Looking back for Gary and Bernie's summer prospects

A few weeks before the cruise started...

"So what do you think?" Jim asked.

Hank smiled. "I think that's a winner. Something for both of them, appropriate to their talents," he said.

The old friends sat together in Jim's home office, talking over jobs Jim could offer to Gary and Bernie for the rest of the summer.

Jim said, "Bernie working on catalog and inventory and Gary on facilities and the warehouse? My best guess. We can switch them around if we find a better fit."

"Gets them out of the house, too," Hank said.

"Yeah, with the early hours it beats hauling out from the burbs," Jim said. "Colorful neighborhood. On its way up."

Hank laughed. "You could say that, I guess. I wouldn't try and sell it that way."

"I'm no slavedriver, they get the weekend," Jim said. "And half days on Friday."

"Better than when I started working," Hank said.

"Can you think of anything else?" Jim asked.

Hank stretched. "Nope," he said. "I bet they'll go for it. I'm good."

Hank reached out his hand. Jim took it and they shared a firm shake.

"Win-win-win," Jim said. "I like a deal like that."

"Yeah," Hank said. "No need to add a sweetener."

Jim laughed. "The Reach-Around Principle," he said. "Sometimes the other half of a deal's gonna feel screwed, so always give him a reach-around so he feels good about you."

"You're good at that," Hank said.

"I aim to please," Jim said. "If they know you care at least that much, they might give you some repeat business."

"Speaking of which..." Hank said. "You open for business today?"

Jim reached for his belt. "I surely am, Hank," he said. He undid his belt, opened his slacks, and sat back in his padded leather swivel chair.