Better Than New Ch. 01

"She doesn't know squat about autobody I'll bet."

"No ... but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. I need some organizational skills just as much as shop talent. I'm doing everything myself, as you already know. She might be the right combination, plus strong enough to work in an all-male environment. Just thinkin' right now."

Thursday, June 25th, 11:45am

"Better Than New, Val speaking."

"Oh ... uhhm ... Hi Val, it's Doreen Gordon. We met at the golf course last Saturday."

"Yes, of course. How are you, Doreen?"

"Fine. I mean, okay, but to be honest, I'm about at my wit's end with this job. You said you might know about something that would suit me better. I wonder if we could meet and talk about it."

"Absolutely. What's convenient for you?"

"Well, I'd really rather not make it obvious around here that I'm looking. Can we meet after hours?"

"Sure, I understand. Look, why don't you come to the shop on Saturday morning, about ten o'clock. I can show you around and we can talk. Will that work for you?"

"Yes. That will be fine. Do I understand that this job would be at your company?"

"Yes. I'll tell you what I'm thinking when we meet. I think you've got the right credentials to handle what I'm looking for. It's just a matter of whether we both think it's a good fit."

"All right. I'll see you on Saturday morning at ten."

"I'll be here. Thanks for calling."

I sat back in my chair and allowed myself a small smile. She had called me on my invitation, and now it was up to me to spit out what I was thinking. I had better get my act together before she showed up.

Saturday, June 27th, 9:50am

"Good morning," I said with a big smile as Doreen stepped into the office.

"Hi. I'm a bit early. I can wait if you're busy," she hastened, her face revealing a nervous look.

"No ... no, you're fine. Come in and have a seat," I said, gesturing toward a comfortable chair across the desk from me.

She sat and pushed what appeared to be a résumé across the desk to me, and I picked it up.

"Sounds like you've had a tough week when you called."

"Yes, although I suppose once I thought about quitting and changing jobs, my tolerance threshold dropped. I'm pretty certain I won't be there by the end of this year."

"How long have you worked for them?"

"Nearly ten years. I've been the office manager for just about three years."

"Has it always been like the way it is now?"

"My promotion brought it to a head. When I first started, I thought I could change it. Make it better. But ... I guess that isn't something I'm good at. I've tried every approach I can think of, but nothing seems to change. I think part of the problem is that Beeson isn't doing very well in this economy, and that puts pressure on everyone from the top down."

"Yeah, I know the company. Warren Beeson II owns it, but lets his son Warren III run it."

"Exactly. He's no genius. Wanders around like he's king of the hill most of the time. His father ought to kick his butt out and run it himself again."

I laughed. "Sounds like you have the same opinion of 'Trip' that I do."

"How do you know him?"

"Oh, it's a long story. I'll tell you about it some time. Anyway, we were going to talk about an opportunity for you, not your boss," I grinned.

"Yes. Let's ... please." Damn, that woman lit up when she smiled.

"First, I want to take you on a tour of the operation. When we're done, I'll tell you what I'm thinking and you can tell me what you think. That okay?"

She stood. "Let's go."

Doreen was relaxed and inquisitive as I led her through the three shops. We had six cars in the autobody area, all in various states of repair.

"Val ... this isn't anything like what I thought an autobody shop would be like. It's so clean ... and the floor."

"Yes ... well ... that's all part of the strategy. When the customer sees the shop, it's the first impression he or she gets. I want them to think that they're going to get special care, even if it's only pounding out a few dents. The last thing we do every day is clean up and put all the tools away."

"Well, it works. These floors are immaculate, and the workbenches too. It's not what I expected."

"Good. Glad to hear it," I said, watching her carefully. "The restoration room is over here," I said, sliding the big door open far enough for us to walk through.

Doreen stopped and looked around. There were four cars in the restoration shop. A 1955 Chev Bel Aire, a 1964 Pontiac GTO, a 1954 MG TF, and a 1935 DeSoto Airflow. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the Airflow.

"What is that?" she asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

"It's a fairly rare DeSoto Airflow. Very few of them still around. They were only made for a couple of years. Too modern for the times, they said. It's just about finished and ready for our customer. It isn't pretty by today's standards, but the owner likes it, so that's what counts."

