YPA: Your Privacy Assured/YPA.ISO/text/jonsj2.txt

Text File | 1995-02-14 | 19KB | 556 lines

                      Jonathan's Introduction to Business
                                   Chapter 2

    A grey Lincoln Town Car was waiting for them at the curb. The driver held

the door for her then went around to hold it for him.  She couldn't help but

smile when he stumbled slightly as he entered the car.  "Tonight we are going

to dinner at Le Cirque, it is one of the finest restaurants in the city.

Afterward, we may go to a party some friends of mine are having," she told

him.
    The car drove across Central Park using the 66th Street Traverse.  As they


entered the park the white lights on the trees of "Tavern on the Green" were

clearly visible.  Shortly they arrived at the Mayfair Regent Hotel on Park

Avenue and the driver stopped at the 61st Street entrance.  As they entered the

restaurant they were greeted by the owner, Sirio Maccione, "Ms. Simmons, its so

nice to see you again.  I have your favorite table.  How was your business in

Boston?"  "Excellent.  I'd like to introduce you to Jonathan Richards," she

answered.  "A pleasure to meet you Mr. Richards," he said offering his hand.

"The pleasure is mine," Jonathan replied while firmly shaking his hand.  They

were quickly led to a banquette in the front corner of the room.

    Once seated the waiter asked if they would like something to drink.  "This

is a celebration.  Let's have a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Fleure de Champagne

1982," she ordered.  "A superb choice," the waiter said.  In less than a minute

he was back with a sterling silver ice bucket and two crystal champagne

flutes.  Opening the bottle with a flourish he offered her a glass to taste.

After holding the glass up to the light and examining the color, and the

bubbles, she swirled the glass slowly in her hand for a few seconds.  Bring the

mouth of the glass to her nose she inhaled deeply then tasted the wine.

"Excellent," she concluded.  Filling both glasses he returned the bottle to the

ice bucket and left them.

    "This is my favorite champagne, Jonathan.  I hope you like it.  Why don't

we get to know each other somewhat better.  Tell me about yourself," she asked.

    "Well, I'm ninteen years old and I just graduated from Dartmouth College,"

he began.  "I'm an only child.  My father is a very busy lawyer in Des Moines.

My mother died when I was about ten. I was raised by a series of housekeepers.

My only other close relative is my aunt, my mother's younger sister.  My aunt

is thirty years old and I used to see her several times a year mostly at the

holidays.  She moved to New York to attend Barnard and has been here ever

since.  My father went to Dartmouth, and when I graduated high school at

sixteen, he convinced me to follow in his footsteps," he continued as they
sipped their champagne.

    He proceeded to tell her more about himself.  He was somewhat of a loner at

school.  He was younger than his classmates but he did very well academically,

graduating magna cum laude in only three years.  Although, he got along well

with his team mates, he did not have an active social life, since he was much

younger.  He was also the only art history major on the team.  After a few

minutes the waiter interrupted to offer them menus.  Noticing that he appeared

confused by the menu she suggested that she order for both of them.  Jonathan

quickly agreed.

    After studying the menus for several minutes she ordered ravioli stuffed

with lobster in a saffron cream sauce, endive salads, and grilled veal chops.

She also ordered vanilla souffles for desert.  When the waiter left she

continued to ask Jonathan about himself.  "What about girlfriends?" she asked,

"a handsome young man like you must be quite the ladies man?"

     "No one special," he answered.  "Actually, I spent most of my time

studying or running.  I also liked to read a lot.  On weekends I'd head

into Boston to go to the Museum of Fine Arts.  During winter session one

year I went to London and Paris to see British Museum and the Louvre."

     "Did you find any romance in Paris," she prodded.

     "No.  I didn't have time.  Really, it was a busy trip.  There was so

much to see every day.  I preferred going to the museums on my own, rather

than with the group.  It gave me more time to concentrate," he justified.

"What about you?  I've told you about me, but I know very little about

you," he retorted, trying to change the subject.

