Dedicated to the unemployed.

* * * * *

Perfect virtue is to do unwitnessed
that which we should be capable of doing before the world.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld

The person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous.
Jawaharlal Nehru

Author’s Introduction

My concern over the rampant downsizing affecting so many has resulted in my
writing this novel - a unique view of downsizing as seen from the point of view of
cats that run a cheese manufacturing corporation.

Introduction By Paul H. Tobias

Graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School
Senior Partner of Tobias, Kraus and Torchia

Every year millions of Americans are laid off – terminated because of alleged economic necessity. “Wall Street” has triggered these massive downsizing and corporate reorganizations by signaling dissatisfaction with stock price. Investment counselors advise corporate leaders that layoffs will show investors that cost cutting is taking place, which will lead to increased earnings. The watch word is maximization of profits. Fear of losing money or even making less than last year is not the driving force. The main objective is to drive up the price of the stock, which of course benefits the top executives holding valuable stock options.

The victims of layoffs suffer severe economic hardship and dislocation as well as emotional distress, loss of self-esteem and family and health problems. Usually companies pay a minimum amount of severance pay, give inadequate notice of layoff, and provide little assistance to the laid off employee with respect to retraining and job search. The selection process frequently impacts older workers, minorities and the disabled who are least able to find jobs with comparable earnings.

This book deals with a company confronted with the suggestion that “to stay ahead of the game” and increase the stock price, it “reorganize” and layoff a portion of the workforce. The book raises the other side of the coin – the ethical issues involved – the human price to be paid and the potential suffering of those who must leave. The book raises important issues concerning corporate culture, - the role of greed and selfishness versus the role of spiritual, human and righteous values. What makes the book dramatic and special is the parable form the issues take. The debate between top executives “Fat Cat” and Scaredy Cat” over the future of the cheese company is told in a refreshing and dramatic style. The courage of Scaredy Cat is to be admired. I won’t reveal the ending. But the message of the book is clear. Americans must take another look at the social harm caused by layoffs that are not really needed where there are alternatives and other ways to meet legitimate corporate objectives.

Meet the three tomcats serving on the Executive Committee in charge of a cheese manufacturing company, Avec Cheese, Inc.:

Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, Crafty Cat
Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, Scaredy Cat
Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kool Kitty

Our fictitious cats’ tale takes place in La Maize, Wisconsin

Numbers Aren't Everything.

It’s a routine morning at the office for Scaredy Cat until the phone rings with a call that turns his world upside down. He immediately recognizes CEO Crafty Cat’s voice, “A meeting’s called for tomorrow at 7AM sharp. Tell Kool Kitty. I’ve found our President. The board’s hired Fat Cat! You know – he’s the one who took Terra Firma’s stock from 42 to 60 in six months. He wants to hit the ground running by meeting with the committee first thing to outline his plan. We’re entering a whole new realm of possibilities with him at the helm. Look at our stock price now before the number fades from memory. It looks like the search firm’s nationwide year-long search has finally paid off. The Executive Committee is complete, and the board is ecstatic!”

There’s a click sound, and the phone goes dead before Scaredy has time to say a word. He shutters and feels his hair stand up all along his back from his tail to his head. He sits, stunned, listening to his heart beat faster and faster.

Fat Cat! Of all the cats on the entire planet, Crafty and the rest of the Board of Directors selected him. Ten years ago, as head of Dunham Machines, Fat Cat took out my brother, Dr. Blue Cat, in his third wave of downsizing.

I’ll never forget Blue’s call, “Hey Scaredy, I’m afraid I’ve just gotten some bad news. Fat Cat has eliminated the eastern R & D division so I’m history here. In fact I’m calling from my desk for the last time. I have to be out in two hours and only have time for one call. I’ve got to pack personal belongings accumulated over the last 23 years. I’ll tell May when I get home. I can’t talk to her just yet.”

I said, “But you can’t be serious. Your patents are responsible for 25% of their income, and you’re just two years away from retirement. I can’t believe it!”

“Me either. I can’t even think straight right now. Got to go. I’ll call you tonight.”

Scaredy now sits frozen in place, and stares down at his totally clean desk that only holds his phone and a note pad that he’s been using to jot down thoughts for his staff. His desk faces double mahogany doors that open toward the other executive suites. By the window he has a simple acrylic table and eight chairs that appear to be floating, invisible in the space that he uses for staff conferences. There’s nothing distracting in the office. No clutter or color. Monochromatic beige and brown. A large ten-foot wide mahogany cabinet of shelves behind closed doors houses all his reports, reference books and files.

“Reckless, pushy, dangerous, but savvy,” Scaredy scribbles a description of Fat Cat on the note pad as the implications slowly sink in.

There is no doubt that Fat Cat will cut, cut, cut. The questions are who, what, where, and when? I think I know why. From a personal standpoint, what should I say about cuts and to whom? Should I speak up in opposition? Risky since it may be safer to adopt an affirmative view of any proposals initiated by those with more power and influence than I. In fact, when the goal is known, many think it only logical to direct study outcomes toward the targeted results desired. Is this the only safe way to operate around office politics? Is this the right thing to do? Scaredy muses as his thoughts whirl around like a Ferris wheel.

Do I really want to be the lone voice on the Executive Committee to assert concerns and reservations regarding employee cuts? Should I air these? I have to hang in five more years to retire. I’m not sure I have the courage to speak up. But I don’t want a single cat here to be treated the way Blue was, and of course I don’t want to end up like Blue…………. and his thoughts once again return to Blue.

Commitment Should be Recognized And Rewarded.

Scaredy’s pupils narrow in anger as he recalls the day Blue lost his job.

I remember it like it was just yesterday. Blue came to the house and said, “You know…….. I just feel stupid for all the nights I worked late. I never came home before eight o’clock at night and missed seeing my kittens grow up. I worked about every other weekend on one project after another. Each was to be the next big discovery to keep us in the black - a never-ending push.”

I said, “I know. It’s just not right. Is there something I can do? Would you like me to call Fat Cat?”

“No, of course not. You know it wouldn’t do any good. I’m not going to grovel or beg, and I don’t want anyone to do that for me either.”

We both sat there in silence for a full minute or two. Then Blue said very softly, “I have never told you this, but mom called me at work the day before she died and said ‘come as soon as you can.’ I was finishing the Elytra Piston patent and had cats from our plant in Germany coming in that day. I explained how tied up I was and asked if it would be all right if I came by in a few days – on the following Sunday like I’d been planning, and she said yes. She needed me, she called me, and I said no – too busy. That was the last time I ever spoke to her. I play her words over and over in my mind, ‘come as soon as you…’ but his voice broke and the last word was choked as he started to cry. A few gasps turned into sobs, and his eyes spilled over with tears. He quickly covered his head with his paws. I’d never seen him cry. Not even at mama’s funeral. I reached over, hugged him tight and started to cry too.

As Scaredy sits at his desk his eyes begin to fill with tears, and he thinks, Great. This is really going to help. Pull yourself together. You’ve got to decide what your plan of action is.

He feels a wayward tear fall. It lands on his tie. He absentmindedly gets up, goes to his bathroom and opens the closet door, revealing a neatly color-coordinated array of ties, shirts and coats for occasions such as this. He selects a tie, stands in front of the mirror and grooms his shiny rust-toned tabby fur. This tie is just as conservative as the last. No one will notice the difference.

