busker

Loot

Can one be made to give $$ back?

I have transferred it to my Greek bank account where even *I* can't reach cash easily, tho' it seems that mom's gardener and butler and kyrios Tom Cobleigh and all can adjust their wages at whim.

• Mid July 2004, I commit Cardinal Sin IV in the Coercia.com rule book, am grilled by manager with HR youth attendance, and walked to desk for instant clearance and escort to Exit.
• It is explained that I have 90 days to vest my 7 years' worth of Coercia stock.
• I get home, get on the blower to the brokers and instruct them to sell NOW and wire cash to my bank.
• Next day, Coercia chairman announces certain customer-caressing initiatives that will cost the company in the short term but earn it devoted customers in the long run. Stock price dips by $8.00. Next day, by another $2.00. Tumbles.
• Thirty days later, a note from brokers showing $5,000.00. I call and ask how come and to sell.
• Ten business days later, a voice mail asking what I want to do with the $855.12 cents in my account.

  I call and say if there's *any* remaining funds, to cash it in and send it thru.

• One week before the 90 days are up, I call: "Can you see *any* cash I'm entitled to, because after October 15, that's it." Nothing showing.

  Oct 4, 2005, after nigh on a year of no mail from the broker, I get a Client Statement showing $14,018.75.

  I phone - in very cautious mode - and talk to a very helpful chap who, yes, can take my instructions over the phone to sell and transfer.

• Naturally, I won't get the *full* 14 grand because the purchase of the stocks will come out of my lump sum.

  Naturally.

  We're talking original grant at $6.00, now trading at just under 10 times that price. $3.00 over the exercise price from a year back.

  I make scrooge-like grunts and tell him to proceed. I receive confirmatory email of the trade. I check my account online and the money is there. I instruct transfer to my Greek bank account. I receive email confirmation from sending and receiving banques.

  I estimate how much Uncle Sam will be asking come tax time 2006 and move that amount plus a further $500 to be safe from checking to savings account.

• Ponder the vagaries of the money business and whether it would not have made sense to be fired *sooner* and just lived off the proceeds.

  Pour slug of Lagavulin and order online the new
  Liz Phair.