Rotational Assignment

by Richard K. Lyon

The technique of having employees of similar rank exchange jobs has several benefits. Not merely do the employees undergoing these rotational assignments gain a broader base of experience but they bring to their new jobs a fresh viewpoint and approach which can often resolve longstanding problems.

Principles of Executive Development, by E. M. Quod

“Doctor, I have this problem; the phone company is mad at me because I keep smashing their phone booths.”

“I see. Why don’t you come in and sit down: take that easy chair in the corner. Now for my records, your name is Clark Kent?”

“Not exactly. There was another guy, Clark with a C Kent. I’m Klark with a K Kent, taking his place on a rotational assignment. Actually I’m also taking his name, though I insisted on keeping my own initials.”

“And your occupation?”

“Same as the other guy, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper.”

“I see.” The doctor nodded his utterly bald head, his deep-set eyes narrow with secret thoughts, a cunning smile ghosting quickly across his thin lips. Though it hardly seemed possible this new Kent was even more naive than his predecessor. Luring him into this trap had been as easy as snaring a dumb ape with a banana. “Now you say you have a problem with the phone company?”

“Well, yes. You see, I’m a crime fighter and I use phone booths to undress.”

“Yes... why does changing into your costume ruin the phone booth?”

“I don’t change. I just undress.”

“You mean you fight crime naked?”

“Certainly not. I don’t need clothes to fight crime; I have a nice thick coat of black fur.”

Frowning the doctor replied, “That is rather different. Tell me, are you stronger than a locomotive and faster than a speeding bullet?”

“Not quite. I’m pretty strong but I’m slow.”

“What about leaping over tall buildings in a single bound?”

“Ahh, actually I don’t do too well there. Once I fell off the Empire State Building and hurt myself real bad.”

“With all these handicaps how can you be an effective crime fighter?”

“I think I do all right. Since I’ve started roaming the streets at night, crime in the streets has vanished. In fact there aren’t even any people in the streets any more.”

“I see.” Dropping his hand toward a desk drawer, the doctor hesitated. It wasn’t quite the time to open the lead-lined drawer. “Tell me, Mr. Kent, why do you ruin phone booths when you undress?”

“That’s rather complicated. This suit and these thick glasses are a disguise so you can’t see me as I really am. Secretly, I’m really forty feet tall. So, whenever I undress inside a phone booth it’s smashed to kindling.”

“Mr. Kent,” the doctor snorted, “I won’t pretend to understand what you’re telling me, nor do I greatly care, since I’ve something here that will solve all your problems, permanently.”

As the desk drawer sprang open, the room was filled with fearful green light. Lifting the burning emerald crystal the doctor held it toward Kent.

“We meet at last, Doctor Luthor!” Kent yelled, even as he pulled off the thick glasses and tore open his shirt.

Abruptly the mad scientist was staring up at a giant ape towering above him. For a moment he waved the harmless Kryptonite, desperately screaming before a great paw swatted him like a fly.

Since the great ape was far too large to leave the office via the door, he smashed out a wall and climbed down the side of the building.

So far this system of exchanging problems was working rather well. The other fellows were doing well with his problems and soon he could go home to his jungle island. First, though, he had to go to London and deal with Professor Moriarty and then on to Sherwood Forest to face the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Executive development was really a wonderful science.