A Large Fountain Drink

15 hours ago
3 min read

Do you believe something as inconsequential as a fountain drink can jog a forty plus year old memory? Well, it can and I'll prove it.

Many years ago, I was employed by a construction company in another state. I use the term construction company loosely as the company was owned by two filthy rich brothers who were barely old enough to drive. How I got to be employed by the brothers is another story, that I might tell another day,😊

Working for the brothers and their construction company we built and remodeled lots of fast-food restaurants. That of course when I wasn't paid to golf, ride motorcycles and take clients to gentleman's' clubs. Man, someday I need to tell those stories, but will be keeping the movie rights to those stories.

I was working as a project manager for an out-of-state company building various construction projects. One time I was put in charge of three different remodels of three different fast-food restaurants in three different suburbs of Denver, the remodels were small and I spent most of the day commuting between projects.

The brothers thought it would be great for their financial line if I would run all three projects instead of hiring three project managers. The brothers didn't share their intent with the franchise owners who thought they were getting three project managers because that's what they were paying for.

If I remember the franchise owner, I do. He was an acne-scar short(er) braggart who was exceptionally proud of his restaurants and his HUGE son. I would have been proud of my son if he was that big and used his enormous size to become famous and unforgettable. (PS Elaine forgot who he is/was.)

The story becomes more interesting on the day I met with the franchise owner at one of the three stores. We concluded our meeting and I traveled to the second of the three stores. The franchise owner also drove to the second store. At the second store Ol' Scarface asked me why I was at the second store. Knowing that Scarface was expecting a different project manager at each store, I fibbed and told him I was watching the project while project manager number two ran an errand.

The same thing happened at the third restaurant with one exception, Scarface knew I was fibbing. Using every bit of (construction language) a restaurant owner could use he ordered me off all three projects and demanded the brothers meet with him, immediately.

Seeing that I was in a situation I could not control, I left the site. Next, I called the brothers to inform them what had happened. I mentioned to them that Scarface wanted a meeting with someone other than me. The younger of the two brothers, assured me he could diffuse the situation.

A meeting was set up, that included me. Not immediately, a few days later. No one was going to tell the younger brother when to meet.

At the start of the meeting, Scarface screamed that I was a liar, and the brothers were stupid for having me on his projects. I could have been angry, but I had lied. I laughed at Scarface and young brother told me to go home. I just received an unscheduled vacation.

I was in town this past week. I was thirsty and decided I could benefit from a large fountain drink. I drove to the drive-up of the nearest fast-food restaurant. While at the window I noticed a small decal. The decal said, “This establishment owned/operated by Scarface and Son.” I giggled a little as I remembered that day. I couldn’t wait to tell you the story.