<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
================================================================================


                          LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                 by and among

                              LEARNINGSTAR CORP.,

                                  as Parent,

                            SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.,

                                as a Guarantor,

                              EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC,

                                      and

                          EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.

                                 as Borrowers,

                    THE LENDERS THAT ARE SIGNATORIES HERETO

                                as the Lenders,

                                      and

                           GMAC BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC

                                 as the Agent

                          Dated as of April 30, 2001


================================================================================
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                          <C>
1.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.........................................................    1
     1.1   Definitions....................................................................    1
     1.2   Accounting Terms...............................................................   30
     1.3   Code...........................................................................   30
     1.4   Construction...................................................................   30
     1.5   Schedules and Exhibits.........................................................   30

2.   LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT............................................................   30
     2.1   Revolver Advances..............................................................   30
     2.2   [intentionally omitted]........................................................   33
     2.3   Borrowing Procedures and Settlements...........................................   33
     2.4   Payments.......................................................................   40
     2.5   Overadvances...................................................................   43
     2.6   Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee:  Rates, Payments, and Calculations....   43
     2.7   Cash Management................................................................   44
     2.8   Crediting Payments.............................................................   46
     2.9   Designated Account.............................................................   46
     2.10  Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations.........................   46
     2.11  Fees...........................................................................   47
     2.12  Letters of Credit..............................................................   47
     2.13  LIBOR Option...................................................................   51
     2.14  Capital Requirements...........................................................   53
     2.15  Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers.......................................   54

3.   CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT........................................................   57
     3.1   Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit........................   57
     3.2   Conditions Subsequent to the Initial Extension of Credit.......................   61
     3.3   Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit...............................   61
     3.4   Term...........................................................................   61
     3.5   Effect of Termination..........................................................   61
     3.6   Early Termination by Borrowers.................................................   62

4.   CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST........................................................   63
     4.1   Grant of Security Interest.....................................................   63
     4.2   Negotiable Collateral..........................................................   63
     4.3   Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles, and Negotiable Collateral.........   63
     4.4   Delivery of Additional Documentation Required..................................   63
     4.5   Power of Attorney..............................................................   65
     4.6   Right to Inspect...............................................................   65
</TABLE>

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                          <C>
     4.7   Control Agreements............................................................    65

5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................    66
     5.1   No Encumbrances...............................................................    66
     5.2   Eligible Accounts.............................................................    66
     5.3   Eligible Inventory............................................................    67
     5.4   Equipment.....................................................................    67
     5.5   Location of Inventory and Equipment...........................................    67
     5.6   Inventory Records.............................................................    67
     5.7   Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN......................................    67
     5.8   Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries..............................    67
     5.9   Due Authorization; No Conflict................................................    68
     5.10  Litigation....................................................................    69
     5.11  No Material Adverse Change....................................................    69
     5.12  Fraudulent Transfer...........................................................    70
     5.13  Employee Benefits.............................................................    70
     5.14  Environmental Condition.......................................................    70
     5.15  Brokerage Fees................................................................    70
     5.16  Intellectual Property.........................................................    70
     5.17  Leases........................................................................    70
     5.18  DDAs..........................................................................    71
     5.19  Complete Disclosure...........................................................    71
     5.20  Indebtedness..................................................................    71
     5.21  Real Property.................................................................    71
     5.22  Dormant Subsidiary............................................................    71

6.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................    71
     6.1   Accounting System.............................................................    71
     6.2   Collateral Reporting..........................................................    72
     6.3   Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates...................................    73
     6.4   [intentionally omitted].......................................................    75
     6.5   Return........................................................................    75
     6.6   Maintenance of Properties.....................................................    75
     6.7   Taxes.........................................................................    76
     6.8   Insurance.....................................................................    76
     6.9   Location of Inventory and Equipment...........................................    77
     6.10  Compliance with Laws..........................................................    77
     6.11  Leases........................................................................    77
     6.12  Brokerage Commissions.........................................................    77
     6.13  Existence.....................................................................    77
     6.14  Environmental.................................................................    78

7.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................    78
</TABLE>

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                          <C>
       7.1  Indebtedness..................................................................................................   78
       7.2  Liens                                                                                                            79
       7.3  Restrictions on Fundamental Changes...........................................................................   79
       7.4  Disposal of Assets............................................................................................   79
       7.5  Change Name...................................................................................................   79
       7.6  Guarantee.....................................................................................................   80
       7.7  Nature of Business............................................................................................   80
       7.8  Prepayments and Amendments....................................................................................   80
       7.9  Change of Control.............................................................................................   80
      7.10  Consignments..................................................................................................   80
      7.11  Distributions.................................................................................................   80
      7.12  Accounting Methods............................................................................................   80
      7.13  Investments...................................................................................................   80
      7.14  Transactions with Affiliates..................................................................................   81
      7.15  Suspension....................................................................................................   81
      7.16  [intentionally omitted].......................................................................................   81
      7.17  Use of Proceeds...............................................................................................   81
      7.18  Change in Location of Chief Executive Office; Inventory and Equipment with Bailees............................   81
      7.19  Securities Accounts...........................................................................................   81
      7.20  Financial Covenants...........................................................................................   81
      7.21  Preferred Stock...............................................................................................   82

8.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT...................................................................................................   82

9.    THE LENDER GROUP'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES..............................................................................   85
      9.1  Rights and Remedies............................................................................................   85
      9.2  Remedies Cumulative............................................................................................   87

10.    TAXES AND EXPENSES.................................................................................................   88

11.    WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION...........................................................................................   88
       11.1  Demand; Protest; etc.........................................................................................   88
       11.2  The Lender Group's Liability for Collateral..................................................................   88
       11.3  Indemnification..............................................................................................   88

12.    NOTICES............................................................................................................   89

13.    CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.........................................................................   90

14.    ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.........................................................................   91
       14.1  Assignments and Participations...............................................................................   91
       14.2  Successors...................................................................................................   94
</TABLE>

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                          <C>
15.   AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.................................................................................................   94
      15.1  Amendments and Waivers........................................................................................   94
      15.2  Replacement of Holdout Lender.................................................................................   95
      15.3  No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies...............................................................................   96

16.   AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.............................................................................................   96
      16.1  Appointment and Authorization of Agent........................................................................   96
      16.2  Delegation of Duties..........................................................................................   97
      16.3  Liability of Agent............................................................................................   97
      16.4  Reliance by Agent.............................................................................................   98
      16.5  Notice of Default or Event of Default.........................................................................   98
      16.6  Credit Decision...............................................................................................   99
      16.7  Costs and Expenses; Indemnification...........................................................................   99
      16.8  Agent in Individual Capacity..................................................................................  100
      16.9  Successor Agent...............................................................................................  100
      16.10 Lender in Individual Capacity.................................................................................  101
      16.11 Withholding Taxes.............................................................................................  101
      16.12 Collateral Matters............................................................................................  103
      16.13 Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments.......................................................  104
      16.14 Agency for Perfection.........................................................................................  105
      16.15 Payments by Agent to the Lenders..............................................................................  105
      16.16 Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents..........................................................  105
      16.17 Field Audits and Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information..  105
      16.18 Several Obligations; No Liability.............................................................................  107
      16.19 Legal Representation of Agent.................................................................................  107

