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EPISODE TWELVE

Yahoo/Outback

 

Guess Who's Coming to the Suite?

In the stillness of the nearly empty suite, Randal and Rebecca stood intently focused on the front door. At any minute, they expected one of their two fellow candidates to return from the boardroom. However, it was Donald Trump himself who entered the suite, bearing congratulations. He had fired both Alla and Felisha - leaving Randal and Rebecca as the final two candidates.

Their reward was an elegant dinner with George and Carolyn. When Donald's trusted associates told the pair to pick their employees for the final task from the pool of fired candidates, Rebecca and Randal negotiated intently. With the lineup decided, Mr. Trump revealed the final task: each candidate would manage a large scale charity event. Every aspect of the high profile happenings would be under their direct supervision.

Rebecca was put in charge of the Yahoo! All-Star Comedy Benefit for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Randal was challenged to run the Outback Steakhouse VIP Softball Challenge to benefit Autism Speaks . The employees of each corporation were steadfastly dedicated to elevating their project manager to the position of Apprentice. Despite their hard work, one of the events was put in jeopardy by a last minute cancellation, and the other event was endangered by a far greater specter - Mother Nature.

The Cream of the Crop

As part of their reward for making it to the final two, Randal and Rebecca met Carolyn and George at Mr. Trump's favorite restaurant, Megu. They quickly found out that each would have to pick three former candidates to work for them on the final task. Randal and Rebecca immediately clashed when they both requested Josh and James. Negotiations ensued, a coin was tossed, and in the end Randal's Excel Corporation would include Josh, Mark, and Marshawn, and Rebecca's Capital Edge featured Chris, James, and Toral.

For their final task, each candidate would be responsible for managing a charity event. Rebecca would run the Yahoo! All Star Comedy Benefit, showcasing the talents of top comedians, with Joe Piscopo hosting. The event would be held at a high-end nightclub in Manhattan, and would raise money for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Randal would run the Outback Steakhouse VIP Softball Challenge, a high profile celebrity softball game that would raise money for Autism Speaks, held at Keyspan Park. Each corporation would be judged on the overall success of the event, and how well they coordinated all facets of the benefit, including sponsors, VIP parties, charity relationships, budget, event staff, and the quality of attendee experience.

The Final Bout

Energized by support from their enthusiastic new employees, Randal and Rebecca hit the streets of New York. Capital Edge visited BLVD, the night club location of their comedy jam. Excel traveled to Keyspan Park and strolled across the picturesque baseball field. Randal broke down the event into three stages: the tailgating party, the softball game, and the VIP reception. The group was especially thankful for the beautiful weather - perfect for a ball game.

Meeting with Capital Edge, top executives from Yahoo! said the guest list would be filled with top marketers, and instructed Rebecca to strike a balance between the fundraising comedy show and the classy VIP reception. During a brainstorm session, the event planning company helping Capital Edge turned down many of Rebecca's ideas for stage sets as too costly. However, back at BLVD, tough guy Chris was on a decorating roll - incorporating Yahoo!'s signature purple and white into the overall look of the club.

Meanwhile, Excel met with Alison Singer of Autism Speaks. Josh, soon to be a new father, was touched by the organization's heartfelt message, but Alison wondered if Randal was focused enough on getting the charity's message across. As night fell, James and Chris met with Capital Edge's MC, legendary comedian Joe Piscopo. The funnyman was eager to help the charity. When the boys returned to report on their successful dinner, it was clear that the stressful twelve week pace was taking its toll on Rebecca's energy. Her well-rested employees were behind her 100%, but would that be enough?

Emergency Management

The next morning, Mark of Excel prepared for a crucial meeting, but Randal asked him join the rest of the corporation shopping instead. While Capital Edge was making visible progress inside BLVD, all four members of Excel were puttering around the aisles of Party City. Back at Keyspan, Randal met with top Outback Steakhouse executive, Ben Novello, and outlined his plan. Ben questioned the star candidate about the forecast for the outdoor event and joked that if rain ruined the event, it would be Randal's fault.

Meanwhile, the Yahoo! executives instructed Rebecca not to directly solicit donations from the event attendees. In the outfield of Keyspan Park, Mark was laboring to set up the VIP area, while the rest of Excel was up in a stadium suite. Stunned to see Mark working alone, Ben Novello laid down the law to Randal: set up was to be completed before morning. Furthermore, Randal would be held responsible should the event misrepresent the Outback brand.

As night descended, Capital Edge received a startling phone call: to his regret, Joe Piscopo would not be able to host the comedy event without an agreement from his union. With no star MC, Capital Edge was faced with a crisis. Back at Keyspan Park, Randal finally began helping Mark set up the field - in the dark. All the members of Excel were working late into the night to make sure they were ready for the next day. Elsewhere, the skyline of New York City rumbled with the ominous sound of thunder…and rain.

Will the sky open up over Keyspan Park? Will Rebecca find an MC for the comedy show? Who will emerge triumphant as Donald Trump's next Apprentice? To answer these questions and more, tune in next week for the pulse-pounding two hour season finale!

 

 

LESSONS LEARNED