THE HOUSE OF CHEN Chapter 19

Tangled up and Needing Help
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Cheri needed to find out who and how many people she was subservient to or what the proverbial pecking order was.

As it turned out Morley had no vice president or anything of that nature but instead he used a vertical model.

Each department had their head and they reported to Morley.  He felt this kept him aware of any problems, and could be dealt with sooner rather than later.

The main things to be dealt with was; one upmanship and blame shifting.

After a couple of weeks Cheri had made gains in her knowledge of the operations of the company and its future goals.  The objectives were transient at this stage for they were contingent upon the government’s needs and contracts they executed.

Finally Cheri realized the larger reason she was hired which was her contacts within the government and her negotiating power with men.

She had mastered most all of the feminine tactics in getting what she wanted.  She always kept in mind the scene in the movie where it was shown the exposed leg was more powerful than the thumb when hitching a ride.

While in negotiating sessions where they were at an impasse she knew tricks to bridge the chasm like coming to the meeting dressed in a severe styling business suit and then when the impasse fell into place she would remove the suit’s coat revealing much of her shapely form.

She used a little bit of eroticism to change the minds of the detractors.  This bit of stimulus carried with it an unstated promise of “C’mon a My House” when nothing like that was part of the deal.

This and other feminine devices, cemented many a deal for Cheri, and was what Morley had in mind when he hired her.

A month after Cheri was hired she received a call from Lee.  She started to hang up but he got in a quick plea for her to hear him out.  

   
He said he had been let go and needed a reference to get a new job.  He said, “I would consider coming to work for the company you work for.”

She said she didn’t think so, and as to references she would have to tell the truth about how she felt about him and his trustworthiness and she didn’t think that would help him.

He said, “I really need your help because the reason I was fired will keep anyone here in Washington from considering me for employment, but with your recommendation I could get on with someone.”

Cheri said, “You already have my answer on the subject, I’m sorry.”

He continued and said, “After all we meant to each other I think you should do this for me and ignore a mistake I made.”

She said, “A final no.  As for what we meant to each other you put more stock in that than I did.  Just going out a couple of times and a kiss or to doesn’t constitute a relationship like you seem to think we had.  I do not owe you by telling a lie for you. With your record you should be selling used cars and she hung up.”

After she hung up the phone she sat in the quietness and remembered back to the time she was a little fond of Lee, but that wasn’t reason enough to help him get a position where he couldn’t be trusted.  She wasn’t willing to put her reputation on the line for him.

A short time later she received a letter saying Lee was going to say some bad things about her if she didn’t help him.  

 

She wrote back and said do what he wished, but if he said anything bad about her she would see to it he would be put into jail for it.

That was the last she heard of Lee for it seems he left town.

To be Continued

THE HOUSE OF CHEN chapter 18

Hush Hush
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The next day Cheri was at the firm at the appointed hour.

When she was escorted into Morley’s office he was just finishing with a couple of workers he suspected of passing on some information they shouldn’t have had knowledge of.  He wanted to know how they got the information and to whom they sold.  

At first they denied it for they knew their jobs depending on the denial.  He probed on and soon had the whole story.  He told them he would send them their final check and would give them as good a recommendation as the situation would allow.  

After they left he said to Cheri he wanted her to see that, and how some long term employees could be turned to do something wrong and what the result would be.

She gave him the contract for employment with the changes she wanted which after reading he initialed it and said, “Sign it and we’ll let this be the real agreement without it being circulated around the office for others to read”.

After she signed their agreement he said, “Welcome to the company.”

He called his secretary Anna and asked her to take Cheri to her new office and help her get situated.

Anna gave her a list of all the people she might need to contact.  She had a direct line to Morley and a couple of other phones. One was for in house usage and the other for outside calls.

She also was given a large folder with projects she would be involved with and was told to familiarize her self with them as soon as possible.

For the time being nothing was to leave the office.  

 

Anna told her she would be moved to a secure place to live where she would be safe and also any material she might take home.  Even the government wasn’t as protective of her as Morley’s business was.  

   
Later he explained that much of what she would be dealing with directly concerned both the government and secret designs for military equipment.

