About Schmidt Read Online Free PDF Page B

was a nice woman, who was already working at W & K when Riker got there and understood the insult as well as Schmidt himself.Of course, she couldn’t know—so he hoped—that a warning shot had just been fired across his bow. Therefore he added, It’s perfectly all right. I was trying to tease you. We sunset people will do anything to keep amused!
    Oh, Mr. Schmidt, you really must forgive us! You know how Jon is. He came in this morning very early and left typed instructions for the whole day, and ever since he has been in a meeting with clients that will run late. It’s been like that since last week! That’s why I thought it was better to call you myself, instead of reminding him to do it. He will be very sorry when he learns that you were annoyed.
    That’s what he mustn’t learn. Remember, we are covered by secretary—former partner privilege! Your lips are sealed. Now could you switch me to Mr. DeForrest?
    It had occurred to Schmidt that, since W & K was probably paying for this call—he was willing to make a small bet that Riker had instructed his secretary to charge to the firm as a business expense telephone calls and faxes to this retired partner, even though he was his father-in-law-to-be—he might as well make it a long one. The profitability of the firm was no longer his problem.
    Dealing with Mr. DeForrest was a pleasure, if the purpose wasn’t to defend one’s usefulness to W & K, which that potentate measured in terms of hours billed to clients, or to negotiate the terms on which, having understood that the defense had failed, one would be prepared to leave the firm. For one thing, he still adhered, as had Mr. Wood and Mr. King, to the custom of answering the telephone himself, unless there was someone in his office, or he was working on a problem so complex that he could brook no interruptions.The great mind must have been momentarily in repose, for the first ring had not run its course before the receiver emitted a familiar, preventively jovial roar, followed by: Schmidtie, you rascal, don’t keep me in suspense one second longer. Tell me right now that you’re coming to us for Thanksgiving. Dorothy will be so pleased! We could never get you to join forces with us before!
    I was calling to say that the prospects aren’t good. Jon Riker has invited me to his parents’, and I am not sure I am up to that. If I were to go to your party instead he’d be really put out.
    Aha, Jon has finally popped the question!
    Something like it, but please don’t put it in the office bulletin!
    That’s for him to do. Can’t Dorothy and I pull rank? Perhaps we could ask him and Charlotte too, since it’s a special occasion. You know, I’ve been trying to limit these gatherings to the management group and some of the seniors. I’ll want to think about that one, perhaps talk it over with Harry.
    Don’t. I am sure Jon would be flattered, but this is not the right time. Why don’t you and Dorothy give me a rain check?
    Schmidtie, you don’t need one. Just pack your toothbrush and pajamas and come for a sleepover anytime you like. Have you got a minute?
    Without waiting for an answer, the voice continued, increasingly friendly. I suppose Jon has told you that the management has been looking at the firm retirement plan? There is a strong feeling here, and not just among the younger partners, that we should make sure the burden falls fairly. We have a committee studying the problem, and they’ve got aconsultant to do some actuarial studies and advise us on what the peer firms are doing. You understand this is a continuing process, and we haven’t made any decisions on what we will be recommending to the firm, but as a first step we would like each retired partner to get on board.
    Get on board what?
    The process, and the underlying principle—that there is no objection to changes we may want to make to achieve greater fairness.
    I think you had better write to me, Jack. I don’t think I can discuss changes