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Date Posted: 11:06:51 12/02/07 Sun
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: adsl-75-60-241-80.dsl.wotnoh.sbcglobal.net / 75.60.241.80
Subject: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 14
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 15:54:28 11/25/07 Sun

Chapter 14

She was trying very hard to tolerate the long presentation and detailed numbers that Phillip was going through. Petrosian kept interrupting and insisting that the numbers couldn’t be right. But the longer that Phillip spoke the more that Nikita knew that the numbers were right. And they were not painting a pretty picture right now at all.

“What do you mean that operating costs have increased by 27%? I have done nothing but sacrifice over the last six months in order to keep costs down.” Petrosian insisted in his booming voice that was really grating on the headache that Nikita had.

“Look at the numbers Egan. They don’t lie. I know you hate the reality of the situation but you have overspent and overstretched this organization beyond my ability to repair it.”

“And just what does that mean?”

“With these numbers and the way that our cash flow and income statement look we are now unable to get credit from any bank. Our loan portfolio is over-leveraged and there is no cash on the books and none coming anytime soon.”

“What about the Diorini deal that was just closed and the other contracts in place?”

“All leveraged to pay for the extravagance of lunches, dinners, clothes, flowers, trips, gifts…you name it and we have borrowed to pay for it.”

“Nonsense! I won’t believe this. You have always been able to find a way out. Find one now!”

“Egan, there is none. Not this time. There’s no magic I can perform.”

“There has to be something. Find a way!

“Listen to me. There is simply no way.”

Nikita watched as Petrosian let this sink in while he stared at the accountant, “Nothing?”

“Nothing. You won’t be able to make payroll beyond next week. You have thirty days left before all the furniture is removed and the doors are locked. Fifteen for the fabrics and supplies. I am sorry Egan. I have been trying to tell you.”

“You should have tried harder! You’re telling me that everything I have worked so hard to build over the last ten years is gone. Destroyed. Just like that!”

When neither of them replied to his statement he continued, “I’ll be disgraced in the industry. No one will ever do business with me again.” He continued to think.
“How much would I have to come up with in the next 15 days to keep the doors open?”

“Egan….” He replied in a sympathetic tone.

“How Much?! Petrosian bellowed.

“$750,000, at least.”

Egan turned from them and closed his eyes trying to maintain his dignity. “Get out. Both of you just get out right now.”

At his tone both Nikita and Phillip left the office as quickly as possible.

Once outside Nikita asked, “Phillip, are you all right?”

He sighed, “I wish I could fix this one Nikita. I do. But there isn’t a way, not this time.”

“It’s ok,” she reassured the shaken man.

“No, no it’s not. We’re all going to lose our jobs and there aren’t many jobs out there right now. I don’t know how to tell my wife and family. At my age…”

Nikita wanted to reassure the man but she didn’t have the words at the moment. She honestly hadn’t thought her job status until this moment. She was so overwhelmed with the news that the company was in trouble that she hadn’t made the connection to how it affected her directly.

Petrosian hadn’t asked many questions about her background or qualifications. He was just happy to have someone work for him on a consistent basis who showed up each day and was able to withstand his harsh personality. And Nikita had needed the job to support herself. She knew she had a lot of money, but she could never touch that. David would know in a minute where she was if she even tried to spend any of that.

No this was going to change everything. No job, meant no money. And that meant that she wouldn’t be able to keep the apartment. She panicked at the thought of possibly being out on the street again. That part of her life had been so dark and so terrifying, not as bad as it had been with David – but she didn’t want to relive any of it ever again.

She tried to keep her thoughts from too far out of control but it was hard. She had no one to turn to, no one to help her. She only had herself but right now she was scared and just barely functional.

When Petrosian walked out the door she jumped at the sound of his voice, “Go Nikita. There’s no reason for you to stay here.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked as real concern laced her voice.

“None of your business!” He snapped. “You already know more than you should. Now go.”

“I’ll be back in the morning.”

“Of course you will. We have many people to contact to let them know how inefficiently my staff has run this company and ruined what I have tried to build.”

*****

She finally had gotten to the point of being hungry after she had come home and taken a long bath. As she sprinkled salt into the pot of boiling pasta the doorbell rang. She wanted to just ignore it so badly but couldn’t. She opened the door and Carla burst into the room with all her zest and energy.

“You have to tell me everything.” She insisted plopping down on the sofa.

“About what?”

“Are you kidding? Carla asked with shock. “Absolutely everyone is talking about the ‘private’ audition you had with the Michael Samuelle last night. So, spill. I have to know and I want all the details.”

“I hate to disappoint you but it was not that exciting.” Nikita tried to smile at her friend but she was so tired after this day.

Carla was in her own world though, “Not that exciting? When I came home a certain gorgeous actor was making his exit out of this building. Don’t worry I haven’t told anyone that, although I’m sure the press would love to get their hands on that.”

Nikita was once again on this day shocked, “The press? What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t heard? Lisa went to the Theater World press and announced that she had accepted the role of Maxine Sands in the new production Section One. Under the ‘skilled direction’ of Paul and Madeline of course. Oh the interview was priceless. You should have seen her as she discussed her long and careful deliberation about taking such a demanding role and the challenge it would be for her professionally to play such a character. It was hysterical. I was with the other girls and we were all laughing so hard.”

Nikita was sorting this additional information. What would Marco tell her to do? She knew he wouldn’t call until 9:30 this evening but she really wished she had additional guidance right now because so many things were happening and she just didn’t know what to do.

“Nik?” When Nikita looked up from draining the pasta Carla was suddenly standing beside her. “Are you hearing anything that I am saying?”

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