by R. B. Conroy
Vito grinned sheepishly, “Well, you did say you needed some convincing.”
Lisa breathed deeply and tried to remain calm, “Yes, I certainly did.” She shook her head in disgust. “Oh, Vito.”
“Yes?”
Would you please send Claudia away from her desk? I need to get going and I really don’t want to see her right now.”
Vito punched the intercom, “Claudia, would you please go to the third floor and get the Hollingsworth file?”
“Gladly, Mr. Taglioni.”
Lisa stood in the center of the room gently tapping her foot, allowing time for Claudia to leave the receptionist area before exiting Vito’s office. She stared blankly at the floor, not speaking to Vito.
Vito was undaunted. “Was that a yes a moment ago?” he asked boldly. “I need some brownie points with Barnes real bad right now.”
Lisa looked at Vito with empty eyes. She wanted to treat the unbearable lout to a slow, painful death by torture, but the recent explosion on his desktop was just as much her fault as it was his. She decided to play along with him. “What do you think? You stud muffin you!” she said flirtatiously. Feeling somewhat nauseated, she gave him a wink and exited the office.
“Jackass,” she whispered as she closed the office door behind her and hurried past Claudia’s empty desk. Her pointy hair drew a nervous chuckle from nearby workers.
Inside his office, a wide grin spread across a confident Vito’s face. His cell phone rang almost immediately.
“Yes, Barnes.”
“Did she show up?”
“Yeah, she just left.”
“And?”
“It looks good! Read good!”
“Good work, my boy. I owe you one.”
“You know me, Barnes. I got a way with the women.”
“Yes, yes, you certainly do. I’d better run. We’ll talk later.”
“Good-bye, Barnes.”
“Good-bye.”
………
Barnes was ecstatic. He had gotten what he wanted from Vito—a positive response from Lisa. It wasn’t a firm yes, but he didn’t need a firm yes right now. He and Edward Carl were very old and dear friends; they played golf together regularly at the club and went on an annual fishing trip together to Northern Minnesota. He knew that if there were any lingering doubts at all in Lisa’s mind, he was certain that his relationship with Edward would trump them.
He quickly opened his bottom desk drawer, pulled out a cigar and lit up. Soon, the strong aroma permeated his messy office. He leaned back, threw his feet on top of this desk and stared aimlessly across the room. His thoughts took him far away to the American Embassy in Dublin, at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsridge, Dublin. He will never forget that address. During one of his several trips back to his homeland, he had visited the embassy. He was mesmerized by the building with its bold, round architecture. He vowed, that day, to do everything in his power to someday be the Ambassador to Ireland and occupy an office in the stunning edifice located in the heart of his beloved homeland. Now, with Lisa’s vote apparently secured, he had taken one more step toward making that dream come true.
Chapter 25
It was afternoon and the long shadow from the giant Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument had darkened the board room at Midwest Consolidated. Arms full, Erica bumped the light switch with her elbow and paused for a second as the lights fluttered on. She walked around the long table and laid one of the seven folders she was carrying in front of each of the large, leather chairs. After distributing the folders, she lifted the ice water pitcher and filled each of the glasses. On her way out, she made a stop at the end of the table to test her recorder she had put there earlier.
A short time later, Alex Crane entered the room and took his seat at the head of the table. He flipped open the file Erica had placed on the table and began a quick review of the information. Alex preferred to have his board meetings in the morning when his mind was fresh, but with Lisa Carl, Barnes O’Brien, and Strom Winslow all still gainfully employed, Alex scheduled the monthly board meetings at 4:00 P.M. so as not to interrupt their busy work schedules. Cliff Williams, Seth Boardman, and Jack Mathews were all retired and they also liked the late afternoon meetings because it gave them a chance to get in a round of golf before the gatherings. The typical board meeting didn’t last too long. Alex would brief the board on the topics that were on the agenda. Then, after some discussion, a vote would be taken—almost always in favor of Alex’s recommendations. But Alex knew that this meeting would be much different. There was only one topic today and it was his controversial recommendation to pay back the TARP money to the Federal Government.
Tensions had been mounting for weeks over the contentious issue and the battle lines had been clearly drawn with Barnes O’Brien leading the opposition to the proposal and Strom Winslow heading up those in favor. Strom had called Alex at home that morning and told him that he had spoken to the other board members several times over the past few weeks and felt confident that they had three of the four votes necessary to carry the issue. Lisa Carl was the wildcard and he just couldn’t get a handle on which way she was leaning. The aggressive lady usually voted with Alex on less important matters, but her husband, Edward, was a good friend and golfing buddy of Barnes. So, in the past she had split her vote between Alex and Barnes on more significant issues. Alex was certain that Barnes had been lobbying Lisa in everyway possible. He felt that her vote was very much up in the air at this point.
As expected, Strom was the first board member to arrive at 3:45; this gave him and Alex a few minutes to talk again before the others arrived.
“Afternoon, Strom.”
“Good afternoon, Alex.” The big man had a blank expression on his face. Alex had been looking for a warm smile or an encouraging “thumbs up” from his old friend, but he got neither.
“Well, the big day’s finally here.”
