GH2017.30 Hurricane Alexis

WVPC television. A weekend morning . Alexis Hardy enters the lobby and
walks over to the receptionist who is working on what appears to be college
textbooks.
Alexis: Hello, I have an appointment with Mr Larsen. My name is Alexis Hardy.
Recep: Ms. Hardy, he told me to expect you. I'll walk you back. ( she
puts the phones on voice mail and walks around the desk directing Alexis
down a hallway. The girl looks at Alexis curiously) It is unusual for the
owner to be here on the weekend?
Alexis: Actually there doesn't seem to be many people here. ( not answering
the receptionist request for information)
Recep: On the weekend it is kind of slow. The weekend news crew is in but
admin is mon- fri. Most of the programming is automated so there's a
skeleton crew in case of problems.
Alexis: I noticed the texts. Are you a student?
Recep: Broadcasting and communications major at PCU. Figured I would get
my foot in the door by working here. ( they arrive at the owners office)
Alexis: Thanks for your help and good luck with your studies.
Recep: No problem--- Mr Larsen, here is Ms Hardy.
Larsen: Alexis, Hello. ( he looks at the receptionist until she leaves)
You and your cousin move quickly, the papers were only signed last night. I
would have thought that Monday would be soon enough.
Alexis: I like to hit the ground running, Mr Larsen. By Monday, I would
like to be familiar with the workings of the station which includes policies
as well as all the personnel.
Larsen: Well, the resource management staff are off until Monday of course.
Alexis: I am sure you have the keys I need, Mr Larsen, for the file
cabinets and offices...I can find my own way-- if you can point me in the
right direction.
Larsen: Come in, let's get started. I had been working on a press release
while I was waiting for you. ( he turns the computer monitor toward Alexis.)
Alexis: ( setting down her briefcase, she puts on her glasses and peruses
the draft.) This is fine; I would prefer however that you indicate that
the new owner is Timoria Communications, Inc. The corporation papers will
be completed on Monday also.
Larsen: Ms Hardy, I understand what this is about. One of my cameramen
left me a videotape that he had taken of a conversation Ms Bowles had with
the District Attorney. The call from your cousin was not unexpected.
Alexis: Then you also know that Ms Bowles has not stopped in her efforts to
fabricate dirt on my family. This despite the warning she received from DA
Garcia and the follow up letter that DA Garcia sent her . I admire your
ability to see the big picture, Mr Larsen; selling the station insures you
of a profit and mitigates the attorneys fees that were in your future. I
would like to see this tape; if you still have it.
Larsen: Of course, why don't we set you up in the conference room. The
policy manuals are there as well as some video equipment.
Alexis: I would also like the personnel files starting with the on air
talent. If you have any videos resumes I would also like to see those as
well . Mr Larsen, I could see that the receptionist had questions...how
quickly will the rumor mill let my presence be known?
Larsen: Claudia is good. But if she is kept busy, she also knows how to
keep things confidential. Perhaps you could use her assistance?
Alexis: Yes. Mr Larsen, I think I could . ( Larsen uses the intercom to
call the receptionist)
Larsen: Claudia, could you come to the conference room. (clicking off the
intercom without waiting a response. I 'll get the materials you requested.
Claudia arrives breathlessly as Mr Larsen is leaving)
Alexis: Lets introduce ourselves again...I'm Alexis Hardy; I am an
attorney here in Port Charles. I represent Timoria Communications.
Timoria has just purchased controlling interest in this station. Mr Larsen
indicated that you could be relied on to keep this confidential until the
announcement and assist me in my research?
Claudia: ( flabbergasted) Claudia Markum. I didn't know the station was
for sale. I mean, sure no problem. How can I help?
Alexis: I am not familiar with all of this gadgetry and there are some
tapes I need to view once Mr Larsen gets back. But to start, I need the
policies as they relate to the news department. So were you interested in
being on air once you completed your degree or are you interested in the
technical end? Are you any relation to Judge Markum?
Claudia: ( answering the second question) Yes, he is my father. why?
