Chapter 3

By Penny Reed Cardon

This is a Fanfic of Crystal Sprite’s story Texas Gal.
Chapters 1 – 50 of Crystal’s story can be found on Crystal’s Story Site.
http://www2.storysite.org/a_crystal01.html
Chapters 51 – 53 are found on Big Closet.
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/author/csprite
This Fanfic is a result of my warped imagination and I take full responsibility thereof.

It has been said that this is not a true fanfic because it is a continuation of Crystal’s story.
It is true that this is a continuation of her story, but according to my imagination.
It is not intended to depict how Crystal would continue the story.

Chapter 3

I set the phone on the table and sat down. I spent several minutes just staring off at the horizon. 'I'm going to miss the mountains of Vermont.' Reaching for the phone, I started dialing a number I knew by heart. It took two calls before I found who I wanted.

"Darla Anne, is that you?"

"Yes Grandma, it's me," I replied, albeit sadly.

"What's the matter dear, you don't sound so good."

"I've had better days," I admitted, as my eyes started watering. "You know, Grandma, there are times I wish I was still eleven years old and could climb on your lap when I needed a hug."

Grandma sounded more concerned than before, "Darla Anne, what's happened."

I dried my eyes and pulled myself together before answering, "I've just found out that Alliance was behind the fire in Brandon."

"Are you sure?"

"We're pretty sure. Their people have been trying to strong-arm some independent paper plant owners around Portland, into selling out. De Forrest's people are telling everyone that Piermont is all but finished, and that if we don't get out of the Northwest they'll finish the job."

"I'm afraid that isn't admissible in court, but it sure sounds like Bobby was behind it. What do you plan to do?"

"After I'm finished talking with you, I'll be going back into my board meeting and announce that were going to war with Alliance. That's kind of what I wanted to talk with you about."

"Go back in - where are you, exactly?"

"I'm on the deck outside my office, in Jefferson City, starring off into the horizon."

"You're on the deck outside your office, through a set of sliding glass doors, and your entire executive staff is sitting around the conference table in your office?"

"Yep, that's about the size of it. I can almost imagine what they're thinking, but right now that isn't important. Grandma, what I wanted to talk about is, after I bought the eleven plants during spring break, Piermont now owns 1,048,000 acres of timber and eight sawmills. Does the wood products division have enough available funds to make purchase of that size?"

"Hmm, I guess that depends on how much you're asking."

"I would conservatively estimate the total value being somewhere between 85 and 95 million. I'd offer it to you for 80 million."

"I tell you what, being that it's you, I'll round it to an even 100 million."

"Oh Grandma you're wonderful. Thank you."

"I'll arrange for the transfer as soon as we hang up. So, what's the next step?"

"Sunday I'll be flying to Portland with a large team. During the next week I plan on buying as many independent plants as possible. Once we figure costs at all the newsprint plants, we'll set one price for newsprint across the nation. Some plants may be running in the red, while others are in the black. As long as the overall average is positive, I think we'll be able to hold our own against Alliance. By doing that, we'll flood the market with inexpensive high quality newsprint. That is until Alliance resumes a normal price structure, at which point we'll do the same."

"I think I know the answer to this question, but I'll ask it anyway. Why are you planning all of that?"

"Because, if I back down from Alliance, it will send a message throughout the industry that I'm weak and that subsequently Ameri-Moore is weak. That simply is not the reputation you've been building for me, or for Ameri-More."

"That’s a good answer dear, a very good answer. I'll be in Portland next week, where are you staying?"

"I don't know yet, plans haven't progressed that far, but as soon as I know I'll leave word with your secretary, where I can be reached."

"That's fine dear; I'll see you sometime next week. You'd better get back to your meeting; you wouldn't want your executives thinking they're working for a crazy woman."

I laughed heartily before I replied, "It's too late for that advice, Grandma; they all know I'm crazy. The good thing is, they’re crazy too, or they would have left a long time ago. Bye Grandma, I love you."

"I love you too dear."

Getting up, I brushed off my skirt and went back inside, setting the phone back on the coffee table. Standing at the head of the conference table, I quickly scanned each of their faces. In each face I read the same thing, I was the boss and where are we going from here? I remained silent for several seconds. The tension in the air was so thick, you could almost cut it with a knife. I remained calm as I began what would commit us to a plan of action, one of two that I’d been considering for several days.

"Jerry, as soon as this meeting is over, I want you on a flight back to Portland. Over the next two days, I want you, or a very trusted member of your staff, to personally contact every independent paper manufacturer in the Northwest. Tell them that Piermont is alive and well; and that I want to meet with them personally. Arrange for someplace where we can all meet together, set it up for Monday afternoon or evening.

“Bill, figure out who to leave in charge of training the shipping department and getting them up to speed, even if it’s someone that still in Brandon. Offer them triple pay, mileage, expenses, whatever it takes and for however long it takes, to get shipping on their feet. Then, I need you and eleven of your best people in Portland Sunday evening. Five can go with Bob in one of the 206's and five more with Ron in the other 206. John, I want you and eleven of your best engineers on the G1 Sunday morning at 8:00.”

