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Everyone nodded except Ar
“Good Then the first ite our recent finance ,” continued Sir Paul, “namely the current position of the pension fund On that occasion Mr Wakeha his short trip to New York, but I fear several questions still remain unanswered We came to the conclusion that only our chief executive could properly bring us up to date on as actually taking place in New York I am relieved to see that he has found it possible to join us on this occasion, so perhaps I should begin by…”
“No, perhaps it is I who should begin,” interrupted Ar you a full explanation of why it was i” Sir Paul pursed his lips, folded his arms and stared at the unoccupied chair at the other end of the table
“I re, “because I was the only person hootiate—as I a Because of this, not only did I pull off what solanced down at a leader that had appeared in the New York Tribune the previous week, which did indeed use the word “ else I asked Mr Wakeham to pass on to you, namely that the Tribune has finally turned the corner, and for the pasta positive contribution to our P and L account” Ar so for the first time since we took the paper over” Several members of the board seemed unable to look in his direction Others who did were not indicating approval “Perhaps I deserve so said, “rather than the continual carping criticiset from a chairman whose idea of enterprise is to feed the ducks on Epsom Downs”
Sir Paul looked as if he was about to protest, but Ar his voice, said, “Allow ripping the aridly ahead of him
“Now, as far as the pension fund is concerned,” continued Ar, “the company secretary will be in a better position than I a a considerable surplus in that account, a little of which I used—quite legitimately—for investments in the United States It may also interest the board to know that I have recently been in confidential negotiations with Keith Townsend, with a view to taking over the New York Star” Most of the directors looked stunned by the announcement, and this time all of them turned to face him
“It’s no secret,” continued Ar his foolhardy takeover of Multi Media, for which he paid three billion dollars The board will recall that only last year I recommended we should offer no more than one and a half billion for that particular coe of Townsend’s disastrous mistake and make him an offer for his shares in the Star that would not have been thought possible only six o”
Now he had everyone’s attention
“That coup willCommunications the most powerful newspaper presence on the east coast of A paused for effect “It will also ensure an even larger contribution to our bottom line than we presently enjoy from Britain”
One or two of the faces round the table brightened up, but the chair them “Are we to understand that this deal with Townsend has been concluded?” he asked quietly
“It is in its final stages, Chair the co of such i the board’s approval”
“And what exactly does ‘final stages’ mean?” inquired Sir Paul
“Townsend and I have had an inforround, with both our professional advisers present We were able to coure that would be acceptable to both parties, so now it’s sinature”
“So we don’t yet have anything in writing?”
“Not yet,” said Ar “But I am confident that I will be able to deliver all the necessary documentation in ti”