Chapter 204 – Decision to go Public
As they were winding down the meal, Trish looked around.
"Is there anyone that still needs more?" Trish asked.
When no one answered, Trish looked at her girls.
"Missy, Maddie." Trish said. "Please start clearing the table and putting the food away. Elizabeth's plate is on the stove, so please leave it."
"Becky, Peter." Abigail said. "Please help."
The four kids picked up their plates and headed to the kitchen. Once they had put their plates in the sink, they came back and started gathering the food to put it away.
"We can help." Jack said.
"No." Trish said. "Sit and relax. You have been helping all week. The girls, along with Peter and Becky, can do it tonight."
It was as the kids were clearing the table that Elizabeth came down. Jack could immediately tell that she had been crying. He jumped to his feet and met her before she got to the table.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked, softly.
Leaning her forehead on his, she looked him in the eye.
"Sort of." Elizabeth said. "I have realized a few things, I would like to talk to Rosemary. Maybe with you and Father Mark or Frank there."
"Whatever you want." Jack said. "Devin and Grandpa John are going to talk. I think that the other security will be leaving."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
"Are you hungry?" Jack asked.
"Not really." Elizabeth said. "I know I should eat, but I really am not hungry."
"How about part of the chicken breast and some fresh veggies." Jack said.
"I think I can do that." Elizabeth said.
Jack took Elizabeth to the kitchen and grabbed a second plate. He cut the chicken breast in half while Elizabeth grabbed some fresh veggies and ranch dip.
"Becky." Jack said. "The rest of this can be put away with the other food. It wasn't touched, so it is fine."
"Okay." Becky said. "Elizabeth okay?"
"She just is not that hungry." Jack said.
"Okay." Becky said. "We will put the rest away."
"Thank you very much for helping." Jack said.
Jack and Elizabeth went back to the table. Elizabeth sat down with her plate. Jack sat down and wrapped his arm around the back of her chair. He caught the look from his grandmother and gave his head a slight shake. She nodded in understanding.
"Anyone want some coffee?" Gran asked. "We have gooey butter cake and cookies for dessert."
"Coffee would be great." John said. "But I think the cookies can wait a bit. We still have things to talk about."
"Sir." Chris said.
"Yes, Chris." John said.
"Do you think that Katie, Rob and I can head back to the hotel?" Chris said. "We can leave a car here for Peter, Andrew and Devin."
"I think that would be fine." John said after looking at James. "Please make sure you are all back here by seven. You don't have to be at the house, but please be on the grounds. Also let all the others know about the press conference. We need all hands on deck for that in the morning."
"I will do that." Chris said. "See you in the morning."
"Thank you for supper." Katie said.
"Yes, thank you." Rob said.
"Thank you for everything." Chris said. "If you need me to come back, just let me know."
"We will." Margaret said. "I know that you don't want to set yourself apart from other security by spending a lot of time up here at the house, but please know that you are welcome up here anytime. It isn't always fun living out of a hotel for a longer stretch."
"Thank you." Chris said. "We will see."
Chris gave Devin a set of keys and then left with Rob and Katie. After the group had left, John turned to the rest of the people sitting at the table.
"Let's talk about the press conference in the morning." John said.
"I got the message." James said. "What would you like from me?"
"I want you there to stand with JP and I." John said. "We are going to announce that yes, JP acquired property, but it was for the future of Coal Creek as he will be taking over when you decide that he is ready. I will also be announcing that besides taking over Coal Creek at some point in the future, JP will also be taking over Thornton, Inc when I retire."
"I think that you need to stress." Bill said. "That these changes aren't happening right now, despite Jack making some decisions and acquiring the property. Changes may happen at those properties, but that is all connected to the future of Coal Creek. They don't need to know what he is doing exactly. As long as you stress that it is Coal Creek business and appropriate announcement will be made in the future. Also that Jack will be attending school and should be afforded the same privilege as other university students and that includes his privacy."
"Yes." James said. "We need to make it clear that there will be no real changes until at least after JP has finished school."
"Thank you." Jack said. "We can talk about how I am jumping this summer, but the trespassing and constant harassment when we are out needs to stop. I think we need to start pushing back on those that won't listen. Arrests and lawsuits need to happen. It is not fair to everyone else in this house that we are basically being forced to stay on the property for fear of being attacked by the press."
"He is right." Peter said. "I think you, Sir, remind them that further action will be taken to those that continue to harass people when they are out. I think trespassing should be an automatic arrest. If our security catches them on this property, we hold them and call the local sheriff's department to have them charged with trespassing. I think doing that will show that we mean what we are saying."
"I agree." James said. "I have heard from several employees that they have been harassed by members of the media coming and going from here. They have also informed me that they have been approached several times while out in Saratoga. They say that they have no comment or no idea what they are talking about. I have instructed them to call the police if they are harassed while out in town."
"I am sorry that is happening to your staff." John said. "We definitely will have to make a few examples of people if they continue to push the boundaries."
