Note to the Reader:
This account represents my personal opinion and experience. The tale of The Bad Rep is my portrayal of my interactions with one individual. His behavior is not in any way typical of The Foundation.
News Flash! The Bad Rep is dead!
Of course, he's not dead, but I was just thinking about the big song and dance number when the "Wicked Witch of the West" bought the farm and her hat collapsed onto her empty dress, disappearing into thin air. It was like that when we got the news that "X" had resigned his position at The Foundation. Of course, if Wizard of Oz were made in Hollywood today, there would be a sequel where the Wicked Witch returns with a bigger wand and bulging biceps. We sincerely hope that "X2: Return of the Bad Rep" never screens.
An important aspect to this tale is that we made the decision en-route to Hong Kong that we would discuss the "X" situation with Helene and let the chips fall where they may. We agreed that we would present the facts in a non-hysterical and brief manner. The difficulties we experienced with "X" were too outrageous to not mention: we owed it to ourselves and The Foundation.
We had recently returned from our mid-year meeting in Hong Kong when we received a phone call from the The Foundation office and an email from The Foundation headquarters. We were told that a highly-placed Foundation staffer, Mr. "K", was in town, and that he'd like to have dinner with us. We had briefly met Mr. "K" during the west-coast portion of our orientation. In Japanese pop culture, bands are categorized in a binary fashion: they're FAMOUS or they AREN'T. In the US, I think we do sort of the same thing: either you're a VIP or you AREN'T. Mr. "K" is important.
Another feature of the Mongolian Business Culture that both Zina and I find incredibly obstructionist and annoying is that people are extremely reluctant to give you access to their superiors. Clearly, Mr. "K" is a superior, and predictably, we were told that we should have dinner with him "at 6 or 7pm on Thursday. Meet him at the Chinggis Hotel." but no additional details were forthcoming. Finally, after a couple of fruitless calls to the Mongolian staff at The Foundation office, on a hunch, we called the Chinggis Hotel front desk to try and track him down. He was indeed staying there, and we left a message for him. He returned our call, and we made firm arrangements to meet in the lobby of the hotel at 6pm.
We met him -- a few minutes late, of course, because this is Mongolia and we're artists -- and we got into the The Foundation vehicle, Byambaa driving, and we headed over to the Taj Mahal Indian restaurant. On the way, I was chatting with Bayer when Zina starts vigorously slapping my thigh. I switched my attention to Mr. "K": he was saying that "X" had resigned, that the official date was December 31st, but that he had left the country already. Zina could barely contain her excitement but I was sort of blinking with disbelief. We had discussed the possible ramifications of complaining, and this was our "best for us" possible outcome: no risk of repercussions. Of course, it was the worst for "X", but, empathy aside, that wasn't really our problem.
So, we arrive at Taj for dinner, and we are seated at the rear on a large table. I realize that he's impeccably dressed and groomed without a hair out of place. As I write this, I realize that he has these attributes in common with Evil Smoking Man, but I am not put off in the least by Mr. "K". He's clearly on a mission and is all business about "X". Zina tries to pump him for some information on the circumstances regarding "S's" departure: no dice. He repeats that "X" had left to pursue personal interests. He said that "X" was gone from Mongolia, "case closed". Businesslike. The once-business conversation relaxed into to chitchat about the schooling of his daughters, his upbringing as a native Californian, our relative motorcycling experiences, and the harsh winter in the States.
Epilogue:
It's been about 2 months since "S's" departure. There have been two TDYs (Temporary DutY) staffers here: "S" who we had the pleasure of meeting in S.F., and "E", who is the Rep for Nepal. We had the opportunity to hang out briefly with both during their visits to UB. "E" asked -- delicately -- about the "X" situation, and we gave him the Readers Digest version of his transgressions. "E" was pretty appalled and vowed to solicit The Foundation on our behalf to get the registration fine reimbursed to us. Both "E" and The Foundation came through for us: we received the reimbursement with no questions asked. I really feel like it was both a moral and fiscal victory.
I think that we can go on with our lives and put the unfortunate "X" episode safely in our past where it belongs. Additionally, I think that it bears saying that, in our experience, The Foundation is an outstanding, quality organization, and their prompt and decisive management of the problem indicates a commitment to maintaining that level of quality.NOTICE: all contents copyright Alan Lapp 2002