DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
I love reviews if you would like to leave me one. :-)
I started writing this story about a month ago, and just randomly decided to publish it, so I am currently re-reading everything that I have thus far, making edits and changes, and publishing each chapter as I go. I have quite a bit written so far, but I am also dealing with some writers block, so hopefully by re-reading and editing everything, I'll figure out where to go with this and get it finished. If anyone has any ideas of something they would like to see happen, please feel free to let me know.
PR Meeting
Huntzberger Publishing Group Offices
Manhattan, New York
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice." Logan said as he entered the room with Rory, Doyle Richard and Collin, and they took seats at the end of the table. "Because no one in this room knows each other, I think we should start by going around the table and introducing ourselves. I think everybody here knows me, but I am Doctor Logan Huntzberger, emergency room physician at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and also son of Mitchum Huntzberger, CEO of Huntzberger Publishing Group. I am the one who originally diagnosed by Dad with a heart attack in the ER, along with Doctors Greenley and Levan." Logan said, then squeezed Rory's hand, looking to her to speak next.
"I am Rory Gilmore, Logan's fiance, and interim CEO of Huntzberger Publishing Group. Grandpa . . ."
"I am Richard Gilmore, grandfather to Rory. I own a successful insurance company in Hartford where I insure many large companies, similar to HPG and Columbia Presbyterian. I am here to consult, and advise Logan and my Granddaughter."
"Hi, I am Doyle McMaster. I am Rory's personal assistant here at HPG." Doyle said, then looked toward the next person at the table.
"Collin McCrae of McCrae and Associates, I am Logan and Rory's personal attorney."
"Hello everyone, I am Denise Cicione, and I am part of the public relations team here at HPG.
"Carlos Leon, public relations at HPG."
"Candace Goodman, public relations, HPG."
"Steevin Coolage, head of public relations, HPG."
"Elizabeth Newcastle, HPG Human Resources."
"Nicholas Steinway, head of Human Resources, HPG."
"Samantha Sudsburry, Public Relations at Columbia Presbyterian."
"Kimberly Watson, Human Resources at Columbia Presbyterian."
"Charles Levan, Chief of Cardio Thorasic Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian. I am Mitchum Huntzberger's surgeon, and head of his care team"
"And I am Anthony Greenley, head of the Emergency Department at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. I diagnosed Mr. Huntzberger alongside his son Doctor Logan Huntzberger."
"Thank you everyone." Logan said with a smile. "I sincerely apologize for all of the inconveniences today. I had no idea that the media circus would invade town, and cause so much trouble for all of us. But I can assure you that I have dealt with this before, and no one wants a solution and an end to this insanity, more than Rory and I do. How bad is the nightmare outside of the hospital?"
"Would you like to see the pictures?" Dr. Greenley asked with a chuckle, passing his phone to Logan. "I took these from the roof."
"Good grief! I am so sorry you guys! Samantha, Kimberly, you have my sincerest apologies! I honestly never wanted any of this to happen. I love my job, and I hope that you won't hold this against me."
"Logan, it's ok. This kind of stuff happens." Kimberly Watson told him. "Don't worry, your position with the hospital is secure. You are a great doctor!"
"Kimberly is right. And we have dealt with this kind of thing before when we have had high profile patients at the hospital. We just need to discuss how you want us to deal with it." Samantha told him.
"Steevin, what has HPG done in the past with this sort of thing while my father has been in charge?" Logan asked.
"We release a statement stating the events that led up to this media circus, and what our plan is going forward. So in this case, we would need to address Mr. Huntzberger's heart attack, the appointment of Miss. Gilmore, your engagement, and our plans going forward, including your father's medical prognosis and treatment."
"Thank you Steevin. Is everyone in agreement?" Logan asked, looking around the room. "Collin, Richard any additional suggestions?"
"We need to address the rumor of you trying to kill your father." Collin told him.
"I can't believe that people are really saying that. If I wanted to kill my father, I have had 33 years to do it. Why would I wait until now?"
"Trust me, I agree with you! I've known and conspired with you long enough, that if we had wanted to bump off Mitchum, it would have happened a couple of decades ago." Collin agreed. "But that that point is mute. The matter at hand here is that your father's heart attack and your engagement happened in such close proximity, that people are trying to use it as a murder weapon."
"And it doesn't matter than I asked Rory to marry me 9 years ago. The fact that she finally said yes last night, now makes it a murder weapon. This is just ridiculous!" Logan said rolling his eyes. "A diamond ring isn't a bloody knife, or a smoking gun. What is with people lately?!"
"Well, I guess the good news is that we were able to get copies of your father's prior medical records." Doctor Levan spoke up. "And it looks like Mr Huntsberger has had a heart condition for quite some time, but has failed to do anything about it."
"Oh really?! Doyle, would you mind running out and grabbing my sister for me?" Logan asked as Doctor Levan passed him a file folder.
"What's going on?" Honor asked walking through the door a minute later.
"Sorry for the interruption everyone, this is my older sister, Honor Huntzberger." Logan said, quickly introducting Honor to everyone in the meeting as Honor gave them all a brief wave. "Honor, were you aware that Dad has had an untreated heart condition?"
"What?! Please tell me that you are kidding!" she said taking a seat next to him, and looking at the folder of information in front of Logan.
"It looks like your father has had the condition for several years, and has refused treatment." Doctor Levan told them. "These records state that he was advised to start taking medication for his high blood pressure, about 8 years ago, and that he has continuously failed to do so."
"Dad also doesn't exercise, or cut down on the number of steaks and fatty foods that he eats." Honor sighed.
