AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 6
The next day, Tuesday, I don’t bother going into the office. Zane won’t be back from his duties until the afternoon, and I think he needs a cooling-off period. I just hope that my talk with Paul has made him realize that I’m not going to tolerate his shit. I want to protect the other employees from his wrath.
At 3:00 PM, one of the interviewees I contacted yesterday meets me at my loft. The other reason I took the day off was to organize Noah’s office so we can both use it. I spent the morning putting all his files in the closets and a small corner of the guest bedroom so I could properly interview the first candidate, Jeff Hanna, who emailed me his resume beforehand. He’s been working at Futile for four years and, while there, created Satan’s Vortex and The Caverns, two top-rated titles.
When he arrives, I open the door and see a blonde-haired man with a few facial piercings. After shaking hands, he removes his jacket to reveal two brightly colored sleeve tattoos. I know from Eltech that many of the programmers are free spirits, but I’m not concerned about their outward appearance so much as their professionalism and talent.
Using what Zachary versed me on, I ask Jeff several related to what he’d do. He answers them without hesitation. I also ask him about how he would handle certain issues if he were lead on a project—specifically, would he yell or would he handle the situation with a firm hand. He seems easy-going enough but also notes how he’d handle any staff issues with a firm but fair hand, and his sincerity leads me to believe that’s true.
The last question I ask is concerning salary. I want to know how much I’m going to have to shell out of my own pocket, at least for the first year. I have a feeling that Zane is going to be reluctant about hiring anyone new, let along stretch an already strained budget.
“I’d need at least one hundred grand to leave Futile,” Jeff answers.
“Why do you want to leave anyway?”
“You always want to keep your options open. Eltech has three divisions, and though I love gaming, I think I can add to the educational side. Most programmers tinker on the side, and I have a few projects I work on in my spare time. It’s a passion.”
“Would you be willing to give up the rights to those projects if we bring you into the company to refine them for production?”
I watched Jeff’s face as he thinks about what I’d asked.
“I might, but I would need a small percentage of profits as well as the freedom to complete the project with a team of handpicked people from your existing staff. Futile gives us a bonus program based on sales. It’s why I’m not asking for a huge salary. I make plenty from the bonuses.”
I like this guy, but I have one more question that might make or break my decision to speak to Zane about hiring him. “Do you know Paul Bridge?”
Jeff’s facial expression turns sour. “Yeah, I know him.”
“What is your opinion? This will be strictly confidential.”
“In a few words, Paul is a dick. He’s ultra-competitive and has a shitty attitude. If I had to work under him, it would make my decision to come to Eltech a no.”
“Thanks for being so candid. You might encounter him, but I will make sure that if hired, you’re equals and wouldn’t share projects.”
“Cool, man, let me know because I’d really appreciate the position.”
I shake his hand and let him out. I didn’t realize that I had spent so much time talking with Jeff. A quick check of my cell told me it was well after five, and as I shut the door to the loft, the lobby phone rang, letting me know I had a visitor—a female visitor who refused to give her name.
“Send her up.”
I stood at the door, waiting, and a few minutes later, Olivia stepped off the elevator. She looked sexy in black slacks and a pale gray blouse. Her outfit told me that she had come straight from work.
“I was worried about you,” she said as she walks toward me.
“Why? I’m fine. I decided not to come into the office after yesterday, but I need to speak with Zane.”
I let her in and get a whiff of her perfume as she passes by, which causes a stirring in my jeans.
“Rumors are flying around that he banned you from the office,” she explains.
“In a way, he did. He prefers I stay home, but I have no intention of letting that bastard, Paul, get the best of me.”
Olivia settles on the couch, and I join her, starring in her green eyes. “I thought we could have dinner tonight. I know you said to give you some time, but it would just be as friends.”
I check my watch. It was nearing six now, but I had my bereavement group tonight. I needed to get started as soon as possible, or I would never be right for Olivia. As much as I physically want her, my head isn’t in the right place.
It hurt me to say no. “I have a meeting at seven. Tonight is not good.”
She stills, then mutters, “I’m an idiot. I should have called instead of assuming.”