17.   GENERAL PROVISIONS..................................................................................................  107
      17.1  Effectiveness.................................................................................................  107
      17.2  Section Headings..............................................................................................  107
      17.3  Interpretation................................................................................................  107
      17.4  Severability of Provisions....................................................................................  108
      17.5  Amendments in Writing.........................................................................................  108
      17.6  Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution.........................................................................  108
      17.7  Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations......................................................................  108
      17.8  Integration...................................................................................................  108
</TABLE>

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                            EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES


Exhibit A-1         Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B-1         Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C-1         Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit L-1         Form of LIBOR Notice

Schedule C-1        Commitments
Schedule E-1        Eligible Inventory Locations
Schedule P-1        Permitted Liens
Schedule 2.8(a)     Cash Management Banks
Schedule 5.5        Locations of Inventory and Equipment
Schedule 5.7        Chief Executive Office; FEIN
Schedule 5.8(b)     Capitalization
Schedule 5.8(c)     Capitalization of Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.10       Litigation
Schedule 5.14       Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.16       Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.18       Demand Deposit Accounts
Schedule 5.20       Permitted Indebtedness

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                                 Schedule C-1
                                 ------------
                                  Commitments

==============================================================================
                   Lender                                Commitment
==============================================================================
GMAC Business Credit, LLC                                $25,000,000
==============================================================================

==============================================================================

==============================================================================

==============================================================================

==============================================================================
All Lenders                                              $25,000,000
==============================================================================

                                      -6-

                                      116
<PAGE>

                          LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

          THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is entered into
as of April 30, 2001, between and among, on the one hand, the lenders identified
on the signature pages hereof (such lenders, together with their respective
successors and assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a
"Lender" and collectively as the "Lenders"), GMAC BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, as the agent for the Lenders ("Agent"), and,
on the other hand, LEARNINGSTAR CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"),
                                                                ------
EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC, a California limited liability company ("ECH"),
                                                             ---
SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation ("SK"), and EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS,
                                                --
INC., a Texas corporation ("EPI"; EPI, together with ECH are referred to
                            ---
hereinafter each individually as a "Borrower", and individually and
                                    --------
collectively, jointly and severally, as the "Borrowers").
                                             ---------

     The parties agree as follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

     1.1  Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
          -----------
the following definitions:

          "Account Debtor" means any Person who is or who may become obligated
           --------------
under, with respect to, or on account of, an Account, chattel paper, or a
General Intangible.

          "Accounts" means all of Borrowers' now owned or hereafter acquired
           --------
right, title, and interest with respect to "accounts" (as that term is defined
in the Code), and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

          "Acquisition" means the acquisition, on or after the Closing Date, of
           -----------
all or substantially all of the Stock of, or all or substantially all of the
assets of, a Person.

          "Acquisition Agreement" means the Contribution Agreement and Plan of
           ---------------------
Reorganization and Merger, dated as of November 14, 2000, by and among ECH, SK,
Parent, and Merger Corp as in effect on the date hereof.

          "Acquisition Documents" shall mean, individually and collectively, the
           ---------------------
Acquisition Agreement, and all material agreements, documents and instruments
executed or delivered in connection therewith, as all of the foregoing now exist
or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated
or replaced.

          "Additional Documents" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.
           --------------------                               -----------

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

          "Advances" means advances made to ECH or EPI, as applicable, pursuant
           --------
to the provisions of Section 2.1 (and shall include all Swing Loans and Agent
                     -----------
Advances).

          "Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who,
           ---------
directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and
policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Stock, by contract, or
otherwise; provided, however, that, for purposes of the definition of Eligible
           -----------------
Accounts and Section 7.14 hereof: (a) any Person which owns directly or
             ------------
indirectly 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the
election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 10%
or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than
as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed to control such Person; (b)
each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an
Affiliate of such Person; and (c) each partnership or joint venture in which a
Person is a partner or joint venturer shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such
Person.

          "Agent" means GMAC, solely in its capacity as agent for the Lenders
           -----
hereunder, and any successor thereto.

          "Agent's Account" means an account at a bank designated by Agent from
           ---------------
time to time as the account into which Borrowers shall make all payments to
Agent for the benefit of the Lender Group and into which the Lender Group shall
make all payments to Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
unless and until Agent notifies Borrower and the Lender Group to the contrary,
Agent's Account shall be that certain deposit account bearing account number
3613249-84 and maintained by Agent with Bank One, Michigan, Detroit, Michigan,
ABA #072000326.

          "Agent Advances" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).
           --------------                               -----------------

          "Agent's Liens" means the Liens granted by Guarantors or Borrowers to
           -------------
Agent for the benefit of the Lender Group under this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents.

          "Agent-Related Persons" means Agent together with its Affiliates,
           ---------------------
officers, directors, employees, and agents.

          "Aggregate Availability" means the sum of (a) the ECH Availability and
           ----------------------
(b) the EPI Availability.

          "Aggregate Borrowing Base" means the sum of (a) the ECH Borrowing
           ------------------------
Base, and (b) the EPI Borrowing Base.

          "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
           ---------

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

          "Applicable Prepayment Premium" means, as of any date of
           -----------------------------
determination, an amount equal to (a) during the period of time from and after
the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement up to the date that is
one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Closing Date, zero; (b) during the
period of time from and after the date that is one hundred and twenty-one (121)
days after the Closing Date up to the date that is the first anniversary of the
Closing Date, 2.0% times the Maximum Revolver Amount, (c) during the period of
time from and including the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing
Date up to the date that is the 548th day after the Closing Date, 1.0% times the
Maximum Revolver Amount, and (d) thereafter, zero.

          "Assignee" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1.
           --------                               ------------

          "Assignment and Acceptance" means an Assignment and Acceptance in the
           -------------------------
form of Exhibit A-1.
        -----------

          "Authorized Person" means any officer or other employee of Borrower.
           -----------------

          "Availability" means, as of any date of determination, ECH
           ------------
Availability or EPI Availability, as the context requires.

          "Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy Code, as in
           ---------------
effect from time to time.

          "Base LIBOR Rate" means the rate per annum, determined by Agent in
           ---------------
accordance with its customary procedures, and utilizing such electronic or other
quotation sources as it considers appropriate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to
the next 1/16%), on the basis of the rates at which Dollar deposits are offered
to major banks in the London interbank market on or about 11:00 a.m. (California
time) 2 Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable Interest
Period, for a term and in amounts comparable to the Interest Period and amount
of the LIBOR Rate Loan requested by the applicable Borrower in accordance with
this Agreement, which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error.

          "Base Rate" means, as of any date of determination, the highest of the
           ---------
rates of interest announced by three money center banks (selected by Agent) at
their principal offices in New York, New York as their "prime rate", with the
understanding that the "prime rate" is one of their base rates (not necessarily
the lowest of such rates) and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of
interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto and is
evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal
publication or publications as such banks may designate.

          "Base Rate Loan" means each portion of an Advance that bears interest
           --------------
at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

          "Base Rate Margin" means 1.75 percentage points.
           ----------------

          "Benefit Plan" means a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in Section
           ------------                                                -------
3(35) of ERISA) for which any Borrower or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate of
-----
any Borrower has been an "employer" (as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA) within
                                                   ------------
the past six years.

          "Board of Directors" means the board of directors (or comparable
           ------------------
managers) of Parent or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf
thereof.