He’s decided to take a wait and see approach. He has to notify the other member of the Executive Committee, Kool Kitty, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, about Fat Cat and the meeting tomorrow. He’ll see how Kool Kitty reacts to the news. If he has reservations or concerns, then the two of them may be able to sway Crafty Cat. If anyone can influence an outcome, it’s Kool Kitty. He’s very persuasive. He has the ability to think on his feet, stating four or more logical, compelling reasons for you to do what he wants you to do, so you feel you can’t refuse.

He walks over to Kool Kitty’s office next to his and finding the door open, he looks in. Kool Kitty is talking on the telephone but smiles a friendly greeting and motions widely with his free paw, beckoning to Scaredy Cat to come in while he concludes his conversation. Kool Kitty is so heavy his stomach sticks out like a ball when he’s seated.

Scaredy Cat moves tentatively to just inside the door. He wonders how long Kool Kitty will be since he’s friendly and warm over the phone, just like he is in person – almost gushy as far as Scaredy is concerned. He tends to go on and on, asking questions, telling jokes, and gossiping. It’s hard to tell if this is a personal call or a business call.

Kool Kitty motions toward a chair so Scaredy walks over to one of the two chairs in front of Kool’s desk and sinks into one of the antique down-cushioned chairs. Scaredy busies himself looking at the huge disheveled array of family snapshots on Kool Kitty’s desk. Informal photos and little grammar school scribbles by his kittens are on every surface where there is not a stack of papers – organized chaos, Scaredy decides. Or maybe just chaos.

Kool Kitty ends the conversation and hangs up. He gets up and greets Scaredy with a big paw shake. “What brings you way over here?” he says with a grin so big his whiskers shake.

“Have you heard the news about Fat Cat?” asks Scaredy.

“No, what?”

Scaredy tells Kool Kitty about Fat Cat coming aboard and about the meeting in the morning. To see what reaction he gets Scaredy says, “You know Fat Cat is known as a downsizing specialist.”

“Yes. That’s what I understand. He’ll probably make some changes. Seven is early though.”

Kool’s tone is very matter-of-fact and dismissive so Scaredy leaves it at that and says, “I’d better get back. See you in the morning. It’s going to be interesting.”

“It sure will. You know, I’ve been meaning to thank you again for having us over the other night for the cookout. Sure was fun. I’m glad we had a chance to bring my sons Keenan and Nathan over before they start back to school.”

“We enjoyed it too. I’ll see you later. I’ve got to run now.” Scaredy’s not in the mood for chitchat.

Scaredy considers calling a meeting of his team, but it’s after five o’clock so he decides to wait until after he meets Fat Cat in the morning. He wonders why Fat Cat has not been seen around the office. Fat Cat hasn’t even moved in yet so it seems a meeting so soon is rushing it – but the scuttlebutt is Fat Cat is very action oriented.

An Overinflated Ego Can Burst.

That same evening Fat Cat brings in a moving team of facility management contractors to implement his move. He meets the team at 7 PM with all the necessary keys and security codes he needs. He’s studied the floor plan so he already knows the office layout like the back of his paw - where everyone works and what each employee does according to his or her job description.

He noisily bursts in with his team and makes his way confidently across the 24th floor toward his office. Fifteen cats carrying furniture, boxes, plants, pictures and an assortment of books and files maneuver down the halls behind him with the precision of a battalion on a mission of destruction. Fat Cat’s long gray Persian fur ripples in the breeze. His huge appearance, due to having so much fur, is what earned him his nickname. He’s not the slightest bit fat.

As he walks by each executive and manager’s office he silently plays a game. He guesses who’ll be working at that hour based on his research and instincts. He's mistaken by only one guess by the time he and his entourage arrive at his expansive suite. He thought Scaredy would be working late as usual, but he isn’t.

He leaves the team to do their work while he dines at a nearby restaurant. It takes the team merely an hour and fifteen minutes to assemble the entire room. When the set up is complete, Fat Cat receives a call from the team leader on his cell phone so he returns to the office to inspect the finished product.

He says, “I’m happy with the plan with one exception. That custom-made console table of twisted aluminum over there needs to be moved to the right about four inches to be more centered on the wall.”

His request is filled, and the team exits.

Fat Cat remains to briefly revel in the result. He’s pleased with the warm, powerful atmosphere that’s been created. Newspaper clippings that mention him hang as trophies on three walls. One wall contains nothing except photographs of him with various Presidents of the United States. Numerous golf awards are displayed on shelves, and a corner cabinet is filled with memorabilia from his tenure as student body president of Harvard. The look is traditional with the exception of the custom contemporary brushed aluminum table.

He sits behind his huge antique Partner Desk that has enough room for two people to work facing each other. He's not used to seeing a clean desk. He looks outside briefly at all the twinkling city lights as they compete with stars for attention, but he hardly notices them. Views don’t interest him. He's had the best. He just likes the warm glow he gets from viewing a positive bottom line, good press, compliant board members, and a staff that doesn’t ask too many questions.

When an Individual Treats Someone Badly, That Individual Will Also Do The Same Thing To Others Sooner Or Later.

Scaredy sets his alarm for 5AM since he has to be at the meeting by 7 o’clock. Music from an easy listening radio station comes on to wake him, but he almost doesn't hear it because he's immersed in a bad dream about his brother. In his dream he found himself replaying a conversation with Blue about his job loss.

After the initial shock wore off, Blue had been upbeat, thinking this job change would be interesting and could lead to something more challenging and perhaps less stressful.

The conversation Scaredy was dreaming about, however, was about six months into Blue’s unemployment. By then, Blue had called all his contacts and sent resumes to friends, family, acquaintances, and 240 firms within 200 miles of home. Still no luck.When he woke, Scaredy had been saying, “Blue, I know how you feel, but you’ve got to keep your optimism. Get back to exercising and taking care of yourself. You look like you’ve gained ten pounds. You know you’re out there with kitties in their twenties now. You may have to lower your expectations.”

Blue replied, “Excuse me! You don’t know how I feel. Do you realize, for one thing, that every single close friend of mine works at Dunham Machines? They don’t want to socialize with me anymore. Every time we get together they don’t know what to say, and I’m sure they’re tired of hearing me gripe. I have to watch what I say about the company since they still work there. I don’t feel the same about the company or them.”

“In what way?”

“I guess I feel they’re disloyal to me, and they’re idiots for still working there. Don’t they see when a cat gives one cat the shaft, then that cat will do the same thing to others sooner or later? My friends seem to be blind. They don’t think anything will ever happen to them. I’m tired of the repetitive conversations I have with them. I have nothing to contribute except pessimistic updates on my lack of progress. Plus, they remind me of a terrible experience. We can no longer be friends. I have no friends!”

Scaredy is happy to wake up at this part of the dream. He’s had several of these kinds of dreams over the last five years since…….. Best not to think any more about it. He wills his mind to come into focus to concentrate on the task at hand. He has to clear his head. He shakes his head so hard his whiskers slap up against his fur. He hurriedly puts on the navy suit and tie he carefully prepared the night before. He plans to be in the office by no later than 6:30 AM. I bet even Crafty Cat will be on time this morning, beating his usual ETA of 9 to 10 AM.

