Loving Enemies
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INT. BOARDROOM - DAY
GERALD MORGAN (48) straightens the impeccably neat boardroom
table. Folders are neatly spaced before the chairs. A pitcher
of water and glasses are readily available and within easy
reach.
FLETCHER DAQUEL (20s) strolls nonchalantly in the room. He
tosses a pile of folders carelessly on the table.
FLETCHER
How ya doin', Jeeves? Got
everything in order, yet?
Gerald raises an unamused eyebrow as he regards Fletcher
coolly.
GERALD
My name is Gerald. I'd appreciate
it if you'd--
FLETCHER
Whatever. I wanna add an item to
the agenda.
GERALD
Submissions were due by last Friday
afternoon.
FLETCHER
So open the document and start
typing. It's not rocket science.
Gerald puts the finishing touches on the table. Squarely
faces Fletcher.
GERALD
Your father has strict guidelines
on how this company is to be run.
Without order, there is chaos.
FLETCHER
(mockingly)
Without order, there is chaos. My
father will understand.
MATHIAS DAQUEL (50s) enters with his briefcase. A huge smile
lights his face when he sees Fletcher. Greets him with a warm
hug. Fletcher tolerates it.
MATTHIAS
My son, my son. You mean to tell me
you're not going to try to sneak in
halfway through the meeting this
time.
FLETCHER
There were circumstances...
MATTHIAS
Of course, of course. Now what will
I understand?
GERALD
He wants to add an item to today's
agenda.
Matthias gives Gerald a surprised look. Regards Fletcher
thoughtfully.
MATTHIAS
Is this true, son?
FLETCHER
Well...
GERALD
I told him the submission period is
closed.
MATTHIAS
Gerald is right.
FLETCHER
But father...
MATTHIAS
But I think we can give you the
floor when we talk new business.
Fletcher smirks at Gerald who turns away with a resigned
shrug.
FLETCHER
Well it's almost time. I think I'll
greet the shareholders as they
arrive. Later, Jerry.
Matthias stares in shock as Fletcher leaves. Smiles at
Gerald.
MATTHIAS
I never thought I'd see the day.
He's finally taking an interest in
the company. Praise God.
GERALD
I hope you're right, sir. I have my
doubts.
MATTHIAS
Don't rain on my perfectly blessed
day. First our stock is up and
still climbing. Then Fletcher. I
can't ask God anything more.
GERALD
Not trying to rain, sir, but the
stock is up in an unnatural trend.
Makes me wonder what's behind it.
Especially since we have to
postpone the Tiger Project.
Gerald compulsively straightens Fletcher's folders. He opens
one to read.
MATTHIAS
Hey, if God be for us, who can be
against us?
INT. LOBBY - DAY
Fletcher escorts ELLA MUNTZ (70s), sturdy despite the cane
she leans on. He gives her an ingratiating smile.
FLETCHER
These board meetings just aren't
the same without your invaluable
input.
She nails him with an are-you-kidding-me look.
ELLA
How would you know? You never
attend. And when you do, your
breath alone could put the rest of
us in an alcoholic stupor.
Fletcher fights to hold the smile on his face. She leans
closer to sniff him. Regards him suspiciously.
ELLA
Not drunk today, are ya. What are
you up to?
FLETCHER
I'm turning over a new leaf.
Getting involved.
ELLA
Hmmpf.
She deliberately plants her cane tip on his foot as he helps
her up to the board room.
Fletcher grits his teeth in pain, but never loses the smile.
Finally breathes again once she shuffles away. Suspiciously
unassisted.
FITZ PINKNEY (52), nervous and weasel-like, scurries over to
Fletcher. He wipes the sweat from his brow and neck before it
can dampen the collar of his cheap suit that's several sizes
too small. He flings the drops indiscriminately.
FITZ
Am I late? I'm not late, am I?
Fletcher works to hold his smile in place as he wipes Fitz's
sweat out of his eye.
FLETCHER
You're perfectly on time.
FITZ
Good, good. I didn't want to miss
anything.
