New Hire

MONDAY MORNING GRIND The alarm went off in Joe’s bedroom. He very clumsily slapped at his alarm clock to stop it from ringing. He quickly sat up in bed and took two deep breathes and the smell of brewed coffee hit his nose. Monday muttered Joe to himself. Slowly he walked to the kitchen for coffee and his usual two frozen egg and sausage biscuits to nuke for his on the run breakfast. He hastily showers and dresses. Filling a travel mug full of coffee, he sits down at the kitchen table for a moment of reflection and meditation. The microwave beeps indicating his breakfast biscuits are ready. A few minutes pass, before he rises to get his work backpack,phone,wallet, and keys. Grabbing his coffee travel mug and biscuits he walks out the door.Click goes the lock.He then jumps into the Jeep. The short four mile drive and he’s at the pharmacy. Hopping out of the Jeep, Joe glances at his watch,eight o’clock. as he walks to the emporium’s front door. Hey guys shouts Joe as he walks straight back to his office and quietly shuts the door. He is back, announces Glenda. Oh boy utters Jean. I need to go ask if I can leave early quipps Poe. Now..Now Poe rebutted Chewy..remember Saturday night’s race win. Oh right mutters Poe.  Instantly Joe pops out of his office and says Hey,Mary..Jean where are the files for the new hire candidates for the store? Why? Shoots back Jean as she finishes the morning pharmacy inventory checklist. Well if you know…I have engaged a professional team to take over the process and get us a top knotch new hire, replied Joe. Okay retorts Mary the files and applications are under the cash checkout counter. Whose the professional team? Well I have enlisted the services of Big Steve’s office space rent team…Meeting Rooms and Etc.. No way, Jean squeals. They were very good and spoke of very highly remarks Glenda my sister, Jill, got from IT job thur them.  Pauley my brother gets his skilled tradesmen..engineers for foundation repairs and HVAC techs retorted Jean. Well then it sounds like we are all in agreement to move forward with using the team of Meeting Rooms and Etc announced Joe as he seized the files and applications for under the Checkout counter. Okay guys stepping out to deliver these to the Meeting Rooms and Etc team out at the track announced Joe as he tucked them into his work backpack. Stepping out the front door a familiar voice shouted at him. Happy Monday yells Chuck Mars. You would laughs Joe as he crosses the street to engage in conversation with Chuck. You seem to be in good spirits for a loser quipps Joe. That was alot of fun replies Chuck. I have the application files in my backpack remarks Joe. Well..then come step into my private office replies Chuck. The two walk to the back of Chuck’s shop. Take a seat Joe orders Chuck. Joe snatches the files of Jeff Well and Kent Green from his backpack and hands them to Chuck. Very good Joe replies Chuck. I am get start right after lunch and communicate with Big Jake as well. Thank replies Joe. On another matter do you have any customer’s wanting to sell a good daily driver vehicle..I can’t keep driving my mother’s Jeep declares Joe.  Yes as a matter of fact I do replies Chuck…Tanner Pills has a nice two year old jeep..jet black with brown leather interior…very good running condition, well kept, and excellent maintenance record. Here is his information as Chuck swiftly scribbled it on to a yellow note sticky and passed it to Joe. Great and thanks again replied Joe as he walked out of Chuck’s shop office and headed to his mother’s Jeep. Hopping into the jeep, Joe speedily grabs his phone and call Tanner’s contact number. Hello..this is Tanner.comes a voice over the phone…Hey Mr Pills this Joe Java…Chuck Mars gave me information saying you might have Jeep up for sale? I certainly do replied Tanner a Willy Overlander that I have had for about two years. Great, can I stop by your place this afternoon and look at in person, please ? asked Joe. Yelp..say around two o’clock replied Tanner. Two it is responded Joe..bye Sir. Joe got excited…Willy that's like an old power wagon style offf road vehicle! He pocketed his phone and started driving out to the race track. He popped on his aviator shades and enjoyed the wind blow on his face as he drove. Pulling into the business complex, Joe was taken with how nice the landscaping and grass was kept. Hopping out of the Jeep, Joe stepped lively to the main office building of the complex and was greeted by the receptionist Stella…good morning sir..she replied. Call me Joe…is Shelia available asked Joe..I have some applications and files that I need to give her continued Joe. Let me check replied Stella as she disappeared through a  passkey locked double glass door.  