Jonathan's Introduction to Business Chapter 2 A grey Lincoln Town Car was waiting for them at the curb. The driver held the door for her then went around to hold it for him. She couldn't help but smile when he stumbled slightly as he entered the car. "Tonight we are going to dinner at Le Cirque, it is one of the finest restaurants in the city. Afterward, we may go to a party some friends of mine are having," she told him. The car drove across Central Park using the 66th Street Traverse. As they entered the park the white lights on the trees of "Tavern on the Green" were clearly visible. Shortly they arrived at the Mayfair Regent Hotel on Park Avenue and the driver stopped at the 61st Street entrance. As they entered the restaurant they were greeted by the owner, Sirio Maccione, "Ms. Simmons, its so nice to see you again. I have your favorite table. How was your business in Boston?" "Excellent. I'd like to introduce you to Jonathan Richards," she answered. "A pleasure to meet you Mr. Richards," he said offering his hand. "The pleasure is mine," Jonathan replied while firmly shaking his hand. They were quickly led to a banquette in the front corner of the room. Once seated the waiter asked if they would like something to drink. "This is a celebration. Let's have a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Fleure de Champagne 1982," she ordered. "A superb choice," the waiter said. In less than a minute he was back with a sterling silver ice bucket and two crystal champagne flutes. Opening the bottle with a flourish he offered her a glass to taste. After holding the glass up to the light and examining the color, and the bubbles, she swirled the glass slowly in her hand for a few seconds. Bring the mouth of the glass to her nose she inhaled deeply then tasted the wine. "Excellent," she concluded. Filling both glasses he returned the bottle to the ice bucket and left them. "This is my favorite champagne, Jonathan. I hope you like it. Why don't we get to know each other somewhat better. Tell me about yourself," she asked. "Well, I'm ninteen years old and I just graduated from Dartmouth College," he began. "I'm an only child. My father is a very busy lawyer in Des Moines. My mother died when I was about ten. I was raised by a series of housekeepers. My only other close relative is my aunt, my mother's younger sister. My aunt is thirty years old and I used to see her several times a year mostly at the holidays. She moved to New York to attend Barnard and has been here ever since. My father went to Dartmouth, and when I graduated high school at sixteen, he convinced me to follow in his footsteps," he continued as they sipped their champagne. He proceeded to tell her more about himself. He was somewhat of a loner at school. He was younger than his classmates but he did very well academically, graduating magna cum laude in only three years. Although, he got along well with his team mates, he did not have an active social life, since he was much younger. He was also the only art history major on the team. After a few minutes the waiter interrupted to offer them menus. Noticing that he appeared confused by the menu she suggested that she order for both of them. Jonathan quickly agreed. After studying the menus for several minutes she ordered ravioli stuffed with lobster in a saffron cream sauce, endive salads, and grilled veal chops. She also ordered vanilla souffles for desert. When the waiter left she continued to ask Jonathan about himself. "What about girlfriends?" she asked, "a handsome young man like you must be quite the ladies man?" "No one special," he answered. "Actually, I spent most of my time studying or running. I also liked to read a lot. On weekends I'd head into Boston to go to the Museum of Fine Arts. During winter session one year I went to London and Paris to see British Museum and the Louvre." "Did you find any romance in Paris," she prodded. "No. I didn't have time. Really, it was a busy trip. There was so much to see every day. I preferred going to the museums on my own, rather than with the group. It gave me more time to concentrate," he justified. "What about you? I've told you about me, but I know very little about you," he retorted, trying to change the subject. "I guess thats fair," she responded. "I'm twenty-nine years old, also an only child, and a graduate of Radcliffe. I didn't tell you this before, but I'm a very wealthy woman. My father was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley. When my grandfather died he took over the family business. My grandfather, my mothers father, an electrical engineer, founded a small electronics business. It is now one of the largest manufacturers of fiber optic equipment and military electronics in the country, and is still privately owned." The waiter, pouring the last of the Champagne, asked if they would like more. "No, I think we'll have a bottle of Mersault instead," she orderd. "When my parents died in a plane crash five years ago I inherited all of their stock. I own 60% of the company. Twenty-five percent is owned by a charitable foundation to benefit the arts, established by my grandfather. I am the Executive Director of that foundation. The remaining fifteen percent has been used to provide stock incentives for the company's management. Although, I Chair the Board, I let professional managers run the company." "I've been very independant all of my life. My father was a very busy man, and my mother was always very involved in charity work, especially in the arts. She used to run the foundation. I am very involved with the New York art community. As head of the foundation I am on the board of several museums, including the Museum of Modern Art. A number of my best friends own galleries. I also am an avid collector, although I keep most of my collection at my houses in Southampton and Maui. I particularly like to discover young talent