          "Books" means all of each Guarantor's and each Borrower's now owned or
           -----
hereafter acquired books and records (including all Records indicating,
summarizing, or evidencing its or their assets (including the Collateral) or
liabilities, all Records relating to its or their business operations or
financial condition, and all of its or their goods or General Intangibles
related to such information).

          "Borrower" and "Borrowers" have the respective meanings set forth in
           --------       ---------
the preamble to this Agreement.

          "Borrower Collateral" means all of each Borrower's now owned or
           -------------------
hereafter acquired right, title, and interest in and to each of the following:

          (a)  Accounts,

          (b)  Books,

          (c)  Equipment,

          (d)  General Intangibles,

          (e)  Inventory,

          (f)  Investment Property,

          (g)  Negotiable Collateral,

          (h)  money or other assets of each such Borrower that now or hereafter
come into the possession, custody, or control of any member of the Lender Group,
and

          (i)  the proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any
of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance covering any or all of the
foregoing, and any and all Accounts, Books, Equipment, General Intangibles,
Inventory, Investment Property, Negotiable Collateral, real property, money,
deposit accounts, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the
sale, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, or any
portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

          "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Advances made on
           ---------
the same day by the Lenders (or Agent on behalf thereof), or by Swing Lender in
the case of a Swing Loan, or by Agent in the case of an Agent Advance, in each
case, to the applicable Borrower.

          "Borrowing Base Certificate" means a certificate in the form of
           --------------------------
Exhibit B-1.
-----------

          "Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other
           ------------
day on which national banks located in Los Angeles, California, are authorized
or required to close, except that, if a determination of a Business Day shall
relate to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term "Business Day" also shall exclude any day
on which banks are closed for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London
interbank market.

          "Capital Lease" means a lease that is required to be capitalized for
           -------------
financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

          "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any Indebtedness represented by
           ----------------------------
obligations under a Capital Lease.

          "Cash Equivalents" means (a) marketable direct obligations issued or
           ----------------
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or issued by any agency thereof
and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case
maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable
direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political
subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing
within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of
acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody's,
(c) commercial paper maturing no more than 1 year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of A-1 or P-1, or
better, from S&P or Moody's, (d) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances
maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof either (i) issued by
any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof
which bank has a rating of A or A2, or better, from S&P or Moody's (any such
bank, an "Approved Bank"), or (ii) certificates of deposit less than or equal to
$100,000 in the aggregate issued by any other bank insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, (e) repurchase obligations with a term of not
more than seven (7) days for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (a) and (d) above entered into with any Approved Bank, and (f)
investments in money market funds that are registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, which have net assets of at least
$1,000,000,000 and at least eighty-five percent (85%) of whose assets consist of
securities and other obligations of the type described in clauses (a) through
(e) above.

          "Cash Management Bank" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).
           --------------------                               -------------

          "Cash Management Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).
           -----------------------                               --------------

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

          "Cash Management Agreements" means those certain cash management
           --------------------------
service agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, each
of which is among Borrower, Agent, and one of the Cash Management Banks.

          "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as
           -----------------
(a) WESS or its Affiliates shall cease to own and control 50%, or more, of the
issued and outstanding Stock of Parent which was owned by WESS or its Affiliates
on the Closing Date, (b) WESS or its Affiliates shall fail to have at least two
(2) representatives on the Board of Directors, (c) a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors do not constitute Continuing Directors, (d) subject to
the provisions of Section 7.3(a), Parent shall cease to own and control,
                  --------------
directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Stock of SK and of
each Borrower, or (e) a "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections
13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of more of the total voting power of all classes of
Stock then outstanding of Parent entitled to vote for the election of members of
the Board of Directors than is owned by Permitted Holders.

          "Closing Date" means the date of the making of the initial Advance (or
           ------------
other extension of credit) hereunder.

          "Closing Date Business Plan" means the set of Projections of Parent
           --------------------------
for the 3 fiscal year period following the Closing Date (on a fiscal year by
fiscal year basis, and for the 1 fiscal year period following the Closing Date,
on a month by month basis), in form and substance (including as to scope and
underlying assumptions) satisfactory to Agent.

          "Code" means the California Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from
           ----
time to time.

          "Collateral" shall mean any and all assets and rights and interests in
           ----------
or to property pledged from time to time as security for the Obligations (or the
Guarantied Obligations as that term is defined in the Guaranty) pursuant to any
pledge or security agreement that constitutes a Loan Document.

          "Collateral Access Agreement" means a landlord waiver, bailee letter,
           ---------------------------
or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee,
or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or
interests in the Equipment or Inventory, in each case, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent.

          "Collections" means all cash, checks, notes, instruments, and other
           -----------
items of payment (including insurance proceeds, proceeds of cash sales, rental
proceeds, and tax refunds) of Borrowers.

          "Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, its Commitment and,
           ----------
with respect to all Lenders, their Commitments, in each case as such Dollar
amounts are set forth

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

beside such Lender's name under the applicable heading on Schedule C-1 or on the
                                                          ------------
signature page of the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender
became a Lender hereunder in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.1.
                                                               ------------

          "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form
           ----------------------
of Exhibit C-1 delivered by the chief financial officer of Parent to Agent.
   -----------

          "Consulting Agreement" means that certain Agreement between [Parent]
           --------------------
and Mr. David Blohm.

          "Continuing Director" means (a) any member of the Board of Directors
           -------------------
who was a director (or comparable manager) of Parent on the Closing Date, and
(b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors after the
Closing Date if such individual was appointed or nominated for election to the
Board of Directors by a majority of the Continuing Directors, but excluding any
such individual originally proposed for election in opposition to the Board of
Directors in office at the Closing Date in an actual or threatened election
contest relating to the election of the directors (or comparable managers) of
Parent (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act) and whose
initial assumption of office resulted from such contest or the settlement
thereof.

          "Control Agreement" means a control agreement, in form and substance
           -----------------
satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by Parent, SK or the applicable
Borrower, Agent, and the applicable securities intermediary with respect to a
Securities Account or a bank with respect to a deposit account.

          "Copyright Security Agreement" means a copyright security agreement
           ----------------------------
executed and delivered by each Borrower and Agent, the form and substance of
which is satisfactory to Agent.

          "Daily Balance" means, with respect to each day during the term of
           -------------
this Agreement, the amount of an Obligation owed at the end of such day.

          "DDA" means any checking or other demand deposit account maintained by
           ---
any Guarantor or any Borrower.

          "Default" means an event, condition, or default that, with the giving
           -------
of notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

          "Defaulting Lender" means any Lender that fails to make any Advance
           -----------------
(or other extension of credit) that it is required to make hereunder on the date
that it is required to do so hereunder.

          "Defaulting Lender Rate" means (a) the Base Rate for the first 3 days
           ----------------------
from and after the date the relevant payment is due, and (b) thereafter, at the
interest rate then

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans (inclusive of the Base Rate
Margin applicable thereto).

          "Designated Account" means the ECH Designated Account or the EPI
           ------------------
Designated Account, as the context requires.

          "Designated Account Bank" means the ECH Designated Account Bank or the
           -----------------------
EPI Designated Account Bank, as the context requires.

          "Disbursement Letter" means an instructional letter executed and
           -------------------
delivered by each Borrower to Agent regarding the extensions of credit to be
made on the Closing Date, the form and substance of which is satisfactory to
Agent.