Wow.. this is nice…a coffee bar,snack station, and private boothe for small group meetings. Joe called out Stella..Shelia will see you…please sign in and here’s your security bag to scan to get you back to her. Her office is straight down the hall once you get through the double glass doors. Thanks replied Joe as he scribbles his name on the log with time and date. He slid the security badge clasp on to his shirt Calvin Kline dress pocket and walks for the double glass doors. Scanning his badge, he easily pass into the hallway and walks back to shelia’s office. The door is open, but Joe politely knocks. Come sir replies Shelia I have been expecting you..take a seat Mr Java. Thank you utters Joe. I have the new hire candidate applications and files remarks Joe as he fishes them out of his backpack. Great replies Sheila has grabbed them from Joe’s hand. The files for the top candidates are on top…Jeff Well and Kent Green replied Joe to Shelia. Here are the business cards for the interviewer’s Chuck Mars and Jake Cutter with their contact information. So real quick what’s their background? asks Shelia. Old Hunt oil human resource recruiters and professional executive search people replied Joe. Great remarked Shelia then they know what they are doing and have the experience to back it up.The other candidates  were recent college grads recommended by the college of business Dean Smitty utters Joe. So what about compensation for the new hire?asks Shelia. Well part of the package is a freshly updated apartment above the emporium pharmacy store on its second floor. Oh so Housing..wow that could be a nice perk, utters Shelia. I will feel the top two candidates out on their salary needs remarked Shelia…not to worry then.  Finally here is my business card with my personal number on it as well…Any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me Shelia quipped Joe. I have to run..I have a meeting to attend, replies Joe. Good day then…any questions please reach me , utters Shelia as she stands to shake Joe’s hand.  Walking out,,Joe again marvels to himself how smooth the meeting went with Shelia as signs out at Stella’s desk. Goodbye says Joe to Stella. Jumping into his mother’s Jeep, Joe glances at his watch,one o’clock, great I just enough time to get to Tanner Pill’s place and get a burger Patty Hut. Eating his double patty burger as he drive over to Shade Lane to meet Tanner about his old Willy Wagon, maybe I need to make a quick stop at Mark’s office, my financial numbers guy. Joe quickly routes himself over to Sunset Lane to stop at Mark’s office. Pulling over Joe calls Mark’s office. Hello this Mark…Hey man replies Joe I need to have a real quick numbers talk with you..I want to buy a vehicle for a daily driver since my old Ford truck is now a hot rod. Okay replies Mark…I will be there in a minute replies Joe. Pulling right up front to Mark’s office, Joe hastily dashes into Mark’s office. Hey Joe remarks Mark standing to shake his hand. Thanks for seeing me on short notice…remarks Joe…real quick how much cash do I have If I want to make an offer on someone’s used vehicle? Give me a minute, replies Mark as he looks at his computer screen,,,,so the quick answer is $17,325 dollars utters Mark. Good deal.. thanks Mark..I gotta run to meet a seller over on Shade Lane utters Joe. Anytime replies Mark. Joe jumps into the Jeep and navigates over to Shade Lane and Tanner’s place. Joe easy’s the jeep in to a street parking place as he quickly parallel parks the jeep and hops out.  