Absence of Faith by Anthony S. Policastro Read Free Book Online

his
lips.
    "It's still unclear to me how I
will ever find the time to do it," Carson said.
    "Look. You don't have to do it. If
you feel it will be too much for you, don't do it, but I believe
it's a great opportunity for someone young like yourself. I wish I
had such an opportunity when I was your age," Hansen added. "I'd
probably be retired by now."
    Hansen continued to deliver
spoonfuls of soup to his mouth. Some of the soup soaked the gray
hairs of his mustache. He quickly wiped it away with a paper
napkin.
    "I've got copies of our business
plan, projections, and promotional strategies. There's also a copy
of your contract, and your duties and responsibilities, and your
compensation plan." Hansen handed him a thick folder with Carson's
name handwritten on the top.
    "You mean I get paid in addition to
sharing the profits?" Carson asked.
    Hansen took a bite out of his tuna
fish sandwich. Some of the tuna fish dripped out and fell on to the
plate.
    "Ha ha, of course, but after the
first year. Your first year will be a token salary - small. That
will be your investment. We don't expect you to work for free after
that. You can negotiate a real salary after the first year. If you
don't want to work in the lab, you will still own a part of it as a
full-fledged stockholder. If you don't join us now, we still have
to hire a manager to run the lab. It's part of the business plan,
just like we had to budget for telephones and a receptionist. With
your salary, you will be one of the highest paid partners after the
first year!"
    "Okay, I'll take a look," Carson
said.
    "Of course, take your time but we
hope to open by September fifth, right after Labor Day. I need to
know your decision two weeks before that," Hansen said.
    "You'll know long before that, one
way or the other," Carson said. He looked down at the thick folder
for several moments. "But, why me?"
    "You come from a top notch school,
you're a neurologist, and you're young. We need someone with a lot
of energy, a lot of ambition, and your credentials if we want to
make this thing a success," Hansen explained. "If it works out, we
foresee this as a win-win situation for all of us. And most
importantly, you are committed to Ocean Village and its residents.
In the past few years our town is more like a retirement community
with many of the young people moving out and no fresh blood coming
in."
    "Well, thank you," Carson
smiled.
    "Oh, I almost forgot. We're having
a small get-together this Saturday night at my house around seven.
You and your wife are invited. It would be a good opportunity for
you to meet the others involved. Here's my address," Hansen said
pulling a wrinkled business card and a pen from his shirt pocket.
He began writing on the back of the card.
    "Call me if you can't make it,
otherwise, I'll assume you're coming."
    "Well, thank you, Dr. Hansen,"
Carson said extending his hand.
    "Thank you, Carson. I hope you will
join us."
    Hansen stood up wiping his mouth
and still chewing the tuna fish sandwich.
    "I have to run," Dr. Hansen said
wiping his mouth again. "Hope to see you Saturday."
    "Thanks again," Carson
said.
    Carson sat there for a few moments
and looked at the business card. He could barely read the
handwriting. He turned it over to read the other side. It said
Jersey Medical Supply in plain black type.
    Carson pocketed the card and headed
back to the ER. After he checked in, he visited Mrs. Whitehead. She
was sitting up watching television with a white, small stuffed dog
under her arm.
    "Hello, Mrs. Whitehead. Looks like
you're feeling a lot better today."
    "Oh, yes, doctor. When do you think
I can go home? The nurses are nasty. They wouldn't let me watch Jay
Leno last night!" she protested. "Puddles and I always watch Leno
together."
    "Well, they're only trying to help
you get better. They know you need your rest. Is Puddles your
friend, there?" Carson said.
    "Oh, yes. This is not the real
Puddles. He died years ago...before your time. He looked just