Chapter 1: The Dream Team Disbanded

The initial excitement of the dream team quickly fades. One can't help but wonder who will take over Duane's responsibilities. It seems rather unrealistic to think a qualified candidate could be found and approved within a mere two weeks.

In contrast, when it comes to finding a replacement for Nigel in Palmyra, the process is much more systematic. The job has been posted, internal candidates have been interviewed, and a thoughtful decision has been made. Ultimately, Sharon Tolliver from the vitamins department is selected, and most, including Edgar, are optimistic about her potential. She's shown genuine interest in inventory management from the beginning, even volunteering for projects outside her usual duties. While some find her a bit overbearing, Edgar values her enthusiasm and expertise.

With numerous responsibilities on his plate, Edgar welcomes someone who understands the challenges right away. If that means tolerating the occasional lengthy monologue, he’s willing to oblige. Currently, he’s juggling changes to the cash register receipt template at Liberty, starting with an ALL SALES FINAL disclaimer at the bottom, hoping customers overlook it. Weeks later, he'll need to add another notice at the top, as they announce the store's closure on June 15. Moreover, he must implement a gradual reduction in prices through a series of discounts, starting at 5%. Meanwhile, there’s ongoing anxiety about who will ultimately take over from their reliable leader.

Edgar's father chimes in with skepticism, expressing doubts about Duane's integrity. “Trust me, I know people,” he insists. “That guy’s shady. I sensed it from our first meeting.” Edgar finds this amusing, even if he doesn’t fully agree. When he brings it up, Duane admits he doesn’t have a backup plan and may not want to remain in the industry much longer, opting instead to spend some time on his farm to figure things out. Edgar suspects this is a common sentiment among the industry's top talents—they are realizing how problematic the grocery sector is and are choosing to step away.

What does this mean for those left at HSM? At Liberty, it seems not much. While Rob and the other higher-ups aren't surprised by the outcomes, the announcement still takes everyone aback. In an unprecedented move, just before Liberty shuts down, a list will be released detailing employee transfers, leaving many without jobs. They claim this decision is based on needs at other locations, not performance, as if that softens the blow. This inevitably leads to endless speculation about who will land in which so-called "natural, additive-free, locally sourced" role.

“I figured they’d keep everyone they wanted from Liberty,” Edgar muses in Brian's office when the news breaks.

“Mmm, that’s probably a pretty short list. Just Billy, maybe,” Brian jokes, though he’s likely not far off the truth.

Edgar imagines the chaotic scene: “They show up one morning, and the building’s padlocked. Oops! Sorry! We forgot to tell you!”

“We ran out of life jackets,” Brian adds humorously.

As for Duane’s successor, the response from upper management is more subdued, labeling it a temporary fix. Rob acknowledges the need for a thorough search for a new president, promising to consider both internal and external candidates. In the meantime, Vince Brancatto is appointed as the interim leader.

This choice is both perplexing and somewhat expected. Anyone questioning how two opposing views can coexist must not understand retail well. Vince, an experienced older white male, fits the traditional mold, checking all the boxes for management despite having underperformed in his previous roles.

One day, while contemplating these dynamics, Edgar leaves his office to manually input data at the deli scales since Felix hasn’t invested in remote software for Central. He runs into Dale, who is headed the same way, and they engage in a conversation about their frustrations.

“It’s mind-boggling how someone can contribute nothing for years, and everyone knows it, yet upper management views him as a star,” Edgar remarks, not naming anyone directly.

“Are you talking about Corey?” Dale laughs, turning to him. “Corey didn’t do anything.”

Edgar bursts into laughter at the mention of Corey, though that wasn’t his original target. He believes this issue isn’t exclusive to Rob Drake; it’s a widespread problem across the industry—a significant disconnect between upper management and the realities faced by employees on the ground. They remain oblivious to the true state of affairs.

However, the mention of Corey prompts Edgar to reflect, “That’s interesting. I didn’t even name names, but it seemed at every meeting, he’d claim credit for my ideas, and I’d sit there thinking… that was my contribution.”

“Oh, I know! He had a way of making it sound convincing, didn’t he?” Dale chuckles, “I’d think, wow, he’s almost got me believing it, and I know better!”