He strolls up to Tanners front door and knocks twice because there is no door bell to ring. Hey guy as Tanner opens the front…you must be Joe Java remarks Tanner. Yes I am, replies Joe. Follow me commands Tanner its out back on the garage back driveway. Joe quickly follows as Tanner opens the garage door…there she is utters Tanner. Joe stops and just looks. Man Tanner I really like it as he walks closer to touch it and kick the tires exclaims Joe. Like the brown leather interior…no tears,no holes and smooth to touch replies Joe. It runs okay asks? Joe. Like a well oiled clock..Chuck Mar’s shop kepts the  maintenance up to speed for me repliesTanner. Can you take me for an around the block quick spin?Joe. Sure ,let me grab the key..feel free to hop in while I go get them replies Tanner. Wow remarks Joe to himself..double cab and a nice deep hauling bed in back as Joe quickly plants himself in the passenger side front seat. Tanner quickly appears and jumps into the dirviers fron seat and first crank fires  the Willy up and lets it idle for Joe to listen too…Man real smooth utters Joe to Tanner. They quickly pull out into the alley and on to the city street. I just had new brake pads put on the Willy announces Tanner it will stop on a dime. Okay replies Joe you got me hooked..how much Tanner? I want $14,700 replies Tanner. Done ..shake my hand declares Joe. Okay man replies Tanner as he pulls to a stop at the stop sign and grasps Joe's hand. Can you close with me  tomorrow at this time? asks Tanner. Yes..done deal replies Joe. Hey by the way asks Tanner..were you the guy that beat Chuck Mars by a nose out at the track on Saturday? Yelp replies Joe my old 54 F150 is now a hot rod. So I need a daily driver, Joe continues. Gotcha replied Tanner was good to meet a local drag racing celebrity. I was blessed with lots of help replied Joe. Just then Tanner pulled up to Joe’s Jeep parked out front of his house…this must be you remarked Tanner. Yes it is and I will close tomorrow with you, replied Joe as he hopped out of the Willy.  Joe swiftly drives back to the pharmacy and walks into the front door to catch Mary and Jean talking to a nicely dressed young man. Joe shuffles over to Poe who's stocking one the far right pharmacy shelves with first aid supplies. Softly Joe speak to Poe..the young guy who is he? Poe softly answers Joe to not draw attention to them..that’s Kent Green. Really remarks Joe..hey get a shopping cart for all these boxes please. Will do boss replies Poe. Joe causally walks over to the coffee shop area of the emporium when Jean and Mary both shout at him.  Joe come over here sternly speaks Jean. Okay replies Joe. Joe Java meet Kent Geen utters Mary. He is one of our new hire candidates, declares Jean the supervising Pharmacist . Joe quickly extends his hand and says good to meet you Mr Green. I was just telling the ladies that I have a second interview scheduled for next Wednesday with the Meeting Rooms and Etc group out at the business complex at the race track, replies Kent Green. Well let me extend my congratulations. Replied Joe Thanks Mr Java.. Kent responded. Well if you will excuse me I have a urgent business matter to address utters  Joe. That would not have anything to do with you talking to Chuck Mars when you left ? asked Glenda. If you must know..yes I just purchased an old Willy Wagon from one of Chuck's loyal customers. I close tomorrow . Well ..Well remarks Chewy is it  double cab with a deep bed in back and look like this as Chewy flashed a pic on his phone to me. You got it I replied.  Man that’s a rare 1958 model E exclaims Chewy..nice grab  boss!! Thanks..that means alot coming for a true classic car man Joe replied. Okay everyone now hear this..I  will need to be out early for lunch to go to bank and close on My Willy Wagon tomorrow cried Joe. That is all..chop..chop back to work crew. END OF THE WEEK Thank God Friday finally came. I had been a long busy week at the pharmacy emporium. I was getting updates on the candidate process for all parties involved or so I thought. Friday afternoon about one o’clock in the afternoon a surprised visitor changed everything, my father Joseph Java Sr showed up at the store. Hot Brew Java  called out Chewy as dad walked into the store…quickly turning to Chewy..that’s Mr Joseph Java Sr to you and everyone else announced dad. Yes sir replied Chewy. Everyone quickly snaps to their best professional manners. Miss Jean Wok Rph Supervisor  is my son around barks JavaSr. He was but I believe he stepped out over to Chuck Mars place of busines replied Jean Rph supervisor. Thanks and good day to all remarks JavaSr as he walks out the pharmacy front door. Something is up, cries Mary. Yes, but what? Responds Glenda. Enough chatter team, he could walk back in here any moment.  