Chapter 35: Stayers or Leavers
Eventually, the new boss who kept himself in the room finally went out to greet the restless employees.
Sullivan had already convened with Alexander on what's what and the new workers would now be able to get to know their new job description.
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"Hello, everybody. Sorry to have kept you waiting." Sullivan gave his gentlemanly and elderly smile to put the people's impatience at rest. "Just like I've sprung upon you today, I've also sprung up these plans to the person spearheading this venture. So as much as you are surprised today, he is also in the same situation as you."
The employees only kept quiet as this wasn't a place where Hermione Granger's would raise their hands. Since the boss was talking, they also listened. The spearheader person became a point person in their curiosities though.
"As you know, the entire place has already been stripped of animation equipment so the terms of your employment under me need some modifications." Sullivan pointed out what was obvious. "You couldn't be animators now."
If they were hired animators, what could they do without the specialized materials? Fortunately, Sullivan aptly gave them the solution. "I know you know drawing and art so the transition shouldn't be too hard. Simply put, from being animators, you will become comic artists."
"So, does this mean Troy-jan is going to become a comic book company?" A curious one was now not able to keep to herself and had to ask.
"Well yes but Troy-jan Comics doesn't sound as nice as Creed Comics, so let's change it to that." Sullivan turned to the curious woman and gave her the answer.
Slowly but surely, everyone listening in got the gist of what was happening and had assumptions of their own.
Within expectations, most had no scruples with the employment change but, also within expectations, some people had problems with it.
People are bound to have plans of their plans and ideologies. When they were recruited by Mr. Williams, a job at animation was promised to them and that is where their inacceptance to the new job stem from.
Some people found other employment options of their own. Their limited time at Troy-jan had already exposed them to the riskiness and instability of their occupation's environment. Hence, they would rather not continue with the newer and even more unclear company they are faced with.
Sullivan briefed them all on the proceedings whether they chose to stay in Creed Comics or opt to leave.
The stayers were much easier to handle as it was a simple change in terms of employment that would fit the norms of Creed Comics.
This comic company isn't going to be a creator-centric comic publisher like some indie publishers or the unformed Image Comics.
They would be work-for-hire like how they got into their animation employments but with them using their animation ideologies on approaching comics.
Like how they maintain consistency and follow a strict policy for every episode, they just have to go through with that in comic issues.
Sullivan had already prepared his research on the Japanese manga industry to give them the idea on that. The association between manga creation, animation, and comics was made clear and everyone understood the new scenario of their jobs.
Only 36 people chose to remain in the end and that was okay enough for Sullivan and even Alexander who was just silently observing the whole process.
These people were much more open to possibilities, wanted to have a simple and steady job, or has a certain attraction towards comic books to stay.
It took the entire morning to settle everything with the new employment policies.
Throughout the process, the determined leavers were listening in and onlooking with pride in their decisions.
For them, the new owner's insistence in making them listen in is a futile attempt to try and change their mind.
They heard the new employment terms, options, and benefits which weren't too different from the old Willams administration.
They were much more condescending to the listeners as some of them also had a biased view of the comic book industry. The art of motioning animations was much more tasteful for their pursuit.
No matter tricks that Mr. Sullivan Creed would try, they won't be fooled.
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Lunch break eventually came with Sullivan treating everyone without bias.
Since only 36 people stayed for employment, the old Creed was contemplating the possibility of hiring an in-company lunch service.
It was quite extravagant in Alexander's opinion but knowing his grandfather's contemplative mood, the old man might just have the perfect low-cost option.
It isn't guaranteed yet though and as everyone filled their stomach, the busy afternoon is what they were looking forward to.
The stayers were looking forward to the afternoon surprise while the leavers were looking forward to how the rich old man's tricks on making them stay.
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Dealing with the people who chose to terminate their employment was much more complicated to deal with.
They had employment and termination terms when joining Troy-jan and that was Sullivan's basis on letting them go.
Most of half a million dollars he paid were due to the cash advances that these people have made.
Fortunately, old Edgar Williams left behind a ledger for this company's finances and the afternoon for Sullivan was just listing the debts of the people leaving.
Some of them had big ones and swallowed their shame to join the stay-ers and continue with the new works until they can pay it off and then move on from there.
The leavers were expecting some special treatment from the rich, old Creed but reality struck to them that it was all wishful thinking.
How foolish of them to think they had upper hands when their skills are just being good at drawing and arguing against each other? This was Sullivan's thoughts whenever he interacted with these smug but shameful fellows.
Those who had not much cash advances or low debts were much more determined and had lighter sentences when they cut themselves off from the job.
From Sullivan's rough account of everything, the stayers now jumped to 45 while the leavers numbered to about 16. There are still people on leave but the accounting of their decisions is when they turn up for work.
The 16 people would eventually pay off a tiny drop of Sullivan's payment so he wasn't too enthusiastic when writing the readied and to be notarized IOUs.
It was a weird Saturday for all of them with shifting job descriptions, thinking of leaving but couldn't leave, and leaving with or without debt.
The finalized leavers were much more weirded out as they chose to leave but were disadvantaged. If they were fired then they might have happier endings and acceptance of things.
Sullivan didn't even care to fire them or persuade them. Since they wanted to leave, then leave. Don't forget to pay up if you have made cash advances though!
The stayers and reluctant stayers oversaw the termination and IOUs that the prideful leavers took and didn't know what to feel.
Leavers, stayers, or not. They were once peers who stood for one goal but life always had other plans.