Doc's Place

Chapter 22 | Part 9

Wednesday, November 7, 1984

Ron, Karen and I meet for breakfast at nine to discuss the layout of the January-February issue. Hand Ron the text and photos with my notes regarding placement. They will have the bluelines ready for my review in a week. They ask if I'm interested in rumors.

Leaning forward, I say, "Do tell."

They've heard that Dick Scope, the new president of Doc's Place, is not happy with me and has tried to fire me more than once. They also tell me that the word around Reno is that Dick is considering layoffs to assure stable profitability during remodeling.

Tell them they didn't hear this from me but Dick hired the new HR Manager under Louise Northcutt specifically as his hatchet man. His name is Marion Drull and his mission is to cut staff so Doc's Place stays profitable and Dick can collect his fat bonuses. Ron and Karen ask if my position is secure and I tell them yes.

Karen asks if Ferro is behind the layoffs.

"Of course not," I tell her.

Karen asks if Ferro plans to keep or sell Doc's Place.

"Oh, they'll keep it for sure," I tell her. "Think about it, Karen. The club is profitable and Ferro is plowing money right back into it in the form of remodeling, the museum and refurbishing items within the historical collection. You heard that Ferro bought the old Silver Dollar Buick, right?"

Karen leans forward and asks, "Jill, are you saying Dick Scope and this hatchet man, Marion, are cutting people without Ferro's knowledge or consent?"

"Dick Scope's new at this president gig, Karen," I tell her. "His experience is accounting, so his doing whatever it takes to get his bonus without regard to the effects on people shows his inexperience as an executive. However, Ferro just promoted him. How would it look if Ferro turned around and fired him a few weeks later?"

The streets are treacherous with new snowfall as I drive to Doc's Place, but I finally arrive for a meeting in Liz's office with her team. Several executives have passed the requirements, including Morty, Glenn and Carlos as well as their day and swing shift managers. We discuss their next trainees, the night shift managers. We also discuss how the team will arrange to be at Doc's Place for these late-night meetings. They feel confident in proceeding without me.

Liz asks me to stay after she excuses Thomas and Samantha. "Louise, Marion and I are gathering evidence against Jerry Pitkeros. We have discussed it with Dick and he agrees that the guy is just too much trouble. By terminating him now, Dick can promote the Beverage manager, Irv Backler, to Director of Food and Beverage, and we can begin training him in his new position."

"Good idea," I tell her. "So this is Dick's decision?"

"Yes. Whose else would it be?"

Shrug. "Is Dick firing anyone else?"

She looks away and then returns her eyes to mine. "Dick wants two people in HR to go. One will be Rose, the clerk who has been here thirty-nine years." Liz takes a deep breath and releases a sigh. "The other is a Personnel supervisor. We don't have enough to fire her for cause but Louise has decided she's the one. Nevada is an `at will discharge' state anyway."

"Who's going to drop the hammer on these HR people?"

"Well, Louise feels that she should be the one to do it."

"I disagree. Let that new guy do it."

"Why do you think so?"

"Louise takes this stuff too personally because she's worked with these people for years. Conversely, the new guy doesn't care since he doesn't know anybody. Tell her that you and I strongly advise having Drull cut Rose and that supervisor, Liz."

"Okay, I'll tell her you said so. She trusts you, Jill."

Back in my office, I find stacks of messages from various people. Toss them into the trash with the photo prints and text for Dick's supplement. Stuff my notes and sheets of paper for layout of the January-February issue on top of that.

Annette pokes her head in to ask me if I have time to step out of my office for a moment.

Follow her out, where several Gaming, Marketing and HR people have gathered. They begin cheering and applauding as I look at them, blinking.

"Congratulations!" says Louise and Kevin.

"What for?" I ask.

"First, the November-December issue has received its first publishing award for excellence," says Louise as she holds up a plaque. "This will go on display," she says. "Second, we have no less than 1,800 requests for reprints from collectors all over the world. Dick has already signed a requisition to print 2,000 more copies of this issue."

"Third," says Kevin, "Our subscription requests for Doc's Talks have doubled in the past week. We'll print 5,000 of your next issue. I hope it's a good one."

"Better than this one," I say.

Everyone applauds and cheers again.

