Out of the Crisis.Org

[Louis Altazan]

Bob was awaken suddenly by the rattle of chains. Frightened by the shadowy figure before him he asked, “Who are you?” The spirit said, “I am the ghost of Christmas past, come with me.” The ghost touched his hand and instantly Bob was in the past. He was in the shop of his past employer and was looking at himself as a young tech. “Well Bob, his boss said, you have done an excellent job this year, thank you for the extra effort you put in, here’s your Christmas bonus.” The boss went to each of the other twenty employees and did the same. “He was such a nice guy and a pleasure to work for,” Bob told the spirit. The boss then said, Merry Christmas to all of you and don’t forget the Christmas party tonight. Have a great time with your days off, and I’ll see you after the first of the year. Bob fondly remembered how much he had enjoyed working there and how pleasant it had been. Suddenly the image was gone and he was back home in his bed. He shook his head and thought, I must have been dreaming, he turned over and went back to sleep.

Again Bob was awakened, but this spirit was not as pleasant as the last. “What’s this, who are you?” I am the ghost of Christmas present, come with me! The spirit touched Bob’s hand and he was instantly in his shop. The two techs were talking to each other, “Man, here it is 5PM Christmas eve and old Scrooge just took in two more service jobs.” I’m supposed to be at my son’s Christmas play at six, we were supposed to get off at 4:30. Yea and the worse part is he doesn’t even appreciate a thing you do. I know, what a grouch. I always work as slow as I can and I tell you, anytime I get a chance to get back at him I will. I don’t blame you, I feel the same way, I just hope they call me from that other shop where I put in the application. Yea, me too, as soon as Summer comes I’m out of here. Working here has been the longest five months of my life.

“They should be working and not wasting my time talking, snarled Bob.” Ungrateful wretches they should be glad to have a job, I may just fire them both. Poof! The image was gone and Bob was back in his bed. Man what a night Bob thought, I’ll never eat pepperoni and anchovy pizza before going to bed again. He turned over and was soon sleeping.

This time when Bob awoke the spirit was horrifying. I am the ghost of Christmas future he boomed! Now Bob was truly scared and tried to hide himself under the covers. The ghost grabbed his hand and off they went. They were standing in an ultra modern shop, sparkling clean, modern equipment, and obviously quite successful. There were Bob’s two ex-techs, working side by side. One said, “Are you just about done, it’s almost closing time.” Yea just wiping off the engine covers and I’ll be done.” Me too, I just want to put a drop of oil on this door hinge, I heard it squeak when I got out of it. Good deal, we need to take care of the clients.

“Hey, did you hear old man Bob finally closed down?” Was he still in business? I thought he was gone years ago? Well, he’s been working by himself for about ten years, I drive by there on my way home. Never any cars in the lot, I don’t know how he hung on this long. Well, I won’t loose any sleep worrying about that old crab, leaving there was the best thing I ever did. You and me both friend. Just then the boss walks up and says, “The client with that red Tahoe you worked on yesterday just called, said it has never driven this well since he has had it.” I just thought you would like to know, and by the way I appreciate the job both of you guys do. Now get out of here and don’t forget the Christmas party tonight. I think Santa has a little something for all of you guys.

Next the spirit took Bob to the small dark office of his shop. He saw a haggard old man, all alone and with no friends. His business gone along with his resources and not much to show for his life. Is that me? Is this the way it has to be, or just one possible future? Is it too late? Surely it’s not too late, I can change, I can change!

All of a sudden Bob was awake. The sun was just coming up. “I can change, I can change,” he kept repeating. He hurriedly got dressed and rushed off to his shop. Bob cranked up his computer and went to his balance sheet. After crunching some numbers he decided he could easily afford a raise for both of his techs. Not only that, but he could make it retroactive, in the form of a bonus. He could also put them on salary and start working to make things a more enjoyable. He would call the heating contractor Monday and have the heating system in the shop repaired. He quickly wrote out two checks and headed off to the homes of his employees . . .

_________________
Louis Altazan
Owner/Manager AGCO Automotive Corporation
Baton Rouge, LA

[MattFMN]

And I thought the original spoke volumes.... Great job! Thanks for the time you put into doing this, Louis. I will forever be greatful. Later, Matt.

_________________
Matt Fanslow
ASE CMAT/L1
Crag-Technologies, Inc
www.wavehook.com