“When was all this supposed to happen?”
“In the next month. The deal hasn’t been approved for sure, but they said we’re a shoe-in. Ha-ha.” The champagne was starting to kick in.
“I see you’ve kept your sense of humor,” the man said, smiling. “By the way, I’m Niles Raines.”
“Niles Raines? Raines Partners?”
“That’s the one. Tell you what, after we take off, why don’t you give me your pitch? Our firm represents sophisticated high-net-worth clients who look for unusual investment opportunities. Maybe we can syndicate the deal for you.”
If Christy had been Katherine, she would have offered the man a blow job right then and there.
Ten days later, they presented to five of Raines Partners’ clients, offering them two points in the company for every four-million-dollar unit purchased. The five investors committed to four million each, contingent on the Olympic opportunity coming through. They insisted on that point, believing that the sponsorship would ensure the company’s success. Without it, they weren’t willing to take the risk.
While Christy waited for word from the Olympic Committee, she ate chocolate. Lots of chocolate. She ran around the Central Park Reservoir three times every morning, then three more times in the evening. She turned her cell phone off so she wouldn’t jump every time it rang. And when she spoke to the Olympic guys, she tried not to sound desperate.
Finally, she got a call from the sponsorship director. He was wavering. There was so much pressure to play it safe. They were worried about backing a company that might not be around in two more years. He said it might be better for everyone if they waited until next time, let Baby G build its track record.
Christy played it cool. If she let him know how much she needed this, it would prove his point. She managed to find out that it was his boss who was against it. Christy got on a plane the next day, determined to change the man’s mind.
On a Monday, two weeks later, she made an announcement to the whole company at once. They had to rent an indoor basketball court from a nearby high school in order to accommodate all three hundred employees. She’d decided to tell them the truth. Katherine felt that total candor was a mistake; that employees couldn’t understand all the complexities of the business. Christy almost always took Katherine’s advice, but on this, she knew she was right. The reason her people trusted her was because she always leveled with them.
The gym was set up with bleachers, three hundred chairs, and an old floor-stand mike. She stepped out in front of her people and began to talk.
“Well, we’re still here, all of us. After so many close calls. This one was maybe the closest, guys, and I’m glad that now I can tell you about it.” She talked about the events of the last month, the road trip, the Niles Raines meeting, the Olympic deal. She left out only the part about how a tall sexy banker almost cost all of them their jobs.
“When we started, we knew we were going up against the Big Boys, and everyone said we had no chance. There were lots of times I thought they were right, that I had led you all on a fool’s mission.
“And at those times, you were the ones who still believed, and who kept me going. Well, today, the Big Boys have seen us do what we’ve known we could do all along. That we are the future, and that their best days are behind them.” There were cheers as the group became rowdier.
“Now we’re playing a new game. We aren’t the company out on the fringe that no one worries about. Now we’ve taken a piece of their action. Now they’ll come after us with everything they have.
“All of us will have to step up our game. And I’ll be standing behind each of you as you do, so that we can create the next worldwide brand.”
As she came to a close, no one made a sound. But then the whole crowd was on their feet, clapping and stomping and whooping. Christy looked around. Okay, that’s it. My life belongs to Baby G now.
Fifth Avenue Freeze-out
Eight years later…
After Baby G went public, Katherine insisted that Christy shape up and live like a New York City power woman. Though Katherine never came out and said it, it was obvious she found Christy’s early sense of style to be just short of tragic. First she led her to Bergdorf’s for wardrobe, John Barrett for hair, and Mimi Amurri for makeup lessons. Then she introduced her to manicures, pedicures, facials, and wraps. She found her a personal shopper, a presentation coach, a publicist, and a therapist. Katherine helped Christy understand that success in Manhattan carried an obligation to look and live the part.
On a flight to Mexico to visit their manufacturing plant, Christy suggested that they share their new wealth with the employees, even the secretaries. “I’m thinking we give everyone in management two thousand dollars, and five hundred to support staff. That leaves a hundred thousand for each of us. Sounds fair, right?”
“More than fair,” Katherine said. “It’s so you to be generous like that, but maybe we should hold back just a little. What if next year isn’t as profitable? Everyone will expect at least the same amount. That’s three hundred thousand dollars. It might be more prudent to set the bar a little lower, give us time for some growth.”
The pilot interrupted with an announcement. “Ah, ladies and gentlemen, the control tower has
