The Lot

CHAPTER ONE

It was just like any other morning, the neighbors dog was the first sound he heard followed shortly by his alarm clock. This same ritual had been practiced for twelve years, six am out of bed and time to get ready, The neighbor's dog was just a pup and did not know any better but it still disrupted the morning to be woken before the alarm. Clothes already laid out the night before the usual shave shower and other morning moves done, it was time to head to work. Tim hated his job but it paid well and kept him and his wife in a situation that was pleasant for them both. They owned their own condo, the mortgage was a little steep but it was theirs and they were happy. Little Tim was going to be four this coming June and a big party was being planned for the little one. Still two months away Tim could not believe how much time his wife Lisa was spending planning the event. It didn't really matter to him as long as his wife and child were happy he saw no reason to disrupt the flow of ecstatic energy he felt every morning upon leaving his home. Going to work was a pleasure as long as it provided him and his family a peaceful and content existence.

Even the commute was just part of the routine, it took between an hour and an hour and a half to get to work usually with a bathroom stop along the way. After parking the car which was never difficult as he had his name on one of the spots this was given to him in lieu of a real promotion. He was given an artificial title and a parking spot with no pay increase but Tim didn't care as long as his bills got paid. Thomas H. Welker Assistant Manager was what the little sign on his spot read and a ten year old Pontiac is what he parked there.

The company had been in business for thirty five years and ownership passed through three generations. The current owner Mr. Jonathon Moore was a nice enough fellow which grew up playing around the office as a youngster. He was born to the Yacht business and had known nothing else except building and selling fine quality yachts. His grandfather started the business in 1974 by doing simple boat repairs and getting them ready for season and off season. This turned into the actual building of a boat for his personal use which when done was never used by the family but was sold before it was even completed. Jonathon used to help his father around the shop before his grandfather died unexpectedly. After the tragedy Jonathon's father spent enormous amount of time working his father's business trying to make it successful. The Moore's built a really high quality product and was therefore in huge demand. Life had been good for many years until all the competition moved outside the country for locations with less regulated labor laws. This made it extremely difficult for Moore and Sons Yachts to compete with the lower prices being asked by the other companies. Jonathon's father had retired at fifty five and gave control of the company over to him on his thirtieth birthday. That was five years ago and times were really getting tough. When the recession started not only was there less boats being sold but some of the ordered yachts had been cancelled.

Tim entered the building as usual gave out several good morning nods checked with Susie the receptionist who was currently on the phone. She gave Tim the wait a second finger and finished her phone conversation.

"Good Morning Tim"

"Good Morning Susie. What's up?"

"Jonathan wants to see you first thing Tim" Susie said raising her eyebrows in curiosity. "Oh and here are your messages Tim"

"Thanks Sue. What's going on?" Tim said as it was very unusual for Jonathon to be looking for him. "Where is Bill?"

"Bill is somewhere out in the yard he has already been in the office" said Susie "He did not look happy though like someone killed his dog!"

Bill was the plant manager and was the one who hired Tim twelve years ago. Tim had started at the plant right out of high school. He started with a broom in his hand but had quickly learned everything there was to know about building Yachts. Bill was also the one who assigned Tim his parking place and his title "Assistant Manager" this gave Tim the authority to order many employees around but many of those same employees made more money than Tim after all the overtime was calculated. These things did not concern Tim very much as stated earlier he was content with his lot in life and would be very happy if things just stayed the same.

Coming upon Mr. Moore's office Tim Knocked very apprehensively and slowly opened the door.

"Tim please come in and have a seat we need to talk." said Jonathan motioning to one of the chairs before his desk.

Tim sat down and glanced around the office admiring the fine antique collection that the Moores had acquired. "Good morning Jonathon. You wanted to see me?" said Tim

"Yes Tim we need to talk. You know business has really slowed up this past year." said Jonathan

"I know, hopefully it breaks soon I sure do miss the good old days" Tim said a little nervously.

"Unfortunately Tim it does not matter what happens in the economy we already made the decision." Jonathan said

"Decision what decision what are you talking about." Said Tim

"We are relocating Tim we already have a location in Costa Rica. Everything is going to be packed and shipped within sixty days." Jonathon said sitting down himself and gazing through the windowpanes. "It kills me to have to do this but if we do not do something then the company will just crumble and there will be nothing"

"What about the employees Mr. Moore what will we do?" Tim said in a higher tone of voice then usual.

"We are going to have to lay everyone off. There was never a layoff at this plant so our employees should get a nice unemployment package." said Jonathan "We are even going to give a severance package to anyone who would be willing to stay with us through the transition up until the move."

"Its over really? How long before the move?" Tim, now close to panic said vehemently "What am I supposed to do Mr. Moore this is all I know where will I go? What will I do? Mr. Moore isn't there anything we can do?

"Tim, this is already done I told Bill to tell the rest of the employees but you have been loyal to my family for many years and I felt it only appropriate to tell you myself." said Mr. Moore "You will find something Tim you are a smart guy with tons of experience there will be companies fighting over you. Don't you worry about that and if you ever need a reference I will always stand behind you Tim."

"Thanks Mr. Moore but What am I supposed to tell my wife?" Tim said with tears.

To continue to Chapter Two: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Lot-Chapter-Two