"Fourth," says Glenn, "Kevin, Morty and I took your idea for inviting high-rollers coming to nearby casinos and sent them a copy. Guess what response we got?" Shrugging, I guess, "Two percent?"

"Twelve percent! Most of them came over the telephone!" Amid renewed cheers and applause, Glenn shouts, "These are high rollers that competing casinos invited to Reno!" When the noise dies down, he adds, "Most have not only promised to visit the museum but they've promised to begin visiting Doc's Place to play before then."

After handshakes and repeated congratulations, people begin returning to work. Back in my office, I telephone Margaret. We spend a half-hour making plans to gather my parents, sister and brothers to celebrate Thanksgiving at a resort near Salt Lake City.

The moment I hang up, Annette tells me that Louise would like to see me in her office. Walk up the hall to find Louise at her desk. Marion is facing her in one of the two chairs so I sit in the other.

"Thank you for coming over," says Louise. "What did you think of the impromptu little appreciation ceremony? Kevin and I pulled it together this morning."

"Nice. Thanks."

"You're welcome, Jill. How is the next issue coming?"

"On schedule."

"When will the blueline be ready?"

"After Thanksgiving."

"Good, good," she says. "I'm looking forward to it. You say it's better than this one?"

"Definitely."

"And how are the executive and management videotaping and training coming along?"

"On schedule."

"Uh, we have a few questions about that project we'd like to review with you, Jill. Would you please get the proposal and budget?"

"No."

"I'm sorry?" When I do not respond, Louise says, "Jill, Marion has a few questions about the project that no one seems to be able to answer. We'd like to review it before we move further."

Slide down in the chair, extend my legs and lean my head back against the wall.

"Jill, please," says Louise. "Marion just needs a few questions answered."

Relaxing, I wait.

Louise says, "Marion simply wants to compare the project's budget with its goals. That's all."

"We're under budget for the goals we've achieved so far, which, as I said, are on schedule."

"And what are those goals?" asks Marion.

Turning my head slowly, I look at him. He looks at me with a practiced, slightly friendly, but noncommittal expression. Wait and wait. When he averts his eyes, I look at Louise. "Anything else?"

While Louise stares, a frown on her face, I rise to my feet. "I'll have another status report next week, Louise." Turning, I walk to my office, grab my things and leave. The streets are slow going because of an early snow. The radio stations are talking about Kirkwood opening up this weekend. Squaw Valley and Mount Rose resorts are saying they'll definitely open by Thanksgiving.

At the bar where the university students hang, I find Heather and Jenny having an animated conversation about skiing in Utah. I've skied most of those resorts more than a hundred times. "Well hell," I say, "When they open up, let's go to Salt Lake and ski all weekend."

"That's what we were talking about, Jill," says Heather.

Look at her, blinking.

"Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Park City, Deer Valley'they're all open," says Jenny.

"Hey, forty inches of snow pack and three feet of fresh powder this morning at Alta and Snowbird," says Heather. "Look at this shit," she says, pointing outside. "It'll snow all weekend. Can you and Sara get off work?"

"I am off work," I tell her, excited. "I'll call Sara."

We push for the door. "One of my roommates can take us to the airport," says Heather, "Let's meet at my place. I'll call and make the room reservations." "Don't bother. I have friends with a place in Sugarhouse," I tell her. "From there, we can run south on Highland Drive and Wasatch Boulevard to Little Cottonwood Canyon for Alta and Snowbird, or run east on I-80 to Park City and Deer Valley."

"They won't mind us dropping in?" asks Jenny.

"They're out of the country," I tell them. Actually, it was my grandparents' condominium, and they're dead, which qualifies as being out the country. "Perfect!" yell Heather and Jenny simultaneously. We split up.

At home, I call Margaret and ask her to tell Sara to come home, now, because we're going skiing in Utah. Margaret agrees to arrange charter and car reservations. Gather my ski gear, stack it in the garage and begin to pack when Margaret calls.

"I have a ten-seat charter waiting at the airport for your godson, Kmark, and his father," says Margaret. "You can hop in with them. A driver with a van is waiting for you and your friends at Salt Lake. The driver is yours for the long weekend. I called your neighbors in Salt Lake. When they saw the snow forecast, they prepped the hot tub and stocked your condominium with groceries. They figured you would want to ski this weekend." When I thank her, she says, "Hang on a moment for Sui, Jill."

