When Ross awakened from his nap on Friday evening about 630, he saw Kayley lying next to him, with her eyes open.
Ross sauntered over, and kissed Kayley on the lips.
"Masher present. Uh, I'm kind of hungry. So,. could we please postpone doing you know what until later, take a shower together, and then figure out food of some kind?" Ross asked quietly.
"But of course, sir. Into the shower, then to the food place of your choice, or we could order in, again your choice. I know you must be tired" Kayley said.
"I'm actually okay. The nap and coming home early today helped me, so I could rest the whole day instead of flying" Ross said.
Ross and Kayley got into the shower together, soaped each other up, then got out, and put on robes.
"Kale, I have something to tell you. Something happened while I was in OKC" Ross began.
"You are acquiring a struggling company and folding it into the oil and gas venture?" Kayley guessed.
"No, not that. They hit, a major natural gas and oil strike and such at far away fields that nobody even expected to come in. We dont know the amount of money yet. The oil does not really matter because as you know our company mainly deals in natural gas., However, when they figure out the natural gas, it might enable us to sell heaven only knows how many pieces to investors. We just have to hold our water, wait it out, and see. I'm not even sure if we might distract ourselves with something else while this is being evaluated. It might take a quarter or three months. Our not so good luck with building has caused us to go away from that, but, to keep busy, I am playing around with the idea of suggesting that to Fritz and Steve" Ross said.
Kayley almost cackled
"Busy? Ross C, you do not remember a major ever expanding company called RossShell that you are CEO of? You dont remember a man named Tim Patrick who takes up all of your time in business except for the times you are away in OKC? Let';s say it takes the evaluators three months to figure out what this major natural gas strike means? What would be so bad about that? It would enable you to stay in New York, do your routine office work, and stay put with me" Kayley said.
Ross then sighed and said something that he knew would not go over well. However, it came out of his sometimes not so thoughtful mouth anyway.
"Routine office work at RossShell bores me, Kayley. " "
Kayley sighed,. She was calm, but said a strong statement.
"Okay, so fine. You have figured that out. You have figured out that you don't feel fulfilled by going into the office, except for your work regarding Tim Patrick, who is your largest client, and best friend. Then, may I ask you./ If such work bores you, why do you seem to keep buying up struggling company after struggling company, and acquiring account after account, to expand this company that you admit bores you except for your work and commitment to Tim Patrick? " Kayley said.
Ross was dumbfounded. "It's an excellent question, and I honestly do not have an answer" Ross said.
"Fine, then you know what I think you should do? I honestly think you should find a therapist, and discuss all of this with that person. Your obsession with work, you're expanding this company constantly, a company that you admit you feel less and less fulfilled by, when you really have one client you are only committed to, and an ever expanding company in another state, which seems to demand more and more of your attention all the time, and where your other business commitment really seems to be. Think of it. When all of your troubles started, you lost RossCo, you got RossShell back through beating Tazzio, you committed to reducing it by half, since you knew you had the major oil and gas company to help run. You sold half of RossShell, and this thing or that thing or the next thing, seem to be expanding it for one reason or another. You dont know why you do any of this. This is really , really troublesome It's not fair to you as a human being, to our marriage, or to your commitment to RossShell. This has to be seriously examined." Kayley said.
"Does that mean you think I should sell RossShell completely?" Ross asked.
"No, that's not what I mean, as I know you worked very hard to get RossShell back, and it means a lot to you, both as your company, and as tribute to your mother. What I do think, is that considering how much time OKC demands from you. It might be time to go back to the original plan you had when you got RossShell back, scale it down by half, and keep it scaled down. For the good of yourself, our marriage, and the ever demanding ventures with Fritz and Steve. If you guys ever sell the oil and gas company, you always have time to get new accounts for RossShell. What I just said has to be a serious consideration for you, and something you should discuss with any therapist. I dont want you to get this RossShell out of control like you used to, have a second major company that you did not have the last time the old RossShell consumed you, burn yourself out physically, and strain our marriage. You cannot do that. Also, as you know from last time, I will not accept that, we will go back to having the marital problems we have not had in a long time, and I will not allow that" Kayley said, strongly but calmly.
