From what Ross could see for himself, and from what Tim was claiming, and was apparently true and in agreement in both Ross and Tim's views, Tim was given "bad advice" , perhaps going as far as that Tim could claim. "Negligent" by an account manager at RossShell. Said advice caused Tim to lose a significant amount of money, an amount that Ross himself would have to investigate and figure out, and, in addition, Tim could be "On The Hook" for issues with the IRS regarding the deal, and the advice.
Ross sighed, and said out loud. "Oy!"
"When you say that expression, I know you think it's serious" Tim said.
"Please do me a favor. Let me look at this myself. I am going to call Alan Hell, and ask him to recommend a simple business attorney not to "attack anyone" but just to give us legal advice in case the IRS does come, and such, or someone sues you. I will do the work, and cover the fees, no charge,. I'm the CEO of RossShell, and if this is true, while someone in RossShell fucked up,, and will be fired by me, I am RossShell, so I will see what I can do to fix it ASAP, but I need a reasonable amount of time" Ross said.
Tim smiled. "I will tell you what. Whatever the mess is, you personally did not cause it, so, to be fair, since you will be doing a lot of extra work, I will split the losses with you. "
Ross reached across the desk to shake Tim's hand "Agreed, and more than fair"
Tim stood to leave.
"When you leave,. I am going to call the person in here, and will deal with them" Ross said.
"Thanks, Ross"
Tim left, and Ross went to the outer account managers desks. He went to see Tom, a relatively young account manager who had been at RossShell about a year.
"Tom, please come with me into my office" Ross said calmly.
Tom followed, his head almost down, knowing something bad was coming.
Ross went into the office with Tom, closed the door, and then Ross sat in his chair, and Tom sat in the visitors chair.
"I will speak first, then I will let you speak, and then I;'m sorry to say that based upon what Mister Patrick just told me, and what I saw myself, I have no other choice but to let you go. I'm sorry. I have heard from Vic that you did good work before this. Had it been a minor screwup, I could have overlooked it. However, it is going to take me a lot of time, and will cost both Mister Patrick and I a lot of money, and that is just something I cannot let slide. I will give you two weeks severance pay, and a personal letter saying that you were let go for "A serious difference of viewpoint relating to a client" This way, it wont look like I am blackballing you to make it hard for you to get another job. Do you understand why I have to do this? What would you do if you were in my position?" Ross said calmly.
"I understand, Ross. I'm very sorry that I screwed up, and caused both you and Mister Patrick trouble and money. Please tell Mister Patrick that I' m very sorry, and that it was a serious lapse in judgement, and not intentional" Tom said.
Ross smiled. "I certainly will. Now let's go see Vic. I will leave. Please go with Vic into his office, and talk to him about what we just talked about. I dont have to be there for that conversation" Ross said.
"Of course, Ross" Tom said.
Ross walked Vic into Tom's office. "Vic, Tom has something to tell you. I am going to leave, and take care of other business, and let you and Tom have your conversation" Ross said to Vic.
"Of course, Ross" Vic said.
Tom closed the door, and explained to Vic that Tom had been let go, and why Ross let Tom go.
Ross walked back to his office, feeling truly badly about what he had to do.
A long way from his "You're all fired" rant some years earlier.
Even though Ross was still "unwise with his work at times", and Ross himself made terrible lapses in judgement, perhaps Ross's own health issues, nearly losing his marriage to Kayley, and essentially letting Vic run RossShell day to day, had "mellowed Ross"
Ross had other problems. Ross had to try to figure out how to get Tim out of the mess he was in, and Ross also had to call Steve,
"Sorry. Had to deal with a situation here. What is up?" Ross said to Steve.
"What is up is that I know you cant travel for two or three weeks because you just got your shot. However, your presence is mandatory on at least one conference call and a Zoom show for investors. We want to get the monthly show done so we can do the signup. Next month, if all is well, you will join us in person" Steve said.
"You know I will. Let me know when and I will be there whether from the office, or the apartment, " Ross said.
"Thanks" Steve said.,
Ross "Worked away" on Tim's problem. Ross knew that it would probably take "minimum thirty days to get an attorney, figure out what Tim's losses were to who, and whether there were any tax issues,
By five, Ross was emotionally drained.
"I'm gone. Will be in tomorrow" Ross said to Vic.
"Goodnight, Ross. Sorry about what happened today" Vic said, as Ross stood in Vic's office.
"I am too. I hated to do that , but without getting into details because you know I cant, the problem is serious, Vic. It will take me a lot of time, and will cost a lot of money to Tim. You know why I had to let Tom go, right?" Ross asked.
"Of course, we all feel badly when we have to fire someone from their job ,or when we lose a job or client, but it's all according to circumstances" Vic said.
"I know. Goodnight, Vic. I have to go home, and recharge" Ross said.
"Hope to see you tomorrow, Ross" Vic said.
"You will see me, unless I have an unexpected health issue" Ross said.
