Changing Places with Yourself

Chapter 22

“Hello and welcome.  My name is Becky Novell. I am Evan’s wife.  I will be introducing everyone else in a few minutes, but first I need to give you all some background on what this announcement is.  Mr. Harold Novell will be retiring soon and all of you were given the official releases that he is naming me CEO.  Before you ask, neither Jimmy nor Evan wishes to take over running the complete company.  Jimmy is content to handle the satellite office in Kansas and Evan wants to focus on his football scholarship right now.  Jimmy will be listed as Co-CEO with me until I can complete my Business degree, which I have been going through at an accelerated pace given the situation.  Nonetheless, that’s not why we asked you all here today.  Today we are happy to announce that Novell Industries has successively concluded talks and signed the contracts needed to bring Stovard International Incorporated under our wing.  Yes, Albert and Adam Stovard spoke with us at length about a possible merger, but yesterday it was decided that it would be best to allow one company to take over the other.  To that end, very early this morning the Stovards signed the contract giving full control to us.  Albert was so excited that he returned to his office to grab a few things and then went home to scoop up his wife to go on a second honeymoon.  They left just over an hour ago, but his sons were not able to get their destination from him.  It seems like he wants to have as much privacy as he can to rekindle some romance.  I say, ‘Good for you, sir.  You should never stop trying to build on the love you feel toward each other, regardless of your age.’  My Grandpa will be coming out soon to announce the new President of Stovard International Incorporated.  I will be opening the floor up for some questions at this time.”

Pressman 1:  “So, what about the rumors that Stovard was taking his company public?”

“That wasn’t a plan they were going through with, it was more a random thought that Albert had on increasing revenue.  After showing him all that would be involved in the action to change a company from private to publicly traded, he conceded that wasn’t what he wanted.  He originally didn’t want to give up his control in the company.”

Pressman 2:  “So, if he didn’t want to give up control, why did he allow Novell to complete a takeover?”

“He didn’t want to have thousands of bosses to answer to via the stockholders.  When we first began the talks to consider whether a merger or takeover would be more feasible for all parties involved, he began to think about his retirement.  His only real concern throughout all our talks was that his sons would be allowed to continue their employment with the company, which they will.  2 more questions and I’ll bring out everyone.”

Press lady 1:  “How will this takeover affect the employees of Stovard International Incorporated?”

“We have no plans to make any great changes to the employees.  I will be working closely with our HR department in conjunction with Stovard’s HR to ensure that every employee of both will be updated on procedures such as dress codes, any type of harassment in the workplace, etc…  Each employee who wishes to stay will be given a new Code of Conduct to sign, as well as a copy of the Novell Industries employee handbook.  It is our wish that the current employees will read it and want to stay with us.  To head off the obvious question you all are thinking, as of right now, only employees who have to worry about their jobs are those who HR has disciplinary files on or those who have constantly violated the dress code by wearing clothing that is completely inappropriate for an office environment.” 

Press lady 2:  “Will you be changing the name and logo on their building?”

“As of this time, we have no plans to change anything on the Stovard buildings or warehouses.  Jimmy and I will be working with both the new President and their CEO to determine the best course of action in the future.  For now, we believe the names need to stay the same, and everyone will continue doing the jobs they were hired for.  Stovard International Incorporated will now be protected under the umbrella of the Novell Industries, along with our other companies.  Now, I want to bring out those who will be leading Stovard International Incorporated into the next millennium.  Ladies and Gentlemen, please help me welcome Adam Stovard, Asher Stovard, Allen Stovard, and Tony Stovard to the stage.  Also, I would like to bring out Mr. Harold Novell to say a few words.” 

Each of them walked out as I called their names and waved to the crowd amassed in the room before standing in front of their seats.  Grandpa came right up to the podium and gave me a hug, “Well done, my dear.” he whispered in my ear.  I went took my seat behind him and the others sat down as well.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I just have to start by saying how proud I am to have such an amazing Granddaughter.  Yes, I dropped the in-law part, because she is truly a member of this family semantics aside.”  He led a round of applause directed at me and I bowed my head to acknowledge it.  “Now, I bet you are all wondering who will be taking over the spot of President for Stovard International Incorporated.  I have reviewed the qualifications of all these wonderful young men, who are sitting behind me.  I’m here to announce that the position will be filled by Anthony Stovard.  Tony, come up here, son.”   Grandpa put his arm around Tony’s shoulders as he came up to stand next to him.

“Hello, everyone, I’m sure you all have tons of questions for all of us today, but we still have a ton of meetings to get through today.  I am honored to take over the position of President and will be leaning heavily on Mr. Novell’s guidance on if the executive structure of Stovard International Incorporated needs to be updated or revised.  With that being said, as of right now, Adam will remain on in his position as CEO.  Asher and Allen have agreed to stand beside me.  I am hereby naming them the CFO and Vice President.  Our current CFO retired last week and Asher has several degrees in accounting.  He will be able to manage all the financial aspects quite effectively.  Allen will be my Vice-President, which is a new position just added because we didn’t have one before.  He holds advanced degrees in business management making him invaluable to us going forward. I would love to stay and take questions but Father revealed his intentions to change what we thought would be a merger to a takeover to my brothers and me yesterday.  We have a ton of work ahead of us and once the dust settles we will send you all a press release.  In the meantime, you all will be receiving written copies of our statements as to what we know so far.  Thank you all and have a wonderful day.” With that said, he led his brothers off the dais and back to the elevators to return to Conference Room A to wait for Grandpa and me.