Alexis: Small world. He is a good man and I don't want him put in an
awkward situation. Do you know if he is going to preside over the Saunders
case? ( Claudia looks bewildered) Is he home now? ( Claudia nods. Alexis
looks up the judges unlisted number in her organizer and dials it quickly)
Carl?...Yes, Alexis Hardy here. This might be considered an inappropriate
topic so can we keep it hypothetical? ( Alexis laughs at what the Judge
says) Thanks....Lets say I represent three people all with a relationship
to Bruce Saunders. These three people have just purchased the station where
your daughter works....Oh good you were just handling the arraignment.
(looking over at Claudia) Yes, she seems like a lovely girl I hope you are
paying her tuition because I know she studies hard. Been invaluable to me
so far.... Good talking to you , Carl. I'll see you at the next bar
luncheon. ( laughing again she hangs up) Well I think I just got you a bump
in your allowance so lets earn it.
Stone: Mom? A Mr Larsen sent me back here with this stuff. (Stone has a
box of files and tapes as well as a huge amount of keys on one ring) He
said "this baby is all yours" and then split...he had a golf bag over his
shoulder.
Alexis: ( grabs her chest) I swear I am going to put a bell on you! Make
some noise! Golfers are insane...it is January and there is three feet of
snow out there! ( Stone sets the materials on the conference table)
Seriously Honey this is great, thanks. Claudia, is there a coffee pot
around here? ( she turns as if to go) No, just tell Stone-- Oh Stone, this
is Claudia Markum; Claudia, this is my son, Stone Corinthos. Claudia, we
have lots of stuff to get through here. (Claudia straightens at the name
beginning to realize what has happened. Stone leaves in search of his
mother's life blood)
Claudia: You really do move fast. Thursday- your son is mentioned on the
air and Sunday- you own the station.
Alexis: Close. He owns the station. But he needs to learn the business
before he can control it.
Claudia: WOW, but he is just a kid!
Alexis: I think you said it when I first met you. You are working here to
get your foot in the door. Well so is he. Claudia, this goes no further do
you understand? ( Claudia nods) Good because there could be a bright future
here for you if you should prove yourself...I am not asking you to toady to
my son. He has a healthy ego it can take a few knocks. School is his top
priority as is yours. He is here to work and learn. Three people will own
this station- 2 of whom are minors which is why the corporation trustees
will have oversight. Stone is here to look and listen until he proves himself.
( Stone returns with the coffee) Oh good. Alright lets start splitting
this up...I'll do the policy and personnel contracts. Claudia, you go
through the resume tapes. You are looking for people who appear
trustworthy, who have charisma. They don't have to be the youngest or the
prettiest but people who make you feel confident that you are hearing the
truth. Pick the top five men and top five women. We'll research those 10
further. Stone, I need for you to review the ratings for the last year. (
Stone's jaw drops) YES, the last year! You are looking for trends, not
necessarily specifics. By season, by slot: sudden drops or
gains...highlight them; we'll figure out why later. ( Her voice drops as her
mind continues to race) Focus in on the original programming-- the morning
show and the news to start .
Claudia: Okay. I have a vid/vcr combo out in the lobby; I had better get
back there.
Alexis: Yes, yes that is fine but remember- this is confidential until the
memo on Monday. If anyone inquires you are...working on a project for one
of your classes? (Claudia nods as she gathers the tapes.) Oh and Claudia,
I need a copy of your class schedule, the syllabi of the classes as well as
the time you have blocked for study. (Claudia looks shellshocked. It has
after all been quite a morning) You are now being paid as my administrative
assistant even though you will maintain your receptionist duties until you
complete school. Whenever possible or appropriate you may use the station
as an example, a lab if you will, for school projects. When taking a
resource management course if you need a to do a paper on insurance packages
for example, use the station and give me a copy of the paper. Any of the
changes you recommend that are implemented will be included in your
performance review and considered in your bonus.
Stone: Hey do I get the same deal?
Alexis: Anything you do that raises the value of the station, increases
your investment. So go both of you. ( waving her hand at Stone and
Claudia) Get me what I need to rock this house on Monday!