"When you meet Donna, discuss anything you want," says Sui. "She checks out."

Ask, "Donna who?" but the line is dead. Shrug and keep moving as Sara bursts in and begins scrambling to pack. Her driver helps us stow our gear in the car so she can take us to meet the others.

At Heather's place, her roommate has his Ford Econoline van warming up in the driveway. Heather, Jenny, Sara and I jam our stuff in the back and walk inside the house. Her roommate spreads his hands and says, "Just called the airport. Flights are overbooked. You can fly standby but your chances suck. You can take my van if you want to drive." "Not necessary," Sara tells them. "My employer's husband and son have invited us to share their charter. We have a van and a driver waiting for us in Salt Lake City."

Heather hugs her, as does Jenny. A few minutes later, the four of us are in the van with our gear, whooping and laughing. When Heather asks what I told my boss at work, I say, "Nothing. I just left."

At the airport, ten-year-old KMark and his father, Marlon, welcome us aboard with three of KMark's friends. Once we land in Salt Lake City, Marlon, KMark and his pals say good-bye, climb in a limo and leave for the family chalet near Park City. Our driver helps stow our gear in the van and takes us to the condo, which has two bedrooms, each with a double bed. The driver agrees to pick us up early in the morning and take us to breakfast.

Show everyone the hot tub outside, where a heavy snow is falling. We order a pizza delivery, relax and get comfortable.

While everyone is eating and chatting, I use the phone to call the Salt Lake City Detectives. Bruno's captain takes my call and tells me that Bruno is working an undercover assignment out of state. He asks if it's critical that I talk to Bruno. Tell him no thanks and leave the phone number.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

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Doc's Place Chat
© 2008, Michel Grover.
Chapter 22 | Part 9
Autumn 2012

Lucia :

Mic has posted in the left frame paragraphs from Doc's Place, one of his copyrighted stories. I'm moderating chat here in the right frame. I post every day, but I don't post everything. I have formed a secondary group from which I may also post comments.

Steph :

What is this about Jill Price showing interest in rumors? I can't imagine Jill listening to such trash, let alone participating in it. This is unbelievable. Why would Mic even suggest such a thing?

Marcus :

Jill is doing her job, Stephanie. She is trying to make Dick Scope and Marion Drull appear responsible for the layoffs so people will blame them. Meanwhile, she is also trying to make Ferro appear blameless about those layoffs.

Steph :

Oh well, I know that, but to suggest that Jill would participate in spreading rumors is difficult to believe. Isn't it?

Marcus :

Actually, it is quite believable within the current context. Karen asks Jill if she's interested in rumors, and Jill responds. Later, when Karen repeatedly relays the story of exchanging rumors with a manager at Doc's Place, she can also say that she, Karen, solicited the rumors. It's more believable than if a casino manager initiated the rumors.

Steph :

Jill's not a casino manager. She's in Human Resources.

Marcus :

Exactly, but the people who listen to Karen's rumors won't know that. Karen will say whatever is necessary to convince her listeners of her story. Jill told Karen that the information didn't come from her, so Karen is free to embellish in any way she wishes. You know how these things spread, grow and take on a life of their own, Stephanie.

Steph :

Yes, I do. That's why I'm having such hard time believing that Jill would get involved in such a tawdry waste of time.

Maria :

As Marcus said, Jill is not wasting time spreading rumors, gossip and innuendo, Stephanie; Jill is doing her job. Even though she's amateurish and awkward at it, she's still doing the best she can at an unfamiliar task. Besides, her efforts, however awkward, are nevertheless at least partially effective.

As Marcus suggested, Stephanie, one reason Karen finds Jill so credible is that Jill is one of the last people on earth anyone would suspect of spreading rumors. Frankly, Jill is not good at spreading rumors. She's rather amateurish and her transitions are ham-handed, in my opinion. In a way, I suppose, her lack of finesse with rumors actually makes what she says more believable to Karen.

Doug :

Is that so, Maria? Perhaps you'll tell us how an expert rumormonger would respond.

Maria :

I'll be happy to, even though I'm sure you know exactly how to respond, Doug. When Ron and Karen ask if she's interested in rumors, Jill should not have leaned forward or said anything. The best response if one wants to hear all the rumors available is simply to look at the purveyors, give them one's undivided attention but otherwise show no interest.