Strom closed the door behind him, strolled over and fell in the chair closest to Alex—his usual spot. “Yeah, it sure is.” The big man opened the file that was lying on the table and scanned the cover page.
“Any new insights on Lisa’s vote?” Alex got right to the subject, as he was anxious to find out if Strom had gathered any new information on Lisa since their last discussion earlier that day.
“Well, yes I have. I had lunch with my daughter, Amanda, today. Claudia Harper, Vito’s secretary, is a good friend of hers. Claudia told Amanda that Lisa paid Vito a visit the other day.”
“Vito’s right in the middle of this. Barnes may have asked him to intercede.”
Strom’s right brow lifted, “Yes, I believe he did. Claudia told Amanda that things got very heated in Vito’s office.
“Hmmm…that’s not like her, she’s usually very easy to get along with.”
“Not that kind of heat.”
“Really?”
Strom coughed a nervous laugh. “Claudia’s desk is right next to the door of Vito’s office—she could hear everything. I guess they were really going at it and on his desk, none the less.”
A wide-eyed Alex stared at Strom in disbelief. “You’re kidding?”
“Claudia said that several other staffers in the office could hear them. She told Amanda that she was embarrassed to death.”
Alex fell back in his chair. “If this gets out, it will be the talk of the town.”
Strom looked over at his shocked friend. “It’s already out—Amanda said it’s all over town.”
“Well, you know us, Strom, we’re always the last to know.”
Strom’s smile quickly faded. “I’m sure our buddy, Vito, thinks he won her vote. I’m sure he feels she’ll do anything for him now.”
“Yeah, and Barnes and Lisa’s husband, Edward, go way back. She’s undoubtedly been getting a lot of pressure. It doesn’t look good.”
“I agree.”
Still stunned at the revelations concerning his only female board member, Alex fumbled nervously through the stack of papers left by Erica. “I
still can’t believe Lisa would do something like that.”
“I guess we know how to get her vote next time.”
“Strom!”
“Just kidding.”
Both men laughed heartily. Suddenly, the door to the office swung open and Lisa Carl walked in.
“Am I interrupting something?” she asked. She studied both men’s faces a little longer than usual, attempting to detect if their laughter had something to do with her weak moment with Vito. Both men broke eye contact with her, which in effect, gave her the answer.
Glancing up from the table, Alex cleared his throat, “Oh no, you’re not interrupting anything. Please come in. Strom and I were just reminiscing about old times.”
Lisa shot the men a hard stare and then took a seat at the far end of the table. She looked different today. She was dressed much more conservatively than normal—donning a gray business suit with a ruffled silk blouse protruding just above the buttoned jacket. Her lovely face was high-lighted by a minimal amount of make-up, and her usually flowing blond hair was pulled back in a tight bun. It appeared that she was trying very hard to present a new image to the board in the aftermath of her scandalous event with Vito. Alex was certain that that the juvenile display by her two fellow board members had taken her aback.
“What’s the matter, my girl? Are you mad at us?” Strom said jokingly, attempting to relax the tense atmosphere. “We’ve been saving your usual seat.” He pointed across the table at the seat next to Alex.
“Thank you, but this is fine,” she said quietly.
“Are you sure? You look a little lonely down there,” Strom replied.
Alex watched the unfolding scene with rapt attention concerned that he and Strom had inadvertently offended the single most important vote on this issue.
“Yes, I’m sure; this is fine.”
“But where is Jack going to sit? You took his seat,” Alex interjected.
The sound of Alex’s voice seemed to soften the dour expression on Lisa’s face. She batted her eyes a few times and replied, “Oh well, I guess I don’t want to take Jack’s seat.” She lifted her purse off the floor, slowly rose and took her usual seat at the front of the table next to Alex.
Alex breathed a sigh of relief.
It was now almost four o’clock. The door opened once again and in walked board members Cliff Williams, Seth Boardman, and Jack Mathews. After a few friendly greetings and niceties, the three board members took their seats and quiet conversation ensued. A few minutes later, Barnes O’Brien appeared at the door. As usual, he was the last to arrive.
Erica followed Barnes into the room and took her customary seat at the other end of the table. She immediately turned on the tape recorder and laptop and prepared to record the proceedings.
“Good afternoon, Barnes,” Alex said politely.
“Good afternoon,” Barnes replied. He greeted the other members by name, giving a particularly warm smile and hello to Lisa Carl. Alex wondered if Barnes knew about the incident at Vito’s office.
Wasting no time, Alex lifted the small gavel at the head of the table and tapped if firmly on the small oval base.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have but one item on the agenda today But it is indeed, an important one. I realize there has already been a lot of discussion on repaying the TARP money, so I would like to open up the meeting for any final remarks and then we will take the vote.”
Barnes quickly rose from his seat. He lifted the sweaty glass from the table and took a sip. His chin pushed firmly against his neck, he grabbed the inside of his vest with both hands and launched into a lengthy diatribe about the “sorry state” of Midwest Consolidated’s financial health. Well prepared and convincing in his arguments to keep the TARP money, the battle-tested attorney strolled around the room, often waving his arms in the air and patting the other members on the shoulder. At one point, he bent down and whispered something in Lisa’s ear. Smiling broadly, he continued his rant. Lisa seemed embarrassed by the gesture. Barnes ended by returning to his chair and slamming his fist on the table, and demanding that his board take control of this bank from a misguided and over-zealous manager who was jeopardizing the future of Midwest Consolidated Bank to advance his own narrow ideology.
