Opening my eyes, I lie and say, "Just wondering what I might have said differently with Mr. Marriott."

"Well, stop wondering," says Louise. "Mr. Mariott's assistant is drafting an offer agreement right now."

Looking up at her, I ask, "May we call Liz?" Liz is the Employee Relations manager. She and I hit it off during this morning's interviews.

"Tell her in person. She"s at the bar where her husband works. It"s only a few blocks south, called the Exchange."

Stephanie walks up and says, "Jill, Mr. Marriott would like to clarify a couple issues before you sign the offer. Please excuse her, Louise."

"Go ahead," says Louise as she reaches for the telephone.

"Thank you, Louise," says Stephanie, touching my elbow. On the way, Stephanie, a gorgeous blonde with a great body, smiles at me, her eyes shining. She opens the door and escorts me inside again, only this time she stays. Peter, still sitting on the couch, watches me with rapt attention. The agreement is lying on the table in front of the chair.

Sit down, pick it up and scan the pages. It is a contract in legal form with numbered lines, an initial block on each page and formal signature blocks on the last page, including a line for Stephanie's signature as a witness. She is a notary public"not a surprise. Read every word, even re-reading some parts. Pulling a pen from my inside jacket pocket, I initial each page, sign the last page and push it toward Peter.

He leans forward and signs the last page. Picking up the pages, he hands them to Stephanie. His eyes never leave mine as Stephanie takes it to the desk, signs it and applies the notary seal. She leaves everything on the desk except a single sheet and walks over to stand beside me.

Peter and I stand, looking at one another. "Before meeting you, I had resolved to distance myself from this process, Jill," he says holding out his hand. As we share a firm grip, he says, "Now I'm looking forward to working closely with you on this."

Holding his hand, which is cool and dry, I say, "Relentless pressure, Mr. Marriott. Doc's Place executives must not have a moment's respite for idle conjecture about your intentions."

"Usually, I insist that everyone in the workplace except Stephanie and my peers address me as Mr. Marriott," says Peter, openly smiling now, "however, I extend that exception to you, Jill. Call me Peter, but don't tell anyone that I said you could."

"As you wish." Still holding his hand, I say, "May as well start the pressure when my feet hit the ground, Peter. Expect a call my second day."

Glancing at Stephanie, Peter leans forward, pulling me closer. Softly, he says, "You"re a Viet Nam vet. When can I expect casualty reports and body counts, Jill?"

Giving him a little smile, I ask, "What are the most critical targets, Peter?"

"Warehouse for one," he whispers.

"First week," I say softly. "Does the warehouse crew have any sympathizers?"

"The new purchasing coordinator," he says. "Her younger brother works there. She might object."

Nodding, I ask, "How about our four expensive executives? Can the second string handle their responsibilities?" When he raises both eyebrows, I say, "Give them a month. And Louise?" He shrugs so I say, "Soon as you bring in a hired gun to do the RIFs, she"s gone."

"Delightful," says Peter, giving my hand an extra squeeze. "Those are most of my potential headaches."

"Who else?"

"Restaurant Manager has a little empire with a cult following," Peter says softly.

"If he attracts attention to himself, he serves our purpose, so keep him," I say with a shrug. When Peter frowns slightly, I add, "Cut him when he"s no longer useful."

He purses his lips but says nothing.

Releasing his hand, I nod to Stephanie, who opens the door.

After closing it, she accompanies me down the hall, still holding the offer sheet. Looking at me, she grins and says, "I'd like to set up something for us, Jill, maybe a weekend later this month." When I smile at her, Stephanie hands the offer to Louise and says, "Please mail the original to me, Louise."

"Of course. Thank you, Stephanie. Have a nice trip back," says Louise. She begins scanning the offer agreement.

"Good luck to you, Jill. It has been a pleasure," says Stephanie, extending her hand.

Shake her hand and then she is gone. Louise hands me the offer and the pen. Scan it: thirty thousand a year, permanent status with full benefits at my hire date on October first and health club membership. Ferro holds my personnel file. Set it on the desk, sign it and hand it to her.

Louise extends her hand and I take it. She says, "Congratulations, Jill. Welcome to Doc's Place."

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