Hank and Jim's plans for the younger folks

A few weeks, back, before the cruise...

"So what do you think?" Jim asked.

Hank smiled. "I think that's a winner. Something for each 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, Lil, and Bernie for the rest of the summer.

Jim said, "Bernie working on catalog and inventory, Lil shadowing Frances, 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. "Good you've got that apartment open near the office."

"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. Lil might be a little disappointed by a third-floor walk-up surrounded by a tar-and-gravel roof, looking over a salvage yard."

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

"Better than when I started working," Hank said. "I think it'll be good for Lil especially, get her out of retail, around some more settled folks."

"Can you think of anything else we should settle now?" Jim asked.

Hank stretched. "Nope," he said. "I bet they'll go for it. Nice side benefit, Vee and I can host a party at our house during the week."

Jim laughed. "I can practically see her lifting her skirt already," he said. "She loves hosting, and it's been so long."

Hank grinned. "Yeah," he said. "Glad it's this summer rather than next. 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."

"You're good at that," Hank said. "Hell, you're good at both parts of that."

Jim laughed. "I aim to please," he said. "Seriously, if they know you care enough to give on the parts that are easy for you but a big deal for them, 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.