          "Distribution" means, with respect to any Person, (a) the declaration
           ------------
or payment of any dividend on or in respect of any shares of any class of
capital Stock of such Person, other than dividends payable solely in shares of
common Stock of such Person, (b) the purchase, redemption, or other retirement
of any shares of any class of capital Stock of such Person, directly or
indirectly, (c) the return of capital by such Person to its shareholders or
other interest holders, or (d) any other distribution on or in respect of any
shares of any class of capital Stock of such Person.

          "Dollars" or "$" means United States dollars.
           -------      -

          "Due Diligence Letter" means the due diligence letter sent by Agent's
           --------------------
counsel to Borrowers, together with Borrowers' completed responses to the
inquiries set forth therein, the form and substance of such responses to be
reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

          "EBITDA" means, with respect to any fiscal period, Parent's and its
           ------
Subsidiaries consolidated net earnings (or loss), minus extraordinary gains,
plus to the extent deducted in the calculation of consolidated net earnings (or
loss), (A) interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization for
such period, and (B) expenditures for severance payments and other non-recurring
expenses which are incurred prior to September 30, 2001, in an aggregate amount
not to exceed $1,000,000 as of any date of determination, to the extent that
Agent shall have received, on or before October 31, 2001, such documentation as
Agent shall reasonably require with respect to each such expenditure, in each
case as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however that the
                                            --------  -------
expenditures described above in clause (B) shall not be included in the
calculation of EBITDA for any period after September 29, 2002.

          "ECH" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
           ---

          "ECH Availability" means, as of any date of determination, if such
           ----------------
date is a Business Day, and determined at the close of business on the
immediately preceding Business Day, if such date of determination is not a
Business Day, the amount that ECH is

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

entitled to borrow as ECH Revolver Advances under Section 2.1(a) (after giving
                                                  --------------
effect to all then outstanding Obligations and all sublimits and reserves
applicable hereunder).

          "ECH Borrowing Base" means an amount equal to the sum of:
           ------------------

          (a)  80% of the amount of ECH's Eligible Accounts, less the amount, if
          any, of the ECH Dilution Reserve, plus

          (b)  the lowest of:

               (i)    50% of the value of ECH's Eligible Inventory,

               (ii)   85% times the then extant Net Liquidation Percentage times
the book value of ECH's Eligible Inventory, and

               (iii)  the result of (y) $18,000,000, minus (z) the then extant
EPI Inventory Usage.

          "ECH Designated Account" means account number 1491-5-01603 of ECH
           ----------------------
maintained with the ECH Designated Account Bank, or such other deposit account
of ECH (located within the United States) that has been designated, in writing
and from time to time, by ECH to Agent.

          "ECH Designated Account Bank" means Bank of America, whose office is
           ---------------------------
located at Monterey, California, and whose ABA number is 121000358.

          "ECH Dilution" means, as of any date of determination, a percentage
           ------------
for the twelve calendar-month period ending immediately prior to such date of
determination, that is the result of dividing the Dollar amount of (a) bad debt
write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, credits, or other dilutive items
with respect to ECH's Accounts during such period, by (b) ECH's Collections with
respect to ECH's Accounts during such period (excluding extraordinary items)
plus the Dollar amount of clause (a).

          "ECH Dilution Reserve" means, as of any date of determination, an
           --------------------
amount sufficient to reduce the advance rate against ECH's Eligible Accounts by
one percentage point for each percentage point by which ECH Dilution is in
excess of 5%.

          "ECH Existing Lender" means Paribas, Chicago Branch.
           -------------------

          "ECH Letter of Credit Usage" means, as of any date determination
           --------------------------
thereof, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit
issued for the account of ECH.

          "ECH Inventory Usage" means, as of any date of determination, the
           -------------------
aggregate amount of outstanding Advances made to ECH hereunder that are based
upon its Eligible

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

Inventory (for purposes of this definition, Advances made to ECH based upon the
ECH Borrowing Base shall be deemed advanced against ECH's Eligible Accounts
first and, after the amount of availability created thereby is exhausted,
thereafter against ECH's Eligible Inventory).

          "ECH Loan Account" means the Loan Account respecting ECH maintained on
           ----------------
the books of Agent pursuant to Section 2.10.
                               ------------

          "ECH Maximum Revolver Amount" means, as of any date of determination,
           ---------------------------
$25,000,000.

          "ECH Overadvance" means the amount, if any, by which (a) the
           ---------------
outstanding principal amount of ECH Revolver Usage, exceeds (b) the least of (i)
the ECH Borrowing Base, (ii) the ECH Maximum Revolver Amount, or (iii) the
Maximum Revolver Amount minus the EPI Revolver Usage.

          "ECH Pay-Off Letter" means a letter, in form and substance
           ------------------
satisfactory to Agent, from ECH Existing Lender to Agent respecting the amount
necessary to repay in full all of the obligations of ECH owing to ECH Existing
Lender and obtain a release of all of the Liens existing in favor of ECH
Existing Lender in and to the assets of ECH.

          "ECH Revolver Advances" means an Advance made pursuant to Section
           ---------------------                                    -------
2.1(a) (and shall include all Swing Loans and Agent Advances made to or for the
------
account of ECH).

          "ECH Revolver Usage" means, as of any date determination thereof, the
           ------------------
sum of (a) the principal amount of ECH Revolver Advances then outstanding
(including any amount that Agent may have paid for the account of ECH pursuant
to any of the Loan Documents and which has not been reimbursed by ECH), plus (b)
the ECH Letter of Credit Usage.

          "Eligible Accounts" means those Accounts created by one of the
           -----------------
Borrowers in the ordinary course of its business, that arise out of its sale of
goods or rendition of services, that comply in all material respects with each
of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Accounts made under
the Loan Documents, and that are not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or
more of the criteria set forth below; provided, however, that such criteria may
                                      --------  -------
be fixed and revised from time to time by Agent in Agent's Permitted Discretion
to address the results of any audit performed by Agent from time to time after
the Closing Date.  In determining the amount to be included, Eligible Accounts
shall be calculated net of customer deposits and unapplied cash remitted to
Borrowers.  Eligible Accounts shall not include the following:

               (a)  Accounts that the Account Debtor has failed to pay within 60
days of the due date or Accounts with selling terms of more than 45 days (except
in the case

                                     -10-
<PAGE>

of Accounts of EPI with respect to which the original invoice date is between
June 1 and August 15 during any calendar year during the term of this Agreement,
in which case such Accounts will be ineligible if the Account Debtor has failed
to pay within 60 days of the due date or if any such Account is due after
September 30 of the then current calendar year),

               (b)  Accounts owed by an Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) where
50% or more of all Accounts owed by that Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) are
deemed ineligible under clause (a) above,

               (c)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is an
employee, Affiliate, or agent of any Borrower,

               (d)  Accounts arising in a transaction wherein goods are placed
on consignment or are sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a
sale on approval, a bill and hold, or any other terms by reason of which the
payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional (other than sale or return
transactions by EPI in accordance with its historical practices),

