“Helena the investment advisors have completed the scouting and prospecting for the theatre project. They are recommending Winnie Mann’s company in New York City. It will mean relocating to New York after you complete the Shaolin deal. “

“Mother I’d hoped to come back to London after the Shaolin deal. “

“Helena the Peabody-Mann Theatre Company is a three year project. I need you on board. You know that the majority of our new business interests are located in the United States. It makes sense that we should move the headquarters operation to New York City.”

“Mother I’m not interested in moving to the United States permanently. I prefer to stay in Europe.”

“Helena darling this is not a request. Now that your father is gone he won’t be here to protect you. I certainly can’t do it as I won’t be spending much more time in London. I need you in Los Angeles for six months to a year then I need you in New York to work alongside Winnie Mann for the next three.”

”Mother you have people on your staff more than capable to manage that deal. Why me?”

”Because more importantly than the deal, I want you near me so I can keep an eye on you. Simply put Helena I’m reining you in. After the last debacle I feel the need to put you on a very short leash.”

“Mother I am hardly one of your little canines.”

“No, Helena but you are the heiress to a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. You’re positioned to take over this company in a few years upon my retirement. You can’t continue to use the power of the Peabody name, your beauty, sex appeal and money to indulge your decadent lifestyle. I can no longer tolerate this behavior. I won’t have you running lose all over Europe without close supervision. “

“Mother I am not a child. I don’t need supervision.”

“Helena granted you are not a child which makes your behavior even more appalling. Your father and I have paid dearly to keep you from blemishing the Peabody name but I’m done with bailing you out of trouble. I’ve lost count of the number of indiscretions, sexually related law suits and complaints we’ve had to settle over the last five years. Simply put daddy’s gone darling and mummy is not putting up with your shit any longer. You need to grow up and conduct yourself with the decorum befitting a Peabody in your personal as well as professional life or you will find yourself left out in the cold.”

”Why are you being so harsh mother?”

”I’m not being harsh Helena. I’m being real. I love you dearly and would love nothing more than to leave my legacy with you but you need to earn my trust. Otherwise you’ll force me to make other arrangements.  Do we understand each other?”

As much as Helena wanted to be defiant she knew when to back down, and this was one of the times that she sensed her mother meant business.

“Yes Mother. I will be your dutiful daughter. As a matter of fact I think I’ll head to Los Angeles a couple weeks early to get the lay of the land before I start work on the acquisition. Perhaps Ms. Kennard wouldn’t mind showing me around. I promise I will keep myself occupied and out of trouble.”

“Ms. Kennard and Bette have become friends so perhaps she can introduce you.”

“I already told you I would go to the exhibit at the gallery mother. I will meet your precious Bette Porter then. I don’t care for Ms. Kennard to make the introduction. Since you consider Bette to be your second daughter I would think that the privilege of introducing me to my ‘sister’ should be reserved for you don’t you think?”

“You’d do well to watch your tone Helena. Do as you wish but you’d better behave yourself.”

“Of course mother. Shall we eat? I want to start making my travel arrangements as soon as we get back.”