Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2023 01:05:54 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 367

Once at my place I simply dumped the suitcase on the bed in the spare
room and separated the clothes in piles. I grabbed a pile of jeans and
went to the house and threw the clothes in the washer and grabbed a
laundry basket. On the way back to my place I went into dad's office and
did something I hadn't done in years and found an open pack of
cigarettes and snagged three and went to my place. Once there I filled a
glass with ice and added a bit of scotch. Then I lit the cigarette and
called Winnie. When she answered with, well hello stranger I thought this
would be a short call and I took a drag of the cigarette. Then she said
well for a dude a couple of thousand mikes away you and your brother made
enough headlines here, just how do you manage that? Babe what the heck
are you talking about? Well first of all there was an article in the
business section about your new jet and how you actually flew it yourself
to California. Then there was the news clip about Cole and drinking the
course to it's knees in a wind storm. Oh, then there was that snotty
Press Release also in the business section about your decision on the new
building. I better be special as I'm coming. I lit another cigarette and
asked so babe, are you done ranting? I told you I was busy and you missed
the USGA meeting. Well Mick, I haven't checked ESPN for that yet. I
laughed and asked, so would you like to go to the winery, we could leave
right after you get of school on Friday and return Sunday? Mick, can we
take the jet? Babe, I'm not comfortable with that quite yet. I'm
thinking the single engine thing and just the two of us. Mick, that would
be great. Have you seen the building proposals yet. Babe, JJ and I
stopped on the way home from the airport and there is one, well two that
I like. However I don't know who submitted them. Mick, you need to find
out I don't want Uncle Bill involved. Babe neither do I but it will be
what it becomes and I'm not fucking with the process. Look, I need to go
and I leave a pass for you at security. With that I hung up and lit the
third cigarette and started to refill my drink then I remembered the
laundry.


At the house I went right down stairs and there's the jeans in the dryer
and put a load of underwear in the washer. I went upstairs and found dad
in his office and was called in. Dad said Mike, have a seat. I sat down
and asked what's up? Mike, you tell me as you haven't raided my
cigarettes in a couple of years and I bet you have been drinking. Dad
I'm good and it was a difficult trip, always being watched, the Cole
shit and the flying. I'm just relaxing nd I haven't had a cigarette in
months. As for the scotch it is what it is as I didn't have any beer.
Also, it's a very full week at work and I'm trying not to miss a lot of
school, just yet. Oh, I'm here doing laundry. Dad smiled and tossed me a
pack of smokes. I shook my head and said, thanks, I won't be needing
those. Dad do you want to weigh in on the selection for the new building?
Dad smiled and said I've seen the models and there are two that work the
V and the  X and as I'm sure you snuck a look and have come to the same
conclusion I'm good with either, thanks for asking. I smiled and said
dad, I'm thinking X doesn't quite mark the spot. Dad laughed nd said
son, I agree. We talked for a while then I went downstairs and grabbed
the slightly damp jeans and tossed the underwear in the dryer to be
retrieved sometime tomorrow. Back at my place I hung the men's over a
couple of chairs to finish drying and set the alar, prepped the coffee
and jumped into bed.


I was up a bit before the alarm and dressed for the run. I turned the
coffee on and went outside and was glad to see Cole standing there and
smiling. So dude, why you in such a good mood and he said Jessica and my
press clippings. I shook my head and we headed to JJ's. JJ was also
waiting nd we had a very fast paced run. There was very little chatting
as the pace had us breathing hard. Inside I grabbed a cup of coffee and
stripped and looked in the mirror, I needed a shave and even I thought I
needed a haircut and I was wondering how the fuck I was going to find the
time to get that done. I jumped on the scale and it read 226 and rather
that looking at my self in the mirror I went and jumped into the shower
and had the time for a long and very hot shower.