"It's incredible. The silver paint, and all the chrome. It looks like it's never been driven."

"Oh, it's been driven all right. If I remember rightly, it had over 200,000 miles on it when we got it. Pretty much had to build it up from scratch after we got all the rust out of it. But, the owner insisted and was willing to pay the cost, so six months later, here it is."

"It's beautiful in a strange kind of way. It looks so perfect. What did it cost to restore?"

"Well, that's confidential, but let's just say well into six figures."

"Oh my. I guess if you have to put that much work into it, you have to charge those kinds of prices."

"Pretty much. Not all of them are as big a project. The GTO and the Chev are fairly simple 'resto's'. The MG is going to be trickier. They weren't very well made and are very fussy to work on. But, the owner is in love with it, so here it is, ready for a major face lift."

"Is this business profitable?"

"Yes. Very much so. It has to be. Too many man hours invested for it not to be. I've learned the hard way how much to charge and how to estimate properly. No substitute for experience."

"It's so much more fascinating than just repairing damaged cars. These cars are all special, aren't they?"

"Yes ... certainly to their owners."

"What do you drive?" she asked suddenly, turning to me.

"I have a customized 1947 Chevy Panel Van that my father and I built. I use it for business and a bit of advertising. I also have an E type Jaguar Coupe that I keep at home for myself. I bought it off a guy who got fed up with all the maintenance problems, so I got it at a bargain price."

"So now you have all the maintenance and problems," she taunted.

"No ... well ... I modernized it. From the outside, you can't tell it from the stock production E type. But it has better brakes, electrics, engine, transmission, and a few other things. Now it's a nice ride without the problems."

She continued to wander through the restoration-shop, clearly very interested. I could see the light in her eyes and knew she was fascinated with this part of the business.

"I can't get over how clean everything is. You'd think there'd be dust and dirt with all the work that has to be done, but there's very little even while the guys are working."

"It would be like that if we didn't get after it all day, every day. It took a while for the guys to buy into keeping the shop super-clean, but after a while they realized it was a better place to work because of it, and the customers were impressed as well. It gave them a sense that they were an elite work force. That's what I really wanted to have happen, and luckily for me, it has."

"I don't think luck had much to do with it, Val," Doreen said. "I think you knew what you wanted and just kept with it until you got it."

I shrugged, "Maybe so."

We made a quick stop at the paint booth and watched our man masking off a repaired quarter-panel.

"We have computer color matching equipment," I explained. "You want to frustrate a customer, all you have to do is fix the bodywork and then not have the paint come out as an exact match. It stands out like a sore thumb and no amount of explaining ever makes it right. These days there's no excuse for it, so we make sure it's right before we turn it over to the customer."

She smiled as she listened. I was hitting all the right notes I gathered.

"Let's go to the office and talk," I said, leading the way.

Doreen seated herself and I took my place behind the desk.

"Well, what do you think of our operation?"

"It's not what I expected. Completely different and very clean. It looks like a good place to work ... for the men."

"That's the idea. I expect and demand high standards, so I have to support that any way I can."

"What exactly are you looking for ... I mean ... I guess I'm asking ... why am I here?"

"First of all, you're here because I think you have skills that haven't been used in your present job. I think you're capable of more than just 'herding cats,'" I grinned.

"Second, I need an administrative manager. Someone who will be my right hand and in charge when I'm not around. I intend to expand the business, and right now I'm trying to do too many things myself.

"And third, you've made it plain that you're not happy at Beeson, so you're available. That only leaves one question. Are you interested?"

"Yes ... I am interested ... but ... I don't know anything about this business. It's fascinating, I admit, but ... I'd be starting from square one. I don't know how much use I'd be for a while."

"I know all that, but keep in mind that most businesses are run the same way. They require organization and leadership. Too much of my time is spent on organization, so that's where you'd come in. Scheduling work, ordering parts, making sure the paperwork gets done. You don't have to worry about estimating or hiring and firing.

"I will want you to learn the business as you go. At some point, I want you to have all the know-how that I do. Maybe not the experience, but at least the basic knowledge of how the work is done."

"All right, I can understand that. We haven't discussed salary."

