=7=
The meeting with the VIP had heated up quickly.
To begin with, the VIP turned out to be a civilian of some unholy rank that was described as "beyond SES" (whatever that meant, thought Markman). And he was no clown; definitely a Type-A personality who was used to calling the shots.
The director of the field office had attempted to give him the standard "here is our mission" briefing for outsiders. In other words, a lot of happy horse-sh** that communicated very little despite the impressive verbiage.
About two slides into the brief, the VIP slammed the table with his hand and uttered one word: "STOP"
"I want the no-holds-barred briefing", he said ... "total disclosure".
Well, that went over with the assembled personnel like the proverbial turd in the punchbowl. Stammering but still game, the director said, "I'm sorry, but even if I knew to what you are referring, you have neither the requisite clearance nor the need to know!"
At that, the VIP's face turned beet red, and he whipped out a cell phone. Quickly keying in a number, he spoke to the party on the other end, and then turned the phone over to the field office director.
Listening to the voice on the other end of the line, the director sat up straighter in his chair with his jaw a bit slack. Shortly, he replied, "Sir. YES SIR, crystal clear. I understand and will comply."
It was clear to all present that their boss had just gotten a world-class ass-chewing by ... someone ... who was apparently "up there".
Markman's boss was quietly assessing the psychological state of those present. Markman's only thought was, "Hoo boy. THIS is going to be interesting." And then he quietly whispered in his boss' ear: "Hold onto your seat. The truth won't be fun to hear."
=7=
Cheers
The meeting with the VIP had heated up quickly.
To begin with, the VIP turned out to be a civilian of some unholy rank that was described as "beyond SES" (whatever that meant, thought Markman). And he was no clown; definitely a Type-A personality who was used to calling the shots.
The director of the field office had attempted to give him the standard "here is our mission" briefing for outsiders. In other words, a lot of happy horse-sh** that communicated very little despite the impressive verbiage.
About two slides into the brief, the VIP slammed the table with his hand and uttered one word: "STOP"
"I want the no-holds-barred briefing", he said ... "total disclosure".
Well, that went over with the assembled personnel like the proverbial turd in the punchbowl. Stammering but still game, the director said, "I'm sorry, but even if I knew to what you are referring, you have neither the requisite clearance nor the need to know!"
At that, the VIP's face turned beet red, and he whipped out a cell phone. Quickly keying in a number, he spoke to the party on the other end, and then turned the phone over to the field office director.
Listening to the voice on the other end of the line, the director sat up straighter in his chair with his jaw a bit slack. Shortly, he replied, "Sir. YES SIR, crystal clear. I understand and will comply."
It was clear to all present that their boss had just gotten a world-class ass-chewing by ... someone ... who was apparently "up there".
Markman's boss was quietly assessing the psychological state of those present. Markman's only thought was, "Hoo boy. THIS is going to be interesting." And then he quietly whispered in his boss' ear: "Hold onto your seat. The truth won't be fun to hear."
=7=
Cheers
Fire In The Hole