I found a dry pair of black jeans and decided on a white VT polo shirt
and soft shoes and headed for school. All three class were a lecture and
that was good as I wasn't ready to discuss anything. Winnie was in a
great mood and reminded me to get her a pass. I was glad to get out of
there and I stopped at McDonald's for a Big Mac and a coffee, skipping
the fries. I was starving and swallowed the burger while in the parking
lot. At the office I checked in with security and had a pass ready for
Winnie with instructions to escort her to my office if she was here
before 4:30. If not they would need to find me somewhere on the first
floor. I asked the receptionist on the 4th floor to let Tim and the Major
know I was in and to find Amy and ask her, nicely, to come to my office.
On my desk I found a note from Liam saying he was at the new restaurant
and he would be back before 4:00 and if I needed him just call. I sat at
my desk and fired up the laptop and started looking at my personal
accounts. I printed a bunch of shit out and called Jordan the CFO and
asked if he had a suggestion for a financial advisor, yet. I could almost
hear him saying , oh shit. What he said was I'll need till Monday. I
shook my head and said make it happen and no excuses and the dude better
be good and I hung up. I leaned back nd took a deep breath and started on
the company financials which were more than good. My desk phone rand and
when I picked it up the Major asked Mike, do you need something? I said
no, I was just letting you know I was here. So Mike did you make a
decision?  Jim I did. Do you care to share? Nope, and Amy just came in I
have to go and I hung up. As I hung up Amy appeared and I got up and
moved towards the club seating and said, have a seat over here and we can
talk. She smiled and I knew it was because the chat wasn't at my desk, I
guess they have it figured out that unpleasant chats happen at the desk.


Once we sat down I asked how she was doing and Amy responded that she was
good but wanting what I thought? I laughed and said Amy, I have no idea
what you are doing as you report to Kyle and I am not all that involved
in the day to day operations. What I know is that the numbers look good
and there isn't anyone waiting for me when I come in to bitch. Oh, Kyle
is pleased with your efforts and Dillon is your equal and he has nothing
but good things to say about you. So are you concerned that Riley is
back? She replied should I be? I laughed and said well if you keep
answering my questions with a questions you will need to be concerned.
She laughed and said well it is a new habit I have developed. It seems to
defuse things. To answer you question, I m not concerned about Riley as
she is having a kid and will need time off. Knowing her she will take
every second of the leave. Amy, that's unfair and I would appreciate it
you didn't go there. Her position here won't interfere with what you
are doing and she will be assuming most of Major Messer's
responsibilities. You need to get along with her and that is on you. All
that will be made clear to Riley when her and I sit down. Thanks for your
time. With that she left somewhat taken aback.


I didn't even make it back to my desk when the Major appeared, he smiled
and said so I guess you rained on Amy's parade by looking at her
expression? I laughed and said Jim, not yet but what can I do for you?
Mike, have you decided on a project, you haven't been down to look at
the proposals, as of yet. Jim I did that last night on the way home. The
Major laughed and said well that was a strange route home. I laughed and
asked, so what one would you pick? Jim shrugged and said well there are
only two that caught my eye, the "X" and the "V" shaped one and I
would widen that out some. I laughed and said Jim, "X" doesn't always
mark the spot. Thanks Mike, I'll get the thank you letters out. Oh, I
have one question, do you know who submitted the proposal? Not really but
I also stopped at the restaurant last night and I have a clue. Michael,
you were to have no idea. Major, that's correct and I don't know for
sure. Ok Mike, I'll see you at the event.


I just sat there thinking about the upcoming event and the drama that
would follow. The reality of the situation that only 3 proposals took a
chance on the exterior and the one that looked like a bile of cubes,
while cool, just wasn't me. All them had the last in upgrades and the
one I liked had solar panels and the others did not. As for the
manufacturing building it didn't matter to me as the fact of it's
construction was enough. I just needed it to pay it's own way and
quickly. That would be all on Jack and that might be the biggest bet I
have ever made. I would also need dad for the presentations to the
military. There would also be a major role for Kyle. All I needed from
Jack was his smiling face and to keep things moving along. Then I heard,
"I think I can manage the last 10 feet without causing a security
breach. I laughed and said, hi Winnie. She looked around and sat down.
Mick this is an amazing office and the view is awesome. Ok Winnie, you
have been here before and no matter how you come to the point we are not
discussing my decision. Well you can't blame a girl for trying. I
laughed and  changed the subject to the weekend at the Winery. That
worked for a while and then she asked Mick, what's the real reason to go
to the Winery. Babe, there will be a 30 minute meeting. We will leave
right after school on Friday and be back Sunday. Well Mick, that sounds
great and I'll take Friday off so we can have the whole day. Just then
the desk phone rang and it was the Major saying it would be great if I
got down stairs. I hung up nd looked at Winnie and said babe it's show
time and there will be a lot of people there, mostly media and
contestants. I would expect your Uncle Bill will be there. Ok Babe,
let's go.