     "I guess thats fair," she responded.  "I'm twenty-nine years old,

also an only child, and a graduate of Radcliffe.  I didn't tell you this

before, but I'm a very wealthy woman.  My father was an investment banker

at Morgan Stanley.  When my grandfather died he took over the family

business.  My grandfather, my mothers father, an electrical engineer,

founded a small electronics business.  It is now one of the largest

manufacturers of fiber optic equipment and military electronics in the

country, and is still privately owned."

     The waiter, pouring the last of the Champagne, asked if they would

like more.  "No, I think we'll have a bottle of Mersault instead," she

orderd.  "When my parents died in a plane crash five years ago I inherited

all of their stock.  I own 60% of the company.  Twenty-five percent is

owned by a charitable foundation to benefit the arts, established by my

grandfather.  I am the Executive Director of that foundation.  The

remaining fifteen percent has been used to provide stock incentives for

the company's management.  Although, I Chair the Board, I let professional

managers run the company."

     "I've been very independant all of my life.  My father was a very

busy man, and my mother was always very involved in charity work,

especially in the arts.  She used to run the foundation.  I am very

involved with the New York art community.  As head of the foundation I am

on the board of several museums, including the Museum of Modern Art.    A

number of my best friends own galleries.  I also am an avid collector,

although I keep most of my collection at my houses in Southampton and

Maui.  I particularly like to discover young talent and help develop it.

I'm also very active with certain types of ... shall we say, performance

art.

     The appetizer was delicious.  The saffron and white wine flavored

sauce perfectly enhanced the richness of the lobster stuffed ravioli.  The

appetizer was perfectly complemented by the golden Mersault.  As they ate

she told him about her upringing.  Her stint at a private school in

Switzerland, and the summers on the Riveria and in Paris.  She especially

remembered the Christmas vacation she spent with a classmate in

Stuttgart.

     Her classmate's aunt, the Countess Erica von Hoffman, was an amazing

woman.  A tall stunning blonde in her early thirties at the time, she

lived life her own way.  It was the Countess who convinced her that she

should take charge of her own destiny.  Men would always try to use her,

to get at her money.  Instead she should use the power that her money and

her beauty gave her to get what she wanted out of life.  The more she

thought about it the more sense the Countess seemed to make.  Later, she

saw how the Countess used the men in her life to fulfill her wishes.  She

spent the week following the holidays at her classmate's Chateau in

Switzerland, where she and the Countess became close friends.

     She was interrupted by the waiter delivering their entree.  The

grilled veal chops were served with a coulis of tomato flavored with

garlic and basil, sauteed zuchini, and roasted potato.  Joan ordered a

half bottle of Fleurie to accompany the veal.

     That Easter she was invited to spend a week with Erica at her country

house outside Dusseldorf.  There she learned how to control men and get

from them what she wanted.  "Sometime I'll tell you all about the week I

spent with the Countess," she said concluded.

     "I now spend most of my time working for the foundation, or in some

other way promoting the arts.  I do have to attend the board meetings of

the company, but management has things well in hand.  Although I do keep a

tight rein on the management.  I also travel quite a bit."

     As they talked the waiter cleared the table and took their orders for

coffee.  It came quickly and they continued to chat as the sipped the

coffee waiting for their desert.

     "Now why don't you tell me a little bit about your plans?  How do you

plan to go about finding a job?" she inquired.

     "Well, I haven't given it a lot of thought," he answered. "I suppose

the first thing I should do is prepare a resume.  I bought a book on

resumes.  I can write it on my aunt's personal computer.  Then I'll send

it to all the galleries and museums in the city."

     "That sounds very traditional, but may not be very effecient," she

decided.  "How are you fixed financially?  Fortunately, you don't have to

pay rent for a while, how long can you hold out?" she prodded.

     "Well, I have about $1,000 in the bank from graduation gifts and the

like," he replied.  "That should last me a couple of months."