"DD, what's going on?" Bob asked, when I stopped to take a breath.

"Gentlemen, a year or so ago, a movie came out that portrayed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, in 1941. Near the end of that movie Admiral Yamamoto made this statement, when he was praised about the success of their attack. He said 'I fear all we have done is to waken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve'." I paused for just a moment to let those words sink in.

"Now, I don't know if Admiral Yamamoto actually said that, or if it was just a movie line, at this moment it doesn't matter. As of right now, we are that sleeping giant. Not Piermont, but all of Ameri-Moore, you attack one division and the entire company will stand behind you. As of this moment gentlemen, a state of economic war exists between Piermont Paper Products and Alliance Paper International."

There was about 30 seconds, before there was another sound in the room; I assumed that each of my executives was trying to contemplate the meaning of what I'd just said.

As I finally sat down, Bob smiled and asked, "So, what's the battle plan, Admiral Drake?"

"First, while we're recovering from the bombing of our headquarters, we will launch a major offensive. We are going to buy up every independent paper manufacturer in the Northwest that we can get our hands on."

"DD, we have less than 50 million left on our line of credit," Bob interjected.

"That won't be a problem, Bob. As soon as the arrangements are completed, Ameri-Moore will transfer 100 million into our operations account. When you leave for Portland, take the deeds for all the timber lands and sawmills with you. They've just been sold to the wood products division."

"That's who you were on the phone with," Bob summarized.

"Mrs. Moore. The second part of the plan is to figure out the exact cost per ton, at each of our newsprint plants. Then we'll average the costs across the company, to determine a price for newsprint nationwide."

"What do you mean by averaging the cost of all the plants?" Bill asked.

"It means just what it sounds like it means, we'll figure the costs for each plant. Some plants have a higher cost per ton than others. Obviously the plants that still have loans, will have a higher cost, and those without a loan payment, will naturally be able to run at a lower cost. I wish more of our more efficient plants, were debt free. Once we have the cost per ton for each plant, we'll average the costs, to set our price for newsprint. The plants with a higher cost, will be operating in the red, while the plants with lower costs, will run in the black. As long as the average is in the black, we're okay. Any questions so far?"

When no questions were raised I continued, "So, with the 100 million coming from Ameri-Moore, we'll pay cash for everything we buy next week and pay off any of their outstanding debts. I'm assuming, most of those plants will be older, but the advantage of not having a loan payment, will help drive the overall costs down. After next week’s buying trip, we'll need to get the plant costs figured out as quickly as possible. Tom, Bill, that burden will rest with you and your people. Once we have the numbers, Matt's people will go to work, selling newsprint like they've never done before, no discounts, no gimmicks, just one low price and the same terms for everyone 2% 15, 1% 30, NET 45. From the Atlantic, to the Pacific, one price and one set of terms. As we continue to reduce costs, we'll adjust the price down.

"There's one more part of this plan that we all need to work on, and that's how can we reduce costs even more, without cutting quality or maintenance. Any suggestions?"

Once again we sat in silence, as each was consumed with their own thoughts.

Tom came up with the first suggestion, "What about the overseas suppliers, the one's that offered to sell us chemicals by the ship load?"

"That's the idea. Do you have a way of contacting them?" I inquired.

"I'll have to work on that. Their contact information was in my files in Brandon, but I remember enough to point me in the right direction,” Tom explained.

“Great, we’ll let you chase down those leads. Anything else?”

“DD, before considering a new supplier for chemicals, we should give our domestic suppliers a chance to sell at a lower price. After all, they have been good to us in the past, we don’t want to alienate them, do we?” Gerard pointed out.

“And what about import taxes and storage?” Ron added.

“Storage?” Jerry asked.

“Of course storage, we wouldn’t use a whole ship load every month. We’ll have to have someplace to store the ship load and then transport it to the plants as it’s needed,” Ron explained.

“Ron brought up another good point, transportation,” John added. “We’ll either have to buy a small fleet of trucks, or hire a trucking company to move the chemicals. If this is going to be a long term arrangement, we’d be better off buying a trucking firm that’s going out of business. I think it’s a given that any trucking company we hire, is going to want to make a profit and that will add even more to the cost of transportation.”

“What about using the trucks we have now?” Bill asked?

“Our trucks are almost always on the move, delivering to some of our smaller customers,” Matt replied.

“I think we all agree that there are a lot of details to work out before we commit ourselves to buying by the ship load,” I said. “That doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. I think for right now it’s a very good idea, but one that will need some more research. Any other ideas on how we can cut the cost of newsprint?”

“DD, you said plants that don’t have a loan would run at a lower cost?” John asked.

“Yes, I did. Do you have a quick way of paying off some of our plants?”

“No, but we do have a large plant that isn’t running anything right now,” John replied.

“You’re talking about Franklin?” I replied, as the cartoon character light bulb went on above my head.

“Exactly, I know its set up for bleached paper right now, but it would only take a week, maybe two, to convert those systems so they can run newsprint. Running those three machines two or three shifts a day will crank out a lot of newsprint,” John concluded.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Ron spoke up.

