with Pen at his right hand, and Jean-Louis led me to a chair across the table and firmly seated himself next to me. The rest of them took seats and the Baron announced, “Alright, the meeting of Kandesky Holdings will come to order.”
Kandesky Holdings? Apparently, this was some parent company of SNAP Enterprises. I’d thought SNAP was the corporate name. What else was there?
“By now, I’m sure you’ve all met Maxmilla Gwenoch, the new ME of SNAP Magazine, right?” He nodded in my direction and I held up a hand and feebly waved. “For her sake, and because she’s the second subject of this meeting, I’ll do a quick run-through.” He clicked a button and a slide appeared on the screen.
Kandesky Holdings held a lot. The primary company was SNAP Enterprises, which was the television show with productions, the magazines and a syndication department. There was also Baron Ranches, a subsidiary that raised cattle in Hungary, the US and Argentina. There was a land development company, Castle Keep, with holdings in Europe and the US. There was Viper Airways, a charter plane company that specialized in “unusual” transportation. There was something called “Clinque du Lac,” which I guessed was medical. And finally, there was BK Catering, a “food service” company.
“As you see, Maxie, we cover a broad swathe of services, much of it directly related to our family. The past centuries have taught us that we must be self-sufficient and only interact with regulars in ways that we control. Our commercial enterprises, specifically SNAP, are closely held and there are no regulars on the board. You are one of the highest-placed regulars, which is why you’re at this meeting. Your presence has upset the Huszars and we need to deal with that. First, though, there’s Pen,” and he turned to the beautiful woman beside him. Tonight she was in a deep red gown that looked like fresh blood against the pallor of her skin. She smiled with her mouth closed and regally nodded.
“I know that it’s hard to take me out of circulation. If I’m gone too long, we have to build me up again. But not long enough and people will start to compare my pictures. I’ve suggested to the Baron that five years away should be enough.”
This wasn’t my bailiwick so I didn’t venture an opinion. Was five years enough? I knew photo editors who had memories a lot longer than that. She was distinctive, plus the name.
Clearing his throat, the Baron began, “I think we may need to do things differently. Many of you have had fun, and a long run, at changing places every few years. But with 24/7 news, instant communications, global interest, people are likely to remember you. And if they don’t actively remember, there are reruns, late night movies, online blogs and chats, conspiracy theories. Some one, somewhere, is apt to see an old picture and begin to ask questions.
“We could manage a few off-the-wall conspiracies, but there’s no sense putting SNAP in jeopardy.” He turned to Pen. “I’m afraid, my dear, that we need to start with you. We need to make your retirement permanent. If you go gracefully, then everyone else will follow when it’s their turn. With plastic surgery and the health industry helping keep regulars looking the same for several years, then we can be in the limelight between thirty and forty years. But we can no longer recyle ourselves.”
A chorus of dissent started. The Baron raised his hand to instant silence. “It doesn’t mean that we have to give up working for SNAP Holdings, or doing other things we love. It simply means that we can no longer be the celebrities. If any of us miss it, we have hours and hours and miles and miles of film and video we can watch of ourselves. After all, we’ve all had a lot more salad days than anybody else has!”
At this, there was a ripple of laughter and a general murmur of assent. The Baron nodded firmly. “Next item...,” and
Kandesky Holdings? Apparently, this was some parent company of SNAP Enterprises. I’d thought SNAP was the corporate name. What else was there?
“By now, I’m sure you’ve all met Maxmilla Gwenoch, the new ME of SNAP Magazine, right?” He nodded in my direction and I held up a hand and feebly waved. “For her sake, and because she’s the second subject of this meeting, I’ll do a quick run-through.” He clicked a button and a slide appeared on the screen.
Kandesky Holdings held a lot. The primary company was SNAP Enterprises, which was the television show with productions, the magazines and a syndication department. There was also Baron Ranches, a subsidiary that raised cattle in Hungary, the US and Argentina. There was a land development company, Castle Keep, with holdings in Europe and the US. There was Viper Airways, a charter plane company that specialized in “unusual” transportation. There was something called “Clinque du Lac,” which I guessed was medical. And finally, there was BK Catering, a “food service” company.
“As you see, Maxie, we cover a broad swathe of services, much of it directly related to our family. The past centuries have taught us that we must be self-sufficient and only interact with regulars in ways that we control. Our commercial enterprises, specifically SNAP, are closely held and there are no regulars on the board. You are one of the highest-placed regulars, which is why you’re at this meeting. Your presence has upset the Huszars and we need to deal with that. First, though, there’s Pen,” and he turned to the beautiful woman beside him. Tonight she was in a deep red gown that looked like fresh blood against the pallor of her skin. She smiled with her mouth closed and regally nodded.
“I know that it’s hard to take me out of circulation. If I’m gone too long, we have to build me up again. But not long enough and people will start to compare my pictures. I’ve suggested to the Baron that five years away should be enough.”
This wasn’t my bailiwick so I didn’t venture an opinion. Was five years enough? I knew photo editors who had memories a lot longer than that. She was distinctive, plus the name.
Clearing his throat, the Baron began, “I think we may need to do things differently. Many of you have had fun, and a long run, at changing places every few years. But with 24/7 news, instant communications, global interest, people are likely to remember you. And if they don’t actively remember, there are reruns, late night movies, online blogs and chats, conspiracy theories. Some one, somewhere, is apt to see an old picture and begin to ask questions.
“We could manage a few off-the-wall conspiracies, but there’s no sense putting SNAP in jeopardy.” He turned to Pen. “I’m afraid, my dear, that we need to start with you. We need to make your retirement permanent. If you go gracefully, then everyone else will follow when it’s their turn. With plastic surgery and the health industry helping keep regulars looking the same for several years, then we can be in the limelight between thirty and forty years. But we can no longer recyle ourselves.”
A chorus of dissent started. The Baron raised his hand to instant silence. “It doesn’t mean that we have to give up working for SNAP Holdings, or doing other things we love. It simply means that we can no longer be the celebrities. If any of us miss it, we have hours and hours and miles and miles of film and video we can watch of ourselves. After all, we’ve all had a lot more salad days than anybody else has!”
At this, there was a ripple of laughter and a general murmur of assent. The Baron nodded firmly. “Next item...,” and
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