Ross went home, kissed Kayley, and put his case in the den.
"Something's wrong. I can tell by the look on your face. Would you like to share it with the VP? I hear that she is an excellent listener" Kayley said.
Ross took Kayley's hands. "Thanks, Kale. A young account manager screwed something up badly on Tim's work. I had to let the guy go. I felt terrible, but it is going to take a while to clean up,, and cost both Tim and I money. I hated to let the guy go, but I had no other choice " Ross said quietly.
"I know you feel badly, but I also know that it sounds like you had no other choice, and how much you've changed. Remember the time you screamed. "You're all fired!" to the whole office. You've come a long way from that. " Kayley said.,
"Kale, the only person I really "hate" when I cross paths with him now , which hopefully will not be at all, is Tazzio. Even George and I , we were such bitter enemies, and now we are good friends, give each other advice, and even do things together. Who would have thought?" Ross said.
"I credit you for that. Tazzio is a different story. We both know that the guy is crazy. Besides that, except for bumps in the road,. it is getting better" Kayley said.
"Yes, it is" Ross said.
Ross and Kayley kissed that night, but Ross was not in the mood for sex. He got up, and started to try to unravel Tim's mess.
Kayley looked for him in the den. "I know you are not a good sleeper, but please try, Ross. You yourself said that this will take time. Tim said no timetable. It does not have to be done yesterday. I know that you feel better from your shot, but I also know that you need rest" Kayley said.
Ross rose from the chair, and followed Kayley into the bedroom. "I know. I need to have two conference calls with Steve and Mister P on things since I cant leave town, starting tomorrow" Ross said.
Ross fell back to sleep. The couple arose, went to their respective work.
Ross continued to try to unravel Tim's mess, getting the name if a good lawyer from Alan Hell who Tim spoke to and approved of.
Then, Ross had two conference calls and Zoom shows that day.
One was the monthly show from OKC, for which Ross locked his door, and told everyone to leave him alone.
One hundred people looked, fifty signed, and Mister P and Steve would do another one within a month, by which time Ross could be present in person.
When the show was over, Ross, Mister P, and Steve again tried to figure a source in Canada.
Between the John Fish fiasco, the Ottawa wasted trip, and the problems the three men had, was it time to "give up the ghost" on Canada, since they already had a tundra connection in Alaska?
Or could something be worked out in Canada?
Ross was also busy trying to unravel Tim's mess.
That would be a slow, cumbersome process.
Ross and Kayley managed to stay stable, and Ross managed to pay enough attention to Kayley, and give her enough sex to stay "out of the guestroom"
Would Ross be able to keep things calm, or would another "Crisis" erupt?
That would all be seen.
Ross sighed, and said out loud. "Oy!"
"When you say that expression, I know you think it's serious" Tim said.
"Please do me a favor. Let me look at this myself. I am going to call Alan Hell, and ask him to recommend a simple business attorney not to "attack anyone" but just to give us legal advice in case the IRS does come, and such, or someone sues you. I will do the work, and cover the fees, no charge,. I'm the CEO of RossShell, and if this is true, while someone in RossShell fucked up,, and will be fired by me, I am RossShell, so I will see what I can do to fix it ASAP, but I need a reasonable amount of time" Ross said.
Tim smiled. "I will tell you what. Whatever the mess is, you personally did not cause it, so, to be fair, since you will be doing a lot of extra work, I will split the losses with you. "
Ross reached across the desk to shake Tim's hand "Agreed, and more than fair"
Tim stood to leave.
"When you leave,. I am going to call the person in here, and will deal with them" Ross said.
"Thanks, Ross"
Tim left, and Ross went to the outer account managers desks. He went to see Tom, a relatively young account manager who had been at RossShell about a year.
"Tom, please come with me into my office" Ross said calmly.
Tom followed, his head almost down, knowing something bad was coming.
Ross went into the office with Tom, closed the door, and then Ross sat in his chair, and Tom sat in the visitors chair.
"I will speak first, then I will let you speak, and then I;'m sorry to say that based upon what Mister Patrick just told me, and what I saw myself, I have no other choice but to let you go. I'm sorry. I have heard from Vic that you did good work before this. Had it been a minor screwup, I could have overlooked it. However, it is going to take me a lot of time, and will cost both Mister Patrick and I a lot of money, and that is just something I cannot let slide. I will give you two weeks severance pay, and a personal letter saying that you were let go for "A serious difference of viewpoint relating to a client" This way, it wont look like I am blackballing you to make it hard for you to get another job. Do you understand why I have to do this? What would you do if you were in my position?" Ross said calmly.
"I understand, Ross. I'm very sorry that I screwed up, and caused both you and Mister Patrick trouble and money. Please tell Mister Patrick that I' m very sorry, and that it was a serious lapse in judgement, and not intentional" Tom said.