“And that will help with Bob’s goal of getting up to 95% utilization,” Matt added.

“Very good John. I’m sure you’d like to help with the conversions, but I need you in the Northwest next week. You can join the conversion effort after we're finished in the Northwest. Bob, after this meeting give Peter Emos a call and have his people get started on the conversion. John, I think we should send them some help, some people familiar with a newsprint operation. Call Gorham, Millinocket, and Norridgewock, have them each send one engineer to Franklin to help with the conversions.”

We talked about several other options and ideas for some time. Through most of the discussion Bob was silent, nodding from time to time, sometimes smiling, but pretty much silent. That is until I was about to wrap up the meeting.

“DD, with selling the timber lands and sawmills to Ameri-Moore our cost for wood products, be it logs or chips, is going to go up,” Bob said, surprising everyone. “There’s only one way I can see to rectify that problem and that would be for our resident wheeler–dealer to do what she does best.”

“And what would that be, Bob?”

“Make a deal," Bob said with a smile.

"Make a deal?" I questioned.

"With Mrs. Moore, to get our wood supplies from the lumber products division at cost,” he said bluntly.

“Bob, that’s a - that's a tall order, I’ll have to give that some thought. Mrs. Moore will be in Portland next week so we can talk about it, I’ll have to see what we can work out. She may want something in return.” 'And I think I knew what she would want,' I thought.

"One other thing, the Northeast's 206 is still at Rutland," Bob commented.

"We'll take the G1 up there Saturday evening to get the 206, the engineers and accountants," I replied.

"Also, any way you look at it, flying all the way across the country in a 206, is going to be uncomfortable. I'd recommend that we arrange to use the jet, or rent the G1 from Rutland Transair for the week. That would still give us two planes to ferry the teams around."

"That's a good idea Bob, but the jet isn't available. I hadn't thought of using Rutland's G1. Do you think they'd rent the plane without the pilots? You and I can handle the flying, Ron can ride right seat with you to handle the radios. I'll put John in the right seat with me."

John sat up and quickly exclaimed, "DD, I don't know how to fly!"

I looked at John with an evil grin and replied, "We'll talk about that later."

John sat back mumbling, "I guess I'm learning to fly."

"Anything else, anyone would like to discuss?" I asked.

There were a few other ideas brought out and each was discussed. When no other issues were raised I adjourned the meeting, with a few closing comments. "Jerry, we'll see you in Portland, Sunday evening. Bob, get in touch Peter Emos and then with the people in Rutland. We need to know about the G1 so we can make final plans. Bill and John, decide who you want to take and get in touch with them. We'll let them know the exact time of departure as soon as we know it. Nancy, it looks like we're going to need thirty two rooms in Portland Sunday night and Monday night, we'll make other arrangements throughout the Northwest as we know where each team will be. Oh Nancy, one more thing . . . pack a bag, you're going on this one."

"What?" Nancy exclaimed.

I looked at her and nodded.

She looked confused, shrugged her shoulders and said, "Yes ma'am."

Bob stayed after the others had gone; obviously he had something else he wanted to talk about.

“Okay Bob, what’s on your mind?” I asked after we’d moved from the conference table to the lounge area of my office.

“Boss, there’s a couple of things that are bothering me; first, you’re talking of bringing twenty to twenty-five plants into the group all at once. As you’ve said before, that’s a pretty big mouthful to chew at one time. Second, and I think this is my biggest concern, with all that newsprint, our balance of diversification is going to be way off. We’ll be at about 60% newsprint, perhaps more. That just doesn’t make for a wise business plan.”

“I agree completely, Bob. And if it weren’t for fire and the remarks by Robert De Forest’s people, I would have never considered buying any more newsprint plants in the Northwest, or anywhere else for that matter. I honestly felt that with us having those 15 plants, Bobby would have seen that it would be wiser to resume normal pricing, rather than to run at a loss. I never expected that he would stoop so low as to arrange for someone to torch our headquarters. Our only other option would be to tuck our tail between our legs and scurry back East of the Mississippi. Is that what you think we should be doing?”

“No, DD, of course not. I’m just concerned about the product balance and having so many eggs in one basket.”

“I agree, having so much of one product isn’t good for business. How about this, we’ll figure the costs for the plants in the Northwest running one shift, that’s what most of them are doing anyway. Then, after things settle down we can consolidate the newsprint into a third, to one half, of the plants, running two to three shifts in each, and convert the other plants over to run our other product lines, white paper, computer paper, Kraft paper, boxes and a bagging operations as well. We can even take the slowest plants and run some of the Mo Paper, Plymouth, and Appalachian specialty items. To keep the transportation costs down, any orders for distribution west of the Continental Divide, will come from the plants in the Northwest. Does that make you feel better about what we’re doing?”

“That makes a lot of sense. Before you return to school this fall, we should sit down and decide which plants to convert, to what product. Then as demand for those products grow, I can proceed with the conversions and get the new products moving. The only other thing that has me concerned is this; how do you think Mr. De Forest is going to respond. You know he isn’t going to take this laying down.”