Back to work or at least find something productive to do barks Miss Jean Wok Rph Supervisor. JavaSr quickly crosses the street to stroll leisurely into Chuck’s Performance Care shop. Joe spots his dad and waves and says Hey dad..what do I owe the pleasure of an in person visit? Ask Joe. Well its Friday afternoon and the end of the business quarter replies JavaSr. Numbers are quite good and business is up another 25 percent, announced Joe. So what are you doing over here at Chuck’s ?asked dad. Getting the Willy Wagon’s oil changed, replied Joe.  Take a gander at my new used old time daily driver declared Joe. My ..a rare 1959 Model E if I am not mistaken replied JavaSr.  On the money replied Joe. But, still what are you doing visiting me on a Friday, dad ? asked Joe. Give me a minute..are the others on their way Chiuck ?asked dad Yes they are replied Chuck to my dad. You did not tell him..right  Chuck ?asked dad. Not one word replied Chuck I want you to have the honor of giving your son the Good News!  Just then, Big Jake, Joey, and Big Steve pull up in Joey’s old woody wagon as Joey honks the horn and says come on everyone pile into the woody. Okay uttered Joe is someone going to tell me what this is all about? Patiences my son, in due time but let’s go eat, replied my dad. Okay replied Joe where are we going to eat..I hope some place that’s  nice. Ruth’s Steakhouse replied Joey. You guys are kidding, Joe remarked. Nope replied Big Jake that was I regular go to place back in time. Okay replies Joe I am good for the ride guys. Everyone seemed to be in really good spirit and very little hearted as I sat back and enjoy the comradery going between the guys. Joey pulled up to the Valet parking at the steakhouse. Big Steve pops out and hands Troy the attendant a bill  as Joey gives him the keys to the woody. Nice ride guys !remarks Troy Thanks replied Joey and yes it is original. Big Jake grabs the fine establishment front door and motions everyone to walk in the hostess. Just then. Ruth walks up and says Hi guys..the usually?? Its Friday replies Big Jake. Enough said guys…come on let me seat you guys at the lakeside view table utters Ruth. My mouth dropped..what a view remarked Joe. The Finest seat in the house announced Big Steve. So, one last question you guys want menus or are you ready to order. No menus replied my dad..just give us juice ribeyes herb potatoes and the roasted veggies with some cold house brewed beer in chilled stiens. Come right up, announced Ruth. Okay guys what’s up the suspense is getting to me remarked Joe. Son we have all came to the same conclusion that retirement is for the birds and we all need a hobby that we all enjoy, responds my dad. That would be

Racing cars and hot rods declared Big Steve. So we decided to form a new racing team with you as our new hot shot driver in car one and me in car two declares Chuck Mars. What?? I replied. The goal is to see if we can give it a go on the Winston Cup series, declares Big Jake. Of course we are going to have to do some qualifying races to reach ourt goal, but it will be fun remarks my dad. Did you not have alot of fun Joe? asked my dad You were racing gofast go carts until you were..what fifteen says my dad. Yes I did replied Joe. So who's going to run the store dad? Asks Joe. Well if you must know declared Chuck as he looked at Big Jake…there is one candidate that fits that bill…Jeff Well. Okay I am good with that replies Joe. Did you know his daughter is an Rph working in Dalllas Texas ?asks Big Jake. No, I did not. But I know Jeff’s wife April ran the soda fountain at the family store for years uttered Joe .Good man replied Chuck you have done your candidate background work very well. I make this simple son utters my dad,JavaSr, the plan is to extend offers to Jeff,April and their daughter Liz and make them profit sharing partners with the upstairs apartment thrown in to close the deal. Let them hire their own store staff? remarked Joe. Correct replied Big Jake. Well that sort of makes it easy, replied Joe. Poe,Chewy and Glenda all tendered their two notices to me on Wednesday. Glenda going to work for her sister's new IT start up firm. Poe says he is going back to Houston. Chewy says he is going to work for Tony’s Classic Auto in Austin. So that just leaves Mary and Jean replied JavaSr.. Let me deal with them on Monday son. Okay dad replies Joe. Just then three waiters walk out with our steak. Enough talk, let's dig in guys remarks Big Jake. Lord we thank you for this food and