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THE END IS NIGH
It all comes down to this. Two finalists, each with her own group of
ex-candidates, going head to head for the ultimate prize: an apprenticeship
with
Martha Stewart. In the final stages of the
intense twelve week job interview process,
Bethenny and
Dawna were thrust into the most demanding
task yet: manage and run two massive charity events. With victory in sight,
these two professionals dedicated themselves to turning in flawless
performances. But with pressures mounting, disaster began to befall the
final two.
Bethenny's management style seemed to be turning the happy circus into a
disgruntled catastrophe. Despite grumblings from her own employees, she
claimed she had everything under control. Meanwhile, Dawna was caught in her
own crisis.
Amanda's handling of the fashion show had
proved questionable at best. However, no one else, especially Dawna, had
time to replace her. The finalist was left doubting whether she could rely
on the employee she once considered the most trustworthy.
After the events were finished, Martha consulted her trusted associates, and
considered Bethenny and Dawna one last time. In a special live broadcast,
Martha weighed the pros and cons of the creative but manic Bethenny vs. the
professional but possibly dispassionate Dawna. In the end, Martha offered
Dawna the job. She would become Development Director of
Body + Soul, one of MSLO's newest premiere
magazines. After a long, hard road, Dawna stood among her competitors and
was crowned Martha Stewart's Apprentice.
D-DAY FOR THE
FINALISTS
Bethenny and her group were in the midst of
running the Apple and Eve Presents the Big Apple Circus to benefit the Boys
and Girls Clubs of America. As the circus crew arrived, it seemed that
Bethenny was unprepared after focusing on fundraising all day. To everyone's
amazement, the finalist took control of the situation and got pre-production
back on track.
Jim and
Carrie fretted that Bethenny had forgotten
the important VIP reception, but the finalist assured her employees that she
had everything handled. The Crobar nightclub hummed like a hive as
ex-candidates, performers, caterers, and one apprentice finalist raced to
prepare the venue for the crowds. As Bethenny gave
Martha Stewart and her trusted associates a
tour of the circus experience, the silent auction to benefit the charity
went off without a hitch. Happy families mingled with fantastic performers
until the lights dimmed, then the ringleader called for attention: the
circus was about to begin.
Meanwhile,
Dawna was at the helm of the Liz Claiborne
Fashion Show and Charity Benefit for Safe Horizon. Crucial to her success
was pleasing Linda Greenblatt, a top executive of Liz Claiborne. Dawna was
nervous about leaving the fashion show in the hands of
Amanda, who had struggled with her duties
thus far. After extracting a promise that the final program would be ready
to print in the morning, she left Amanda in charge and proceeded to Capitale.
Amanda worked on the show's program throughout the night, but Linda
Greenblatt still spotted an embarrassing amount of mistakes the next
morning. Dawna made the corrections herself, but it was too late. Their
grand plans for an elegant and fancy program were dashed by schedule
mismanagement. The end result was a plain, unremarkable sheet of paper
listing the outfits; Linda was emphatically disappointed in the
"unfortunate" results.
Back at Crobar, the crowds gasped and cheered at the astonishing feats
performed by the circus. Bethenny's employees lauded the finalist; they were
amazed that the event went off without a hitch after being so close to
disaster. As Martha,
Alexis, and George departed for the fashion
show, Bethenny bid farewell to her group and jumped in her chauffeured car -
leaving her dedicated employees feeling shortchanged by her limp gratitude.
Across town, Dawna met Martha at the door of Capitale and guided the
domestic diva to a front row seat. As models strutted down the runway, the
clothes looked fantastic and drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Even Linda was pleased - after all was said and done, she effusively praised
the show and the finalist. With the event finished, Dawna and her group of
adoring employees said goodbye with equal measure of cheers and tears.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE
YOU?
With no tasks left,
Bethenny and
Dawna were nearing the end of their
journey. All that remained was the last conference room, and
Martha Stewart's final decision. With
Alexis and
Charles at her side, Martha congratulated
the final two. She noted that the circus organizers were very impressed with
Bethenny's event program, yet Liz Claiborne was not pleased with their
fashion show program. Dawna admitted the one-sheet was substandard, but
blamed the rushed design on Liz Claiborne's last minute changes.
Martha asked the finalists the most pertinent question at hand: Why should I
hire you? Dawna highlighted her calm, professional manner against Bethenny's
maniacal personality. She claimed that many of their past partners dreaded
working with Bethenny. The natural foods chef countered by saying that Dawna
does not have that indescribable "it" factor that separates good managers
from titans like Martha. Bethenny further claimed that she showed passion
for the Martha Stewart brand, and that Dawna couldn't compete with her
energy. Dawna said that she was concerned that perhaps she had not
communicated her desire to be Martha's Apprentice with enough fervor. Her
only explanation was that her desire for the opportunity was so strong that
it impeded her ability to express herself.
Martha faced a very difficult choice - one that would require plenty of
reflection. She thanked and dismissed the final two. The big question would
soon be answered live from the set of Martha's daytime TV show: Who will be
Martha Stewart's Apprentice?
WHY DO YOU FIT IN?
After twelve weeks of testing, judging, and evaluating sixteen candidates,
the time had finally come for Martha Stewart to make a very difficult
decision. Live from the 26th Street studio of her daytime talk show, Martha
welcomed Dawna and Bethenny to applause from the audience. But before
talking to the final two candidates, Martha turned to her trusted
associates, Charles Koppleman and Alexis Stewart. Charles admired Bethenny's
enthusiasm and creativity, but said her trouble working with others was a
cause for concern. Alexis found Dawna to be "a little dispassionate and a
little uncreative," yet the best choice for MSLO. For more insight, Martha
quizzed the ex-candidates-turned-employees on the relative merits of the two
finalists. Amanda acclaimed Dawna as the best leader she had ever met, while
Jim praised Bethenny's eye for talent.
Finally, it was time for the final two to speak for themselves. Dawna said
that she felt very comfortable at MSLO, and that her professionalism made
her the best fit for the company. On the other hand, Bethenny believed that
her in depth knowledge and passion for all things Martha qualified her to be
the next Apprentice above all others. Martha rebuked Bethenny for being a
show off, and for feeling the need to make a physical impression in any
situation. Dawna, on the other hand, possessed a proficiency at managing,
and the kind of business experience that would always be welcome at MSLO. "I
would like to offer you the job," Martha said to Dawna.
As Martha's new Apprentice, Dawna would take on the role of Development
Director for
Body + Soul magazine. One of MSLO's fastest
growing magazines, Body + Soul provides "how-to" information and inspiration
for healthy, natural living. Dawna would be working closely with national
advertisers and marketing teams to grow Body + Soul into an even bigger
business.
The audience cheered wildly, and celebratory champagne was served. Dawna
beamed and laughed as she graciously received congratulations from her
former loft-mates, her family, and her new boss. She had endured demanding
tasks, shined through meticulous assessments, and bested sixteen dedicated
competitors to grasp victory. Her reward: the dream job of a lifetime.
Candidate no longer, Dawna was now Martha Stewart's Apprentice.
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