Ross smiled. "I certainly will. Now let's go see Vic. I will leave. Please go with Vic into his office, and talk to him about what we just talked about. I dont have to be there for that conversation" Ross said.
"Of course, Ross" Tom said.
Ross walked Vic into Tom's office. "Vic, Tom has something to tell you. I am going to leave, and take care of other business, and let you and Tom have your conversation" Ross said to Vic.
"Of course, Ross" Vic said.
Tom closed the door, and explained to Vic that Tom had been let go, and why Ross let Tom go.
Ross walked back to his office, feeling truly badly about what he had to do.
A long way from his "You're all fired" rant some years earlier.
Even though Ross was still "unwise with his work at times", and Ross himself made terrible lapses in judgement, perhaps Ross's own health issues, nearly losing his marriage to Kayley, and essentially letting Vic run RossShell day to day, had "mellowed Ross"
Ross had other problems. Ross had to try to figure out how to get Tim out of the mess he was in, and Ross also had to call Steve,
"Sorry. Had to deal with a situation here. What is up?" Ross said to Steve.
"What is up is that I know you cant travel for two or three weeks because you just got your shot. However, your presence is mandatory on at least one conference call and a Zoom show for investors. We want to get the monthly show done so we can do the signup. Next month, if all is well, you will join us in person" Steve said.
"You know I will. Let me know when and I will be there whether from the office, or the apartment, " Ross said.
"Thanks" Steve said.,
Ross "Worked away" on Tim's problem. Ross knew that it would probably take "minimum thirty days to get an attorney, figure out what Tim's losses were to who, and whether there were any tax issues,
By five, Ross was emotionally drained.
"I'm gone. Will be in tomorrow" Ross said to Vic.
"Goodnight, Ross. Sorry about what happened today" Vic said, as Ross stood in Vic's office.
"I am too. I hated to do that , but without getting into details because you know I cant, the problem is serious, Vic. It will take me a lot of time, and will cost a lot of money to Tim. You know why I had to let Tom go, right?" Ross asked.
"Of course, we all feel badly when we have to fire someone from their job ,or when we lose a job or client, but it's all according to circumstances" Vic said.
"I know. Goodnight, Vic. I have to go home, and recharge" Ross said.
"Hope to see you tomorrow, Ross" Vic said.
"You will see me, unless I have an unexpected health issue" Ross said.
Ross went home, kissed Kayley, and put his case in the den.
"Something's wrong. I can tell by the look on your face. Would you like to share it with the VP? I hear that she is an excellent listener" Kayley said.
Ross took Kayley's hands. "Thanks, Kale. A young account manager screwed something up badly on Tim's work. I had to let the guy go. I felt terrible, but it is going to take a while to clean up,, and cost both Tim and I money. I hated to let the guy go, but I had no other choice " Ross said quietly.
"I know you feel badly, but I also know that it sounds like you had no other choice, and how much you've changed. Remember the time you screamed. "You're all fired!" to the whole office. You've come a long way from that. " Kayley said.,
"Kale, the only person I really "hate" when I cross paths with him now , which hopefully will not be at all, is Tazzio. Even George and I , we were such bitter enemies, and now we are good friends, give each other advice, and even do things together. Who would have thought?" Ross said.
"I credit you for that. Tazzio is a different story. We both know that the guy is crazy. Besides that, except for bumps in the road,. it is getting better" Kayley said.
"Yes, it is" Ross said.
Ross and Kayley kissed that night, but Ross was not in the mood for sex. He got up, and started to try to unravel Tim's mess.
Kayley looked for him in the den. "I know you are not a good sleeper, but please try, Ross. You yourself said that this will take time. Tim said no timetable. It does not have to be done yesterday. I know that you feel better from your shot, but I also know that you need rest" Kayley said.
Ross rose from the chair, and followed Kayley into the bedroom. "I know. I need to have two conference calls with Steve and Mister P on things since I cant leave town, starting tomorrow" Ross said.
Ross fell back to sleep. The couple arose, went to their respective work.
Ross continued to try to unravel Tim's mess, getting the name if a good lawyer from Alan Hell who Tim spoke to and approved of.
Then, Ross had two conference calls and Zoom shows that day.
One was the monthly show from OKC, for which Ross locked his door, and told everyone to leave him alone.
One hundred people looked, fifty signed, and Mister P and Steve would do another one within a month, by which time Ross could be present in person.
When the show was over, Ross, Mister P, and Steve again tried to figure a source in Canada.
Between the John Fish fiasco, the Ottawa wasted trip, and the problems the three men had, was it time to "give up the ghost" on Canada, since they already had a tundra connection in Alaska?
Or could something be worked out in Canada?
Ross was also busy trying to unravel Tim's mess.
That would be a slow, cumbersome process.
Ross and Kayley managed to stay stable, and Ross managed to pay enough attention to Kayley, and give her enough sex to stay "out of the guestroom"
Would Ross be able to keep things calm, or would another "Crisis" erupt?
That would all be seen.
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