FLETCHER
You're essential to this
acquisition. We'd never proceed
without you.
Fitz puffs up importantly.
FITZ
You're a fine businessman,
Fletcher. When this deal goes
through, I'll be able to pay for
another year of NYU for my son.
FLETCHER
Wonderful. You must be proud.
FITZ
I am. Oh, hey. We're throwing a
birthday bash for him next week.
His 32nd. You should come.
FLETCHER
(insincerely)
I'll check my schedule and get back
to you.
Fitz nods and scurries into the boardroom.
Fletcher turns his back and rolls his eyes.
NANCY KETTERING (25), flustered, wipes futilely at dark soot
stains on her tailored suit.
FLETCHER
What happened to you?
NANCY
That darn Fitz and his old car.
Isn't he worth, like, millions?
You'd think he'd buy a car that
wouldn't throw up all over the rest
of us.
She stops scrubbing in resignation.
NANCY
This was my last good suit.
FLETCHER
After this acquisition goes
through, you can buy all the good
suits you want.
NANCY
The kids need a few things first.
FLETCHER
Mark wouldn't want you going
without.
NANCY
He did set things up for us before
he died. I'm just not as
financially savvy as he was.
FLETCHER
Just vote with me today and we'll
change all that.
NANCY
You promise? I've got a mortgage
payment coming up and no income
coming in.
FLETCHER
With all of the honor in me.
Nancy smiles and squeezes his hand gratefully. Goes in the
boardroom.
Fletcher wipes the soot off his hand in disgust then takes
moment to compose himself. Starts for the boardroom.
RICHARD NUSSBAUM (40s) strides unhurriedly towards Fletcher.
Fletcher gulps. Shoots a look at the boardroom before
mustering up a smile.
FLETCHER
Richard. Mr. Nussbaum. You're here.
NUSSBAUM
I thought I'd introduce myself to
the board now that I own the
company.
FLETCHER
Well...uh...of course. You're on
the agenda.
NUSSBAUM
On the...agenda?
FLETCHER
Yeah. Yes. We have some old
business-- boring stuff really-- to
wrap up. Tell you what. You sit
here. I'll come get you when we're
ready.
Nussbaum stares Fletcher down. Finally nods. Takes a seat.
NUSSBAUM
See that you do.
INT. BOARDROOM - DAY
Slightly panicked, Fletcher joins everybody else at the
table.
Matthias smiles and stands. Automatically, everyone else
follows suit. Join hands.
MATTHIAS
Father God, we welcome you into our
midst. Bless us with productivity
to bring you all the honor and
glory from the fruits of our labor.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Fletcher fidgets nervously.
MATTHIAS
Let the meeting come to order...
FLETCHER
I'd like to bring my item to the
floor, now.
Matthias frowns slightly.
MATTHIAS
I'm as anxious as you to get to
your item. However, we must stick
with the agenda. We'll get there
soon enough. Gerald, the minutes...
FLETCHER
My issue has taken on a certain...
urgency.
FITZ
Come on, Matthias. We'll get back
on schedule after a small detour.
Matthias looks around the table. Sits back in resignation.
MATTHIAS
You have the floor, son.
FLETCHER
I propose that we sell the company.
Matthias stares at Fletcher in stunned silence. Bursts out
laughing. After a moment he realizes no one is laughing with
him.
MATTHIAS
We're not selling the company.
We're at our most profitable. Tiger
is on the back burner, but...
FITZ
Sounds like the timing is perfect
to me.
MATTHIAS
We're not selling the company. End
of discussion.
FLETCHER
I'm afraid it isn't. We've already
got an interested party. The
decision is up to the shareholders.
Not you.
Utterly betrayed, Matthias stares at Fletcher.
FLETCHER
The shareholders have spoken. They
want to accept Nussbaum Holdings'
offer.
MATTHIAS
Who authorized you to do this.
FLETCHER
As executive vice president of this
company, I have the responsibility
to act in the best interests of the
shareholders.
Matthias looks around the room.