     "It may go faster than you think.  You'll probably need some new

clothes, your not applying to a bank you know?" she responded.  "And

everything in this town is expensive.  Have you given any thought to a

temporary or part time job while you look?" she asked.

     "I hadn't thought about it," he answered, "but it may be a good

idea," he concluded.

     "Can you type at all? Use a computer?" she inquired.

     "I type 70 words a minute, and am very familiar with computers.

Computer Sciences was my minor, I can program mainframes, or use almost

any personal computer," he answered.

     "Well then, I have a proposition for you.  I have a number of

projects that I'm working on at the moment for the foundation.  I could

use an assistant for the next few months.  Also, occasionally, I need some

personal errands done for me, like carrying my bags today.  If you would

agree to help me with those errands, in addition to your other duties, I

could offer you a temporary job with the Foundation, as my personal

assistant.  It would look good on your resume.  In addition, if it works

out, I can introduce you to some of my friends in the business.  I will

also show you the ropes, so to speak.  I'll pay you $500 a week.  What do

you say?" she asked.

     "Gee, that sounds terrific.  I really don't know anyone here.  All my

friends say that an introduction can be so important, especially in the

art world.  I'll do anything you ask," he answered.

     "Yes, well, we'll see.  Before I introduce you to any of my friends

you'll have to show me that you can be of some use to me.  I'm not going

to reccomend someone who isn't a hard worker, and doesn't do what they are

told.  Do you understand me?" she demanded.

     "I guess so," he responded.

     "Good," she replied, "Aah, here are our souffles. Have you ever had

one?"  When he shook his head she said, "I think you'll find them quite a

treat."  In fact they were delcious.

     Jonathan ate his desert in silence as he thought about his incredible

luck.  Only in New  York for four hours and he already had a job paying

$500 a week, albeit a temporary one.  He wondered what Joan would be like

to work for.  She was probably a very demanding boss he concluded, but he

would probably learn a lot.  She smiled at him across the table as he

finished his souffle.

     She paid the check with her gold American Express card.  As they rose

to leave the owner escorted them to the door.  He inquired if they had

enjoyed the meal.  "Excellent," Joan responded.  "The best restaurant I've

ever been to," Jonathan added.

     The car was waiting for them at the curb.  Once inside the driver

asked where they would like to go.  "Is there any reason you can't start

work for me tonight, Jonathan?" she asked, "There is a party I want to

attend, but actually its a business engagement. I would like you to

accompany me to help me with some details."

     "That's fine," he answered.

     "Take us home for now," she told the driver.

     They rode in silence as the car recrossed the park.  When it pulled

up to the curb the driver jumped out to open her door.  "Wait for us," she

told him, as they went into the building and up to her apartment.

                                 Chapter 3



     When they reached her apartment again she opened the door with her

electronic key.  "Why don't you have a seat in the living room.  I'll call

you when I need you," she told him.  He moved to the living room and sat

on one of the Eames chairs as she went upstairs.  After a few minutes the

built in stereo system turned on and he heard the opening strains of

Debussy's La Mer.  He felt very relaxed, somewhat drunk from all the

champagne and wine they had at dinner, and a bit tired from his trip.  He

sat for quite some time, quietly listening to the music.

     "Could you come up here, Jonathan," she called over the intecrom.

     "Alright," he replied as he stood and walked to the stairs.

     "Lets take care of business first" she said as he walked towards

her.  Reaching for the phone she told the driver of the car to come up for

a minute.  "Raul is not only a driver, but he is also a notary", she told

him.  "I want you to read this.  Its an employment contract," she told him

as she handed him a check.  "This is a check for one thousand dollars,

your first two weeks pay.  If you sign the contract and this reciept its

yours," she told him as she handed him a pen.  "If you are going to start

working for me tonight we might as well make it official."

