Hampton Manor (5 page)

They met back in Kane’s office at 3 p.m. This time Adam readily accepted Betty’s offer by asking for a scotch and water. Kane ordered a gin and tonic. Once the drinks were served and they were alone again, Kane offered a toast, “Here’s to the successful amalgamation of two great corporations, Preston Industries and Hampton Industries.”

“I’ll second that, but not necessarily in that order.”

Kane thought to himself,
What a horse’s ass this man is.

They clinked glasses and settled back in their chairs. Kane was the first to speak.
 

“Adam, as you know, Preston Industries has been around for over one hundred years. Our customers depend on our reputation for quality, value and service. I’m sure that you will do all you can to protect that. As for our employees, I have no concern for the executives. They’ve all had “golden parachutes” since the last time we went through this, but having been through a number of takeovers myself I know that most of the cost reduction will come from a reduction in the ranks of our hourly employees. We’ve already had a number of resignations, but the majority of folks have decided to stick-it-out and hope for equitable severance packages.”

Kane hesitated for a second and concluded, “Those are basically my major concerns at this time and the main reason I agreed to stay on for the next six months.”

Adam was least ten years older, the result of excessive drinking, an improper diet and too little exercise. He looked thoughtfully at the ceiling before he spoke, “Kane, I’m going to be open with you. I had a rush of emotions when I realized that we had enough stock to take over Preston. My first thought was that I had finally accomplished what my daddy tried in vain to do several years back. My second thought, and I’m being honest with you, was that I had finally defeated the man who prevented this from happening back then. I’ve hated your guts for well over three years. Beating you at your own game gives me a great feeling of satisfaction.”

Adam was puzzled by a slight grin on Kane’s face. He reached for his drink, took a big gulp and continued. “On the surface our dealings will appear to be amicable, but to the victor belongs the spoils. You needn’t worry about your precious employees. I’ll do all right by them, but I intend to make the transition as difficult as I can for you personally. You obligated yourself to work for us for the next six months and I intend to make sure that that obligation is satisfied down to the last minute of the last day.”

Adam stopped speaking, leaving an opening for a reply.

Kane pushed back the lock of his sandy blond hair that had fallen over his left eye. He appeared to be frustrated. “Mister Hampton, I’m really sorry that you feel that way. This has never been personal for me. I viewed it as just another battle between two corporate titans. Your victory was won fairly and I assure you that I not only realize my obligation to Hampton Industries, but I fully intend to honor them to the letter.”

The “Mister Hampton” set the mood for the balance of the meeting.

“Very well, then,” Adam replied. “Let’s finalize things for now.” He handed Kane a set of organization charts, one for each of the operating companies at Hampton Industries. “Preston will cease to exist as a separate corporate entity. It will be totally absorbed into Hampton Industries. You can see on each chart where each of Preston’s divisions will fit in. I’ve discussed this process with each of the division vice-presidents earlier and offered jobs to most of them. The rest will get severance packages comparable to your parachutes. I have no concerns about the orderly integration of both companies. I’ll want you to concentrate on the sportswear areas. I will assigned one of my vice-presidents to oversee the absorption of Elegant Sportswear into Hampton Sportswear. You will report to her and act solely as an advisor and contact man. Is your role clear?”

Kane ignored Adam’s tone. He glanced again at the organization charts, hesitated a second and eventually replied, “Yes, it’s perfectly clear.”

“Splendid! Then I want you to remove your personal things from this office by the end of the day. The building will be off-limits to you.”

Hampton was enjoying the shock value of his pronouncements. He noticed Kane’s face beginning to flush. It was time for the coup de grace. “There is one more thing. This will be the last time we will meet face to face. You will deal only with Marcia Bloom, the vice-president I’ve selected to oversee the sportswear mergers. You are to report to her office at Bretton Trading at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I’ve given her full authority to direct your activities for the next six months.”

Adam Hampton III had just had his “finest hour”. He picked up his briefcase and left the office, leaving a somewhat bewildered Kane Masterson in his wake.