Ross sighed. "Okay, I will find a therapist immediately. I also promise that no matter how long the natural gas strike takes to evaluate, I will not get any new accounts for RossShell. I will do Tim';s work, and very soon, I will hire an evaluator with the purpose of scaling RossShell down. I will give that person full authority for any recommendations, and tell them to do this throughly. When they give it back to me, I will examine it in depth with them, and with you. Does this sound like a fair deal?" Ross asked.
Kayley kissed Ross. "More than fair"
Kayley's question was going through Ross's mind as the weekend went along. He wanted to put it out of his mind, but could not.
When Ross awakened on Saturday, Ross said to Kayley. "Since I was just in Vegas, I'm not going to suggest AC for the weekend. What I would like to do, is to go over to the Queens casino just to clear my head. I will take five hundred out of the ATM, no more. You are welcome to join me. If not, I promise I will only be there for the afternoon, and be home in time to take you out to dinner, okay?" Ross said.
"Go have a fun afternoon. When you get home, we will figure out what to do for dinner. Dont eat too much there. I may want a big meal" Kayley said.
Ross saluted Kayley "Yes.. Ma''am"
Ross went to the Queens casino. He went to the ATM and took out $500 only. He did not want to turn this into a big gambling foray after his just completed trip to Vegas.
Ross mainly bet horses, up and down up and down. Down 75, down a hundred. even, up $75.
Finally, toward the end of the time he wanted to go home, Ross hit a $200 trifecta, jumped into an Uber, and went home.
When Ross arrived home around five. Kayley was waiting at the door. "So, how did we do?"
Win anywhere between 100 and 200. Most important I needed a break. Please get dressed, let me change, and let's go out to dinner. I've been thinking about some things. " Ross said.
Kayley got dressed, Ross changed his clothes, and they went for Asian food.
"Tim is the only one I trust to recommend someone to do this process. It really does not matter. Since, whatever happens this time, I keep Tim and all of his ventures, and Fritz and Steve. If something gets sold that II realize I later should not have sold, so what? I can always get another account later on" Ross said.
Kayley smiled. "Sounds like a good plan"
Ross and Kayley spent a quiet weekend.
On Monday when Ross went into the office. Ross called Tim. "Hi, best friend? How was your weekend? How was OKC" Tim asked in greeting.
That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Can we meet for an hour, at any time or place of your choice. I have to explain something to you. We can discuss anything you want to regarding your work itself, but something happened" Ross said.
"Okay, Shun Lee tomorrow 1 pm" Tim said.
"See you then" Ross said.
The next day, Ross and Tim met at Shun Lee.
"Tim, literally while I was in OKC, a major unexpected natural gas strike at a very far away field that we never expected to come in, hit. The field foreman called us while we were visiting the fields, in major excitement and utter shock. This enables us to expand the company by Heaven only knows how many people once the strike is examined, which will be in three months max, maybe sooner. This does not affect my work with you or anything we do as my being your business manager, or your best friend. Yet, with this situation probably demanding even more of my time,. I am going to have to downsize RossShell by probably about half again. Kayley and me were discussing this, and there is no other way for the whole global picture. What I would appreciate is, the name of the best possible corporate evaluation person for me to give RossShell's account holding to, with you, Fritz and Steve, Dave Banner, and a few other people kept out of this process. Anything else is on the table. I'm going to comb over my most major accounts throughly before starting this process, and then give the rest to the evaluator" Ross said.
Tim was a bit surprised, but not thoroughly "Did Kayley "Recommened this to you?" Tim asked.
"Yes, while she did more than strongly suggest it, and while I like to disagree with her on her viewpoints about my work and work habits. This time she really is right. So, if you know anyone who could help me, it would be greatly appreciated?" Ross said.
"Anything you need my friend. I will look into some people, and get back to you ASAP. Oh, and by the way, I am thinking of buying a company I need you to look over" Tim said with a laugh, handing Ross some papers.
"Okay, tell me what you need me to do and time frame. This has nothing to do with what I just told you. Anything you need, I am always available to you" Ross said strongly.
"What's your schedule?" Tim asked.
"In New York and in the office and home with teacher all this week. Next week, more than likely to OKC for probably three days. Fritz and Steve want to do a small bulding project while the gas strike is being evaluated, but I may try to distract them by asking to do something else until this gas strike is evaluated. I'm of course happy as Hell about the strike and the money it will bring us, but the waiting period and seeing how many people we can put into it, is making me antsy" Ross said.