"You would start at $40,000 per year. There would be a full benefits package plus profit sharing at year end. If you started at the beginning of July, you would be entitled to a half share. There would be a review at three months with a small raise, and another at six months, again with a raise. After that, the review would be annual on your hiring anniversary. I think everyone should know how they are doing on a regular basis."

"That's very generous. It's certainly better than I'm doing now, and the job looks like it will challenge me. Can I have a day or two to think it over?"

"Of course. Talk to me next week. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me. Don't leave anything to chance. If you're uncertain, ask."

"Thank you. I'll call you early next week."

"I'll look forward to it. I hope you decide to join us. I think you'll make a great addition."

I watched as she left and went to her car. She drove an older model Camry. It looked like it could use some time in our shop, I thought. As I picked up her résumé I wondered to myself what made me so impulsive as to offer her this job. A job that didn't exist until this morning. She had the qualifications. I could see that on her résumé. I was semi-confident of her toughness. It would remain to be seen if she could learn the business. In the back of my mind, I was fairly sure she would accept the job. The look in her eyes as I took her around the shop floor spoke volumes.

Monday, June 29th, 7:55am

"Good morning, Better Than New, Val speaking."

"Hi, Val. It's Doreen."

"Hi. How was your weekend?"

"Fine. I spent a lot of it wondering if I was up to the job you offered. It's going to be a big challenge, but if you're still willing, I'd like to try."

"Good. I'm glad you decided in our favor. How much notice do you have to give Beeson?"

"Two weeks. I'll be handing it in this morning. I can start on the 13th, if that's okay."

"That will be fine. Did you have any questions?"

"Yes. I wondered if it would be all right if I came in on Saturday morning, the 11th, to get acclimatized and meet some of your people."

"That's a hell of a good idea. We're closed for the holiday next weekend or we could do it then. I'll introduce you to our guys, and we can go over some of the basics before you get dropped in the dunk tank," I laughed.

"Oh, good. I'm really going to be feeling my way at first, so any help you or the men can give me will be appreciated."

"All right. I'm really pleased you're joining us. I have a feeling you'll do very well here. I'll see you Saturday morning the 11th then."

I hung up and leaned back in my chair. I had no reason to feel as confident as I did, but there it was. I wanted her in the business and I got her.

Friday, July 4th, 12:00pm

"So you hired her then?" Paul said, sipping his beer. We had just finished an early round of golf.

"Yup. I admit, it's all on instinct, but I have a hunch I've made a good decision. I've needed someone to back me up, and time will tell if she can handle it."

"No doubt about that. Ever since Monica left, you've done nothing but work. Maybe now you can get yourself a social life."

"No rush for that. The last one didn't work out so well."

"Val ... you've got to get past that. She shit on you from dizzy heights, but she's gone and you're a free man. When was the last time you got laid?"

"Christ ... I don't know. November last year, thereabouts."

"Man, my cock would die and fall off if I went that long."

"How are you doing these days? Still hanging out with Yvonne?"

"No ... I haven't seen her in a month. I've been seeing Carolyn."

"Carolyn! You mean Doreen's friend Carolyn?"

"Yeah. We seem to get on great, so I've been dating her. In fact, I've got to get going. I'm meeting her at the fairgrounds at one o'clock."

"Well, well, well. So it wasn't just a simple hook-up then?"

He shrugged, showed me a wrinkled smile and rose from his chair. "Good luck with Doreen. I hope she's what you're looking for."

"Thanks. Good luck with Carolyn. Maybe she's what you're looking for."

"You never know," he grinned.

I leaned back and sipped my beer, idly watching the golfers on the first and tenth tees. I jumped in surprise when I heard the scrape of metal on the concrete as someone pulled out a chair from beside me. I looked up and saw Doreen.

"Hi. Mind if I join you?" she asked.

"No, of course not," I said, standing. "Are you here alone?"

"Yeah. Carolyn's gone off with your friend Paul somewhere this afternoon. I was driving by and thought I'd stop in for a sandwich."

"Great. Paul's just left. Said he was meeting Carolyn at the fairgrounds. We just finished a round, so I was going to get something to eat too. Let's go," I said, leading her to the restaurant.