               (e)  Accounts that are not payable in Dollars,

               (f)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor either (i)
does not maintain its chief executive office in the United States, or (ii) is
not organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or (iii)
is the government of any foreign country or sovereign state, or of any state,
province, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof, or of any
department, agency, public corporation, or other instrumentality thereof, unless
(y) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit reasonably
satisfactory to Agent (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming
bank) that has been delivered to Agent and is directly drawable by Agent, or (z)
the Account is covered by credit insurance in form, substance, and amount, and
by an insurer, reasonably satisfactory to Agent,

               (g)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is either
(i) the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the
United States (exclusive, however, of Accounts with respect to which the
applicable Borrower has complied, to the reasonable satisfaction of Agent, with
the Assignment of Claims Act, 31 USC (S) 3727), or (ii) any state of the United
States (exclusive, however, of (y) Accounts owed by any state that does not have
a statutory counterpart to the Assignment of Claims Act or (z) Accounts owed by
any state that does have a statutory counterpart to the Assignment of Claims Act
as to which the applicable Borrower has complied to Agent's reasonable
satisfaction),

               (h)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a
creditor of any Borrower, has or has asserted a right of setoff, has disputed
its liability, or has made

                                     -11-
<PAGE>

any claim with respect to its obligation to pay the Account, to the extent of
such claim, right of setoff, or dispute,

               (i)  Accounts with respect to an Account Debtor whose total
obligations owing to Borrowers exceed 5% of all Eligible Accounts, to the extent
of the obligations owing by such Account Debtor in excess of such percentage,

               (j)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is subject
to an Insolvency Proceeding, is not Solvent, has gone out of business, or as to
which a Borrower has received notice of an imminent Insolvency Proceeding or a
material impairment of the financial condition of such Account Debtor,

               (k)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is located
in the states of New Jersey, Minnesota, or West Virginia (or any other state
that requires a creditor to file a business activity report or similar document
in order to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against such Account
Debtor in the courts or through any judicial process of such state), unless the
applicable Borrower has qualified to do business in New Jersey, Minnesota, West
Virginia, or such other states, or has filed a business activities report with
the applicable division of taxation, the department of revenue, or with such
other state offices, as appropriate, for the then-current year, or is exempt
from such filing requirement,

               (l)  Accounts, the collection of which, Agent, in its Permitted
Discretion, believes to be doubtful by reason of the Account Debtor's financial
condition,

               (m)  Accounts that are not subject to a valid and perfected first
priority Agent's Lien,

               (n)  Accounts with respect to which (i) the goods giving rise to
such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor, or (ii) the
services giving rise to such Account have not been performed and billed to the
Account Debtor,

               (o)  Accounts where the primary payment mechanism is a credit
card and the primary source of repayment is recourse against the credit card
issuer, or

               (p)  Accounts that represent the right to receive progress
payments or other advance billings that are due prior to the completion of
performance by the applicable Borrower of the subject contract for goods or
services.

          "Eligible Inventory" means Inventory of Borrowers consisting of raw
           ------------------
materials and finished goods held for sale in the ordinary course of Borrowers'
business  located at one of the business locations of Borrowers set forth on
Schedule E-1 (or in-transit between any such locations), that complies in all
------------
material respects with each of the representations and warranties respecting
Eligible Inventory made in the Loan Documents,

                                     -12-
<PAGE>

and that is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of the one or more of the
criteria set forth below; provided, however, that such criteria may be fixed and
                          --------  -------
revised from time to time by Agent in Agent's Permitted Discretion to address
the results of any audit or appraisal performed by Agent from time to time after
the Closing Date; provided, further that any Inventory of Borrowers, the sale of
                  --------  -------
which creates an Account which is described in clause (o) of the definition of
"Eligible Accounts", to the extent that such Inventory would otherwise
constitute Eligible Inventory, shall nonetheless continue to constitute Eligible
Inventory for a period of three (3) Business Days after the date of the sale of
such Inventory. In determining the amount to be so included, Inventory shall be
valued at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers'
historical accounting practices. An item of Inventory shall not be included in
Eligible Inventory if:

               (a)  a Borrower does not have good, valid, and marketable title
thereto,

               (b)  it is not located at one of the locations in the United
States set forth on Schedule E-1 or in transit from one such location to another
                    ------------
such location,

               (c)  it is located on real property leased by a Borrower or in a
contract warehouse, in each case, unless (i) it is subject to a Collateral
Access Agreement executed by the lessor, warehouseman, or other third party, as
the case may be, or (ii) a Landlord Reserve has been established with respect to
such location, and unless it is segregated or otherwise separately identifiable
from goods of others, if any, stored on the premises,

               (d)  it is not subject to a valid and perfected first priority
security Agent's Lien,

               (e)  it consists of goods returned or rejected by a Borrower's
customers, or

               (f)  it consists of goods that are obsolete or slow moving,
restrictive or custom items, work-in-process, or goods that constitute spare
parts, packaging and shipping materials, supplies used or consumed in a
Borrower's business, bill and hold goods, defective goods, "seconds," or
Inventory acquired on consignment.

          "Eligible Transferee" means (a) a commercial bank organized under the
           -------------------
laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having total assets in
excess of $250,000,000, (b) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any
other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development or a political subdivision of any such country and which has total
assets in excess of $250,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through a
branch or agency located in the United States, (c) a finance company, insurance
company, or other financial institution or fund that is engaged in making,
purchasing, or otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of
its

                                     -13-
<PAGE>

business and having (together with its Affiliates) total assets in excess of
$250,000,000, (d) any Affiliate (other than individuals) of a Lender that was
party hereto as of the Closing Date, (e) so long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, any other Person approved by Agent and Borrower, and
(f) during the continuation of an Event of Default, any other Person approved by
Agent.

          "Environmental Actions" means any complaint, summons, citation,
           ---------------------
notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or
administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other communication from any
Governmental Authority, or any third party involving violations of Environmental
Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials from (a) any assets, properties, or
businesses of any Borrower or any predecessor in interest, (b) from adjoining
properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received
Hazardous Materials generated by any Borrower or any predecessor in interest.

          "Environmental Law" means any applicable federal, state, provincial,
           -----------------
foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and
enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy or rule of common
law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or
administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative
order, consent decree or judgment, to the extent binding on Borrowers, relating
to the environment, employee health and safety, or Hazardous Materials,
including CERCLA; RCRA; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC (S) 1251
et seq; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC, (S) 2601 et seq.; the Clean
-- ---                                                     -- -----
Air Act, 42 USC (S) 7401 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 USC. (S) 3803
                         -- ----
et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 USC. (S) 2701 et seq.; the Emergency
-- ----                                                  -- ----
Planning and the Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 USC. (S) 11001 et seq.;
                                                                        -- ----
the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 USC (S) 1801 et seq.; and the
                                                           -- ----
Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 USC. (S)651 et seq. (to the extent it
                                                   -- ----
regulates occupational exposure to Hazardous Materials); any state and local or
foreign counterparts or equivalents, in each case as amended from time to time.

          "Environmental Liabilities and Costs" means all liabilities, monetary
           -----------------------------------
obligations, Remedial Actions, losses, damages, punitive damages, consequential
damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees,
disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of
investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and
interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any Governmental
Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

          "Environmental Lien" means any Lien in favor of any Governmental
           ------------------
Authority for Environmental Liabilities and Costs.

