Monday Morning At Bensons

Narrator Peter and Sheila had a pretty miserable weekend. Diana stayed with them until Arnold eventually came home on Sunday afternoon. She was very depressed. So was Andrew, who refused to say anything about the car crash. He spent most of the weekend listening to pop music in his bedroom... It's now Monday morning. Arnold and Peter are having a meeting in Peter's office...

Peter... Absolutely! I couldn't agree more...

Arnold Your new secretary's very nice, Peter.

Peter Yes, she is. She's got a fantastic C.V. and she knows word processing backwards.

Arnold You know, I think I've met her somewhere before. But I can't place her...

Peter She's only been in England for a few weeks. Before that, she was in Canada.

Arnold Hmm... It's funny... Her face rings a bell.

Peter Anyway, let's get back to your trip. What about the deal with Superbooks?

Arnold I've got an agreement here. It's ready for your signature... if you're happy with it

Peter Let's have a took... ahem, aha... very good, Arnold.

Arnold It's not bad... First, we fixed the retail price for each book...

Peter Yes, and they've agreed a wholesale price of retail minus 30%...Excellent!

Arnold Before you get too enthusiastic, you should read the small print... Here.

Peter So, they want 10% of Benson's shares as part of the deal.

Arnold That's it.

Peter It's not on, Arnold. The family must keep control of the company.

Arnold We've got 60% of the shares between us. Try offering them 5%. I think they'll accept.

Peter OK. 5%, but no more. We want the contract, but not enough to risk losing control of the company.

Arnold I'll send Dan Harvey a telex. I'm sure they'll agree.

Peter let's hope so...

Arnold I'll get the telex off right away.

Peter No, wait a sec.... There's something I want to ask you. Something personal.

Arnold I can guess what it is, but...

Peter What's going on, Arnold? First you disappear for almost a week without so much as a word to Di...

Arnold I don't think my marriage is...

Peter Let me finish... Then you leave her high and dry over the weekend...

Arnold I don't think my marriage is any of your business, Peter.

Peter Damn it, Arnold. She is my sister... What's going on?

Arnold I prefer not to talk about it just now. Excuse me, Peter. I'll send the telex.

Narrator Arnold has certainly been acting very strangely in his private life. But on the business front he's doing rather well, isn't he?

Episode 6

Peter's New Secretary

Narrator Peter's new secretary is called Angela Marriot. She's 29 years old, blond, about five foot eight inches in height and looks very athletic... As Peter told Arnold, she has an excellent curriculum vitae... In short, she's a very talented and attractive young woman.

Peter Come in.

Angela I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr Benson.

Peter No problem. There's no need to knock unless I have a visitor. What can I do for you?

Angela A telex has just come in from Dan Harvey. I thought you should see it straight away.

Peter Thanks... Hmm... Great! They agree our offer of 5%, and Mr Harvey wants to come over this weekend to sign the agreement.

Angela He asks if we can book a hotel for him.

Peter Yes. Try the Wellington. Americans like it for some reason...

Angela And if they're fully booked?

Peter I doubt if they are. But if they don't have a room, try the Pinner Park.

Angela Right. What about meeting him at Heathrow? I'll pick him up if you wish.

Peter No. We'd better leave that to Arnold Watson. I'll ask him now.

Arnold Watson.

Peter Arnold. We've just got a telex from Superbooks. You were right. They've agreed to accept 5% of our shares...

Arnold That's a relief!

Peter Dan Harvey's coming over on Saturday. Can you look after him?

Arnold Yes, of course. Saturday's OK, but I'm tied up on Sunday.

Peter Don't worry, I'll take care of him on Sunday.

Arnold Take him to the Dog and Bone. He'll like that.

Peter Good idea. Thanks. See you later.

Angela The Dog and Bone?

Peter It's an old country pub about ten miles from here. They do an excellent Sunday lunch.

Narrator So, Angela telexed Dan Harvey to say that he would be met at the airport by Arnold Watson.

Episode 7

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