Imagining Peter as a god upon some mountaintop and me the instrument of his will, I say, "These are natural forces we are releasing, Mr. Marriott. We identify critical weaknesses, apply pressure and step back. Pretend surprise as your underlings flail against a current of events they did not see coming and do not understand."

Still staring at me, Peter inhales and exhales, then says, "You have the job, Jill. Any requirements?"

"Several," I tell him. "First, order the CEO to find a hard ass to make the Reductions in Force, the RIFs."

Blinking, he asks, "What"s wrong with Louise, the current Human Resources manager?"

"Doesn"t have the stones for it."

The corners of his mouth barely rise. "Very well," he says and jots a note.

"Doc"s Place has a three-month probationary period before an employee acquires permanent status with full benefits. Also, Louise told me that I report to her."

Peter shrugs and asks, "So?"

"I start with permanent status and full benefits. I report directly to you, not anyone here at Doc"s Place."

"What difference does it make if you report to me, Jill?" he asks.

"When they fire me, Mr. Marriott."

He inhales and asks, "Fire you?"

"When I ignore what they tell me to do and do what's necessary, especially during the first three or four months, they"ll fire me several times."

The corners of his mouth lift an infinitesimal amount once more as he says, "You report to me." He flips a page in his notebook and writes.

"I will send you a letter of recommendation which you will sign and return before I start my employment," I tell him. "Shred anything they send you for my personnel file. The only items in my file are my application, my resume, a copy of my letter of recommendation and eventually, my termination."

Peter jots more notes and looks at me, waiting.

"At one month, I take four hours a day paid time off and at two months, I take six hours a day paid time off. This is independent of accrued vacation, of course."

"Why so much time off every day?" he asks.

"At first, my presence will annoy the most vulnerable and desperate executives. By the time this plan is in full operation, I will have become a major irritant. They"ll want to intimidate and control me but I"ll hardly ever be around. When I am, I'll seem immune to their manipulation." So much for fitting in: I'll become a pariah as I divert attention away from a sale and toward the bumbling executives.

He begins to smile, but stops and says, "I must have you here more than that. How about two hours off per day at six months and four hours off per day at twelve months?"

Stare into his eyes as I think about it. As casino operations productivity and revenues rise against increased expenses for layoffs and remodeling, profit will remain steady. Over time, Peter will see it my way.

Perhaps he thinks he has just pissed me off. Suddenly, he says, "In exchange, I"ll double your vacation accrual from two weeks to four weeks. However, you cannot take the four weeks off until the eighteen-month period is complete."

Look at him for a moment, reviewing all of it. "Deal," I tell him and stand.

Blinking up at me, he rises to his feet and asks, "When can you start?"

"How about October first? It's a Monday."

"Good," he says, "Stephanie will prepare the offer for you and Louise to sign. She will also prepare a contract for us to sign. Please wait a few minutes in Louise"s office."

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