are yet to determine. Anyway some of the creditors have been rather nasty over the phone and it wouldn't surprise me if more of them come and give us a visit. So if that's the case, I as manager will have to deal with them, that's why I'm the manager." He started to wipe his brow with his handkerchief. /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""But as a precaution I am going to keep the veneer blinds open at all times. So if you see these blinds closed then I want you all to barge in and save me because something won't be right."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"That got a grunt from Casey, "So you want us to save your pimply arse?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""If you could it would be appreciated."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"After easing Morgan's fears for his personal safety, they got around to discussing the other major problem of the store. The lack of accurate account figures, Morgan had stated that he has already has someone from an employment agency coming to help out in that area. The person should be arriving soon./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"It was Casey who made the snide remark./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Seeing that we are all here for an undetermined length of time I'm saying we make /spanWalkerspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" the accounts executive. She gets her own office and she can be in the store and keep an eye on the Intersect."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"That got a gulp from Chuck. He could feel a blush developing in his cheeks. Sarah on the other hand gave Casey a slinkeye./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;""Do you know how to do the accounts?" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;" /spanspan style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"Morgan asked looking at Sarah./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"All eyes turned to the pretty one./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;" /span/p