He swiped his access card and opened the heavy metal door as the lock clicked open. The access control system had been installed shortly after the latest renovations, allowing better control and tracking of those employees who were able to access the building after hours. He then proceeded inside the large showroom, complete with multiple glass showcases. Handguns of all calibers and types were proudly on display inside each case, organized by manufacturer. Rifles of varying calibers and sizes were mounted behind each of showcases on the wall. It was a gun lover’s heaven.

Specter noticed the staff crowded around the range rental counter of the store. He could barely make out Marcus’ gray hair standing behind it, apparently talking to the staff. He threw his backpack on one of the showcases without slowing down and continued to where the others were gathered around.

“No, it does not mean you’ll lose your job,” Marcus continued, apparently already midway through his speech. He paused and nodded as he noticed Spectre join the crowd.

“Then what does it mean?” one of the junior salesmen asked.

“Would you let me finish? Do you think I won’t tell you?” Marcus barked. The junior salesman retreated, his face red. Spectre chuckled. That was Marcus. Patience and diplomacy would never be his legacy.

“What’s going on?” Spectre whispered to the girl next to him. She was barely five feet tall with long brown hair and bright blue eyes. To Spectre, and most of the males in the store, she was probably the most attractive girl there. Were it not for his pending engagement, he might have made a move on her. Perhaps even more successfully than the hundreds of guys that were being shot down on a daily basis.

“The boss just announced that the store is downsizing,” she replied.

“Downsizing how?”

She replied with a finger to her mouth and pointed to Marcus who was still staring down the junior salesman. Even at 5’9” and just over 170 lbs, Marcus was an expert in creating the fear of God in just about anyone.

“As I was saying,” he continued, “we’re not downsizing staff for now. We’re going to move a lot of the floor salesmen... err... salespeople to the corporate accounts, internet sales, and range. We’re also going to be cutting back on the store hours. I don’t want to have to let people go, but you’re all going to have to work with me. This is the best I can do with the shit sandwich we’ve been given.”

Marcus made a point to make eye contact with every man and woman standing around that counter as if he were readying the troops for a final charge into battle. To Marcus, that wasn’t that far from the truth. For his business, this was do or die time. They had to either pull themselves out of the red and adapt to a changing economy, or face extinction.

“That’s all I can say for now, folks. Just know that we’re going to work together and pull this through. Cal, can I talk to you in private?”