Working for a "Friend"
It Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
When Nigel offered Scott a job in his firm, it was grabbed with both hands.
Scott had been hit hard by the recession. Getting a job offer from a guy he'd gone to school with, a guy he'd known for nearly twenty years, was a gift. Or so He thought.
The first couple of months weren't bad. Scott appreciated getting a new start. But then Nigel began to exert himself. Scott wasn't Nigel's partner. Not even a privileged employee.
Nigel was a footstool.
Within five months of employment, Scott was forced to sign in and sign out. And his pay, the pittance he received, would be docked for lateness, for leaving early, and for absences.
This wasn't how he'd imagined it would be.
Professional
Scott had been on his own for his entire professional life, save the first few months when he'd toadied for a very senior person.
Having gone to Professional school with Nigel, (and doing better) he expected to be treated, at least, as an equal. He never imagined his every draft would be torn to bits. He didn't think he'd be second guessed and treated like a slave.
He wanted to jump up in Nigel's face and shout, but he didn't have any option. He needed the money right now. So Scott sat at his desk and tried to get from 8:30 to 4:30 in as good a humour as he was able.
Trying to Comprehend
Scott had been in class with Nigel. Knew him. Nigel had seen his work, knew he was at least equal. How could Nigel treat him as some clerk? How could he dock his pay if he was fifteen minutes late?
Scott should be paid twice what he was getting. Yet, Nigel was taking full advantage. Treating him as some pathetic loser he was giving a chance.
Because he needed the job, he couldn't respond. He couldn't walk out. All he could do was cut down on the work he did, and take private clients.
He realised he couldn't use Nigel's Office as his own... the mere thought of Nigel pushing in, demanding Scott do some dog's body work with a client sitting right there.. a client who respected him...no.
He'd have to take his clients and meet them elsewhere.
Regaining Himself
Scott took his own clients not many, as he didn't have time.. Nigel kept him busy, or he had to appear busy when Nigel was there.
Scott never knew what tomorrow would hold, each day was chaos of a different flavour.
At first, it wasn't a problem.
He'd meet his clients outside of the office and outside of office hours. He'd do his private business in his own time. His monthly pay was untouched.
That is, until Nigel began to cut his pay.
As Scott was getting a small salary, (and had thought it was more token in the
expectation that he'd soon be having his own clients and wouldn't need Nigel's
packet) this deduction was hard felt.
But, considering that what he received from one client was often more than a quarter of his monthly salary...
Scott realised, there was a nice easy way round this.
The Strategy
Having calculated his 'day' emolument, at Nigel's office, he realised that not showing up and losing a day's pay was shoulder shrug if he could set three clients for one day.
He'd call the secretary, say he can't make it today, hang up, and meet his client, do his work, and relax.
Nigel could clip the pennies, Scott got the dollars plus a free day.
It didn't take very long for Scott to reach the point where he couldn't care less if Nigel lost business or was put to difficulty, Nigel was no friend, he was an abuser, a man who wanted to use him, treat him like a peon, when he was an equal.
That first day he didn't come in, that first day he saw those client and was relaxing in front of his T.V. when he 'should be working', it all came to him.
After that, Scott decreased the work he did no Nigel, and as Nigel loved to 'nit pick' Scott game him a lot of 'nits' to pick.
He quietly planned his escape, including erasing everything on his computer,. Nigel would be left with more work than he could manage. When he was gone, Nigel would realise how much he lost.
The Magnificent Exit
Scott set the month, the very day he would leave, and where he would go.
He continued to 'work' for the month, slowly removing his possessions from the office. He got his pay cheque, then erased everything on his computer.
As he walked out, he had a smile on his face.
He didn't call, he just did not arrive on Monday. On Monday, Scott was setting up his own office a distance away. And began work. Eventually Nigel would realise he was gone.
Eventually.
