Insider Stock Tip

“Yeah, I dumped that stock just in time. I saw what was happening in the electronics space and I bailed. Even made a few bucks,” Ernest said. He was standing near the deli counter of the grocery store chatting with a few of the store’s employees. “Listen, if you have any of our company stock, hold onto it. In fact, I’m buying more.”

The two women wearing their white aprons and hairnets smiled and nodded. Frank, the deli supervisor adjusted his hairnet. “Good to know Ernest. How did the store audit go?”

Ernest picked up a loaf of rye bread and inspected the twist tie before putting it back on the shelf. “Good. Wasn’t perfect, but good enough to get 6373 a passing grade.” That was the store’s number.

“That’s a relief,” Charline said. “I get so nervous when corporate comes to our store.”

Ernest nodded, absentmindedly combing the edge of his thin mustache with his fingers.  “Come on, now, Charline,” Ernest said. “Just because I’m from corporate is no reason to worry, right? As long as you’re doing your jobs, it’s cool. If everyone does their job, we have happy customers. Happy customers come back, right?”

No one answered right away so Frank spoke up. “That’s right. We got good customers around here.” He glanced at the two people waiting in line to order cold cuts. Satisfied, Ernest turned to go to the meat department. Then he remembered something. “Don’t forget. Go out and buy as much of our stock as you can.”

When he was out of earshot Charline said,” As if we have any extra money to buy stock.”

Rose, the other employee, laughed. “I don’t even know if my car’s gonna start when I leave work tonight. Such a big shot he is. I should have made him a ham and saliva sandwich for the road.”

Frank laughed. “He doesn’t know any better, Rose. People like him think everybody is doing great these days. Unemployment’s low. Gas prices are low too.”

“My rent and food bills aren’t low,” Charline said. She pulled out her cell phone and looked up the company’s stock price. “Care to guess what this damn company’s stock is selling for?”

“Don’t tell me. Whatever it is I can’t afford it,” Rose said.

“You own any stock Frank?” Charline asked.

“Yeah, twelve shares.”

“Look at you,” Rose said.

Two hours later, it was raining hard. Rose put one of the store’s plastic bags over her head and ran to her car as fast as her 67-year-old, arthritic legs would carry her. She slid behind the wheel and tried to start her car. Nothing happened. She had been joking when she made that remark in the store. Now her car wouldn’t start. She reached for her purse. She had eleven dollars. Her credit cards were maxed out. She knew better than to cry. Crying didn’t change anything. She got out of her car; it was raining harder now. She started to run back to the store, hoping someone could give her car a jump start.

Ernest, from corporate, was walking toward her under a wide golf umbrella. “Did you forget something?” he asked.

“No, sir. My car won’t start.”

He motioned for her to get under his umbrella. “No use getting soaked. I’ll walk you back to the store. Lucky for both of us I took an umbrella with me.  I just spent almost a grand for this suit.”

“Yes, lucky,” Rose said. “We wouldn’t want to ruin that nice suit.” She wanted to grab the umbrella and beat him with it, but she really needed her job.

She looked for Frank and found him at the time clock. “I need a jump. Can you help me?”

“Sure. Let me get my jacket and my umbrella.” They walked outside to her car. It was raining harder still. They got in his car and waited until the customer who was parked opposite Rose’s car pulled away. Frank pulled into the space and popped his hood. He told Rose to pop her hood too. He hooked the jumpers to each battery and got Rose’s car started. He told her to press the accelerator for a while. “As long as you don’t turn your car off until you get home, you’ll be ok.”

“I probably won’t be able to come to work tomorrow, Frank. I don’t have a ride.” 

Just then, they heard a voice. “You guys know you’re supposed to park at the far end of the lot, rain or shine. You’re taking prime customer parking spots.” It was Ernest. He was sitting two spaces away, making calls. His window was down just enough so they could hear him. “You know better than that.”

“I’m sorry. It was raining a little this morning,” Rose said.

“It rains for customers too, right? Anyway, I see you got your car started.”

“Just going to be sure it’s charged enough so she gets home okay,” Frank said.

Ernest nodded. “You’re lucky I’m in such a good mood. Our stock went up another three points today. Remember what I said. Buy as much of our stock as you can. Trust me, it still has room for growth.”

Rose waved and said goodbye as Ernest pulled away. Frank started removing the jumper cables. He looked at Rose. “Is it the money that makes them clueless? Can it be that?” Rose shrugged. It was really pouring now.