"Can I say something?" Frank asked.
"Yes." John said. "What is it?"
"I think what you have said is great." Frank said. "But I think that the biggest thing is going to be addressing that yes, Elizabeth is here. I know that this is the last thing you want, Elizabeth, but I honestly think that if you were there with Jack it would help. Yes, it will end up with your picture taken, but then the scramble to get that first photo of you will be gone. It won't be as valuable and the press will back off, because there won't be the huge payoff to get that photo for publication. Will some of the less than reputable still try for photos? Yes, but that is going to be life?"
"How about one better?" Andrew said. "How about we preempt the first photo and have control of what the image is and who gets it."
"What are you thinking?" Jack asked.
"If you two were in agreement." Andrew said. "We can send a photo of the two of you together to a few publications of our choosing tonight with a statement. It will get published online tonight and in print with the next run, then it becomes a non-story."
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "What do you think?"
"Do you think doing that will really make a difference?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Frank said. "I have seen this before. When there is a high value photo and it gets a controlled release, the circus and fanfare fade."
"I have that great photo of the two of you from the banquet." Doug said.
"Can you send that to me?" Peter asked.
"Already done." Doug said.
"Wait." Jack said.
Everyone stopped. Jack turned to Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "This needs to be your decision. I am okay with the picture being released. I am used to photos of me in the media. This is new to you. Please tell me what you want."
Elizabeth looked Jack in the eye and could see that he meant it. If she said no, he would shut it down.
"Do you really think it will help?" Elizabeth asked.
"It can't hurt." Jack said. "The worst that happens is people know that we are together. Frank and Andrew are right. If we control the release of the photo, we eliminate the mad scramble to get that elusive first photo."
"I like that photo that Doug took of us at the banquet." Elizabeth said.
"Which one was that?" Jack asked.
"The one where we were sitting side by side." Elizabeth said.
"Oh, I liked that one as well." Jack said. "So you are good with it. I need to hear you say it."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Please release the photo. What is the statement going to say?"
"How about this?" Peter said. "John Thornton Sr, is pleased to announce that his grandson, JP Thornton, has entered into a formal courtship with Elizabeth Thatcher. They are a lovely young couple and along with his other grandparents, James and Margaret Sims, we are asking you to respect the privacy of this couple as they explore this new relationship. They will be here in Saratoga for part of the remaining summer before they head back to the city to attend University together. At this time, JP Thornton and his girlfriend have said that they are not taking media requests for interviews, but if that changes they will let interested parties know. All media requests can be directed to the Winston PR firm of Albany."
"So, if we do this." Jack said. "I don't have to say anything about Elizabeth and I tomorrow."
"Nope." Peter said. "We can just say that a statement has been made through our PR firm and we have nothing to add to it."
"So I don't have to be there?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not unless you want to." John said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "But I would prefer to stay up here."
"That is fine." Jack said. "You can do that."
"Who are you going to release the photo and statement to?" James asked.
"I think that we will release it to three or four outlets." Peter said. "Letting them all know who got it."
"How about one magazine and two newspapers?" John said.
"What were you thinking?" James asked.
"I was thinking." John said. "Horse and Rider since they have made no less than four requests for an interview with JP. Then the Daily News and the Saratogian."
"That works." Jack said. "I might, I said, might consider an interview with Horse and Rider about the show we are doing. There will be ground rules if I do it."
"Just let me know." Peter said. "I can arrange it. I know that they want to talk to you about jumping again."
"Let's get through the Fourth first." Jack said. "Then I will think about it. I know that it would help the show, but as it is we are almost full. Maybe we do one post show and talk about additional shows moving forward. Like I said, I would love for it to be an annual event the weekend before the races start. I think that it would be a good way to get our name out there before the races start. I also think that there would be a lot of interest if we had a consistent weekend for the show moving forward."
"As long as you are willing to do the work." James said. "I have no problem with you having an annual show."
"So is everyone okay with the three publications?" John asked.
John and Peter both looked around the table. The only one that didn't look happy was Rosemary, but neither John or Peter cared after the way that she had been behaving. A couple other conversations were going on around the table after John had gotten nods from most of the adults at the table.
"Sir." Peter said.
"Yes." John said.
"Photo and statement have been sent." Peter said. "I copied it to the PR firm. I asked for confirmation when the photo and statement were up online."
"Thank you." John said.
"What else needs to be talked about tonight?" Bill asked.
"You and Abigail can take the kids home if you need." James said.
"No, not that." Bill said. "We just tabled some things earlier."
"Right." Devin said. "I need to have a conversation with John in private."
"Why don't you two go to the office." James said.
"Thank you." Devin said.
"I think I will take the kids home." Abigail said. "Bill, you have your truck. I will see you at home."
"I will be along later, then." Bill said.
"Mom." Peter said. "I know that we are coming over Sunday. But do you think we can come over and watch them jump tomorrow?"
James looked at his wife.