Everything she learned just made her more nervous.  

She thought back when her life was simple working for Martha and Lord Malborne.

 

She remembered how most of the responsibility was borne by Lo Mei and all she had to do was simplistic.

When she got ready to leave in the evening she was taken to her new apartment which was twice as big as the one she had been living in.  All of her things had been moved in and the only thing she had to do was locate where they had arranged things. There was some additional furniture such as a radio with a record player.  

She was told there would be a house keeper that would come in and do a through cleaning once a week.  She would be advised of the day so she could put any sensitive materials in the large safe that was built-in and hidden.

After eating in the company dining hall she went home and looked over the material and a note in the folder told her of a meeting with Morley in the morning.

Cheri figured this was one way to find out if she had read the material in the packet. About eleven she put everything away in the safe, and went to bed.

She took an early morning shower and dressed. It was nice to have a full bathroom to yourself.  When she arrived at the office the staff was just beginning to trickle in.

She went directly to her office and proceeded to analyze the material concerning weapons and other materials.

By ten she was beginning to understand the importance of her job; and she received her call on her direct line to Morley.

To be Continued.

FIXING THE FIX

Time for another Rant - - My Continued story will follow soon.

Dependent
courtesy Google search

When the government decides to fix something it then has to fix the fix and so on.

Case in point is the welfare system that started out to be a temporary fix for someone who has fell on hard times but it has ended up being a subculture where people have lived on it for generations.

Within this culture are the more industrious ones who work on a cash basis and that is never reported to the Federal Government.

Then we have had to fix foreign governments like Afghanistan.  We have poured multiplied billions of borrowed dollars in there and we need a fix for that fix.

If we could borrow enough money we could put every nation on welfare. This would be another way to get people to love us and solve the world problems.  We should only elect those who would pledge themselves to accomplish that goal.

Now that we have solved the health problem in the U.S.A. with affordable health care why can’t we do the same for the entire world after all we are the richest country in the world.

We could disguise it and say we are fighting terrorism or something like that so we would feel good about borrowing the money and accumulating all that debt.

Of course we would have to find a fix for this fix when the money ran out. But we are the experts when it comes to fixing the fix.

 

THE HOUSE OF CHEN chapter 17

A Spy
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As Cheri left the office she did as she said, and took nothing with her except her memories.  

The payroll department head said they would send her final pay to her home.   

Several of the girls in her department threatened to quit but Cheri told them to forget it and continue to do their job as outlined by the new boss.

At lunch the next day she met with Morley the head of a large industry that was trying to get some of the government’s business.  

 

He went into detail of what he had in mind after Cheri assured him that she would not divulge any thing that was said between them and would keep it to herself.

He added, “It includes boyfriends, for here in Washington they will go to great lengths for a tidbit of inside information.  He added other companies will spend millions in order to get the advantage over their competitors.  

The only way to make and keep friends that won’t be tempted by the big dollars is not to give them any information.  Beware when they start to pump you for knowledge of what you are doing and going to do.  

After you tell them to stop - - if they continue to do so you can be sure someone has got to them and offered them money for information.  These people are so skilled they can learn a lot from misinformation.

Cheri had been trained to keep vital information to herself, but following the afternoon with Morley she had a greater appreciation for secrecy.  

He said. “I have the contracts ready to sign for your employment if you are interested in the job.”

Cheri said, “I’m definitely interested but would like to take the contracts home and think this important decision through, and then I will be in your office by nine in the morning if this is agreeable to you.”

He said, “It is, if you promise no one will see the offers we are making to you.”  

She said, “No one will for I will isolate myself until I see you tomorrow.”  

He said, “Great, I believe I can trust you to keep your word for you will be entrusted with more important issues after tomorrow.”

 
Lee had been trying to contact Cheri to find out how she made out but she decided not to talk to him so she left him a message she would be too busy to see him tonight.  

 

He came over anyway and began to bombard her with questions.  

She finally asked him to leave because she didn’t have time for him tonight.  

 

This seemed to upset him for he thought their relationship had progressed to the point where they could share almost anything.

She point blank asked him if he had been contacted by someone who had offered him some money to find out if she was offered a job or not.

