 |
 As Trump was flown in his private helicopter to Riverbank State Park for the basketball charity event, Chris said that he felt it was Jennifer M.'s responsibility to meet Trump as he arrived. But Jennifer M. was busy with other issues and as Trump touched down, neither Jennifer M., Chris, Stacy R. nor Pamela was there to meet him. When Trump finally made his way to the basketball court, Jennifer M. greeted him and ushered The Donald to his front row seat. However, Jennifer M. left the court and headed out to the VIP area before the game even started. That left Pamela literally at center court, handling game-related tasks in front of the entire crowd of VIPs, sponsors and The Donald. Pamela even walked out to the center of the basketball court and very publicly handed a microphone to NBA Commissioner David Stern, whom Jennifer M. had roped into being the evening's emcee. In an interview, Pamela said that if she were Jennifer M., she would have taken on that responsibility that Jennifer M. had given to Pamela. In her own interview, Jennifer M. said she took on a less public role but felt she had more important work to do. Another thing Jennifer M. delegated to Pamela was the task of inviting Trump to the VIP room for the after party. Once the game began, the athletes put on a great show for the crowd. After the game ended, Trump looked around and again saw no one from Jennifer M's group, so he headed back to his helicopter. After Chris reminded Pamela to invite Trump to the VIP room, Pamela looked frantically for Trump, but couldn't find him. Pamela rushed out to the tarmac and arrived just in time to see Trump's private helicopter fade into the distance. In an interview, Trump said he found it strange that no one from Jennifer M.'s group said good-bye to him.
 Back in the VIP room of the basketball event, a silent auction to raise money for the charity was underway. On the auction block were Knicks' tickets, Nets' tickets, autographed jerseys and shoes... all the stuff any NBA fan could want. But Chris admitted that the auction wasn't going as well as they had hoped. So, Bob Lanier, former Detroit Pistons great, took over and turned the silent auction into, well... a non-silent one. Bob became an unabashed auctioneer, attempting to elicit higher bids on the items up for grabs. Jennifer M. jumped in and got her group to bid, which sparked a bidding war on a pair of autographed basketball shoes, driving the price up from the starting $350 to the final selling price of $1,000!
 After the dramatic polo match, Trump headed home. Kelly caught up with The Donald and said good-bye. Trump reminded Kelly that he would see him the next day in the boardroom. Kelly certainly wouldn't forget, but his event was not over yet. In fact, Kelly's next challenge came as singer Tony Bennett was arriving. Kelly had to scramble to make sure that Tony Bennett had a clean place to change, so he sent John and Raj scurrying off to clean up the club house the group had used as their headquarters. A minor disaster was averted and Tony Bennett enthralled the guests with his signature style - and Kelly's event ended on a high note.
The next morning, Kelly and Jennifer M. awoke in the now nearly-empty suite. It would be the last time the two ever saw it. As they prepared for their final boardroom together, both candidates said the event would be life-changing. The two also had final parting shots for each other. In an interview, Kelly said, "I don't respect Jen. I am not afraid of a verbal sparring match at all." In her own interview, Jennifer M. said, "I don't see Kelly becoming Mr. Trump's Apprentice. Kelly ultimately doesn't have the drive and ambition. He doesn't have what it takes to be the next Apprentice. I do."
 But Jennifer M. and Kelly would have to wait outside the boardroom as their employees discussed their performances behind closed doors. The six fired candidates met with Trump, George and Carolyn. Pamela thought that Jennifer M. did an adequate job. Pamela felt Jennifer M. prioritized poorly and that she was not enough of an ambassador at the event. Chris felt that Jennifer delegated more than he would have. Stacy R. thought that Jennifer M. was tough and that she deserved to win. John said that Kelly did a good job. Elizabeth thought the one thing that Kelly missed was that he didn't cater enough to the VIPs. Raj, who freely admitted that he was no fan of Kelly's, felt Kelly lacked charisma, calling him "robotic." Finally, when Trump polled the group, they were split on whom Trump should hire. Trump thanked the former candidates again for their time. The group left and Kelly and Jennifer M. entered.
 Trump started with something that bothered him. He told Jennifer M. that after she showed him to his seat, he never saw her again. Jennifer M. said she worked with Genworth and had fires to put out behind the scenes. But then Trump added that at the end of the event, no one from Jennifer M.'s group showed up. Trump said he just waited around and "...stood there like an idiot." George also wanted some explanation from Jennifer M. He told her that Genworth felt that she didn't hold their hand and make them feel comfortable. Jennifer M. disagreed, but Carolyn cut her off by saying there was nothing to disagree about -- George was simply reporting what Genworth had said. George also worried that Jennifer delegated so much related to the NBA and Genworth.
Next, the focused switched to Kelly. Carolyn told Kelly that his biggest problem was keeping his staff motivated. Trump then opened up the floor so that the final two candidates could talk about each other. Jennifer M. started with a swipe at Kelly and she questioned his integrity. Kelly struck back by calling Jennifer M. a liar. Jennifer said Kelly would whisper about her behind her back in the suite and would then deny what he said. She added that Kelly is manipulative. On the positive side, Jennifer M. said that she has passion and drive and that's why she should be hired. Kelly said he should be hired because he stepped up and delivered every time. He said he always seeks leadership positions and that he has the background and experience to make him the best choice. Trump again congratulated both candidates and said that they were the final two out of a million people who had applied for the position. Trump then asked the two to step out of the room so he could confer with George and Carolyn. George said that Kelly was too wooden and lacked "fire." He admitted that Jennifer M. could be abrasive, but he liked her passion for getting the job done. George said his clear pick would be Jennifer M. Carolyn didn't make Trump's decision any easier as she picked Kelly. She said that while he made some mistakes, Kelly was without a doubt a better leader.
Then, at Trump's command, the facade of the boardroom was pulled away to reveal that the Trump Trio was onstage at the Lincoln Center in front of a cheering crowd. Trump admitted even at this late date, he hadn't made up his mind yet. So, with the help of Regis Philbin, Trump took a poll of major business leaders, the audience and even a few familiar faces from the first season of the show. The opinions were overwhelmingly in Kelly's favor. But would any of that sway The Donald?
Each candidate then got one final chance to make their case on live TV. Jennifer M. said that she rose to the top of every organization she's ever been a part of. Kelly cited his experience and consistency. Even though Jennifer M. had more to say, Trump cut her off. It was The Donald's turn to speak. Trump said that many of Jennifer M.'s teammates didn't like her. He also said that he wasn't so sure Kelly would lead the way Trump would like him to lead. But finally, Donald looked at Jennifer M. and said... "You're, fired." Then Trump turned to Kelly, and spoke those oh-so-rare words, "You're hired." -- and Kelly became The Apprentice!
After a live rendition from the O'Jays of "For the Love of Money," the theme song of the show, Kelly had a choice to make. Donald had two massive construction projects that Kelly could be involved with. The first was Trump International Hotel and Tower, Las Vegas - a $500 million dollar structure that, when completed, would be the tallest luxury building in Vegas. The second was Trump Place, a $4 billion dollar project on Manhattan's West Side that will be over a dozen city blocks long. In his first executive decision as The Apprentice, Kelly chose Trump Place. He said his goal had always been to learn from Trump and so he wanted to stay in New York to do just that. Then, Kelly hopped into his waiting limo to start a new chapter in his life as The Apprentice!
|
|
 |
