Clint is at the country club when he runs into Quincy Johnson, one of The Banner's star reporters, waiting at the club's bar.

Clint: Hey, Quincy. How you doin'?
Quincy: Oh, Clint, hey. I'm fine. You?
Clint: Good. Good. Hot date tonight?
Quincy: No, no, I'm just meeting someone. Possible story.
Clint: Mm. Good. Well, oh, listen, before I forget, I've got an idea for you -- a follow-up for that, uh, Philadelphia gang piece. See me at 9:00 tomorrow.
Quincy: 9. You got it.
Clint: Okay. Good night.
Quincy: Good night, Clint.

Soon after Clint leaves, Todd arrives and heads to the bar to see Quincy.

Todd: Quincy Johnson? Todd Manning. (he shakes Quincy's hand)
Quincy: Yeah, Mr. Manning. I recognized you. So, what kind of story you got?
Todd: What do you mean?
Quincy: A guy like you calls a reporter, he usually wants to plant a story, and obviously it's something you know you can't plant in The Intruder, so, let's get right to it, okay?
Todd: Fine. (he takes a seat at the bar next to Quincy) I'm changing The Intruder around totally. It's not even gonna be called The Intruder anymore.
Quincy: Good.
Todd: It's going to be called The Sun. And it's going to be top-notch -- I need the best people working there. I've read your stuff at The Banner, and I want you.
Quincy: Excuse me?
Todd: I mean it. You've got the right kind of edge to the stuff that you write. Kind of hip-hop, kind of in-your-face. I like that. So here's the deal -- you come work for me, and I'll make you a senior editor at The Sun, and I'll double your salary from The Banner.

Quincy, clearly surprised by the generous terms of the offer, takes a sip of his drink.

--end scene--

Todd: It's a legit offer, Quincy. I'm gonna turn The Sun into a powerhouse, and I want you on board. So what do you say?
Quincy: Well, Mr. Manning, I'm gonna have to think about it.
Todd: Fine. But, trust me, The Banner's not going to match my offer. And think fast, because I'm moving fast. (to the bartender) Can I get the check?

As Todd pays the bill, Quincy leaves the bar.

--end scene--

The next morning, Todd has just arrived at the Palace restaurant for breakfast when he spots the Buchanan men -- Asa, Clint, Cord and Kevin -- sitting at a nearby table. He stops by to address them, while Renee hovers anxiously nearby.

Todd: Power breakfast time all around, I guess. Asa, how's it hanging? I guess your family and mine are going to do business together, huh?
Asa: What the hell are you talking about?
Todd: Well, first you sell me my building, then your wife sells me and Blair her old penthouse. Two good deals in a row.

As Todd well knows, Alex didn't tell Asa about the penthouse deal, so this is coming as news to the Buchanans. Clint and Cord (who have just been getting after Asa for Alex's recent behavior) give Asa some meaningful looks.

Todd: Oh, gee, I'm sorry. Didn't she tell you?

Todd smiles smugly.

--end scene--

Todd: Asa, I am surprised that Alex would keep a secret like that from you! I mean, Blair and I paid a lot of money for that apartment. I would have thought she would have come home crowing about how she pulled off some big coup.
Cord: All right, Manning, you made your point. Now take a walk.
Renee: Todd, I have a wonderful table right over here.
Todd: What, by the kitchen? I don't think so. There's one over there by the terrace -- it's more my style.
Kevin: Or better yet, why not just outside?
Todd: (fake laugh) You're so witty. Why don't you ask your daddy here if you can write the witty column for his newspaper?
Clint: How's your paper doing, Manning? I didn't see it on the newsstand this morning.
Todd: Yeah, well, it's shut down. Complete overhaul. Trust me, you'll see it but good in a few days. It's gonna be called The Sun.
Kevin: What, are we, uh, supposed to get all fraidy-scared about that? (chuckling)
Todd: You can laugh all you want right now. This time next week, The Banner's gonna be lookin' over its shoulder.

Todd turns to Cord.

Todd: Oh, and, uh, when Blair gets her business off the ground, we're gonna give Serenity Springs a run for its mud, too.
Cord: (amused) Well, as long as you play fair, we'll take our chances.
Todd: Oh, what, "fair"? What? Like you and the Holdens blaming Blair for Luna's little trip to the hospital?
Cord: I never blamed Blair.
Todd: Gee. That must have been a first.
Renee: Todd, come on...

