Hampton Manor Read Free Page B

is.
    After soul searching for several minutes, she decided to just prepare a list of talking points, the rest she could ad-lib. She hadn’t waited all these years, not to be ready to accept her reward when the time came. The excitement started to show in her body. Her hand developed a slight tremor, but that could be from the six cups of coffee she had consumed since she got up. Not being sure which it was, Marcia poured the remainder of her mug into the sink and settled back in her executive chair to compose her talking points. When she finished, she stuffed the sheet into her pocket and busied herself reading several sales reports until it was finally time to go to the auditorium.
    In another area of the building, Adam Hampton sat reviewing his announcement about the acquisition of a seventh company. At 10:25 a.m. Adam unlocked his desk and removed a stack of portfolios from the top drawer, left his office and took the short elevator ride to the second floor where the one hundred seat auditorium was housed. He placed the portfolios on a table near the door and started down the center aisle. As he made his way to the stage, he acknowledged the greetings from those assembled, including a bubbly smile from Marcia Bloom. Adam Hampton III is the best liked of the Hamptons. In the two years since he took over the company he added a profit sharing plan that provided a comfortable income for employees when they retired. Christmas bonuses, generous vacation and holiday plans added to his reputation as a progressive corporate leader. He waited until there was absolute silence in the room before he began.
    “I know that you are all wondering why this meeting was called. I believe that it’s safe to say that even your usually accurate rumor mill came up empty today.” He smiled as he looked around at the nodding heads, then continued, “I won’t keep you in suspense. any longer. I’m here to make an announcement that is especially close to my heart.” He stopped momentarily, to take a sip of water and to look out at the expectant crowd.
    As he did, Marcia squirmed in her seat. Just a few more minutes , she thought. She watched his lips as he sipped the water; lips that hours earlier had been all over her body.
    He continued, “I am proud to announce that effective this morning, Hampton Industries acquired controlling interest in Preston Industries.”
    Marcia felt the blood drain from her face. Hey , What about my promotion? I guess he’s saving the best for last. It is good about Preston, though.
    “Most of you know why this acquisition is so special to me. Several years back, my father lost a proxy fight to several large blocks of shareholders at Preston. I believe that it’s safe to say that it contributed in a large measure to his current condition. I know that you will want to share this accomplishment with me as I claim it in his honor.”
    The assembly broke into a thunderous applause, rising to their feet with a two minute standing ovation. Adam beamed back at them with pride. He could see the excitement on their faces. Once again Adam waited for absolute quiet.
    “Thank you for the unanimous acclamation. Absorption of Preston into our stable of companies will have a serendipitous effect on the bottom line. On the back table there is a portfolio for each of your companies. In it you will find revised organization charts that will show your company’s role in the new Hampton Industries lineup. Please let me know if you need any additional information. I’ll be meeting tomorrow with Preston executives. As part of the agreement, their management has agreed to stay on for up to six months, as needed, while we assimilate them into the mix. You may run into some pockets of resistance. That is to be expected given the history between our companies. I just ask you to be patient and work together with your counterparts. Let’s be sure that we set aside any bad feelings that we may harbor. I have and I expect you to do so