2. Scott “Scotty” Chad MacLeod #2
“Miss Williams, your driver and passenger side doors were replaced and painted to match your custom paint job. The paint was a special mix. I can guarantee you that we aren’t trying to get you.
The work is the work, and the price is the price.
Before we started the work on your vehicle, you approved all of it and were made aware of the price,” I reminded her.
We never start work before we get a sign off from the vehicle owner. It was for this very reason. This bitch probably had the same invoice that I held in my hand in that designer purse that hung off her arm.
“Well, I found out after I signed that shit that I could have gotten it done for half the price. They said that you were overcharging me,” she said with conviction. “I’m not paying to be overcharged.”
My body turned slightly toward Seth, and I gave him that nod.
When I turned back to Miss Williams, I only had half a teaspoon left of customer service.
“Miss Williams, as stipulated in our contracts and invoices, we wait two business days before we start the repairs. Anytime within those two days, you have the right to contact us to cancel the work order. At no time did that happen, so you owe this invoice. If you truly do not want to pay for it, that is fine. We will return your car to its original state that it was in when it arrived.”
Her eyes enlarged. “What! No the fuck you won’t.”
My head dropped as my fingers rose to pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Look. I don’t have the patience or time for this bullshit.
” When I lifted my head, I wore a scowl to match hers.
“You have two options. You can pay this fuckin’ invoice, or get your car back in a few days the way it came in this bitch. ”
The offense sat on her face. She tittered before she spoke. “Yeah, neither of those are going to happen. I got one better. I’m about to call my nigga up here. Let’s see if you talk that big shit when he gets here.”
She was about to get her nigga killed over a bill that she should have paid.
This shit was sad. These types of females were dangerous.
They wanted to pull niggas into bullshit, then when that bullshit ended with their nigga dead, they were at the funeral, ready to jump on the casket. Bitch, you caused this shit.
“That’s fine. I’ll be in my office when he arrives,” I told her before I turned my back to her. “Jonathan, let me know when her nigga gets here. I’ll be in my office.”
Just as I was about to walk off, Lo’ak walked into the waiting area with two niggas that I didn’t know behind him. It didn’t bother me, because I knew him enough to know that if you were in his presence, you were solid. “Lo’ak, what’s up?”
We greeted each other with a hand dap. “What’s going on, Scotty? It’s been a while. Thank you for taking this meeting. Let me introduce you to Derrick Phillips and Seneca Loris.”
We all greeted each other before I told them they could follow me to my office’s conference room. I offered water, juice, or liquor before we all got settled. Lo’ak and Seneca accepted the water, while Derrick accepted the liquor.
After a sip from his water bottle, Lo’ak started the conversation. “Scotty, I wanted to meet with you because my boy Derrick has an opportunity for you. The last time we talked, you told me that you wanted a change of scenery. I think this is that opportunity.”
“Really? What exactly is the opportunity?” I asked. Curiosity sat on my shoulders.
He was right. For years, I had wanted a change.
I felt like that change couldn’t happen to the level that I needed without a change of location.
Although I owned four auto body shops, I wasn’t locked into moving, because my shops were run efficiently by the men that worked under me.
Grady was the manager of this shop. It was rare that I needed to be here.
If I worked on a vehicle, it was because I was bored and wanted to.
Lo’ak glanced at Derrick. “Yeah, so I own a body shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, that was passed down by my father. It’s been up and running for forty years.
My previous manager unfortunately took a trip to hell and was unable to return.
When I told Lo’ak that I was looking for a new manager, you were suggested.
I trust his recommendation, so here we are. ”
I heard his words, but something wasn’t clicking. My focus fell on Lo’ak. “I’m an interesting recommendation. Is there a specific reason that you recommended me, Lo’ak? I’m sure that there are men in your city that are more than capable of managing a body shop.”
There was more to this opportunity than just managing a body shop. There could only be one reason why he would have recommended my ass to come all the way to Charlotte, North Carolina. Yeah, I needed more context.
Lo’ak nodded with understanding. “Well, your shops and his have some things in common as far as under-the-table operations. I told him that you would be a major asset to clean up what the former manager fucked up. You’re a solid nigga that’s about your business, loyal, and trustworthy. That’s why I recommended you.”
