A Series of "Super Important" Meet and Greets

As the Hardwoods walked towards the studio, Andy didn't realize what he supposed to do. Don't jobs normally have a process for introducing new hires?

"Yeah, yeah. We do have that buddy," Dad said, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. "But you don't need to worry about that stuff yet. We're having an office set up for you and it'll have a computer and everything you need to do clerical work... But you're a Hardwood! There are some more important things for you to do. First and foremost, we need to introduce you to our investment partners and the VIP talent."

"Aren't your main investors Uncle Joey and Uncle Billy?" Andy asked. "Don't I know these people?"

"First of all," Mom chimed in. "Don't you want to let Uncle Joey and Uncle Billy congratulate you!? They're very excited about this too!" She tapped him on the chest. "Second, You don't know everybody. It's been a long time since you went playing hide and seek in the dressing room so there are some people you probably haven't met."

"More importantly," Dad wrested away control of the conversation as they walked in the front door. "Everybody, new and old, needs to see you and get to know you as a _man _and judge whether or not you can be the new face of the business."

The last part made Andy's heart skip a beat. "Since when am I the new face of the business!? I thought I was starting off smal..." Andy trailed off as he caught a glimpse of the woman at the front desk--Blonde, mid-30s, gorgeous.

"Good morning Misty!" Mom said, waving.

"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Hardwood!" Misty said back. "Oh my god! Is that?"

"It is and we will bring him back out and introduce him to you proper," she replied as she pushed Andy past her, "but we are running late for a very special appointment."

"Yes, Mr. Burtolino and Mr. Rutherfort are wait in Jack's office," she announced brightly.

"Thank youuuuuu," both of Andy's parents said as they quicken their pace, hopped into the elevator, then hurried past Jackie, their joint receptionist, and into the office where Joey Burtalino and Billy Rutherfort were hanging out.

"Uncle Joey! Uncle Billy!" Andy jogged forward from his parents and gave his unofficial family handshakes and hugs."

"Oh my boy we're so happy that you finally came around!" Uncle Joey said. Joseph Burtlino--Uncle Joey--owned three of largest glass manufacturing plants in the United States, as well as other assorted businesses. He was short and stout--a little fat in the face, but a healthy guy overall. His jet black hair, or what was left of it, was always slicked back and he always had a cigar in his mouth.

"How you gonna make the kid late on his first day, Jack!?" Uncle Billy chimed in, slapping Andy on the back as he turned to face Jack and Patty. William Rutherfort--Uncle Billy--was in real estate. Like Andy, he had inherited the family business, expanded his holding, and had the ability to branch out. He was tall and thin, with the posture and bearing of a New England prep school boy (which he had been in his youth.) Moving to California and getting into Adult films was the closest Billy would ever come to being a gangster like in the movies, which is what he said he always wanted.

After Jack and Patty also greeted the uncles, everyone sat down. In front of two partners desks, the colossal office had four black leather couches, set around a large glass table for group meetings: Jack and Patty sat together, so the three men could each have their own.

"Alright," Jack said, rubbing his hands together. "As I think you suspect, fellas, this is Andy's first meeting. We got you first because you are Andy's uncles and our two most important partners. The money you put in got us where we are today, rollin' in dough.

"Now obviously you've known our boy his whole life. You love him. He loves you. But now that he's going to be a part of the business, that relationship is going to need to change a bit.

"For Andy, that means seeing you guys as the important investor-partners that you are--people that all three of us are accountable to." Joey and Billy nodded their head sharply, feigning severity.

"For you guys, that means not treating Andy as a kid," Jack continued. "You have to show him respect as a businessman. And you also have to not go easy on him when something goes wrong. We all know that the key to this is business flexibility and adaptability, but you can only adapt when you something is wrong. You've always provided sage business advice to me, sometimes by telling hard truths, and I hope you'll the same here."

"Of course, of course," Billy said, his face expressed mild offense at the idea that he needed to be told all this. "Andy. Joey and I are mostly just here to say welcome and make sure you get off on the right foot," Billy said. "Right, Joe?"

"Yeah, yeah," Joey agreed. "I think it's great that you've finally come around to this and we're gonna keep the Hardwood in Hardwood, y'know? And we know you're super smart and studied business in school so I think, if anything, you're definitely going to make the business side run even better.

"We were wondering one thing, though, kid. Now that we're business partners, y'know?"

Andy leaned forward and said, "of course, guys. What do you wanna know?"

"What is your plan for your first movie? I know it probably won't be today or anything, but everybody, and I mean _everybody _in town is waiting to see if Young Hardwood's as hung as Hardwood the elder."

Andy's face went white. He spent days familiarizing himself with the business' finances, researching aspects of the business like talent acquisition, learning the basics of film directing. He had not anticipated this question.