We got on the elevator and she immediately grabbed me and we kissed.
Thankfully we stopped just before the doors opened. When the elevator
doors opened we were both blinded by flash bulbs and the questions flew.
There were all versions of Mike, who  Mike, is the girl and and Mike,
what did you decide? Once my vision returned I put both hands up and sod
guys we don't do things like this. Please find a seat and I'll answer
all your questions but we are being professional. I grabbed Winnie's
hand and we went to the common room. There were tables upfront and about
100 chairs. As we had requested the only video equipment was ours and we
would provide complete videos of the events. At this point I turned
Winnie over to the Major who sat her at the end of the table. I simply
sat down and waited, until I had had enough.    I stood up and the Major
stepped in front of me and said, we have all night but I believe you have
a number of deadlines so when you are ready we can start. The Major sat
beside me and I saw dad standing in the back. On the table were the
models and I stood up and said, good evening and since you are all ready
I want to thank the people and companies who took the time to submit a
proposal. I appreciate their efforts. I was looking for something like
this building, a statement, both inside and outside. This building
represents our regions past while the inside is very up to date and a
different approach to how we get done what we do. The new building needed
to make a statement about where we could go and how this region could
lead the country and even the world. All of the proposals were
technologically marvels and all very competitive. One however stood out
from the others. On the exterior presentations we did not want things
understated. We were looking for, as a visual, new and materials and the
selected proposal did that with the latest structural material and the
latest versions of old standards. In addition the shape of the building
was important. So that it is clear to all of you I have no idea who made
these presentations as any clue to who provided the bids were redacted.


I then went through each presentation and quickly told the reporters why
each proposal was eliminated. I left the "Cubes" the "X" and the
"V" for last. While the Cubes were interesting and very imaginative
they didn't fit the location or the Company's image. I spent the next
15 minutes discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the remaining two
proposals. I ended with "sadly, this time "X" doesn't mark the spot.
The place immediately erupted with everyone shouting questions. I again
quoted things down and said, I'll answer every question but would you
like to know who the architects are? With that the Major stood up holding
an envelop. He opened the envelop and pulled out cards and placed them in
front of the model building. He handed me the last card and I looked at
it and smiled. I looked at the crowd before me and said, well the winner
is a local firm that I am very familiar with. They designed this building
and are currently working on the restaurant and the marina.
Congratulations to J & J Architects.


Now there was no stoping the questions and I decided to give Patty
another chance and said Patty as usual you are first. She smiled and said
well I have two questions and the first one is because everyone wants an
answer to why this was set up so late in the day and the restrictions on
videos? Well, I have delayed this because this is an important decision
and something that will outlast all of us. I was out of town most of last
week and had to stay an extra day as the weather was not conducive me
flying the new Jet. As for today it was for my convenience as I didn't
want to miss another day at school. The video restrictions were to stop
the national media getting local video and breaking the story before you
guys. Also, this way you all have the same video and will all have the
same amount of work. They all laughed at that and Patty asked, why the
lack of concern over the look of the construction site? Patty there
isn't a lack of concern. The proposed building will be perfect, it fits
the style and materials of the new building and we are not making steel
or anything that will stress the environment. There will be a separate
entrance off second avenue so there won't me much truck traffic. Then
Patty asked, so what will you be manufacturing? I smiled and said Patty
that's a third question, I would like to move on. I called on the
reporter from the Post Gazette and he asked, so what will you be
manufacturing? Everyone laughed and I replied guys, I'm not ready to
discuss that. Then I was asked if there was one thing that was important
in making the final decision? Well the material and the solar panels. The
questions went on for 20 minutes and finally I said ok, one more. It was
the reporter from the South Hills Record and she asked so Mike, who was
the young lady you got off the elevator and what is your relationship
with her? Well she is Winnie Tillison and she is my girlfriend. Thank you
and enjoy your evening. I motioned to Winnie and took her hand and went
directly to the elevator.


