ReddFoxx

Monday, March 12th Anna rings the doorbell at Yvette and Chester's, Chester answers. Chester: Anna, this is a surprise. I didn't think you'd be back for a couple of more weeks. Anna: I figured I needed to come back quickly in light of what is happening with the company. It's good to see you, Chester. Chester: You too. I'm guessing you want to speak with Yvette. Anna: Yes, we do have some things to discuss. Chester: She's out on the terrace. Anna: Thank you. Anna goes out to the terrace. Yvette: Mom, you're back. Anna: Of course, the company is falling apart and I had to find out on television. Yvette: I apologize for that, I had no idea that Cassandra was going to do that. How did you even know about her show? Anna: Someone from the board called me. Yvette: Great. Anna: While Cassandra is a very vengeful person, I would expect nothing less than cheap tactics from her. But from you, I expected to hear from the truth right away. Why didn't you tell me that the company had a shortfall? Yvette: I only found out a few days ago myself and I did not want to burden you with this problem while you and Dad are trying to get back on track. Anna: Your father and I are getting there, you telling me the truth wouldn't effect that. I had to come home, it's the wrong time to be away, especially when we may have to put up some of our own savings. Yvette: You put me in charge and I felt I had to fix the issue. Anna: That's all well and good, but I need to be clued in when there is a crisis. This is our family legacy, I want it preserved for the next generation. Yvette: And you can rest assured that Joseph and I are handling it. Anna: It's a pretty large shortfall, what measures have you taken to cover it? Yvette: Well, we sold off the stores we opened in the Upper Peninsula, as well as various assets. We are also considering selling the in house Men's clothing line. Anna: That's a big cash generator for us. Yvette: I realize that, but I've been shopping it around and I can get a good price for it. We can always start a new Men's line from scratch. Anna: Will it be enough? Yvette: Barely. Anna: Fortunately, I think I can sink some of my savings into it and borrow against the estate. Yvette: Wait a minute, borrowing against the estate should be off limits. That's the family home. Anna: It might be the only way to get some cash quick. Yvette: I'm just afraid of losing. Anna: Listen, you've got what it takes, you just hit a roadblock. You can handle challenges. Yvette: I thought I could, but this one is really throwing me for a loop. Anna: You got to hold it together, that's why I put you in charge, because you have the strength. Yvette: Thanks, Mom. It means a lot that you believe in me, but I'm still scared. Anna: Well, not much can be done to avoid that, it's a human reaction. Yvette: If we lose this company- Anna: Don't even think about that. Yvette: You're right, that doesn't even sound like me to be so defeatist. Tomorrow, I'm going to wheel and deal to keep McGregor from going under. Anna: That's better. _____________________________________________________ At Number 37, Andrew finds Cassandra at the bar. Cassandra: Well, look who is here. Andrew: That show of yours, I have to give it to you. I never thought anyone would bring tabloid style to the business world. Cassandra: Drew, you know I'm an innovator. Andrew: I call it spiteful. Cassandra: You've obviously never heard of not attacking the messenger. I just reported the news, if you wanted to keep it private, you should make sure McGregor is airtight when it comes to public relations. Andrew: You've got beef with me, I get it, but I built that company for my family's security. Don't take it out on them. Cassandra: You are confused, this is not personal. Andrew: No? Cassandra: I started my station and I needed a good story to get started, I found one and grabbed it. Andrew: And in the process, you can get back at me. Cassandra: I didn't cause McGregor to have a shortfall, you should ask your children about that. Andrew: But you knew the investors would be sent into a panic by the information you put out. Cassandra: In reality, they deserved to know the truth. Andrew: That's what gets me, how did you know about the shortfall? Cassandra: I have my sources. Andrew: You've found a leak in the company. Cassandra: Nothing of the sort, I came by the information honestly. Andrew: That's the thing, you couldn't have come by it honestly. I may have been out of the corporate game for awhile, but I know the privacy hasn't changed. Cassandra: Perhaps it has. You don't tend to get good results when a home maker runs a corporation for years. Andrew: Anna's a sharp lady, she ran McGregor like a professional. Cassandra: We all tell our lies for the people we're caught up with. Andrew: You are so bitter. Have you really been this way for over 40 years? Cassandra: Look, why don't you go home and see if you can manage to repair your marriage or should I say, what you thought was your marriage. Andrew: Have you signed those papers yet? Cassandra: They are in the mail, obviously I want our long deceased marriage to be nullified as much as you do. Andrew: Good, then we can both get on with our lives. Cassandra: Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to finish my drink in solitude. Andrew leaves. ____________________________________________________________________ At Donahue, Carol is holding a meeting with Trish. Carol: We have a surplus. Trish: Yep, what do you want to do with it? Carol: I was thinking of making a purchase, one that will yield big dividends. Trish: Okay, I think that's feasible right now. Carol: Yvette