Log: CHOAM Directors meeting

["Shannon Wiley" <swiley1@rochester.rr.com>]

Okay, here it is at long last. I apologize for the delay in getting it out.
Please don't lynch me:)

-Fredh

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===============Meeting Chamber -- CHOAM Headquarters (Kaitain)

A horseshoe shaped room, all CHOAM shareholders meetings take place here. A
table sits at the open end, reserved for the Houses Major that serve as
CHOAM Directors. Behind and above this table, at the head of the room, is
the Corrino table. There is another area above the floor in the corner to
the right and below the Corrino table. It is the place where the Spacing
Guild keeps watch on the gathered Shareholders. Around the horseshoe on
various levels are pews for the remaining Great Houses that are shareholders
in CHOAM.
Players:
 Cesare (directors)                    Tillip (directors)
 Fredhrick
Objects:
 Podium
Exits:
 Gilded Arches <W> leads to Lobby -- CHOAM Headquarters (Kaitain)

Sha'ara'diin walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

Cesare is seated at the Directors Table, pouring over the voluminous tome
that is the CHOAM Contract History for the past Economic Period.

Sha'ara'diin sweeps into the chamber in a whoosh of whispering silk, before
deftly making his way, along with his retinue, to his appointed table.

Nils walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

Nils is wheeled in by an assistent, who bows deeply before the Emperor. Nils
himself can merely nod deeply.

Nils joins the Directors table.

Sha'ara'diin swoops into his best formal bow, before seating himself.


Tillip stands away from the other directors, near the podium, looking over
sheets and sheets of his own material. His grey suit is immaculate and
freshly pressed. The little nobs, bells and whistles on his device are
sparkly and new.

Fredhrick sits alone at the Corrino table, his guards having taken up
positions around the perimeter of the hall.

Cesare rises from his seat and bows as best he acan to the Emperor.


Tillip walks slowly up to the podium and grips its sides like a religious
prelate about to homilise. He stares solemnly at each individual shareholder
present, And then folds his hands neatly together on the podium face. The
magnification enhancer amplifies his already extremely loud breathing. He
says, "If there are no objections, I'd like to get things started."

Cesare looks up at Tillip, closing his notebook and nodding in agreement.

Tillip continues, not really waiting for permission, in his deep metallic
baritone voice, "The reports will top our agenda. The usual order of
protocal is to have the Directors report on what they have decided, but our
destinguished guest ..." He says with a raised eyebrow, "Is His Most Sublime
and Imperial Majesty. If it pleases His Majesty, perhaps he'd like to share
a few words with us on some recent decisions relevant to our undertakings?"

Fredhrick's lips form into a political smile. "One needn't walk around the
planet to get across the hallway, Legate." Slowly, the man stands from his
seat behind the table. "As you are all aware, the Arrakis contract has
expired. Yes, we see in all your eyes that you wish to know of this. Our
decision has been made. House Moritani will retain the Spice contract for
another term."

Tillip replies in his usual monotone, looking straight at the Emperor, "Does
this conclude His Majesty's words to us, sire?" The Legate hawkishly grips
the sides of the podium and leans a little forward.

Cesare sighs in slight relief, and flashes the Emperor a grateful smile.

Sha'ara'diin's head falls into a subtle nod, his expression remains calm,
although a slight bit of tension plays about the corners of his lips.

"We have nothing further at this time, Guildsman." Returning to his seat,
the Emperor supplies Cesare with a smile of his own.

Nadira walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

Nadira calmly takes a seat for those who wish to watch the proceedings, with
little to-do.

Iason walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

Marius walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

"In which case, My Most Sublime Majesty, the Guild and CHOAM wish to thank
you and all others in advance for brevity. We understand how busy we all
are, and his Majesty must be infinately busier than are we." The Legate then
looks about the room slowly, and says, "Very well. After His Mjaesty's
report that Moritani will keep Arrakis, we now proceede to the director's
meeting. Lord Moritani will report on the Director's first vote."

Nils, as seems usual of late, seems to pay but little attention to his
surroundings. The mention of the Arrakis contract seems barely to reach his
ears. He reaches for his copy of the agenda and begins to fold it absently.

Iason silently finds his seat in the ATreides pew.

Sha'ara'diin's glance shifts as the Atreides diplomat arrives with retinue.
He achieves an unreadable expression, myriad shades of blue shifting through
the storms of his eyes.

Cesare rises from his seat, clearing his throat and looking out at the
audience. After a few seconds of careful crowdgazing, the Count addresses
the assembled from the Directoral Dias, "CHOAM Shareholders, the first
Contract up for contention was that of Chusuk, the holder responsible for
the manufacturing of balisets and other musical instruments from the famed
world. The Alvstad have held this contract and managed to bring profit after
it was so aggregiously mismanaged in the periods past, and this period past
saw a surpassing of the average profit, and recovering from a slight slump
last period, increasing the profit more than 3000 solaris, no mean task to
be certain. The Directors do hereby announce their consent to bestow said
contract upon the Alvstad for another term of eight years. May they continue
to bring it to new heights of prosperity."