Back in my office I threw myself in a club chair and tried to relax. I
really resented the questions about Winnie and was bad for her as now
life would become public. I knew her dad wouldn't appreciate that but
her Uncle would revel in the attention. Then I heard Winnie's phone buzz
and she looked at it laughed and said, it's Uncle Bill. She shrugged and
said, hi Uncle Bill, what's up? She listened for a while and said well
call Mike, I'm sure he will tell you. She listened some more and she
again she said, well like I said talk with Mike and she hung up. She
found it funny and said well Mick, it's your turn. I simply grabbed my
phone and turned it off. We needed to kill some time for the media to
give up and go file their story. That would take some time as everyone
would want the recording of the meeting. I was thinking we should have
gone straight to the cars. I asked Winnie if she wanted to go and I could
get security to get her car and move it to the loading dock and she could
leave that way. Mick, I'm good and we can simply leave the media is fine
and I don't care. So when we go to the Winery is JJ tagging along?
Winnie, he has flying lessons to give and he is working for his dad as an
instructor. Winnie laughed out loud, shook he head and sat down. Winnie,
I might ask Cole if he and Jessica want to come along, they won't be an
issue as he has his own cabin. She laughed and said Mick, that would be
fine as those two would be in bed the entire weekend. Ok babe, I'll ask
and let you know but we will leave after school. I got up, turned off the
laptop and said, let's go it's getting late. I walked her to the car
and we kissed good night and as we kissed a flash went off. I caught up
to the guy who was scurrying away. I got in front of him and he stopped.
I was furious to the point where I was calm and said dude, if I ever see
that picture in the news or anywhere you and your paper will be
prohibited from any of my events and I will be chatting with your editor
first thing tomorrow. Well you should have kissed her good night while
you were hiding out in your office or were you two doing other things? It
was all I could do not to beat the shit out of him. I simply took a deep
breath and started to walk away. Then he said Mike, I'll trash the
picture if you answer a couple of question. I smiled and said, sure but
let's go inside as it's cold out here. He smiled and said sure. Inside
I went right up to the security guy and told him that the reporter took a
picture of me kissing good night to Winnie and was bothering me. The
Officer smiled and said well Mr. Simmons have a great night, I got this.
With that I simply left and went to the car.


At home I was tired and needed to look at some English but as soon as I
turned the phone on it buzzes and I had 6 voicemails. The current call
was from Winnie so I answered it and she asked, so did you get the
picture pulled? Babe, I tried but I don't know, I left him with
security. She actually laughed at that. Then she said well we should have
put on a better show, it will be fine and I really don't give a shit. I
laughed and said good night. I checked the voicemails and 4 were from
Uncle Bill, one was from JJ and one was from Diane at ABC News. I called
Diane and she answered with, you son of a bitch why did you restrict
video at you press conference? I had a spot reserved on the evening news.
Well Diane, I'm sorry you had a bad day but I leveled the playing field.
She laughed and said well I need your ass on Good Morning America
tomorrow morning. That will be 9:00 AM tomorrow. Well I'll be at school
work it out with the Principal. Why is this so important? Mike, it
involves more that today and actually we would like you live and in New
York and we will settle for Thursday. Ok, let me figure it out but I'll
need a small airport that can deal with a jet and transportation to your
studio, unless you want to do it on my Jet or the airport. Oh, I'll need
a list of potential topics, please have them sent to the Major. Diane,
you know we could do this with me at your local affiliate? Yeah but you
need to pay a price for leveling the plating field. Details will follow
tomorrow and I'll see you Thursday.


I called JJ and we talked for a while and he wanted details on the
building selection. Then I asked if wanted to fly to New York early
Thursday morning as they want me on Good Morning America. They will find
a small airport for us and transportation to the studio and back. I
figure we can be back early afternoon. JJ, if that is an issue I can find
a copilot. He laughed and said fuck no, another day out or school would
be great. Oh, I told the track coach we would not be running track as I
had to help my dad and his new company. That went over like a fart in
church. I laughed and said good night. I did some work for English and
then put my laundry away and jumped into bed.


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