     He was stunned as he examined the check.  It was drawn on Morgan

Guaranty Trust, and made out to him.  He then looked at the contract

"Personal Service Contract" it was titled.  He heard Raul enter the room

as he continued to read  "... Mr. Jonathan Richards agrees to provide

personal services to Ms. Joan Simmons ...  services to include, typeing,

filing, computer programming, other office services ... and personal

services as required by Ms. Simmons of any nature whatsoever ... failure

to satisfactorily perform required duties, as determined by employer, to

be punished by dedution from salary or whatever other punishment deemed

appropriate by Ms. Simmons ... salary of $500 per week paid biweekly ...

... hours to be determined by employer ... uniform or other dress, as

required, to be provided by the employer ... cancellable by either party

with 30 days prior notice .... etc."

     "What does this part about ... of any nature whatsoever... mean, and

what is this about punishment?" he demanded.

     "That means that you will do whatever I ask.  Most of your duties

will be as an administrative assistant, sending letters, following up on

phone calls and the like.  But, sometimes I'll want you to do other things

like pick up my laundry, run errands, or whatever needs to be done.  If I

ask you to carry my luggage at the aiport for example, or perhaps to

vacuum the rug before an important visitor arrives, you won't claim its

not in your job description.  I will expect you to do anything I ask.  Do

you have any problems with that?" she quizzed.

     "No," he replied.

     "As to punishment, I don't intend to pay for work not done, or not

done to my satisfaction," she answered.

     "What is this about other punishment, and what about the uniform?" he

interrogated.

     "That gives me some flexibility.  If you don't perform some project

to my satisfaction, I don't want to have to deduct from your salary, this

way I can find some other punishment.  I won't withold anything from your

pay unless it is absolutely necessary.  As to the uniform or other dress,"

she continued, "frankly, you dress like a slob.  We'll be going to see

very important people, attending formal parties and the like.  In order to

ensure that you don't disgrace me, I'll select clothing appropriate for

the occasion.  Since I insist on deciding what you will wear on the job,

I'll pay for it.  Does that sound fair?" she concluded.

     "I guess so.  Where do I sign?" he asked.

     "Here, and here, on each of the 3 copies" she said pointing to the

contract and the reciept.  When he completed signing the documents she

signed them.  Raul then asked both of them for identification, checked it,

and notarized the completed contract afixing his stamp.

     "Thank you Raul, please wait for us in the car," she told the

driver.  He replied by leaving.

     "Here is your executed copy, don't lose it," she said to Jonathan as

she handed him a copy of the document.  "Now you work for me," she told

him, "Let me give you some of my ground rules.  First of all, you will

call me ma'am, or Miss Simmons in public, or Miss Joan when we are alone.

Is that clear?"

     "Yes ma'am," he answered.

     "You will stand when in my presence unless I tell you to sit down.

When we walk together I expect you to walk a step behind me on my left

side.  Whenever I tell you to do something I expect it done immediately

unless you are given other instructions.  Do you understand me?" she

asked.

     "Yes, Miss Joan, I understand," he answered.

     "Good, I want to change into something more appropriate for the

party.  Please wait for me downstairs," she ordered.

     "Yes ma'am," he replied then left the room.

     He waited about fifteen minutes, then she called him again on the

interom.  He passed a large black leather tote bag on the floor as he

walked past the door by the alcove.  Her door was closed so he knocked

before enering.  She told him to come.

  As he entered the room he saw her facing him.  She was transformed.  She

now wore black leather above-the-knee boots with stilleto heels, black

silk stockings, a very short black leather mini-skirt and a red leather

bustier that accentuated her bosom.  Her raven hair was done in a wild

mane.  Ruby red lipstick and heavy eye make-up accentuated her features.

She looked formidable.

     "Please pick up the bag in the hall and follow me," she told him.

     "Yes, ma'am" he replied as he followed her out of the room.

     The tote bag was very heavy, almost as if it was full of metal.  He

wondered what was inside as they took the elevator down to the car.  Raul

held the door for her as she got into the car.  She ordered Jonathan to

sit in the jumpseat facing her as they rode downtown to the party.