Chapter 8

 

Adam Hampton III handed his gold embossed card to the receptionist at Preston Industries two minutes before noon. She nervously reached out for the card and dropped it on the counter. Adam picked it up and held on until he was certain that she had a good grip on it.

“These gold ones are a bit heavier. They take some getting used to,” he quipped, giving her comforting smile.

She relaxed immediately and smiled back in reply.

“Mister Masterson is expecting you, sir. George will take you to his office,” she said, gesturing to a uniformed guard.

George stepped up to the desk. “This way, sir. We’ll need to take the elevator.”

Kane’s office was on the third floor of the six story building. They exited the elevator and walked to the end of the long hallway. Kane’s secretary greeted him as George retreated to the elevator.

“Good afternoon, Mister Hampton. I‘m Betty Easton, Mister Masterson’s secretary. He’s expecting you.”

Adam was impressed by the women he had seen so far. The receptionist and Kane’s secretary were both very beautiful, several notches above the women at Hampton Industries. He made a mental note to talk to his Vice President of Human Resources. There was no reason why the females at Hampton shouldn’t have both beauty and brains.

Betty opened the door and led him into a modestly decorated executive office.

Kane rose immediately and walked to greet Adam. “Kane Masterson,” he proffered, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Adam Hampton. I’m pleased to meet you too.”

Kane gestured Adam to a couch. “Please have a seat. Can Betty get you anything?”

“No thanks. I had an early lunch today.”

“I’ll have a bottle of water, Betty,” he said as he sat down in a chair opposite Adam. When the water arrived they settled down to the meeting they both had been anticipating, but for different reasons; a meeting of the victor with the vanquished, for Adam, and a meeting of the master manipulator with the sucker, for Kane. Each would leave the meeting satisfied that their goals had been met. Only time would tell who the ultimate victor would be, although the odds at the moment appeared to be in Adam’s favor.

With the social amenities out of the way, Adam presented Kane with the schedule for the next four hours that included a review of operating results, interviews he would have with key executives and a final hour for both to express any concerns about the plans to integrate Preston Industries into Hampton Industries.

They met back in Kane’s office at 3 o’clock.This time Adam readily accepted Betty’s offer by asking for a scotch and water. Kane ordered a gin and tonic. Once the drinks were served and they were alone again, Kane offered a toast, “Here’s to the successful amalgamation of two great corporations, Preston Industries and Hampton Industries.”

“I’ll second that, but not necessarily in that order.”

Kane thought to himself, what a horse’s ass this man is.

They clinked glasses and settled back in their chairs. Kane was the first to speak.

“Adam, as you know, Preston Industries has been around for over one hundred years. Our customers depend on our reputation for quality, value and service. I’m sure that you will do all you can to protect that. As for our employees, I have no concern for the executives. They’ve all had “golden parachutes” since the last time we went through this, but having been through a number of takeovers myself I know that most of the cost reduction will come from a reduction in the ranks of our hourly employees. We’ve already had a number of resignations, but the majority of folks have decided to stick-it-out and hope for equitable severance packages.”

Kane hesitated for a second and concluded, “Those are my major concerns at this time and the main reason I agreed to stay on for the next six months.”

Adam looked thoughtfully at the ceiling before he spoke, “Kane, I’m going to be open with you. I had a rush of emotions when I realized that we had enough stock take over Preston. My first thought was that I had finally accomplished what my daddy tried in vain to do several years back. My second thought, and I’m being honest with you, was that I had finally defeated the man who prevented this from happening back then. I’ve hated your guts for well over three years. Finally beating you at your own game gives me a great feeling of satisfaction.”

Adam was puzzled by a slight grin on Kane’s face. He reached for his drink, took a big gulp and continued. “On the surface our dealings will appear to be amicable, but to the victor belongs the spoils. You needn’t worry about your precious employees. I’ll do all right by them, but I intend to make the transition as difficult for you as I possibly can. You obligated yourself to work for us for the next six months and I intend to make sure that that obligation is satisfied down to the last minute of the last day.”

Adam stopped speaking, leaving an opening for a reply.

Kane pushed back the lock of his sandy blond hair that had fallen over his left eye. He appeared to be frustrated. “Mister Hampton, I’m really sorry that you feel that way. This has never been personal for me. I viewed it as just another battle between two corporate titans. Your victory was won fairly and I assure you that I not only realize my obligation to Hampton Industries, but fully intend to honor them to the letter.”

The “Mister Hampton” set the mood for the balance of the meeting.

“Very well, then,” Adam replied. “Let’s finalize things for now.” He handed Kane a set of organization charts, one for each of the operating companies at Hampton Industries. “Preston will cease to exist as a separate corporate entity. It will be totally absorbed into Hampton Industries. You can see on each chart where each of Preston’s divisions will fit in. I’ve discussed this process with each of the division vice-presidents earlier and offered jobs to most of them. The rest will get severance packages comparable to your parachutes. I have no concerns about the orderly integration of both companies. I’ll want you to concentrate on the sportswear areas. I will assign one of my vice-presidents to oversee the absorption of Elegant Sportswear into Hampton Sportswear. You will report to her and act solely as an advisor and contact man. Is your role clear?”

Kane ignored Adam’s tone. He glanced again at the organization charts, hesitated a second and eventually replied, “Yes, it’s perfectly clear.”

“Splendid! Then I want you to remove your personal things from this office by the end of the day. From that point on this building will be off-limits to you.”

Hampton was enjoying the shock value of his pronouncements. He noticed Kane’s face beginning to flush. It was time for the coup de grace. “There is one more thing. This will be the last time we will meet face to face. You will deal only with Marcia Bloom, the vice-president I’ve selected to oversee the sportswear mergers. You are to report to her office at Bretton Trading at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning. I’ve given her full authority to direct your activities for the next six months.”

Adam Hampton III had just had his “finest hour”. He picked up his briefcase and left the office, leaving a somewhat bewildered Kane Masterson in his wake.

Kane sat there for several minutes. Then he went back to his desk and buzzed for his secretary. There was no answer. Damn that Adam Hampton, he couldn’t give me another hour of respectability. He went over to the wet-bar and mixed his own gin and tonic. He sat down on the sofa and enjoyed his drink. He smiled as he thought about the stellar performance he had just given. His college drama classes weren’t wasted after all. The Pompous asshole actually thinks that he is hurting me with all this vindictiveness. We’ll see who has the last laugh. I just can’t wait until his empire comes crashing down around him. It will be well worth the price of admission. He called for bankers boxes and spent the next hour filling them with his personal things. Kane spent a few minutes checking that he had everything, knowing that there would be no coming back later. He was in no hurry, but within a few minutes he surrendered his security pass and left the building with his personal possessions. As he exited the Preston Industries parking lot in his Lincoln Continental a feeling of calm came over him. He suppressed a smile as he thought; anybody watching is getting a real eyeful. I’m sure Adam will be expecting a full report of my departure. No doubt he’ll also be viewing the surveillance tapes. I wish I could be there to see it. His resentment of me is so misplaced right now, but I’m certainly going to do everything in my power to justify it in the future.

Phase one of Kane’s plan was now complete; on to Marcia Bloom and phase two.