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After the pompous ceremony headed by a very appreciative deputy secretary, Tom made his way back to the Roosevelt Room for his rescheduled meeting and was astonished to see everyone else in the room was already seated with all bar his own seat at the table occupied and even the seats lining both walls all taken. He took his seat next to the very thankful deputy secretary. As he sat, the delegates all stood and applauded.
The deputy secretary took charge. “Ladies and gentlemen and distinguished board members. I thank you all for your patience as we allowed Mr Stiles to recuperate. By your applause I see that you understand the magnitude of what Mr Stiles did. I think it is now best to move on as the president has asked me to do.
“My first order is to take this opportunity to welcome y