          "EPI" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
           ---

          "EPI Availability" means, as of any date of determination, if such
           ----------------
date is a Business Day, and determined at the close of business on the
immediately preceding

                                     -14-
<PAGE>

Business Day, if such date of determination is not a Business Day, the amount
that EPI is entitled to borrow as EPI Revolver Advances under Section 2.1(b)
                                                              --------------
(after giving effect to all then outstanding Obligations and all sublimits and
reserves applicable hereunder).

          "EPI Borrowing Base" means an amount equal to the sum of:
           ------------------

          (a)  80% of the amount of EPI's Eligible Accounts, less the amount, if
          any, of the EPI Dilution Reserve, plus

          (b)  the lowest of:

               (i)   50% of the value of EPI's Eligible Inventory, and

               (ii)  85% times the then extant Net Liquidation Percentage times
the book value of EPI's Eligible Inventory, and

               (iii) the result of (y) $18,000,000, minus (z) the then extant
ECH Inventory Usage.

          "EPI Designated Account" means account number 1491-5-01606 of EPI
           ----------------------
maintained with the EPI Designated Account Bank, or such other deposit account
of EPI (located within the United States) that has been designated, in writing
and from time to time, by EPI to Agent.

          "EPI Designated Account Bank" means Bank of America, whose office is
           ---------------------------
located at Monterey, California, and whose ABA number is 121000358.

          "EPI Dilution" means, as of any date of determination, a percentage
           ------------
for the twelve calendar-month period ending immediately prior to such date of
determination, that is the result of dividing the Dollar amount of (a) bad debt
write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, credits, or other dilutive items
with respect to EPI's Accounts during such period, by (b) EPI's Collections with
respect to EPI's Accounts during such period (excluding extraordinary items)
plus the Dollar amount of clause (a).

          "EPI Dilution Reserve" means, as of any date of determination, an
           --------------------
amount sufficient to reduce the advance rate against EPI's Eligible Accounts by
one percentage point for each percentage point by which EPI Dilution is in
excess of 5%.

          "EPI Inventory Usage" means, as of any date of determination, the
           -------------------
aggregate amount of outstanding Advances made to EPI hereunder that are based
upon its Eligible Inventory (for purposes of this definition, Advances made to
EPI based upon the EPI Borrowing Base shall be deemed advanced against EPI's
Eligible Accounts first and, after the amount of availability created thereby is
exhausted, thereafter against EPI's Eligible Inventory).

                                     -15-
<PAGE>

          "EPI Letter of Credit Usage" means, as of any date determination
           --------------------------
thereof, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit
issued for the account of EPI.

          "EPI Loan Account" means the Loan Account respecting EPI maintained on
           ----------------
the books of Agent pursuant to Section 2.10.
                               ------------

          "EPI Maximum Revolver Amount" means, as of any date of determination,
           ---------------------------
$25,000,000.

          "EPI Overadvance" means the amount, if any, by which (a) the
           ---------------
outstanding principal amount of EPI Revolver Usage, exceeds (b) the least of (i)
the EPI Borrowing Base, (ii) the EPI Maximum Revolver Amount, or (iii) the
Maximum Revolver Amount minus the ECH Revolver Usage.

          "EPI Revolver Advances" means an Advance made pursuant to Section
           ---------------------                                    -------
2.1(b) (and shall include all Swing Loans and Agent Advances made to or for the
------
account of EPI).

          "EPI Revolver Usage" means, as of any date determination thereof, the
           ------------------
sum of (a) the principal amount of EPI Revolver Advances then outstanding
(including any amount that Agent may have paid for the account of EPI pursuant
to any of the Loan Documents and which has not been reimbursed by EPI), plus (b)
the EPI Letter of Credit Usage.

          "Equipment" means all of Borrowers' now owned or hereafter acquired
           ---------
right, title, and interest with respect to equipment, machinery, machine tools,
motors, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, vehicles (including motor vehicles),
tools, parts, goods (other than consumer goods, farm products, or Inventory),
wherever located, including all attachments, accessories, accessions,
replacements, substitutions, additions, and improvements to any of the
foregoing.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
           -----
amended, and any successor statute thereto.

          "ERISA Affiliate" means (a) any Person subject to ERISA whose
           ---------------
employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of a
Borrower under IRC Section 414(b), (b) any trade or business subject to ERISA
whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of
a Borrower under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes of Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any organization subject to ERISA that is a
member of an affiliated service group of which a Borrower is a member under IRC
Section 414(m), or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section
412 of the IRC, any Person subject to ERISA that is a party to an arrangement
with a Borrower and whose employees are aggregated with the employees of a
Borrower under IRC Section 414(o).

          "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
           ----------------                               ---------

                                     -16-
<PAGE>

          "Excess Availability" means the amount, as of the date any
           -------------------
determination thereof is to be made, equal to Aggregate Availability minus the
aggregate amount, if any, of all trade payables of Parent, SK and Borrowers aged
in excess of their historical levels with respect thereto and all book
overdrafts in excess of their historical practices with respect thereto, in each
case as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
           ------------
and any successor statute thereto.

          "Family Member" means, with respect to any individual, any other
           -------------
individual having a relationship by blood (to the second degree of
consanguinity), marriage, or adoption to such individual.

          "Family Trusts" means, with respect to any individual, trusts or other
           -------------
estate planning vehicles established for the benefit of Family Members of such
individual and in respect of which such individual serves as trustee or in a
similar capacity.

          "Fee Letter" means that certain fee letter, dated as of even date
           ----------
herewith, between Borrowers and Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to
Agent.

          "FEIN" means Federal Employer Identification Number.
           ----

          "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the ratio of (i)
           ---------------------------
EBITDA for such period, minus capital expenditures of Parent and its
                        -----
Subsidiaries for such period, to (ii) (A) all principal and interest of
Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries scheduled to be paid during such
period, plus (B) income taxes paid in cash by the Parent and its Subsidiaries
        ----
during such period, minus the interest income earned by Parent and its
                    -----
Subsidiaries during such period.

          "Funding Date" means the date on which a Borrowing occurs.
           ------------

          "Funding Losses" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(b)(ii).
           --------------                               -------------------

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect
           ----
from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.

          "General Intangibles" means all of Borrowers' now owned or hereafter
           -------------------
acquired right, title, and interest with respect to general intangibles
(including payment intangibles, contract rights, rights to payment, rights
arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action,
goodwill, patents, trade names, trademarks, servicemarks, copyrights,
blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable
from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any
royalty or licensing agreements, infringement claims, computer programs,
information contained on computer disks or tapes, software, literature, reports,
catalogs, money, deposit

                                     -17-
<PAGE>

accounts, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims), and
any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof, and any other personal
property other than goods, Accounts, Investment Property, and Negotiable
Collateral.

          "GMAC" means GMAC Business Credit, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
           ----
company.

          "Governing Documents" means, with respect to any Person, the
           -------------------
certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational
documents of such Person.

          "Governmental Authority" means any federal, state, local, or other
           ----------------------
governmental or administrative body, instrumentality, department, or agency or
any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel, commission,
or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body.

          "Guarantors" means Parent and SK and "Guarantor" means any one of
           ----------                           ---------
them.

          "Guarantor Stock Pledge Agreement" means a stock pledge agreement
           --------------------------------
executed and delivered by Parent and Agent, the form and substance of which is
satisfactory to Agent.

          "Guaranty" means that certain general continuing guaranty executed and
           --------
delivered by each Guarantor and each Borrower in favor of Agent, for the benefit
of the Lender Group, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.