Cesare adds before taking his seat once more, "Thus concludes my report,
along with a personal congratulatory note to the Alvstad. They have handled
the Chusuk contract admirably, and deserve to retain it."

Tillip grips the podium anew and thanks Cesare in a dry even tone. He takes
a few gulps of air, and then begins to address the people, "Now, if anyone
wishes to put forward a motion to vote on this directoral decision, I will
entertain it ..." He waits a few moments to see if anyone will.

Tillip formally adds, as if intoning a mantra or chant, "if there be any
present here who know any lawful impedemtn why Alvstad should not retain
this contract let him speak now or foreever hold his peace."

Nils starts slightly at every mention of the Alvstad name, but makes no
other response to the mention of the contract. He continues to fold his
agenda into a vague crinkly shape.

Sha'ara'diin holds his peace, he, at least, seems to have no wish to protest
the decision.

Tillip nods, and closes his eyes a few moments. He mumbles something,
sounding perhaps like 'bottom line' but its not clear. He opes his eyes and
peers forth, his breathing staggered and difficult, "And so we move now to
Neros." He narrows his eyes, "I shall give this report ..." There is a short
pause, "personally."


Valentina walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

Praxton walks in from Lobby through the Gilded Arches.

Iason sits silently in the Atreides Pew with Marius.

Tillip takes a deep ragged breath and looks about the room, "This was the
most contentious and laborious of votes. It is the only one I know of where
The Guild intervened. Why we did so I will tell you in due time. As First
Director I asked the other directors if they wanted to stay the course with
the status quo or if they wished to hand over Neros to another. The first
vote we held on the matter ..." He pauses and specifically looks at Atreides
and Bajazet.

"Was a tie" the Guild Legate finishes deadpan. He places his hand to his
chest, and continues, "Indeed, I was prepared to send this on to you for
final decision when a revote was demanded. After putting it to the Directors
one more time the result was very firmly in one direction ..." Again the
Legate pauses dramatically and looks at Bajazet and Atreides.

Sha'ara'diin allows no emotion to show, standing rather, like a statue
careved of ice.

"In favour of the status quo." The Legate again finishes deadpan. He
continues wil his palms flat on the table, "We, the Guild, felt very
strongly that Bajazet made the best most thought out case, and we have the
numbers we crunched to prove it. My aides, " he says pointing out some
blackrobed Guildsmen coming around to various tables, "shall provide you
with that economic data. There is one thing I wish to add in conclusion ..."

Nils finishes folding his agenda into the shape of a serviceable seagull. He
makes it dance around the directors' table and hums a quiet tune.

"When we enter this room here, we lay aside our differences and our petty
politics and consider one thing." he lifts his eyes up and places his hand
back on his breast over his heart. He says, "We consdier only the bottom
line of Choam. What will we do for the profit margin? That is our concern.
Now" He takes a deep breath, "Is there anyone here who wishes to contest the
director's decision?" He adds solemnly, "be there anyone here who knows of a
just impedement why Bajazet shall not keep this contract let him speak now
or forveer hold his peace."

Nadira continues to quietly watch the proceedings, her gaze thoughtful.

Face set and composed, Praxton shakes his head slightly.

Cesare looks to Sha'aradiin, smiling slightly, a proud smirk on his
aristocratic face.

Tillip rests his right hand on the symbol of CHOAM on the podium and says,
"So be it." All the Guild Agents bow their heads solemnly, as does Tillip.
When he raises his head, he takes a deep breath and says, "Any old
business?"

 A slight exhalation of breath, carried upon the wind, is the only sign of
relief Sha'ara'diin outwardly allows. His glance drifts to the Director's
table, one elegant brow arching slightly as the Viscount's origami puppets
draw his attention. After a moment, he returns the Count's smile, relief
finaly flooding into the tempests of his eyes.

Cesare folds his hands on the table, slowly shaking his head . . . Nope, no
business from him.

Cesare rises from his seat and proclaims loudly, "If there is no business, I
move that we adjourn, to reconvene once the next economic period has run its
course and the Directors voted on the contracts up for contention at that
time."

Tillip nods, "A motion to adjourn is on the floor. Do I have a second?"

Sha'ara'diin rises slightly from his chair, his palms pressed flat on the
table in front of him. "I will second the motion."

Tillip nods at Sha'ara;diin and then says, "Moved and seconded. All in
favour say aye"

Cesare votes, "Aye.'

You say, "Aye."

Praxton shows his palm, saying, "Aye."

Sha'ara'diin intones. "Aye."

Tillip asks, "All opposed?"

Tillip slaps the podium soundly and says, "I Tillip Soreen, First Legate of
the Guild to Kaitain, and Acting First Director of CHOAM hereby do hold this
meeting of the Shareholders in adjournment. So ordered."

Nadira watches with a neutral expression, seeming uninclined to show any
opinion on any of the matters discussed. She is actually in the formal robes
of a Bene Gesserit, and rises along with the other observers as the chambers
convene.

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===============

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