He lied and said no one had talked to him.  

 

She said, “I’m disappointed in you for I can tell when you are not telling me the truth and I want you to leave and not call me anymore for it is plain I can’t trust you.”

He said, “Hey I’m sorry, you are right but I was offered a lot of money to find out some things that seemed harmless to me.”

She said, “Goodbye I have work to do.”  

As he left he said, “Can you at least tell me, if you are going to take the job?”

She pushed him out the door, and shut it without answering him.

It then became clear what Morley was talking about.  If she had shared things at this level he would have tried to get important information as the days went on.

It was easy to see how he was taken in by the offer of big money and him saying it had nothing to do with corporate secrets simply didn’t ring true to her.  Her decision was made.  She would take the job.

She spent the next few hours examining the contracts and deciding what she wanted to be changed.  If her changes could be accepted then she would accept the job.

As she lay down for the night she thought, “Corporate espionage was going be as hard to defend against as Government secrets.”     

 

To be Continued    

 

 

THE HOUSE OF CHEN chapter 16

Free - I am no longer needed here
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Cheri busied herself putting her desk in order.  She waited to be summoned to the new department head’s office but by noon she still had not heard anything from him.

Mid afternoon the new boss, his male assistant and a secretary came into Cheri’s office and he abruptly said, “Anthony this will be your office.”

He said to Cheri, “Please come to my office now.”

She followed him into Anderson’s old office.  He said, “Sit down please.”

He then said. “I suppose you are wondering what is going on?”

She answered, “Only what you want to tell me.”

In that case I want you to know that my assistant will be taking over your duties and will also take your office as well.  

My secretary will serve me and you will be demoted to the secretarial pool.  You will fill in for anyone who is unable to come to work or when we have an extra job to do.  

Your salary will be reflective of what a secretary should be paid.  Do you have any questions?”

Cheri said, “No I think you have explained yourself very well and I understood what you said.”  

 

She went on by saying, “I want to thank you for relieving me from my commitment to the Ambassador to work in this department.  

For months now I have been offered a position by several D.C. firms at double the salary I have been paid here.  

Do you need two weeks notice or may I be free to terminate my position as a pool secretary today?”

Layton was taken back by what he just heard, but tried to put on a strong front saying, “You must understand it wasn’t because I didn’t think you were doing a good job, but I felt I needed a man in your position.  

Women just aren’t considered the right personnel for the position you held.”

Cheri said, “That makes me feel much better so I thank you for being honest.

 

I will clean out my desk and will leave everything in boxes for the new man to look into if he feels the need to.  

All I will be taking is my purse and my coffee mug.

I will stop by security and turn in my badge and allow them to check my purse before I leave.  You should have my office in thirty minutes and I also will go by payroll and let them know I am no longer employed by the government.”

Layton said, “There is no need for you to quit.  Maybe I can get you a private secretary’s salary that way you won’t lose all of your normal pay.

It’s just women don’t make the kind of money you were being paid.”

She said, “Goodbye Mr. Layton and turned and left before he could say anything else.

That evening she and Lee went out for the evening and she told him what had transpired during the day.  

 

He was quite upset about the way things went and the next day he told several department heads about it.

They wondered why Layton would make a mistake like that.  They told Lee that she could come and work for any of them if she wanted to.

The next day she called up one of the companies that had wanted to hire her and made an appointment for an interview with the main man of the company.

His secretary tried to have her go through their employment agency.  Cheri said, “Just tell him I would like to talk with him and to call me.”

The secretary said she couldn’t bother him with such a request.

Cheri said, “Then never mind I will talk to him at the party tonight at his house and tell him you wouldn’t allow me to speak to him.”

Upon hearing that, the secretary panicked.  Immediately she put Cheri through to Morley the head of the board.

When he answered he said, “I just heard about you were being let go and was getting ready to call you.  He said I can’t spend much time with you tonight, but let’s have a long lunch tomorrow and talk about your new job.”

To be Continued 

 

THE HOUSE OF CHEN Chapter 15

War in the Horizon
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The next morning Cheri woke up rested and was ready for another stressful day; if that was going to be the case.