and help develop it. I'm also very active with certain types of ... shall we say, performance art. The appetizer was delicious. The saffron and white wine flavored sauce perfectly enhanced the richness of the lobster stuffed ravioli. The appetizer was perfectly complemented by the golden Mersault. As they ate she told him about her upringing. Her stint at a private school in Switzerland, and the summers on the Riveria and in Paris. She especially remembered the Christmas vacation she spent with a classmate in Stuttgart. Her classmate's aunt, the Countess Erica von Hoffman, was an amazing woman. A tall stunning blonde in her early thirties at the time, she lived life her own way. It was the Countess who convinced her that she should take charge of her own destiny. Men would always try to use her, to get at her money. Instead she should use the power that her money and her beauty gave her to get what she wanted out of life. The more she thought about it the more sense the Countess seemed to make. Later, she saw how the Countess used the men in her life to fulfill her wishes. She spent the week following the holidays at her classmate's Chateau in Switzerland, where she and the Countess became close friends. She was interrupted by the waiter delivering their entree. The grilled veal chops were served with a coulis of tomato flavored with garlic and basil, sauteed zuchini, and roasted potato. Joan ordered a half bottle of Fleurie to accompany the veal. That Easter she was invited to spend a week with Erica at her country house outside Dusseldorf. There she learned how to control men and get from them what she wanted. "Sometime I'll tell you all about the week I spent with the Countess," she said concluded. "I now spend most of my time working for the foundation, or in some other way promoting the arts. I do have to attend the board meetings of the company, but management has things well in hand. Although I do keep a tight rein on the management. I also travel quite a bit." As they talked the waiter cleared the table and took their orders for coffee. It came quickly and they continued to chat as the sipped the coffee waiting for their desert. "Now why don't you tell me a little bit about your plans? How do you plan to go about finding a job?" she inquired. "Well, I haven't given it a lot of thought," he answered. "I suppose the first thing I should do is prepare a resume. I bought a book on resumes. I can write it on my aunt's personal computer. Then I'll send it to all the galleries and museums in the city." "That sounds very traditional, but may not be very effecient," she decided. "How are you fixed financially? Fortunately, you don't have to pay rent for a while, how long can you hold out?" she prodded. "Well, I have about $1,000 in the bank from graduation gifts and the like," he replied. "That should last me a couple of months." "It may go faster than you think. You'll probably need some new clothes, your not applying to a bank you know?" she responded. "And everything in this town is expensive. Have you given any thought to a temporary or part time job while you look?" she asked. "I hadn't thought about it," he answered, "but it may be a good idea," he concluded. "Can you type at all? Use a computer?" she inquired. "I type 70 words a minute, and am very familiar with computers. Computer Sciences was my minor, I can program mainframes, or use almost any personal computer," he answered. "Well then, I have a proposition for you. I have a number of projects that I'm working on at the moment for the foundation. I could use an assistant for the next few months. Also, occasionally, I need some personal errands done for me, like carrying my bags today. If you would agree to help me with those errands, in addition to your other duties, I could offer you a temporary job with the Foundation, as my personal assistant. It would look good on your resume. In addition, if it works out, I can introduce you to some of my friends in the business. I will also show you the ropes, so to speak. I'll pay you $500 a week. What do you say?" she asked. "Gee, that sounds terrific. I really don't know anyone here. All my friends say that an introduction can be so important, especially in the art world. I'll do anything you ask," he answered. "Yes, well, we'll see. Before I introduce you to any of my friends you'll have to show me that you can be of some use to me. I'm not going to reccomend someone who isn't a hard worker, and doesn't do what they are told. Do you understand me?" she demanded. "I guess so," he responded. "Good," she replied, "Aah, here are our souffles. Have you ever had one?" When he shook his head she said, "I think you'll find them quite a treat." In fact they were delcious. Jonathan ate his desert in silence as he thought about his incredible luck. Only in New York for four hours and he already had a job paying $500 a week, albeit a temporary one. He wondered what Joan would be like to work for. She was probably a very demanding boss he concluded, but he would probably learn a lot. She smiled at him across the table as he finished his souffle. She paid the check with her gold American Express card. As they rose to leave the owner escorted them to the door. He inquired if they had enjoyed the meal. "Excellent," Joan responded. "The best restaurant I've ever been to," Jonathan added. The car was waiting for them at the curb. Once inside the driver asked where they would like to go. "Is there any reason you can't start work for me tonight, Jonathan?" she asked, "There is a party I want to attend, but actually its a business engagement. I would like you to accompany me to help me with some details." "That's fine," he answered. "Take us home for now," she told the driver. They rode in silence as the car recrossed the park. When it pulled up to the curb the driver jumped out to open her door. "Wait for us," she told him, as