Disciplining Employees

After leaving the cafeteria Alex walked outside, three minutes before finding Michael and Mark seating together under a tree, nearby the sport field stands. Upon seeing Alex approaching them the two quickly stood and waited for Alex.

Alex could tell from the two's expressions on their faces that they were a little anxious to see him. Alex couldn't help but, sigh lightly as he expected that something like this would happen. Alex just hope that it wasn't something too serious that he needed to discuss the his father or mother.

Upon arriving where Mark and Michael had been resting. Michael who was usually the most talkative between the two simply greeted Alex, remaining silent afterwards.

Mark also greeted Alex as well however, Alex could tell by the way he spoke he wasn't in the best of moods.

"Alright, tell what's gotten the ? " Questioned Alex, in a calm tone after which the two began retelling what had happened during the past week. Hearing everything that had occurred during his week long absence.

Alex was secretly relived as it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, it didn't require him to take any huge action. However, Alex understood from their conversation that both, Mark and Michael needed to strengthen their leadership skills.

" Okey, I'll handle the situation after school for now good job too the both of you," said Alex as he petted both their shoulders. Michael and Mark were both surprised to be compliment after retelling Alex about, the current happening of the game studio.

" Don't over think things I'm proud of the fact that everything is still on schedule and we haven't fallen behind. So rest assured that I will handle everything once we get back, for now we should all get back to classes. " Said Alex while calculating the time in his head.

After their conversation the trio split up, Alex went in his own direction, while Michael and Mark left together. "Hey, Alex wasn't as upset as I thought he would be, " said Mark as he walked beside Michael as they headed to their next class.

" For the moment, " replied Michael pausing briefly in his sentence " He might just change his mind once he sees the state of the apartment complex." Continued Michael while letting out a long sigh. He still wasn't sure how those guys managed to do it in just one week.

Hours later Alex stood in the front hallway next to the kitchen, which also lead to the living room area. Alex just stood still for a few seconds while, contemplating the situation in his mind.

"I've only been gone for a week and a couple days, how in the world did they manage to trash the place so much." Thought Alex in his mind, while Michael and Mark just stood behind him outside the apartment complex, giving each other a quick glance at Alex current reaction.

Before Alex could think further Robert one of the games design programmers walked out of the living room to see who it is. As after several seconds, after the door was opened no one and walked into the living room or kitchen, which lead into the living room.

Upon seeing Alex, he became surprised and just stood there without moving, he took a qick glance to his right were he saw some of his colleagues, who noticed his strange behavior.

Currently right now there were a total of twelve crew members of the gaming work shop, not including Alex, Mark and Michael. Walking in further Alex expression became darker the further he walked in, looking at the kitchen which was a total mass.

Their were pallas of dishes on top of each other in the kitchen sink, there were also many stains all over the kitchen counters and floor. The kitchen table was no different from the kitchen counters filled with stains and papers.

The trash bin was filled to the bream and the were also two black garbage bags beside it, one was still open and Alex could see what was inside. The were many pizza boxes, cool drink cans and many food related items inside.

Turning his attention away from the kitchen, Alex looked at the living room which had been turned into the working area for his employees.

Alex saw the surprised faces of the others, all of them were extremely surprised by his appearance here today, they clearly weren't aware of his return. Which Alex had intended on them not knowing about, his return this was on the order of Alex, for both Michael and Mark.

He'd wanted to know the affects of his absence had on the others, weather if they'd would still listen to Michael and Mark orders.

Alex looked at every single one of their faces than at their work station, all the computer desk were placed in a straight line in the middle of the room. All of them were placed one meter away from each other giving each person ample pace to work in. All twelve computer were placed parallel to each other.

Looking around Alex, found that the working area was in much better condition compared to the kitchen, there were only a few pieces of plastic wraps of chips and empty bottles here and there.

After taking a good look at everything Alex couldn't help but, let out a sigh while rubbing his eyelids gentle. Alex when leaving had expected to have to deal with some issues that would either require strict discipline or worst firing.

However, Alex did not want to fire any one of the new members of the gaming work shop, as many where already very tight net group of friends and working colleagues before. Furthermore this wasn't that big of an issue that required firing of personnel.

If Alex were too fire any of them right now, it would cause a lot of problems going forward. As there was a high possibility that many of them would decide to leave, the gaming studio in support of their friend and colleagues.

The best way to prevent that type of situation, was releasing highly successful games together as a whole. Right now only Michael, Alex and Mark had accomplished that together, Gary Mark's brother wasn't included as he had come on at the last minute. And hadn't done much in Wolfenstein 3D game development.