Bob and I discussed several options concerning what Bobby might do and how to protect ourselves. In the end, we agreed on several measures that could be taken to protect our people, our plants, and our reputations.

After Bob left, I called John and asked him to write up an evaluation checklist with as much detail as he felt was pertinent. For consistency, we'd have the four engineering teams use the same checklist as they performed their inspections. We would have his hand written list typed and duplicated, Monday afternoon, once we arrived in Portland.

Bob came back about an hour later. Being that we'd chartered the G1 on several occasions, and seeing that both Bob and I were certified to fly them, they agreed to rent us the plane without the pilots. So with two G1's we solidified our plans. We'd take everyone that was going from Jefferson City, in the Piermont G1, to Rutland, Saturday afternoon. Both planes would be loaded and take off from Rutland at 8:00 am, bound for Portland. This will be a first for Bob and me; neither one of us had any experience flying in formation.

Being that Bob was able to arrange for the second G1, we would have some empty seats. When we were limited, I couldn't utilize the personnel I wanted. With that limitation lifted, I made some calls and arranged for a couple more people to fly out.

I also had Bob call Mike O'Neill, our flight instructor, to see if he wanted to help with shuttling teams around. I thought about having Ron fly the Southeast's 206, to Portland for me to use, hopping from site to site. I decided that ten and a half hours in a small plane would be asking a bit much. So, I called the Ameri-Moore office in Portland and asked them to arrange to rent a small plane for my use. Being that I had my multi-engine rating, I wasn't too concerned with what arrangements they'd make, as long as it was at least as fast as a 206.

After the planes were taken care of, I rearranged some other personnel and assignments. We were going to be running four evaluation teams and I wanted an executive either on, or to accompany each team. Bob Warren would accompany team one, Bill Marshal would be a member of team two, John Fahey would be a member of team three, and Ron Collins would accompany team four. Nancy would be stationed in the regional office, coordinating the evaluation assignments for each team, arrange for motel rooms and transportation throughout the week. I kind of wanted a traveling companion for myself, as I bounced around from team to team. I wondered if Grandma or Susan would like to join the circus. Ben Phillips would stay in JC and work of the staffing requirement for our headquarters. Gerard would stay in Jefferson City, looking after the company and the computer restoration project, while everyone else is in the Northwest. Gerard was also to keep tabs on the conversion of the paper machines at Franklin. Matt Piermont's job was to keep sales moving; we were going to need all the cash we could get our hands on.

Nancy called to let me know of the hotel and travel arrangements, in Portland, for Sunday night and Monday. I then called Grandma's Portland office and left word with them, so Grandma would know where to find me.

Just before I left for the day, I picked up the issue of Log Views looking for a phone number. It took several calls before I was connected with the person I wanted.

"Hello, this is Rick Landis."

"Hellllooo Ricky darrrling, it's so thrilling to speak with you again," I answered in the sweetest, most seductive voice I could muster.

"Umm, who is this?"

"Ricky, after the years you spent chasing me, and those - gloooorious hours we spent together on my ranch in Texas, and you don't remember me? I'm crushed Ricky, simply crushed," I teasingly answered.

There were a few moments of silence before Rick ventured to ask, "DD?"

Giggling, I replied using my normal voice, "The one and only. How have you been Rick?"

"I'll tell you in a couple of minutes, after my heart stops racing. I was really sweating for a few minutes, wondering who I'd forgotten, but I'm doing great now. I have to admit you had my curiosity screaming at me like it never had before. What was that hello all about?"

"Well Rick, I'll tell you. The seductive voice was just having a little fun on my part and making sure I had your attention. What I'm calling about will become clear in a few moments. You no doubt heard about the fire at our headquarters in Brandon two weeks ago?"

"Oh yes, we heard about that, it made national news. Everyone has been talking about it since it happened, speculating how it started and what you're going to do next. What are you going to do?"

"Well Rick, being that you've been one of my most loyal supporters, I'm going to give you the story of the decade. By the way, when's the deadline for the next edition and when will it be distributed?"

"About twenty minutes from now and early next week. Do I need to call my editor and have the run put on hold?"

"No, not this issue, but he may want to run a special addition after you get the whole story. What I'd like you to print in this edition are three little sentences, they should go something like this; One, 'Inside sources have confirmed that Piermont Paper has suffered a staggering blow, as a result of the fire at their headquarters in Brandon Vermont several weeks ago.’ Two, ‘Reports are, that it may take more than a year for Piermont to fully recover from this devastation.’ And three, ‘Initial recovery steps have been taken this week, as Piermont relocated its headquarters operations into one of the office buildings, that they had acquired in one of their many buyouts.'

"Of course I'm not a journalist that can give those three sentences the proper flair. I'll leave that up to you. This is just the teaser and you're free to send this to the folks at Paper Press, in fact I wish you would. In fact, I'd like that to appear in the Spokane newspapers as soon as possible. Now then, if you want the rest of the story, you'll need to meet me at our Northwest regional headquarters, near Portland, next Friday."

"Inside sources? You mean I can't quote you?"

"Of course you can quote me - when I say 'inside sources'."

"No, no, I mean I can't say that I'm quoting DD or DD has confirmed?"