Scaredy’s normal 45 minute commute to the corporate headquarters in downtown La Maize stretches to 60 minutes due to a wreck of what looks like a truck rear ending an SUV. Scaredy pauses from his introspection to focus on his environment. He hopes no one is hurt. He thinks not. There’s no ambulance in sight. The dents in both vehicles are not bad.

I don’t know why all these cats drive trucks. You never see anything in truck beds. I have more stuff in the trunk of my Lexus than you ever see in a truck bed. I suppose my golf clubs would look pretty funny in the back of a truck. These thoughts do nothing to lighten his mood of anticipation that has a little dread and fear mixed in for good measure.

He arrives just in time for the meeting. Tense from the trip he walks into the board meeting and finds himself immediately offering a cold, limp paw to Fat Cat. He recognized Fat Cat from seeing numerous pictures in newspapers and on television. Fat Cat is standing by Crafty Cat, creating a contrasting site since Fat Cat looks so huge and Crafty, being a Siamese cat, is tall and slender. Kool Kitty is already seated.

Fat Cat says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Scaredy. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“And I, you.” says Scaredy, trying to sound calm and confident. “I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”

Scaredy’s silently reprimands himself. Let’s demonstrate our brilliant conversational abilities! Can’t you be more articulate!

Scaredy sits down opposite Kool Kitty. Crafty and Fat disappear into the adjoining room to the snack bar area. Scaredy and Kool sit silently for a minute before the others emerge, each carrying a bowl of milk. Crafty and Fat sit down, Crafty at the foot of the long table and Fat at the head facing the huge window overlooking the city below.

True Success Is Not Measured By Money Alone.

Fat begins speaking without being introduced by Crafty, “I will be meeting with you all here like this every Monday at 7AM when I am in town. I expect you to be here by 6:45 – prepared. I want a report of normal departmental activities. I want to hear plans, not problems. Don’t bring concerns without solutions. I’m aware you think you know all about me. I want you to know that I have done my homework too. I know how you operate. The board has expended a lot of effort during their search to find a personality type to complement this team. I passed all the tests. Crafty will tell you. I’m action and results oriented. I’m going to leave my mark.”

The room is silent except for the drone from the water distiller in the break room. He pauses, stands and starts to pace up and down, “There are four basic personality types. What type we are dictates our every move, how we work, what we wear, and how we decorate our offices. Everything. The types are Pusher, Puller, Pleaser and Peruser. We feel most comfortable around types like us. Pushers and Pleasers are action oriented. I am a Pusher and Kool Kitty is a Pleaser. Pullers and Perusers are not action oriented. Crafty is a Peruser and Scaredy is a Puller. Crafty and the board want more action. I moved into my office last night, and I’m ready to take over now. Here’s my plan. Live it, breathe it, and make it your own.”

As he sits down he says, “We’ll be focusing on our stock price. I know the bottom line looks good. The stock price is not bad either, but it’s not good enough. When you look at me, think numbers. That’s our overall mission. It’s as simple as that. Nothing else matters. We’ll increase the stock price by up to one third within six to eight months. I’ll personally inspect all our sites over the next month to conduct research. While I’m gone, you’ll implement some restructuring at the corporate office to reduce expenses and improve efficiency. We have a small executive team in this room. There will be one change in this group.”

He stops, goes to the door, and beckons for a young cat to enter. An unfamiliar, chubby white female cat enters. She has a firm set to her jaw, and she moves her shoulders more than her hips. Moves more like a tomcat than a queen but when she says, “Hello.” her voice has a light high-pitched tone. She pulls up a chair, nudging Scaredy off to one side so she can sit directly next to Fat Cat.

As she’s settling in Fat Cat says, “Meet Felicity Feline. Our new Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Committee. She’s a Pusher like I am.”

Scaredy thinks, Of course, she worked at Dunham Machines with Fat Cat, but I think she was just starting out as a C.P.A. in the accounting department. She was some kind of low-level manager.

Fat Cat says, “Felicity graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern and has an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina’s International Business program. She’s fluent in Latin, Spanish, French and Japanese. She’s married to my friend from Harvard, Paul, who’s an attorney. Felicity evolved into being my right-paw cat at the last two firms I’ve run. I could go on, but you’ll see for yourself what she can accomplish. Below your level we have some changes to make. You know about the rampant downsizing occurring all over the country.”

Heads nod in unison.

“This year alone 175,000 jobs have been shed so far in telecommunications and over 100,000 jobs will be cut this year within computer companies. Automotive companies have announced over 90,000 cuts, and electronic and industrial sectors will cut over 160,000.”

Scaredy nervously squirms in his chair.

“Manufacturing has shouldered the biggest burden. Over 830,000 workers have been shed there during the last twelve months. Overall demand is off and production is slowing. The industry is in a recession that I don’t care to join. We’re going to follow suit, before we have to, and trim our work force 10%.”

Scaredy says nothing but his body tenses up and he feels his tail start to twitch to and fro. He tries to focus on it to keep it still while he thinks, No, no, no cuts!

“We’ll be exceeding our earnings expectations. Our stock prices should increase a minimum of 15% just based on the news of my arrival and our downsizing initiative.” He pauses to lap up some milk.

No one, not even Crafty Cat, utters so much as a meow. Crafty’s blessing has obviously been secured in advance.

Fat Cat slams his paws onto the table, “The balance of the stock gain will be as a direct result of moving our La Maize cheese manufacturing operations to Mexico!”

Scaredy thinks, My God, my God, my God while Fat Cat says, “Of course most production personnel will not opt to move to Mexico, so we’ll shed a minimum of 900 high-cost personnel. We’ll leave the corporate office here. In Mexico we’ll pay employees just $10 per day. Since this plant has been here over 45 years we have large numbers of production personnel and office staff nearing retirement. We’ll be able to avoid paying maximum retirement benefits to all those not opting to move. Benefits will be limited in Mexico so savings will be significant after one-time charges. There will be no sweet severance packages volunteered. As far as I’m concerned, they can move either to Mexico or to the unemployment line. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Scaredy Cat looks at Crafty Cat.

Crafty is leaning forward and looks pleased.

Kool Kitty is leaning back casually in his chair, one paw resting lightly on the arm of the leather chair and the other resting on the table’s deep green marble top. He’s shaking his head slightly up and down.

These two are not the least bit concerned about what’s being said. I really don’t understand how they can have this attitude.

Scaredy feels his stomach churn and has to suppress a nauseous feeling.

Felicity is looking at Fat Cat and seems to be totally at ease as well.

Fat Cat continues his monologue in a loud, compelling tone, like a preacher behind a pulpit, “Scaredy, in your area of Finance and Administration, you’ll have two V.P.’s reporting to you instead of four, a V.P. of Finance and a V.P. of Administration. Human Resources will move under Administration. Information Technology will move under Finance. You can decide who goes within that structure, but all these departmental mergers need to filter to the lowest level in order to reach our target downsizing numbers. Your department’s mission is results and support. This streamlining will enable us to react faster, make decisions quicker, and cut out layers of red tape that impede action.”

He can’t be serious. All my people are loyal hard workers with years of experience. How can I possible tell two of my V.P.’s they are out, not to mention everyone else I’ll have to break the news to? He's sitting so rigidly his back hurts.

