“Yeah. We’re gonna start doing the split screen thing, getting different angles rather than the single shot from a stationary camera. That’ll add another cost.” Ducky’s arms were still tightly crossed over his chest as they walked. “One of the film guys is going to help me edit the videos for the website and YouTube. He’s not charging extra for that. And he went to Full Sail so he knows what he’s doing. It’s funny that Greer has an office here. He’s taken a big interest.”
“Yeah,” Dallas said as they rounded the corner into the area housing a cluster of individual offices. He started toward the one he shared with Ducky. About twelve days ago, Greer had started showing up at their corporate office regularly. He combed over the bookkeeping, watching every dime spent. He monitored their growth personally. Greer’s approach to business seemed as if he moved chess pieces around on a board. His mister absolutely had the Midas touch.
In short order, Greer had maximized their growing bank accounts. He had also maneuvered Dallas out of his second job at Elite Gym. Last night had been his last shift.
Donny had no idea what was going on except Greer had little time for him. He’d voiced his frustration over Greer’s apparent friendship with Ducky and for giving Dallas a salary large enough that he could quit his second job. Of course, Donny hadn’t shared any of that with Dallas, only with Ducky. His older brother could hold a grudge almost as well as their father.
“I’m calling for a pizza party at my place tonight. Call Skye, have her meet us there,” Greer said, coming through his and Ducky’s office door. He looked dashing, and his enchanting smile always pulled one from Dallas.
“Why’s that?” Ducky asked, simply turning Greer’s direction, his arms still crossed over his chest. Dallas could hear the smile in Ducky’s voice. Maybe more than anything else Greer had done, his friendship with Ducky was the most endearing to Dallas.
“You’re looking at quite possibly the best salesman on the planet.” Greer tooted his own horn while tossing a legal pad with handwritten notes titled bill of sale on to Dallas’s desk.
Dallas scanned down the page until he reached the bottom where the total boxes sold were circled in black ink. “Sixteen hundred boxes. Are you serious?”
“And sixteen hundred monthly subscriptions. All to Belo. And that’s not all.” Greer flipped over the page showing another handwritten bill of sale. “Dylan’s ordered seven hundred boxes, paying full price.”
“He’s paying full price?” Ducky asked, concerned. “Shouldn’t we just give them to him?”
“Absolutely, not,” Greer declared as if that were the craziest idea ever. “I had to pay. He has to pay.” Greer delivered his theory with a wink directed at both of them.
Ducky must have agreed since he grinned. His fist came out to Dallas, and he obliged with a knuckle tap of his own.
“Did we think of corporate business like this?” Ducky asked.
“I’m not sure we did.”
Greer sat on the edge of the desk between him and Ducky.
“It’s the way to grow StreamTrainer in a big way. Here’s what I’ve been thinking. Dallas needs to move into the position of a corporate salesman…”
What? Dallas couldn’t have heard Greer correctly. He didn’t know how to sell anything. With an immediate objection rising to his lips, Greer lifted a hand to cut him off.
“Hear me out. I’ll open the door for you, get you the introductions, and train you on how to close the deal.”
“Then why don’t you just do it,” Dallas countered. Greer’s lips pressed together as if he were talking to a simpleton.
“Because I’m a busy man. I’m only here for now. You guys have given me a break from my reality, but I have my fair share of work being left undone.” Greer left his perch on the desk, lifting the tablet to Ducky. “Can you call Donny and see when these two shipments can be delivered? Orders this size will be easier to ship directly from the distributor. Then call the contacts at the bottom of the pages. We need both companies invoiced as soon as possible. For both the boxes and the year’s membership.”
“This is great,” Ducky said, his eyes growing wide. “No discounts and all the membership fees up front. This will end our cash problems.”
Greer reached over to teasingly knock Dallas under the chin, urging him to close his gaping mouth.
“I thought it was great too. So, pizza, swimming, and margaritas at my place tonight. Invite Skye. We should offer her a full-time job to take over the training department. We have a lot to celebrate.”
“I agree. That sounds great to me,” Ducky said distractedly, taking the chair behind his desk. “People like Dallas. I can see he’d be a good salesman.”
Greer clapped his hands, rubbing them together, clearly very proud of himself. Dallas’s eyes narrowed.