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Liam Cadegan works for ApexOne Technologies, a high-tech company
which has just been bought as part of a merger. While Liam is
generally secure in his job and is clearly devoted to his family,
he starts to become affected by the paranoia of those around him
in the wake of the company president's termination. Tess points
out that in a tense climate, even the least competitive person can
switch gears and become a predator. Harlow meets with the
employees by video conference and introduces Monica as the new
vice president of community relations. Monica suggests aligning
themselves with the Special Olympics and offers to arrange a
meeting this weekend with her contact (Andrew). Liam, whose son
will be participating in the Special Olympics, supports the idea,
acknowledging the fact that his son is disabled. But Harlow
preempts Monica's suggestion in favor of a corporate retreat he's
scheduled this weekend. Josh Whitman (one of Liam's colleagues)
reads between the lines and advises Liam to prepare for a
gladiator-style competition which will likely determine the
company's next president. Liam breaks the news to his son, Matt,
that he won't be able to be there for the preliminaries, but he
will definitely be there for the finals. Tess guides the VP's
through the retreat, which is designed to get them to know each
other personally so they can work together better professionally.
The first game is musical chairs, in which a meek Liam is promptly
eliminated. When Josh wins the contest by pulling the last chair
away from Monica, Liam realizes that he will have to be ruthless
if he wants to win. When Tess announces this evening's outdoor
challenge, Liam realizes he must decide between attending his
son's race or competing for a chance at promotion. Monica is the
first to notice the change in Liam and tries to get him to see
what he's sacrificing. But when she suggests he isn't actually
interested in becoming the company president, he thinks she's just
trying to psych him out. The final phase of the competition
involves a search for clues to locate a flag to be planted at the
top of a mountain. As Josh predicted, the president will be
selected from the winning team. Liam's team manages to work
together and capture the flag until Neil trips and breaks his
ankle. Unwilling to let anything (or anyone) stand in his way,
Liam proceeds to the top of the mountain alone. But when he
reaches the summit, Tess reminds Liam that, in order to win, his
whole team had to make it to the top. Liam rushes back to
get his teammates, but finds only Monica. She tells him that
Josh’s team stopped to help Neil and have taken him back to the
retreat center. Liam refuses to concede, convinced that he needs
this promotion in order to provide for his "special needs" son.
Monica reveals herself as an angel and tells him that Matt's
deepest need is his family and that Liam's most important job is
being a father. Liam arrives in time to see Matt and cheer him
on. Matt appears to be winning the race, but stops to aid a
fellow athlete who falls down. Liam beams with pride as he
watches his son cross the finish line while supporting the injured
competitor. Harlow arrives and offers Liam the promotion, saying
he's got the qualities he wants in a leader, someone who's willing
to do what it takes to get to the top. But Liam turns down the
promotion, having learned a powerful lesson not only from Monica,
but from his son.
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