Kane sat there for several minutes. Then he went back to his desk and buzzed for his secretary. There was no answer.
Damn that Adam Hampton, he couldn’t give me another hour of respectability.
He went over to the wet-bar and mixed his own gin and tonic. He sat down on the sofa and enjoyed his drink. He smiled as he thought about the stellar performance he had just given. His college drama classes weren’t wasted after all.
The pompous asshole actually thinks that he is hurting me with all this vindictiveness. We’ll see who has the last laugh.
I just can’t wait until his empire comes crashing down around him. It will be well worth the price of admission.
He called for some bankers boxes and spent the next hour filling them with his personal things. Kane spent a few minutes checking that he had everything, knowing that there would be no coming back later. He was in no hurry, but within a few minutes he surrendered his security pass and left the building with his personal possessions. As he exited the Preston Industries parking lot in his Lincoln Continental a feeling of calm came over him. He suppressed a smile as he thought,
Anybody watching is getting a real eyeful. I’m sure Adam will be expecting a full report of my departure. No doubt he’ll also be viewing the surveillance tapes. I wish I could be there to see it. His resentment of me is so misplaced right now , but I’m certainly going to do everything in my power to justify it in the future.
 

Phase one of Kane’s plan was now complete; on to Marcia Bloom and phase two.

Chapter 9

Marcia went directly home after leaving the office for the day. She busied herself with housework while she waited for the call from Adam. At 6:30 her phone rang and she saw his name and number on the screen. Excitedly, she pressed the on button.
 

“Adam, how did it go?”

“Better than I expected. Most of the division executives are on board. I think this is going be the smoothest takeover yet.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. Are you back in town?”

“Yes I just got home.”

“Will you be coming over for a victory celebration?”

“I don’t think I can make it tonight, as much as I really would like to. I’m going to have to go to the office to review some documents with Legal. We’ll be working all night. I’ll take a rain check, though. How about dinner tomorrow at Champs Elysees?”

“That sounds great. After dinner we can come back here,” she said in a tone that held great promise.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about, right now. I’ve decided to disconnect myself from further personal contact with Kane Masterson. I’ve asked each of our companies do deal directly with the respective Preston division heads to integrate their operations according to the organization charts I gave them. Since Preston doesn’t have a trading company, per se, I want you to handle the consolidation of Elegant Sportswear into Hampton Sportswear. Kane Masterson will report to you for the next six months. He will be solely in an advisory capacity. I took away his office at Preston and stripped him of any authority over their operations. I’m only tolerating him at all to assure a smooth transition and maybe to rub a little dirt in his face.”

Marcia thought for a minute,
So, sleeping with the boss has it’s perks.

She asked, “How did he take it?”

“He wasn’t too pleased. Apparently he had some preconceived idea of what his role would be, but he realizes that he doesn’t have any choice. He’s bound to us contractually for the next six months, I don’t know how he’ll react to taking orders from a woman, but we’ll soon find out. I’m sure it will be a first for him. I told him to report to you at your office at 10 tomorrow morning. See if you can set him up in a small cubicle somewhere, one suitable to his current status. If I had my druthers I’d dump his sorry ass right now, but I can’t risk anything falling through the cracks. I’ve waited too long for this to happen to let anything go wrong now. There will be too many eyes watching, especially our major stockholders.”

“Don‘t sweat it. I have the perfect four by four cubicle for him right next to the elevators. It’s so noisy no one ever wants to use it. That should be perfect for our Kane Masterson. Does that sound good to you?”

“That’s the spirit. Stop by my office on your way in tomorrow. I’ll fill you in on the specifics. I think you will enjoy this assignment. It will look good on your performance record, if you know what I mean.”

“I understand, perfectly. Are you sure you don’t want to come over tonight?”

“I would love to, but I have to go to the office. I’ll make up for it tomorrow night. Good night, Marcia.”

“Good night, Adam.

Marcia was disappointed that Adam wasn’t coming over to her apartment, but the disappointment was soon replaced by the excitement of her new assignment. For the next six months, she was going to control one of the industry’s top leaders, the winner of countless awards and a host of achievements.
Isn’t
that
a
kicker
?
I
wonder
what
he’s
like
. Her curiosity led her to her laptop. She spent the next two hours googling information on the personal and professional life of Kane Masterson.