the hands that prepared it utters Joey and everyone said Amen… Funny thing when I got back to the pharmacy, laying on my desk was an envelope from Jean Wok Rph tendering, her resignation  legally signed and dated. Mary was closing it was her normal night to do so..she grabbed me and said I need a moment with you Joe. I said Okay let me turn off the lights and set the alarm and we both can walk to the door together Mary. Okay Joe replied Mary. So as I locked the pharmacy door, Mary uttered It looks like I am going to go back home to Atlanta, Joe. I am being sorely missed by family and good friends continued Mary …I will know for sure on Monday . Okay, then I will make it a point to be available on Monday, Mary I replied. Walk you to your car Mary?I asked. Yes, that would be nice, Joe responded Mary.  I walked her safely to her car and then headed straight for my new old Willy. Hopping inside I reached for my phone to call and update my dad. He was shocked! THE CONCLUSION Monday came quickly for me. My alarm went off promptly at 6:30 am. The aroma of freshed brewed coffee hit my nose as I got up. I already had my clothes layed from Sunday night. My grey dress pants and my freshly pressed Calvin Kline white long sleeved dress shirt with my blue blazer. I need to be on time for the opening of the pharmacy promptly at eight o’clock. Today was the big day to tell everyone of the new store operation plans moving forward. I grabbed a mug for some fresh coffee as I sat down to enjoy my morning brew and have a quiet time of meditation with the man upstairs. I grabbed a couple of frozen sausage egg and cheese biscuits from the freezer and tossed them into the microwave. I eat one biscuit and headed to the shower. I shaved in the shower to save time. I promptly toweled off and got dressed. I swiftly seized my phone,wallet,watch and backpack and walked to the kitchen to leave through the kitchen back door. I grabbed a travel mug and filled it with fresh brew and grabbed my two now cool breakfast biscuits to eat on the road to the pharmacy. Mary had pulled me over to a private side room at

Church on Sunday and gave me her resignation letter. So the end process was now very easy, so I thought. I climbed into my new used Willy and started my normal drive into the pharmacy for four miles. I parked in my usual parking spot and walked to the pharmacy front door. I was the first one at work..it was Monday after all..no surprise there! I unlocked the door and quickly disabled the Alarm. I went to the back of pharmacy to flick on all the lights and stopped at the coffee shop area to turn on all the espresso and coffee making machines. Hey Joe called Jean as she walked into the store and headed straight for the pharmacy area. Anyone else here ?? called Jean. Nope Jean, just me and you. Good so you got my resignation letter .. right? Remarked Jean. I did yes mama Miss Wok and my father will be here shortly to address  you and the rest of the staff replied Joe. Oh my!! replied Jean so this is goodbye Joe??. I know we had our differences but we made it work you and me Jean replied Joe. Just then Mary,Chewy,Poe and Glenda all walked into the store at the same time. I glanced at my watch, it read 7:55. I want to personally thank everyone for being on time for Monday I declared. My father will be here shortly to address everyone as I continue. Great,Okay,Yelp rang out to the replies from everyone in a customerless store. Mary can you please get some fresh blonde roast coffee going, my dad rather fancies that blend right now I responded. Right away Joe chimed Mary. I went to my office and popped the door open to start checking my morning emails. To my surprise, offers of acceptance were tendered by the whole Well’s family..Jeff,April and their daughter Liz.A question was posed as to when the apartment was to be available formove-in as the Well’s were closing on their family home on this Wednesday. Just then my dad Joseph Java Sr walked into the pharmacy front door as I quickly went to meet him. Good morning dad I said. Good morning son as he reached to hug me and softly whispered let’s get this over quickly son. Okay dad I softly replied back. Go lock the front door son so we are not interrupted by customers, remarked JavaSr. Okay dad I replied again. Mary is there any fresh coffees asked my dad. Yes sir replied Mary. Well then let’s all gather at the big table