Monday morning, Matt and Peter speak shortly before work starts about the meeting later that day. They trust Tim and know he will not do anything to jeopardize their jobs. But how much should they tell? Both agree they would see how things go in the meeting and who all is there.
At the break at ten, Matt and Peter meet again and hurry to get out of their coveralls. Both wear suits today, at the insistence of Martha and Sarah. They straighten their ties and put on the jackets before heading across the yard to the main office building.
Both men are nervous as they have only been in this building a few times over the years. For tours or special companywide occasions. As they walk, the two chat about Tim and Abbie, both skirting around the main point about their relationship to ease their qualms. The conversation focuses on how nice she seems and how it is clear Tim is smitten with her.
Checking in at the main reception desk, a younger woman is soon there to escort them to Tim’s office. Both men are impressed by how far their friend has come. They knew Tim always had the potential for such a position. Only when seeing Tim again on Friday, did he display the type of confidence needed for such an executive position. Long gone is the shy teen so willing to help them but so unsure of himself.
Matt and Peter know Abbie had a lot to do with this new side of Tim. By that alone, she holds a place of honor for them. All that the mates ever hoped for Tim has materialized. For all that Tim has offered others over the years, he is now deservingly rewarded.
Tim greets both men and directs them to a small conference table in an adjoining room. The woman who escorted them is sitting at one end of the table in front of a whiteboard. Tim directs them to three seats together at the other end.
“Matt, Peter, this is Meghan, my assistant. Meghan, Matt, and Peter. She is a whiz at taking notes of the key points stated. I thought we could just continue the conversation from Friday. Meghan will record the points made to show on the whiteboard behind her. Then we’ll try to categorize and prioritize them,” Tim says, getting down to business right away.
It is almost like they are back in the equipment room at school, but now high tech. Tim always did get them to just free flow what they knew on a topic and then organize their thoughts into a logical, workable order to proceed with a paper or essay test.
For the next hour, Peter and Matt tell the good, the bad, and the ugly about the factory operations. Tim only joins in to clarify or explain a comment, so he has a complete picture.
Tim is surprised that while the plant is functioning efficiently, little things and big things are seen by those doing the job as major roadblocks to maximum quality and quantity. It is nice to hear that the workers all seem to have pride in their work and want to make Microga even better.
Tim can also tell that Peter and Matt are holding back about something. Tim has a feeling it is something important they are hesitating to say. As it is approaching noon, Tim asks Meghan to please get the lunch he ordered for them. While Meghan is gone, he presses his friends to be completely candid with him.
Looking at each other and nodding, Matt speaks, “Tim, this is just between us, mates. I don’t want it getting back that we squealed on anyone.” Tim assures him it won’t, then Matt goes on, “There is one foreman who is a wrench in the operations. He doesn’t listen to suggestions or concerns from his workers. He is pretty much a bully and asshole. Mark looks like a refined gentleman compared to him.”
The three laugh, imagining that then Matt continues, “Oh, he plays it well when any corporates are around. But even the other foremen are afraid of him, and while they try to compensate with us grunts, they have no power over him. He is too worried about the quantity that he is more and more letting the quality drop on his area, from that crew trying to keep up. That, in the end, affects the final product also.”
Tim takes their assessment seriously, “Guys, you don’t even need to tell me the name. It will be apparent when I look into things and can bring it up for review. Then he will be taken care of away from any thought of you mentioning it. Hang tough on this one for a little while. From the sound of things, he will soon be a thing of the past.”
“Let’s work on the list up there now, as the things you have identified are going to outline what needs to be done,” Tim says as Meghan comes back in with the lunches. She leaves them with sandwiches, crisps, and bottles of ale as she goes to have her lunch.
While they eat, Tim, Matt, and Peter talk about more personal things, catching up on what has been going on with each during the last six months. Both congratulate Tim on finding Abbie and tell him how much they already like her. Not to mention Martha and Sarah, who have not stopped talking about Abbie the whole weekend.
Tim thanks them and tells Matt and Peter a bit about meeting Abbie and their beginnings together. He also tells them about redoing the house and how they all need to come over to see the changes, thanks to Sam.
It is a nice catch-up for the three. When Meghan returns, they spend another hour or so itemizing the observances mentioned that morning. Tim is most interested in seeing how Matt and Peter work it out. He can tell Matt has a natural feel and a stronger ability to communicate the concepts. Peter, quieter, as observant, focuses more on the mechanics of each step in the process and better ways the individual parts could be designed.
That has been true of Peter always. Any appliance, electronics, or gadgets needing repairs, Peter is the go-to. When young, he spent hours fixing household things for his mom and soon neighbors. When higher-tech items became available, Peter could get them to purr also. He would take things apart to fiddle with them to make them work better.
Peter likes the hands-on work and quickly masters the skills needed to perform any of the shop jobs. Matt, on the other hand, is being wasted in the plant. His analytical abilities to pinpoint problems and develop strategies are outstanding. Even during their conversation, Matt is sketching out flowcharts on a pad in front of him. Matt doesn’t know the terms for what he is doing naturally to outline the operations, but his quick drawings master the procedures much better than any of Microga’s technical staff.
During the time together, Matt and Peter prove what Tim expected. They both are untapped assets for Microga, being wasted on line work. Finished with the task, Tim sends Meghan off to finalize what they covered during the meeting.
He goes to a small corner refrigerator and brings back three more ales. Sitting down again, Tim describes his ideas for Matt and Peter, “Today, both of you proved what I have been thinking for a long while, and especially since starting in this position. You are too valuable of members of Microga to be kept doing routine work in the plant.
“Matt, I would like to move you to manage a new area concentrating on forward planning and visioning for Microga. We can talk about all the detail in a bit. Peter, I would like you to work with Matt but still be in the plant. Moving from area to area to get feedback from the workers as they do their work and doing the jobs to identify operations that need tweaking.
“Yes, Peter, I would never take you away from the hands-on tinkering you love,” Tim assured him. Then continuing, “Matt, your skills of taking what Peter discovers and suggests and finding workable solutions is where I see your greatest strength.”
For another hour, and one more beer each, Tim outlines his plan for his two friends. Explaining first that it would be a promotion for each, and of course, an increase in salary. Tim slides folded pieces of paper to Matt and Peter to review. Seeing the salaries they are being offered, the title, duties, and perks of their new jobs, both men gasp.
They wanted to pinch themselves to make sure this is all true and not a dream. But it is, and the excitement between the three men increases.