Katie's Second Open Day.

The latest installment of Katie's adventures, now that she is pool manager for the summer.

The summer season progressed and everyone in Katie's small team seemed to be buzzing. Rachel and Billy kept their blossoming relationship largely away from work. Which was a good plan, because now that they both had a number of weeks' experience in the job, Katie was able to roster them more often to work individually. One of her financial targets was around staff costs, and so it was to her credit that, month by month, these were being reduced. Most sessions in the pool could be adequately managed by one member of staff working alone, and Katie was required to judge when a busier attendance was likely to require two. She could provide some, "doubling up" at weekends and during occasional evening sessions from the contracted hours of her staff, but if she "doubled up" too often, overtime costs would be incurred.

Katie had to make a bit of an effort to ensure that she did see everyone regularly, although it was rare for all the team to be together. Katie often popped into Hillview for a short time even when she was not on duty, to make sure that she kept in touch.

One thing that did not quite go to plan was the fun quiz night. Having seen her plans thwarted once before by a health and safety assessment, Katie made the mistake of trying to avoid another visit to the pool by the assessors. She did not send full details of her proposals to the main office. This, "oversight" was really rather foolish, because posters advertising the event were to be seen everywhere. The assessors duly completed their task, and they objected to the, "Dunk Tank" being located next to the pool. This was because it would obstruct passage along the poolside. So there was to be no, "Dunk Tank," and on reflection, Katie could see their point. After all, if an obstruction had been there on the evening when little Derek disappeared under the water, Katie would not have been able to run around to save him.

Amendment slips were hastily pasted over all the posters, "No Dunk Tank, Sorry!" they said. "Ticket refunds available on request!" No one, in fact did request a refund but no one either turned up ready to enter the, "Best Dressed Lady or Gentleman Dunked!"
For all that, the evening was well attended and seemed to be enjoyed by all.

Now that three months had passed in her new post, Katie attended an appraisal meeting with Geoff in his office.

"Pool attendance since April, up 50% on the same period last year!" Geoff nodded enthusiastically. "Revenue up 70%. I've looked at these figures, and the greater increase in revenue seems to be down to more adults paying full price. Especially on weekdays. And the cut earned on your promotional days. Well done. This is a commercial business, and that is the bottom line. You cannot escape the importance of it."

"Staff costs were up significantly in April and May, but now they're reducing, and on a comparable trend to July last year at the time you joined us."

"And we've got five trained and fully functional attendants, ahead of peak season!" Katie added.

"Customer service," Geoff continued. "Holiday questionnaires show that many respondents rated the pool as the best part of their holiday experience. A higher proportion than for any other facility, restaurant, bar, chalet accommodation, or grounds. And we've loads of anecdotal evidence from pool users. Favourable comments, especially around things like, "Friendly staff and clean changing cubicles! Well done!" "

"Management of staff! Well, you've built a good little team there, Katie. Their willingness and cooperation is obvious. Especially with George. You could easily have had resentment there, but instead, you've got George happily wandering about with a mop in his hand!"

Katie smiled.

"You've had nil staff absence and no personnel issues. Well done."
Katie was glad that Geoff knew nothing about her extracurricular activities with Rachel.

"You've justified our confidence in you, Katie. I never doubted that you would. What you need to bear in mind, however, is that you can never cut corners. Play by the rules. Don't deny anyone their break time. If staff go the extra mile with you, thank them. But don't behave as though you demand it. And don't bad-mouth health and safety. They have the power to close you. Respect them, learn the rules and play by them. Your failure to send them a risk assessment this month was foolish!"

Katie grimaced, "OK," she acknowledged. "But what about lifeguard training for all my staff? Is that not a health and safety issue too?"

"It's out of the question," Geoff answered. We just haven't got the capacity to provide the revenue to fund a public pool with lifeguards. You would need at least three of you on duty together, in that scenario! We just cannot do it! The Board are clear about this; we must remain as a private pool for residents, guests and visitors."

