I realized Tasha must have worked on that plan last night while I wandered aimlessly around my empty mansion. I was impressed. More importantly, Mr. Reynolds was impressed.
"Thank you. I'm not saying your project is not worth our consideration. We just need to be cautious for our community's sake." Mr. Reynolds opened the report and started scanning it.
While he had his eyes on Tasha's practical layout and plan, I jumped on the opportunity. "We would like to give your department staff GroGreen apps free of charge. I'm certain you are all very busy, but we could take a few minutes to go over the planning and scheduling aspects. I think you'll find it is very easy to use."
"Some people already have it," Mr. Reynolds said. "By all means, show them more than the game."
Tasha stood up and joined the end of the conference table who had their phones out and ready. Within minutes, she had the community planning screen projected. All participants could put in their ideas and watch as the program and then their peers rated the ideas. It took ten minutes for a vegetable garden to be complete with task-lists and activity suggestions.
Mr. Reynolds finally looked up from the five-year plan and noticed the hum of excitement in the room. Tasha stepped aside and let his department show him what they had managed to accomplish in the short span of time. No one was sitting down. A few stood, pointing excitedly to the wall screen as they explained everything to their boss. The others took their phones and headed outside to the empty lot.
Tasha watched them stomping down the high weeds and scraping out the possible garden beds with a stick. "I thought this might not work," she said.
"Hope is my department. Paperwork is yours," I said. "Please tell me you know exactly what permits we need to make this happen."
Tasha nodded to the sheaf of papers sticking out of her briefcase. "Already printed and ready to go. If we get the go-ahead."
"Getting autographs, also my department," I said.
Mr. Reynolds saw me coming from across the conference room. "Well, Mr. Maxwell, it is an exciting possibility."
"We're willing to sign the long-term contract today," I said. "I'm sure Ms. Nichols included our commitment to raising community awareness, organizing volunteers, and overseeing the initial work."
He nodded to Tasha. "Yes, yes, and it's all great, but there are other obstacles."
Tasha joined us. "The Parks and Recreation Department is very busy and understandably hesitant to assign the extra work to their already spread-thin staff."
"And hiring a private company is not cost-effective," I realized.
Mr. Reynolds cleared his throat. "It's hard to ignore headlines that include the large bonuses you two must have received from GroGreen. I can tell you are both sincere, but I just don't see a couple of billionaires getting their hands dirty."
I laughed. "There you're wrong, Mr. Reynolds. I've been dying to get out from behind my desk and really sink my hands into something. Don't let the suit fool you; I'm here to work."
Tasha hesitated. "Yes, of course, but I think Mr. Reynolds’ concerns are long term."
"There's a strong community here. Have you seen the roses the community center’s closest neighbor has in her front yard? Plus, I see crowds of junior high kids just up the hill. Once the teachers have access to the lesson plans and activities on GroGreen, I'm sure they will be happy to let their fidgeting kids into the garden."
Mr. Reynolds finally bent. He hel
d up both hands. "All right. All right. I can't really turn you down when my second-in-command is out there laying out space for a pumpkin patch. I'll give you the permits to lay out the framework. Everything will come under review from the city before we go ahead in earnest, but at least show us what you can do."
Tasha was dazed as she laid out the right paperwork for Mr. Reynolds. After it was all signed, she checked her watch and had no idea which way to go. I caught her arm and steered her towards the front doors.
"Thanks so much, Mr. Reynolds. I know it's too early to treat your department to a celebratory lunch, so we'll just go introduce ourselves to your neighbors," I said.
"Start with Mrs. Davis," he said. "She's the one with those knock-out roses. Head of our gardening club. Oh, and Mr. Maxwell?"
I turned back but kept my hold on Tasha. "Yes, sir?"
"You can never go wrong getting this bunch some barbecue," Mr. Reynolds said.
"Done." I opened the door for Tasha and escorted her around the building in the opposite direction of the reporters.
She didn't speak until we passed the white picket fence and entered Mrs. Davis' riot of roses. "Did all of that really just happen?" she asked.
"Great work, partner," I said.
Tasha grabbed my arm before I could ring Mrs. Davis' bell. "Rainer? I have to thank you."