"Austin bought the company from the old man yesterday."
"I own GSTS? Truly?"
"Every inch of it, and I can't wait to watch you fire Nicole. I had to take one of the techs into my confidence, and when I told him Nicole would be gone, he gladly changed all the accounting passwords. Even I couldn't get in, Gallaher won't answer her calls or his door at home, and Nicole is about to lose her mind."
Maggie grinned. "I'd like to send her back to Germany."
"Can we fire Roxie the Robot too?" Jim asked.
Georgia touched her forehead with her first finger and thought about that. "I don't know, that would mean two empty boxes and I didn't bring any with me."
Jim grinned. "I know right where Nicole keeps them."
She thanked her profusely when Silvia set a sandwich, chips, and a soft drink in front of her. "We have just become best friends." She hungrily took a bite, but when Jim started to say something, she shushed him. At length, she said, "Do you know which numbers they use for the porn business?"
"I could find out."
"Let's shut those down."
"Done," said Jim. "What else?"
"You know more about the business than anyone. I want you to run it for me. Are you willing?"
"Really? You want me to run it? Can I have the big desk upstairs and everything?"
Georgia rolled her eyes. "According to Austin, you can even have a new desk. The thing is, we'll have to refund all those fees and…"
*
Nicole was still on a major rampage by the time Jim walked back to his desk a few minutes before three in the afternoon.
"Where have you been?" she demanded.
"Out."
"I know that, but you didn't ask permission."
"I am not six years old, Nicole. I don't need your permission."
"You're fired."
"Good luck with that." Jim picked up the telephone and pressed the intercom button. "Attention everyone! There will be a meeting in the conference room in ten minutes. If you value your job, you'll be there. This includes the night shift."
"Give me that," Nicole said, grabbing the phone out of his hand and hanging it up. "I call the meetings, not you."
"I just did. Who you going to complain to? Gallaher? Where is he by the way?"
"I don't know."
"There is a lot you don't know, Nicole."
In a huff, she turned around and marched back to her desk. "We'll see about that."
"Indeed, we will," Jim muttered. When he looked, Roxie was standing in the doorway of her cubical watching him. He ignored her, and went from desk to desk, making certain everyone knew the meeting was for real.