Martin: How was the vacation?
Theo: Good. The weather was perfect and your mother made sure her credit card was gainfully employed.
Martin: The timing couldn't have been better. While you were away, I got clearance about that bonus I suggested to you for pulling off that merger with a rival firm. It's all approved. All you have to do is go down to Mel Cooper in finance as she has the paperwork ready. I sorted it out with her while you were away.
Theo: Thanks son. It will save me having to dig into our savings to pay for the profligate spending we undertook.
He goes down to Mel and signs the document to confirm the bonus to be paid to his bank account. Shortly later, the board has a meeting and one of the directors, Douglas, speaks up.
Douglas: It has come to my attention that a generous bonus was paid to you Theo. What was the reason?
Theo: For the merger I pulled off.
Douglas: Martin put that forward at the meeting while you were on vacation and it was being considered, but not given the green light.
Theo: Martin, tell them.
Martin: It's true what Douglas says. It was never signed off.
Theo: Then why was the document ready at the Finances Department?
Martin: Perhaps Douglas and I can have a chat with Mel. I'm sure this can all be cleared up.
Theo: It better had be.
They have a recess and the two, Martin and Douglas, go and talk with Mel.
Mel: Theo got me to write it up, saying it was agreed to by the board. I suggested that I needed to get someone above my position to action it, but he said there was no need for that and asked if I was doubting him? I felt it wasn't for me to challenge the company director, so I processed it.
They return to the boardroom and the information is relayed to the board.
Douglas: Clearly, our system that allows the company director to authorise a bonus is flawed and must be tightened. I thought you'd not be so unprofessional as to do such a thing, Theo.
Theo stares at Martin, then turns to the board members.
Theo: So what happens now?
Douglas: We will call a special meeting where all the evidence will be presented. If you are found guilty, we will have you removed from your position on the board.
Theo stands up: I intend to clear my name, and walks out.
Theo cannot prove he didn't do as accused. Mel's testimony of being pressured is confirmed by a witness, Ian Hall, who claimed he was close enough to see and hear what took place. On the word of the two, Theo is removed as company director. His son is praised as the whistler blower and putting the company before family interests. He is promoted to his father's position as the company director.
Shortly after, both Mel and Ian are given promotions by Martin within the company as a reward for their false testimonies. The three go out to celebrate, Martin is the one wearing the tie.
Theo goes home to his wife, Gladys, and explains how their son has set him up so that he can take the reins at the company.
Gladys: Well, that's him off our Christmas card list. I can't believe he would do that. It was coming to him one day anyway.
Theo: I'm not finished with this. I'll go out with honour, not in shame.
Gladys: What can you do, Theo? Martin got two witnesses to back up his sculduggery.
Theo: There is one angle I can try. I didn't do anything about it before to protect our family's reputation, but now it's gloves off.
Theo had always suspected Martin of having more than a working relationship with Mel but chose to ignore his suspicions for the family. Now he decides to employ a private detective to see what he can dig up. It takes a little while, but one day he calls Theo.
PI: I've got some photos you may want to see.
They meet up, and the photos are damning. Theo's suspicions were correct. It's not illegal what Martin did, but the evidence clearly points to a romantic relationship with Mel. Theo reasons that the way he's been betrayed by his son, he is simply returning serve. Theo then arranges to meet Martin's wife and his daughter in law, Margaret, at a nice restaurant with a private table.
Margaret: I'm surprised you wanted to see me after the scandal at your business.
Theo: Do you want to order first or should I get to the point?
Margaret: Tell me why you invited me, and depending on the outcome, I may or may not order something.
Theo pulls out a large envelope from a briefcase and places it in front of Margaret. She looks at Theo, then opens the envelope. She is confronted by its contents, her jaw drops slightly. She looks back at Theo.
Margaret: How did you get these?
Theo: I suspected Martin for some time, but decided to find out for certain. He cheated me and he's cheating on you.
Margaret stares at Theo: What do you want?
Theo: A full confession from you that Martin set up my dismissal. You must have talked about it.
Margaret looks away with pain etched on her face: You'll get the confession and then Martin can get the divorce papers.
Theo: Thank you.
Margaret: Don't thank me. I'm doing it for myself, not you. She gets up and walks off, her appetite having subsided.
Theo then contacts the board and leaves it to them to sort out Martin and his two accomplices. They are promptly fired from the company, but no legal action is taken to avoid unwanted publicity.
Theo declines an invitation to return to the board. He instead decides to stay retired and enjoy quality time with his wife, Gladys, in the twilight of his life. Had he done it earlier, Martin would have succeeded him. But at least his cheating ways were exposed. The company is better off without him.
Martin and Mel never did get together. Martin moved to the other side of the country to start anew, now as a much poorer divorcee. Mel disappeared under the radar, her whereabouts unknown. Theo and Gladys are happy spending time together.
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