they went into the building and up to her apartment. Chapter 3 When they reached her apartment again she opened the door with her electronic key. "Why don't you have a seat in the living room. I'll call you when I need you," she told him. He moved to the living room and sat on one of the Eames chairs as she went upstairs. After a few minutes the built in stereo system turned on and he heard the opening strains of Debussy's La Mer. He felt very relaxed, somewhat drunk from all the champagne and wine they had at dinner, and a bit tired from his trip. He sat for quite some time, quietly listening to the music. "Could you come up here, Jonathan," she called over the intecrom. "Alright," he replied as he stood and walked to the stairs. "Lets take care of business first" she said as he walked towards her. Reaching for the phone she told the driver of the car to come up for a minute. "Raul is not only a driver, but he is also a notary", she told him. "I want you to read this. Its an employment contract," she told him as she handed him a check. "This is a check for one thousand dollars, your first two weeks pay. If you sign the contract and this reciept its yours," she told him as she handed him a pen. "If you are going to start working for me tonight we might as well make it official." He was stunned as he examined the check. It was drawn on Morgan Guaranty Trust, and made out to him. He then looked at the contract "Personal Service Contract" it was titled. He heard Raul enter the room as he continued to read "... Mr. Jonathan Richards agrees to provide personal services to Ms. Joan Simmons ... services to include, typeing, filing, computer programming, other office services ... and personal services as required by Ms. Simmons of any nature whatsoever ... failure to satisfactorily perform required duties, as determined by employer, to be punished by dedution from salary or whatever other punishment deemed appropriate by Ms. Simmons ... salary of $500 per week paid biweekly ... ... hours to be determined by employer ... uniform or other dress, as required, to be provided by the employer ... cancellable by either party with 30 days prior notice .... etc." "What does this part about ... of any nature whatsoever... mean, and what is this about punishment?" he demanded. "That means that you will do whatever I ask. Most of your duties will be as an administrative assistant, sending letters, following up on phone calls and the like. But, sometimes I'll want you to do other things like pick up my laundry, run errands, or whatever needs to be done. If I ask you to carry my luggage at the aiport for example, or perhaps to vacuum the rug before an important visitor arrives, you won't claim its not in your job description. I will expect you to do anything I ask. Do you have any problems with that?" she quizzed. "No," he replied. "As to punishment, I don't intend to pay for work not done, or not done to my satisfaction," she answered. "What is this about other punishment, and what about the uniform?" he interrogated. "That gives me some flexibility. If you don't perform some project to my satisfaction, I don't want to have to deduct from your salary, this way I can find some other punishment. I won't withold anything from your pay unless it is absolutely necessary. As to the uniform or other dress," she continued, "frankly, you dress like a slob. We'll be going to see very important people, attending formal parties and the like. In order to ensure that you don't disgrace me, I'll select clothing appropriate for the occasion. Since I insist on deciding what you will wear on the job, I'll pay for it. Does that sound fair?" she concluded. "I guess so. Where do I sign?" he asked. "Here, and here, on each of the 3 copies" she said pointing to the contract and the reciept. When he completed signing the documents she signed them. Raul then asked both of them for identification, checked it, and notarized the completed contract afixing his stamp. "Thank you Raul, please wait for us in the car," she told the driver. He replied by leaving. "Here is your executed copy, don't lose it," she said to Jonathan as she handed him a copy of the document. "Now you work for me," she told him, "Let me give you some of my ground rules. First of all, you will call me ma'am, or Miss Simmons in public, or Miss Joan when we are alone. Is that clear?" "Yes ma'am," he answered. "You will stand when in my presence unless I tell you to sit down. When we walk together I expect you to walk a step behind me on my left side. Whenever I tell you to do something I expect it done immediately unless you are given other instructions. Do you understand me?" she asked. "Yes, Miss Joan, I understand," he answered. "Good, I want to change into something more appropriate for the party. Please wait for me downstairs," she ordered. "Yes ma'am," he replied then left the room. He waited about fifteen minutes, then she called him again on the interom. He passed a large black leather tote bag on the floor as he walked past the door by the alcove. Her door was closed so he knocked before enering. She told him to come. As he entered the room he saw her facing him. She was transformed. She now wore black leather above-the-knee boots with stilleto heels, black silk stockings, a very short black leather mini-skirt and a red leather bustier that accentuated her bosom. Her raven hair was done in a wild mane. Ruby red lipstick and heavy eye make-up accentuated her features. She looked formidable. "Please pick up the bag in the hall and follow me," she told him. "Yes, ma'am" he replied as he followed her out of the room. The tote bag was very heavy, almost as if it was full of metal. He wondered what was inside as they took the elevator down to the car. Raul held the door for her as she got into the car. She ordered Jonathan to sit in the jumpseat facing her as they rode downtown to the party.