I sat in the attorney's office as my late father's will was read. My multimillionaire father had left me, John, his ownership in the company that he had founded and built throughout his lifetime, the family house, and one million dollars. The balance went to several of the charities and universities that my father had supported and been a board member of for years.
As the attorney finished reading the will, I asked, "So I own the company now?"
I was shocked when the lawyer replied, "No, John, you own 45% of the company. Alicia Harrington owns 55%. Your father and I set up the company as a WBE, a Woman Business Enterprise, to gain an advantage on several major government contracts. Those contracts make up well over half the income of the company.
"So, Alicia is now the company CEO, and not me? I asked.
"As the major owner, in consultation with you as the minority owner, Alicia Harrington will select the next CEO. She would like to meet with you tomorrow at 10:00 AM in your father's former office to discuss your role in the future management of the company," the attorney explained.
I thanked the attorney and left his office. The will had turned out to be a disaster. After I paid off my gambling debts, and other outstanding debts I would be broke even if I got a good price for my condo after I moved into the family house. That my future was in Alicia's hands was especially bad news. She had a strong dislike for me, and I had given her a strong basis for the opinion.
Technically Alicia had been Dad's executive assistant. In practice she oversaw the financial, HR, and contract administration for the company, while Dad dealt with getting the contracts the company ran on and oversaw me and operations.
My role had been production manager, working with the mechanics and workforce that made and shipped the goods. I understood Alicia knew all about my asking for and accepting sexual favors from the largely female production workers for better job and shift assignments. In her role over HR she had dealt with more than one sexual harassment claim, and quietly settled them without ever telling my father. It didn't help that my dismissive feelings towards women had included my dealing with Alicia. I liked to call her "Honey" "Missy" or "Sugar" just to watch her ears turn red.
It was with great trepidation that I approached the corner office that I knew so well. I was surprised to see Alicia's daughter working away in Alicia's office as I passed it. She was drop dead gorgeous; tall, natural blonde, stacked, and obviously worked out. She hadn't worked for the firm, so I wasn't quite sure why she was working in her mother's office.
The door to my father's office was open, so I stepped in and immediately stopped. Alicia was sitting at my father's desk with several papers laid out on the desk. She motioned for me to sit in the plain unpadded old oak armchair placed in front of the desk.
I sat and Alicia just sat there looking at me. I felt I should say something but had no idea what to say.
Alicia finally started explaining, "John, I know you have paid no attention to the financial side of this company for the twenty five years you have worked here. Historically the company has paid no stockholder dividends. Profits were distributed to employees and management, including your father and myself. My point is that there is no income from the 45% of the company that you know own. The only income you have received and might receive has been as a company employee."
While it was news, all I could do was nod my head that I understood.
Alicia stared at me for well over a minute, never breaking eye contact, then continued, "What I have on my desk are your termination papers for cause. As a WBE someone with your attitude towards women is a problem, your documented history of sexual abuse in intolerable."
I swallowed hard and blurted out, "But this is my father's company, part of it is now mine."
Alicia again stared at me, "The key is that your father was a minority owner of this company, which the majority owner, me, felt that his role as CEO was critical to the continued success of the company. I obviously do not have that opinion of you."
I was stunned, but finally spoke, "So you are telling me that I am now terminated for cause, which means I'm not eligible for unemployment, and I will receive no compensation for my part ownership of this company?
Alicia nodded, "That is correct. You should have been terminated years ago, but your father would not allow it. He paid the harassment settlement money out of his own pocket."
I was shocked, I was speechless to learn that my father had covered my inappropriate behavior and never said a word.
Alicia stared at me for almost five minutes as I sat there before finally speaking. "I do have another option, a last chance agreement. If you agree, you will retain your present position and salary, in return you will undergo "female orientation and appreciation" up to and including feminization. If at any time you refuse or fail to show proper respect to any company employee you will be immediately terminated for cause, and at least three employees will file a civil suit against you. Our attorney has drafted the agreement, you may take it with you and give me an answer by 5:00 today or I will sign the termination for cause paperwork, and the last chance offer is no longer valid. Changes to the last chance agreement are not possible or negotiable, it is a take it or leave it document. If you have any questions about what the "female orientation and appreciation will be like, you may talk to my daughter in my old office. She will oversee your last chance agreement and training, her word on compliance or failure is final. Do you want to consider the last chance agreement, or should I sign the termination papers now?"
I desperately needed time to think, maybe to talk to Dad's attorney. I finally stammered, "I will review the agreement and talk to your daughter and let you know by 5:00."
Alicia replied, "That is fine, Miss Harrington will see you at 1:30 to answer any questions you may have. Remember the offer expires at 5:00 as stated in the document. You are also to leave the premises now and go nowhere other than these offices when you return."
I caught the clue on the proper way to address her daughter when I met her. I stood to leave and extended my hand to shake, and Alicia ignored the courtesy. I turned and left, waiving at Miss Harrington as I passed that office.
I didn't know where to go or what to do. I called the attorney and was told he was not reachable today. He had served our family for forty years and wouldn't take my call. I googled feminization:
Feminization: 1) To give a feminine appearance or character to. 2) To cause (a male) to assume feminine characteristics.