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- 06/04/2021
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Adam Blake - 51. Chapter 51
Back in my office, I called Marie, “Hi…yes it went very well…yes he told me he said that. How do you know him?..Really from school…he was teaching so why did he leave…. I can understand that… so you invited him to your wedding…I didn’t know you were engaged…. I see, you expect you will be engaged soon…“do I know this gentleman who is going to ask you to marry him…I don’t know him… You’re funny but I do have another question for you…yes a serious question. The medical doctor at the school just resigned. He didn’t like the fact I went over his head but when I asked for the student's medical record, he didn’t have it… Yes, it’s malfeasance. Now I need you to look for his replacement…While you look remember he or she needs to be able to relate to the boys here… I think a man would be best but a woman could do it… No, there are no girls here, woman yes but girls no, strictly a male student base… Yes, I’ll see you this weekend. You owe me dinner. Bye”
I went to the cafeteria to get a coffee to enjoy with my cookie. While there I decided to check the kitchen. When I turned on the lights, you wouldn’t believe it is the same kitchen. Everything was spotless. I’d need to commend them in the morning. Sitting down at the square table, I enjoyed my cookie. I looked at the machines, and I knew I needed to call Dad again.
Taking my cup I headed to my office. “Dad, do you know when you are coming?.. That’s great, I have another project. I bought three snack machines and I need coins for them… Yes, like chips only out of metal. I’ll give the boys a certain amount each week like an allowance… No, I don’t want money but a coin like the size of a quarter… Yes, it can be a little larger but not much… Yes, a poker chip would be excellent but they should be made of metal and not plastic… Ok, I’ll leave it to you. I’ll see you when you arrive.”
I picked up the architect drawings and began to place the rooms, there were a few rooms I didn’t know what they were. I took the drawings and walked toward the cafeteria, instead of going into the cafeteria, I kept walking until I hit a wall. Looking at the drawing, there should be a room on my left as I looked at the wall in front of me. I need to see my custodian and see if he knows of this wall. I also wanted him to paint a wall in the cafeteria. Dad told me that there was a Rusello in Europe that painted murals in churches.
I walked down to his quarters, knocked, and was invited in. I had the prints with me. “Mr. Rusello, when I look at this print, it shows a room right here, but I can’t find it nor the door. Do you know anything about it?”
“No, I never saw the architect’s drawings. I could ask one of the janitors, to check the wall for a door. There could be one there and plastered over.”
“That would be great if you could do that. Are you familiar with the tales of King Arthur?”
“Yes, most children are and there have been a lot of movies and cartoons with that theme.”
“I would like you to paint Camelot on the solid wall to the left as we enter the cafeteria. Could you do that?”
“I’ll need supplies and maybe a ladder.”
“You make a list, get what you need and send the bill to me, I’ll pay for this as my contribution to the school.” He smiled and I think I may have made his day.
I was finished for the day. I went to my apartment, put on the coffee pot, and relaxed with a book. Yes, the book was about the tales of King Arthur. I saw the picture of Camelot, I took the book and headed to Mr. Rusello’s quarters. “I found this picture of Camelot for you.” I showed him the picture, “Here keep the book, you can give it back to me when you are finished.”
I was happy, I found the picture I wanted. I wonder if there is more in that book I could use.
The next morning I felt like I accomplished something yesterday. I had an incompetent medical doctor, resign, I had a chef put on leave, which I will send a letter terminating his contract today, I fired two incompetent cooks, and I have a scared financial director. Now, what mischief can I work up today? I thought of an area where I could concentrate as I ran my laps. Showering and dressing I took my cup and headed to the cafeteria for my coffee and a little something for breakfast. Usually, yogurt with some fruit is enough and a chance to check on Ralph.”
I went and got my yogurt, fruit, and coffee, one of the boys came over and asked me to sit with him. I did, I asked him why he hadn’t sat at the Knights table. He said they don’t like him. I asked him why, he said he made a mistake and they are holding it against him. I didn’t like the sound of that. “When you are done, come and see me in my office. If you are late to class, I’ll give you a note.”
I finished my breakfast, got another cup of coffee, and went into the kitchen. The ladies were dressed in a clean white uniform. “Where did these uniforms come from?”
“They were in the storage area. He never told us they were there or we would have worn them rather than get our clothes dirty.” I smiled what more could I do.
“Sir, yesterday we had time to clean everything, but if we concentrate on getting lunch ready, we won’t have much time to clean. We have some older children, that aren’t college material, they aren’t motivated. If we had them come here and clean, they might become motivated.”
“I think that would be a great idea. We need to give them uniforms and I’ll check with the janitors. Maybe we can shake loose a few potential college people, if not we can train them to be cooks.”
“Do we have a head cook, someone who is more or less in charge?”
“Yes, Mary Wilson has been here the longest.” An older woman stepped forward.
“I’m Mary Wilson”
“Ms. Wilson, we no longer have a chef. Do you think we need a chef?”
“In all sincerity, yes. There is a lot of paperwork and meal planning that I’m not capable of doing. I can cook and I can help the others to cook, but that is all I can do.”
“I appreciate your honesty. You will be officially head cook, your job will be to oversee the boys who will be coming here to clean and help, as well as help with the cooking. If you need anything, come and see me.”
“Sir, the machines that are installed, will we be responsible for them?”
“Yes, for stocking them, one machine will be for juices and milk, the other machine will be for snacks. Once I get the coins to operate the machine, I’ll give you a list of foods for the machine. Ms. Wilson, I’ll give you the keys so your people can stock them. You could use the boys to do that.”
I saw Mr. Rusello checking out the wall. “Mr. Rusello, the kitchen staff will be bringing their sons to work in the kitchen, They will be responsible for cleaning the kitchen, do the janitors have any uniforms they could use?”
“To the best of my knowledge, they own their uniforms. They are supplied by a company for maintenance people.”
“Do you have their phone number?”
“I’ll get it for you. Is this the wall you wanted to be painted?”
“Yes”
“I’ll need scaffolding for it. I can’t do it from a ladder.”
“Mr, Russell, get what you need and ask the janitors to help you.”
He just smiled as he walked away. “Good morning James, how are we this great morning.”
“You seem to be in a fine mood.”
“I am. I need the salaries of all staff and non-staff this morning. I also have my father getting the coins for the machines. What is the status of the medals?”
“I have 100 and they are prepared to do another 100.”
“Excellent but hold off on the second hundred. Tell them not to destroy the mold or stamp. Let’s get busy.”
I continued to review the drawings. There was another room on the second floor that I hadn’t seen. I marked it on the drawing. I saw a room that was marked supplies, but I never was there. I noticed a few other nooks and crannies that I haven’t checked. As I was marking the drawings, Jane came in.”
“Good morning Jane, how are you this morning?”
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Yes, things are beginning to shape up. I wanted you to know I read your book, although I may not agree with everything, I know where you are coming from and more important where you are heading.”
“Good, that’s all you need to know about me.”
“Arlene’s office got an email. There is a trustee meeting in England which they have requested that you attend.”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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