          "Hazardous Materials" means (a) substances that are defined or listed
           -------------------
in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as
"hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "hazardous wastes," "toxic
substances," or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify
substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or "EP
toxicity", (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas,
natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other
wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil,
natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives
or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical
equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of
polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

          "Indebtedness" means with respect to a Guarantor or a Borrower (a) all
           ------------
obligations for borrowed money, (b) all obligations evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other
obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, interest rate
swaps, or other financial products, (c) all obligations under Capital Leases,
(d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of a
Guarantor or a Borrower, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is
assumed, (e) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of assets (other
than trade debt incurred in

                                     -18-
<PAGE>

the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade
practices), and (f) any obligation guaranteeing or intended to guarantee
(whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or
sold with recourse) any obligation of any other Person.

          "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
           -----------------------                               ------------

          "Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
           ------------------                               ------------

          "Insolvency Proceeding" means any proceeding commenced by or against
           ---------------------
any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state
or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of
creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with
creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar
relief.

          "Intangible Assets" means, with respect to any Person, that portion of
           -----------------
the book value of all of such Person's assets that would be treated as
intangibles under GAAP.

          "Intercompany Advances" means loans or advances from one Borrower to
           ---------------------
another Borrower, from a Borrower to SK, or from SK to a Borrower.

          "Intercompany Subordination Agreement" means a subordination agreement
           ------------------------------------
executed and delivered by Parent, SK, Borrowers and Agent, the form and
substance of which is satisfactory to Agent.

          "Interest Period" means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, a
           ---------------
period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan and ending
1, 2, 3, or 6 months thereafter; provided, however, that (a) if any Interest
                                 --------  -------
Period would end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall
be extended (subject to clauses (c)-(e) below) to the next succeeding Business
Day, (b) interest shall accrue at the applicable rate based upon the LIBOR Rate
from and including the first day of each Interest Period to, but excluding, the
day on which any Interest Period expires, (c) any Interest Period that would end
on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which
case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (d) with
respect to an Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar
month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
calendar month at the end of such Interest Period), the Interest Period shall
end on the last Business Day of the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3, or 6 months
after the date on which the Interest Period began, as applicable, and (e)
Borrowers may not elect an Interest Period which will end after the Maturity
Date.

          "Inventory" means all of Borrowers' now owned or hereafter acquired
           ---------
right, title, and interest with respect to inventory, including goods held for
sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service, goods that are
leased by a Borrower as lessor, goods

                                     -19-
<PAGE>

that are furnished by a Borrower under a contract of service, and raw materials,
work in process, or materials used or consumed in a Borrower's business.

          "Inventory Reserves" means reserves (determined from time to time by
           ------------------
Agent in its Permitted Discretion) for the estimated costs relating to unpaid
freight charges, warehousing or storage charges, taxes, duties, and other
similar unpaid costs associated with the acquisition of Eligible Inventory by
Borrowers by means of Letters of Credit.

          "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such
           ----------
Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans,
guarantees, advances, or capital contributions (excluding (a) commission,
travel, and similar advances to officers and employees of such Person made in
the ordinary course of business, and (b) bona fide Accounts arising from the
sale of goods or rendition of services in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice), purchases or other acquisitions for
consideration of Indebtedness or Stock, and any other items that are or would be
classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

          "Investment Property" means all of Borrowers' now owned or hereafter
           -------------------
acquired right, title, and interest with respect to "investment property" as
that term is defined in the Code, and any and all supporting obligations in
respect thereof.

          "IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time
           ---
to time.

          "Issuing Lender" means GMAC or any other Lender that, at the request
           --------------
of Borrowers and with the reasonable consent of Agent agrees, in such Lender's
sole discretion, to become an Issuing Lender for the purpose of issuing L/Cs or
L/C Undertakings pursuant to Section 2.12.
                             ------------

          "L/C" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).
           ---                               ---------------

          "L/C Disbursement" means a payment made by the Issuing Lender pursuant
           ----------------
to a Letter of Credit.

          "L/C Undertaking" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).
           ---------------                               ---------------

          "Landlord Reserve" means a reserve in an amount equal to the greater
           ----------------
of (i) the number of months rent for which a landlord will have, under the
applicable statutory lien, a Lien in the assets of a Borrower to secure the
payment of rent or other amounts under a lease, or (ii) three months rent under
the lease, for each leased location at which a Borrower stores Inventory and as
to which a Collateral Access Agreement has not been received by Agent.

                                     -20-
<PAGE>

          "Lender" and "Lenders" have the respective meanings set forth in the
           ------       -------
preamble to this Agreement, and shall include any other Person made a party to
this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.1.
                                                    ------------

          "Lender Group" means, individually and collectively, each of the
           ------------
Lenders (including the Issuing Lender) and Agent.

          "Lender Group Expenses" means all (a) costs or expenses (including
           ---------------------
taxes, and insurance premiums) required to be paid by a Guarantor or a Borrower
under any of the Loan Documents that are paid or incurred by the Lender Group,
(b) fees or charges paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the Lender
Group's transactions with Guarantors or Borrowers, including, fees or charges
for photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication,
public record searches (including tax lien, litigation, and UCC searches and
including searches with the patent and trademark office, the copyright office,
or the department of motor vehicles), filing, recording, publication, appraisal
(including periodic Collateral appraisals or business valuations to the extent
of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) contained in
this Agreement, real estate surveys, real estate title policies and
endorsements, and environmental audits, (c) costs and expenses incurred by Agent
in the disbursement of funds to or for the account of Borrowers (by wire
transfer or otherwise), (d) charges paid or incurred by Agent resulting from the
dishonor of checks, (e) reasonable costs and expenses paid or incurred by the
Lender Group to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan
Documents, or in gaining possession of, maintaining, handling, preserving,
storing, shipping, selling, preparing for sale, or advertising to sell the
Collateral, or any portion thereof, irrespective of whether a sale is
consummated, (f) audit fees and expenses of Agent related to audit examinations
of the Books to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any
limitation) contained in this Agreement, (g) reasonable costs and expenses of
third party claims or any other suit paid or incurred by the Lender Group in
enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents or the Lender Group's relationship with any
Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations, (h) Agent's reasonable fees and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred in advising,
structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering, or amending the Loan Documents,
and (i) Agent's and each Lender's reasonable fees and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys fees) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including
attorneys fees and expenses incurred in connection with a "workout," a
"restructuring," or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning any Borrower or in
exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan
Documents, irrespective of whether suit is brought, or in taking any Remedial
Action concerning the Collateral.

          "Lender-Related Person" means, with respect to any Lender, such
           ---------------------
Lender, together with such Lender's Affiliates, and the officers, directors,
employees, and agents of such Lender.

                                     -21-
<PAGE>

          "Letter of Credit" means an L/C or an L/C Undertaking, as the context
           ----------------
requires.

          "Letter of Credit Usage" means, as of any date of determination, the
           ----------------------
sum of (a) the ECH Letter of Credit Usage, and (b) the EPI Letter of Credit
Usage.