Finally, Renee manages to steer Todd over to the terrace table.

Kevin: Regular sweetheart, isn't he?
Clint: I reckon Alex forgot to tell you about, uh, who she sold the penthouse to, Pa.

Though it's obvious that Asa is fuming over the news that T&B bought his penthouse, he also doesn't want to give his family yet another reason to tear into Alex the way they have been doing all morning.

Asa: She's not on parole -- she doesn't have to report in.
Kevin: Aw, come on, Grandpa --
Asa: (yelling) It's her place! I expect her to sell it to the highest bidder.
Clint: Even Mr. and Mrs. Todd Manning?
Kevin: She could have sold it to anybody, Grandpa! To -- selling it to them is a slap in your face!
Cord: What bothers me is that she kept it from you, Asa.
Clint: Pa, it's like we've been telling you -- you gotta take the bull by the horns and do something.
Asa: You're damn right. I'm gonna do something. I'm gonna go home so I don't have to listen to my own flesh and blood turn me against my own wife!

Asa storms out of the restaurant.

--end scene--

Later, after the Buchanan breakfast has ended, Clint and Kevin get up to leave when they notice Quincy, The Banner's star reporter, arrive at The Palace.

Kevin: Uh-oh! Looks like, uh, Quincy caught us playing hooky, Dad.
Clint: Oh, Quincy, we were just on our way back to The Banner.
Quincy: I thought it might be easier to talk to you here, Clint.
Kevin: Eh, it sounds kind of serious -- I'll let you guys talk.
Quincy: No, Kevin, you should probably hear this. The thing is, Clint, I've been offered a job -- a really tempting opportunity from a brand-new paper.
Clint: Really? Well, I can't say I'm surprised -- your work at The Banner has been first-rate. Uh, just where is this new paper?
Quincy: Headquarter's right here in Llanview -- it's The Sun. Used to be called The Intruder, but the new publisher's changing the name. I mean, changing everything about it.
Kevin: What do you mean, "the new publisher"? You're talking about Todd Manning!
Clint: Easy, easy, easy. Now, Todd Manning is trying to steal one of my best reporters, and it just shows that he's got better taste than I thought he had. What's he offering you, Quincy?
Quincy: Twice what I'm making at The Banner. Plus, I'd be an editor, and I'd have my own weekly column.
Clint: I can't match a package like that.
Quincy: I didn't think so.
Clint: You know how we do things at The Banner. You know how we run things there. I mean, it's a stable, fair-pay structure. And if I were to let myself get drawn into some kind of a salary war, playing with numbers like that -- I just can't do it, Quincy.
Quincy: Yeah, I know. That's why I have to give Todd's offer serious consideration.

Clint looks over at Todd's table, where Todd makes a show of hiding behind his menu while trying to pretend he's not listening to every word.

--end scene--

Clint: I don't know else to put it, Quincy. You've got a bright future at The Banner.
Quincy: Todd seems to think my future is now.
Kevin: Todd says a lot of things, Quincy, but that doesn't make --

Now, Clint totally loses his temper.

Clint: I gave you your first break!
Quincy: And I'm grateful for that!
Clint: I'm not looking for "grateful"! What I want is for you to invest in us the way we invested in you. Now, you do that, and you'll get a promotion as soon as I've got an opening.
Quincy: When will that be, Clint?
Clint: I can't say for sure. It might be six months. It might be a year. But I do know this -- loyalty is worth more than money in the newspaper business. Now, The Banner is here, and The Banner is going to stay here. Can you say that much for Todd Manning and his new little toy?
Quincy: I hear you, Clint. I'll think it over. But you should know that I'm not the only one from The Banner who's been talking to Manning.

Quincy leaves, and Kevin turns to Clint in a fury.

Kevin: I just can't believe this guy! He is trying to raid all our best people!
Clint: Nobody said that Todd Manning was stupid.
Kevin: Yeah. Well, I can think of another name for him.
Clint: Hey, easy, easy.
Kevin: I can't just let him get away with this, Dad! He practically wrecked my life! He didn't hesitate to drag me down! I'll be damned if I'm gonna let him wreck my family!