"Patience is a virtue my friend. " Tim said.
"Most important, with the papers you just handed me. How long do I have to look over and give you my opinion about this company?" Ross asked.
"Thirty days seems reasonable. Look it over, we can talk, meet the people ,, try to figure out prices, etc. You will have time. If you need to talk to the guy representing the other side, his name is in the papers. Call him and you can start negotiation. You and me will talk it over alone. I do not want to expose myself to anyone on that side, to begin any discussions of money or price, to get us both upset and you off track, until you give me your through opinion of what this thing is worth. I have no price even in mind. I really do not even know. Let's just see when you look it over" Tim said.
"Accepted and understood, my friend" Ross said, shaking Tim's hand. .
Ross spent the rest of the week in New York in the office, and at home, combing through Tim's company carefully.
This time, the company seemed to have solid footing.
It seemed like a nice, quick, fifty million dollar buy, with only upside, solid product, and solid product development.
Ross called Tim on Saturday afternoon. "Tim, it's Ross,. I'm of course going to look this over more. This company seems to have solid product development, solid product line, and only upside. Based on last time,. I dont want to rush anything. You know that I have to go to OKC for three days on Monday morning. I will be back in the office on Thursday morning. Do you want me to take a full month, or do you want to discuss an offer?" Ross said.
"Since I know you like to not be kept on a time clock on the day after you get back from OKC. Let;'s do lunch at Shun Lee at 1 pm Friday and loosely discuss this. We can throw around some ideas. We dont have to call these people yet. We have plenty of time. Put down everything you are thinking, we will discuss it in detail, and start to figure it out" Tim said.
Ross went through the weekend, spent it quietly with Kayley, and then headed for OKC. The natural gas strike still needed to be combed over, and that would take a while , but Ross , Fritz, and Steve wanted to discuss what to do in order to keep "busy" until then. Ross also planned to tell them about his plan to scale RossShell by half, which would help him in his business with Fritz and Steve, and overall.
What would happen when Ross got to OKC? It seemed that they could not just "Put together" a new oil and gas deal on a monthly basis to keep things moving until the natural gas strike was fully evaluated.
When Ross got to OKC, that would be seen./
Ross sauntered over, and kissed Kayley on the lips.
"Masher present. Uh, I'm kind of hungry. So,. could we please postpone doing you know what until later, take a shower together, and then figure out food of some kind?" Ross asked quietly.
"But of course, sir. Into the shower, then to the food place of your choice, or we could order in, again your choice. I know you must be tired" Kayley said.
"I'm actually okay. The nap and coming home early today helped me, so I could rest the whole day instead of flying" Ross said.
Ross and Kayley got into the shower together, soaped each other up, then got out, and put on robes.
"Kale, I have something to tell you. Something happened while I was in OKC" Ross began.
"You are acquiring a struggling company and folding it into the oil and gas venture?" Kayley guessed.
"No, not that. They hit, a major natural gas and oil strike and such at far away fields that nobody even expected to come in. We dont know the amount of money yet. The oil does not really matter because as you know our company mainly deals in natural gas., However, when they figure out the natural gas, it might enable us to sell heaven only knows how many pieces to investors. We just have to hold our water, wait it out, and see. I'm not even sure if we might distract ourselves with something else while this is being evaluated. It might take a quarter or three months. Our not so good luck with building has caused us to go away from that, but, to keep busy, I am playing around with the idea of suggesting that to Fritz and Steve" Ross said.
Kayley almost cackled
"Busy? Ross C, you do not remember a major ever expanding company called RossShell that you are CEO of? You dont remember a man named Tim Patrick who takes up all of your time in business except for the times you are away in OKC? Let';s say it takes the evaluators three months to figure out what this major natural gas strike means? What would be so bad about that? It would enable you to stay in New York, do your routine office work, and stay put with me" Kayley said.
Ross then sighed and said something that he knew would not go over well. However, it came out of his sometimes not so thoughtful mouth anyway.
"Routine office work at RossShell bores me, Kayley. " "
Kayley sighed,. She was calm, but said a strong statement.
"Okay, so fine. You have figured that out. You have figured out that you don't feel fulfilled by going into the office, except for your work regarding Tim Patrick, who is your largest client, and best friend. Then, may I ask you./ If such work bores you, why do you seem to keep buying up struggling company after struggling company, and acquiring account after account, to expand this company that you admit bores you except for your work and commitment to Tim Patrick? " Kayley said.