"Your father's diet doesn't seem to be too much of a concern. It looks like he eats decent enough. However, he does need to start taking better care of himself. He has undergone some testing, but refused anything that is invasive, no matter how minor."
"You didn't know any of this?" Logan asked his sister.
"I had no idea. Mom and Dad never said anything to me.
"I wonder if Mom even knew."
"I doubt it. If Dad didn't tell me, then he definitely didn't say anything to mom about it either. Besides, it's not like she would have pushed him to get treatment. She's at a freaking spa for Pete's sake!"
"When things get stressful, Shira gets hot rock massages!" Collin laughed.
"Doctor Levan, I'm sorry, I know that this is none of my business being that I am not technically family." Rory started. "But is there any way that Logan and Honor can get a medical power of attorney, or some kind of medical conservator-ship over Mitchum, and force him into getting the medical care that he needs?"
"That would be up to a judge. However, Mitchum is of sound mind. There is no reason for anyone in the hospital to declare him mentally incompetent, and unable to make his own informed decisions." Doctor Levan answered.
"What about putting it into his medical treatment plan that Dad will not be released from treatment, and allowed to return to work unless he has successfully completed the treatment plan set out by all of his doctors, and approved by the HPG board?" Honor asked.
"Do you really think that Uncle John and the moron cousins should be involved in Dad's medical decisions? They would rather have him dead, thinking that they can overthrow us." Logan told her.
"You are probably right."
"I think that you are definitely onto something though. We can have a treatment plan set up, stating that until it is successfully completed, Dad will not be released from the hospital, or allowed to return to work. We might have to put him into a rehabilitation center, but at least he would be contained there, and forced to take care of himself."
"Heck, we can send him to some celebrity treatment center out in California, and get him completely away from here for several months while he learns to enjoy a new lifestyle. Maybe he'll even enjoy it so much out there, that he'll just decide to retire and stay there."
"We could only get so lucky!" Logan laughed.
"That all is definitely do able, and a great plan! Let's set a care plan meeting next week to get that all worked out. I will get you a list of treatment facilities." Doctor Levan told them.
"Steevin, Nicholas, are you onboard with getting Dad a treatment plan contingent on taking care of his heart condition before allowing him to transition back to work at HPG?" Logan asked.
"Whatever is in the best interest of Mitchum's health, and your family's stability is ok by us." Steevin told them.
"Collin, I will need you to be a part of the treatment plan. We need to close all loopholes and force Dad into it with no chance of getting out before the doctors determine that he is ready, and it is safe for him to resume his normal stress induced life."
"I am more than happy to help with that." Collin said punching notes into his phone.
"Alright, so I guess the next thing that we need to address, is what we are going to tell the circus outside.
"We have a press conference set downstairs in the press room at 3:00." Doyle told them. "There have been people assembling for a while now. IT has everything set up for you."
"Wonderful! Right now the plan is to have the families each release their own statements. Richard, Christopher, and Honor will be taking care of those." Logan explained. "Steevin, who will be speaking for HPG?"
"I will take the lead for HPG. You and Rory can speak if you would like to . We will allow 5 minutes for questions at the end, and most likely all of those questions will be addressed toward the two of you."
"I will take the lead for the hospital." Samantha volunteered. "I will introduce Doctor Levan and allow him to give Mr. Huntzberger's prognosis. How much information do you want released?"
"Only that he's had a heart attack, and that he is expected to fully recover, in time, correct?" Honor asked looking toward her brother.
"I fully agree with that! Dad's health is none of anyone else's business, and I would like to keep it that way. None of Dad's details that have been discussed in this meeting are to leave this room, is that understood?" Logan asked, looking around the room.
"Understood." each of the HPG employees agreed as Logan and Honor looked around at each of them.
"Any information that is shared by anyone other than Logan, Honor, or the hospital staff, without signed consent, is subject to HIPPA laws, and will be prosecuted as such." Collin informed everyone.
"Logan, I think we need to get a plan in place to continue monitoring Dad's health, and have contingency plans ready, just in case this happens again." Honor suggested.
"I think that is a really good idea." Richard agreed. "You know I have had two heart attacks, with a bypass done the second time around. Unfortunately with heart problems, it is never just a one time event. I personally think that even after your father is able to be released, and to return to work, Rory should remain on staff as a partner CEO, just in case something were to happen to Mitchum down the line."
"I agree with Richard." Collin told them. "It makes sense to keep Rory on staff in the exact same position. Just in case something happens in a few months, or even a few years down the line. We don't want to have to go through this same thing all over again. Rory and Mitchum can tag team the position."
"Rory, is all of this something that you would be ok with?" Logan asked. "You and I can talk about this later if you'd like."
"Let's talk later if that's ok." Rory said softly.
"Of course. You have a lot going on."
"I'm not saying no, I just . . ."
"I know." Logan said reaching out and sliding his arm around her. "Is there anything else that we need to discuss?" Logan asked looking around the room once more. "Ok, then why doesn't everybody get their statements prepared for the press conference at 3:00, and we will see all of you downstairs. If you will please excuse us, I need a moment. Rory. . ." Logan said rising from his seat, taking Rory's hand, and escorting her out of the room, down the long hallway to her new office, where he closed the door behind then, and pulled her into his arms. "It's ok, you are safe. You can let it all out now." he said feeling her begin to shake in his embrace. "Let it all out. I've got you." Logan just stood there holding Rory, gently stroking her back while she cried into his chest. "I promise you, everything is going to be ok. I am right here with you, and I am not going anywhere."