December 19, 2005
Week 34 - Impossible Dreams 15
Episode 1
Lucy and Powell talk in the den of the Lamont home. "He seems very tired," Lucy says, "but, otherwise... Not too bad. He's in the kitchen now... I talked him into looking over some business reports. People might ask him questions at the board meeting and he has to know the answers."
Powell frowns. "Otherwise he won't have any credibility when he endorses you?"
"That's right..." They walk into the kitchen where Lamont sits, staring at a framed photograph he holds with both hands. Several papers are spread on the table in front of him. He greets Powell with a nod.
"What's that sir?" Powell asks.
Lamont hands him the photograph. It shows a handsome, middle aged woman, standing in an open field. "It's Loretta," Lamont says. "My wife."
"Um... She was beautiful..." Powell hands it back.
Lamont looks from the photo to his daughter. "She looked just like you, Lucy..."
"Did you... did you have a chance to look over those reports, daddy?" Lucy asks.
Lamont sighs. He lays down the photo and picks up one of the papers. His face seems to clear and he stares at the neatly lined columns. "The Aero III... The cost per kilowatt hour is too high. Didn't you promise me last year you would get it down?"
Lucy frowns. "We... we tried... We couldn't... But... but with the cost of oil... it's profitable anyway."
"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the alternate energy industry should never depend on a sustained high price for a barrel of oil. It always comes down!"
"But... but all my expansion plans depend on the Aero III rollout succeeding!"
Lamont sighs and drops the paper on the table. His body seems to deflate and he leans back against his chair. "It doesn't matter..." He picks up the photo and stares at it. "None of it matters."
"Um... Mr. Lamont, are you all right?" Powell asks.
Lamont carefully stands. "I just need some time alone, my boy." He takes the photo and very slowly makes his way out to the hallway.
Powell watches him leave and then turns to Lucy. "He... he seems to be improving..."
Lucy stares at the papers on the table. "If he starts talking that way about the Aero III at the meeting..." She shakes her head. "If he talks that way, everything will be ruined..."