"I won't take a moment, sir." Scott actually took several sec- onds to make sure his question would be formed accurately. He probably only had one chance. "We have been researching an article on fraudulent investment practices on the part of various banks; some fall out from the S&L mess." He paused for effect. "At any rate, we have received information that accuses First State of defrauding it's investors. In particular, we have records that show a complicated set of financial maneuvers that are designed to drain hundreds of millions of dollars from the assets of First State. Do you have any comment?" Total silence. The quality of fiber phone lines made the silence all the more deafening. "If you would like some specifics, sir, I can provide them to you," Scott said adding salt to the wound. "In many cases, sir, you are named as the person responsible for these activities. We have the documents and witnesses. Again, we would like a comment before we go to print." Again Scott was met with silence. Last try. "Lastly, Mr. MacMillan, we have evidence that your bank's comput- ers have been invaded by hackers who can alter the financial posture of First State. If I may say so, the evidence is quite damning." Scott decided not to ask for a comment directly. The question was no longer rhetorical, it was implicit. If feelings could be transmitted over phone wires, Scott heard MacMillan's nerve endings commence a primal scream. The phone explosively hung up on Scott. * * * * * Thursday, December 3 First State Bank, New York Francis MacMillan, President of First State Savings and Loan, bellowed at the top of his lungs. Three Vice Presidents were in his office before 7:00 A.M. "Who the fuck's in charge of making sure the damned computers are safe?" The V.P. of Data processing replied. "It's Jeanne Fineman, sir." "Fire him." "Jeanne is a woman . . ." "Fire them both. I want them out of here in 10 minutes." McMil- lan's virulent intensity gave his aides no room for dissent. "Sir, why, it's almost Christmas, and it wasn't her fault . . ." "And no bonus. Make sure they never work near banks, or comput- ers ever again! Got that?" Everyone nodded in shock. "Al?" McMillan shouted. "Buy back our stock, quietly. When the market hears this we're in for a dump. No one will believe us when we respond, and it will take us a day to get out an answer." "How much?" Al Shapiro asked. "You figure it out. Just keep it calm." Shapiro noted it agree- ably. "Where the hell are the lawyers? I want that pinko-faggot news- paper stopped by tonight." McMillan's rage presaged a very, very bad day at First State. "And someone, someone, find me that shit hole worm Sidneys. I want him in my office in 30 seconds. Now," he violently thrust his arms in the air, "get the hell out of here until you have some good news." * * * * *