Lottery Winner

By R. Richard

Into the happy time strutted No Load Norm and Ronny the Department Manager. (No Load Norm is supposed to be a computer programmer. The next working computer program that No Load Norm writes will be his first. Ronny is just a politician, who has never sold an initial contract to an outside customer. The two don’t talk individually to the project team members. Neither of the two talks directly to me.
(I get a very bad feeling for what might happen.)
Ronny then makes a speech. “Well, you people turned out a good computer program. The customer signed off on the deliverable software and we are looking for a follow on contract. You worked hard, maybe too hard. I feel that things could have been done a bit more efficiently. We need to operate efficiently, if we are to continue to satisfy our customers, win follow on contracts and have more victory parties. I have talked with Norm and he has some very good ideas as to how your project team can work more efficiently and turn out even better computer programs, with less effort. Norm is going to be your new Project Manager.”
(My possible promotion to Project Manager just disappeared, into thin air. I try to just sit and remain calm.)
Norm then makes a speech. “Yes, you people turned out a good computer program. The methods that you used to turn out the computer program are, unfortunately outdated. I intend to set up new, more efficient methods. You are going to need to adapt. Those who can’t or won’t adapt will be gone. The customer did sign off on the deliverable software that you produced and we are looking for a follow on contract. You did work hard, definitely too hard. From now things will be done a bit more efficiently. We must operate efficiently, if we are to continue to satisfy our customers, win follow on contracts and have more victory parties. I have researched the latest software production techniques and those are the techniques that will be used for my project. from now on. With the use of the new techniques, my project team can work more efficiently and turn out even better computer programs more quickly and at less effort. With me as your new Project Manager, there will be some changes made, good changes.”
Roy, one of the senior programmers, asks, “You seem to consider personnel changes. Can we know what personnel changes?”
Norm says, “I will talk with each member of the current team. I will determine who will fit with the new, more efficient programming methods. Those who fit will be part of a dynamic new project team. Those who don’t fit will need to be reassigned.”
The members of the project team look at one another. The mood is one of despair. There will be new, bright young kids, who will work cheaper, while they find out which of the new wave programming techniques actually work and which don’t. There will be a lot of cover letters and resumes in the mail tomorrow. Bright new ideas don’t always work in the real world. Theory is often good and it can provide a path to the future. However, theory is sometimes bad and it can provide a path to bankruptcy court. In the meantime, computer programmers have rent to pay, food to buy and the many expenses necessary to maintain a middle class life style.
Norm looks at me and asks, “What do you have to say, Jim?”
I carefully say, “I have no idea exactly what changes that you intend to make. I have nothing to say, until I can review the changes that you intend to make.”
Norm continues to look at me and says, “You can review the changes that I intend to make to my project.” (The my is emphasized.) However, it’s my project and what changes I make are the changes that you will live with.”
I carefully say, “Again, I have no idea exactly what changes that you intend to make in your project. You asked me what I have to say. I have nothing to say, until I can review the changes that you intend to make in your project.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. Richard
• Release date: May 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005740382

R. Richard

I'm the co-author, with Sunset Thomas, of Anatomy of An Adult Film.I have 48 novels and over 299 short stories currently published.I spent my early years in the part of Los Angeles known as the South Central. I was known as Whi' Boy, which was sufficient to identify me in that place. I'm a skilled Kung Fu player, using a system that I learned from a Korean I knew only as 'Pak.' It would be easier to tell you the places that Pak wasn't wanted by the police, rather than the places where he was wanted by the police. Pak's Kung Fu system, augmented by some bits and pieces from some Chinese practitioners is quick and effective, or I wouldn't be alive today.My early education was mostly obtained by stealing books from the public library (I always returned them and the Librarian even began to provide me with reading lists.) I did go to high schools, but I never really learned anything there. I eventually graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles, UCLA, with a degree in mathematics.I work as a Systems Analyst and also make a part of my living as a professional gambler (legal in Nevada.) I write science fiction and erotica. My published novels are:Anatomy of An Adult Film (With Sunset Thomas)1. Second Chance: God Killer2. Second Chance: Sky Pirate3. Second Chance: Scroll Seeker4. Second Chance: King of The Islands5. Second Chance: King of Zaya6. Second Chance: Duke of Averon7. Second Chance: King of Golomon8. Second Chance: King Of The Sky9. Second Chance: Warlord of Ifrequeh10. Second Chance: King of Ariby11. Second Chance: King of Mesodania12. Second Chance: King of Avuls13. Second Chance: King of Kemet14. Second Chance: King of Zorran15. Second Chance: King of Two Worlds16. Second Chance: King of Averon17. Second Chance: King's Duties18. Second Chance: King of The New WorldAdventurer: Simulation ProblemAdventurer: Pannar ProblemA Programmer's GambitAmateur StripperBeach MurdersBondage HouseCorporate Sex SlavesFriday NightGo Naked In The SoftwareGrasshopper WinterInvoluntary NudeLayoffNot A HeroPirates of The KeysSummer of SexThe LakeThe Last Moon DanceThe Nude Adventures of Plain JaneThe Secret Life of Wanda WilsonTails of the Pussycat LoungeTo Keep A JobTopless RestaurantToy WhoresVix: The MarineWayward BoyShort Stories:A Christmas Visit

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Lottery Winner

By R. Richard ©

Published by R. Richard at Smashwords

Copyright 2021 R. Richard

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Lottery Winner

By R. Richard © 2021

Chapter 1: Victory Party

I was working, as a computer programmer, for the Lozenge Corporation in San Diego. The Project Manager of the project that I was working on, suddenly quit, to rescue a family business, elsewhere. I then took over and guided the project to a successful finish. I was looking forwards to a permanent promotion to Project Manager and, of course, the salary that went with the title.

The project team had gathered at Fiano’s Pizza for a Friday night victory party. It was a happy time and spirits were high. The Mega Billion Lottery had passed a payoff date, with no big winner. The people of the project team were buying Mega Billion Lottery tickets. (I’m a graduate mathematician and I can see the odds against winning anything. However, just to be sociable, I bought one lottery ticket.)

I made a point of talking to the members of the project team. I cited the contributions of each member. Things were looking good.

Into the happy time strutted No Load Norm and Ronny the Department Manager. (No Load Norm is supposed to be a computer programmer. The next working computer program that No Load Norm writes will be his first. Ronny is just a politician, who has never sold an initial contract to an outside customer. The two don’t talk individually to the project team members. Neither of the two talks directly to me.

(I get a very bad feeling for what might happen.)

Ronny then makes a speech. "Well, you people turned out a good computer program. The customer signed off on