it all starts at the TOP w/ BOSS ALVIN

Like many people in their respective workplaces, the tone of Dan Driver's workplace was set by the  owner, Alvin Hallst  The owner decided he wanted a small company, Tri State School for Drivers.  Everyone there called it TSSD  He had only 9 driving instructors in a tri-state area that included Indiana, Wisconsin & Illinois.  He was originally a lawyer who did remarkably well as a patent attorney.  No one at Dan's workplace from the second in command to the lowliest gofer could figure out why Alvin left his law firm after successfully practicing law for 30 years.  

Left it he did.  He had peculiar ways.  He loved and lusted over secrecy.  The more intrigue and what he considered "healthy gossip," the happier he seemed.  He had a biting sense of humor, and most of all he wanted to keep employees alert and ready to answer questions.  Dan accidentally heard the big secret 3 months after being hired.  

Dan was summoned into the office to do some office work when one of the senior staff member called in sick.  Dan said that was fine, because he had been a receptionist, a secretary at other offices and a "jack of all trades" in his previous work experience.  As he was working, Dan found out just how powerful John Hess, Alvin Hallst's second in command was.
He was the IT man, and he was the officer manager. Where there were 9 instructors-3 for each state- John Hess had a platoon of 10 staff members who were dedicated to both him and Alvin Hallst.  Yet, Dan started off with a very good rapport with John.  Dan would listen to how "old man Hallster took time off and left him and his team 'running the show'".  Dan talked about "old man Hallster still loved to cross examine employees.  One time he even said that they all should start nicknaming him Vince Foster (after the important White House aide for Clinton who killed himself in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Washington, D.C.  Dan gave him a sympathetic look that Thursday, and said, "it's that bad, John????"

"Naah, it just feels like it sometimes. I mean he's paying me a lot, but he expects a lot. That happens at companies," mused John.  

"Yeah, our good friend Tony had his ups and downs," Dan smiled. 

"That he did, Dan!" John smiled back.  Tony left TSSD after a shouting match with Alvin.  Tony was a mutual friend of both John and Dan before Dan was hired. 

That day, Dan worked next to Alvin's office.  He heard sotto voices with Alvin Hallst sounding like Darth Vader. Two of the most powerful men at TSSD discussing the big news going on in their little corporation.

"How many people has Jim from the DMV over at Lake County referred to us?" asked Alvin Hallst.

"12 of them," repllied John Hess.

"12 in what period of time?" interrogated Alvin. 

"6 weeks," answered John.
"What about the other counties in the other states?" continued Alvin.

"There are 30 referrals in Wisconsin and 40 in Illinois," replied John.

"Good!  That ought to keep the 9 instructors busier.  They need to earn their keep for our company," asserted Alvin.  "Jim! Come here and help John with more details about who we have at these DMVs that have been very helpful to us."

There was a silence and awkward pause.  Dan was taking Jim's place as the secretary helping out John Hess.  

"Al, ummm, Jim's not here.  Dan's taking his place," explained John Hess. 

"Dan, don't you have any people you have to drive?" frowned Alvin.

"I told Dan to come in for Jim.  He has experience as an office worker, and when Jim called in sick, we needed him."

"Dan get in here! Have a seat," Alvin ordered. 

"Yes, Alvin?" Dan asked as he raced into the office. 

"Sit right there!  Dan, do you realize what an outstanding place you work for??  You work for TSSD.  We have one of the best schools in a 200 mile square area!  You better show us how good you really are. Everything you told me you could do at the job interview, you damn well better prove to me in the coming months!  You want to know what one of the smartest things you can do is?"

"No, sir, what is that?" Dan humbly asked. 

"KEEPING YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT!!  

WHAT YOU HEAR HERE. 

WHAT YOU SEE HERE.

YOU DAMN WELL BETTER KEEP HERE.  Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir, of course!"

"John what does Dan need to improve in since we hired him?"
"Well.....Dan's been doing a pretty good job," replied John.

"Oh don't GIVE ME THAT SHIT! !  If you don't know any of his mistakes, you're not doing your job.  And I pay you big bucks, DAMNIT!!" howled Alvin Hallster at his second in command. 

"Well, he has been late to some of the Behind the Wheel sessions," said John. 

"Clean up your act, Dan!" implored Alvin, "what are you working on?"

"I have five parents to call back who left us questions on the voicemail," Dan quickly shot back. 

"Well, get out of here and get to it!" Alvin ordered. 

Dan walked out smiling.  He was used to being yelled at.  He recalled being praised one week and then the boss summoning into the office and firing him, saying, "there's nothing wrong with your work performance........we just couldn't pay you anymore....lotta cutbacks we need to do in the coming months."  Bosses' offices were like lion dens.  You better walk smart, talk smart and BE SMART when they start asking questions!   

Dan was looking forward to driving the next day in Lake County.