Chapter 2

She stepped out of Jimmy’s office and turned back to lock the door.

Time to perform as the real Marjory; show what she was capable of, go beyond the routine she had previously established for herself here, be the mistress of the hour.

As she strode confidently in her clacking heels along the corridors of the Group business, she was aware of a few heads turning, but she ignored them. They were not important, for they were not her target: that was the Board.

Arriving at the doors of the Board room, she checked her Cartier wrist watch: One minute before two p.m. Showtime!

She turned the door handle and forcefully pushed the door open, letting it swing inwards and exposing her to the eyes of anyone looking her way. The door banged as it reached the limit of its swing and hit the small rubber buffer. At the far end of the boardroom table, Bob Yeats was standing behind his Chairman’s seat and at the noise from the door, looked in her direction.

He blinked twice in confusion and then glared over at his meeting organiser, Mr Emerson, who noted the triumphal entry and stepped over to whisper to Chairman Yeats, “Mrs Marjory Hargreaves, sir, representing our new Investor.”

Yeats muttered back, “Good God, man; you should have told me what to expect!”

“Her name is on the list of expected attendees, sir.”

“Still” He recovered and announced loudly, “Mrs Hargreaves, I take it? Welcome to our meeting, madam. I understand you are here representing our Investor, in the absence of your ill husband.”

Marjory strode forward into the room, stopped at the door end of the table and declared, “That is so, Chairman. Thank you for your gracious welcome, Chairman Yeats. My principal has briefed me so that I can formally speak with authority for her, or him.”

“You are unsure of the gender of our Investor, Mrs. Hargreaves?”

“Not at all, Chairman. It is simply the Investor’s choice that his or her gender remains neutral, for the purposes of finance. Gender has no relevance for investment policy.”

“Ah, I see. A wise approach, I agree. And accordingly a male or female may act as the representative, such as today?”

“How perceptive of you, Chairman. May we proceed with the meeting? I am unfamiliar with your normal procedure and unsure of the timing. I have other pressures on my time that restrict my availability.”

“Of course. The directors may not be known to you, so I shall get them to raise a hand as I say their names.” He did so, and Marjory nodded politely to each man as he was introduced.

The Chairman concluded, “For those of you who may be unaware of recent events, Mrs Hargreaves is today’s representative of our new Investor, as her husband, the normal representative, is unwell. Mr Emerson assures me that the lady is fully briefed on all aspects of our business affairs and is authorised to speak for the Investor.”

There were a few directors whose grimace indicated that they were unconvinced, but an unfazed Marjory observed that no-one was seated yet, so she made her choice and carefully pulled out the chair opposite Chairman Yeats. She smoothed her derriere before effortlessly seating herself down and glancing pointedly at the nearest man, who was watching, transfixed.

He got the unspoken message and offered to push her seat closer to the table. She raised her bottom slightly, allowing him to do this, then sat down again, awarding him a gracious smile of thanks. He sat down with a flushed grin on his face. Bob Yeats noticed this by-play and assessed her as fully in control of the situation. That boded well for the meeting.

He started on the agenda for the meeting, and throughout it Mrs Hargreaves simply smiled gently and listened quietly. Normal business routine proceeded effortlessly until the final details of the new reward-based bonus scheme were described by the Finance Director. One of the other Directors raised a query.

“Mr Chairman, this scheme seems planned to reduce the renumeration of a number of directors in the next year. That seems unwarranted.”

The Chairman repsonded smoothly, “Mr. Ferranti, the whole point of the scheme is to institute rewards for helping the company to improve. The matter of personal remuneration is in the hands of each director. To be rewarded for his efforts he need only perform his function of improving the company’s operation.”

“But we do that as we attend these meetings, Chairman.”

As Bob Yeats was about to reply, he noticed Mrs Hargreaves had slightly raised a hand from the table as a request to speak. He gestured towards her, saying, “Yes, Mrs Hargreaves?”

“Thank you, Chairman, for allowing me to offer a contribution to the discussion. I merely wished to ask Mr Ferranti what exactly his contribution to improving this company has been in the last year. My information from the Board minutes is that his practical input on the Board was exactly nil. Perhaps he can correct me, if he wishes to show his inherent value to the Group?”

Ferranti was stunned at this declaration.

“Why, I have contributed my vast knowledge and experience to our deliberations at every meeting, young lady!”

“Really? According to other records I have consulted, your other directorships are in companies which have no direct relevance to this Group’s products, so your ëvast knowledge’ may be vast in other spheres, but not pertinent to this group. If you have no intention of making any apposite input to this group’s business ventures, perhaps you may wish to retire from this Board. You might be better occupied in reducing your wife’s gambling debts instead.”

His face went white.

“How do you know that? Where did you get that information?”