Kane Dwight Masterson was born on October 6, 1974. His mother is the socialite Evelyn Littleton, his father Peter Masterson, of whom little is known. Kane B.S.’d in International Finance at Northwestern and Mastered in Business Development at the Wharton School of Business. He was recruited by Preston Industries as a Senior Financial Manager and had a rapid ascent to CEO of the company. He managed Preston’s successful defense against a hostile takeover attempt by Hampton Industries.
I bet he’ll regret that during the next six months,
she thought.
He probably already has.
Kane lives in Wooster Square, Connecticut. He is single and the internet was replete with articles and pictures covering an active social life. Having his company wrested away from him, by Adam Hampton, of all people, had to be very humiliating for him. Under normal circumstances, her heart would have gone out to Kane, but this was business. There weren’t any scandalous rumors connected with his name, he was good looking, personable and rich and appeared on the surface to be one of the “good guys.”

Marcia was determined, however, not to be swayed by his super-clean image. Her job was to make the next six months hell-on-earth for Kane Masterson and that is just what she planned to do. It was not in her nature to be mean or vindictive, but she could be an ill-tempered shrew if the situation called for it and this one definitely did. She smiled as she thought,
Get a good night’s sleep Mister nice guy, ‘cause you’re about to be run over by a “bitch on wheels.”

Chapter 10

Daniel McKnight owned several semi-pro sports franchises, one each in football, baseball and hockey. The Old Brooking Wildcats, Old Brooking Indians and Old Brooking Blizzards, respectively. The Wildcats and Blizzards were consistently large revenue producers, but the Indians lost money for the past three seasons finishing in last place for two of them. He harbored thoughts of selling the team, but never acted on them.

Daniel, was powerfully built at five foot six, but his persona dwarfs even the biggest of his players. He played all three sports at Old Brooking High, excelling in each, but not enough to interest college or professional scouts. Daniel’s father died when he was thirteen, leaving four children. He was the only boy and the oldest child which placed the responsibility for supporting the family squarely on his shoulders. During his four years in high school he worked several jobs, balancing work with sports. When Daniel graduated he took a job as a coach at the high school and played semi-pro football on weekends each fall. Although he had several offers to coach for larger school systems in nearby towns, he was content working for the local high school. He filled several positions in the Old Brooking High, Physical Education Department over the next twenty years and only left his job when an uncle died suddenly leaving Daniel his entire two million dollar estate. Unexpectedly, he was set for life. His dreams were finally coming true.

Demonstrating a high degree of maturity and business acumen, Daniel waited until he could acquire the three sport franchises at distressed prices. This happened eight years ago. His penchant for the bottom line keeps him from meddling with the day-to-day field operations of his teams. Considered ruggedly handsome by most women’s standards and a “man’s man” by most men, Daniel was popular wherever he went.

Adam Hampton III enjoyed watching sports. He never played any, but he loved being a spectator. For over six years, he was an enthusiastic supporter of Daniel’s teams. Daniel met Adam at one of the Saturday night football games. While he had seventeen years on Adam, they hit it off right away; the heir apparent to the Hampton fortune becoming a regular in the owner’s box. It was there that Daniel first met Lauren Pendleton who would later succumb to Adam’s whirlwind courtship and marry him. Daniel took an instant dislike to Lauren, who he viewed as interfering with the good times he was having with Adam. Their attendance at the games lessened as Lauren introduced Adam to the “finer” things in life, such as symphony orchestras, museums and the theater. Not being invited to their wedding was the final straw especially when he found out that his three team managers were invited to Adam’s bachelor party, wedding and reception. It was Old Brookings’s biggest social event of the year and he was not invited. Daniel blamed Lauren for the snub until he ran into Adam two weeks later and saw culpability in the man’s eyes. From that moment on he no longer pursued the friendship. Personal contact was reduced to occasional social events in town. Lauren, on the other hand, brazenly acted as if nothing had happened and she did this so openly that Daniel, on one occasion, gave serious thought to violating the rule about a man never hitting a woman.