My Larry Story

 Back around 2007 to 2010...I worked in a (just at the secret level) vault....as a contractor.  My office had 4 desks, but there were just two of us there.  One day....my military 'boss' came up and said 'such-and-such' organization (in a top secret vault) had a new contractor to arrive but his clearance wasn't ready yet.  He asked if we'd house 'Larry'.  I said sure.

The next day....'Larry' arrived.  He had retired out of the Army (20 years) and been hired as a contractor.  

I got 'Larry' set up....desk, phone, computer account.

For about a week...'Larry' would show up at 7:30 AM and work till around 4 PM....then quietly exit.  

The 2nd week...'Larry' would arrive at 8 AM, and exit around 2 PM.

The 3rd week....'Larry' would  arrive at 8 AM and leave for the German cantina for a beer or two for lunch....but never come back (period).

The 4th week, 'Larry' would show up around 9 AM...stay for an hour and leave for home.

My co-worker and I discussed this each morning....especially the whole 2nd and 3rd month....where he never showed up.

Around the end of the 6th month....this organization that had been paying 'Larry' (he probably cleared $8k a month)...suddenly woke and realized that they had a guy to fill a billet and they just never had done the clearance paperwork.

So they called over to the company office, and they called me....where is 'Larry', and I responded he's probably at his cellphone.  

The next day....'Larry' went back to work....real work.

The bitter side of this story?  Well...'Larry had developed alcohol problems over six months of hanging out daily at the German cantina on base.  He'd leave the real job around noon....drink two beers and some some German schnapps.  He'd show back at real work after 90 minutes...smelling of booze.

After about two months of warning him....the company wrote up papers...firing 'Larry'.  

It's  hard to know who to blame....either Larry, the company, or the Air Force....for just allowing him to goof off.