A Well Lived Life 2 Book 1 BethanyChapter 23 A Board Meeting
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Second Time Through - Book IIChapter 9: Meeting The Board Members free porn video
"I need a minute to get my notes together before we go out there. Can you tell if everyone is here yet?" Catherine asked. Then she added, "And remember, when we do get out there, don't do anything to give yourself away."
I decided she was right; I'd need to be careful. This was going to be my first exposure to a large group of people that weren't family.
I started scanning to see who was here.
"There seems to be a lot of people I don't know on board," I told Catherine. "Let me check around the train."
I was amazed, and a little overwhelmed. I don't know how many people there were in Newark in 1971. But it seemed like everyone in the world was in range. In addition to my family on the train, there were tons of strangers.
The six FBI agents surrounding the train were unexpected, but not surprising, considering how little they had gotten earlier from their interrogation of the five Russians I held captive on the train. There were also eight foreign soldiers. I couldn't be sure of exactly what they were feeling because of the language barrier, but their emotional signatures were relatively calm and had a military feel to them.
There was also a group of men in a town car about a hundred yards away, engaged in a conversation in English about whether to approach the train yet.
Probably my guests from the Russian Embassy.
Then there were the two observers. They were on opposite sides of the train, and I gathered they did not know of each other's presence. Their thoughts were in English and I figured one of them was CIA. The other was difficult to read.
"Must be the range," I thought at first. But that didn't make sense. I focused a little, but except for the emotional signature, and his interest in what was happening on the train, I could read very little. "This has got to be the most emotionless person I've ever run across," I thought. "Maybe he's following someone else."
Besides that, there were hundreds of yard employees and others doing business here, and then just beyond the yard was the Newark International Air Terminal with its thousands of employees and visitors arriving and departing.
But except for the foreign soldiers, I sensed no specific threats. And I could tell with reasonable certainty the soldiers where there to defend, not attack.
My sister, Nicky, along with my cousins, Randi, Jenny, Julie, Candy, and Mandy were up and dressed and waiting for the motor coach that was to take them to wherever the shopping was. Vickie was not totally awake. My guess was that she was not a morning person because she was struggling to get dressed to go with them without being totally awake.
Liz, Sarah, Debbie, and Helen were having breakfast together as they also were preparing to go with them. Jason was sitting with his mom and sisters, Mikeya and Ileana. Likewise, they were dressed and waiting in the dining car to go shopping with everyone else.
I don't get it. I have never been one to shop. If I go, it's to buy. But considering that three of my board members, Liz, Sarah, and Debbie, were opting to shop instead of attending the informal meeting, I guess I should just be happy that Russian Ambassador's representative was not going with them as well.
I was glad to see that David and Beth were going to escort the girls and Jason on their shopping trip. Peter was in the bedroom keeping an eye on my guests.
Anna was busy talking with Kip in the galley. It almost sounded like she was trying to warn him away.
"Anna darling," I thought to her. I also made the connection so Kip could hear what I thought. "Remember, I'm trying to hire him. Not scare him away."
Anna laughed as she said to Kip, "See what I mean?"
"By-the-way, did you guys know the FBI has six agents surrounding the train? And the KGB has eight soldiers outside of them. And that the Soviet's representative is sitting in his car debating with his entourage on when to make an entrance."
"Any threats?" Anna asked quickly.
"No real hostile emotions detected. The FBI is wool gathering. I think the KGB are here to make sure the FBI doesn't screw up the release."
"What should we do about the ambassador or whoever it is?" Anna asked me.
"I guess I could walk down and introduce myself and invite them on board," I ventured.
"Michael! You are not to leave this train!" she exclaimed. "If they need any more inviting, I will be the one to do it."
I laughed. "See how it is?" I asked Kip. "If you go to work for me, you'll probably end up ordering me around too."
I suddenly 'felt' a shriek of alarm.
Even though she hadn't made a sound, my grandfather's sister, Nancy, was terrified as they tried to push her wheelchair up a couple of wobbly boards they had laid from the platform across to the rear vestibule. The small wheel on her wheelchair had slipped off the board, and they were trying to force it back up. She was terrified that she was about to topple out of her chair. At her age, the three foot drop wouldn't kill her, but it wouldn't feel very good either.