“Kool Kitty, you’ll also have two V.P.’s instead of five, a V.P. of Sales and a V.P. of Marketing. The V.P.’s for Food Shows, Advertising and Public Relations will be eliminated. Food Shows will fall under Sales. Advertising and P.R. will fall under Marketing. Your mission is results and increasing market share through a more intensive targeted plan, which, incidentally, needs to be on my desk by this time next week.”

“Yes sure, no problem.” Kool Kitty responds.

“Felicity is taking on the bulk of our challenges. There will still be no Executive V.P. of Manufacturing and Distribution. Felicity will oversee these and have just two V.P.’s, one in Manufacturing and the other in Distribution. Logistics and Procurement will be placed under Distribution. Processing, Engineering, and Science will fall under Manufacturing. We’ll be cutting three V.P.’s right there. Felicity’s mission is results, quality, and safety, on time. And of course cost-cutting.”

Scaredy wonders, how can she possibly have the skills and knowledge to effectively lead all these functions? Surely she knows little about cheese and our company’s methods. Fat Cat too, for that matter. He has no direct experience in cheese.

“I’m sure by now when I say ‘results’ you all know I’m referring to increasing our stock’s price. As I said before, this is the overriding goal. You’ll be responsible for communicating this goal throughout every layer of the organization. Do you understand?”

Scaredy Cat and Kool Kitty say, “yes.”

Crafty Cat says, “Perfect! Let’s get to it. Let’s wait though before we tell our staffs about the cuts. Just tell them about the overall mission. Let’s sit on this for a week so we can prepare. We’ll meet again next Monday, and then we’ll tell our staffs about the cuts, and we’ll go public with the news.”

Everyone stands up. Scaredy Cat knows he should linger and schmooze, but he just isn’t up to it. He speaks to everyone briefly, including Felicity, and then makes his exit. He retreats to his office and shuts the door. He doesn’t want to have any contact with anyone but knows he has to, so he calls his assistant and tells her to schedule a meeting for 2 PM with his staff, the V.P.’s of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, and the V.P. of Information Technology.

Two of these four will soon be history.

He leaves for lunch early. He wishes he lived close enough to go home for lunch so he can tell his wife what happened. In the taxi on the way to his favorite luncheon spot, Tiger’s Tuna Café, he calls his wife. “Hey. I can’t give you any details, but as I feared there are going to be major cuts. I’ll tell you all about it when I get home.”

“Oh no. I’ll wait, but I want to hear everything. I’ll start praying.”

“Good idea.”

His favorite corner seat is open, so he settles in.

How can everything be so different in one day? Nothing feels right. I feel like the world moved and left me in the wrong time zone. I have to let two of my vice presidents go, and I have to tell the two remaining that they have to make cuts of 10% in the four departments that will now be two. Chances are I will also be the one who has to break the news to the factory. A difficult task to delegate.

As Scaredy has lunch he thinks about his brother.

I remember saying, “You’re a Ph.D. You should have no trouble locating something.”

Blue said, “You’d think so, but remember I graduated long ago and lots of new research software has come out that I’m not familiar with. I’ve found myself saying repeatedly in interviews that I’m not familiar with this or that software, but I’m a quick study and can learn it. I’m not a computer whiz, but I have picked up a lot on my own. You know math has always been my forte.”

“Don’t put yourself down, Mensa member!”

“Easy for you to say. I’ve even tried to secure lower level employment, but I think I’m considered to be overqualified. Or they fear I expect more compensation than they prefer. You know, at this point I’d take something paying half what I was making. I don’t think it’s right, but I have to work or – or I don’t know what. I feel like a black hole, trying to send out messages that get sucked back in. No one responds to the few interviews I’ve had. My follow-up calls are not returned.”

“I’d like to help you, Blue, but I don’t know what to do.”

“There’s nothing you can do.”

The next time I met Blue was just after I left the office on a Friday. Blue arrived at our meeting place thirty minutes late. He looked like he’d gained even more weight, and his clothes looked rumpled.

I said, “Cheer up cat. No one will hire you the way you look and act. You need to change your attitude and be more upbeat and cheerful.”

“Hello to you too,” said Blue. “For your information, May told me today that she wants to get divorced. So excuse me. I’m not bubbly today, I was not bubbly yesterday, and I’m not going to be bubbly tomorrow!”

“I’m so sorry, what happened?”

“She said she doesn’t know me anymore. That I’m not the same cat. I’d prefer believing May is an opportunist who was merely using me all these years in order to benefit from my success and earnings but the frightening reality may be that the very essence of my being has been wearing away like a tire’s tread, so slowly I haven’t noticed. But I’m tired of feeling guilty about being depressed. I have to go through this. I have a right. Losing your job is like losing a life. I don’t need this from you!” Blue’s eyes filled with tears, and he got up clumsily, hitting the side of the table with a swish of his white tail. He slinked away, low to the ground, with his tale dragging, without giving me a chance to reply.

I tried to call him for a week. I finally reached May one afternoon. She said Blue sat at home lapping up alcohol all day. He kept the shades drawn so the house looked like a bat's cave, and he wouldn’t answer the doorbell except for the café to deliver tuna sandwiches. She’d moved out and was staying with her sister. She and the kittens were frightened because Blue frequently yelled at them for no reason, so when she left she took the kittens with her.

The luncheon check arrives and pulls Scaredy out of deep thought. He has to get back to work - to the meeting with his staff.

Scaredy is very brief in his explanations at his staff meeting. He tells them about Fat Cat’s mission, his directives, and about his sidekick Felicity. They ask a lot of questions about cuts and Scaredy says he doesn’t know all the specifics yet. He’s careful in choosing his words so he doesn’t lie. He has certain principles he’ll not deviate from. Regardless of the consequences.

He feels relieved when the day ends and heads straight home to his wife, Purrdy Cat. He’s always been able to share his thoughts and feelings with her. She’s a good sounding board. As soon as he opens the door Purrdy Cat greets him with a nuzzle and rub. He catches her up-to-date, giving her a detailed blow-by-blow account of the day’s events.

She says, “I know just what you’ve been thinking. You’ve been thinking about Blue, haven't you?”

“Yes, I’ll never forget the day Blue's divorce was final. Remember? We went over to Blue’s and the front door was ajar so we went in and found him passed out. I still can’t believe he was taking that drug that’s supposed to be for serious pain – Oxy something? I forget the name, but it starts with an ‘O’. Along with his drinking and taking that drug, it’s a wonder he survived long enough to reach the hospital. To complicate matters, he had no heath insurance. COBRA allowed him to continue his coverage, but he elected not to because it was going to cost almost $7,000 for twelve months of family coverage.”

“I remember. When Blue could talk somewhat coherently the next day, remember how he started ranting and raving about unemployment and recession numbers improving because officially he’d been out of the system so long he was no longer being counted as being unemployed?”

Scaredy says, “It’s something that never leaves you. I’ll never forget that.”

Purrdy Cat says, “But perhaps you and I need to be more open minded about these changes in employment practices. Our philosophy lauding employment for life may be a useless anachronism. Just the other day I read an article in the paper that said young people should be wary of buying a house. It said they’ll have six to ten employers over their career, and they need to be mobile. They need to be able to relocate quickly. It says the day is simply gone when you can grow up in a town and work for the same company for 40 years and retire.”

