[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
."Florentyna realized that it would take a considerable time to recover from the blow inflicted by her father.She wondered how it was still possible to love him and to hate him at the same time.She tried to concentrate on her fast-growing empire and to put the thought of never seeing her father again out of her mind.Another blow, not as personal, but every bit as tragic for Florentyna, was delivered on November 22, 1963.Richard called her from the bank, something he had never done before, to tell her that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas.20FLORENTYNA'S NEWLY ACQUIRED ITALIAN DESIGNER, Gianni di Ferranti, had come up with the idea of putting a small entwined double F on the collar or hem of all his garments.It looked most impressive and only enhanced the company's reputation.Although Gianni was the first to admit that it was nothing more than a copy of an idea that Yves Saint-Laurent had used, nevertheless it worked.Florentyria found time to fly to Los Angeles to look over a property that was up for sale on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.Once she had seen it, she told Richard she had plans for a seventh Florentyna's.He said he would need to study the figures carefully before he could advise her if she should take up the lease that was offered, but he was under such pressure at the bank that it might have to wait a few days.Not for the first time Florentyna felt the need of a partner or at least a financial director, now that Richard was so overworked.She would have liked to ask him to join her, but she felt diffident about suggesting it."You'll have to put an advertisement in the Chronicle and see how many replies you get," said Richard."I'll help you screen them and we can interview the short list together." Florentyna followed Richard's instructions and within days the letters flooded in from bankers, lawyers and accountants, all of whom showed considerable interest in the appointment.Richard helped Florentyna sift through the replies.Halfway through the evening he paused over a particular letter and said: "I'm crazy." "I know, my darling, that's why I married you." "We've wasted four hundred dollars." 188The Past: 1934 -1968 189"Why? You felt sure the advertisement would turn out to be an investment." Richard handed her the letter he had been reading."Seems %kell qualified," said Florentyna, after she had read it through."And since he's at the Bank of America, you must have your own opinion as to whether he's suitable to be my financial director." "Undoubtedly.But who do you imagine will fill his position if he leaves the bank to join you?" "I've no idea." "Well, since he's my immediate superior, it might be me," said Richard.Florentyria burst out laughing."And to think I didn't have the courage to ask you.Still, I consider it four hundred dollars well spent-- partner." Richard Kane left the Bank of America four weeks later and joined his wife as a 50 percent partner and the financial director of Florentyna Inc.of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.Another election went by.Florentyna didn't become involved because she was so over-worked with her expanding empire.She admitted to Richard that she couldn't trust Johnson and despised Goldwater.Richard put a bumper sticker on their car, and Florentyna immediately tore it off:Au + H,O = 1%4They agreed not to discuss the subject again, although Florentyna did gloat over the Democratic landslide that followed in November.During the next year, only their two children grew more quickly than the company, and on their son's fifth birthday they opened two more Florentyria's: in Chicago and Boston.Richard remained cautious about the speed at which the shops were springing up, but Florentyna's pace never faltered.With so many new customers wanting to wear Gianni di Ferranti's clothes, she spent most of her spare time combing cities for prime sites.By 1966 there was only one important city that did not boast a Florentyna's.She realized it might be years before a site fell vacant on the only avenue fit for the Florentyna's of New York.21"YOU'RE A STUBBORN OLD FOOL, ABEL." "I know, but I can't turn the clock back now." "Well, I can tell you, nothing's going to stop me from accepting the invitation." Abel looked up from his bed.He had hardly left the penthouse since his bout with pneumonia six months before.After he had returned from an extensive trip to Poland, George was almost his only contact with the outside world.Abel knew that his oldest friend was right and he had to admit that it was tempting.He wondered if Kane would be going.He found himself hoping so, but he doubted it.The man was every bit as stubborn as he was.George voiced Abel's thoughts: I bet William Kane will be there.Abel made no comment."Do you have the final rundown on Warsaw?" "Yes," George said sharply, angry that Abel had changed the subject."All the agreements are signed and John Gronowski couldn't have been more cooperative." John Gronowski.The first Polish ambassador to Warsaw, reflected Abel.He would never recoverfrom.* ' "Your trip to Poland last year has achieved everything you could have hoped for.You will live to open the Warsaw Baron." I always wanted Florentyna to open it," said Abel quietly."Then invite her, but don't expect any sympathy from me.All you have to do is acknowledge Richard's existence.And even you must have woken up to the fact that their marriage 190The Past: 1934 - 1968 191is a success -- -otherwise that wouldn't be on the mantelpiece." George pointed to the unanswered invitation.Everyone in New York seemed to be there when, on March 4, 1967.Flonmtyna Kane opened her new boutique, on Fifth Avenue.Florcntyna, wearing a green dress that had been specially designed for her with the now famous double F on the high collar, stood near the entrance of the shop greeting her guests and offering them a glass of champagne.Katherine Kane, accompanied by her daughter Lucy, was among the first to arrive, and vtry quickly the floor was crowded with people whom Florentyna either knew very well or had never seen before.George Novak arrived a little later and delighted Flo- rentyna by hi~.first request-to be introduced to the Kanes."Will Mr.Rosnovski be coming later?" Lucy asked innocently."I'm afraid not," said George.A told him that he was a stubborn old fool to miss such a good party.Is Mr.Kane here?" "No, he's not been well lately and rarely leaves the house nowadays," said Kate, and she then confided to George a piece of news that delighted him."How is nty father?" Florentyna whispered into George's ear."Not well.I left him in bed in the penthouse.Perhaps when he hears that tonight you're going to." "Perhaps,"' said Florentyna.She then took Kate by the arm and introduced her to Zaphia.For a moment, neither of the two ladies 9poke.Then Zaphia said, "It's wonderful to meet you at last.Is your husband with you?" The room became so crowded that it was almost impossible to move, anti the ringing laughter and chatter left Florentyna in no doubt that the opening was going extremely well.But now she had only one thing on her mind: dinner that evening [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

listy-do-eda.opx.pl