The Things That Must be Done

Friday, September 27, 2002.  Approximately 11am.

Robert Lancaster Investment Enterprises American Headquarters, New York City, NY

The meeting went far better than he possibly could have imagined.  Most of the members of the Board of Directors were taken back by the decisions of the Duke and Duchess of Wessex to resign, seemingly out of the blue.  However after listening carefully to their reasoning, the Board had unanimously granted consent to the requests of the Duke and Duchess, and the meeting was done in just under two hours.

The Duke sipped the remaining few drops from his coffee cup, as the sun beamed into the lushly decorated board room of RLIE's American Headquarters, located in the heart of Manhattan.  It was a gorgeous day.  The Duke spared no expense in making the RLIE building distinct from the other corporate HQ's in New York, which he considered to be stale and sterile, and not vibrant and vivacious.

Several jet black leather-bound chairs surrounded the long, polished, solid mahogany table, which Lancaster had imported from his Estate in Wessex to use as a boardroom table.  The name of each board member was engraved on gold plaques in fine detail, with fine cut crystal glasses for water, and Royal Doulton china for the tea and coffee service.  On the wall hung the latest state of the art audio/visual equipment, contrasting to the serene scenes of nature framed alongside the walls.

The room was a buzz only ten minutes prior to that moment, whereas now the tea and coffee was gone, the lights dimmed somewhat, and the humm of each member's IBM laptop now silent.  The only thing still going was the visual presentation screen, which displayed the corporate logo of RLIE steadily.

The Duke glanced at it momentarily, smiling, knowing that in a matter of days it would be replaced across the world with some other logo yet to be decided, his company - no longer his company really, save for the shares he owned still - to be renamed, with the Lancaster name no longer to be associated with it in any fashion.

"Hard to believe it's all over, more or less," remarked the Duke, putting his coffee cup back on its saucer.

The room was empty save for the Duke, his wife, and the man who was seen to be the top prospect to be CEO of the new company, Vincent Tang.  Tang had been there since Lancaster held his first meeting back on July 9, 2001, when he announced the creation of the then named Robert Goodlife Investment Enterprises.  Tang had an impeccable record when it came to business and corporate management, dealing primarily in sales, but he had a very broad, solid knowledge of all things business related.  Lancaster signed him on board without much hesitation, and he remained loyal throughout every bump in the road.

Tang, who was in his mid forties, Asian, slightly balding, sat back in his chair and sighed.

"There's still time to change your mind, if you want."

The Duke shook his head negatively, and smiled.

"My mind is made up.  As is that of my wife, right my sweet?"

Lancaster looked over to his wife, who was wearing a white blouse with her sleeves rolled up, her chest accentuated wonderfully, and a black skirt which reached just past her knees.  For someone who had just given birth months ago, she looked phenomenal.  A grin crossed her face, and Robert knew she was going to say something, well, cheeky.

"Well I don't know Robert, I always dreamed of owning my own multi-national corporation, because God knows I don't control anything at home, not even the damn remote control."

Vincent laughed very heartily, in his own distinctive fashion which was familiar and warming.  Robert cracked a smirk and pointed at his wife jokingly.

"Do not even go there my lady, every man on the planet knows that the remote control is the man's domain, and is not to be trifled with - it's sacred!  Vincent knows that too, don't ya Vince."

Vincent laughed once more, shrugging his shoulders, talking while he grinned continuously, about to burst out laughing again.  Yes, he really was like that.

"I'm lucky if I can even go out on my own when I want without being bugged by my wife, never mind using the changer."

All three shared in the laughter.  That's what made board meetings not bored meetings - so to speak - the atmosphere was never tense, always respectable and lighthearted.

Suddenly a knock at the door, as it swung open simultaneously with the knock.  A head popped around the corner, that of the cleaner, named Percy, a very experienced janitor, with a mustache, glasses, and brushed back hair, from India.  He was quite efficient, but somewhat vexing too.  He was obsessed with cleaning.  The Duke would not miss him.

"No, Percy, not now. Come back in a few minutes, alright?"

Percy stared out from his glasses, blankly, when he suddenly laughed, and closed the door.  Odd was not the term to describe him.

"Robert, it's time we got going now...don't you think?"

Lancaster glanced at his Rolex, and indeed, she was right.  They had to catch their Lear at JFK at about 12:30 or so, back to London, home...now that negotiations and the transfer of power was well under way, he could sleep knowing that what was his was in good hands.

"Right my lady.  Well Vince."

Only a half smile, as all three stood up.  Stephanie advanced forward and kissed Vince's cheek, holding his hands.  Vince got somewhat teary eyed - he was a man of deep emotion.

"Take care Vincent...we'll be in touch."

Steph smiled at him, herself feeling the tears well up.  She opened the double boardroom doors, and stepped out.  Lancaster then walked forward, and embraced Vince warmly.  They'd been through so much, and still landed on their feet.

"Thank you..."

With that, the Duke joined his wife in the hallway, exited the building, and head to JFK.

The flight took off just past 12:30pm.  The Duchess, as usual, decided to nap, leaving the Duke with scotch in hand,  his thoughts to occupy him and accompany him across the great divide that was the Atlantic.

Once again he found his life changing,  as it had been ever since he could remember.  He recalled his Father living a much more reserved life, preferring to hunt and smoke his pipe, rather than ever leaving the grounds of his estate, which he rarely did.

Lancaster found such a life repugnant, and thrived on change, on evolution, on dynamism.  This dynamism lead him to yet again reconsider the path of his life, and had already resulted in releasing the reigns of power from the greatest achievement of his life, third only to the birth of his son, and his marriage.  But to achieve happiness, and self-satisfaction, things had to change, in order to be happy,  to follow his dreams.

Oh the things that must be done.