Ironically at that very moment the easy listening radio station they play constantly starts playing Doris Day’s old hit containing the lyrics “What will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see.”

Scaredy’s eyes meet Purrdy's, and they sit listening in silence for a few seconds. They both loved this song when they were kittens.

The words seem warm and comforting, like an old pair of well-worn slippers. When I heard this years ago I always envisioned a wonderful, happy future.

Scaredy breaks the silence, “I disagree with that article. If young people rent all their lives, they’ll be forgoing a major wealth-generating opportunity. A better strategy is to buy and hold. If they move, they should keep their homes and rent them so the tenants pay the mortgages and essentially buy the houses for them. If they rent, they’ll have nothing to show for it. If they buy and sell frequently they’ll be working for the mortgage companies. What they really need to do is buy and hold so the mortgage for each home is paid down eventually to nothing. They’ll find that over 30 years, their houses will be worth two to ten times more than what they paid for them, depending on the homes’ locations, condition, and the economy. According to the Consumer Price Index, food, gas, rent, and such that was priced at $100 in 1975 takes over $330 to buy now.”

“Well, I suppose that's true. I saw a show on television the other day about how Amsterdam has lots of pubs that are over 400 years old. Imagine how long the mortgages have been paid off if they were kept in the same family! I bet they don’t have as many mortgage firms there as we have here.”

“Yes. You know, as I have said before, mortgage amortization schedules have you paying mostly interest at first, then very slowly they reverse so at the end you’re finally making serious headway toward paying off principle. If you take out a $100,000 mortgage, at 7% interest it’ll take you about 20 years to pay of the first $40,000 but only about 10 years to pay the last $60,000. You’ll still be paying about $140,000 in interest. We need to buy houses and keep them in our families for generations to create wealth for our heirs. When you look closely at the numbers, this also tells you that refinancing is not always a good idea. If you start all over with a new note, you’re delaying paying principle.”

Purrdy breaks in, “Well at least we’ve changed the subject. You are such an analyzer. If you can stay off your soapbox for a few minutes, I’ve got to run to the store before it closes. Do you need anything?”

“Do we have any cat nip left?”

“No.”

“I could use some right now.”

“Okay. I know you’re distressed. We’ll discuss Avec more later.” She leaves Scaredy to his thoughts.

I need to speak to Crafty Cat as soon as possible, though I’m not yet sure what I’m going to say. I also need to meet with Felicity and Kool Kitty. This sure would’ve been a good time to have scheduled that golf vacation to Myrtle Beach I’ve been considering. If I'd only known!

Because Others Are Doing It -
Doesn't Mean It's Right.

Scaredy Cat knows Crafty Cat is a good listener. Crafty’s sharp and can be agreeable, so Scaredy has some hope of putting a bug in Crafty’s ear.

When he reaches Crafty’s door he finds it open. Crafty looks up from the file on his desk, “Come on in. What’s on your mind?” He gets up and moves toward the large round conference table between the desk and the door, pulls out a chair, sits, and beckons for Scaredy to do the same.

Scaredy takes a moment to get comfortable and says, “That Fat Cat is quite the go getter. He certainly has thought through his plan – even without actually meeting the staff yet.” Oops. Sounds sarcastic. “ I met with my staff and gave them a very general idea of the picture and Fat Cat’s mandates. As you said, I won’t be going into details until after you and I and the rest of the Executive Committee meet next Monday. I was just wondering how committed you are to this general course of action. To be honest, I hate to see any cutbacks. This is going way beyond anything I remotely anticipated since we’re doing quite well financially.”

“Don’t look at everything under a microscope Scaredy, just go with the momentum. You’re too conservative. At some point, market conditions are going to depress our projected revenues and earnings will be lower. This way we’ll be ahead of the game. I know you have close ties with factory employees since you started there yourself as a kitten, but you have to move on. Remember, I started over there too. I know all about how Pierre Bouclé began making cheese when he lived in France. How he moved here and began his operation with the dairy farm and one small factory, developed special recipes that became popular with stores for home use and then branched out to service restaurants in the state and then across the nation. I know Avec’s history too. But let’s remember, that’s history. Today is relevant.”

Scaredy doesn’t say anything at first as he looks out the floor-to-ceiling window and happens to catch a glimpse of a flock of geese flying in formation. He ponders what to say. When he turns back to look at Crafty Cat he notices Crafty's tie is off center. Crafty Cat can be a mess sometimes, like an absentminded professor, but that can be disarming and charming.

Scaredy finally says, “Of course, you’re right. Things change.”

I have to refrain from speaking out at this point. My career is on the line. I need more time to decide how firm to be. Perhaps downsizing will be inevitable anyway. Perhaps it’s a miracle we have not had massive layoffs before this. Who am I to go against the entire board? I’m still disappointed. I thought Crafty would be more receptive.

As Scaredy trudges down the hall toward his office he decides to stop to talk to Kool Kitty. As usual Kool is talking on the telephone, but he hangs up after a short time and says, “Hello.”

Scaredy says, “Hi. I was just wondering, how are you going to handle this situation?”

“Well it depends on what you’re referring to. I’m happy about Felicity coming on board. I think she’ll really be able to knock out some kinks that have been causing problems with sales, like slow distribution, delivery temperature problems, and backorders. I’ve already talked to her about these and she’s working on them. She said she’ll get with me later in the week with some ideas. Having fewer staff members to deal with may help too, as long as we have the cats we need to get the job done.”

Scaredy says, “How are you going to approach the layoffs?”

“Since you head up Human Resources I’ll follow your lead. What do you think?”

“I’ll tell you about one course of action I’ve been considering. We have a few days left before the announcement. This Friday we could distribute a copy of this bestseller book that’s making the rounds. I understand it’s very popular. It says you need to be ready for change; in fact, you need to embrace it and look upon it as an opportunity. The book even goes so far as to say you need to be aware of ‘the handwriting on the wall.’ This book could be perfect for us to use to prevent some ugly scenes from playing out. You know employees can get defensive about their jobs. Confrontations wouldn’t be fair to the employees remaining. We have to think about them as well as morale. My problem is that I don’t feel comfortable about the staff cutbacks or about moving the factory to Mexico. I know this type of strategy is becoming a common practice, it’s being lauded in some business schools, and at times it can’t be avoided, but it still doesn’t seem right to me. Particularly in light of our strong financials.”

“I can’t help you there, but the book seems like a good idea,” says Kool Kitty.

“I’ll give it more thought,” says Scaredy Cat. Scaredy returns to his office thinking, Kool Kitty’s still not the least bit concerned about what’s about to happen so it’s obvious he’ll not support me. He’s so easygoing you can’t stay angry with him, and he never says anything negative about anyone. Kool Kitty just can’t be counted on to take a stand. He’s no visionary, but he sure can sell.

Nurture Family Ties.

Scaredy stays late as usual that evening to get caught up with paperwork. He arrives at home so late he barely has time to lap up a bowl of cereal before his bedtime of eleven o’clock sharp.

