19 Novembre – Difficult Decisions

Met the clients at the hotel to check them out and say goodbye. Their boat arrived and whisked them away. I waited for Marco to finish work so we could take the vap together. While I was waiting I used Andreas' office and completed my paperwork, emailed and faxed the receipts and expense reports back to Connecticut HQ. I called and talked to Frank. “I am done with this tour now and turned in the papers. HQ hasn't rectified my issue. I gave them an ultimatum. I need to follow through on it, but I don't want to.” He told me he understands it's a difficult decision but he would stand his ground if it was him.

“I agree, but I don't want to leave this job. Yes it's difficult to be away from home for long periods of time, the communication capabilities can be spotty, the clients can be batshit, situations turn sideways without anything you can do about it but hang on by your fingernails, but I like this job. I am working in a profession that suits me, in a situation that suits me (for the most part) and I am able to spend time with people who have become a very important part of my life. And I get paid to do it.”

Only I haven't. That's the crux of it. They haven't paid me. And I had my decision. I told him I would let him know how it works out – he told me he'd know without me calling him. The next tour is in Florence on the 22^nd – guess who would take it if I resign? I apologized for taking more of his free time from him, he's been more than generous to me.

“Kiddo. You do what you need to do. I don't know what is going on in that office, but nobody is expected to ever work for free. Ever.”

I called the HQ hotline for tour leaders and told them that I will need a call from HR as soon as possible. I am tendering my resignation unless my payroll is rectified immediately.

Marco popped his head in the office telling me was ready to go. “Che succeso?” What happened?

“I just quit.”

I am really hoping they fix this. I don't want this all to end this way.