"Well, I don't know what this sheet is all about." She glanced up. "These companies aren't part of our buys."
"Got news for you. I think they just made the team." I pointed to the heading. "See that—'ACQUISITION SCHEDULE: REVISIONS.'"
When she said nothing, nada, I continued, "But you're right; they weren't on the original list. The reason being, I would surmise, that they didn't need any of this so-called management Rx you guys are supposed to be cooking up. Look at that one, and that one. Even I know enough to realize those outfits are operating with a real cash surplus right now, have plenty of R&D funding already, and hence are doing just fine, thank you. The figures, in fact, are right over there in that column on the right."
"Matt, we don't know what this is for."
"True, true. So let's just play pretend. And to make it fun, let me show you something else." I rummaged through my briefcase some more, finally extracting another paper. "I copied a corresponding page from the file on current buys."
I laid it alongside the first.
She picked up the second sheet, checked it over. "I helped compile this list."
"Then maybe you'll see what I'm saying? Format's the same. The only difference is, some of the dogs have been dropped and replaced by some very well run corporations."
"You're right about that. All high-tech, heavy research investment."
Progress? The first scale to fall from her eyes?