MARISSA'S OFFICE, 11:30AM

Marissa pulled up in front of her office block. It was a high-rise building, about twenty-five stories, in the heart of Newport. Rock-On Entertainment International occupied four offices on the 12th floor, which they rented incidentally from the Newport Group, who owned the whole block.

As Marissa got out the elevator, she entered the reception area. A simple L-shaped desk occupied the front area, where Trish, the secretary, sat behind.

"Oh, hey, Marissa, Phillip asked to see you as soon as you came in."

"Thanks Trish. In his office?"

"Yup."

Marissa headed off left, in the direction of Phillip's office. She opened the door and entered. Phillip's office was massive. It was not only an office, but it was also the meeting room of the management board.

As Marissa entered, she was greeted by Phillip, as well as three other members of the management board.

"Marissa! Finally. Please take a seat." Phillip greeted, standing up as Marissa entered.

Marissa sat down on the chair nearest her, but had a look of complete perplexity on her face.

"What's this all about?" Marissa enquired.

"Marissa, myself and the board have been discuss the resignation of Peter Fennimore."

"Isn't he…"

"Yes. Well, he resigned this morning, effective at the end of the month. His division was the most successful wing of this company," explained one of the managers. "For the past five years Peter had taken the division from nothing to what it is today."

"Ok, so why did he resign?" Marissa's question was a good one. Why would someone who is so successful and enjoying the fruits of his labor want to quit.

"Unfortunately, those are classified, but let's just say his reasons are personal."

"Ok, fair enough, but if you don't mind me asking, what's that got to do with me?"

The bosses looked at each other and then at Phillip.

"Before Peter handed in his resignation, we asked him who he felt would be best to one day take his place…"

"Okay and…?"

"Well, he mentioned you."

The room went silent, and so was Marissa. She was shell-shocked. Is this what she was thinking… are they… are they offering her a promotion?

Before she could speak, Phillip continued.

"Marissa… you've been with this company for almost five years now. Your work has been impressive to say the least. Every event you have undertaken and managed has been a raging success and much of the achievement of the LA division is owed to you, and your efforts."

"Are you saying…?"

"We are offering you the position, Marissa."

Marissa could not believe what she was hearing.

"Effectively we are offering you the position of assistant director, an office with a view, your own personal assistant, a company car and housing allowance to go along with it. Oh, and not to mention a really great dental plan."

"Wow, I… this is incredible… I… I don't know what to say…" Marissa was honestly surprised. She struggled to hide the smile that was shining from ear to ear.

"Say you'll take it… I don't mean to press you, but we can only hold the post for you for twenty-four hours."

"Okay. I'll give you my answer in the morning." Marissa said smiling as she got up, but although she was really happy, she couldn't help but feel a little upset. She knew this position would mean quite a big sacrifice for her, especially in terms on longer working hours.

BAGELS N BREW COFFEE SHOP, 1:30PM

"So how long are you in Newport for?" Ryan asked as he took a fry and put it in his mouth.

"Only till Wednesday… fly back out to Pittsburg early Thursday morning." Anna took a sip of her milkshake. "So Ryan, tell me… you and Marissa?"

"Just friends. We haven't been going out for years now… She's often away out of town, so it makes it difficult for her to settle down with someone…" Ryan sipped on his soda. "And yourself… any love interesting love interests?"

"No, not really. Had a short thing with this one guy just after I got back to Pittsburg in 2005… actually it was so short, I'm not sure you could even call it a real relationship. Not much since then." Anna took a bite of her bagel. "Are Seth and Summer…"

"Oh you know… I'm not sure. They are so on-again, off-again, you just don't know. She had this thing with a guy named Zach, was pretty serious… they were even engaged, but he started getting involved with someone else and Summer found out… Wasn't pretty. At least Summer scored a car out of it."

Anna just laughed.

SUMMER'S OFFICE, LUNCH TIME.

Summer's office had a small coffee-shop effort downstairs where she would often go and grab a bite to eat. Marissa had asked to meet with her urgently, so the two of them met at the shop and grabbed some chicken-mayo sandwiches.

"So Coop, what's so important? I thought you were supposed to be in like Chicago right now…" Summer said as she took a bite of her sandwich.

"Well, that was canceled. Phillip called me in for an important meeting with the board of directors…"

"Wow, sounds intense…"

"It was." Marissa wiped her mouth with the napkin as she took a bite of her sandwich.

"So what was it all about? Come on, Coop, you've kept me hanging here long enough."

"Well, long story short… I've been offered a promotion to assistant director…"

"Hey! That is awesome!" Summer said jovially as she stretched across the table to pat Marissa on the arm. "When do you start?"

"In about two to three weeks."

"Ok, then why are you sounding so… not happy?"

"No, I am, it's great, it's just…" Marissa sounded a little down...

"What?" Summer could tell it wasn't good.

"It's in New York. I'll have to move."

BAGELS N BREW COFFEE SHOP

Ryan and Anna were still sitting there talking, even though their meals were well over and their table had been cleared. Anna took out some papers from her brief case.

"So back to business… You can supply the builders, what about the admin involved?" Anna turned the conversation back to work.

"Well, when do you plan on getting your building permits approved?"

"We've first got to get the land. I'm going to be back here in two weeks time to push the purchasing of a piece of ground just around the corner from the pier. I believe there's a night club effort there at the moment called… the Mate Shop?"

"Oh, you mean the Bait Shop…"

"Yeah, well the partners are very keen on that piece of land; it seems to be a prime spot at the moment. We'll be putting in an offer next week, and if it's accepted then we'll get the construction company to draw up the plans and task them to approve it."

"So the Bait Shop will be no more?"

"Correct. We'll tear that baby down and put up a supermall; rent out retail space… it's an investment opportunity."

"Ah, right… just want Newport needs, another mall."

Ryan and Anna finished off their lunch. Ryan picked up the check and the two of them left the coffee shop.

"Well, it was great seeing you again Ryan."

"Yeah, you too…"

They stood there next to their cars just sort of looking at each other.

"Um, well, what are you doing tonight?" Ryan asked tentatively.

"I have a meeting with another prospective contractor…" Anna replied. "But I'm free Tuesday…"

"Alright, great! I'll set something up… I'm sure Seth and the others would be really happy to see you…"

"Okay, thanks Ryan. And… your presentation was excellent. It will definitely get my backing when I take it to the rest of the partners later."

Ryan and Anna hugged and left in their respective vehicles.