"Not with this little piece. Like I said, this is just the teaser. I'll be honest with you Rick, I'm using you. I hoping that by you printing what I've given you, certain individuals will sit back in their overstuffed leather chairs and relax."

"Certain individuals? DD, are you saying -"

I quickly interrupted Rick, saying, "Officially I'm not saying anything."

"But, you're implying something."

"I'm not implying anything, other than what I've asked you to print. If you want the rest of the story, you'll have to meet with me next Friday."

"What? Nothing more than those few words? DD, you're killing me here! You know that don't you? You're just killing me!"

"I'm sorry Rick, but it has to be this way. Friday, you'll understand everything and believe me, it will be worth it to you. And the credit for the story will be all yours."

"DD, you're giving me an exclusive? You're not giving this story to anyone else?"

"I'm just talking with you. Who you allow to reprint or sell the story to, will be up to you."

"DD, I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll meet me next Friday."

"Oh, yes, of course I'll meet you. Nothing could keep me away. But why are you giving me an exclusive?"

"Ask anyone who works for me, I like to reward loyalty. By the way, you don't by chance know where your printing department buys its newsprint, do you?"

"I'm not sure, but I think it’s from A - Alliance . . . Paper."

"Oh, I'm sorry. You don't own any stock in Alliance, do you?"

"Ahh, no, no I don't. Are you saying that you're going after -"

"I'm not saying anything, Rick. Except, that if you want the exclusive story you need to see me next Friday."

"DD, wild horses from Texas couldn't keep me away," Rick seemed a bit excited.

"Great, I'll see you on Friday, Rick. Bye now."

"Goodbye DD."

I met Gina at the hotel and we went out for dinner. I explained that we’d be taking her home on Saturday, instead of Sunday. Of course, that led to a conversation about the plans for the following week. Being that she wasn’t part of my executive team, I didn’t tell her all the details. What I did tell her, made her realize just how much stress I was under.

When we got back to the hotel, Gina again had me change into my pajamas and then she proceeded to educate me about different aids that could be used to help me relax. Tonight’s lesson was around relaxing sounds, like songbirds across a meadow, the ocean gently lapping on a peaceful beach, and the sound of rain on a tin roof.

Again I found myself sitting on the floor with my hands on my knees, the incense was burning, and tonight I heard ocean waves gently washing in and out, as I was thinking of cuddling with Auntie when I was little.

“Are you still awake?” Gina whispered.

“Yes, I’m awake.” My voice sounded a little funny to my ears. I’m sure it was my imagination, but I sounded like I was eleven.

“Come on little one, time for bed.”

Gina hadn’t told me to keep my eyes closed, so I opened them. I was a little surprised to find her wearing a pair of emerald green pajamas.

Gina answered the question in my eyes, “You need your sleep tonight, little one. Tonight we’ll just cuddle.”

With everything that was going on in my life a nice cuddle sounded wonderful. Gina joined me in bed, put her arms around me and gently stroked my hair. The next thing I remembered was Gina gently shaking me.

“Time to wake up, little one,”

After showering and getting dressed, we packed our luggage and I checked out of the hotel. I thanked the desk clerk for the hotel’s hospitality and informed them that I’d be back in about a week. After a quick breakfast, we headed for the office.

I had been thinking about the conversation I'd had with Bob, about consolidating newsprint production and running the specialty products at some of the plants. That line of thinking made me decide to change the inspection teams around a little, because I wanted John with me, so he could get at least a quick look at each plant.

I called John and ask him to arrange for one more engineer, making that twelve engineers. Then I called Gerard and ask him to be prepared to join one of the inspiration teams. The final step in the reorganization, was to call Ian Thorehill. It would be Ian's job to monitor the status of the company, the ongoing projects, and to contact Nancy if any problems arose. Nancy in turn, would alert Bob or myself, so we could contact Ian for more details and to give him instructions.

With the finally arrangements completed, Bob, Gina, and I went to the airport to preflight the G1, so it would be ready to go when the others arrived. As we rounded the last hangar, I got my first look at the plane I'd purchased the previous fall. I hadn't seen it for several weeks and was surprised by what I saw.

"Who on earth did that to my airplane?" I demanded.

"What do you mean," Bob started, and then continued. "Oh, you haven't seen the new paint job. Victor Roskelley, the man we hired for the Fleet Operations Manager, thought it would be a good idea to add our major marketing brand names to the fleet of trucks, below the Piermont Paper Products logo."

"That's fine, but that doesn't explain what happened to my airplane," I said.

Gina was giggling.

"Well, Victor heard we had some airplanes and he thought they should have the same logos on them."

"So, you're telling me that all our trucks and planes look like this?"

"Well, not exactly," Bob confessed. "You see, Victor also heard that this was your airplane and that you came up with the idea for the notebooks, and-"

"So, Victor talked to you about this paint job, and you approved it?"

"We did talk about it, however, my impression of what he was planning and what he actually did, aren't quite the same thing."

"This is terrific, I'm probably the only one in the country with a Flower-Power airplane."