The ham-handed part is when Jill says they didn't hear it from her. That is amateurish. Instead, Jill should look innocently at her fingernails, her shoes or brush imaginary lint from her shoulder as she says, "I heard that Marion Drull, the man Louise hired to replace her, is Dick Scope's hatchet man." That is much more effective and demonstrates that at least Jill knows what she's doing when spreading rumors, which she obviously does not.

Carlo :

That's hilarious, Maria. Give us another example of a ham-handed segue, to quote that most credible, albeit fictional, master of rumor and innuendo, Hannibal Lecter, in The Silence of the Lambs.

Maria :

I'll give you more than one, Carlo. When Karen asks if Jill's position is secure, Jill says yes. Talk about amateurish. How would Jill know if her job is secure or not unless she had inside knowledge? It's a dead giveaway that Jill is hiding something. She should have looked worried, told a lie and said, "I hope so," or "I don't know."

After all, Jill knows what Karen is almost certain to ask next, and that's if Ferro is behind the layoffs. Instead of denying it, Jill should have said, "I can't imagine why they would do that, Karen. Ferro is doing this and doing that to build up Doc's Place." By denying it directly, Jill invites Karen's next question about Dick Scope and Marion Drull acting without Ferro's knowledge or consent. Jill must talk furiously to cover up for her amateurish effort.

Telling Ron and Karen is a good idea, because they obviously love spreading rumors. However, Jill should leave the actual rumor mongering to those with the skill and experience to do it well.

Kili :

Please accept my compliments on your insights into Jill's bumbling attempts at spreading rumors, Maria. When we consider all primary group participants, Amalie, Benny and you are perhaps the most improved during the past three years. I hope I do not offend when I say that your improvements are all the more remarkable when we consider that you are older while Amalie and Benny are yet in their teens.

Maria :

Why, thank you, Kili for the compliment. I don't take offense. Rather, I take it as another compliment. My daughter will confirm that reading Jill's story and participating in this forum has not only revived my interest in learning but also has made me feel young again. Your gracious comment only reinforces that in my mind. Wouldn't you agree, Lucia?

Lucia :

I posted your comment, Mom.

Steph :

I agree that you make good points, Maria. Jill doesn't seem any better at spreading rumors than I am.

Maria :

I'm sure you're right, Stephanie.

Carlo :

Right; however, Jill does better persuading Liz, who will urge Louise to have Marion Drull cut the two HR staff.

Maria :

Yes, she does, Carlo. However, that is manipulation, not rumor mongering. Jill is a master at the former and an amateur at the latter.

Carlo :

Louise probably thinks she fought Dick Scope vigorously to save Jill's job.

Marcus :

Dick submitted the draft reduction-in-force list, called a RIF list, to Peter for approval. If Jill's name were on that first draft of the RIF list, then Peter would have rejected it. Can you shed light on that initial RIF list, Stephanie?

Steph :

Oh yes, Jill's name appeared after Rose's name on Dick's initial RIF list, but Peter crossed out her name and had me fax it back. When Dick called about it, Peter told Dick he would appear stupid if he terminated someone who is winning awards, helping to bring in customers into the casino and running a high-profile communication project successfully. Dick must have decided never to try terminating Jill's employment personally again, because he never did. Sorry, I shouldn't be telling you what is coming up in the story.

Marcus :

Actually, your post helps substantially, Stephanie, but perhaps not in the way you think it does. Yes, you revealed what is coming up in the story. More importantly, however, you revealed how active and involved Peter was in day-to-day affairs at Doc's Place.

Carlo :

Did Peter really use the word stupid while talking with Dick?

Steph :

Oh yes, he most certainly did. I heard Peter say it as I was leaving his office. Ask Larry, who was present during all conference calls.

Carlo :

That's a great idea, Stephanie. Lucia, can you arrange it?

Lucia :

No arrangement is necessary because Larry monitors this chat forum closely, don't you, Larry? Please go ahead and respond.

Larry :

I'm not participating so much as I'm monitoring and answering specific questions when requested to do so. Similarly, I listened in on all teleconferences between Dick and Peter, but I did not actively participate.