I ran from the stateroom, out onto the rear vestibule, and across the boards, stopping in front of the wheelchair and the terrified woman. Before she could say a word, I scooped her up in my arms and stepped the two steps back to the vestibule, then quickly into the Observation Car. The man and two women who were with her were so surprised, they couldn't say anything until it was too late.
Just as I was about to place her in one of the plush chairs, I felt her shiver. Of course, my first reaction was to scan her to see if I had hurt her. What I found was amazing. She was actually shivering in anticipation!
"Oh my! He's just like a young Gregory!" she thought to herself. "If only he could talk to my heart like Gregory did."
As I gently lowered her into one of the plush seats, she giggled. "And if only I was fifty years younger," she had thought to herself as she became lost in what I can only describe as an erotic memory of my grandfather. I think I blushed, but nobody noticed.
"Nancy! Are you all right?" Catherine was asking. I could sense she was just about to scold me.
"All right? Those nit-wits would have killed me if this young man hadn't come to my rescue!" Nancy stated, her eyes locked on mine. It seems my Aunt Nancy had a feisty side.
Then, even though she had figured it out, she played it cool. "And to whom do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, looking at me.
"MOTHER! Are you all right? Get away from her you imbecile! You could have hurt her!" she screamed as she came in the door.
"This must be my cousin, Vivian," I decided without scanning.
I had been told that Vivian was younger than Catherine, but older than Sarah and Debbie, which put her in the fortyish category. With her bleached blond hair and half-ton of makeup, I couldn't tell, but she appeared to have made at least one plastic surgeon very wealthy.
"Shut up Vivian!" Nancy said sharply. "This young man just saved my life. And we haven't even been introduced yet."
Vivian sputtered at the motherly rebuke, while Catherine stepped in with the introductions.
"Nancy, may I present Master Gregory Michael Wagner the Third," Catherine said.
"You left off 'Prince'," I thought to Catherine teasingly. But as I've already said, Catherine is quick. And even though she knew I was kidding her, she continued the introduction without missing a beat.
"Prince Michael, this is your grandfather's favorite sister, Mrs. Nancy Wagner Wingate."
Aunt Nancy's expression went from properly demure to questioning amazement as she offered her hand. I turned it gently in mine. Then bending at the waist, I bowed and brushed the back of her hand with my lips.
"Prince? Did I hear her right? Did she say, Prince Michael?" Nancy was thinking.
"May I call you Aunt Nancy?" I asked as I continued to read her. My question distracted her for a moment.
"He certainly has his grandfather's charm," she thought. "And his roguish good looks. If only I were younger ... and if only he had his grandfather's gift."
Memories filled her mind now. Wonderful memories of wonderful times long ago. I quickly realized that Granddad was as familiar with his sister as I was with mine.
"Roguish good looks? That's kind of you to say. What gift?" I thought back to her.
I felt Catherine's sharp intake of breath behind me, as Aunt Nancy made a sound somewhere between a squeak and an 'eek' before covering her mouth with her hand as she stared at me.
"Michael, this is Aunt Nancy's daughter, Vivian Wingate Patterson," Catherine said quickly.
"Good morning, Mrs. Patterson. I understand we are cousins?" I posed the question to see how she would respond.
"Yes. I suppose we are," Vivian said condescendingly. Then she asked Catherine, "Did you say Prince Michael?"
I actually became a little nauseous when I finally scanned Vivian. She was, without a doubt, the most shallow, self-centered person I had scanned to date. She wasn't evil. She just didn't give a damn about anyone else. Not even her family.
"I'm going to have to do something about her. I don't want her anywhere near a position of influence at Wagner Industries," I thought to myself. Catherine flashed a brief smile. You could bet she had her antenna out and was listening to my every thought. And that was okay, because I had vowed to always tell her everything anyway.
Without answering either woman, Catherine steered me across the car to stand behind another gentleman seated at the table. He was engaged in a rowdy conversation, punctuated with much laughter, as he and Liz teased each other.
While we waited, a very tall and distinguished older man, with a beautiful, polished cherry walking cane, stepped behind Catherine and whispered politely in her ear. Catherine smiled. I could tell they were old friends.
"Wally, this is my grandson, Michael. Michael, this is Wallace Hudgins. He has lead Wagner Industries for five years and has been a friend for many more."