It couldn’t be any worse than yesterday. After a cool shower to wake up, she was hungry and had a good breakfast.

She got a phone call from Anderson who said, "Come directly to my office as soon as you get here."  

 

This sounded serious and the tone of his voice made it sound more imperative.

Upon arriving she went directly to Anderson’s office where some of the staff had already assembled and were waiting for him to appear.

Without directly acknowledging anyone he said this is what we are facing and I am expected to come up with some answers.  He said that the war in Europe is coming closer to home and Britain is running out of money.

You all know about the draft where all young men 21 to 35 have had to register and are being called up for service, and we have to begun to mobilize for war should it spread to our shores.

The president has just now signed what is called the Lend Lease act whereby this nation will support England with money and supplies to fight the war they are engaged in at present.  If Britain falls, all of Europe will fall.

The President is determined to keep us out of this conflict if possible so we will support all the nations who are resisting the spread of the Third Reich.

Within the next couple of days you and those working under you will receive a packet informing you what your specific job will be.  These instructions will be for you alone and you are not to discuss them with any one.

 
Those working will only receive information on a need to know basis.

Anyone found not following these orders will be fired and perhaps be prosecuted.  Do not be surprised if the direction your job is changed and you are required to do something different from what you were hired for.  

One thing that will be important is, live your life as normal, and do not let what we are doing change that. You will be given updates almost every day and be prepared to make necessary adjustments as required.

After the meeting Anderson told Cheri to remain.  He said I spent last night at the White House going over the things I have just told the staff.  We must put together the packets delegating responsibility to ones we feel can properly handle it.

The next week was very busy matching the job with the right person.  Cheri was making the decisions on many of the positions because she knew the personnel better than Anderson.

After everything was in place and functioning Anderson called Cheri and said, “Come to my office.” 

The girls working under her said, “What have you done? Sounds like you are in for it.”

Cheri answered the girls, “We shall see what we shall see.”

Anderson said, “The news I have may not bode well for you, I don’t know that but have the feeling that will be the case.  

 

This department will no longer be under my control. I have been transferred again to the east and will be located in Hong Kong at first and after that I don’t know where I will be stationed.  

You will be getting a new boss and I don’t know who he is or who he will be positioning in your spot. I tried to have you transferred with me but they wouldn’t go for it.  All I know about the new man over you is here in a dossier on him.  I will give it to you but you should destroy it after you have read and studied it.”

Cheri asked, “When will you be leaving?”  

 

He said, “Right away, as soon as Layton your new boss arrives.”  

Two days later Anderson didn’t show up and the new head of the department came in with a brisk walk going straight to his office.  He had another man with him and a woman who appeared to be a secretary.         

 

To be Continued

 

THE PRISONER

 

 This story is an extra tale - - - My continued story will follow soon. 

 

Prisoner
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“All right, prisoners, ALBERT  H. Come forth. It looks like this is your big day!”

Albert was speaking, “If you say so,”

Guard speaking; “I do say so! There's a noose waiting for you as soon as the lawyers get through playing their games. How do you feel about that?”

“A dead man has no feelings.”

“You ain't dead, that is not yet.”

“There's where you and I disagree.”

“Shut up that foolishness and get on in there you smart Aleck. Sit over here until you are called and don't make a sound.”

“As you say.”

Again when he has a few moments alone the thoughts of the past try to resurrect themselves only to be squashed by the power of his mind.

He hadn't allowed the past with all its pain to come forth for many years. Time to him had long since lost its meaning and waiting was not a problem.

His existence was only evidenced by his breathing pattern.  In and out; in and out.  

The only thing that was different today was his clothing. For several years he wore drab coveralls with a "C" painted on them by those who called themselves "Patriots."  

 

The term collaborator was a second term used to identity him and set him apart from the rest of the prisoners.

Albert speaking, “After some time I was told to stand up and march into the hall of judgment to be questioned. This had happened before in my cell but this was an official panel selected to in effect pass judgment on me.

 
The outcome had already been decided but this was for public consumption.

All the usual protocol was followed and I the prisoner followed the proper decorum for of what use would belligerence be at this stage.”

