Rich was using the mouse to flip between several security monitors and camera locations, trying to keep his hand from shaking, as today was his first day on the job. He remembered his interview, Ms. Tsu Nami – Director of Security.
He could feel eyes watching. Late afternoon, he felt more comfortable and was observing three different screens showing the train on its return trip.
Five minutes after the others left for break, he witnessed at least four men on horseback charging the train. Zooming in, he noticed they were masked and had pistols pointing at the locomotive. Once the train had stopped, the robbers were rushing through the train stealing cash from passengers.
He could feel the sweat running down his lower back. He didn’t know what to do and considered the panel in front of him. Switches and dials along with a large yellow triangle that read ‘Panic Button’. He slammed his fist down and lights started flashing and horns wailed.
*.*.*
Ms. Nami pointed to the guest chair, closed the door, and picked up some paperwork. He considered being terminated.
A knock broke the silence.
“Yes?”
“Ms. Nami, your boss is on the phone.”
“Hello, this is Tsu.”
Two minutes later –
“No, sir, but I’m about to present him with those documents. Put you on speaker?”
“Robert, this is Mister Baxter.”
“Mr. Baxter, his name is Richard.”
“Richard, Dick, Rich, Ricky, or whatever, I don’t care what his name is. Do you know the consequences of your actions?
“I’m sorry, sir, it won’t happen again.”
“That’s a subject for later. Tsu, have you updated the documentation for new employee orientation/training?”
“Yes, I’ve started.”
“Good. On the subject of your meeting. We are changing directions. I want you to fill out the paperwork for ‘Employee of the Month’ and have it for my signature today.”
“I’m confused.”
“When I hired you, I had reservations that you would create a tsunami, just like your name suggested.”
“That’s not nice, sir.”
“Hush. I just came out of an emergency board meeting.”
Long pause –
“I’m now confirmed CEO/COO and your VP promotion is in the works.”
“I thought…sorry, please continue.”
“After Richard pushed that panic button, and all hell broke out, many of our passengers recorded the scene and uploaded it to the internet. It went viral! The Phoenix network stations broadcast the scene; police and Sheriff’s office vehicles, fire trucks, and the state police helicopter. Well, the AP picked up the story.”
“Sorry, sir.”
“No need. The reservation department was swamped. Train and hotel reservations are at capacity for the next five weeks. You will have to determine how many passenger cars the locomotives can pull. What I don’t understand is how Rich didn’t know that this ‘staged’ robbery was part of passenger entertainment. Please cover that in the new employee training. As a final note, give some thought to pushing that button once per year.”
“Will do, sir.” “And, RICH, welcome to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.”
DickCWaters 