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An excerpt from my latest novel, ‘Who’s Minding the Store?’
Tina pushed her way thought the little crowd to get to Derrick’s side. “I’ve been looking for you,” she said. “And you found me,” replied Derrick, smiling at his customers. He thanked the couple for their time and gave them his card, making sure to let them know they could call him any time in regard for questions they may have on the kitchen remodel project they signed up for. Taking Tina by the arm, he led her to a bathroom vignette where no one was present. “When he was certain they were alone, Derrick said, “What the hell do you mean, barging in like that?” “I need to see you.” “Those customers are paying sixty-five thousand bucks for a kitchen remodel,” Derrick said. “Don’t you think we owe them at least a couple of minutes to enjoy their purchase?” Tina could see that her timing was messed up, but she was determined to stick to her plan.” “I need you to handle this,” she said, handing Derrick the file. Derrick sighed. “And this is so urgent that you had to interrupt me when I was with customers?” “This associate needs to be terminated before the end of the day,” Tina said. Derrick opened the file and read the top document. “This is ridiculous!” he said. “We’re days away from a major sales promotion, and you want to terminate an associate for tardiness?” “I don’t see how you can avoid the issue,” Tina said. “SOP clearly states ” Derrick cut her off. “Don’t talk to me about SOP! Do you take me for an idiot?” Tina recoiled. She hadn’t anticipated this type of response. “I’m only doing my job,” she said feebly. Derrick stepped closer, causing Tina to back away. She dropped onto a toilet display, sitting on it unexpectedly. Derrick looked down at her. “Don’t think for one moment that I don’t know what you’re up to,” he said. “I know exactly what you did to Rob Morrison, and I know what you’re trying to do to me. I can tell you right now, Tina, it’s not going to work…” Tina stared up at him. She was speechless. “I’m not going to let you stand in the way of this store’s success,” Derrick said. “If you want to continue being a part of this team, you’d better dance to the same tune as everyone else.” He gave her a smile that was closer to a leer. “And if you don’t, you’re gonna have to find somewhere else to dance.” Derrick turned, and strolled away, leaving Tina sitting on the toilet like a lost little girl.
Author’s note: This scene did not actually happen to me. As I pointed out, the book is not about me, but rather a series of events we’ve all experienced and lived in our time working retail. The back-stabbing Derrick faces in my book was very real, and probably continues in many workplaces. I describe in my book a plan hatched by the dreaded Wicked Witches of the West, who want to derail Derrick’s efforts of having a successful sales promotion, and actually witnessed similar actions take place in the past. I think Derrick handles the situation just fine, but I’m not going to tell you how he does it. That would spoil the surprise. You’re going to have to read my book to find out how. Please be sure to write your review on amazon or my website when you finish. I appreciate your feedback and the time you make to read my books Remember, keep on reading and I’ll keep on writing! David You can order a copy of my book through your local bookstore or direct from my website at www.LuceroBooks.com.
An excerpt from my latest novel, ‘Who’s Minding the Store?’
Tina pushed her way thought the little crowd to get to Derrick’s side. “I’ve been looking for you,” she said. “And you found me,” replied Derrick, smiling at his customers. He thanked the couple for their time and gave them his card, making sure to let them know they could call him any time in regard for questions they may have on the kitchen remodel project they signed up for. Taking Tina by the arm, he led her to a bathroom vignette where no one was present. “When he was certain they were alone, Derrick said, “What the hell do you mean, barging in like that?” “I need to see you.” “Those customers are paying sixty-five thousand bucks for a kitchen remodel,” Derrick said. “Don’t you think we owe them at least a couple of minutes to enjoy their purchase?” Tina could see that her timing was messed up, but she was determined to stick to her plan.” “I need you to handle this,” she said, handing Derrick the file. Derrick sighed. “And this is so urgent that you had to interrupt me when I was with customers?” “This associate needs to be terminated before the end of the day,” Tina said. Derrick opened the file and read the top document. “This is ridiculous!” he said. “We’re days away from a major sales promotion, and you want to terminate an associate for tardiness?” “I don’t see how you can avoid the issue,” Tina said. “SOP clearly states ” Derrick cut her off. “Don’t talk to me about SOP! Do you take me for an idiot?” Tina recoiled. She hadn’t anticipated this type of response. “I’m only doing my job,” she said feebly. Derrick stepped closer, causing Tina to back away. She dropped onto a toilet display, sitting on it unexpectedly. Derrick looked down at her. “Don’t think for one moment that I don’t know what you’re up to,” he said. “I know exactly what you did to Rob Morrison, and I know what you’re trying to do to me. I can tell you right now, Tina, it’s not going to work…” Tina stared up at him. She was speechless. “I’m not going to let you stand in the way of this store’s success,” Derrick said. “If you want to continue being a part of this team, you’d better dance to the same tune as everyone else.” He gave her a smile that was closer to a leer. “And if you don’t, you’re gonna have to find somewhere else to dance.” Derrick turned, and strolled away, leaving Tina sitting on the toilet like a lost little girl.
Author’s note: This scene did not actually happen to me. As I pointed out, the book is not about me, but rather a series of events we’ve all experienced and lived in our time working retail. The back-stabbing Derrick faces in my book was very real, and probably continues in many workplaces. I describe in my book a plan hatched by the dreaded Wicked Witches of the West, who want to derail Derrick’s efforts of having a successful sales promotion, and actually witnessed similar actions take place in the past. I think Derrick handles the situation just fine, but I’m not going to tell you how he does it. That would spoil the surprise. You’re going to have to read my book to find out how. Please be sure to write your review on amazon or my website when you finish. I appreciate your feedback and the time you make to read my books Remember, keep on reading and I’ll keep on writing! David You can order a copy of my book through your local bookstore or direct from my website at www.LuceroBooks.com.