Cross Posted from the Smith & Wesson Forum
We all hold our breath, you can literally hear a pin drop! The silence is nothing short of torture...
As Joe Friday from DRAGNET used to say, "The story you are about to see (read) is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."
The guys are all sitting around the break room table. I am just sitting down, obviously late into an ongoing conversation.
I've worked here for 9 or 10 years. Best job I've ever had! It's just a small company, mostly owned and operated by one awesome individual; as owner and president, his office is at the end of the hallway, opposite the break area. The vice president's office - halfway down that same hall. I think that he and a few others surely have some kind of investment in the facility too.
The product we manufacture, let's call it "North Star," uses a base material in production that is, ounce for ounce, worth more than gold. Each of us has a special skill or skills needed for production, and people's lives depend on "North Star's" quality being as perfect as humanly possible. We also have some highly volatile materials used in the manufacturing process, that if in the wrong hands, could be extremely dangerous. No guards have ever been hired, because everything is secret; perhaps that's a delusion and gives a false sense of security to management; and perhaps there are safety's in place - that I know not of? Thankfully, nothing has ever happened to the contrary; but I, being an old Boy Scout (and CCW for many years) want to always be prepared, even though it's against the rules! There are cameras around the exterior of the building, and some inside; but with the value of "North Star," and the dangerous materials we use in the process, I can't imagine not having some kind of protection, at least for self defense - in the event things ever went South. I always keep my First Gen Body Guard .380 (loaded with FMJ) and a flashlight on my person or in my lunch cooler, disguised in a pretzel bag or similar. I've heard some of the others quietly mention their concern over the value of our product; and the desire for bad actors to possess the "other" materials we use - IF somebody found out about it!
So here we are eating lunch, and the conversation is evidently about having concealed firearms here at work, "just in case!"
One guy gets really brave, and pulls his pistol out of his leather tool bag (usually on his shoulder or by his side) to show everyone at the table! I can't believe he is doing this!!! No firearms allowed!!! A moment later, another guy reveals his sidearm from under his lab vest! I am on pins & needles at what is taking place. Pretty soon, these nine men at the table all have their weapon out, admiring and discussing each other's choice. Everybody is being ultra careful, naturally, as a result of the precision our jobs require. As the dialogue slows a bit, one of the guys looks my way; "do you have anything?" My best friend knows that I do, but he alone! I hesitate, and think to myself how awesome this is, and decide what the hey! I pull mine out of my lunch cooler and join the crowd. Just as I am receiving everyone's approval, the vice president of the company walks in!!! He looks around the table and sees each and every one of us with our carry piece! He gazes at our faces as if jotting down notes in his mind! He has an emotionless blank stare, and swiftly turns and walks away.
We all hold our breath, you can literally hear a pin drop! The silence is nothing short of torture... Some of the guys look as if they are ready to pack up and wait to be escorted out the door. Some appear to be almost in a state of shock. One friend seriously looked like he could cry! I am running scenarios through my brain as to what would/could transpire next. How do I explain this to my wife?? Someone finally says, "we are so screwed! It's been nice working with you all!"
The vice president barges back in, with a look of conquest in his eyes and a sly grin, and he proudly shows us his trophy 1911, 45 caliber! We all had a good belly laugh as we picked up our dropped jaws from the floor and composed ourselves!
It was funny as it happened, but things sure were different after that day! There was nothing better than knowing we all had each other's back. We didn't just take pride in our expertise, and our "North Star;" we took pride in each other. Our friendships & trust grew much stronger from that point! Morale went through the roof, and remained so for the remaining years I worked there.
It was a great feeling. It was a great job. It was a great team and company; and very rewarding knowing how "North Star" benefited the people that needed it, even helping to save lives. Those guys are my friends forever.
I'm retired now, but I will never, ever forget that day!
Blessing & Bullseyes,
eforest99
We all hold our breath, you can literally hear a pin drop! The silence is nothing short of torture...
As Joe Friday from DRAGNET used to say, "The story you are about to see (read) is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."
The guys are all sitting around the break room table. I am just sitting down, obviously late into an ongoing conversation.
I've worked here for 9 or 10 years. Best job I've ever had! It's just a small company, mostly owned and operated by one awesome individual; as owner and president, his office is at the end of the hallway, opposite the break area. The vice president's office - halfway down that same hall. I think that he and a few others surely have some kind of investment in the facility too.
The product we manufacture, let's call it "North Star," uses a base material in production that is, ounce for ounce, worth more than gold. Each of us has a special skill or skills needed for production, and people's lives depend on "North Star's" quality being as perfect as humanly possible. We also have some highly volatile materials used in the manufacturing process, that if in the wrong hands, could be extremely dangerous. No guards have ever been hired, because everything is secret; perhaps that's a delusion and gives a false sense of security to management; and perhaps there are safety's in place - that I know not of? Thankfully, nothing has ever happened to the contrary; but I, being an old Boy Scout (and CCW for many years) want to always be prepared, even though it's against the rules! There are cameras around the exterior of the building, and some inside; but with the value of "North Star," and the dangerous materials we use in the process, I can't imagine not having some kind of protection, at least for self defense - in the event things ever went South. I always keep my First Gen Body Guard .380 (loaded with FMJ) and a flashlight on my person or in my lunch cooler, disguised in a pretzel bag or similar. I've heard some of the others quietly mention their concern over the value of our product; and the desire for bad actors to possess the "other" materials we use - IF somebody found out about it!
So here we are eating lunch, and the conversation is evidently about having concealed firearms here at work, "just in case!"
One guy gets really brave, and pulls his pistol out of his leather tool bag (usually on his shoulder or by his side) to show everyone at the table! I can't believe he is doing this!!! No firearms allowed!!! A moment later, another guy reveals his sidearm from under his lab vest! I am on pins & needles at what is taking place. Pretty soon, these nine men at the table all have their weapon out, admiring and discussing each other's choice. Everybody is being ultra careful, naturally, as a result of the precision our jobs require. As the dialogue slows a bit, one of the guys looks my way; "do you have anything?" My best friend knows that I do, but he alone! I hesitate, and think to myself how awesome this is, and decide what the hey! I pull mine out of my lunch cooler and join the crowd. Just as I am receiving everyone's approval, the vice president of the company walks in!!! He looks around the table and sees each and every one of us with our carry piece! He gazes at our faces as if jotting down notes in his mind! He has an emotionless blank stare, and swiftly turns and walks away.
We all hold our breath, you can literally hear a pin drop! The silence is nothing short of torture... Some of the guys look as if they are ready to pack up and wait to be escorted out the door. Some appear to be almost in a state of shock. One friend seriously looked like he could cry! I am running scenarios through my brain as to what would/could transpire next. How do I explain this to my wife?? Someone finally says, "we are so screwed! It's been nice working with you all!"
The vice president barges back in, with a look of conquest in his eyes and a sly grin, and he proudly shows us his trophy 1911, 45 caliber! We all had a good belly laugh as we picked up our dropped jaws from the floor and composed ourselves!
It was funny as it happened, but things sure were different after that day! There was nothing better than knowing we all had each other's back. We didn't just take pride in our expertise, and our "North Star;" we took pride in each other. Our friendships & trust grew much stronger from that point! Morale went through the roof, and remained so for the remaining years I worked there.
It was a great feeling. It was a great job. It was a great team and company; and very rewarding knowing how "North Star" benefited the people that needed it, even helping to save lives. Those guys are my friends forever.
I'm retired now, but I will never, ever forget that day!
Blessing & Bullseyes,
eforest99