“I would love to open the floor back up for more questions back up, but I believe Becky was able to answer all those related to this announcement.  Please feel free to leave any further questions with our press secretary and we will answer them by the end of business today.  Thank you all for coming and please be safe.”  Grandpa closed with his normal ending that he used for every press conference.  Then he offered me his arm and led me back upstairs.  The press was shouting questions at our poor PR man as we exited.  Lucky for him the cameras in the room would allow his team to review and type up everything they were asked.  Most of what was being yelled our PR people could answer, but everything would be sent to Grandpa for his final approval before releasing any information.

We arrived back to Conference Room A to find Jimmy hugging his boys while Amanda and Judy openly wept with joy at the sight.  Claude came in to tell us that everything was handled perfectly.  He had wanted to put ‘ringers’ in the audience so that we could control the questions asked to us, but he complimented me on how well thought out and articulate my answers were.  “Well, given that you soon to be a published author, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  I had a chance to read one of your books so far and all I can say is WOW.  You have a very vivid imagination for someone so young.” Claude praised me.

“Wait, what books?  Becky, when did you write a book?” Judy was legitimately surprised.  “I started them when I was younger and didn’t think anything of them until senior year.  I showed one I had close to completion to my creative writing teacher, who happens to have a brother-in-law in a publishing company.  She begged me to let him read it and he loved the concept.  He asked for the others and I gave him the outlines and finished chapters, which made him, order me to polish the rough edges and wrap up the endings.  Claude was kind enough to help me sort through the contracts I was offered for all of them.” I asserted.  “How many have you sold? And what genre are they?” Amanda asked.  “5, they are romance with a twist.” I held up my hand, “I just started the rough draft for a 6th.  The publishers love what I’ve given them so far, but I’m not on any deadline, which allows me to write at my leisure.  It relaxed me just like sewing, knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint does.”  “Young lady, I expect to get signed copies for my library when they are released.” Jimmy intoned and Grandpa agreed.  “When are they hitting the shelves, honey?” Judy was curious.  “All of them should be out before Christmas,” I assured her.  “Nope, not gonna work for me.  I want to read them now.  I know you have copies on that laptop of yours, so hop to it and print them off for me.” Judy demanded playfully.  “Mom, that’s a lot of pages, wouldn’t you rather have me give you a flash drive with them on it, and you can plug it into your k****e to read?” I questioned.  “Very well, but I had better have that flash do-hickey thing in my hand by the time we leave.  Your dad can put them on my k****e for me since I don’t understand how that thing works.” Judy admitted.  Amanda looked sheepishly at me and asked, “Would it be possible for me to get a copy as well?  I can get Allen to download it to my tablet after we move, right honey?” “Of course, Mama, I will do that as long as I get to read them, too.” He confirmed and I nodded.  I had Dante grab two flash drives, which I downloaded my books onto and handed one to Dad and the other to Allen.  We spent the next hour talking about the movers who were meeting Mrs. Stovard and the boys at their house early tomorrow.  Dad tried to get them to move into the Novell family home, which had 15 bedrooms, but Amanda wanted to be somewhere different than another estate.  Coupled with the fact, she didn’t want to intrude on Jimmy and Judy, or even Grandpa’s lives like that.  While we had been in the pressroom, she had researched the Lexar building and fell in love with one of the apartments on the 38th floor.  When the boys came up she showed them and they agreed it would be perfect until they found a place of their own.  Given the money they would be getting back from Albert, they could buy one of the condominiums available in my building. 

“So, Mama said your penthouse is huge, do you have any pics, sis?” Allen asked.  I pulled up my photo gallery and put them up on my TV for all to see.  “Man, I only saw a bit of this last night and this morning.  I had no idea it was so spacious and beautiful.” Tony softly uttered, “That master bedroom is massive, and I thought the guest room I was put in was huge.  What is the size of that bed?”  “I had them take 2 California Kings, which were converted into a new size,” I admitted. “Where on Earth do you get fitted sheets for a bed that big?” Allen exclaimed.  “I made them myself.” I divulged.  “WAIT!  Hold up, you can sew?” Allen started before Judy cut him off, “She is a Gillows through and through.  Dad, show them your handkerchief.” She ordered as she grabbed Jimmy by the tie, “She made Jimmy a dozen silk ties and Dad a dozen hand-embroidered hankies for Christmas.”  “Don’t forget what she sewed for you, my love.” Jimmy reminder her causing her blush bright red.  “Spill, what did you make your Mama?” Asher inquired.  “I made her a fitted satin peignoir set in pale blue.” I replied with a smirk, “Somehow, I could tell that Dad approved.” “Oh, yeah, I whole-heartedly approve.  She is smoking hot in or out of that,” he growled.  “DAD, eww!!!  Now I have to go wash that mental image out of my mind.  Behave, we have company here with us.”  “Ah, honey, they are all family.” he intoned.  “Regardless, I don’t think any of us need to hear about what happens between you and Mom, in that way.”  “Ok, Beck, I’ve read a bit of one of these books you wrote, honey, I don’t want to know where you got some of these ideas from, but DAMN, you get more graphic than I just did, starting in the first chapter.” he complimented and corrected me all in the same sentence.  “You would have to look at that one ‘Pornstar’ in the title first, would you, Dad?” I tease.  “Hey, it’s a catchy title and I’m still trying to figure out how a virgin like you can write what you did with such detail,” he responded.  “Kama Sutra,” I answered back while blushing like crazy.