(Continued from April 27, 2010)
While Alphonse had gone to manipulate the controls for the massive gate, the two ladies and I remained at the table. They were finishing their coffee and I enjoyed my second cup of tea. After silently observing Alphonse’s automatic response to his first call of duty as a bodyguard, Aunt Dorothy exclaimed: “Amazing!”
“He had anticipated the office ladies’ departure,” I commented. “This morning, before breakfast, he was perusing the bodyguard’s manual.”
“This is a wonderful way of hiring a new employee,” aunt Dorothy remarked. “It is much more realistic than scrutinizing resumes, which often contain untrue or grossly exaggerated assertions. For that reason, all those new workers undergo an initial three-months probation period. A clause in the contract stipulates that a position can be terminated immediately during that time. Of course, to protect the good reputation of our company, we don’t fire a worker for frivolous reasons.”
“Apparently, it is not unusual that agreements are made between workers and former bosses,” Thea pointed out. “Acceptance of an immediate termination is rewarded with a favorable work report. Sometimes, the supposed duration of employment is lengthened excessively. With Alphonse, there has been no exaggerated praise from former employers. Instead, we have been treated to a display of pretty positive actions.”
Seconds after Thea finished her discourse in praise of her adopted brother, he walked in, sat down and exclaimed: “That gate is a marvel; it moves swiftly and noiselessly.” Alphonse then explained, with a chuckle: “As my long-time friend is well aware, I have an idiosyncrasy pertaining to malfunctioning doors, gates, windows, etc. My former landlords profited from that hang-up. In my rented apartments, I made all hanging and sliding objects smooth-functioning.”
“On the topic of smooth-functioning objects, I have a suggestion,” Aunt Dorothy asserted. “Seeing that, at the moment, the weather is beautiful and the forecast for this afternoon is not so good, now is the right time for Alphonse to familiarize himself with Sam. There are general directions about the use of the remote in the back of the manual. While you peruse those, I will get the master key for Sam’s shed. I have no idea where the guard keeps his copy.”
While he studied the instructions for the use of the remote, Alphonse was thinking aloud: “I must keep in mind that Sam’s cousins are much more advanced. Therefore, if I notice a response that appears to need improvement, there is a good likelihood that the adjustment has already been made. Nevertheless, I will make a note of any area where I would like to see betterment. Then, when we visit the workshop, I will check on the cousins’ advancement in those areas.”
(To be continued)