I ordered another beer, Doreen order an orange cooler, and we both chose a ham and cheese sandwich and a bag of chips. I paid for it with some protest from Doreen.

"So how did the announcement that you were leaving go down?"

"Not bad except for Warren. What a jerk. He was telling me I'd be crawling back begging for my old job in less than a month. Fat chance."

I chuckled, "I was kind of hoping he'd waive the two week notice and you could start right away."

"You laugh, but he almost did. Then he remembered he didn't have anyone to replace me. He damn near choked at that. I wish he had. Man ... he's nothing like his father. The old man was class all the way. How the hell could he raise a son like that?"

I shook my head. "I've known Trip since he was in grade eight. He's always been that way. His father was an important employer and a big deal at the Chamber of Commerce, and that little shit never let us forget it. I think the best thing about graduating from high school was losing him. We went to different colleges."

"So that's where your attitude comes from," she laughed.

"Oh ... that's not the only place. I only got rid of him for four years. When I came back here, he did too. Daddy was going to make him president. He'd get his picture in the local paper and attend the Chamber meetings. He was a real big deal in his mind."

Doreen was watching me carefully. "Why do I get the feeling there's more to it than that."

I didn't look at her and I didn't answer her.

"How about we change the topic? This is too nice a day and you're good company."

"I was going to tell you that when I resigned, Carolyn made it known that she might be next. She's no happier there than I am. She says Warren's bad-mouthing about the business and how lousy things are is bullshit. He's just trying to keep the slaves in line."

"I believe that. It's just like him. I can only assume his father doesn't know what he says and does from day to day. I don't think he'd appreciate Trip telling everyone the business is in trouble. His banker hears about that and it could mean problems for him. He probably relies on a solid line of credit to keep both the manufacturing and the retail ends operating. Shows you what a shallow thinker Trip is."

"You really don't have much use for him, do you?" she chortled.

"Nope. None. I thought we were going to change the topic?" I said in mock exasperation.

"It's more fun watching you vent."

"Glad I could provide some entertainment." It was hard to fake being grumpy. Doreen was the opposite of the first time we met. She was playful, and smiling a whole lot.

"Speaking of Carolyn, Paul says he's been dating her lately."

"Yes. I hope he doesn't hurt her. She's been waiting for 'Mr. Right' for a long time. I'm not sure Paul's the guy, but she's telling me how much fun they have together."

"Paul's never been married. He's a long-time friend. I've known him since grade nine and we've been best buddies since. He won't deliberately hurt Carolyn. He's pretty honest about his relationships. He doesn't promise anything and doesn't lead the girls on. I don't ever recall him ending one with any bitterness or anger on either part. He just has that knack, I guess. I keep hoping he's going to meet the right woman and settle down. He's a super-bright guy and a good friend. Amazing, since we are such different people."

Doreen nodded, absorbing what I had just said.

"Has Carolyn said anything to you?" I asked.

"Not really. I just get the feeling that she's taking him seriously. I guess we'll know soon enough."

"I guess."

"I'm excited about the new job, Val," she said at length.

"Good. I want you to be. Hell, I invented that job just for you."

"You what?"

"Well, maybe not exactly for you, but when you told me about yourself and your qualifications, I started to think about what I needed at the shop. You were a perfect fit."

"You mean you weren't out looking for someone when you talked to me?"

"Not really. I didn't know what I wanted ... or needed. I hadn't really pinned it down. You helped me do that ... even though you didn't know it at the time."

"You're making me nervous, Val. Are you always this impulsive?"

"No ... as a matter of fact, I'm a lot more deliberate when it comes to the business. I'm not sure what pushed me into making this decision so quickly, but ... looking back on it ... in sober reflection," I grinned, "I'm glad I did."

"I hope it hasn't anything to do with trying to get close to me. I don't believe in workplace romances. You might as well know that upfront."

"I don't either. And that's not what this is all about. It's strictly business and our relationship will be strictly business."

She sighed and relaxed again, appearing to accept my assurances.

Tuesday, July 7th, 9:15am

"Better Than New, Val speaking."

"Hi Val, it's Norm Fielding."

"Hi, Norm. How are you? Did you have a good holiday?"