It's October 1920 at the National City Bank in New York City. Milton Hershey crosses

the grand lobby, passing wooden booths where tellers sit in hushed conversation with customers.

Milton is nervous. The 63-year-old recently made an ill-advised financial move that cost

the Hershey chocolate company millions of dollars. Now he's come to the bank for a bailout

to save his business. Fleeting for money is not something he's had to do in many years

and Milton doesn't like it. But he has no choice. Either he gets his loan or the Hershey

chocolate company will go bust. Milton rounds a corner into a hallway and knocks on an

office door. A stocky middle-aged banker looms up from behind his desk and shakes Milton's

hand. Mr. Hershey, what an honor, sir. Would you like some coffee, sir? I can have some

sent in. No, thank you. I'd prefer to get straight to it if you don't mind. Certainly, sir.

We've taken a look at your request, and I must say it's a rather large amount you're

asking for. Well, yes, we are a large company, and we are in a large hole. Sugar futures,

isn't it? I hope you fired whoever was responsible for that. Well, that would be me, unfortunately.

I thought sugar prices were going to increase, so I took a risk to keep a cost down. But

I was wrong. I'm asking for your bank's assistance, your temporary assistance, mind you,

so that I can correct my mistake. I see. But even so, Mr. Hershey, 30 million dollars

is a very large sum of money. The company brand is stronger than ever. Our sales are

still rising, and we made more than six million in profit last year. This is a sound

investment for the National City Bank. The banker pauses to give the appearance of mulling

over Milton's words. But in reality, he's delighted to have such a prominent figure in

his office asking for help. Well, Mr. Hershey, I will tell you my bosses were skeptical.

But I told them your reputation is as good as any of our clients if not better, and we

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