“My dear sir, financial information of a suspect nature drifts back to investors who have concern for the security of their investments. I am simply better briefed on the subject than are perhaps some of the other directors of this Board.”

Chairman Yeats intervened, “Mr. Ferranti, is this information coming out from our new Investor accurate? Is your wife really in serious debt problems?”

Ferranti stammered, forced into admitting, “She has problems, Chairman. I am trying to keep them under control. I don’t see that this ... this woman” he waved his hand dismissively at Mrs Hargreaves, “should be allowed to cast aspersions on my probity as a director.” He hoped to divert attention from his wife’s debts, but Chairman Yeats was happy to move to that subject

“You make an interesting point about the source of information, Mr Ferranti, but I recall I was specifically told by you that you were a director in a number of companies in our sphere of activities. That was an important factor in your appointment.The lady has suggested otherwise. Were you telling me the truth when you gained your appointment to this board?”

As Ferranti took a breath before replying, the Chairman added ominously, “I can have the facts checked, now that I know what to look for.”

Ferranti claimed, “What I told you related to earlier in my career. Movements in my directorships have occurred in the last few years.”

Yeats looked over at Mrs Hargreaves, who merely rolled her eyes upward as if unable to believe her ears. He spoke again to Ferranti, “I will put aside your eligibility for inclusion on this board for later deliberation. To return to the subject under discussion, does anyone else object to working for a living instead of just spending time attending meetings that may achieve little?”

This accusation fell with an inaudible thud on the table. No-one else wanted to claim they should continue to be paid a considerable sum as merely an attendance fee. They were acutely aware of the possibility that this imposing, well-informed and vocal lady might reveal something about them next, as she seemed to know everything she needed to know about the Board.

The bonus rewards proposals passed without alteration.

Next, Emerson gave his report to the Board about the purchase of the air base by Copies. “As Copies by that time had been absorbed into our Group, and former Chairman Davis of that company is accordingly welcomed as one of our present number, the exploitation of that purchase falls to this board to expedite. You have all been given the basic information and what is proposed about transferring our Copies business to the new site, and eventually for the whole of this Group to relocate to this base with its vast amount of space for future expansion.

This should achieve a major saving in costs of ownership, upkeep and repair of buildings in the future; but considerable initial costs will have to be incurred during the transfer process. Our new Investor has provided loan capital to cover such costs, at a lower than anticipated interest rate. In case you doubt that statement, I can confirm that the interest rate is lower than we were able to find anywhere else on the funds market.

I am open to suggestions for how we make use of this physical asset other than our base of operations. Gentlemen?”

The directors all remained carefully silent initially, except for the Director of Finance, present for financial questions, who introduced his views on turning the vacant accomodation block into a motel, and using the former dining block with its kitchens as a restaurant, a possible revenue centre from patronage by motel residents, and possible sales of takeway food and drink to travelers. “We will of course have to publicise our new outlet among the traveling public. We do not yet have a name for this venture, but my own modest suggestion is The Air Guitar, ‘ as a reference to the base and to the proposal of guitar music in the background.”

No-one reacted at all, so he shrugged in disappointment, letting it drop for now.

He concluded his remarks with, “My proposals are envisaged to produce adequate returns within the present year, and a decent profit by the end of the first full year of operation.”

“That’s it?” sneered Ferranti. “You are aware that your suggestions are not within our present sphere of business, as the Chair made clear. Why should the Board listen to your meanderings?”

There were shocked looks around the table, but Mrs Hargreaves charged in.

“Gentlemen, while I approve of the Chairman’s approach in the matter of relevant experience, the purchase of the air base has provided not just an opportunity to reduce fixed costs, but has also offered the Group an opportunity of diversification, to expand into new profit centres by further exploitation of our new asset. For example, using lateral thinking such as our Director of Finance has displayed, such a huge expanse of airfield concrete may permit the establishment of a drag race meet on a runway, and perhaps even a stock car racing circuit as my husband has suggested to the Investor. Both of these ideas require remarkably little in the way of additional investment until we have an operator lined up to make use of our extensive concrete surfaces.

The already suggested accomodation and kitchen facilities would fit in with a race track operation, and improve the financial prospects for both suggestions.”

She paused, and into a deafening silence said quietly, “I hope I am not out of order in suggesting ways of making the Group more profitable, Chairman? I am not formally a Director here.”

Bob Yeats jerked into action.

“Dear lady, you are not out of order at all. Your suggestions are all finance-related, so quite within your purview as a financial observer. Indeed, they are the sort of ideas which I hoped would be forthcoming from our paid directors. The point is I hope not lost on all of us: Performance is what is required, not just appearance at this table!”

