January 11, 2006
Week 35 - Impossible Dreams 16
Episode 3
Lamont stands at the podium and gives his speech. "But for now," he recites softly, reading from a sheet of paper, "it is time to choose either caution or audacity... either stagnation or growth..."
Powell stands in the rear of the room. The fingers of his right hand roll back and forth along the plastic tooth, buried deep in his trousers' pocket. He stares at Lucy, who sits near the head of the long table.
"Many years ago, this company was founded on a dream. My brother and I..." Lamont pauses and looks out at the crowd. He spots Mark and studies his face. "My brother and I shared a vision of cheap, clean energy. Working together..." He pauses again and looks down at the podium, where a simple control panel has been mounted. He shakes his head and continues. "Working together we made that dream a reality. My daughter has the vision and the drive to ensure that that dream continues to prosper and grow. I therefore endorse Lucy Lamont for CEO... Thank you." As the room bursts into applause, he walks toward the table and sits down in front of Powell.
"Mr. Lamont," Powell whispers to him. "We need to talk..."
Mark Lamont steps up to the podium. "As Acting Secretary," he says, "it is my duty to call for order and to announce the vote for new Chief Executive Officer of Lamont Energy." The room falls silent. "The two candidates are Lucy Lamont and myself." He gestures toward an electronic scoreboard mounted on the wall behind him. "As the stockholders vote, I will display the running tally on this display, thoughtfully provided by my cousin." Lucy grins at him. Mark punches something into the control panel on the podium and the board lights up. The left side displays the name "Mark Lamont" and the right side "Lucy Lamont". Under each name is a large zero.
"Mr. Lamont," Powell repeats, "Please..."
"Hush, son," the old man mumbles, "the voting is about to begin."
Mark looks at a man seated near the head of the table. "Holding one percent of the shares, the Addams Group, represented by Andrew Addams."
The man stands up. "The Addams Group votes for Mark Lamont."
Mark nods and punches something into the control panel. The zero under his name changes to a one. "Holding forty percent of the shares, Donald Lamont."
Lamont slowly stands up. "I vote for Lucy Lamont," he says. Mark works the panel and the number forty appears under Lucy's name.
"Mr. Lamont, listen to me," Powell whispers. "We should leave right now."
"Leave? My boy, what are you talking about? The ceremonies aren't over."
"Mr. Lamont... Your daughter... She's going to send you away..."