They both turn to look at Todd, who is now smiling and chatting with Quincy.

--end scene--

When the scene returns, Quincy says goodbye to Todd and leaves. And Clint has also left, which means Kevin has no one to stop him from going over to confront Todd, who is back at his table munching on his breakfast.

Kevin: Pretty proud of yourself, aren't ya'?
Todd: Hello, Kev. Have a seat. You know, they gave me way too many bran muffins this morning. (shrug) That's the story of my life lately. (he holds up a muffin) Here, you want one?
Kevin: You know, Todd, I don't blame you for enjoying your money or all the things your money can buy.
Todd: Oh, gee, thanks, Kev. I don't blame you for having your mother's money either. (he again tries to offer Kevin a muffin) No, really, have one. The bran -- they're delish.
Kevin: It's just that when you start using it to lure away loyal staff from The Banner --
Todd: (putting the muffin back down) No, I'm not trying to "lure" anyone, okay? I made Quincy an offer. If The Banner wants to match it, fine. This is just business. Don't take it personally.
Kevin: Well, I do take it personally, because I know you do! All this talk about starting some new kind of newspaper -- I know what's really going on here!
Todd: (wryly) Breakfast?
Kevin: Revenge. You want to take us on in a fair fight? Fine. Anytime. But you start using guys like Quincy, I'm not gonna like it.
Todd: I am not using anyone. I'm giving him a ton of money and a promotion.

Kevin leans on the table and gets right up close to Todd's face.

Kevin: Oh, yeah? Well, what happens when your paper goes belly-up? Which it will. What happens to all the guys like Quincy -- all the other reporters that you managed to steal?
Todd: You see, I didn't steal anybody. I can't steal someone because you don't own them. You know something, Kevin? I think you and your family have had the plantation so long, you're starting to think that the slaves love you. Well, they don't. They have their own lives, their own aspirations.
Kevin: Oh yeah? (sneering) What are you, their friend?
Todd: No, I'm not anybody's friend. I'm just some guy that can give them a ton of money. Look, I may not have a lot of experience, but I know that if you hire the right people and you give them some room, they are gonna give you the best paper that money can buy.
Kevin: Yeah? You just don't get it, do you, Todd? Money cannot buy loyalty. It can't buy talent. It can't buy success. But, then again, I don't know why I would expect you to know that. I mean, you were too stupid to pass half your classes at Llanview U. How are you going to run a newspaper, Todd?

Todd's had enough. He jumps up from the table and grabs Kevin by his jacket.

Todd: You don't talk to me like that!
Kevin: I'll talk to you any way I want!

Kevin pushes Todd back and it looks like a fist-fight is going to break out...

--end scene--

Renee runs over and tries to interrupt Todd and Kevin's fight before it gets even more out of hand.

Renee: Do you mind?? I am trying to run a restaurant here!

Todd and Kevin reluctantly seperate.

Todd: (to Renee) Why don't you tell your ex-grandson here? He forgot his manners.
Kevin: Oh yeah? What, are you going to teach me?
Todd: (threateningly) Why not?
Renee: Not here you don't. (handing a letter to Todd) Todd, a messenger just brought this for you. Now, please, sit down and read it, and if you can't do that, leave.
Todd: (snatching the letter from her) You don't give me orders, lady.
Renee: This is my hotel. I make the rules. Understood?
Todd: Oh yeah, no, I understand. Even the ex-Buchanans -- you all think that you're better than the rest of us.
Renee: No one claims to be better than anyone else. The same rules apply to Kevin. Kevin?
Kevin: You're right, Renee. I'm sorry. This is not the time or the place to settle anything, but we are gonna settle it, Todd. You can count on that.
Renee: (to Kevin) Thank you.

Renee and Kevin leave.

Todd: (yelling after them) Fine! Maybe I'll buy this fleabag hotel! Then I can decide who's welcome and who's not!

Todd angrily sits back in his chair and tears the letter open.

Todd: (reading) "Todd, it's vital I see you. I'll meet you at your penthouse at noon. Viki."

Todd looks intrigued.

Todd: (to himself) Vital? Sis! What do you want from me now?

--end transcript--