Katie grimaced again. "Overall," Geoff continued, "It's a very positive assessment. I've discussed it with the directors. You met old Mr. Flannery at your interview! We have all agreed to pay you a performance bonus of one thousand dollars, Katie!"

Now Katie beamed with delight, "Oh, thank you! I will bear in mind everything you've said. And I've got lots of ideas for July and August!"

"Well, we've Open Day coming up first!" Geoff smiled. "The pool staff excelled themselves last year, are going to do something much the same again?"

Katie's beam grew broader. "Geoff, I must tell you about this! The Dunk Tank! Now, I have discussed this with health and safety. And it's OK! We can have the Dunk Tank because it's going to be outside! It's going to be in the car park, right where we had the sponge throwing! The ground is level enough at that point, and the events management company are going to let us have it for free! Because it's for charity and because they've got a sniff of more business with us!"

"You're seeing how all these things work!" muttered Geoff grimly.

Katie was grinning now. "The only issue is that we need popular volunteers for the Dunk Tank! I've got you down to go first, Geoff, and I'm e-mailing the entire teams in the restaurant, bar, grounds, office, and personnel, suggesting that their managers be nominated and asking if anyone else fancies a cold bath!"

Geoff started to speak, paused, and then said, "Very well, Katie, I'll go first. But I wouldn't do this for anyone else! Good Luck!"

Everyone on site was familiar with the success of last year's, "Drench the Wench!" sponge throw, so Katie had no problem in acquiring the agreement of all the managers for them to take part. There were also half a dozen volunteers from among the restaurant staff. Starting off with six managers, then the six other volunteers, and finishing up with the five attendants themselves, Katie reckoned that they could keep the dunk tank going, with fresh victims to be dunked, easily for an hour and a half!

The Saturday morning of Open Day was spent getting everything ready. The entertainments company delivered the dunk tank. It was quite small, about six feet square and about five feet deep. It comprised of a sturdy, tubular framework with a solid floor and thick polythene sides. A plastic bench ran across the top of the tank, at the back, bolted onto two rigid bars. The back bar was secured to the sides of the tank. The front bar, however, was supported from the ground by a long wooden peg. When this peg was removed, the bench dropped forward, depositing the occupant into the water beneath them. The maintenance staff cordoned off the area around the dunk tank, allowing spectators to gather in a wide circle from about twenty feet away.

All the attendants were on duty together today. They ran a hosepipe from poolside into the dunk tank, alternating between hot and cold water. They had decided not to be too cruel to their victims! It took ages to fill. The wooden peg had a fairly small "roundel target" halfway up, and by throwing a ball sufficiently hard against this target the peg would be dislodged and the dunking completed. Katie decided to charge patrons three dollars for three throws, and one dollar for children.

The water sparkled and rippled in the tank, providing an obvious attraction to those attending the event. By two-o-clock, there must have been a couple of hundred people crowded around, with those at the back dodging from side to side and trying to get a better view. Other people stood on the higher ground further back. They heard the distant sound of the event being formally opened and Geoff climbed gingerly up the steps now erected at the side of the tank, and onto the bench. He was wearing his socks, checked trousers, shirt and tie.

Kevin and George had set up a table and were organising the queue and taking the money. Rachel was handing the plastic ball to each person having a go, and dodging backward and forwards to retrieve the ball from wherever it landed. Katie was overseeing things. Billy was inside, looking after the pool. Hardly anyone was using it. Everyone was congregated outside.
The first half dozen throwers all had their turns. Several times the ball bounced off the peg, and several times it hit the target. But these were quite soft throws. The peg moved an inch along the ground, but the force was not enough to dislodge it. A couple of young men hurled the ball forcibly, but not with the required accuracy. Ten minutes passed since Geoff took his seat. "This will be your last one!" Katie said to him, casually. "We'll need time to get all the volunteers on!"

