The Enigma Dragon - A CATS Tale

As soon as the phone was disconnected, Laurie blushed as she exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, sir, there is the most fabulous looking young man in the reception area. He says you are expecting him for a job. I have nothing in my planner indicating you have a job applicant, or that we even have an opening.” She hopefully added, “I didn’t realize we were hiring again, but I’m happy to train him, sir, in any capacity you wish.”

Mike thought for a moment, then recalled the request of his customer. “The young man is a relative of one of our customers. I need to have him complete an application. I want him to get a basic understanding of the overall operations. He can start with opening mail, sorting it alphabetically, and he can relieve the receptionist during lunch and breaks, as a start. I do not want you hovering over him like a love-sick puppy, do you understand?”

Laurie grinned with delight as she practically danced out the door to retrieve the forms to get things in motion. Just before the door closed, Mike added, “When he has completed the application, I will speak to him.”

“Yes, sir!”

A scant half hour later, Laurie knocked and then opened the door. “Sir, Mr. Dabir Nasr has completed the forms.” She walked toward his desk and handed him the application.

Mike reviewed the forms quickly and looked up. “Send him in, Laurie.”

Laurie ushered the young man in with a blush rising in her cheeks. One nod from Mike reminded her she was not needed in the conversation. She turned and left, closing the door behind her.

Mike stood and extended his hand as the young man walked in, smiling pleasantly. They shook hands and quickly assessed one another. The young man was eye-to-eye with Mike at a bit under two meters, but considerably thinner. His dark hair was neatly trimmed just above the shirt collar. He wore a light tan shirt with a plain dark tie and dark slacks. The quality of the fabric was not particularly good, but the cut and fit was definitely current with today’s business casual standards.

“Mr. Patrick, thank you for seeing me. My uncle tells me this opportunity is one I will appreciate at some point in my life. I am not certain what you would have me do, but I am willing to learn, sir.” He then handed a sealed envelope to Mike. “My uncle requested I bring this letter to you.”

Mike accepted the offered envelope and then looked critically at the young man, having detected no sincerity in his greeting. Then again, after knowing Kashan now for several years, this was normal behavior. “Kashan tells me, Dabir, you recently graduated university and have friends here in London. I suspect a lady friend or two as well.

“He asked if you might learn the business essentially from the bottom up, so I will have you go through all the positions in that manner. I trust you will not consider any of these positions insulting or beneath you. I am complying with the request of an old friend.”

“Any job is fine as long as I can learn. I do learn very quickly though.

“I noticed your staff seems young and very busy on their phones and computers. Do they work with all the accounts, or are they assigned customers?”

Mike warmed to the subject and replied, “Each representative has specific customers, though a backup is also assigned to an account to cover any time someone is away from the office. You may, after some period of time, be assigned a few accounts to cover, at least for back up. Initially, I want to have you get your initial basic work assignments from Laurie. She and I spoke of some duties over the next few weeks of mail, filing and reception desk coverage. Laurie handles most of my correspondence and is actually in charge when I am out of the office.”