THE TIMING by JOE PARENTE (best books to read for beginners .txt) 📖

job than signing up a client. You have to keep your appointments and you have to be on time. Most important, be on time. When were you supposed to meet the client this morning?”

“Before noon,” I said.

He wrinkled his forehead, “you have to be more specific than that. Rhortec Inc. is always specific about exact appointment times. Look at your itinerary. I am sure that there is a written, to the second, time. What time did you expect to be there? For your own sake, be accurate now.”

I looked at the ceiling trying to remember specifics. “I was going to get there a little early, so I could, you know, research them first.”

“For Christ sakes, don’t you remember your training about being on time and never late or early? You have to be exact or you will screw things up real bad you idiot!”

I stood up, “what gives you the gall to talk to me that way? If you knew what I have gone through today you”—

He broke in, “did you leave the building before your planned time?”

“Yeah?” I said quizzically.

“Were things a little off?” he asked.

“Were they ever!” I was still enraged. “And things were all closed outside, I mean, it looked like nighttime!”

“Keep your voice down.” He gestured with his palms. “I have got to get out of here; you might have been over heard”.

“Hey wait I can’t believe this is happening. You mean I wasn’t hallucinating about the night and closed stores and the”-

“No, you weren't,” he looked around. “I gotta go, I don’t want to be discovered. I’ll be in touch soon. Meanwhile just do your damn job”.

“But you need to answer some questions.”

“Later.” He held a hand up like a traffic cop, and was gone.

I stood there with my mouth open. I needed a drink and fast. I have never felt so totally in the dark as I have at this minute. Something was definitely wrong.


THE TIMING Joe Parente


Chapter 2


At least one thing was good to me last night: me. Not over doing it, I didn’t hunt the elusive two-legged dear. Keeping myself out of trouble had some rewards. The most important one, I didn’t have a headache. It was 7: AM, and plenty of rest was absorbed. For once, this coming of a brand new day was welcomed. I was in a good mood despite the turmoil that I had been through the previous morning. I had great and many questions that were still unanswered. I had decided to do my job as Frank had suggested.

It was kind of a survival thing I guess. I did have to keep the paycheck coming in.

I had plenty of time to go over my plan to nail the next customer, so I started to study them. Reading up on the portfolio that Rhortec had supplied went well with the large breakfast that room service had delivered. With my eye on the clock, my sober brain had arranged the perfect framework of time to walk into the client’s office. I am sure that this was going to be a perfect day.

The company I had to visit at eleven was a small one with a large potential. The CEO and founder was William Foster with about ninety employees. The company, Baetacom, was a very friendly family owned business. It seemed that William’s wife’s son and daughter were the headliners. They specialized in cell messaging, an up and coming field. The problem was the competition, or at least too much competition. If cell messaging was orange juice, the competition was like adding too much water to the mix. No one got a good glass. I could see that they needed help in improving profits from the Rhortec program. I looked forward to our meeting.

It was getting to that time when the elevator ride to the lobby was due, so off I go with my Rhortec supplied briefcase. Clean tie and shiny shoes, what could be better than that. Whistling perhaps? Nah, never could whistle.

Here we are in the lobby, as I ordered the cab from the bell man. He showed his concern for which I was grateful. As soon as the taxi showed, I was up and at it and ready to leave the building. I was right on with the schedule. I reached for the door with a little apprehension of yesterday’s unusual happening. Stepping onto the street I looked back through the hotel windows and noticed the bell man with a smile, he was looking directly at me.

It was a pure beautiful bright morning. The traffic was busy as were the pedestrians. I got into the cab and the driver asked, “where to sir.”

“Do you know where Baetacom Inc is located?” I was looking at the portfolio.

“Yes sir, about fifteen minutes from here,” he looked at me in his mirror.

“Well that’s fine; I have to be there right at 11:00.” I checked my watch.

He assured, “no problem sir.”

