kill you,” muttered Doc, adjusting his glasses, “if you miss.”
“I’d like us to take the next step,” said Alex, ignoring them both. “I want to hire P.J.I. to help us with the process. As far as I’m concerned it’s no guts, no glory. We need to hire additional key personnel, possibly even start looking to acquire additional businesses to complement our core company.”
“We already have good employees,” said Elaine, still chewing on the no guts, no glory comment. Who did he think he was? General Patton? If the company went public, it would change everything. Veelund Industries would suddenly be responsible to a bunch of faceless shareholders who would demand to be informed about business practices, financial stats, budgets, changes in management, or anything else that might materially affect the cost of the stock. It sounded like a nightmare—not at all like the company her father had begun in the sixties.
“We need someone who can speak to the public,” continued Alex. “I, for one, would like to nominate Roman for that job.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” said Elaine. She couldn’t believe her brother was that stupid. “Have you lost your mind?”
Marchand stiffened.
“The main problem I see,” said Danny, glancing at his mother, “is that the family would lose flexibility, particularly with actions that would require shareholder approval.”
Bingo, thought Elaine. Give that man a cigar. She poured herself more wine.
“You mean control , don’t you, dear?” said Millie. All through the discussion, she’d remained silent. But everyone knew she had the final say.
“That’s too simplistic,” said Alex. “You need to come to the office, let me lay it all out for you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Her eyes traveled slowly from face to face. “I’m sorry you did all that work. You should have consulted me first. Not only are we not taking Veelund Industries public, I’m planning to sell the company.”
“What?” Had Elaine heard her correctly? “ Sell? ”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“For a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is the uncertainty in the American economy. After what happened on nine-eleven, I made a decision. Who knows what crazy thing could happen to this country? The world has grown too precarious to have major assets sitting out there without protection. Even a small terrorist attack could send us into deep recession, possibly even a depression. I want all my investments as safe and secure as possible, and that means I intend to sell the company within the year. I already have two buyers waiting for my decision, and one is about to put in a bid.” She turned to Alex. “Your going ahead with your plans without consulting me only further proves my point. Veelund Industries belongs to me, Alex. Your father wanted his fortune passed on to his family, and I’ll make sure that happens. But he gave the company to me because he trusted my judgment. After I’m gone, you’ll all be quite rich. I promise that none of you will be hurt by my decision to sell. If you’d like to continue working for the new company, we’ll make that a provision of the sale. One day you’ll all understand why I did this, and you’ll thank me.”
“You can’t be serious,” said Alex. He looked dumbfounded.
“I’m perfectly serious.”
“But . . . what about my company?” asked Roman. “I’m not one of your children. What happens to me?”
“I’m afraid your division has complicated this sale, Mr. Marchand. It was a bad decision to buy Kitchen Visions. I’m sorry I ever agreed to it. Alex felt it would be an interesting experiment, and I agreed. But it hasn’t turned out well.”
“But, as you said, the entire economy is in a downturn.”
“At this point, it’s all moot. Decisions have been made. I’m sorry this couldn’t work out to everyone’s benefit, but that’s the way it is sometimes. Alex, next week we need to set up meetings with all
“I’d like us to take the next step,” said Alex, ignoring them both. “I want to hire P.J.I. to help us with the process. As far as I’m concerned it’s no guts, no glory. We need to hire additional key personnel, possibly even start looking to acquire additional businesses to complement our core company.”
“We already have good employees,” said Elaine, still chewing on the no guts, no glory comment. Who did he think he was? General Patton? If the company went public, it would change everything. Veelund Industries would suddenly be responsible to a bunch of faceless shareholders who would demand to be informed about business practices, financial stats, budgets, changes in management, or anything else that might materially affect the cost of the stock. It sounded like a nightmare—not at all like the company her father had begun in the sixties.
“We need someone who can speak to the public,” continued Alex. “I, for one, would like to nominate Roman for that job.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” said Elaine. She couldn’t believe her brother was that stupid. “Have you lost your mind?”
Marchand stiffened.
“The main problem I see,” said Danny, glancing at his mother, “is that the family would lose flexibility, particularly with actions that would require shareholder approval.”
Bingo, thought Elaine. Give that man a cigar. She poured herself more wine.
“You mean control , don’t you, dear?” said Millie. All through the discussion, she’d remained silent. But everyone knew she had the final say.
“That’s too simplistic,” said Alex. “You need to come to the office, let me lay it all out for you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Her eyes traveled slowly from face to face. “I’m sorry you did all that work. You should have consulted me first. Not only are we not taking Veelund Industries public, I’m planning to sell the company.”
“What?” Had Elaine heard her correctly? “ Sell? ”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“For a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is the uncertainty in the American economy. After what happened on nine-eleven, I made a decision. Who knows what crazy thing could happen to this country? The world has grown too precarious to have major assets sitting out there without protection. Even a small terrorist attack could send us into deep recession, possibly even a depression. I want all my investments as safe and secure as possible, and that means I intend to sell the company within the year. I already have two buyers waiting for my decision, and one is about to put in a bid.” She turned to Alex. “Your going ahead with your plans without consulting me only further proves my point. Veelund Industries belongs to me, Alex. Your father wanted his fortune passed on to his family, and I’ll make sure that happens. But he gave the company to me because he trusted my judgment. After I’m gone, you’ll all be quite rich. I promise that none of you will be hurt by my decision to sell. If you’d like to continue working for the new company, we’ll make that a provision of the sale. One day you’ll all understand why I did this, and you’ll thank me.”
“You can’t be serious,” said Alex. He looked dumbfounded.
“I’m perfectly serious.”
“But . . . what about my company?” asked Roman. “I’m not one of your children. What happens to me?”
“I’m afraid your division has complicated this sale, Mr. Marchand. It was a bad decision to buy Kitchen Visions. I’m sorry I ever agreed to it. Alex felt it would be an interesting experiment, and I agreed. But it hasn’t turned out well.”
“But, as you said, the entire economy is in a downturn.”
“At this point, it’s all moot. Decisions have been made. I’m sorry this couldn’t work out to everyone’s benefit, but that’s the way it is sometimes. Alex, next week we need to set up meetings with all
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