Although Donnie did not agree to meet with John Hartford, he secretly met with two important directors from A&P.
Lori Walton, Poole Purcollen!
Both were among the original shareholders of A&P and had played a crucial role in developing the company alongside George Hartford. However, now advanced in years and lacking ambition, they were content to rest on their laurels and enjoy the wealth that A&P had brought them.
At the onset of this promotional war, they had rejected John Hartford's suggestions, but when A&P's stock price plummeted, they started criticizing John Hartford for his slow response to the situation!
In the same way, today, they came to Kansas City in secret to meet with A&P's rival, Donnie Block!
"Mr. Walton, we met last year in Atlantic City and haven't seen each other since. Did our service in Atlantic City disappoint you so that you've stayed away that long?"