MATTHIAS
Is this acquisition in your best
interests? You'll let DaQuel Inc.
become nothing more than a...than a
bottom line booster?
FITZ
I do have a child in college.
ELLA
Where he's been for the last twelve
years. People make it through the
prison system faster. This whole
thing stinks to high Heaven to me.
FLETCHER
We're in business to make money.
That's what this deal will do.
MATTHIAS
We're in business to supply our
customers with the best product
possible. Do you have any idea how
quality control will suffer if
we're absorbed into a conglomerate?
FLETCHER
Look. This is a good deal all
around. Just read the prospectus.
Fletcher passes folders around the table.
FLETCHER
All of you stand to make a lot of
money, here.
MATTHIAS
Money. Greed? Is that all I've
instilled in you? How I've failed
as a father.
FITZ
Get a grip, Matthias. It's just
business. Nothing personal. Read
the prospectus.
Everyone begins reading uneasily while Gerald quietly picks
up his cell phone and leaves the room.
INT. LOBBY - DAY
Gerald starts to dial, but quickly flips the phone closed
once he sees Richard pacing the lobby.
NUSSBAUM
Are you finally ready?
GERALD
I'm sorry. You are...?
NUSSBAUM
Richard Nussbaum. Your new CEO.
GERALD
I see.
Gerald glances calculatingly towards the boardroom.
GERALD
Yes. I think we are.
Richard eyes Gerald warily as he picks up his briefcase and
quietly enters the boardroom.
Gerald quickly dials his phone.
GERALD
Agent Northrop. You still running
things over there at the SEC with
that iron fist of yours?
INT. BOARDROOM - DAY
Ella closes her folder with a decisive snap.
ELLA
All this mumbo jumbo and double
speak. That's why I like you,
Matthias. You always call a spade a
spade.
NANCY
It is a bit thick.
FITZ
For Heaven's sake. It's plain
English.
Nancy shoots him an evil glare.
NANCY
Then you explain what adjusted
accrued aggregated capital influx
is.
FITZ
It's ... uh... uh... difficult to
explain to a novice.
NANCY
Why you...!
MATTHIAS
HEY!!
Silence falls immediately in the room.
MATTHIAS
There will be order. I suggest
everyone take a moment to calm
themselves.
They finally notice Richard standing in the room.
INT. LOBBY - DAY
AGENT GAIL NORTHROP (24) strides in. Greets Gerald with a
firm, all-business handshake.
GERALD
Thank you for coming so quickly.
GAIL
I was in the area. Shall we go in.
Gerald escorts her to the boardroom.
INT. BOARDROOM - DAY
Fletcher trips all over himself to greet Richard.
FLETCHER
Mr. Nussbaum, Richard. I was just
about to come get you.
NUSSBAUM
I'm sure you were.
Matthias musters up a warm smile for the newcomer. Goes to
shake his hand.
Gerald and Gail enter quietly behind them.
MATTHIAS
I'm afraid this meeting isn't open
to the public.
GAIL
Agent Gail Northrop, SEC.
FLETCHER
S...EC. Really?
He tugs on his suddenly too tight collar.
NUSSBAUM
I am not the public. As of 2 P.M.
yesterday, I became the owner of
this company.
Matthias expression turns ice cold. Barely concealed hurt as
he looks at Fletcher.
MATTHIAS
2 P.M... yesterday? I did not sell
you my company, sir.
NUSSBAUM
As I am now the majority
shareholder, I'm afraid what you
did or did not do is of little
consequence.
GERALD
Actually. You're not the majority
shareholder.
NUSSBAUM
Fletcher's 40% and the backing of
Fitz's 9% is more than Mr. DaQuel's
remaining 40%.
Fletcher throws an ingratiating smile Nussbaum's way.
FLETCHER
There's nothing to worry about.
Nancy already assured me that she
was in favor of this merger. That's
another 5%. 54%. Done deal.
Matthias ages in moments. He sinks heavily in the nearest
chair.
Nancy looks at him sympathetically. Looks around the room.
NANCY
I'm sorry. I can't...
