It is morning rush hour. April and Lexie, both wearing business attire, exit the Wall Street subway station and approach the Headquarters of Market Security Bank & Trust.
"Oh, by the way, April, I had to move your 3:00 with Bob Kahan to 4:00 so you could squeeze in Gary Alan. He called yesterday and said he has to see you today about the Danway stuff. Three o'clock was the only time he could make it. Also, the main board meeting in L.A. has been confirmed for the 12th, while the other business meetings are taking place from the 13th-16th. I got you on a 9:00 a.m. flight for next week Tuesday." Lexie notices that April seems preoccupied.
"Hey, April, relax. The isn't brain surgery you're going into."
"I'm sorry I'm freaking out, man. I hate pitching to these Japanese guys. They make me nervous. I mean, what am I supposed to say, 'Who do you think'll win that big Sumo championship?" April says.
"April, stop worrying about it, sis. I know that you'll be fine. You're great with people." Lexie reassures.
April's jacket flares open. She is wearing yellow suspenders. Lexie notices.
"Hey, nice. I like those." Lexie compliments her.
April, not completely comfortable wearing them, buttons her blazer.
"Jackson….." April thinks. "damn his revenge."
Lexie smiles and then turns to admire a car going by.
"Jesus, look at that, a Lamborghini. I don't know about you, but that's the car I'm gonna drive when I'm making two hundred grand."
"Sorry to break this to you Lexie, but it must be said. Better pay off your Mustang first." April says apologetically.
April and Lexie are standing on a crowded elevator. It is deadly quiet. Suddenly, Lexie elbows April and winks. There is something she wants her to do. April hesitates a moment, annoyed, and then relents. She clears her throat.
"So Lexie, what did the doctor say?"
"He said it was contagious. Very contagious. I shouldn't even be going into work today." Lexie coughs loudly. "But what could I do?" She sneezes. People on the elevator freeze.
"And what about the rash?"
"Not good. It's spreading everywhere. Everywhere!"
"Oh no. On your genitals again?"
"Everywhere. He said be sure not to touch anyone."
April sees people trying to inch away. Lexie coughs again, touching one of the passengers. They hold their breath. The elevator stops at the next floor. All the passengers get off.
"You are sick, Lex." April tells her while they exit the elevator as well.
April and Lexie, laughing, walk through a large office area bustling with activity. Employees, in various cubicles, are talking on telephones and punching information into computers. April heads into her executive office. Lexie steps into a cubicle across the aisle. Betty, April's secretary, approaches her.
"Morning, Mr. Stevens." She says with a huge smile on her face.
"Morning Betty. Listen, when the Kobiashi people arrive, have Eleanor take them right to the..."
"They're already here."
"They're here?" April asks, visibly annoyed.
She points to a windowed conference room. April turns around and sees a large group of Japanese men standing inside.
"They're early!"
"I know. And Gary Clark called. He said they need $900,000 transferred to Albany by noon. Today."
"By noon? Today? Damn!" She hurries over to Lexie's cubicle. She is on the phone.
"Could you hold for a moment please?" Lexie cups the mouthpiece.
"Hey Sam. What's up?"
"Listen, sorry to be a pest, but it's highly crucial. Stone needs $900,000 in Albany by noon, today. Can you please transfer it to her payroll account?"
"Sure. Just let me have your MAC code."
April pulls out her wallet and extracts a small address book. She quickly jots the code numbers on a piece of paper and hands it to Lexie.
"Discretion, huh?"
"You bet." Lexie says, nodding her head in agreement. "I'll do it right away."
April and a group of fifteen somber Japanese businessmen are sitting around a large granite conference table. April stands up and speaks a simple greeting to them.
"Good morning, Gentlemen. On behalf of Market Security Bank & Trust, I welcome you to our city." April says in Japanese. The men smile happily and nod their heads in unison.
"Arigato." The men respond. They look to April, expecting more. Uncomfortable, she clears her throat.
"I'm sorry." She tells the gentlemen apologetically. "I'm afraid that's the only Japanese I know. But I realize it's not our language fluency, or lack of it, that brings you to Market Security. Rather, I'm sure, it is our banking expertise, our ability to represent and anticipate all of your banking needs. As you know, we are not the largest banking establishment in New York." She rambles. Her throat goes dry and ahe takes a sip of water. "But, with combined assets of over $360 billion dollars, we have a firm commitment to the international marketplace."
A secretary enters the room and hands April a piece of paper. It reads "JACKSON ON LINE 2. URGENT." She hands her a phone. April looks surprised. She nods apologetically to her guests.
"Excuse me." April picks up the receiver "Hello?"
"Hey, babe. So check this out. A man and a woman are lying in bed when the woman's husband suddenly comes home. Frightened, she tells the man he has to leave instantly through the window. He has no time to dress."
April is straight-faced, listening and trying to look as if it is important.
"Uh-hmm." April responds.
"It's raining outside. The man, running naked along the street, sees some joggers approaching."
The entire contingent of Japanese men are staring at April.
"One of the joggers calls out, 'Hey, do you always go jogging naked?' And the man says, 'Yes, always.'." Jackson continues.
"Okay." April says, wondering where the phone call is going.
"And then the other jogger says, 'And do you always wear a condom?' The man looks down, embarrassed, and replies, 'Only when it's raining.'."
"Well, that's just fine." April says as she squelches a smile.
"Now, just relax and have fun, okay sweetheart? It's not the end of the world if you lose the account. You've always got me."
"Thank you. I'll definitely remember that."
"See ya later, babe." Jackson says, and he hangs up the phone.
April hangs up and stares at the Japanese men. A short smile crosses her face.
