Chapter 2 - The Owner's Test
Samuel stood frozen behind the reception desk.
He had seen Edward Whitmore only three times in eleven years.
The owner rarely visited the dealership.
That made today's situation even worse.
Edward walked slowly toward the main office.
“Everyone stay where you are.”
No one moved.
He turned to Samuel.
“Come with me.”
Samuel followed.
His confidence had disappeared.
Inside the office, Edward sat in the chair Samuel normally used.
“Close the door.”
Samuel obeyed.
Edward looked at him.
“How long have you been general manager?”
“Eight years.”
“And how many employees have you fired?”
Samuel hesitated.
“I don't keep track.”
“You should.”
Edward placed a folder on the desk.
“I do.”
Samuel opened it.
Inside were employee complaints.
Customer complaints.
Sales reports.
And internal emails.
His face changed.
“You've been monitoring us?”
“I own the company.”
Samuel swallowed.
“Of course.”
Edward leaned back.
“Tell me why you fired Daniel.”
“He challenged my authority.”
“No.”
Samuel looked up.
“He refused to follow instructions.”
“What instructions?”
Samuel hesitated.
Edward waited.
“I told him to stop wasting time with the old man.”
“Why?”
“Because he wasn't dressed appropriately.”
Edward's expression became colder.
“Did you ask the man whether he intended to buy?”
“No.”
“Did you ask whether he had an appointment?”
“No.”
“Did you ask what he wanted?”
Samuel looked away.
“No.”
Edward nodded.
“So you knew nothing.”
Samuel tried to defend himself.
“Sir, I have years of experience.”
“Experience isn't an excuse for arrogance.”
Samuel's face reddened.
“I've made this dealership profitable.”
Edward smiled.
“Have you?”
He opened another file.
“Customer retention is down.”
Samuel said nothing.
“Employee turnover is up.”
Silence.
“Customer complaints about disrespect have tripled.”
Samuel stared at the desk.
Edward continued.
“And yet you believe you're doing an excellent job.”
Samuel's voice became defensive.
“I do what is necessary.”
“No.”
Edward closed the folder.
“You do what makes you feel important.”
Samuel stood.
“I think you're being unfair.”
Edward looked at him.
“Sit down.”
Samuel sat.
Meanwhile, outside, the staff whispered.
Some were terrified.
Others were watching with satisfaction.
Then Daniel returned.
He had forgotten his wallet in the employee locker.
He stepped inside.
Edward immediately saw him.
“Daniel.”
Daniel stopped.
“Sir?”
Edward stood.
“Come here.”
Daniel walked over nervously.
“I'm sorry about earlier.”
Edward shook his head.
“You don't owe me an apology.”
Daniel looked confused.
“I was fired.”
“I know.”
“Am I supposed to leave?”
“No.”
Edward looked at the entire showroom.
“You're not fired anymore.”
Daniel's eyes widened.
“What?”
Edward smiled.
“You're promoted.”
The showroom erupted in whispers.
Samuel stood abruptly.
“Sir, that's ridiculous.”
Edward turned.
“No.”
Samuel's voice rose.
“You can't promote someone who openly challenged management.”
“I can.”
Edward walked toward Daniel.
“Because he did something you forgot how to do.”
“What?”
“He treated another human being with dignity.”
Daniel looked embarrassed.
Edward continued.
“That matters more to me than your sales numbers.”
Samuel clenched his fists.
Then Edward said something that shocked everyone.
“Daniel, effective today, you are the dealership's customer relations supervisor.”
Daniel stared.
“I don't have the experience.”
Edward smiled.
“Neither did you have experience before you defended that man.”
The old man walked into the showroom.
He looked at Daniel.
“You were right.”
Daniel smiled.
“Thank you.”
Samuel watched them.
Something didn't make sense.
Why had Edward personally come so quickly?
Why had the old man been wearing cheap clothing?
Why had he chosen that particular car?
Then Edward turned to the staff.
“I want everyone to understand something.”
He pointed toward the old man.
“This man is not a customer.”
Samuel frowned.
Edward smiled.
“He is my father.”
The showroom became completely silent.
Daniel looked stunned.
Samuel's face went pale.
Edward continued.
“My father has owned half the businesses in this city before most of you were born.”
The old man smiled.
“I prefer fishing now.”
Everyone laughed nervously.
Edward's expression became serious.
“I asked him to come here dressed exactly as he is.”
Samuel looked horrified.
“You planned this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To test the culture of my dealership.”
The old man looked around.
“And you failed.”
Samuel's heart sank.
But Edward's father wasn't finished.
“I visited three dealerships last month.”
He smiled.
“This was the only one where someone treated me like I was invisible.”
Samuel whispered:
“I didn't know who you were.”
May you like
The old man stepped closer.
“That was the point.”