"Ah-h, so you finally woke up!" he said as we shook hands.
"Ah-h, the mystical Wally," I thought. Catherine had mentioned him right after I awoke from the coma, then resisted telling me anything else about him.
Wallace A. Hudgins was old money. His family was from Connecticut, and heavily into insurance and real estate. Wally graduated from Yale in '39 and was headed for the family insurance business when World War II interrupted.
He enlisted in the Navy, and served as a supply officer in San Diego before finally getting to sea, against the wishes of his family, and the political efforts of his father to keep him safe. Injured at Midway, he came home with nightmares and a permanent limp. That explained the polished cane in his hand.
I had thought I was prepared to be evaluated and appraised this morning, considering I was taking over the company, at least on paper. But I wasn't prepared to be evaluated as a potential partner in a much more intimate relationship. With a guy. But that was exactly what Wally was appraising me for.
I smiled at him and then at Catherine. "I'm going to have fun paying you back for this one," I thought to her. I tried to sound threatening, but I couldn't help laughing.
In later years, it would be become more tolerated for men and women to announce their alternative sexual preferences. And while I preferred women, I don't have a problem with a person's personal preference when it came to sex.
But this was still 1971, and so the subject of homosexuality and lesbianism were still very much taboo. Even whispers of homosexuality could be deadly to a career. So Wally was usually very careful not to let anyone know.
"Your grandfather had the same attitude. He knew about Wally, and didn't care. That's one of the reasons Wally admired him so," Catherine thought to me.
"Well, if this was a test, I could have saved you the anxiety," I replied her.
Wally had launched into a brief description of his time with my grandfather. I just nodded politely as I scanned him. I could see why grandfather had selected him. He was honest and loyal. He also rambled when he was nervous, and so he went on for a while without pausing.
Finally, I said, "Thank you Mr. Hudgins, I look forward to working closely with you over the next few years."
"Come on. I'll introduce you to Uncle Harry," Catherine said quickly as she turned towards the conference table.
Uncle Harry was actually Harrison Beauregard the Third. He quickly pointed our commonality to me with a booming laugh. I was to discover that he laughed a lot. And that those around him couldn't help but laugh with him. His laughter was contagious. And he seemed to have a funny story about everyone, including himself.
He told me about how he and my grandfather had taken my dad and a couple of his friends to their first hockey game, and how the three school boys had decided to see the game up close, so they wandered down to the ice. A few minutes later, a security guard came leading them back, claiming they had followed the players into their dressing room at the end of the first period.
I scanned him while he told the story and found that Uncle Harry was exactly what he appeared to be, everybody's favorite uncle. He had reached an age where money was no longer a concern, and he was both kind and generous. He had admired and respected my grandfather, and had taken him under his wing when Grandfather had begun building Wagner Industries. He had made millions following my grandfather's lead, and they had been partners in several very profitable business ventures. So when Grandfather had asked him to be on the board, it was a foregone conclusion he would accept.
"I think we should get started," Wally said to everyone when Harrison paused between stories. "Where do you want to do this?" he asked Catherine.
They decided to have the meeting in the Observation car lounge since Nancy was comfortable there. As soon as everybody was settled, Catherine quickly recapping the situation with the Russians and the fuel process, then explained the emancipation order we were trying to obtain. She also explained the ramifications of making me the CEO more than a year earlier than had been planned by my grandfather. Finally, she called for questions.
"How can he head a large corporation, he hasn't even finished high school yet?" Vivian blurted out.
Catherine frowned at Vivian. "Vivian, as I explained, my recommendation is that Michael be installed early, thereby fulfilling the stipulations of Greg's will, and allowing the corporation to sell its Cherry Ridge fuel process to the Russians. It will also allow us to go forward on several other matters that need our attention, but have been stifled by the 'no transaction' clause in the will. Michael has agreed that he is not ready to run the company yet, and is accepting this position with oversight. That means that Wally will continue as COO and the corporation will continue as it has been, at least until Michael fulfills the rest of the will's stipulations."
"Well, don't you think the board should vote on me taking mother's place before we make a decision like this?" Vivian asked.
I glanced at Nancy, but she was busy glaring at her daughter. She was just about to say something when Catherine spoke.
"Unfortunately, Vivian, we cannot make any changes to the board at this time. The will stipulates no additions or replacements. That's also why we haven't replace Michael's mother and father."