Geoff looked very pleased. Especially when the next thrower, the last one with him in the seat, turned out to be a young boy of about four. The little lad could barely throw the ball ten feet from where he stood, to the target. Geoff did not see Katie walk quietly around the back of the tank. The boy threw for his third and last time. As the ball bounced harmlessly aside, Katie pulled the peg away and Geoff gave a startled shout as he plunged under the water. The spectators gave a huge roar of approval.

"If they haven't gone in, after about five minutes, put them in like that!" Katie instructed Rachel. "Or we'll never get everyone in the water!" It was clear that none of the volunteers were going to get away today without a soaking.

Geoff arrived at the foot of the steps, with water streaming from his clothes. "I wasn't expecting that!" he spluttered, as he looked up, "Ah, Katie, do you remember Mr. Flannery, our senior director, from your interview?"

An elderly gentleman approached, walking slowly with a stick. "Well done, Geoff!" Mr. Flannery looked delighted and his eyes sparkled. "Do you know, it was my grandfather who started Open Day, over seventy years ago?" he enthused.

"Well, thanks to him and thanks to Katie!" Geoff replied grumpily, before heading inside to the changing area.

"This is the most marvelous fun!" Mr. Flannery chortled to Katie. "You have organised this so well! And it is all raising funds for such good causes!"

"Thanks!" Katie smiled, as a huge splash signaled that the next manager had met his fate. Mr. Flannery admired Katie's outfit. She looked just as he remembered her from the interview, with her long dark red skirt, made from a fluffy, woolen material. Katie had on tights and a shiny white blouse. It was a bit windy, and she grimaced slightly in the cold.

"Are you not going in too?" Mr. Flannery's eyes twinkled again.

"Oh yes! Katie assured him, I'm going in, after the managers and staff volunteers!"

Mr. Flannery looked puzzled, "What time will that be?" he asked.

"Probably in about an hour!" Katie laughed.

I've got to go and shake lots of hands!" Mr. Flannery grumbled, "But I must come back and see you falling in!"

"Of course!" Katie smiled at him and squeezed Mr. Flannery's hand. "I'll look out for you, and I'll not go up on the seat until you're back!"

Mr. Flannery looked delighted, "Oh good, good!" he clapped his hands together, "And you'll have plenty of time to get changed and ready!"

Katie smiled again, "I'm ready now, Mr. Flannery! You have to get soaked with all your nice clothes on, that's half the fun!"

Mr Flannery hurried on his way, enjoying this Open Day like few ever before.

Everything was working out as planned. The huge crowd watching did not diminish in size, as soon as some people moved away, others moved forward and those at the back improved their view. Everyone, "Oooohed!" and, "Aaaahed!" when ball throws bounced off the target or went close, then let out a huge cheer when the next person went in. All the managers, except one, were men, and all ended up in the tank. A couple were dunked as a result of direct throws on the target, and the others got their soakings when Katie or Rachel decided that they had waited long enough. Rachel jumped back from the tank every time she pulled away the peg, as a huge wave of splashes threatened to go over her.

The crowd were delighted when the volunteers from the restaurant arrived. Three boys and three girls and they all looked immaculate. The boys had black trousers, white shirts, waistcoats, and bow ties. The girls had black skirts, tights, white blouses, and waistcoats. Two of the girls took off their waistcoats before they climbed up. Katie gave them both a knowing smile. She noticed the open mouths and wide grins on many a gentleman's face, as they emerged from the water, the girls' blouses clinging to their bodies, the outline of their bras and figures so clear. The waitresses seemed to enjoy the attention and no one seemed to mind getting soaked, one of the waitresses was dunked by the first thrower after she sat down. She willingly climbed back up and, a few minutes later, went in for a second time.

Katie looked around but there was no sign yet of Mr. Flannery.

"Hey, Rach!" Katie addressed her friend and colleague. Rachel's yellow shirt and red games skirt were spotted with dampness where splashes had hit her. "Will you go in next? I need to wait to speak to old Mr. Flannery when he comes back!"

"OK then!" Rachel agreed. "If I hadn't learned to swim properly, I'd have been terrified to do this!"

"You'll be OK!" Katie reassured her as Rachel climbed up the steps.