Normally Scaredy falls asleep within five minutes of going to bed but not this night. He knows as soon as his head hits the pillow. He goes downstairs to the hall bathroom medicine cabinet and takes a multi-vitamin, a calcium tablet, and a chewable vitamin C, washes them down with milk, and heads back up. As he’s tossing and turning, he thinks again of Blue. He recalls their happy days together as they grew up in a sleepy little town in northern Florida called Green Cove Springs.

He reminisces; we lived across the street from the Spring Park. The park’s still there but it's been years since I’ve seen it. It was so huge to us back then! There's a spring there that constantly flows sulphur water from the ground. We were used to the smell so we weren’t aware of it. Visitors would always comment on it. "Rotten eggs" they'd say, as they scooped up some to take home because the minerals in it were supposed to cure all kinds of ills. Blue memorized the entire list of minerals posted on a big sign.

I remember one day when a teen cat from the neighborhood started hanging around. He thought being mean was fun so he tried to push me into the spring. Blue leaped up like he'd been shot out of a cannon and let out a hissssssss that could be heard from Jacksonville and spit, “Get out of here and don't come back!” and clawed the other cat. Fur flew everywhere. Blue hissed and scratched 'til the cat ran off with his tail between his legs.

The light pole outside the window is shining an annoying glow through the blinds so Scaredy gets up and tries to close them more. He's still wide-awake.

The spring flows into the pool on the shallow end and then out at the deep end, forming a little waterfall we could hear from our bedroom window at night. The waterfall empties into a little stream that joins the St. Johns River. I loved wading into the spring close to the river and trying to catch tadpoles and minnows, but they’d slither through our paws. Mama said the only two rivers in the world that flow north are the Nile and the St. Johns. Scientists don’t know why.

Still being irritated by the light, Scaredy claws a pillow onto his head to cover his eyes and turns away from the windows.

Our parents let us have free reign as long as we were home by dark. We'd play outside except when we were forced in on stormy days. Showers often arrived from the east. We’d look down the street at the river and see gray clouds marching toward us. As the clouds neared we could actually see the line of the showers advance across the water and up the street, coming in sheets, splashing down huge drops that bounced back up from the pavement making loud slapping sounds.

Sunny summer days were the norm though – deep blue with puffy cotton ball clouds. In fact that's how Blue got his name. Mama and Dad couldn't agree on what to call him. The morning he was born Mama remarked how wonderful the sky looked so they settled on "Blue" as they were driving to the hospital. Mama said my name came from being late to arrive. She and Dad said I must have been scared to enter the world! I've gotten used to it.

If we tired of the park we'd go out on the pier to watch shrimpers throw out their nets or we'd see who could spot a sea cow first. Other times we’d sit in comfortable silence, bonded forever by blood, battles and belching contests!

Scaredy begins to feel warm and relaxed and finally falls asleep.

Each Succeeding Generated Should Improve Standards Of Behavior Beyond That Currently In Vogue.

Lying in bed the next morning Scaredy has an idea, I’ll give Arthur a call at the factory. I can’t tell him anything about what’s going to happen, but perhaps talking to him will help me decide how to handle this.

I remember when we met all those years ago. My dad was transferred to La Maize when Blue and I were teen cats. By then we’d grown to be more independent of each other for I made several close friends when I went to work for Avec Cheese’s dairy farm. I spent two summers there before I transferred to the factory where I met Arthur. He was the first black cat I’d ever worked with. Kool Kitty is the second, except Kool has white on his cheeks and ears.

Arthur and I became very good friends, though at first I feared he’d be mad at me because I took his job running a hoist. He didn’t mind a bit, as it turned out, for he was promoted to supervise a team of cats responsible for transporting inventory to loading docks for distribution. He has a great sense of humor, and he’s really sharp. He can take anything apart and put it back together. I’m sorry we lost touch after I left for college. At least we still exchange Christmas cards.

After graduate school I went to work in Avec Cheese’s accounting department in the corporate office while Arthur stayed at the factory, was promoted over the years and is now Assistant Manager.

Arthur will be surprised to hear from me!

Scaredy hops out of bed. “Wednesday morning. There’s not much time left to decide what to do,” says Scaredy to Purrdy as he dresses. “You know, when we went to Nita’s wedding weekend before last, I made a comment to our nephew Dennis, that I told him I never thought I’d hear myself say; our country is headed downhill. Specifically I was referring to call centers’ managers who feel it’s necessary to monitor or record calls for ‘quality control’. Each generation thinks the succeeding one is worse than theirs. I never thought I’d agree. But more and more we seem to treat each other like dirt. With proper training and trust, monitoring or recording shouldn't be needed. If I, as a customer, have a problem with someone I’m capable of resolving it. Besides, if there’s a dispute between customer and company, the customer is always supposed to be right. I'd like to know who in these companies has time to sit around listening to old tapes about who said what. Companies have been successful for generations without using this control tactic. Call center employees work in the new millennium’s sweatshop. These employees have no control over their environments. It’s negative, like downsizing.”

“You’re right, I suppose, but both these practices are so common now.”

“You remember my cousin Diane?”

“Sure.”

“She works in a call center. She told me that if she keeled over dead the management team there would just push her aside to put another cat in her place. She said they have to work mandatory overtime with little notice. She said a young mother was told she had to work late one day. The mother said she had to pick up her kittens at 5:30 from day care. Her supervisor said, ‘You’d better find someone to pick them up or they’ll be standing by the curb.’”

Purrdy Cat says, “You know, if anyone is monitored or recorded it should probably be CEO’s, for certainly what’s said at that level is just as important as what’s said at customer support levels.”

“An understatement. I just heard on the news that a big pharmaceutical company has to pay millions in fines for price fixing vitamins they sold to third world countries.”

“I just read in the paper about some company executives that fabricated their books to make their financial performance look better.” Purrdy pauses, “You know, whatever you decide to do is all right with me. I know you’ll do the right thing. I’ll be behind you no matter what. We have been so lucky all these years. But I married you for richer or poorer, fatter or thinner!” she says with a loving wink.

As he heads into the closet to dress he says, “I love you. Your support means everything. Wish me luck.”

“I’ll do that.”

Be Prepared For The Unexpected.

Scaredy arrives at the office just after 8 o’clock and runs into Felicity as he’s stepping out of the elevator. “Good morning.” he says, “I’ve been meaning to stop by your office to touch base. Do you have time this morning?”

“Sure, come by anytime between nine and ten. I’ve got meetings after that.”

“See you then.”

Scaredy has time to sort through his mail before he goes to Felicity’s office, where he sits down and says, “I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to speak to you in depth before now. I’m happy to work with you and want you to know I’m available anytime you have a concern.”

Felicity breaks in at that point and says, “As a matter of fact, there is something I want to ask you about. Fat Cat says all the plants in his office are soaked with water and are dying. He thinks they’re being over watered on purpose and that you’re the one doing it.”

How petty! Scaredy’s completely taken by surprise. He doesn’t even think to say the most important thing he could, that doing such a thing would never occur to him! He says nothing for a few seconds and later thinks he may have been sitting there with his mouth open with a blank look on his face.

Felicity says, “He heard your brother worked for him and that he was downsized so you don’t like him, and you’ll not be supportive.”

“I’m in shock. I am responsible for those who water the office’s plants, but I don’t actually do it myself. It’s true about my brother, and it’s true that I’m not a fan of downsizing. I have a fiduciary responsibility to the company though, and I always try to view matters from every angle and prospective, like a sculptor chiseling a stone.”