Vivian was getting angry. "That's just stupid! My mother isn't able to serve any more and I am her only daughter and Michael's closest relative."
"Vivian! Sit down and shut up! The only reason you are even here, is because Catherine and Wally are too polite to kick you out," Nancy said to her daughter in a menacing tone. "Catherine, I apologize for my daughter's interruptions."
Then taking a breath and changing her tone she asked, "Why don't you tell us a little more about Michael. What is this about his being a Prince?"
Catherine briefly told the story of how the Heir and her sister has been allowed to stay with us for the summer to see more of America. And how their mother, Queen Kalani, had made me an honorary Prince charged with protecting the Princesses. She made no mention of my fathering the next heir.
"Kalani?" I thought, as I tapped her on her mental shoulder. She was sitting in the next car, waiting to go shopping with the girls.
"Yes, Michael?" she thought back. She is one cool queen.
"Would you mind stepping back to the Observation car for a moment? I am in need of your royal presence," I asked.
"Should I get my crown?" she asked. I couldn't tell if she was serious or teasing, so I didn't answer.
They were still asking questions when Kalani entered a few moments later. I jumped to my feet and all of the other men rose as well.
"Your Majesty," I said and bowed.
Kalani just stood there, smiling at me.
"May I present my aunt, Mrs. Nancy Wagner Wingate. Aunt Nancy, Her Royal Majesty, The Queen of Tapato," I intoned.
Nancy actually placed both hands on the arms of the chair, in preparation to rise, before Kalani stepped to her side and knelt beside her. Then placing her head next to Nancy's she whispered conspiratorially in her ear.
"Please don't try to rise on my account," Kalani told her. "Michael is just like a little boy with a new toy. I've told him that if he keeps playing with his title, he may break it!"
They both laughed at that one, while everyone else stared at Nancy and The Queen. Regardless of how rich the people in this room were, it wasn't everyday they got to meet a real queen. The royal kind, I mean.
"Mrs. Wingate, would you like to meet my children?" Kalani asked.
"Please," Nancy replied.
Kalani simply looked to the Dining Car, as Mikeya, Jason, and Ileana came in. Obviously they were waiting for their mother's signal. And just as obviously, they had done this before. They lined up and curtseyed or bowed as they were introduced. Aunt Nancy was telling her and everyone else how wonderful the children were when Kalani looked to me.
"Is there anyone else you wish to honor?" she thought.
"No. That was perfect. Thank you," I thought back to her.
She picked up without missing a beat and excused herself with a personal good bye to Nancy, and then a quick wave to everyone else. As the princesses got to the door, they stopped and turned. In unison they asked, "Will you be long, Prince?" They paused for effect and then scampered giggling out the door without waiting for me to answer.
As the door closed on the sounds of their laughter, everyone in the Observation car started to speak at once. Nancy was thrilled. She was telling everyone what Kalani had said about me 'playing' with my title. But no one doubted the title was real, which had been my purpose. Uncle Harry and Wally were both talking animatedly to Catherine at the same time, while John and Jeff sat there with bemused expressions on their face.
Vivian sat there, saying nothing. She had been reprimanded, embarrassed, and upstaged. If this was a cartoon, we would have seen smoke coming from her ears as she fumed. This was not what she planned. She had wanted to replace her mother on the board for the prestige it would give her. Her anger gave me an opening in which to scan her deeply, and I discovered that Vivian had expended considerable effort into convincing her mother that she was too ill to serve...
"Catherine, we need to separate Nancy from Vivian. Would you invite just Nancy to continue on to Seven Oaks with us? Without Vivian?" I thought to her.
Catherine didn't respond. I immediately sensed how my request was upsetting her. Later, I heard her inviting Nancy to Seven Oaks.
Shortly, the railcar lurched slightly as the switcher locked on. Suddenly, the girls and adults from the other car came noisily through the Observation car as they headed to the platform. While at the same time, three Russians approached and stood politely to the side of the platform, waiting for the large group to disembark.
As the girls filed through the Observation car, they each stopped and gave me a peck on the cheek. I was busy scanning the Russians and didn't catch on at first. But when Debbie and Sarah followed suite, I realized I'd been set up. Kalani and Jason were the last ones. Except for Beth who was trailing.
Elouise
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