Exactly what you’re doing, Alex thought. After a few more questions and comments from the other members, a determined Alex took the floor to defend his position to give back the money. He cited the ever growing control of the bank by the Federal Government and the need for Midwest to stay independent and viable and not become a failed victim of another Government take-over.
Lisa Carl sat quietly throughout the discussions, never asking a question or offering her opinion. After some closing arguments by Strom Winslow on the importance of staying free of Government control, Alex called for the vote.
“As I call your name, please respond by saying aye if you are in favor of paying back the TARP money and nay if you are opposed. I will start to my left with Strom and move around the table. And, I remind you, that a simple majority of four will support the motion and by the same token, a simple vote of four will defeat it. Speak clearly so Erica can hear you and record the correct answer.”
“Strom Winslow.”
“Aye.”
“Barnes O’Brien.”
“A huge nay, the correct vote.” He smiled smugly and winked at Lisa. She smiled back at him. Alex’s heart sank. He collected himself and continued.
“Seth Boardman.”
“Nay.”
“Jack Mathews”
“Nay.”
“Cliff Williams.”
“Aye.”
The vote was now three to two against repaying the TARP. Alex would be the final vote. Lisa, as expected, would determine the outcome.
“Lisa Carl,” Alex announced.
Lisa paused before answering. Her eyes were filled with tears. She looked briefly at Barnes and then at Alex. “Aye,” she said softly, but loud enough for all to hear. Her shoulders collapsed, her eyes went down.
Alex was elated, “My vote is aye,” he said quickly.
“The motion to repay the TARP money has passed the board by a vote of four to three,” Erica announced.
Barnes jumped to his feet and this time he slammed both fists on the table; the entire room shook from the power of the blows. “What the hell, Lisa? What are you doing? You damned floo…” Barnes stopped short of finishing his rant, realizing that he was about to call one of his best friend’s wife a floozy. His eyes darted around the room at the others. His face was pale and ashen; his thick hands were shaking. His whole world had just fallen apart in front of him. He was beside himself.
Lisa blushed at the dressing down from Barnes. Then her eyes grew dark and she glared back at the pompous attorney.
Alex proceeded to wrap up the meeting. “The motion has been carried to pay back the TARP funds. As with all Government programs, I’m sure this one will take some time to implement. Hopefully, it will be completed by the end of this fiscal year in December.”
Barnes slammed his briefcase shut and stormed from the room.
“We’re adjourned,” a beaming Alex announced.
Chapter 26
Butch purposely arrived a little late hoping that most of the people would be inside already. Embarrassed that he could no longer afford a limo and chauffeur, he didn’t want the townsfolk to see him driving his own vehicle. He turned off the engine on the black Hummer with darkened windows and started to open the door.
“Just a minute.” His diminutive wife rustled around in her large leather purse and pulled out a small plastic bottle. She flipped the lid off and carefully jiggled two oblong tablets into her shaking hand. Then, she opened wide and tossed them in her mouth. She lifted a bottle of water from the center console and washed them down. She dropped the bottle back in the holder.
“I wish you wouldn’t take so many pills, Maria. It makes me feel bad—like you’re not happy or something.”
Her sad, empty eyes sta
red at Butch. “I told you, Butch, I have a chemical imbalance. I was born with it. It’s nothing you did. We’d better get going or we’ll be late.” She pushed her door open and slid out of the SUV.
A disconsolate Butch exited the vehicle and hurried to catch up with his fast-walking wife. They were soon inside an old elementary school that was located in a working class neighborhood in Elmwood Park. Maria stopped in the large vestibule area and looked both ways. “It’s this way Butch. The gym is this way.”
“I know,” the aging mobster whispered as he and his eloquently dressed wife hustled down the shiny hall past the many pictures of young athletes holding up trophies and smiling at the camera. Up ahead, a voice on the loud speaker asked the crowd to take their seats. Suddenly, Butch grabbed his wife’s arm from behind. “Look here, Maria.”
Maria sighed, “What is it? We have to get going; everybody is getting ready to sit down.”
“I know, I know, but look here.” He pointed to a picture behind a small trophy inside the aging trophy case. “See the little fat boy on the back row grinning from ear to ear?”
“Yes, I see him.”
“That’s me! It’s little Alonzo. We had just won the sixth grade football tournament. Wasn’t I a cute little guy?”
Maria frowned and shook her head. “You were fat and frumpy looking if you ask me. Let’s go.”
She wrestled free from his hand and hurried toward the gym. A dejected Butch trailed along behind, straightening his tie as he struggled to keep up.
Maria paused unexpectedly just outside the gym door and turned toward her surprised husband, her eyes clouded over. “I’m sorry, Butch, you were a darling little boy. You really were.” She gave him a peck on the cheek, grabbed his hand and pulled the beaming wise-guy through the wide door to the gym.
