[Author’s note 2022: these are newly discovered writings in 2022, often referring to long forgotten events.]
Back to square one with Frank. I’ve changed what I could and claim success in the field of business and accounting – he now as a reasonable handle on both subjects. But not the individual facts of this toothpick business I fear what may happen when he gets enough money to start taking chances with his 30% share, that he will do so at the expense of my 70% share.
I first noticed it in mid-2001 when I gave him the 386 laptop. I told him not to delete anything or it would not work. It had a special customized version of Windowed shoehorned onto the hard drive. The deal was he takes a year or two learning the word processor and spreadsheet. The next week he tells me the computer doesn’t work. Sure enough, he deleted the operating system. I asked why and he said, “To get more memory.” For what, I asked. He couldn’t really say. A ear later I sod him a computer and he immediately focuses on pivot tables.
This [is] the way he thinks – that he can stumble across some theory or shortcut all the others have overlooked, since he is not encumbered with an advanced education. That if he does enough things backward, sooner or later something will work better, which is theoretically possible. Now, the way things are shaping up, I can keep him in line because I own 70% of the toothpicks, 90% of the business, and 100% of the truck. After California, he may have his own truc, and may spend weeks on the road alone with the toothpicks.
It worries me. I designed the toothpick cases to be flat on a table 22-1/2 inches above the ground. He constantly suggests putting them lower (where someone could trip & fall on them) or higher where the table itself becomes unstable. I’ve repeatedly explained this to him [damaged paper here] has to [???] is wrong with 22-1/2” makes and why some other height is better in terms of profit. He can’t so I know he is really trying to get me to allow him to try things just to see if they will work. He seems to forget it is a matching set.
Up to now, the toothpicks have never been out of my sight. A year ago, after the tale display was finalized, he got some idea in his head that toothpicks should be at an angle. Or worse yet, be stood up on end. He mentions it in every third conversation or so. I cannot recall how many times I’ve told him I am prepared to listen to uch nonsense without getting angry for as long as he has such an obsession, but I will never agree to anything except the original plan. (The display on end would mean the top is at least seven feet high even if I would allow the bottom to rest on dirt or concrete.)
But I just know if I let him take the show on the road alone, he’s going to try it. That’s how he thinks. If it works a few times before a Kansas twister catches it, he’ll demand more than his 30%. If it gets destroyed, he’s not prepared to replace it, my 70% be damned. Later if the cases can be placed in an rigid hydraulic bracket at his expense, I may reconsider.
Yet he will never get more than 30% of what the display brings in, simply because I can never take less than 70%, and I am legally enabled to claim 90% by buying his share for $434.00. I worried me to let him out on the road alone with the display.
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