Ross was dumbfounded. "It's an excellent question, and I honestly do not have an answer" Ross said.
"Fine, then you know what I think you should do? I honestly think you should find a therapist, and discuss all of this with that person. Your obsession with work, you're expanding this company constantly, a company that you admit you feel less and less fulfilled by, when you really have one client you are only committed to, and an ever expanding company in another state, which seems to demand more and more of your attention all the time, and where your other business commitment really seems to be. Think of it. When all of your troubles started, you lost RossCo, you got RossShell back through beating Tazzio, you committed to reducing it by half, since you knew you had the major oil and gas company to help run. You sold half of RossShell, and this thing or that thing or the next thing, seem to be expanding it for one reason or another. You dont know why you do any of this. This is really , really troublesome It's not fair to you as a human being, to our marriage, or to your commitment to RossShell. This has to be seriously examined." Kayley said.
"Does that mean you think I should sell RossShell completely?" Ross asked.
"No, that's not what I mean, as I know you worked very hard to get RossShell back, and it means a lot to you, both as your company, and as tribute to your mother. What I do think, is that considering how much time OKC demands from you. It might be time to go back to the original plan you had when you got RossShell back, scale it down by half, and keep it scaled down. For the good of yourself, our marriage, and the ever demanding ventures with Fritz and Steve. If you guys ever sell the oil and gas company, you always have time to get new accounts for RossShell. What I just said has to be a serious consideration for you, and something you should discuss with any therapist. I dont want you to get this RossShell out of control like you used to, have a second major company that you did not have the last time the old RossShell consumed you, burn yourself out physically, and strain our marriage. You cannot do that. Also, as you know from last time, I will not accept that, we will go back to having the marital problems we have not had in a long time, and I will not allow that" Kayley said, strongly but calmly.
Ross sighed. "Okay, I will find a therapist immediately. I also promise that no matter how long the natural gas strike takes to evaluate, I will not get any new accounts for RossShell. I will do Tim';s work, and very soon, I will hire an evaluator with the purpose of scaling RossShell down. I will give that person full authority for any recommendations, and tell them to do this throughly. When they give it back to me, I will examine it in depth with them, and with you. Does this sound like a fair deal?" Ross asked.
Kayley kissed Ross. "More than fair"
Kayley's question was going through Ross's mind as the weekend went along. He wanted to put it out of his mind, but could not.
When Ross awakened on Saturday, Ross said to Kayley. "Since I was just in Vegas, I'm not going to suggest AC for the weekend. What I would like to do, is to go over to the Queens casino just to clear my head. I will take five hundred out of the ATM, no more. You are welcome to join me. If not, I promise I will only be there for the afternoon, and be home in time to take you out to dinner, okay?" Ross said.
"Go have a fun afternoon. When you get home, we will figure out what to do for dinner. Dont eat too much there. I may want a big meal" Kayley said.
Ross saluted Kayley "Yes.. Ma''am"
Ross went to the Queens casino. He went to the ATM and took out $500 only. He did not want to turn this into a big gambling foray after his just completed trip to Vegas.
Ross mainly bet horses, up and down up and down. Down 75, down a hundred. even, up $75.
Finally, toward the end of the time he wanted to go home, Ross hit a $200 trifecta, jumped into an Uber, and went home.
When Ross arrived home around five. Kayley was waiting at the door. "So, how did we do?"
Win anywhere between 100 and 200. Most important I needed a break. Please get dressed, let me change, and let's go out to dinner. I've been thinking about some things. " Ross said.
Kayley got dressed, Ross changed his clothes, and they went for Asian food.
"Tim is the only one I trust to recommend someone to do this process. It really does not matter. Since, whatever happens this time, I keep Tim and all of his ventures, and Fritz and Steve. If something gets sold that II realize I later should not have sold, so what? I can always get another account later on" Ross said.
Kayley smiled. "Sounds like a good plan"
Ross and Kayley spent a quiet weekend.
On Monday when Ross went into the office. Ross called Tim. "Hi, best friend? How was your weekend? How was OKC" Tim asked in greeting.