Marjory smiled and inclined her head demurely. “Thank you, Mr Chairman. If the Board was interested in pursuing any of today’s suggestions, and some additional financing is required, the Investor has empowered me to offer assistance in that direction, up to a million, and with the same rate of interest; if it can all be justified by the Director of Finance in a written report that I can submit to our generous Investor.”

Yeats blinked, then smiled.

“As a proxy, you are doing very well, my dear. May I remark on how well-dressed you are? I would not have expected your husband to be able to afford such expensive attire.”

“Oh, thank you for noticing, sir. My husband did not pay for my clothing. The Investor insisted on me being dressed like this, and paid the bills, feeling that a representative should fully represent her principal, including the duty of working with an illustrious client such as this Group Board.”

Bob Yeats laughed uproariously.

“Great point, Mrs Hargreaves. I shall expect Jimmy to be similarly upgraded in his wardrobe when he returns to his position in the Group.”

Marjory nodded delicately. “Really? I will so notify the Investor as to your opinion, Chairman. I am told there is no shortage of funds for anything that the Investor desires, and suitable attire may be tax-deductible in certain cases. According to my enquiries about tax liability, it has much to do with the function and general useability of the clothing in other directions, but I leave the detail of that tax question for the Investor to argue with the IRS. I note that our Directors do not sport Armani suits, so tax relief possibilities in that direction might prove to be minimal.”

This obvious knowledge of tax affairs gained her another bonus point with the Chairman, and more importantly, the Board.

The rest of the meeting proceeded smoothly, with Chairman Yeats solidly in control throughout. As the meeting drew to a close, Marjory stood up abruptly and apologised to the Chairman for having to rush off.

“I am sorry to have to leave prematurely, Chairman, but I have to report back immediately to my principal and then check on my husband’s condition at home. He is still unable to confirm his return to work date, but I will ensure that his family keep Mr Emerson posted on progress.”

Yeats responded, “Thank you for your excellent contributions to our meeting, Mrs Hargreaves. I hope we will see you again sometime.”

“You will indeed, sir. Farewell.”

She bobbed her head towards him, then turned smoothly and with a director rushing to hold open the door, strode swiftly and confidently out of the boardroom, conscious that every eye was on her. She guessed their eyes were mostly on her swaying rear end, but smiled inwardly. Her body was for Jimmy alone, no matter how much these men fantasised.

She walked steadily and smoothly back to my office, where she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Once there, she locked herself in, kicked off her shoes, walked into the restroom, and sagged tiredly. That performance had taken a lot of energy out of her, but she knew it was worth it. In the longer term, when and if she had to reveal herself as the Investor, she now knew for certain she could carry off that important activity.

She went back into the office and sat at the desk to use my phone.

Flora picked up the call, and swiftly carried the phone to me.

“Hello, my love, “ I greeted Marjory. “How did it go?”

“Better than I could ever expect, Jimmy. Your wife wowed them, I am happy to report. I was grateful for the secret notes on the directors that you permitted me to access. I was able to put down that asshole Ferranti by revealing that his wife had serious gambling debts, apart from his other directorships being irrelevant to the group. I put my knowledge down to information from the Investor who kept financial tabs on everyone. I noticed it stopped anyone else from acting stupid. I guess that Ferranti will not stay long on the Board, once Chairman Yeats has him investigated fully.”

“Great! And the ideas for the track races?”

“Went down a storm, once I said that the Investor would be interested, but wanted to see a written report on such proposals by the Director of Finance before implementing anything. And, I suggested that more investment on the same terms might be forthcoming if the Finance Director’s report merited going ahead with these plans.

Oh, and Chairman Yeats liked my top class dress style and said that he would be happy to see you upgrade your own business suits accordingly. I promised to pass this suggestion to the Investor. Expect to be dragged to a top tailor for some new clothes soon, my love.”

“Oh. This is a decision by the Investor, is it?”

“It most certainly fucking is, my sweet man. I want you to be seen at your best, as the representative of the Investor.”

“Very well, I surrender. Will you be coming home now, or staying until normal stopping time?”

“I am changing back to my receptionist persona and will return to work. Can you ask Sharlene to collect me at the usual time?”

“I’ll do that, my wonderful love. Bye.”

Marjory stripped off her business suit and high heels, then went through to the rest room to remove her formal businesswoman make-up and replace it with her normal less ostentatious office face. She thought of it as her ëdon’t notice me’ face. It had always worked in the past, except for Jimmy who saw past it, bless his soul.

She re-dressed in her normal work clothes, then brushed out her coiffured hair differently to appear more innocuous and less expensive, and gave herself a final inspection in the mirror. That done, she repacked her suitcase with her business clothes and make-up kit, slipping it back in the cupboard for later collection. Then she left my room, locked it, and sauntered back to reception as the old reliable Madge.