Several minutes passed as Katie scanned the spectators for any sign of Mr. Flannery's return. Rachel had been up there for longer than anyone now, and she was squealing with excitement every time a throw came close. Then, at last, she saw the director hurrying down the path, now walking briskly on his stick.

"Is everything OK?" Katie asked politely, as he approached her.

Mr. Flannery was flushed and bursting with excitement. He glanced again, discreetly, at Katie as she adjusted her skirt and pinched at her bra straps, through her blouse "Wonderful!" he exclaimed, "It's another wonderful Open Day! And how are you, Katie?"

"I'm ready to go in!" Katie grinned. "But we'll need to put Rachel in first!"

As the next throw was made, Katie pulled at the peg and poor Rachel had her soaking.

"If I haven't gone in after about five minutes, can you pull the peg away like that?" Katie asked Mr. Flannery. He looked delighted. Katie pulled off her shoes and left them on the ground beside him.

"Of course!" he beamed, "Just tell me when!"

Rachel disappeared inside to change and Billy took her place, ready to be the ball collector. The pool was closed now until after tea.

"Your boss is a real gem, isn't she?" Mr. Flannery remarked to Billy. "Going in the tank, in all her nice clothes!"

"Katie's always going in the water!" Billy laughed, "We can't keep her out of it!" Mr. Flannery listened with fascination as Billy told him about the day Katie soaked her best dress.

The crowd watching seemed to be bigger than ever. A thrower landed the ball square on the target. The peg shifted and swayed, moving back this time a couple of inches. The seat shook but stayed upright.

"I thought I was going in then!" Katie shouted.

A few more throwers came close. Mr. Flannery looked up at Katie and she caught his eye.

"Next throw," Katie smiled, "It's time to go in!"

As the ball sailed into the air, Mr. Flannery put one hand on the peg, while the other held his stick. The peg now had only a tenuous anchor and only the edge of its base was still in contact with the ground. As soon as he touched it the peg gave way, the seat subsided and Katie was in the water. She came to the surface immediately, swept her fringe aside, and mounted the steps to huge applause. Katie's blouse settled against her, clinging tightly. She had her white lycra-type bra on, which pushed against the front of her blouse as if to make sure that everyone could see its outline.

A giggling Katie rejoined Mr. Flannery. Her skirt seemed to be shrunk against her thighs. Little streams of water fought their way down her tights. Her blouse sparkled and flashed in the bright sun.

"It's getting colder in there all the time!" Katie shivered, "We started off with half-warm water, but it's not warm anymore!"

"Well done, Katie, you brave lady! I could never have done that! I can't even swim!" Mr. Flannery confessed.

Katie smiled broadly as she picked up her shoes. "You should learn, Mr. Flannery!" she replied, seriously.

"But I'm 83!"

"That doesn't matter," Katie assured him. "You can learn to swim at any age. Gentle swimming is perfect exercise, and lots of people find the warm water soothing and good for their joints!"

Mr. Flannery still looked doubtful. "I'll teach you to swim, if you like, anytime!" Katie added, brightly.

"Will you really?"

"Anytime!" Katie sounded so sincere. "You could come in the pool after a session, and I'll come in with you!"

Mr. Flannery looked incredulous. "Will you really?"

"Of course, why not? We close at nine, that would be a perfect time one evening!"

"Well, I've got a Board meeting here on Wednesday!" Mr. Flannery said thoughtfully. "That meeting usually finishes about nine! But I haven't got any trunks!"

Katie squeezed his hand again. "We've got a selection of gentlemen's swimwear at the pool!" she grinned, "From one of our promotional days! You'll get 20% off and Hillview gets a cut too!"

"Perfect!" smiled Mr Flannery. "Will Wednesday be OK with you?"

"Done!" Katie smiled and put her arm briefly around him. She knew that Mr. Flannery was a perfect gentleman, but she sensed that he was going to really enjoy his swimming lesson with her.

"I'll see you at the pool then, Wednesday night, just after nine!"