Under-the-table operations. That was what I wanted to hear. You didn’t come hundreds of miles away to ask for a manager just for body shop management in the environment that we lived in.
For the next fifteen to twenty minutes, we talked more about the under-the-table operations that needed to be cleaned up.
If I would even entertain the idea, I needed to know what I could potentially get myself into.
Another element that was important to me was the money.
Yes, amazing income would still be brought in by my shops here, but I still wouldn’t uproot my life for an opportunity that didn’t make sense.
“The opportunity definitely sounds enticing. I understand your previous manager’s need for his trip to hell.
How about I commit to six months to get your operations together?
Trust me, it won’t take that long, as long as you give me complete autonomy.
I don’t like being micromanaged. If you trust me, then trust me.
I do understand that you two don’t know me, so the trust aspect may be hard, but it’s clear that you trust Lo’ak.
“You trusted him enough to fly here and check me out, so I would need you to trust me enough to run your operation to get it to a level that satisfies you,” I told them. My autonomy with how I moved was non-negotiable.
Before anyone else could speak, there was a knock at the door. Johnathan popped his head in after I welcomed the person in. “That chick’s dude is out here. He’s a goofy like her. Oh, Grady said that Seth said it’s done.”
I told him thank you. When the doors closed, Lo’ak chortled. “I don’t know what happened, but if you had to call Seth, I know it was some other shit.”
Lo’ak was very familiar with Seth and his team. He used him from time to time. Seth definitely was a last resort kind of call.
My head turned side to side. “Man, these fuckas really don’t get it.
I tried to save this bitch, but she ran up a $7,000 bill and now doesn’t want to pay.
You know I’m gonna get my money one way or another.
Before I go up here, Derrick, you can let me know when you’re ready if you can agree to my terms. If so, I’ll make the move, but if not, I wish you well. ”
Derrick smirked. “Oh, I don’t need time. I can agree with your terms. I can only hope that you end up wanting to stay longer. I know you got your own situation up here, but I appreciate your willingness to help a nigga out.”
I nodded. “Yeah, my situation up here will always be that unless I decide otherwise. It’s nothing to help another solid nigga. Like Lo’ak said, I’ve been looking for a change.”
We all stood and had a few more words as well as handshakes. They followed me out to the front to the waiting lounge. I heard the nigga before I saw him. His girl must have sauced his head up more than the situation needed. This is going to be fun.
When I turned the corner, and the dummy saw me, he piped down a little. He glanced at his girl, who was ready. “That’s him right there, baby. He was talking big shit when I was in here earlier.”
“Miss Williams, I see you’re back with your companion.” With a tilted head, I looked at him, then asked, “Are you here to settle this invoice?”
Dude’s eyes ping ponged between his bitch and me. Her mouth ran a mile a second. His eyes tightened in her direction. “Aye, shut the fuck up!”
Ol’ girl’s head bucked back. She thought this would play out differently. It looked like her nigga knew exactly who I was and what I was about. “Scotty, my bad, man. How much is the bill?”
That’s what the fuck I thought. He pulled a wad of money out of his pocket after I told him the total. His bitch gawked at him as he counted those bills out then handed them to me.
I counted out the bills to confirm it was what was owed. “Thank you for doing business with SCM. Miss Williams, your car will be pulled around to the front. It’s been fully detailed. Also, your property will be returned to your home by the end of the business day tomorrow.”
“Wha—what do you mean, my property will be returned to my home? What the fuck! Jeremy, you’re really going to let this nigga handle me like that?” She was pissed, and I didn’t think any of us gave a fuck.
Who I now knew as Jeremy looked at her with a side eye. “Shut the hell up. Your ass should have paid the fucking bill when those insurance people gave you that check. Now you owe me, bitch.”
He turned and started his retreat. Miss Williams ran behind him with the baby, baby, baby. I turned to Grady and told him to let Seth know what was up. “Fellas, sorry about that. Derrick, when do you need me in Charlotte?”
The Golden Touch . . .