The parson tried to force himself into the cracks between the floor tiles. He was caught in the middle of a situation he'd rather not be.
Jimmy Pander, one of the up and coming pastors in the parson's mind, had come into the room where the parson and another pastor, one in a new supervisory position, were talking. No sooner had Jimmy entered the door than the new supervisor beckoned him over and began to berate him for not attending a meeting recently.
Jimmy tried to explain that he had a conflict which was scheduled long before the meeting was. Supervisor insisted that Jimmy should have rearranged his schedule to accommodate the agenda. The parson watched the younger pastor squirm and the older one dominate with a feeling of consternation. Finally, Jimmy was dismissed.
“I'm not going to tolerate people missing meetings,” he said to the parson.
“Sure you are,” said the parson. “Matter of fact I'm not going to be at the one you're having next month.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don't want to go.”
“You have a conflict?”
“Not yet, but I'll think of something if you think I need one.”
“You're being a smart ass, Parson.”
“I am,” said the parson. “And I can get away with it. I'm retired and you can't make me do anything.”
“I know that,” said supervisor.
“What you don't seem to realize is that the only authority you actually have over that young pastor is the same authority you have over me, and that authority is what he's willing to give you. That's all the authority any of us have over anyone.”
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