Charlie: Ellen, I need you to go to L.A. We're closing our L.A. office and we need somebody to go there and oversee the resources. Sandy can't go, and I really don't have anyone else to send.

 Ellen: What do you mean by overseeing the resources? Would this be for just one day?

 Charlie: Look, I know how short notice this is but I only just learned about all this myself in that big meeting last Friday. I've been doing the blue assed fly routine ever since and haven't had a spare second to tell you up to now.

 Ellen: What is it?

 Charlie: Well, here's the deal. What is happening is that the business there is continuing but HR section is closing and we are going to have to run it from here as the main west coast office. The section manager..you remember Gary..

 Ellen: The guy from the L.A. office?

 Charlie: Yeah, well he up and left about 2 weeks ago- got a better offer. So the CEO in his wisdom made a sudden executive decision to just shut the section.

 Ellen: (shaking her head with amazement)

Charlie: So we urgently need someone to go. This means shipping the files, tests and equipment up here, putting archives in storeage, and whatever else seems necessary.

Ellen: That sounds like a huge job!

Charlie: No, it's not a big job. The other girl that was working there has been transferred so she's ok and can help you with it. I'd say you'll need about 3 days, tops.

Ellen: Three days?

Charlie: I haven't even had time to work out how we are going to handle the extra load yet.....I sure know why Gary left.

Ellen: You think the load on Gary's desk was too heavy? You aren't thinking of leaving yourself, are you?

Charlie: Gary didn't have enough good support in my opinion. I've got you, so no I wouldn't be thinking of leaving...not seriously anyway! Who has time to think about leaving? Joke! Joke!

Ellen: (nods knowingly) Do you have any idea whether they might be wanting to close our office too?

Charlie: Don't worry about all that. I think the CEO has a lot of faith in us...our track record is pretty damned good and they have to have a west coast office. If you think about it, we're kind of their milk cow you know.. when figures drop over east they don't drop here.

Ellen: I don't know....there seems to be a lot of changes going on. I know how central this Bay Area has been to the business, but I also know that in December over 10,000 people in the Bay Area were laid off.

Charlie: (nodding)

Ellen: You know, Charlie, it seems like going to LA for three days might really be better handled by you.

Charlie: (chuckling)

Ellen: No, really. You could hire some cheap labor to do the clerical end of it while you handle the more complex issues.

Charlie: What complex issues? Anyway, you know I can't go ... I have interviews set up already with those two new people we reviewed, and which is going to be even more important to us with this development. You're it kid. Now tell me what is really bothering you... I am hearing the sound of cold feet trying to tiptoe away. That's not like you, Ellen.

Ellen: Well, I don't really want to be away during the week here--there is just too much to do--

Charlie: Ellen...

Ellen: So what do you think of my leaving Thursday night and being there Friday, Sat. and Sun. We can pay Priscilla, the office person, time and a half on Sat and Sun so we can be sure to get everything done and have her help to do it. I can book a room in the hotel across the street from the office and get the job done!

Charlie: Hmmm... I think that should be ok, I'll get authorization this afternoon, as this means an extra expense...anyway that's my problem. Yes, good. But you don't need to book a hotel. The company rents a small apartment a few blocks away for VIP's and other needs such as this. I'll get all that info from head office this afternoon and get Sandy to arrange it for you. By the way, I will put in for time and a half for you as well.