Jeff regarded her for a few seconds, then clapped his hands together. “Alright. Let me tell you what I’m thinking. I want to structure this PMO under Frank’s purview, focusing on financial and IT projects, which is right in your wheelhouse. But,” he paused dramatically, looking back and forth between them, “after we prove the concept, I want to move it. My vision is to have a PMO office that overseesallprojects, including engineering and operations. The biggest projects under operations involve setting up new locations. As you know, we’ve had several that have not gone smoothly in the past.”
“Holy shit!” she exclaimed, blushing bright red at her outburst. “I’m sorry, I—”
Jeff waved off her interruption and asked. “How long do you think we need for the proof of concept before we implement it at a broader level?”
Alex froze in her seat, attempting to squash the immediate refusal that sprang to mind along with the fear and misgivings that accompanied it and focused on the question at hand.
“If by ‘proof of concept,’ you mean having all the processes and systems in place and acclimating the company to using the methodology…” She paused, waiting for his nod of confirmation before continuing, “I’d say two years minimum. We could have manual processes in place within the first year, but we would need to purchase and implement any software before we went wide like you’re proposing.”
Upon seeing his frown, she explained, “We’d need a project management tool to track projects and resources company-wide. In addition, we’d want an official document-storing application. Those are two major software implementations, so you’re easily looking at two years to establish the necessary tools and processes.”
Jeff looked at Frank, then at the calendar hanging on his wall. “I hadn’t thought about new systems. We’ll need to adjust the capital budget. Alex, can you get a quote on these systems before Friday and work it into your budget?”
Alex made a note on her phone. “I’ll get with IT. Jackie may have ideas we can explore. We’ll see what we can pull together.”
Jeff nodded. “Okay, make it so. Frank, anything else?”
“I’m fully behind this effort, but I want to make sure we don’t lose Alex’s support team in the rush to launch the PMO. They’re already engaged in our projects and will be suitable candidates for the new department, but our financial users around the world depend heavily on them for support at month end.”
“Agreed,” Jeff said and looked back at Alex.
“Yeah, I have some thoughts about that,” she began. “I’m not sure everyone on my team wants to be a project manager. I haven’t discussed it with you, Frank, but I’m considering leaving the GFS team intact and promoting Grace to manage it. It’s still a bunch of vague ideas floating around in my head, but I can follow up with you later. You’re right, we are intricately involved with month end close and don’t want to cause issues there.”
“Good.” Jeff stood. “Let’s get those plans fleshed out, yes? I’d like an update by Wednesday afternoon.”
As they left Jeff’s office, Alex asked Frank if he needed her further. When he dismissed her, she trotted back to her office. She burst with pride that Jeff had embraced her ideas and wanted to incorporate them beyond her original proposal. At the same time, she trembled at the thought of failing, which was a real possibility given the expedited timeline and broader scope he was proposing.
She couldn’t believe this was happening so fast. Her heart raced at the thought. Just last night she’d been contemplating being overloaded for the next three months, and now her estimated workload had tripled within the same timeframe.
She lifted her phone. She needed Eddie to feed Felix tonight while she worked late.
Fin wokeearly on Monday and went for a run in Alex’s neighborhood. The giant oak trees shadowing the manicured lawns made the neighborhood beautiful. He understood why she loved it.
Invigorated by his run, Fin spent the morning taking care of personal business. His accountant handled most of his financial obligations, but he preferred to manage the finances for his farm in Aberdeen personally as a way to stay connected to the world outside of show business.
He finished answering emails and made a quick post on social media about the fantastic weather in Houston this time of year. He learned long ago that posting occasional tweets about regular activities kept fans engaged and let them see you as human. Conversely, staying vague about your exact location in those postings kept them from mobbing you. He felt an obligation to his fans to a certain limit. His fame was due to their devotion, and he would always make time for fans. But he loved acting and would do it in some form, regardless of whether anyone knew or cared who he was. Contrary to what Ms. Cole had suggested, he did not feel like he owedeverythingto them.
When his stomach growled around lunch time, Fin fixed himself a sandwich and texted Mac asking him to call when he was free. Thirty minutes later, his phone rang. They exchanged pleasantries, then got down to business.
Fin shared his ideas about the production company he and Addie wanted to form and the film he had in mind for their maiden project.
“Before we get too deep into the details,” Fin said, “do you remember Adelina Perez? She’s been my business partner for many years now. She sat at our table at the Hollywood Charity Ball for the Homeless we attended a few years ago.”
“Yes, I know of her. I didn’t remember meeting her before—I don’t think she and I talked much that night—but I have heard good things about her around town.”
“She and I have discussed it for years, enough to refine the things we do and don’t want to do with the company, but I recently got serious about moving forward. This new script I’m looking at, along with some other things going on in my life, has finally prompted me to pull the trigger. I told her I was reaching out to you and would get back to her afterward.”
“Sounds like you and I both have been heading this direction separately for a long time. Given how like-minded we are, it makes sense to do it together.” Mac listed several past projects he had worked on with different friends. Fin was familiar with a few, and they discussed the ups and downs of the projects.
“Let’s get our people involved next week in LA. If the three of us feel good, we’ll put together a business plan to go forward. You want to send me the script you’re previewing? Or wait until we have an agreement?”
“I’ll send the manuscript over today. It may help you think of other things we need to discuss next week,” Fin told him.
“Sounds good. Hey, how’s your chickie?”
“Pardon?” Fin asked, confused at the word.
“Your lady friend. Alice? No, that doesn’t sound right.”