and sit down and enjoy one last cup together, announced my dad. Mary quickly passed out clean mugs to everyone and started passing around a big fresh pot of blonde brew for everyone to pour themselves a cup. I want to thank everyone for being promptly for a Monday morning meeting. I will make this short and to the point…everyone's resignation has been accepted and two weeks of severance pay will be extended to all. You are free to leave now or finish the week to Friday announced my dad, Joseph Java Sr. I want to thank everyone for their time and effort while working here at the pharmacy… you guys are the biggest reason for our business success..again thanks..that’s all I have to say guys remark my dad. I want to say thanks everyone for their much needed effort and work ethics and of course putting up with me…again thanks everyone I remarked.  I will tell as far as our plans for dad and me..we are going racing. That Saturday was alot of fun for us and we both enjoyed it very much, I added. So some of my old friends are going to help and hopefully we will form a great team, declared my dad .Retirement Blows guys!! Wow,great,fabulous could be heard floating in the pharmacy air. Then Jean asked, "Who is going to run the store and pharmacy guys?" I dad quickly piped not to worry Jean and the rest of you..interviews are being done as we speak..the selection process is well under way at Meeting Rooms and Etc..I am very pleased with their work announced by my dad. I will make Friday my last day replied Poe. Me too replied Chewy. Me three replied Glenda. Me four replied Mary. Joe, I think I will leave now, announced Jean. Okay I replied. May I walk you to the door? That would be great, replied Jean. Goodbye everyone announced Jean as she rose from her chair. I politely let her take the lead as we walked to the front door. To my surprise there were no customers standing at the door to come into the shop. I unlocked the door and held it open for her.Jean thanked me and started to walk out for her car..when she turned and said my I give a goodbye hug? Asked Jean. Come here, I replied. We embraced each one last time. Goodbye Jean I whispered. Jean carefully put her hand to my cheek and softly said goodbye Joe .There is a Mrs Joe Java out there. She abruptly turned and walked to her car. I froze at the door for a moment as I watched her drive away. I locked the door and went back to be with the group and sat down to finish my coffee. You need me to stay, son ??asked dad. No pops I replied ..I will put on my white coat for today and make a call to Lisa and Ted for  some relief help. Okay everyone I am off to go meet from old friends to discuss our teams first race build replied my dad. I will let myself out guys…finish your Monday morning coffee’s everyone ordered my dad. I finished my cup of brew and walked to my office to get my white coat. The phones started ringing and I swiftly walked to the pharmacy to take the  RX drug calls. I  will go unlock the front door , replied Chewy. Good deal I replied with a thumbs up hand sign as our pharmacy crew started their Monday work day. At lunch I forwarded the acceptance emails for all the Well’s family members to my dad. I typed a quick email to Jeff Well saying the apartment would be available for move-in this coming Saturday morning and he could stop by anytime on Friday to pick up the keys. The week passed very uneventfully. I decided to throw a party on Friday to say goodbye to everyone in some style. I got Kyle’s BBQ to agree to cater it. Chuck Mars, Jake Cutter and my dad sat down with Jeff and Aprl Well on Thursday to finalize the formal offers and Zoomed called their Daughter Liz to make  it a total family affair hiring event. Friday after the party and Jeff coming by the store. I quickly locked up and drove home.  I found myself walking out into my back yard to the red barn on the back of my property and opening its sealed doors. Good and bad memories started flooding my soul. All of my departed wife’s stuff,Grace, is locked or trapped  in the barn.I started  looking for my long lost speedy go cart. Upon finding it, I dropped to my knees and said a prayer of thanks for it starting on the first pull after I gassed it up. And this is the end of this Tale for the present moment my readers and fans..Amen!! Good does triumph over evil..ALWAYS!!! PRAY changes everything!!! Again I say AMEN and AMEN!!!