[ The next morning. Grandpa is in John Marchetta's office. He is waiting for Mr. Marchetta to enter. ]
Grandpa: Hi. I'm Malcolm Stewart.
Marchetta: John Marchetta. Sit down, sit down.
Grandpa: Susan has told me a great deal about you. She says you're quite a man.
Marchetta: She says a lot of wonderful things about you too, Mr. Stewart.
Grandpa: That's always nice to hear, Mr. Marchetta.
Marchetta: Call me John. May I call you Malcolm?
[ Grandpa nods. ]
Marchetta: Let's talk business.
Grandpa: That's music to my ears.
Marchetta: I understand you used to be in the construction business.
Grandpa: Yup. Forty-three years. Here's a brief description of forty-three years of on-the-job training. [ He gives Mr. Marchetta his résumé ]
Marchetta: That is some history! You're a valuable asset, Malcolm. Very valuable.
Grandpa: Thank you. Yup. Forty-three years. Half that time in my own construction company. Big jobs--factories, shopping malls. That kind of thing.
Marchetta: Then you retired.
Grandpa: Yes. After my wife died, and I felt I should spend more time with my children and grandchildren. I lived in Florida, and they lived in New York.
Marchetta: I understand. My daughter Cami lives in New York. I like being near her.
Grandpa: When I came here, I planned to take a few months off. Relax with the family and then look for some work.
Grandpa: Put my experience on the line ... but, unfortunately, there isn't any work for a retired person my age.
Marchetta: Sometimes there is, and sometimes there isn't. Well, I'm involved with an organization, and we're trying to resolve that problem.
Grandpa: What's that?
Marchetta: TOPS. T-O-P-S--means Talented Older People's Society.
Grandpa: I'd like to be a member. How much are the dues?
Marchetta: There are no dues. The organization serves major companies in this city. Why?
Marchetta: Because our members are men and women like you. Experienced, talented, retired. But our members want to go out there and use their talents. They want to work.
Grandpa: That is fantastic, John!
Marchetta: I've got an idea for you, Malcolm. Just fill out this form for me. It'll only take a few minutes. Sit right here, and do it while I talk to my secretary.
Marchetta: When I get back, we'll talk about my new factory. My company is a member of TOPS. So I try hard to find opportunities for people like you. Malcolm.
Marchetta: And when I see an opportunity, I can act on it. Well, I can use your brainpower on the job right now.
Marchetta: Have you got time this morning to go over to the construction site with me? I'd like to have you meet my foreman--get some background on the job.
Grandpa: I've got plenty of time.
Marchetta: I'll be right back. We'll go over to the job site together.
[ At the job site later that morning. Grandpa and Mr. Marchetta are speaking with Danny, the foreman of the construction project. ]
Danny: Malcolm, you worked on the Spaceport project?
Grandpa: My company was the contractor. I built the theater there with my own two hands, practically.
Danny: I understand.
Marchetta: Well, I'm glad to see you two guys getting along so well because, Danny, Malcolm is on the TOPS team. He's going to be working with you for a while. His experience will be valuable to both of us.
Danny: Welcome aboard, Malcolm!
Marchetta: I'm going back to my office. Give me a call later, Malcolm. I'll tell you the time and date of the next TOPS meeting. I'd like you to meet the group.
Grandpa: I will, John. And again--thanks.
Marchetta: No ... thank you. And thank Susan. [ He leaves. ]
Grandpa: He's quite a man.
Danny: A real inspiration for me.
Grandpa: OK, Danny. I know you didn't expect to have me around, but I think I can be of some help to you.
Danny: Let me tell you something, Malcolm. With your background and experience, I can learn something ... and I do need some advice on a difficult problem. Let me show you this.
Grandpa: [ He looks at Danny's building plans. ] I don't want to give you a final opinion without studying these building plans more carefully. But a simple solution might be to move the air-conditioning units instead of redesigning the entire system. It might be simpler and less expensive.
Danny: You just earned your weight in gold, Malcolm. Welcome aboard!
[ in Susan's office that afternoon. Grandpa is telling Susan about his meeting with the foreman Danny. ]
Grandpa: It all happened so quickly! I can't believe it!
Susan: I'm glad Mr. Marchetta was so helpful.
Grandpa: He was more than helpful. He actually took me to meet his foreman.
Susan: I'm thrilled for you, Grandpa.
Grandpa: I don't know how to thank you, Susan. You're a wonderful granddaughter.
Susan: It's good to see you so happy.
Grandpa: I'll be at the construction site tomorrow. What are you doing tomorrow night?
Susan: I'm not doing anything. Why?
Grandpa: How about a date with your grandfather? I owe you a good steak dinner.
Susan: I'll accept. Tomorrow night. You and me. Dinner. What time?
Grandpa: I'll pick you up here at seven. Is that OK?
Susan: I can't wait! And you can tell me all about your first full day back on the job.
Grandpa: It's a deal!
[ They shake hands and hug. ]