36. Different Idea
At that point, they were scared especially the Head of security who he hit on Friday. Unknown to George, the Corporal did not notify them that he sent for them.
However, he attributed it to a slight on his office and barked, “All of you, go down on your knees.”
“We apologize, …,” one of them tried to apologize instead of kneeling.
“Don't disobey my order or you will be in for it,” he interrupted him and warned.
Presently, they were on their knees and George faced the Corporal and inquired, “Where is the guardroom?”
“It's beside the Maintenance Department, General," he answered.
“That is good. Let them hop to the guardroom and lock them up. They will be there until I say otherwise.”
“I got it, General,” he answered, and they hopped to the guardroom, which was two thousand meters away.
Meanwhile, they were not aware of their offenses. They attributed the punishment to not walking fast to him and nothing more.
In The Office
After George and the General Manager left, Laura walked to the toilet to ease her emotions.
“Who is the Housemaster and how do I contact him?”
After weeping and basking in self-pity, she resolved, “I will search Tim's remaining properties when I get home. I may find his old diary.”
Thereafter, she dried her tears, walked back to her office, and met Gilbert, relaxing on the couch, and cared less whether she was troubled or not.
Before she could sit down, George and the eight managers walked into the office.
At The Headquarters
After His Excellency spoke with Tim, his Second in Command walked in to update him on the social media post.
“This is serious!” He exclaimed after listening to his story.
“I was shocked when he acknowledged that he was responsible for it.”
“What does he intend to achieve by that?”
“Who knows? Probably to prove that the Commandant was incompetent.”
“If that is the case, the Commandant is not safe.”
“That is it. And he considered him a friend.”
The Head of State thought for a while and decided, “Arrange for a meeting with the two of them.”
His deputy gave him a searching look and he made it clear to him, “We will settle the differences between them. They are important to us, and their bickering may cost us a lot.”
“I got it, Your Excellency.”
“Meanwhile, I have a broadcast to make now.”
“Broadcast?”
“Yes. To congratulate the President of Savannah on their victory.”
“That is a good one. He will like it.”
“Yes. That would give us more clients.”
“That is true.”
Afterward, he gave the broadcast.
(I, the Head of State, and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Canterbury, His Excellency, Gen. Felix Richmond, congratulates his Savannah counterpart, Gen. Muncie Tarter.)
Nevertheless, the broadcast set the airwaves ablaze with different comments.
(The power behind the Savannah victory has been exposed.)
(It is no longer a secret.)
(That is partiality.)
(Canterbury is biased.)
(Why the preferential treatment?)
At that point, the Savannah Head of State and his Minister, who had kept their source of supply away from the public, were emboldened and responded to the compliment.
(Thank you, Gen. Felix Richmond and the good people of Canterbury for finding us worthy of your support. We are not taking it for granted.)
From the look of things, Canterbury may be attacked to sound out the reason for their preference.
(Is the South Coast, not a country. Why did they prefer Savannah to them.)
The comments were endless.
At Tim's House
Within two hours, he had constructed five thousand two hundred firearms by himself both the fire control parts and the parts made on machines, and was not tired. Suddenly, he recalled his discussion with the Head of State and wondered if he had done that. He stopped his work and checked the war news.
“Oh, so soon!” He exclaimed with delight and watched further.
After watching and reading their comments, he hissed, “Yes. We are preferential. You can sue us if you like.”
He continued with his work but as a military man, he believed that an enemy attack was imminent and was on high alert. He stopped monitoring his office and concentrated on his work. Before lunch, he had exhausted the raw materials and sent a message to George. (Ask the Production Manager to commence production immediately).
At The Auxiliary Armory PLC
She was surprised to see the managers but smiled weakly at them and greeted, “Good morning, Captains.”
“Good morning, Secretary,” they responded hastily and walked into the office.
They settled down and began to brainstorm on how to sell the seven hundred and thirty-five cars.
“When will the auction take place?” The General Manager asked.
“I won't mind if it takes place now,” George emphasized.
“We need time for publicity,” the Head of the Transport Department pointed out.
“If we can get a buyer to buy them off presently, will it fly?” The Accountant inquired at once.
“Why not? That will enable us to buy the buses earlier than we planned and save Capt. Bruce the stress of sleeping in the office,” George teased and the other managers were left gobsmacked.
They faced the Head of the Transport Department instantly,
“Did he sleep in the office?” Capt. Jaja asked anxiously.
George smiled and explained, “He did not but I was surprised to see him when I came.”
“That is commendable,” they said simultaneously and the meeting continued.
The best thing that happened to Laura was that George rendered her redundant which allowed her the time to nurse her wound. At that point, they heard the bell sound from the President's office and she was nervous.
Nevertheless, she was not strong enough for any bickering with George and could not withstand more inconveniences from him. She looked at the janitor who was idling on the couch.
“I will answer him,” he said and got up before she could speak.
Laura breathed freely and encouraged him, “Kindly do.”
He walked into the office and George's lips were spread in a happy smile.
“You sent for me, Boss,” he announced and George was happy to see him instead of Laura.
“Yes, Gilbert. Kindly serve us with tea or coffee.”
To Gilbert, the task was his lifeline and he must give his all.
“I got it, Sgt. Young. Do you want tea or coffee?” He asked.
George was pleased with his coordination and answered, “Coffee for me, please.”
“Okay, Boss,” he accepted and looked at the other managers. They said their brands one after the other and he served them accordingly.
At The General Manager's Office
After the meeting, the Accountant followed him and he was surprised that he stopped by.
“What brings you, Charles?” He asked curiously.
“I have an idea concerning the auction sales,” he stated and the General Manager requested immediately, “Let's hear it, please.”
“I am proposing that we buy the cars from the company and sell them at a higher rate to the public afterward. What do you think?”
His proposal seemed good to him and his eyes widened in excitement.
“That is a good idea but do we have that kind of money?”
“We will work it out if it is acceptable to you and the other managers.”
Without thinking twice, the General Manager concurred, “It's acceptable to me. What are your plans?”
“We can contact the bank for a quick loan.”
“That is good, but will the bank agree to that, considering the short notice?”
“Leave that to me. No bank would turn Auxiliary Armory PLC down. I will work it out.”
“It is all right. Inform the other managers.”
“I will,” he said and left very fulfilled.