McGregor is putting out the word that McGregor's Men's Line is up for sale. Trish: They must really be in trouble if they are going to let that go, it's made millions. Carol: And it can do the same for us. She hands Trish a folder. Trish: You've got everything mapped out. Carol: What we would do is give the brand a renewal of sorts. Trish: And there is the added incentive of pulling off a coup against the McGregors. Carol: That is not part of this, it's only a good opportunity. Trish: But, you have to admit, it is a good one up in this rivalry. Carol: It's barely even that anymore, McGregor is on the way down and Donahue is up. Trish: Don't underestimate what they can do over there. Carol: There's a difference between underestimating and simply know that we are more formidable. Trish: I do feel bad about the troubles McGregor is having. Carol: Of course you do, you've always been the compassionate one. Trish: My son does work there and the company is his future. Carol: He knows he has a place waiting for him here. Trish: You always have a deeper motivation for everything, Mom. Carol: None at all, but there is that added incentive of potentially having all my family running the company. Trish: Do you think McGregor will sale to you? Carol: They need the cash flow, they won't be turning down any offers. Trish: Depends on where the offer comes from. Carol: I think they are more shrewd than arrogant at this point. It takes a crisis to bring the high and mighty down a peg. Trish: Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, there have got to be more than a few other interested parties. Carol: I feel confident. Buying this line is the next step in being number one. ___________________________________________________________________________ At Number 37, George walks in. He sees Joseph at a table and goes over to him Joseph: Come to gloat? George: No, I want to clear a few things up about my mother's new show. Joseph: It sent a real panic through our pool of investors. George: I know and I want to be clear that I had nothing to do with that. Joseph: And why is it that you needed to make that clear? Not long ago, you were ready to take control of the company. George: That was then, this is now. I finally realized I have a family I know nothing about and fighting them was a waste of time. Joseph: I'm not sure if you are serious, but I got to at least hear you out. George: Now that I have a child, my perspective has changed. Joseph: That does tend to happen. When JC was born, I looked at everything differently. George: I was angry for years because I felt like our father didn't care anything about me, that wasn't true and I'm finally past it. Joseph: And you can believe that if Dad knew where you were at those years ago, he would have been right there for you. George: Anyway, that's all in the past and thankfully I can finally move forward. Joseph: Good for you. George: Part of me was also sort of envious of how privileged the rest of you grew up. Joseph: I thought your mother did decent financially when you were growing up. George: I don't mean money, I'm talking about being part of a good family. Joseph: We had our ups and downs. George: Nothing like mine. I have an older brother, Vance, who my grandparents raised and when he did come to live with us, it was a mess. He ended up on drugs and just went away without a trace. Joseph: That's rough, sorry to hear about that. George: Yeah, I usually don't like to talk about it, but it's been such a long time and I'm just now dealing with it. Joseph: I can understand. George: And just to be fully honest, I also want to talk business. Joseph: Really? George: I heard that you are selling off some assets and I thought I would make some offers, just to keep some of them in the family. Joseph: What is the catch? George: None at all, I just have this need to help clean up my mother's messes. Joseph: I think we'll be able to handle it, some good offers are already coming in. George: I get there is probably not a lot of trust. Joseph: It's a little shaky, but I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. George: It takes a time, that's no problem for me. Joseph: Took awhile to sink it, but it has really hit me that I have another brother. George: The way I showed up was a shock. Joseph: Like I said, I'll give you a chance. They shake hands. Joseph: Every other Friday, I play cards with Edmund and JC, we could use a fourth McGregor. George: I think I'll take that invitation up, I'm not a bad card player. Joseph: All right then, we'll see you. George: Thanks. George leaves. Joseph: I guess time will tell if he's being sincere. _____________________ Cassandra is at an office in somewhere undisclosed. Cassandra: I really have to hand it to you, this work you did was amazing. McGregor Board Member Leonard walks out of another room. Leonard: I never half do anything. Cassandra: Your reputation preceeds you. I just hope the McGregors don't find out you are backstabbing them. Leonard: When my uncle passed away, he left his board seat to me, they trust his judgment. They won't be any the wiser. Cassandra: Getting me classified company information was not hard, but I how exactly did you cause the shortfall in the first place? Leonard: I planted a bug in the accounting software, one that can't be traced and looks just like one that the manufacturer had problems with in the past. Cassandra: Per our agreement, you get a certified check. There will be more if you keep up the good work. She hands him the check. Leonard: Pleasure doing business with you. Cassandra: The same here. Cassandra and Leonard fist bump over their deal. Fade out.