With a net worth of $85 billion, Frank Archer has always had a penchant for revenge. Now in his seventies, he is widely known and respected as a being among the world’s great business leaders, but his early start was not in legitimate businesses. As he battles cancer, Frank turns his attention to balancing his “ledger sheet” and getting right with his maker. He establishes a charity to help dying people get their last dying wish fulfilled, which is often some kind of revenge.
Influenced by Father Reagan, a Catholic priest and friend, Frank realizes revenge doesn’t taste as sweet as it once did. In an often dramatic and provocative tug of war between Frank and Father Reagan that addresses issues of Catholic morality, you are left to ponder whether Father Reagan saved Frank’s soul or if Frank corrupted Father Reagan.
The group was seated, at the dais. The nighttime view of Rockefeller Center from the “Top of the Rock” was among the best cityscapes in the world. The shrimp cocktail appetizer was set in front of the guests next to their champagne flutes. Picking up a glass of champagne, Michael Reagan rose and said, “Thank you all for coming. Before we start, I would like to say a few words at the fifth Frank Archer Memorial Dinner.
“To say that Frank would be proud of what the Archer Worldwide has become would be an understatement. Depending on the whims and fancies of the stock market, Archer Worldwide seems to jockey with Microsoft and Amazon for the title of world’s most valuable corporation. Since the Archer Foundation owns the majority of stock in Archer Worldwide, it is the largest charitable organization in the world, and I can’t describe what an honor and privilege it has been to serve as director. The foundation, through its charitable offerings has done far too much good to enumerate this evening.
“Seated at this table are the people whose lives were most closely touched by Frank and his generosity. I proudly count myself part of the group. If we can pause for a brief moment of silence in remembrance of Tony. Also, and I hope I’m not embarrassing her too much, Elaine, please stand.”
Elaine rose and was blushing noticeably. “Don’t be shy Elaine, stand tall and show off your baby bump. We all want to wish you well as you and Danny prepare for the birth of your second child. Please all rise with glass in hand as we toast a man and the indelible legacy he has left behind. Ladies and gentlemen, to Frank Archer.”
After the appetizer, the group started to move around and mingle. Rodger walked to Doctor Conway as he stood near the bar. “Jim, so good to see you. Enjoying retirement, I hope.”
“Rodger, loving every second of it. Just got in from Barbados, the fishing there is magnificent. And the boat, Frank wasn’t bullshitting, she’s a sweet ride. What about you, still living in Iowa?”
“Yeah, Jim, that’s worked out well for me. All the years in the military and then in the city, I always had a yearning to go back home, but I was at odds with what little family I had left. I’m so happy I made peace with them. Frank left me enough that I bought a nice farm. I have a crew that works it for me, but I still work plenty myself. I drive a GPS navigated tractor, and have a spectroscopic soil analyzer, but there’s just something about getting your hands in the soil that you city people will never understand.”
Lenny, accompanied by his wife Charlotte, stood near Elaine’s seat. Charlotte hugged Elaine and said, “Congratulations, little Frank is going to be a big brother. Maybe someday he’ll have a whole basketball team of little brothers.”
“Please Charlotte. I don’t know how I’m going to manage with two. Frank is a handful by himself. Besides, I’m 43, I think this will be it.”
“Oh child, you’ll manage fine. Oh, and Lenny showed me that picture of you on the magazine cover. Congratulations again. Look at you; a momma and you still have time to be Forbes ‘CEO of the Year.’ How do you do it?”
“Thanks, Charlotte, Danny’s a big help of course. And you look great. When are you going to talk that big hunk of a husband into retiring?”
“Him retiring, let me tell you something, honey! I swear if he ever retires, you’re going to pick up the paper and see the headline, ‘Wife Shoots Husband of 55 Years.' No, it’s your job to put up with him all day, don’t you go trying to shuffle him off on me.”
Marty and Lenny were standing nearby and heard the entire conversation. Lenny said, “See Marty, this is what I get for being the world’s best husband.”
Marty replied, “It’s good to know I’m not the only one who can’t put up with you for a whole day.”
Frank’s inner circle mingled among the other guests. Some guests, particularly those from the Archer Foundation never knew Frank. As the people told stories and remembrances of Frank, those that didn’t know him wished they had.
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