"Well, I think the folks for Rowan & Martin have a jet that looks kind of similar. I'm sure that their plane doesn't have our logos on the tail and under the windows."

"I guess that's something,” I glumly agreed.

“If my opinion counts for anything, I think it’s kind of cool,” Gina added.

“Answer this question for me, Bob. Does it bother you to fly around the country, in a Flower-Power airplane?" I asked.

"Honestly, I've been mostly using the Northeast's 206. This kind of does something funny to my insides when I get to close. Bringing her down from Rutland was the first time I've flown her since Victor's paint job. The round trip Thursday and Friday, I tried to ignore it.”

“It does something funny to your insides? Like what?"

"Well . . . it makes me want to go walking through a meadow bare foot, lay in a field of wild flowers and watch the clouds float by."

"Careful there, Bob. We wouldn't want you to lose yourself in the free love movement that's sweeping the country," I cautioned.

"Oh no, it’s nothing like that. But perhaps I should look into taking a little more time off."

"Bob, you should bring your wife and kids down to the ranch for a week. Ride the horses, relax, and just spend some time in the great outdoors. We have lots of extra room."

“Am I invited to visit the ranch?” Gina asked.

“Any time you want. Just let us know in advance, so my sisters and I can juggle our schedules,” I replied.

"Spending some time on your family’s ranch sounds like a good idea. After we get all the new plants integrated, I could take some time . . . No, that won't work. By then the kids will be in school."

"It’s okay, Bob. Somehow we'll find you some time to relax. After the next couple of months, you're going to need it. I don't need to get a phone call from Nancy, telling me that you're running around the offices barefoot, wearing Bermuda shorts and tie died shirt, with several strings of love beads around your neck." I had to laugh at his expression. "In the meantime, let's get this plane ready to fly." I shook my head, as we started on the preflight check list for Flower-Power one.

We finished the preflight, just as people started showing up. There were a lot of comments about the paint job.

Bob and Ron flew from Jefferson City to Newark, while I sat in back with Gina. I was flying left seat from Newark to Rutland, and was a little surprised when I called Rutland control. I identified my aircraft according to regulations, "Rutland control, this is Gulfstream, November Two One Six Papa Papa. We are a hundred miles out, requesting weather conditions and landing instructions."

"Gulfstream, November Two One Six Piermont Paper, this is Rutland control. The skies are clear, with unlimited visibility. Winds are ten miles per hour, West by Northwest, with gusts to eighteen. You are cleared to land on runaway one, one. There is nothing else in the pattern. Welcome home Piermont One."

I looked at Bob for an explanation. He just shrugged his shoulders.

"Confirmed Rutland control, landing on runaway one, one, two one six."

I looked at Bob, "Piermont Paper, instead of Papa Papa?"

"They know which planes are ours and they've been using that designation for a while now. I guess they've got family working at one of our plants."

"I suppose. What about Piermont One? Is that their normal designation for this plane?"

"Actually, I've never heard that phrase used before. They've never used it, when I've been flying her. I guess they recognize your voice."

"Oh great, now I'm being saluted over the radio," I moaned.

"You know, boss. I've heard of other planes being nicknamed by air traffic controllers. There's a Gulfstream 1, number N234MM, that flies all over the country. Most air traffic controllers refer to it simply as, ‘Mickey Mouse’."

"Mickey Mouse?"

"It's Walt Disney's plane."

"Well, I guess that makes sense. I'm surprised that Walt Disney flies a G1. I figured him as a jet person. Wait a second, you said they've been referring to our planes as Piermont Paper inside of Papa Papa for a while. This is the only plane whose identification ended with PP. The Northeast's 206 ends with MV and the Southeast's ends with NR."

"Um, not anymore," Bob confessed. "When they started using Piermont Paper for the G1 we got permission from the FAA to change the others. Both the 206's have new identification numbers ending in PP. I also have three registration numbers reserved ending in PP for when we have planes in the Midwest, Northwest, and Southwest regions."

"Well, I see you're planning ahead, as usual, but I think you need to plan for one more."

"One more?"

"Yes. We'll talk about it later, for now, let's land this bird."

I felt that my landing was a little rough due to not having flown for a while, but nobody said anything. I was hoping I could sneak in a few touch and goes before we left Sunday morning, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was more important to spend a couple of hours with John, teaching him what he needed to know about navigation and the navcom radios.

Sunday morning, we lifted off at 8:00 sharp. I led off in Piermont’s G1 with Bob following behind and on my port side. We climbed to our planned cruising altitude of 24,000 feet and headed for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where we planned to stop for fuel, lunch, and a restroom break. From Sioux Falls to Portland, Bob led and I followed. It was during this leg of our flight that I decided to let John know how I envisioned his job evolving and about him making a decision.

"So, John, what do you think of flying?"

"I've always thought flying was a fine way to travel."

"No, I mean doing the flying?"

"Well, the way you talked the meeting, last Friday. I assumed the decision was made and I'd have to learn."

"John, as the VP of Production Engineering, your role in the company, will be making some rapid changes. In the next few months, you'll be doing a lot more traveling than you have in the past."

"More traveling? DD, in the last six months, the longest I've been home at any one time, is thirty-five days. I guess it's a good thing I'm single."

