Marcia decided to wait for Adam’s reply at the office. She was too excited to drive herself so she called a limousine service. She brewed another two cups and poured the coffee into a small thermos for the one hour trip. The limo arrived at eight and at nine sharp she arrived at the office ready for what she expected to be the biggest day of her business career. Fate had an entirely different plan in store for her.
E-mails were sent at 9:10 a.m. announcing that a staff meeting was scheduled in the auditorium for 10:30. Attendance by all senior managers at Hampton Industries was mandatory. Marcia was in her office when the e-mail arrived. She closed her eyes and visualized Adam getting up in front of the assembly to announce her promotion to CEO of Bretton Trading. She decided to prepare an acceptance speech, one that would be brief, be humble and show her gratitude.
After soul searching for several minutes, she decided to just prepare a list of talking points, the rest she could ad-lib. She hadn’t waited all these years, not to be ready to accept her reward when the time came. The excitement started to show in her body. Her hand developed a slight tremor, but that could be from the six cups of coffee she had consumed since she got up. Not being sure which it was, Marcia poured the remainder of her mug into the sink and settled back in her executive chair to compose her talking points. When she finished, she stuffed the sheet into her pocket and busied herself reading several sales reports until it was finally time to go to the auditorium.
In another area of the building, Adam Hampton sat reviewing his announcement about the acquisition of a seventh company. At 10:25 a.m. Adam unlocked his desk and removed a stack of portfolios from the top drawer, left his office and took the short elevator ride to the second floor where the one hundred seat auditorium was housed. He placed the portfolios on a table near the door and started down the center aisle. As he made his way to the stage, he acknowledged the greetings from those assembled, including a bubbly smile from Marcia Bloom. Adam Hampton III is the best liked of the Hamptons. In the two years since he took over the company he added a profit sharing plan that provided a comfortable income for employees when they retired. Christmas bonuses, generous vacation and holiday plans added to his reputation as a progressive corporate leader. He waited until there was absolute silence in the room before he began.
“I know that you are all wondering why this meeting was called. I believe that it’s safe to say that even your usually accurate rumor mill came up empty today.” He smiled as he looked around at the nodding heads, then continued, “I won’t keep you in suspense. any longer. I’m here to make an announcement that is especially close to my heart.” He stopped momentarily, to take a sip of water and to look out at the expectant crowd.
As he did, Marcia squirmed in her seat.
He continued, “I am proud to announce that effective this morning, Hampton Industries acquired controlling interest in Preston Industries.”
Marcia felt the blood drain from her face.
“Most of you know why this acquisition is so special to me. Several years back, my father lost a proxy fight to several large blocks of shareholders at Preston. I believe that it’s safe to say that it contributed in a large measure to his current condition. I know that you will want to share this accomplishment with me as I claim it in his honor.”
The assembly broke into a thunderous applause, rising to their feet with a two minute standing ovation. Adam beamed back at them with pride. He could see the excitement on their faces. Once again Adam waited for absolute quiet.
“Thank you for the unanimous acclamation. Absorption of Preston into our stable of companies will have a serendipitous effect on the bottom line. On the back table there is a portfolio for each of your companies. In it you will find revised organization charts that will show your company’s role in the new Hampton Industries lineup. Please let me know if you need any additional information. I’ll be meeting tomorrow with Preston executives. As part of the agreement, their management has agreed to stay on for up to six months, as needed, while we assimilate them into the mix. You may run into some pockets of resistance. That is to be expected given the history between our companies. I just ask you to be patient and work together with your counterparts. Let’s be sure that we set aside any bad feelings that we may harbor. I have and I expect you to do so as well.”
Adam didn’t ask for questions. He retraced his path down the center aisle of the auditorium and returned immediately to his office. As soon as he closed the office door his secretary buzzed. He had an inkling about what she wanted.
“Ms. Bloom says she must see you right away.”
“Yes, of course. Please send her in.”
Marcia stormed into his office. “What was that all about? Why didn’t you make the announcement about my promotion?”
Adam acted confused. “Please sit down, Marcia. Let’s discuss this.” He gestured her toward the couch.
Marcia snapped back, “I don’t want to sit down.” She was in Adam’s face; her eyes wide with rage. “Don’t try to tell me you were so sauced last night that you don’t remember what happened. Don’t pull that lame excuse on me. We made a deal.”
“I’m afraid that that is exactly what I’m going to say. You know that we discussed the CEO position at your last performance review. We both agreed that you needed more seasoning before taking on such responsibility. I’m sorry if I lost control last night and made promises, but I could never get that appointment past the Board. Your just not ready. Frankly, I don’t even remember. I thought our time together was just for our mutual pleasure. I enjoy your company and I had a good time last night. That’s as much as I can remember. Please don’t hold this one mistake against me. You have a bright future ahead of you, but this just isn’t the right time. You understand that, don’t you?”
Marcia sat down. Her shoulders dropped as she uttered, “I guess I do. I thought it was too good to be true. Still you should be more careful about the things you offer a woman when you’re trying to have your way with her. I’m willing to let this go for now on the condition that you outline the path I have to take to get the CEO job and I want it in writing and in my file. I’ll do whatever it takes to get that job. That should be obvious.”
Adam was relieved. He had avoided a crisis. “It’s a deal. It’s the least I can do under the circumstances.” He decided to chance bringing up his recollection of the prior night. “I’m sorry for the way things turned out. I thought what we did was special and consensual.”
“Did I suggest that it wasn’t? If I did, I’m sorry, Adam. As I remember, you were a perfect gentleman. I had a wonderful time. I hope that it wasn’t just a one night stand on your part, because I would really like to see you again and it has nothing to do with the CEO position.
Adam was relieved. “I feel the same way. I definitely want to see you again. He reached out for her hand and pressed it gently. “I’m so glad that you stopped by. I was unsure about how to approach you, which is why I didn’t answer your phone call. I know that I put away a few too many Rusty Nails last night.” He looked slightly embarrassed as he added, “I promise you that next time I’ll be at my best behavior. I hate to admit it, but I drank so much because I was nervous about being with you.”
“That’s such a sweet thing to say, Adam. Thank you for being so honest. with me.” She glanced at the wall clock. “Look, I know you’ve got a lot to do right now, with the acquisition and all, so let me get out of here.”
“I appreciate that. I do have to get some earnings projections together. I’ll have my assistant put together that plan. Before you know it you will be ready for that CEO job. Again, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding I’ll call you the minute I get back tomorrow.”
Marcia returned to her office and tossed the Bretton Trading portfolio on her desk. She reached into her pocket for a tissue and found the piece of paper from her memo pad. On it were her talking points.
