07-23-2013, 08:12 AM
Possessing the ability to sway minds and compel obedience with but a glance and a word can be a danger in and of itself - the temptation is there to simply force the issue, to callously and clumsily seize control of mortal institutions, and leave a trail of confusion and erratic behavior that is easy to track.
So it is that Samantha spends her time taking control of RedPeak Properties. She does her research, and identifies the key players that run the organization, from the two owners down to each of their building's property managers. She analyzes how the company works, how power is distributed, and then, after two week's worth of careful consideration, she makes her play.
Johannes Ehrenberg is her pawn. A former rising star in the local branch of Goldman Sachs, it took only three meetings - the first 'accidental', the second a late dinner, and the third the proposition - to get him to sign on board. Smart, creative, detail-oriented and brilliant with numbers, he agrees to step in as her representative at RedPeak and operate in her name.
Which leads to the first meetings with RedPeak itself.
Rusty Bolsova, the current Corporate Controller and CFO, finds himself surprisingly interested in the a proposed merger with Haldeman Properties, a shell company of Samantha's. During his first meeting with Johannes, however, he finds himself thinking inappropriate thoughts about his 'secretary', carnal desires that he finds increasingly difficult to repress. Despite himself, he arranges for Johannes and his secretary Samantha to meet with the CEO and Co-Founder, who while at first affable and disinterested, quickly begin to see the benefits of partnering with Haldeman Prop.
The meetings proceed, two per week as details are hashed out, and always Johannes is there with his shark smile and savage sincerity, with Samantha putting in occasional comments laden with power to keep the wheels spinning. Always, Bolsova watches her, until finally one night, unable to control himself, he assaults Samantha, cornering her in an office. Her cries bring the CEO and Johannes running, and two days later Bolsova, mortified and confused, is let go.
Almost the merger comes to a standstill, until the idea appears in the CEO's mind to ask Johannes himself to step into Bolsova's shoes. The more Johannes resists, the more appealing the idea becomes, until finally the young owner of Haldeman agrees, and the deal is settled. The merger takes place, and Johannes is installed as RedPeak's new CFO with special discretionary powers.
Five weeks all told, with a real paper trail to document the merger, and no connection to Samantha on record. Both original owners, already in their late sixties, are left with a sense of passing on the torch to a new and ambitious successor, and if they find themselves playing more golf and planning unexpected vacations, they hear no complaints from their families and friends.
Up in her apartment, Samantha considers the vast map of Denver affixed to her wall, and circles in red each of the sixteen residential towers that are now under Johannes control. She taps her lips, and then allows herself a smile.
So it is that Samantha spends her time taking control of RedPeak Properties. She does her research, and identifies the key players that run the organization, from the two owners down to each of their building's property managers. She analyzes how the company works, how power is distributed, and then, after two week's worth of careful consideration, she makes her play.
Johannes Ehrenberg is her pawn. A former rising star in the local branch of Goldman Sachs, it took only three meetings - the first 'accidental', the second a late dinner, and the third the proposition - to get him to sign on board. Smart, creative, detail-oriented and brilliant with numbers, he agrees to step in as her representative at RedPeak and operate in her name.
Which leads to the first meetings with RedPeak itself.
Rusty Bolsova, the current Corporate Controller and CFO, finds himself surprisingly interested in the a proposed merger with Haldeman Properties, a shell company of Samantha's. During his first meeting with Johannes, however, he finds himself thinking inappropriate thoughts about his 'secretary', carnal desires that he finds increasingly difficult to repress. Despite himself, he arranges for Johannes and his secretary Samantha to meet with the CEO and Co-Founder, who while at first affable and disinterested, quickly begin to see the benefits of partnering with Haldeman Prop.
The meetings proceed, two per week as details are hashed out, and always Johannes is there with his shark smile and savage sincerity, with Samantha putting in occasional comments laden with power to keep the wheels spinning. Always, Bolsova watches her, until finally one night, unable to control himself, he assaults Samantha, cornering her in an office. Her cries bring the CEO and Johannes running, and two days later Bolsova, mortified and confused, is let go.
Almost the merger comes to a standstill, until the idea appears in the CEO's mind to ask Johannes himself to step into Bolsova's shoes. The more Johannes resists, the more appealing the idea becomes, until finally the young owner of Haldeman agrees, and the deal is settled. The merger takes place, and Johannes is installed as RedPeak's new CFO with special discretionary powers.
Five weeks all told, with a real paper trail to document the merger, and no connection to Samantha on record. Both original owners, already in their late sixties, are left with a sense of passing on the torch to a new and ambitious successor, and if they find themselves playing more golf and planning unexpected vacations, they hear no complaints from their families and friends.
Up in her apartment, Samantha considers the vast map of Denver affixed to her wall, and circles in red each of the sixteen residential towers that are now under Johannes control. She taps her lips, and then allows herself a smile.