"That reminds me of something else we need to discuss, since we made you a VP, we haven't appointed a new chief engineer for Brandon. I'd like you to make a recommendation of the current engineers, to fill that role."

"But, DD, I thought I was doing okay handling both jobs, like Bob has been Executive VP and Brandon plant manager."

"John, please don't take this the wrong way; you've been doing a superb job of handling all the craziness I've thrown at you. I couldn't be happier with you and how well you've handled everything. But, the company is changing and the demands on you and your time are going to increase, which is one reason why I think you need your pilots’ license. Also, with you gone so much, Brandon needs someone that can devote their full attention to seeing to the needs of that plant. By the way, it hasn't been publicly announced yet, but Bob decided to make the move to JC, which means I'll be looking for a VP for the Northeast region, after we're finished in the Northwest. Of course, I was planning to appoint one sometime this summer, to take some of the load off Bob's shoulders. The fire kind of threw everyone’s plans into a tailspin."

"Are you saying, I need to move to JC?"

"I would like to have you in JC, there's no denying that, but I'm not going to force you to move. However, in your roll as VP, you will be doing more overseeing of projects, like the conversion at Franklin. I'm sorry you can't be there this week, but I want you to have a good look at each of the plants we're buying. Bob and I were discussing the problems of having so much newsprint, versus our other products and we’ve decided the best way to handle the situation would be to consolidate the newsprint in the Northwest to the medium speed plants. The lower speed plants we will shut down, for four weeks. At each plant we'll overhaul all the equipment, clean and repaint the buildings, and set them up to run the specialty products. The high-speed plants will likewise be refurbished to run the regular Piermont products. Essentially, what we want to achieve is, that orders for delivery west of the Continental Divide will come from plants in the Northwest. As the VP of Production Engineering, you would be overseeing all of the overhaul and conversions. Besides the conversions, you'll be overseeing the engineering, maintenance staff, and procedures at all the other plants."

"DD, that's a lot to handle. I don't know if I'm ready for all that."

“John, you’ve already been doing everything I’ve described, it just wasn’t formally put into words.”

“What do you mean?”

“John, who do I normally take with me when I’m looking at a new acquisition, to evaluate the equipment and give me an estimated value? You, almost every time. Who was it that oversaw the conversions of the equipment when we started producing the novelty napkins, the construction paper, and all the other specialty items for the Mo Paper and Appalachian Paper product lines? You did. With each plant or company we’ve purchased, who evaluated the performance of each of the engineering teams and the equipment maintenance? You did. If the maintenance schedules weren’t up to our standards, who worked with the teams, and brought the equipment and teams up to our standards? You did. The only thing you haven’t done yet, is go back and verify that everything, and everyone, is maintaining our high standards.”

“When you spell it out so plainly, I guess I have been doing the job that you described. So why do I need to learn to fly?”

“First, as you know, the company is growing by leaps and bounds. Second, because up until now we’ve had the luxury of having Ameri-Moore’s jet to get you and your people around. The demand on the company jet is becoming much greater and we won’t be able to count on its availability. Lastly, because if I know you, you’ll be traveling more than Bob does.”

“More than Bob? Why do you think that?”

“Think about it, as the Exec VP, Bob will have all the Regional VP’s to delegate to and he’s okay with that most of the time. In the four years that I’ve known you, I’ve come to understand, that if you aren’t in the thick of things and busy all the time, you tend to get a little . . . sulky.”

“Sulky?”

“Relax John. It’s not a bad sulky, more of a high level of commitment with suddenly nothing to do, kind of sulky. Believe me when I say, I’m very pleased with your level of commitment, which is why I think you need to learn to fly. Right now the company has three planes, one designated for the Northeast region, one for the Southeast region, and our, umm, Flower-Power G1. I'm going to get Victor for this," I said, with a giggle. "In time, each of the other regions will have their own plane, so the regional VP’s can get around to each of their plants more efficiently. That will tie up most of our planes, most of the time, and with you needing to get around more, I think that you will need your own plane.”

“Wait a second; did you say that I would have my own plane?”

“You heard me correctly; you’ll need your own plane. Something that is fast enough, so you can use it to get around and visit each of the plants in a reasonable amount of time, but yet large enough, that you can transport a team of engineers when needed, along with cargo space for tools and the parts you may need for a special project. How does that sound to you?”

“It sounds just a bit overwhelming, but on the other hand, it should be an interesting challenge. What’s the first step?”

Reaching down on the left side of my seat, I pulled up a small package. “The first step is to learn the requirements. Take these books and study them, that should give you something to do next week while you’re killing time in the various motel rooms,” I said, as I passed the package across the center console. “When you’re ready, you need to take the FAA written exam. Then we’ll get you set up with an instructor, Mike is very good. If you push it, you can have your license in six to eight weeks. Then we’ll get you checked out in one of the Cessna 206’s. After that, you’ll need to work on your multiengine rating, using the G1. In the meantime, you can start looking around at the various planes that are available, to decide what you want.”

"Pilots license, my own plane, I guess this means you want me to stay on as the VP of Production Engineering?"