“We’re counting on that. You know, with your stock options you stand to come out of this a multi-millionaire. It is all about money.”

“Well, I’ll see you later. I’ve got to attend to my calendar.” Not knowing what else to say under the circumstances, he makes a hasty exit.

Great, I’m working for someone who’s either paranoid or has a cowardly enemy. What else can happen? I think I’ll get out of here and go see Arthur at the factory. I won’t call; I’ll just surprise him with a visit.

The drive takes longer than he remembers, but it’s nice and quiet in the car. He finds the hour-long drive stress relieving. As he tops a hill, the factory is revealed below. He stops the car and gets out to enjoy the view.

I feel like I’m coming home.

There’s lots of activity. Employees and vehicles scurrying around as far as the eye can see, all the way over to the crest of the next hill.

I can’t imagine this closing. Doors shut and locked. No one in sight. A wasteland.

When he reaches the factory he’s not surprised that Arthur is out of his office. He still has boundless energy, Scaredy observes as he sees Arthur flitting around from one area of the factory to another like a hungry butterfly. Scaredy ends up following him for a full five minutes before he gains enough speed to catch up.

Approaching from behind, Scaredy pats Arthur hard on the back with a paw and says, “How are you!”

Arthur immediately recognizes the voice behind him, swings around and gives Scaredy a hug that lifts Scaredy off his feet like he’s a rag doll.

Arthur says “Hey! Great to see you. It sure has been awhile. Come on back to my office. What are you up to, coming way out here?”

They settle in and get caught up-to-date about their families and jobs. They briefly talk about Fat Cat. Scaredy is very careful about what he says. Minutes stretch to two hours as they have lunch together.

Arthur says he thinks the factory manager will retire next year, and he’ll be asked to take over. He outlines the growth they’ve had over the years and tells Scaredy about all the other employees that Scaredy remembers.

Arthur says, “Donnie just had a triple bypass heart operation, and last year his youngest kitten was murdered in a drive by shooting so he’s had a tough year.”

“Oh no!”

“Others have faired better. Our old friend Susan just got back from a trip to England. She hated to spend the money but felt it was a once in a lifetime opportunity since her church arranged the trip and secured really good rates for the group. Ray, who is now in charge of the computer system here, and his wife Lynn went to Sweden last summer to be with their son, Scott, as he married a Swedish girl!”

Scaredy enjoys these priceless moments catching up and has not felt this good in days, but decides he’s got to go. He says, “Scott is old enough to be married? I can’t believe it. It sure has been great getting caught up. I hope we can do this again ………. soon.” I wish I could tell you what’s really on my mind.

“Sure,” Arthur bellowed, “I’d love that.”

“Well, I’ve got to go! I shouldn’t have stayed this long. You know me, I rarely play hooky.”

“Thanks for coming out. Give me a call.”

“I will.” But it may not be good news.

Scaredy leaves knowing he’s got tough decisions to make.

Show Up For A Showdown.

The next morning Scaredy’s normal stoic face is painted with pleasant resolve as he marches into Crafty’s office and says firmly, “I need your complete attention. I have important information.”

His tone of urgency catches Crafty’s off-guard. Crafty looks up from his desk, leans back in his chair and says, “What’s all this? Have a seat.”

“No thanks. I’ll stand. I’ve never told you this, but I feel this is the time. My brother Blue committed suicide by taking sleeping pills and painkillers. A note was found beside his body. As you know, he’d been laid off as he was nearing retirement. He interviewed repeatedly without success. He gained weight and had started drinking every day. He tried to tell me several times how he really felt, but I always figured he’d snap out of it soon when he got another job, which I knew he would. He had a genius I.Q. He was always a dedicated, hard worker who was inventive and always put the company’s best interests first. Anyway, he said in the note that he found out through a friend that his former employer’s human resources office was giving out incorrect, incomplete information, making his resume look like a fabrication. The company misstated his job title, the number of people he supervised, and even said he went ‘back to school’, when actually the company was so pleased with his performance they paid for his doctoral degree studies. One human resources person said, ‘He was terminated. It doesn’t say why here on his record. That’s all I can tell you.’ The divorce and this were more than Blue could take. I’ll never forget the last time I talked to him. He said he loved me………. Scaredy’s voice trailed off while he swallowed a big lump in his throat. “I was busy at the time with two calls on hold and just said, ‘see ya.’ I’ll never recover from my guilt.”

Crafty had been making minimal eye contact, but now he’s looking directly into Scaredy’s yellow eyes as he leans forward and starts to speak.

Scaredy says, “Wait. I have certain things that must be said.”

Crafty leans back again and waits.

“The point is that Fat Cat should never have eliminated Blue’s research and development department. That department had consistently made a positive financial contribution to the company, outpacing their competition and improving their products. The company was not having financial problems.”

There’s a brief silence before Scaredy Cat says slowly and loudly, “I will not be party to the same thing occurring here, even if it means I have to resign.” Scaredy paces slowly and swishes his tail back and forth as he talks, “This will be an extreme sacrifice, but I’m prepared to do it if we proceed with any layoffs or close the factory.”

He says, “We cats seem to be totally independent but really we’re social animals. We need each other to survive. Like ants we can accomplish unimaginable feats by working together. We are, however, connected and affected by thoughts and emotions. We can’t chop off heads, leave blood on the carpet, and expect those remaining to happily romp all over it! Effects from cuts are not just felt in the pain from those cut, but also by those remaining. When one employee leaves, a wealth of knowledge goes too, some of which will be lost forever. Corporate life is not perfect of course, and I’m not saying that all employees are perfect either. But from the very beginning, Avec Cheese has operated more like a family than a numbers-crunching monster. Think back. Pierre Bouclé started this company with a few trusted friends. They always looked out for each other and worked together toward their common goals. As time passed and more employees were added, there was still a family atmosphere. Management and employees cared about each other. If there was a problem they worked it out. Just as a husband and wife shouldn’t look to divorce after their first problem, we have never given up on an employee in the past without expending some effort! What we’ve had, and what we need to continue, is a mission of integrity! Open communications. Involvement. High ethical standards. If our collective character is in order, then everything else falls into place. Then we have values, we treat people like we’d like to be treated and doing the right thing becomes more important than money.”

Scaredy pauses for emphasis and sees that Crafty is still listening intently. He continues, “We’re able to make commitments to our customers and employees, and they know when we say something we mean it. Integrity. They can count on us, no matter what. Integrity. They know we’re going to be there for them, come rain, shine, good times, and bad. Integrity. Relate it again to marriage. We weather the rough times together. That’s how Avec Cheese made it through the depression. Selfishness and greed have no righteous place within our family. What’s missing from Fat Cat’s mission is an ethical corporate culture that lauds character and accepts personality differences. If we empower our people, treat them with concern and respect, value their commitment and share the rewards of our collective efforts, we’ll surely continue to be successful. We have to realize that the black on our financial bottom line is the soil from their hard working paws, not ours. It’s theirs! It’s Joe’s, who drives a truck, it’s Mary’s, who writes checks, it’s Fred’s, who feeds the cows on the dairy farm. These are good, decent, hardworking employees who leave their families each day to work toward accomplishing our goals. Some of them work two jobs to make ends meet, but they can still be counted on to show up and put in a productive day, on time, day after day, year after year. They ask for and expect very little. They just want to earn a living for their families! We can talk all day about 900 production personnel, but what we are really talking about is Mary, Fred, Joe, and the others who are worthy individuals deserving of our gratitude and respect. When we have an increase in sales and add employees to meet demand, these added employees make it possible for us to meet that demand, to make the increase in sales. The increase is theirs! We didn’t do it! It’s not right to cut them out even if sales drop. We should all, including all of us up here, take a cut in pay first. We should let people go only as a last resort. We need to revert to the way it was, when having to let employees go was a serious sign of weakness that implied bad management. It used to be something we were ashamed to do.”