Right now, Alex by all means didn't want to fire any one for small issues like this, unless it became a serious issue he couldn't agnor. As Alex is contemplating all of this, only a few seconds had passed before he spoke while still rubbing his eyelids.

" Alright, here what going to happen now. " said Alex as he stop rubbing his eyelids and looked at every single one of the people inside the room. Meanwhile, Mark and Michael who had been walking behind, Alex the whole time couldn't help but, have a smile on their faces.

"Everyone here in this room is going to pick all this trash and clean up all the food stains everywhere. No, one is going to be going anything else until this place is as clean and tidy as it was when I left. I am clear? " Command Alex, in authoritative voice tinged with a hint of frustration as he scanned the room.

" I still didn't hear a yes." Said Alex once again.

" Yes, boss.." answered a few of the crew while others held their heads down to the ground saying nothing.

Turning his head towards Gray Mark's older brother Alex looked at him closely before speaking. " Gray your an charged of leading the cleaning, after which I want you to meet me up stairs after the cleaning is done."

" Now, you my all begin," said Alex before leaving and heading up the stairs to his own work station.

As Michael and Mark followed closely behind him. As Alex was walking up the stairs he spoke again in a loud tone " And I expect everyone to take part in the cleaning."

After Alex, Michael and Mark were finally out of the sight everyone, the complaints began as quiet as possible, so as not to be heard by Alex. Seeing this Gray spoke up so that everyone could hear him in the living room.

" Guy's, we've all had our fun, but we still need to remember that Alex is still technically our boss here. Even though he isn't the one writing our paychecks, let's stop all muttering and please all start cleanup." Said Gray in a clear and calm voice as he looked at everyone.

Everyone went quick for a few seconds once again, but after a while, Marvin got up from his seat and began picking up pieces litter around him. After which the others began doing the same thing, even though most of them didn't like it they still respected Gray words.

They also liked Alex who wasn't arrogant about, being their boss even though he was the youngest person here. What's more, Alex always spoke to them more like friends and colleagues hence, many of them had given him their respect.

Besides those who had just recently joined, the game work shop just a few days after Alex left for LA.

After entering their shared work station, Alex set on a chair in front of his computer. Turning the chair around to face Michael and Mark, Alex looked at the two of them carefully.

"Okey, the two of you don't have to be too nervous about, what happened, like I said before left for LA the two of you are only responsible for keeping everyone on schedule. Gray and Marvin are the ones responsible for taking care of the headquarters working environment. "

Alex had given the responsibilities of keeping the headquarters working environment in order to both Gray and Marvin for various reasons. Firstly as Michael and Mark were too young to be responsible over other's especially older ones and needed more training.

They also both needed more time to gain the respect and authority over the other, since they were still perceived as kids in the eye of the others.

The main reason why most of the members of the crew followed his orders was of the fact that Alex father signed their chaques. So they had more respect towards Alex authority than the towards the two of them.

The other reason was that compared to the crew Alex, Michael and Mark didn't work the same amount of time as the other due to the fact they were still they miners and were still attending school.

The three of them would only spend about three to four hours a day on working at the headquarters, while the rest worked from nine to five.

"What do the two of you think I should do in this situation? " asked Alex as he looked at the two standing.

" I'm not sure. I've never been in this type of situation before, usually I'm on the receiving end, " replied Michael honestly scratching the back of his head. Alex than turn his attention on Mark who upon noticing Alex's attention now on him decided to give his opinion as well.

" I also don't know what to say, isn't it enough of a punishment, to clean up the mass they cause themselves," said Mark. Ever since Mark's parents had gotten back together and began living together.

Alex had noticed the changes to personality Mark, he had become more talkative and stood upright.

This was probably thanks to his father and brother influencing him positively, which greatly pleased Alex, now he could also train and guide Mark much more.

"No, we can't just let things slide off so easily right now. There were clear set rules for those working and living here, and just after my absence they disobeyed those rules."

" Or do the two of you think that the rules I've put in place are so difficult and aren't to the benefit of those working here?" Questioned Alex as he looked at the two of them.

Both looked at each other for a brief moment before both facing Alex and shaking their heads side to side in answer to Alex question.

The rules Alex had made were very simple and easy too follow, especially the one about keeping a clean working environment, eating properly, and getting enough rest.

However, it seemed that after Alex had left for LA they had slipped back to their old habits