I looked over at John for a moment, "What have we been talking about? Of course I want you as my VP. I trust and rely on your knowledge and judgment."

"So, I do need to move to Jefferson City!"

"John, as I told you before, I would like you in JC. It will make the working relationship between you, me, and the other department heads much easier. But I will not force you to move. Bob and I discussed your situation. We concluded that it wasn't absolutely necessary for you to be in JC. You could perform almost all of your duties while being based out of Brandon. I realize that to you, Brandon is home and it will always be home, but that doesn't mean that you can't spend time away from home. That being said; let me propose something else for you to think about. What would you think about spending summers in Brandon and winters in JC?"

"Hmm, I hadn't thought about that. You said I'd be able to perform most of my duties from Brandon. What wouldn't I be able to do from there?"

"Well, for one, you wouldn't be available for those spur of the moment rush out, evaluate, and buy quick, trips that we like so much."

"And those trips are always such fun," John added softly. "You said I could choose my own plane?"

"Anything within reason, and it has to have propellers. You can't land and take off from a grass airstrip in a jet. It will also simplify maintenance if our fleet is all propeller driven."

"So, I'm looking for something that can keep up with the G1, that is propeller driven, and the ability to carry passengers, as well as cargo. That might take some time to fill that order."

"I'm sure you'll find something. One thing I learned about you is, that once you set your mind on a challenge, you've always come up with a solution."

"Thanks DD."

We landed in Portland and taxied to the tie downs, in front of the Ameri-Moore hangar. As we came to a stop and shut down the engines, an arranged for charter bus, pulled up between us and the hangar. Mike O’Neill helped me secure Piermont's G1, while Bob and Ron took care of the other one. As we were loading the last of the luggage onto the bus, the fuel truck we'd arranged for, pulled up. So, our departure from the airport was delayed, while Bob and I supervised the fueling of the two planes. While the guys from the fuel truck were busy, Bob and I took a few minutes to admire a Beechcraft, King Air, B90 that was tied down one space away from the G1's.

The trip to the Embassy Suites took about twenty minutes, but it took almost an hour to get our thirty people checked in. Bob and I stood by, as each of our people were registered and checked-in. With this large of a group, we wanted to make certain there were no problems. When it was finally my turn, I was handed an extra envelope, addressed simply to 'Darla Anne Drake.'

Bob was watching me with a curious expression, as I studied the mysterious envelope, before gently ripping it open.

Smiling, I looked up at Bob, "It's a note from Mrs. Moore. She's arrived earlier today and wants me to call her once I'm settled in here."

"Then we should get you upstairs, so you can get settled and give her a call," Bob replied.

"I'll give her a call and see what I can do for her," I said, as we stepped into the elevator. "In the meantime, why don't you look over the restaurant advertisements that are usually left in the rooms and see where would be a good place to take everyone for dinner?"

I figured I would only be staying at the suites for two nights, so there was really no reason to completely unpack. I put my suitcase on the bed picked up the phone.

"Hello."

"Hi Grandma, its Darla Anne."

"Hello dear, how was the flight? I assume you were flying that new plane of yours?"

"Yes, I was flying Piermont's G1. Bob Warren was flying a G1 we rented from Rutland TransAir."

"Two planes, how many people did you bring?"

"All total we've got thirty."

"Thirty people, and you're staying at the Embassy Suites?"

"I ask Nancy the same question when she informed me of the arrangements. She told me that there is some big convention in Portland this weekend and none of the larger, but less expensive, hotels weren't able to provide thirty rooms. I think my negotiation skills must be rubbing off on everyone. Nancy also told me that she'd negotiated a fifteen percent discount on the block of rooms."

"We'll, that makes it a little better, I suppose. So, when do you want to get together?"

"Well, I've got to get our people some dinner, we'll probably walk to someplace close by. In the morning we'll have breakfast here at the hotel. The Embassy Suites does a 'Made to Order' breakfast, which I'm sure is included in the price of the room. Personally, I'd rather have Tony's French Toast, but there's no sense in paying for breakfast twice."

"I'll agree with you there. This is private enterprise not the US Government. We don't believe in paying twice what something is worth."

"Exactly. We've arranged for a charter bus that will take everyone to the Northwest Region headquarters at 1:00. So, I'll be available most of tomorrow morning."

"I'll be in my office most of the morning. I have a meeting with the Executive VP's from the other three divisions at 11:00. Being that you're in town, you might as well attend."

"I've never heard of you holding a top executives meeting before. When did you start that?"

"This is our first one. After sitting in on the meeting with you and your executives in Brandon, after the fire, I thought I'd try something a little more informal. If it works out, I think we'll meet once every quarter. I may not be a spring chicken, but I can still learn a thing or two."

"That's terrific. I'll get a cab in the morning and be there at 9:00. We'll talk about the details of what I'm planning and then attend the meeting at 11:00."'

"Very good, I'll see you at 9:00, dear. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Grandma."

Dinner was nothing special, we found an 'all you can eat' buffet close by. For that type of restaurant, the food was pretty good.

* * * To Be Continued * * *

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