62. Famous Act 3
Mr. Henry Watson, the first registrant, was pleased to be the first person to be accredited and he walked into the makeshift auction ground with aplomb. When the three hundred and thirteen persons who registered before the deadline had taken their seats, they began to wait for the stipulated time.
At The Shooting Range
Apart from George, the two boys were thrilled to experience the practicals. It was different from the monotonous and dull training they had in school. Not only that, training with professionals and their seniors was a delight.
“If only we could take photographs with the Brigadier and the team to show our friends in school? It would have been nice,” Gerald wished but he could not.
Apart from not having his phone, no soldier was doing that. Not even George, whom they did not know, was there for the first time, and he behaved himself.
After the two hours of training, Tim walked back to the car park and got into his car. They joined him afterward and he drove off.
“How was the training?” He asked.
“It was wonderful,” George, who was in the front seat, answered.
“It was great, Brother-in-law,” Gerald answered too.
“That is good to hear,” Tim declared.
Now, everyone waited for Samuel's opinion, but he was lost in thought, and they wondered why.
All the same, they continued the trip in silence until Samuel made up his mind and dropped a bombshell.
“Brother-in-law, don't worry. When we get home, I will teach you everything they taught us.”
To say that George laughed out loud was an understatement. Despite all Tim's efforts to suppress his laughter, he rubbed his hand through his head and laughed softly.
“That is thoughtful of you, Samuel. I can't wait to learn from you,” he appreciated and informed him.
However, their body language was confusing to the two boys but Samuel accepted, “You are welcome, Brother-in-law.”
At that point, it occurred to George that they did not know much about him.
“Why do they call him brother-in-law? Is the Boss married? Or is any of them married to his sister,” he thought but kept it to himself.
Shortly, they were at home. They quickly had their breakfast, dressed up and Tim left with George for the office.
The Auxiliary Armory PLC
Tim drove George into the premises and stopped at the makeshift auction ground.
“I will be monitoring the activities from the car.”
“It is okay, Boss.”
“I will send a message to you if I see anything going wrong,” he informed George.
“I got it, Boss,” he responded and got out of the car while Tim parked at a vantage point where he could see into the activities in the auction ground.
“Good morning, Captains,” George saluted as many managers who were present when he walked in.
They joyously responded to his greetings. Meanwhile, George observed that the items they found in the store were not there and he called the General Manager's attention.
“What about the items in the store? Are we not auctioning them again?”
“Oh! I will get them at once,” he promised and walked away.
Meanwhile, the Accountant and his two staff members were together at the Admin Table when the manager of their bank, Mr. Paul Forest, walked up to him.
“Good morning, Capt. Graham,” he greeted warmly.
He looked up and gave him a warm smile before he responded, “Good morning, Manager. I'm so happy to see you.”
“Thank you. How is it going?”
“We will soon start. Meanwhile, allow me to introduce you to my new President,” the Accountant announced and got up.
“That's good to know. I have been wishing to see him,” the manager said and they walked to George.
“Meet Mr. Paul Forest, Sgt. Young. The manager of the Imperial Bank.”
George got up and greeted him warmly, “Good morning, Mr. Forest. I am delighted to meet you.”
“Good morning, Sgt. Young. I am happy to meet you too,” the manager responded warmly and hoped that the Accountant would take him to the President for the introduction but he was in for a shocker.
“Meet our President, Mr. Forest,” he stated and his expression failed.
Nevertheless, no matter how small and disturbing a mosquito is, one cannot chase it with a cutlass (African Proverb).
Despite George's age and size, Mr. Forest had no choice but to acknowledge him as the President, “I am so glad to meet you, Sgt. Young.”
“It is my pleasure. Thank you for buying the cars.”
“It is my pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to use your premises for the auction sales.”
“Consider it as nothing.”
The Accountant led the befuddled Manager back to his seat. Meanwhile, the General Manager insisted that Stephanie must be the host despite her resistance.
“I have never done it before, Captain,” she declared.
“No one has,” he responded and she was disappointed.
“Prepare yourself for that. There is always a first time,” he encouraged her.
Now, it was ten zero, zero hours, and time to start. He looked at her and ordered, “Sgt. Young said you should start.”
On hearing 'Sgt. Young', she jolted and looked around fearfully. Meanwhile, everyone was too busy to notice her fear. Instantly, she got up and collected the Mic from the media team.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to this one of its kind event. I am Stephanie Benjamin, your host for today.”
'And she said she can't do it,' the General Manager murmured as he listened to her.
(Clap! Clap!! Clap!!!)
Stephanie never believed that she was doing well until the audience, including George, clapped for her, and she was encouraged.
“Thank you for that. Without taking your time, I will go straight to the bidding. We are all familiar with the rules and regulations of an Auction. So, let us start.”
At Laura's House
Since she knew nothing about the auction sales and the subsequent events after granting an interview to the pressmen did not permit her to confirm the details from the President and get back to the public, she lost interest.
Although they were mourning the disappearance of their family members they took solace in the belief that they would return someday. They were chatting and watching television in the parlor after their breakfast when a familiar building appeared, and it aroused Laura's interest.
“This is our complex,” she declared aloud and her parents looked on.
“Do you have any program today?” Her father asked.
“None that I can remember,” she answered and looked intently at the television.
Now, she could see the managers and other familiar faces.
“What is going on?”
She got the answer to her question when Stephanie began to anchor the occasion.
“Back biter. This is what she wants. To take over my job,” she declared.
“What are you talking about, Laura?” Her mother asked.
“She is the colleague who vilified me before the President's Representative and he hated me. Now she is doing my work.”
Her parents were so worked up over her explanation and would not take it.
“Get ready and go to the office. How can you allow her to take your job?” Her father declared.
Suddenly, her fighting spirit was rekindled and she got up.
“You are right, Father,” she said.