Michael sighed.
"I think they need to understand what happened."
Rachel smiled.
"They will."
A knock came at the door.
Lucas entered.
He looked terrified.
"Mr. Harrison?"
Michael turned.
"What?"
"I wanted to apologize."
Rachel looked at him.
Lucas swallowed.
"I shouldn't have said what I said."
"No."
"I was wrong."
Rachel nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas looked down.
"I thought you were someone who didn't belong here."
Rachel studied him.
"And now?"
"Now I know you're the owner."
Rachel leaned back.
"That's not what I asked."
Lucas looked confused.
She continued.
"Would you have treated me differently if I weren't?"
He couldn't answer.
Rachel nodded.
"That's the problem."
Michael looked at Lucas.
"Leave us."
Lucas turned toward the door.
Rachel stopped him.
"Lucas."
He turned.
"Yes?"
"I'm not going to fire you."
His eyes widened.
"But I am going to ask you to do something."
"What?"
"Remember how you felt standing in this office."
Lucas nodded slowly.
"Then remember it the next time someone walks through those doors wearing a coat like mine."
Lucas left.
Michael looked at Rachel.
"You really aren't going to fire him."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because firing him won't fix what taught him to behave that way."
Michael was silent.
Rachel stood.
"Let's go to the board meeting."
The Boardroom
The boardroom was filled with twelve executives.
Every person at the table had expensive clothes.
Every person had a title.
Every person had an opinion.
Rachel entered quietly.
The chairman stood.
"Ms. Morgan."
She nodded.
"Please sit."
Rachel took the seat at the head of the table.
That surprised several people.
One executive whispered:
"That's her seat?"
Michael answered:
"Yes."
Rachel opened a folder.
"I've reviewed the hotel's performance."
The CFO began presenting financial numbers.
Revenue was up.
Occupancy was up.
Luxury bookings were up.
Everyone seemed pleased.
Rachel listened.
Then she asked:
"What about employee turnover?"
The CFO paused.
"Moderate."
"What's the number?"
"Twenty-three percent."
Rachel looked at him.
"That's not moderate."
He shifted.
"What about guest complaints?"
"Within industry standards."
Rachel opened another folder.
"Forty-seven complaints about discriminatory treatment."
The room became quiet.
The CFO looked uncomfortable.
"Those were investigated."
"By whom?"
"Hotel management."
Rachel looked at Michael.
"Did you investigate them?"
"Some."
"Some?"