FLETCHER
Two minutes ago you were whining
about how broke you are.
Nancy straightens her spine and stares Fletcher down.
NANCY
God has provided for the kids and
me thus far. He will in the future.
As for this...under-handed mess...I
can't support it. Matthias, you
have my 5%.
Fletcher stares at her hatefully.
FLETCHER
Let the little brats starve to
death, then. And it'll be all your
fault.
Nancy stares at him stricken. Tears begin to well in her
eyes.
Ella quickly takes her hand in support.
ELLA
"He who saves his own life shall
lose it." Or are you too full of
yourself to realize that?
GERALD
Let's calm down.
FLETCHER
How about you calm down and stay
out this Geronimo!
MATTHIAS
Hold it! It seems we're tied at 49%
each. Let's call it a day and take
some time to regroup.
NUSSBAUM
Why? So you can find and snatch up
the last two shares.
GERALD
There's no need.
Everyone's head swings his direction.
GERALD
The final shares are mine. They are
with Matthias.
Matthias stares at him astonished.
MATTHIAS
I gave those to you 25 years ago.
You still have them?
GERALD
Plus one or two. 51% of the
shareholders vote against your
acquisition bid. Do you need
someone to see you out?
Nussbaum takes in Ella's, Gerald's, Nancy's and Matthias'
serious faces. Finally, his gaze lands on Fletcher.
NUSSBAUM
You promised me this company. That
new Tiger Technology could boost my
bottom line by 18% and you
guaranteed it to me.
MATTHIAS
Tiger? That's what this is all
about? We're postponing the
project. The tests were too
unstable.
NUSSBAUM
When were you planning to tell me
about this development? When you
were off in a non extraditing
country spending my $30 million?
FLETCHER
I...I...I had no idea.
GERALD
That report has been on your desk
for weeks.
GAIL
Yet you sold the shares anyway?
She snaps a set of handcuffs on Fletcher's wrists.
GAIL
I think we have quite a bit of
discussion ahead of us.
MATTHIAS
Wait! What are you doing?
GAIL
What your son did is called fraud.
It's against the law.
MATTHIAS
You can't take him. He's just a
boy. He...he sold the shares at my
directive!
ELLA
Have you lost your mind, Matthias?
GAIL
Well? Which is it? Were you acting
alone or not?
Fletcher defiantly keeps his mouth shut. Gail pulls out a
second pair of handcuffs.
NUSSBAUM
My dealings with entirely with the
junior DaQuel. I wired the money to
his personal account.
Gail drags Fletcher out of the room. Nussbaum follows. Fitz
looks around uneasily. Chases after Nussbaum.
FITZ
Mr. Nussbaum, I'll sell you my
shares. At current market....
Matthias breaks down.
MATTHIAS
Oh, my son. My son! That she'd
taken me instead. Judge Keeler
still owes me a favor. Where's his
number?
Nancy stares at Matthias in confusion. She looks like she
wants to cry with him. Ella comforts her.
Gerald grabs Matthias' elbow to pull him aside.
GERALD
What are you doing? Do you realize
that Nancy sacrificed her children
to help you just now? And all you
can do is moan about the guy who
just tried to destroy you.
MATTHIAS
You don't understand...
GERALD
No I don't. What I do understand is
that if you don't start showing
some gratitude for your true
friends, you'll have no one left.
Matthias takes a moment to get himself under control. He
walks back to the table.
MATTHIAS
I owe you both a great debt of
gratitude. What you did for me
today...Beyond words. Thank you
both.
Warily, Nancy and Ella nod.
MATTHIAS
We need to celebrate! DaQuel Inc.
is still intact. Let's adjourn for
the day. I know a little place not
far from here that makes the best
chocolate cheesecake. How about it?
Nancy and Ella exchange a look. Smile and stand.
Gerald offers Ella his elbow, while Matthias offers Nancy his
as they exit.
MATTHIAS
I think now might be a good time to
teach you, my dear, about options.
Millionaires have been generating
income that way for years. How
about it?
NANCY
That sounds delightful.
THE END
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.