Anyway, Stephanie is correct. Peter did use the word stupid during this conference. In fact, he used it twice. Peter went on to ask Dick how many more times he would have to deal with Dick's appearing stupid by stubbornly trying to terminate Jill Price's employment at Doc's Place. Dick assured Peter that this was the last time.

Carlo :

Great, and thanks Larry. That's interesting. By assuring Peter that this is the last time he will try to axe Jill, Dick admits that his previous efforts made him appear stupid.

Annie :

It's been a while since anyone tried applying Sun Tzu's principles in The Art of War to Jill's actions. Now might be a good time.

Sun Tzu, in Sonshi said, "One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be in danger in a hundred battles. One who does not know the enemy but knows himself will sometimes win and sometimes lose. One who does not know the enemy and does not know himself will be in danger in every battle." We could paraphrase Sun Tzu thus: "One who knows the enemy and does not know himself will sometimes win and sometimes lose."

We have praised Jill for applying the principles of Sun Tzu. However, as Maria so ably pointed out, Jill sucks at rumormongering. She must know this about herself, and yet she proceeds. Perhaps she thinks it's too early in the game to recruit and employ rumormongers. Perhaps she considers the risk too great.

Kili :

We all seem to agree that one principle Jill should apply is to leave rumormongering, like spying, to those who do it best. Sun Tzu in Sonshi said, "Therefore there are five kinds of spies used: local spies, internal spies, double spies, dead spies and living spies." He also said, "There is nowhere that spies cannot be used." Jill should begin employing rumormongers both in the local community and internal to Doc's Place.

Alan :

These are great points you're making, Annie and Kili. Compare dead spies to employees on the RIF list that Marion Drull and Dick Scope will soon lay off. Most of those employees know whom they are, and would make excellent rumormongers, even after Marion and Dick lay them off. Compare living spies to those they do not lay off who may have `survivor syndrome.' These people have seen Marion and Dick lay off their relatives and friends, so they would make fine rumormongers as well. Double spies require a great deal of time and effort to recruit and employ, so I can understand avoiding double rumormongers. Jill will have to wait until someone approaches who is already close to or can get close to Dick or Marion.

In Jill's defense, she does apply the principles of Sun Tzu when she attempts, however poorly, to spread rumors on her own. When she encourages Liz to have Louise tell Marion to terminate the 2 HR people, she is being subtle and formless, as Sun Tzu in Sonshi recommends throughout his discussion of weakness and strength. Sun Tzu said, "The place of battle must not be made known to the enemy." Jill applies this principle in both instances.

Annie :

Jill also applies the principles of Sun Tzu in avoiding any discussion or meeting with Marion Drull. Having just joined Doc's Place management team, Marion's position is strong. Louise recently hired Marion, so she will support Marion's positions and movements as long as she combines her strength with his. As Sun Tzu in Sonshi says, "If they are strong, avoid them." Jill avoids speaking with him or even acknowledging his existence; however, unaware of the danger, Marion continues to press her for a meeting wherein he may confront her. He thinks he is safe inside the corporate cocoon, but he is pestering a mature, female predator that may turn on him and strike at any moment.

Jill waits, as she always does, for the right moment and opportunity. We have discussed Jill's precision in timing before, and so I have quoted this before, but I will quote it again here. On Force in Sonshi, Sun Tzu says, "Therefore, the force of those skilled in warfare is overwhelming, and their timing precise. Their force is like a drawn crossbow and their timing is like the release of the trigger." We will eventually see Jill strike, but it will be at the time and place of her choosing and I'm afraid that it will be disconcerting for Marion. I hope she does not injure him, but at the least, Jill will embarrass him.

Kili :

You almost wax poetic in describing the situation and weaving in Sun Tzu quotations, Annie. It has always been a pleasure to read your posts.

I agree with your assessment, because Jill has left her place of employment in the middle of a workday. By evening, she is hundreds of miles away in a different state to go skiing. While attending police training in Toronto, I had the opportunity to go skiing for a thee-day weekend, so I know how captivating this recreational activity can be. We can be certain that Jill will ski with her friends all weekend and may not return until some time during the following week.

While Jill's skiing escapade puts off her pending confrontation with Marion and partially fulfills Peter's request that she stay away from work for long periods, I'm afraid she is courting her second termination, although this time, probably at the hands of Louise. The silver lining on this dark cloud, of course, is that Jill will finally meet and recruit Donna, her personal bodyguard.