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all, I am a bit older than A.J., and given my background, it will probably be difficult to keep my mouth shut at times, but I have decided that is what I must do. Another best thing I could do is to go back to my military experience. Yes, sir. no, sir. It should be very difficult to get into trouble that way. Generally speaking, the army tells you: if it moves, salute it… if it doesn’t move, paint it. So I shall be correct in all respects with regard to my new working relationship. Appropriately, following a slight noise in the hallway, a sneaker clad A.J. saunters in. I rise to the occasion.
    “Good morning, sir,” I say with a smile.
    A.J. is wearing sweat clothes. Looks like he’s set up to go for a run.
    “Good morning, yourself, and what’s this ‘sir’ shit?” he replies with a scowl. “You didn’t call me, sir, when we talked a few days ago.”
    He looks at the coffee and reaches for a cup, his attention diverted for the moment.
    “I didn’t work for you a few days ago,” I reply evenly.
    “Well let’s get something straight…” his gaze returns to me, the scowl still in place, “I’m a very informal guy and I don’t call anyone, sir, and I don’t expect anyone to call me, sir… got it?”
    A.J. doesn’t appear angry, but he does look determined. Unfortunately this is an important point with me. All my plans revolve around having the proper relationship with my new employer. After all, I’m just trying to protect myself. Besides, since the service, I’ve never worked for anyone else. I’m not sure I can pull it off on an informal basis. I think I’d be better off at arm’s length for a while. Later on, if I make the cut, things may loosen up naturally.
    “I think I know how you must feel,” I reply, “but you have to understand that if I’m going to manage this place, then I’m going to have to conduct myself in a manner that shows the respect due to you as the master of this house. People have to realize you are the boss and not their buddy. If I don’t show you respect, then neither will anyone else.”
    “So what are you saying? Are you telling me you expect everyone here to call me, sir? Because if that’s what you think you’re…”
    “Yes, sir,” I cut in. “Either, sir, or Mr. Jackson. You may have special employees address you in whatever manner you wish. For instance, friends you employ, whom you have known for years… I wouldn’t expect anything to change there, but I would like the rest to address you in a more formal manner.”
    A.J. shakes his head and sits down next to his son.
    “I don’t like it. It sounds like a stuffy movie. What am I supposed to call you?”
    “Philip. would be fine.”
    A.J. contemplates this state of affairs for four or five seconds and then a small smile creases his lips and he says, “Okay, Phil, Philip it is. So, Phil, what are your plans today?”
    No one has called me, Phil, since my school days, but I ignore the shot… he is the boss, I must remember, and if he wants to call me, Phil, then that’s the name I’ll answer to. Besides, after taking such a strong stand on calling him, sir, I’m hardly in a position to complain about Phil. That would be more like shooting myself in the ass… forget the foot.
    “I would like to meet the staff before making any definite plans for the day. Otherwise, I thought one of the first things on the agenda should be to start work on a budget for general operations. I am assuming from your comments the other day that you haven’t had the time to draw one up yet.”
    Apparently this comment has great entertainment value for A.J. He throws his head back with a loud guffaw and an equally loud slap of his hand on the table. Jeff-Jeff learns quickly and slaps his hand on the table in imitation of his father. Unfortunately, his thumb catches the edge of his bowl and milk and cereal go flying. This brings Martha on the run with a cloth and a scowl that has absolutely no effect on A.J.
    “You