Scaredy Cat sits down opposite Crafty, pulls his chair up close and says, “I’m finished. Thanks for listening. You don’t have to make up your mind right now. You’re a very thoughtful cat who deliberates before taking a stand. Take your time. Whatever you decide, I’m sure the board will support it. I just have one big favor to ask. One request. That you come with me now to the factory.”

Crafty’s silent, then frowns as he says, “You didn’t tell anyone at the factory about shutting down did you?”

“No.”

“I have a full schedule with no free time for a two or three hour trip to the countryside. Well, I suppose Linda can rearrange my meetings. Okay, but I’m not making any promises.”

They both have loose ends to tie up so after calls are made and schedules are changed they get into Scaredy’s car and begin the trip. Scaredy tells Crafty about how Arthur is doing. Crafty remembers Arthur and several other employees from his days of working there.

After they top the hill overlooking the factory, Scaredy pulls over so he can maximize the impact.

Crafty says, “It’s been years since I’ve been out here. I’d forgotten how tranquil it is.”

At the plant they meet with the manager briefly, then with Arthur.

Scaredy says, “Arthur, what I particularly think Crafty will find of interest is the project you were telling me about.”

Arthur says to Crafty, “It has taken me over two years and many evenings and weekends, but I’ve finally completed the development of new machinery to improve our methods in curd processing. This should lead to developing at least two new low fat products that will require half the normal time to produce. It required a lot of testing and revising, but the most challenging elements are complete. I have to say, I’m really proud!”

“Yes, good.” is all Crafty says.

The ride back is long and silent.

Crafty finally says, “I’ll let you know what the decision is as soon as soon as one has been reached. I’m going to have to tell the board about this. The decision is not mine alone to make. You should hear something before Monday. Before we have our next Executive Committee meeting.”

That evening, Scaredy Cat tells Purrdy Cat what happened. “It seems Crafty has been away from the front line so long he’s totally lost touch with the factory’s operations, seeing it more as an object on a profit and loss statement. I don’t know if he saw the dedication and loyalty there. I can only hope.”

Purrdy says, “Did you tell him how Blue eventually lost all his health coverage and this is one of the big problems the unemployed face?”

“Yes, I did. On the way over to the factory I also told him about my ideas for accelerating our Total Quality Management program. Efficiencies can be increased so the Board should still be able to see a stock increase just from numbers improvements.”

“That’s good. I don’t know what else you could have done.”

“Thanks, Purrdy.”

Scaredy’s so exhausted he falls asleep right after dinner. He has a terrible jumbled up dream that involves Purrdy leaving him for a man who vacations on a yacht that has a pony on it. Bizarre.

When Scaredy wakes up, there are a few seconds before his mind clicks into the present and he remembers what’s happening. He wishes he could go back a few days and erase everything up to now. He has no choice but to do what he feels is right. Crafty was so silent and noncommittal Scaredy doesn’t know what to think. Normally Crafty’s thoughts will ramble and flow until you can finally reach a common thread to provide a clue as to what he’s going to do. Not this time.

The next day comes and goes. Scaredy goes through motions at the office but is able to accomplish nothing of importance. He leaves multiple messages for Crafty and goes by his office several times but never finds him available.

The weekend approaches. It arrives. Saturday and Sunday come and go just like any other normal weekend, and then it's Monday already. He's becoming more anxious but continues a calm appearance. No word from Crafty. Scaredy realizes this could be his last day of employment but at the same time dichotomously feels this just can’t happen. I will not lose my job and everything I have worked for. But if it does happen, I resolve to accept my fate and handle the situation with pride and dignity. I’ll be confident for the rest of my life that I made the right choice, no matter how bad things get. Perhaps I should’ve told Crafty Cat about Fat Cat’s paranoia or enemy - whichever - and about Felicity’s tempting me with money, saying I’ll be a multi-millionaire. No. That’s not the way I do business.

Another sleepless night. He tosses and turns that Sunday night, running over and over in his mind every possible scenario. He decides he’ll be fired in front of everyone at the Executive Committee meeting in order for Fat Cat and Crafty Cat to make an example of him. Then everyone else will fall into line knowing a silent threat is forever hanging overhead.

Scaredy dreads the morning light and wishes he could stop time. As he drags himself out of bed and through the usual routine, he tries to make a joke to himself that he’s always wanted to be able to sleep in late during the week, and now he’ll be able to!

Not funny, he chides, I’ll be lost without my job. I’ve said to others I could live in a barn or Biltmore. It looks like I need to overcome my hay allergy.

When he arrives at the office he wants to feel invisible but to his horror, it seems that everyone is looking at him longer than usual. Is he becoming paranoid too? Do they know?

He delays going to the boardroom until the last second, yet refuses to be late, even on this day. Right at 7AM he enters. He says “Good morning” rather stiffly to Crafty Cat and Kool Kitty and wonders why Fat Cat and Felicity Feline are not here yet. Perhaps Crafty is going to do the firing by himself……..”

Crafty, as usual, goes into the adjoining room for a bowl of milk.

When he returns, he sits at the head of the table and says, “Let’s get started. I’ve just had a very long weekend. I’ve met with Fat Cat, Felicity Feline, and with the board. It’s been decided that Fat Cat and Felicity do not, after all, have the proper vision for Avec Cheese that takes advantage of the strengths here that have been nurtured ever since Pierre Bouclé started this company.”

Scaredy takes a deep breath and lets relief wash over him.

Crafty proclaims, “What we need is leadership that has a vision to move us forward as a team. If God had wanted us to all be alike, there would have been just one of us. We don't all have to be action oriented. We should laud our differences and grow by using each other’s strengths. For President, we need someone who knows the company from the ground up. Someone who has a long-term perspective of where we’ve been and what we can become. A leader who has a genuine concern for the well being of our employees as well as the health and wealth of our bottom line. Someone who feels doing the right thing is more important than money! I have come to realize that we have just the cat we need to be President right here under our whiskers. He's been with us for years.”

Kool Kitty and Scaredy Cat look at each other, both wondering the same thing.
Crafty Cat continues, “He works day in and out to meticulously accomplish one feat after another. He has convictions and courage. He’s grown with the company to be a mature leader with vision and virtue. Our own Mr. Scaredy Cat. I hereby offer you the position of President of Avec Cheese!”

The room resonates with Scaredy’s melodious purr.

About the Author A.M. Dunham has been a resident of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since 1976. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds a Master of Arts degree from Webster University. She owns Executive Services, a business support and real estate buyers' representation firm. She has had articles published in the past and is currently writing a "main stream" novel.