Todd Manning sits in a bland conference room of a company he's trying to acquire. He learned from an inside source that Asa Buchanan is attempting to purchase this same company and he is determined to sabotage the deal and steal the company for himself.

Todd gets bored as he sits and waits for his scheduled meeting to begin so he stands up and begins pacing around the room. He smiles slightly, happy with himself for pulling yet another acquisition out of Asa's grasp just as Asa thinks the deal is about to be closed in Buchanan Enterprise's favor.

Todd knows he still has to talk his way into this deal but after so many successes in recent months, he's certain he can manage this little deal without any problems. Besides, it's not even the CEO he has to con, just some schmuck of a lawyer. Todd chuckles to himself about how easy this will be. Lawyers are all such idiots. He's had plenty of experience conning lawyers during his adult life.

As Todd stops pacing and looks out one of the large windows that line one wall of the conference room, he pats the envelope in his jacket pocket. If this lawyer isn't as stupid as he expects, he'll just buy him off like he has other lawyers, consultants, top level executives, who have tried to stand in his way. He has yet to meet a lawyer who was willing to turn down a sizable bribe, even if it wasn't the best deal for their clients.

As Todd continues to stare out the window, he is reminded of one lawyer who had in fact turned down several offers of millions of dollars from him in the past.

Todd hates it that he can't stop thinking about her. He has one ex-wife that won't leave him alone in person and one that won't leave him alone inside his mind...or his heart.

Todd's cell phone rings. He's in no mood to talk with anyone but it's better than staring out a window thinking about Tea Delgado.

Todd answers the phone and discovers that it's ex-wife #1 again. Todd lightly bangs his head against the windowsill as Blair rattles on about her personal problems. He doesn't know why she keeps calling him. He gives her lousy advice, she takes it, everything falls apart for her and then she asks him for more advice.

Minutes later, unseen by Todd, a man enters the conference room. He gets Todd's attention. Todd quickly ends his phone conversation and speaks to the man gruffly.]

Todd: You're late. Let's get this over with. I'm buying this company. You're going to okay that with whoever you have to okay that with around here. Do you understand?

Man: Sir, I'm sorry. There must be a misunderstanding.

Todd: You're the idiot lawyer I'm supposed to talk to about this deal, right?

Man: No, sir.

Todd: Well, then where the hell is the idiot lawyer? I don't have all day.

Man: She's on her way. I'm her assistant. My name is Stanley.

Todd: So?

Stanley: Is there anything you'd like me to get you while you wait, sir?

Todd: Get me the idiot lawyer so I don't have to wait anymore. That's what you can get me.

Stanley: Yes, sir.

[Stanley begins to leave as Todd calls out to him.]

Todd: Tell this lawyer chick that I don't care if her hair is done or her nails are dry, I just want her butt in here and this deal finished in the next ten minutes or I'm taking my huge assets elsewhere.

Stanley: Yes, sir.

[Stanley leaves the conference room and closes the door behind him.

Todd goes back to staring out the window. A chick lawyer? He moans to himself. The only thing worse than a lawyer is a chick lawyer.

Todd's thoughts again go to his second ex-wife. A chick lawyer from Manhattan. There are just too many reminders of her. Everywhere he goes...everywhere he looks...everything he eats...drinks...

Todd turns away from the view and looks at the portraits on the wall. He can't believe how vain some people are. He wouldn't hang a portrait of himself on his company's walls...well, not unless he actually looked good in it, which none of the people in these portraits do. Besides, he knows that many of his employees already secretly hang his picture. He's seen the dart boards while searching their cubicles and offices late at night.

Ten more minutes pass...

Todd is still alone in the conference room but now he's frustrated and angry. No one treats Todd Manning like this.

As Todd jerks the door to the conference room open, he spots the lawyer's assistant in the hallway.]

Todd: Hey, you!

Stanley: Stanley.

Todd: Who the hell is Stanley?

Stanley: I am, sir.

Todd: Well, your parents must not have liked you very much, huh?

Stanley: Sir?

Todd: Never mind, Stanley. Where's the lawyer chick?

Stanley: She's on her way, sir.

Todd: That's what you said an hour ago.

Stanley: Sir, you've been here less than an hour.

Todd: Shut up, Stanley. I want that lawyer chick in here now and I want a sandwich.

Stanley: What kind, sir?

Todd: Something with lots of mustard and no cucumbers, or sprouts, or anything else that doesn't belong in a sandwich. Can you manage that?

Stanley: Yes, sir. I'll take care of that for you personally.

Todd: If you don't mess this up, I just might buy you. I like a guy who knows how to take orders and isn't afraid to call me sir.

Stanley: I enjoy my current position but if I'm ever looking to improve my career I would imagine working for a brilliant businessman like yourself would greatly enhance my skills.

Todd: And, you kiss up, too. Now, let's see if you take orders correctly. Get my grub and a beer.

Stanley: It's not noon yet, sir. Are you certain you want a beer?

Todd: You're right. Bring me two. Now, scurry along like a good little chick lawyer's assistant.

[Todd returns to the conference room. He again finds himself looking out the window. His mind quickly returns to his ex-wife, Tea. He can't help but wonder about her...if she's okay...if she thinks about him. He's fairly certain she does, he just wonders if her thoughts of him are only of anger and hatred. He wouldn't blame her if those were the only emotions she felt for him now.

Todd walks over to a large conference table in the middle of the room and sits down. He leans back in his chair and places his feet on the table. He closes his eyes, trying to force his mind to think about anything but his latest ex-wife.

Minutes later, the lawyer representing the company Todd is there to purchase quietly enters the conference room through the open door. She finds a handsome man relaxing at the table, clearly lost in his own thoughts. She takes the opportunity to look him over, to determine what type of man she'll be haggling with for the next few hours. She's certain that, like Asa Buchanan, he'll expect to spend just a few minutes talking his way into this acquisition. She smiles knowing what a surprise he's in for.

Since he clearly hasn't noticed her presence yet, she continues to look him over. He's wearing a suit but no tie. He's wearing two socks that are of slightly different colors, but he probably doesn't realize that. He looks like he shaved...two days ago. His hair is combed but not styled. She's very attracted to the slightly scruffy man before her, but she's determined that she will do what is best for her client, despite her attraction.

Her thoughts are interrupted as Stanley rushes into the conference room.]

Stanley: Sir, I have your lunch.

Todd: What about my chick lawyer?

Tea: I'm right here, Mr. Manning.

[Todd quickly opens his eyes and snaps his head up in her direction, certain that he just heard the voice of his second ex-wife, but not believing it.]

to be continued...