My Amazing Co-Conspirator

Since he first spoke with her at the checkout counter of the retail shop where she worked, Mike was impressed with CC's approachability, easy manner and friendly way. As he got to know her better, he also realized she was incredibly deep, smart and creative. Mike was so impressed and inspired by CC, in fact, that he up and asked her to come work for him. Mike had so many projects going on -- some in development, others evolving and in a pitching stage -- that he needed someone to help him keep focused on priorities, manage some of the growing details, guide his web forays and feed off and help grow his ideas.

Initially, her schedule was to be two days a week -- the days in which she was not already working at her retail job, which fluctuated week to week. Mike was ok with that, as CC's role was still evolving. But it quickly became clear that Mike really almost needed someone the whole week long each week.

The duo discussed an expanded working schedule when CC realized she needed to leave her retail job. She was unhappy there, unappreciated and not really doing what she wanted to do. Sounded familiar, Mike thought, her feelings identical to those Mike had before leaving his own unfulfilling job.

Mike suggested she tell her boss her intentions as soon as possible and, on Thursday, March 18 -- henceforth known as CC's Personal Independence Day -- she gave notice. Upon hearing the news, Mike sent the following congratulatory message, in 48-point type no less:

WELCOME TO THE FREE WORLD! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! WE ARE GOING TO ROCK LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW! I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU! LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR BLOG. BIG HUGS... MIKE

CC committed to Mike a full 5-day-a-week schedule. At that juncture and now officially her new employer, Mike felt a power rush and immediately laid down some stringent new rules. This guiding document would be called the WRITER'S WORKSHOP MANIFESTO, dictating how work was to be performed and the guidelines to be followed. It was going to be Mike's Way Or The Highway. The founding statutes of the Manifesto are outlined below:

WRITER'S WORKSHOP MANIFESTO

1. Upon the start and conclusion of a work day, hugs must be exchanged.

2. Flip-flops will be standard attire.

3. Mi casa es su casa.

4. CC must try at least one different meal each working day to expand her culinary horizons.

5. On nice days, work will be conducted on the patio (with Smoothies). On inclement days, work will revert indoors (with chunky soup to quell any chills).

6. Music will be played and enjoyed every day.

7. Spontaneous dancing is allowed and even encouraged.

8. Ice cream will be sampled on Fridays.

9. The words "Boss" and "Employee" are prohibited; fellow "Co-Conspirators" is he preferred.

10. Grilled cheese is the company staple.

11. Any coincidences and weird ESP happenings must be immediately discussed and further analyzed to see if there's any deeper connection, which invariably there is, hence a company-encouraged session of Deep Thoughts.

12. New mantras are encouraged, e.g. Stimulate Your Own Economy.

13. We will effect a "Work Without Walls" (trademarked by Mike) environment.

14. CC may be utilized in an extracurricular fashion to include the spreading of mulch, tomato picking, pie-making and Corona runs.

15. Sleeping late is permitted. Naps and cartoon-watching on company time are also permitted.

16. There will be no official work hours but only timeframes of productivity that may fall at any time of day wherein there will be great inspiration, collaboration and baking of cookies.

17. We will only dress up for clients; otherwise the corporate uniform shall be shorts, t-shirt and the aforementioned flip-flops. Beach attire is also welcome, but only if paired with a company-sponsored visit to the beach.

18. Headlamps shall be affixed upon command and silly photos taken with them on.

19. Frisbee is the encouraged brainstorming activity.

20. All board meetings will be held in pajamas or comfortable loungewear, with glazed donuts provided as meeting accessories.

It was a cruel and thoughtless Manifesto to be sure, but someone had to make the hard decisions. These rigid policies had to be enforced lest there be slacking, disloyalty or disinterest in the obligations at hand.

Did CC have a sense of this New World Order? Well, not the complete extent Mike surmised. He'd forgotten to mention to her the free company Snuggie with embroidered name on the breast pocket and Macaroni & Cheese Tuesdays. :-)