The cab pulled up at the correct time and I got out and paid the fare. Two at a time, I took the steps and proceeded to present my card to the receptionist. ”Mr. Foster is expecting you, please follow me.” She had the nicest ass, so following her was an easy task.

We arrived at his office and Judy, I asked her name, introduced me. “Mr. Foster, this is your 11: AM, this is Mr. Warner.” We shook hands.

He read my card. “Come right in Brad, would you like coffee?”

“That would be refreshing, thank you.” He gestured to a seat next to his desk.

He pressed the intercom button, "coffee, please, Judy.”

“I hope all is well with you today Brad, I got a follow up call from your boss, uh, Mr. Rhorem. He told me that you had eaten something that had made you sick. Are you okay now?”

Judy entered with a tray. “There you are dad.”

I took a double take, “thank you.”

“Brad?” Mister Foster caught me with a smile as I took the cup from her.

I was surprised that the old man had called him. “Excuse me, much better today sir.”

He said quickly, “please, call me Bill.” He scooted into his chair. “Well, please tell me more about your company.”

Being poor at canned spiels, I explained the program. ”Well Mr. Fos- I mean Bill, we as a company have been in existence and have been able to stay in existence because we believe in making your company more money. When you win, we win. You could almost say that we create a marriage with the sole intent for you to create more profit. The bottom line is quite an important thing for companies such as yours do you agree?”

“Well of course Brad, go on.”

“We do this in a way that will let you control your own company and still reap the benefits through the use of our knowledge of time management. We have on our staff of world-renowned experts that will put in place a comprehensive program that will enable you to reach your dream goals. By the careful study of the workings of your company, our experts will find ways to increase efficiency so that labor costs will be reduced. The quality of your finished products or programs are not compromised in any way. Of course, all of this comprehensive study is done on a complete confidential way; we will never jeopardize your company secrets or other things that you want to keep private.”

“What is required of me to get things started?” His interest peaked.

“All we ask is that you follow our direction to the letter. There can be no variation, except for changes that you can make with our approval.” I was coming in for the kill.

“Wait now, it sounds as though you will be taking over my company.” He said nervously.

“On the contrary, Bill, you have complete control at all times. You alone will reap the benefits; you alone will spend your new profits. We have never lost a client because companies that sign up with us continue to grow beyond their expectations. What do you say Bill, wouldn’t you like to take your company to the next step?” I waited for an answer.

“Look Brad, I know that we have had our problems. I know that something needs to happen to keep us on the razors edge. If you don’t mind, I would like to look at your contract. I would like to run this by my wife.”

Attempting to use my trained closing techniques, I said, “Does your wife always make your decisions sir?”

“Of course not.”

I felt the closing. “Well if she does not make the important decisions, what is to stop you from those dreams you had when you started this company?”

“Well I”-

I continued “You know Bill, I took the liberty to fill out every thing on this contract.” I pulled the paper work from my briefcase. “And all you have to do is to sign right here.” I pointed to the signature line.

Hesitantly “What if I don’t like the program?”

“If ever we do not do what we promise in the way of increasing your business, we will be required to correct the situation within ninety days. The ninety days starts upon your notification. If at that time business does not grow as we state in this agreement, we will relinquish the contract. The better your company does, the better we do. It is as simple as that.”

“It sounds good, let me read.” He gestured with an open palm.

“Here you are Bill, say do you have any more of that coffee?”

Bill took the contract. “Sure Brad, if you don’t mind, just see my daughter in front. That will give me some time to read this over.”

Leaving him alone with the contract, I felt confident that things were going very well, in fact extremely well. I walked to the reception area. “Hello Judy, your father sent me in for more coffee.”

“Certainly, Mister—“

“Please, Brad, if you don’t mind,” I interrupted.

“Certainly, Brad,” she said as she gave the most beautiful glance.

“How long have you worked for your dad?” I prodded.

“Let’s