Chapter 3

Douglas, Executive Schedule Level IV

“Could I get another one of these chairs?” Douglas was still settling into his new office space. He was hardly a week into his appointment as Regional Administrator and was already profoundly disappointed in the furniture.

Douglas’ regional fiefdom included all of California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, the Pacific Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, and 148 federally recognized tribes. So far every minute of his tenure had been packed with introductions, briefings, presentations, data dumps, decision-making, and rules. So many rules. He knew that they would be there– he had never worked anywhere they weren’t– but it seemed that the people who worked here had a rolodex of rules at their fingertips ready to negate any inkling of independent thought.

The attorneys were most direct. He appreciated how they shut down his suggestions with a “no, but…” His more politically savvy Directors were more careful to craft their responses in the form of a “yes, and…” statement before finally coming around to the “...let’s not do that.”

His team of career staff had booked his schedule from the moment he walked in the building straight until 5:00 in an attempt to be respectful of his time. The onslaught of information was as exhilarating as it was overwhelming. The issues he was dealing with really mattered, which is what drew him to accept the position, however the formidable burden of responsibility awaiting him at the precipice of a steep learning curve surrounded him like an existential cloud.

In the minute since he received the request, Doug’s assistant had not only dragged in a new chair, but also dragged in another assistant who had dragged in another chair.

“That’s too many chairs,” Douglas dictated. The second assistant removed the second additional chair. This was real power.

Douglas lined the additional chair up with the three he already had so that they were flush against each other. Four chairs. Although it was the exact amount of chairs that he needed, it was now an even number which is a rudimentary interior design faux pas.

“Actually, bring back that other chair.” The chair was returned this time by the first assistant.

Douglas now lined up the second additional chair with the additional chair and original chairs. It was way too many chairs, but at least the symmetry was restored. He truly was disappointed in the furniture.

“What’s next on my schedule?” Douglas inquired to his assistant who was still standing awkwardly in the doorway unsure if he was welcome into the newly refurbished corner office.

“Looks like we have a briefing with our enforcement program. It’s about San Francisco.”

“The drinking water?” Douglas perked up. He had flipped through a briefing packet prepared on the subject.

“Yes, that’s right.” The assistant replied.

“That’s very interesting. Let’s cancel.”

“Oh! Ok... Should we reschedule for later in the week?”

“Yes, later in the week. Tell Patricia something came up.”

“Yes, of course.” The assistant paused as he balanced having to do his job of managing the Regional Administrator’s schedule with not wanting to sound overly intrusive. In the end, it was his curiosity that tipped the scale, “Did something come up?”

“Yes, it did.” Douglas wasn’t sure if the response was sufficient before deciding it probably wasn’t. “I need a break.”

“Ah yes,” the assistant quickly gushed, embarrassed now that he had asked. “You must be exhausted, back-to-back all day. Completely overloaded. Did you want me to clear your afternoon?”

“No need. What’s my next meeting after this one?”

“Looks like you have a meeting with the union reps.”

“Ah we should probably push that back. What about after that?”

“Uhm, your introduction to the Air programs.”

“Oh, I already read the materials. I think we can cancel that one. What else?”

“Your last hour you had asked me to schedule concentrative time for just you.”

“Excellent. Maybe you can see if Patricia is available at 4 for the San Francisco briefing?”

“During your concentrative time?” The assistant was desperately trying to keep the Regional Administrator’s adjusted afternoon commitments straight in his head.

“Yes, I’ve decided I don’t need it.” Douglas was pleased that he was able to squeeze in one more meeting for the day. “Can you check back in at 10 to 4? Otherwise, I’ll just be catching up in here. Leave the door closed.”

His assistant either didn’t get the hint or was paralyzed with indecisiveness. Either way, Douglas decided he need a little nudge, “You can leave now.”

“Oh yes, sir. It’s just…” The assistant paused as if needing permission to continue his sentence.

“Yes…?” The Regional Administrator granted him.

“I was told to let you know the emergency line has been set up.”

“The what?”

“The regional emergency line. If there’s an emergency incident in the region, the alert goes directly to the Regional Administrator. It can be forwarded to your cell…”

“Don’t bother.” Douglas was pretty irritated at all the distractions. “Don’t we have an emergency response team? Let them do their job.”

“Understood.” His assistant attempted a bow maneuver as he exited the room backwards almost in tears out of discomfort. Douglas laid across four of the chairs comfortably. He took out his phone and set the alarm to 3:45 before placing it down on the fifth chair. “I guess I did need that extra chair after all,” he mused to himself.

Next Chapter: Chapter 11 - Hannah