Hoffers Greenfield had hidden as bird in his bullet proof Porsche for over an hour now. He was full of disappointment and contempt as he beheld his furious staff protest outside the Hoffers Food.
He could see quite a number of them holding placards, horrible paintings of his image, demonstrating , clamoring , chanting over nonpayment of salary . They held furious hostile faces and it was by chance that his security restricted a few of them to a spot.
Hoffers sucked in a breath of relief the moment he caught sight of his aide advancing to his Porsche.
He wound down even before the aide surged closer, “What is happening?” he queried with the intent of one not satisfied with his sight.
His aide tilted his neck and peered at him; at the time he was struggling to catch his breath, “Boss I am scared. I would suggest you remain in your Porsche for now…”
Hoffers’ brow folded as he interrupted him, “Why?” Suddenly his eyes summoned redness at the sight of some staff armed with logs and stones. “Why are they protesting in such a crazy manner?”
His aide quickly shot a glance across the protesting staff to see if it was safe to stay put, “Boss you must not alight from your car unless you don’t love your ass. The staff are angry and they have planned to beat you to a pop upon sight.” His voice sank in caution.
Hoffers’ lips curled; tension transformed his face, “What do you mean by that? I thought I had meeting with them three days ago over the nonpayment of salary. I know I owe them two weeks salary. It is more than a nightmare to me as well. But I can’t help it…” his voice snapped before his gaze fell.
His aide shook his head in disapproval, “Boss, those staff of yours are not only angry but hungry. They have been barking at the tops of their lungs, demanding for a more concrete explanation.”
“More concrete explanation?” Hoffers’ jaw sagged before his gaze fell upon the staffers pushing against the boundary of his security who restricted them through clenched teeth, “Didn’t you give them the briefing this morning as we agreed?”
He shook his head twice. “I did, boss but you know how insatiable staffers could be. They say they want to hear from you before they can take any decision, that is a concrete decision as well.”
Hoffers looked through the window and saw the impatience growing in their eyes as they struggled with the bands of security. He wondered if it was safe to alight and convince them that I was responsible for the nonpayment of salary, perhaps at the mention of my name the impending violence might quell.
Nevertheless he had huge doubt about his staffers believing his argument, “Would they even believe it if I tell them what the world richest man did to me? Would they believe me? I really want to alight and address this issue.” His voice housed tears and he pressed on, “Yes I want to alight…”
“Boss!” his aide interrupted and dragged a cautious brow at him, “I wouldn’t advise you to dare your God. Don’t alight for now. I overheard some staff planning to mob you as innumerable bees. This is Rio Hondo , boss. Staying without salary for two weeks is enough to light you up like the barbecue meant for the devil.”
Suddenly flashes of camera light fell upon them and when he cast a survey glance across the road he saw some paparazzi and journalist keeping themselves busy with the ongoing drama which seemed to creep into chaos soon.
“I wish my security could drive away those paparazzi and journalist. I don’t want to get in the news for the wrong reasons. This very dilemma could smear the image of my restaurant and halt patronage.”
His aide intoned after lowering his gaze to him, “Boss that is not the problem right now. The problem is what is the way forward for us, your staff? More than a handful of your most trusted staff have decided to resign after this fate.” He watched as Hoffers sucked a more tensed breath the moment he uttered that.
Hoffers shook his head in disappointment and stroked his short brown hair, “Oh Mike Don you have ruined me. How am I going to convince these infuriated lions to wait till five months before they could earn salary…?”
“Five months?” his aide interrupted him and supported it with a broadened gaze which emphasized on the trouble that accompanied it. “Is it not better you give them your ass to whip you till you cry like a child. Five months would be disastrous, boss. Don’t even let them hear that. The two weeks is almost becoming a coup let alone five months. I suggest you disappear into your roast until the tension calms down for now, else I am sure they would mob you upon sight.”
Hoffers glared and a vein popped from his neck at the thought of me, “See what the world richest man has plunged me into. Mike Don has done the worst. This is maddening. How can I lose my staff, my empire just in one day?” he sniffed and narrowed his gaze the moment a stone from the clamoring staff landed in front of his Porsche.
Hofferers and the aide flinched in fear as they glared around.
His aide peered down to him, “This is the tip of the ice berg. This is exactly what I am talking about, boss. In fact I may have to join you in your car. I can’t stand their fury anymore. Further communication with them will be by phone.” He beckoned and when Hoffers breathed uneasily and rolled his eyes at him, he took it for a yes, and joined him in the car.
“I don’t have a dime on me, I would have trailed Mike Don to Paris, and get my two million dollars from him…” he had barely grunted when his aide interrupted him by clearing his clogged throat.
“But boss, are you sure you would ever get hold on that money? Is there not more to this? The man involved here is the world richest man. I am not sure he is broke as to not be able to refund you.”
Hoffers clenched his jaw and swore in his breath. His countenance fell and tension flushed across his face.
His aide noticed it, “Boss is there anything you want to share with me? Have you ever hurt Mike Don before?”
Hoffers shut his eyes and swallowed hard. He regretted it all now...