He was not one of the big name offenders where the press showed a lot of interest, it was merely for local utilization.  His lack of appetite caused him to have a gaunt appearance and the lines on his face enhanced his degraded appearance.  It was obvious that anyone who looked like he did - - must be evil personified.

As the trial began he was not moved by the knowledge that there were many witnesses to be called and give testimony against him. The fact that most of their railings were just inventions of their mind and void of the truth was of no consequence at this stage.

An accusation that has been concocted within the imagination would serve the purposes far better than any truth so creativity was at work.  “Sit,” he was told, which he did without any display of any arrogance.  Then the questioning began!  Name, number assigned to him for identification purposes, and date of birth, place of birth and all things pertaining to him just for the record.

He was if nothing else curt but respectful in all his answers. The next day they called for the defense lawyer to step forward and plead for the prisoner. The lawyer certainly looked the part and Albert wondered what he was going to say for he had never spoken to him.  Being told to stand up and answer the question "How do you plead" the lawyer stepped forward and told him to say, “Not Guilty."  

For the next few days the witnesses came and gave testimony against him. As far as he knew none of them had any contact with him ever and the things they were saying scarcely were true.

It was as if he was a different person in a different world dealing with unknown persons for a specific purpose.

It was certain after the prosecution had finished whoever the person who was on trial must surely be guilty.  Albert thought if he was on the panel he would adjudge him being as he was charged.

Having laid out the case before him that was supposed to show him how futile it would be to deny the charges against the panel as they began to address him directly.

They each in turn asked him questions that seem to be germane to the case and he for the most part answered but not always to their satisfaction.

This caused them some consternation for he was guilty. The witnesses all had said so.

After two days of probing he spoke up and asked, “What do you really want to know.”

They said in unison, “The truth.”  To which he answered by saying, “Which truth?  Your truth, the witnesses' truth, or the opinion of the news media truth?  Which truth do you want to know?”

The leader of the panel said, “There is only one truth and that is what we want.”

He replied, “Very well that is what you will get and I'm the only one who knows it.  It was early spring when the enemy captured my village and almost immediately the people were rounded up and identified.

I being one of the town officials received more scrutiny than the rest.  I knew most everything about everyone.  My family and I were moved to a large city and there I was interrogated on a daily basis always under the threat of death for me and my family.  

Each day I gave up someone from my village during the first months of my imprisonment always under the threat of my children being put to death.  I came to the place where I concluded, better for them to die than my children.

After the villagers were no longer suspected of mounting an attack against the guards at the village, I was then charged with finding out who in the town might be a danger to the occupying forces.

When my performance fell below their expectations my children were taken from my home until I produced better results.  This was my lot until the town was taken by your forces.  Everyone knew of my involvement in turning over to the enemy so many of the town's people. So this is why I stand before you now.”

“Do you have any remorse for what you did to your people?”

“No, not in the least, sir.”

“You went over to the enemy and caused your people to die and feel no remorse?”

“Yes that is true sir.”

“How do you justify that?”

“I do not intend to try sir.”

“You must have a reason that you did it beyond saving your wife and children.”

“No not at all for there were only the two opposite sides, neither of which I belonged to, and then there was my family. 

My family was the only thing I cared about.  Today because of this attitude I was labeled a traitor but let me tell you about many of those who are revered as patriots today.  Almost to a man they tried make a deal similar to what I had.  Their offers in most cases were rejected and I watched as their families perished.  I succeeded where most failed.”

“You mean you sold out your fellow citizens just to save your family.”

“Yes that is exactly what I am saying.”

“Well you did something I could never do.”

“Perhaps you don't love your family as much as I did, sir.”

“We have just a few more questions about the whereabouts of this precious family of yours. Where are they now, and did you save them?”

“Yes I did save them. And where they are now is none of your business.  

The only thing I will tell you is; they are safe, they are happy and have families of their own and you will never find them.  I would certainly do it again for there was the enemy.

There was you, and there was my family and the only thing that meant anything and means anything to me is my family.  I hope that satisfies your inquiry for that is the real truth concerning this matter.

       * * * * * * *

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