That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Can we meet for an hour, at any time or place of your choice. I have to explain something to you. We can discuss anything you want to regarding your work itself, but something happened" Ross said.
"Okay, Shun Lee tomorrow 1 pm" Tim said.
"See you then" Ross said.
The next day, Ross and Tim met at Shun Lee.
"Tim, literally while I was in OKC, a major unexpected natural gas strike at a very far away field that we never expected to come in, hit. The field foreman called us while we were visiting the fields, in major excitement and utter shock. This enables us to expand the company by Heaven only knows how many people once the strike is examined, which will be in three months max, maybe sooner. This does not affect my work with you or anything we do as my being your business manager, or your best friend. Yet, with this situation probably demanding even more of my time,. I am going to have to downsize RossShell by probably about half again. Kayley and me were discussing this, and there is no other way for the whole global picture. What I would appreciate is, the name of the best possible corporate evaluation person for me to give RossShell's account holding to, with you, Fritz and Steve, Dave Banner, and a few other people kept out of this process. Anything else is on the table. I'm going to comb over my most major accounts throughly before starting this process, and then give the rest to the evaluator" Ross said.
Tim was a bit surprised, but not thoroughly "Did Kayley "Recommened this to you?" Tim asked.
"Yes, while she did more than strongly suggest it, and while I like to disagree with her on her viewpoints about my work and work habits. This time she really is right. So, if you know anyone who could help me, it would be greatly appreciated?" Ross said.
"Anything you need my friend. I will look into some people, and get back to you ASAP. Oh, and by the way, I am thinking of buying a company I need you to look over" Tim said with a laugh, handing Ross some papers.
"Okay, tell me what you need me to do and time frame. This has nothing to do with what I just told you. Anything you need, I am always available to you" Ross said strongly.
"What's your schedule?" Tim asked.
"In New York and in the office and home with teacher all this week. Next week, more than likely to OKC for probably three days. Fritz and Steve want to do a small bulding project while the gas strike is being evaluated, but I may try to distract them by asking to do something else until this gas strike is evaluated. I'm of course happy as Hell about the strike and the money it will bring us, but the waiting period and seeing how many people we can put into it, is making me antsy" Ross said.
"Patience is a virtue my friend. " Tim said.
"Most important, with the papers you just handed me. How long do I have to look over and give you my opinion about this company?" Ross asked.
"Thirty days seems reasonable. Look it over, we can talk, meet the people ,, try to figure out prices, etc. You will have time. If you need to talk to the guy representing the other side, his name is in the papers. Call him and you can start negotiation. You and me will talk it over alone. I do not want to expose myself to anyone on that side, to begin any discussions of money or price, to get us both upset and you off track, until you give me your through opinion of what this thing is worth. I have no price even in mind. I really do not even know. Let's just see when you look it over" Tim said.
"Accepted and understood, my friend" Ross said, shaking Tim's hand. .
Ross spent the rest of the week in New York in the office, and at home, combing through Tim's company carefully.
This time, the company seemed to have solid footing.
It seemed like a nice, quick, fifty million dollar buy, with only upside, solid product, and solid product development.
Ross called Tim on Saturday afternoon. "Tim, it's Ross,. I'm of course going to look this over more. This company seems to have solid product development, solid product line, and only upside. Based on last time,. I dont want to rush anything. You know that I have to go to OKC for three days on Monday morning. I will be back in the office on Thursday morning. Do you want me to take a full month, or do you want to discuss an offer?" Ross said.
"Since I know you like to not be kept on a time clock on the day after you get back from OKC. Let;'s do lunch at Shun Lee at 1 pm Friday and loosely discuss this. We can throw around some ideas. We dont have to call these people yet. We have plenty of time. Put down everything you are thinking, we will discuss it in detail, and start to figure it out" Tim said.
Ross went through the weekend, spent it quietly with Kayley, and then headed for OKC. The natural gas strike still needed to be combed over, and that would take a while , but Ross , Fritz, and Steve wanted to discuss what to do in order to keep "busy" until then. Ross also planned to tell them about his plan to scale RossShell by half, which would help him in his business with Fritz and Steve, and overall.
What would happen when Ross got to OKC? It seemed that they could not just "Put together" a new oil and gas deal on a monthly basis to keep things moving until the natural gas strike was fully evaluated.
When Ross got to OKC, that would be seen./