          "LIBOR Deadline" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(b)(i).
           --------------                               ------------------

          "LIBOR Notice" means a written notice in the form of Exhibit L-1.
           ------------                                        ------------

          "LIBOR Rate" means, for each Interest Period for each LIBOR Rate Loan,
           ----------
the rate per annum determined by Agent (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
next 1/16%) by dividing (a) the Base LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period, by (b)
100% minus the Reserve Percentage.  The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted on and as
of the effective day of any change in the Reserve Percentage.

          "LIBOR Rate Loan" means each portion of an Advance that bears interest
           ---------------
at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

          "LIBOR Rate Margin" means 3.0 percentage points.
           -----------------

          "Lien" means any interest in an asset securing an obligation owed to,
           ----
or a claim by, any Person other than the owner of the asset, whether such
interest shall be based on the common law, statute, or contract, whether such
interest shall be recorded or perfected, and whether such interest shall be
contingent upon the occurrence of some future event or events or the existence
of some future circumstance or circumstances, including the lien or security
interest arising from a mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security agreement, conditional
sale or trust receipt, or from a lease, consignment, or bailment for security
purposes and also including reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements,
rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases, and other title
exceptions and encumbrances affecting Real Property.

          "Loan Account" and "Loan Accounts" have the meaning set forth in
           ------------       -------------
Section 2.10.
------------

          "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Cash Management Agreements,
           --------------
the Control Agreements, the Copyright Security Agreement, the Disbursement
Letter, the Due Diligence Letter, the Fee Letter, the Parent Security Agreement,
the SK Security Agreement, the Guarantor Stock Pledge Agreement, the Guaranty,
the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Post Closing Matters Agreement,
the Letters of Credit, the Patent Security Agreement, the Stock Pledge
Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, any note or notes executed by a
Borrower in connection with this Agreement and payable to a member of the Lender
Group, and any other agreement entered into, now or in the future, by any
Borrower and the Lender Group in connection with this Agreement.

                                     -22-
<PAGE>

          "Material Adverse Change" means (a) a material adverse change in the
           -----------------------
business, prospects, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or
condition (financial or otherwise) of Guarantors and Borrowers taken as a whole,
(b) a material impairment of a Guarantor's or a Borrower's ability to perform
its respective obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party or of
the Lender Group's ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the
Collateral, or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of
the Agent's Liens with respect to the Collateral as a result of an action or
failure to act on the part of a Guarantor or a Borrower.

          "Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
           -------------                               -----------

          "Maximum Revolver Amount" means $25,000,000.
           -----------------------

          "Merger" means the merger of Merger Corp with and into SK pursuant to
           ------
the Contribution Agreement, with SK as the surviving entity of such merger.

          "Merger Corp" means S-E Educational Merger Corp., a Delaware
           -----------
corporation.

          "Negotiable Collateral" means all of Borrowers' now owned and
           ---------------------
hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to letters of credit,
letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts, documents, and
chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper and tangible chattel paper),
and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

          "Net Liquidation Percentage" means the percentage of the book value of
           --------------------------
an applicable Borrower's Inventory that is estimated to be recoverable in an
orderly liquidation of such Inventory, such percentage to be as determined from
time to time by a qualified appraisal company selected by Agent.

          "Obligations" means all loans, Advances, debts, principal, interest
           -----------
(including any interest that, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code,
would have accrued), contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to
outstanding Letters of Credit, premiums, liabilities (including all amounts
charged to Borrowers' Loan Accounts pursuant hereto), obligations, fees
(including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), charges, costs, Lender
Group Expenses (including any such fees or expenses that, but for the provisions
of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), lease payments, guaranties,
covenants, and duties of any kind and description owing by Borrowers to the
Lender Group pursuant to or evidenced by the Loan Documents and irrespective of
whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and
including all interest not paid when due and all Lender Group Expenses that
Borrowers are required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents, by law, or
otherwise.  Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the
Obligations shall include all amendments, changes, extensions, modifications,
renewals replacements,

                                     -23-
<PAGE>

substitutions, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable, both prior
and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

          "Originating Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(e).
           ------------------                               ---------------

          "Overadvance" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
           -----------                               -----------

          "Parent" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
           ------

          "Parent Security Agreement" means a security agreement executed and
           -------------------------
delivered by Parent and Agent, the form and substance of which is satisfactory
to Agent.

          "Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(e).
           -----------                               ---------------

          "Patent Security Agreement" means a patent security agreement executed
           -------------------------
and delivered by Borrowers and Agent, the form and substance of which is
satisfactory to Agent.

          "Permitted Discretion" means a determination made in good faith and in
           --------------------
the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based
lender) business judgment.

          "Permitted Dispositions" means (a) sales or other dispositions by
           ----------------------
Borrowers (i) in the ordinary course of Borrowers' or Guarantors' business, of
Equipment that is substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete or no longer used or
useful in the ordinary conduct of Borrower's or Guarantors' business (ii) of
trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents or patent rights which are obsolete
or no longer used or useful in the ordinary conduct of Borrowers' or Guarantors'
business, (b) sales by Borrowers or Guarantors of Inventory to buyers in the
ordinary course of business, (c) the use or transfer of money or Cash
Equivalents by Borrowers or Guarantors in a manner that is not prohibited by the
terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and (d) the licensing by
Borrowers or Guarantors, on a non-exclusive basis, of patents, trademarks,
copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of the
applicable Borrower's business.

          "Permitted Distributions" means (a) Distributions by Subsidiaries of a
           -----------------------
Borrower to such Borrower so long as (if the Person making the Distribution is a
Borrower) it could have made a Permitted Intercompany Advance in the same
amount, (b) Distributions by Parent (y) solely in shares of Parent's common
stock, and (z) to purchase or otherwise acquire shares of its Stock concurrently
with and with the proceeds of the issuance of new shares of its Stock, (c) so
long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
result therefrom, cash Distributions by Borrowers to Parent for the sole purpose
of permitting Parent to pay, and Parent shall pay, federal and state income
taxes, (d) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would result therefrom, Distributions by Borrowers to Parent for
customary and reasonable out-of-pocket administrative expenses of Parent
incurred in the ordinary course of business and solely

                                     -24-
<PAGE>

attributable to the business activities relating to its ownership of Borrowers
but only to the extent that such Distributions are promptly applied to pay such
administrative expenses, (e) so long as no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Distributions by Borrowers
to Parent to enable Parent to repurchase equity interests from former employees
of Borrowers, their estates, spouses or former spouses in connection with the
termination of such employee's employment; provided, however, that (1) Parent
                                           --------  -------
shall use the proceeds of such Distributions solely and promptly to repurchase
such equity interests, and (2) the aggregate amount of all such Distributions
shall not exceed $200,000 in cash during any calendar year during the term of
this Agreement, with unused amount for a particular year being added to the
maximum aggregate amount of such Distributions permitted pursuant to this clause
(e)(2) for the following calendar year, (f) so long as no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, distributions
by Borrowers to Parent to enable Parent to repurchase shares of its outstanding
Stock in the open market; provided, however, that (1) Parent shall use the
                          --------  -------
proceeds of such distributions solely and promptly to repurchase such equity
interests, and (2) the aggregate amount of all such distributions shall not
exceed $500,000 in cash during any calendar year during the term of this
Agreement.

          and (g) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would result therefrom, Distributions by Borrowers to Parent to
enable Parent to pay directors' fees, expenses and indemnities owing to
independent directors of Parent.

          "Permitted Holders" means WESS or its Affiliates, QTL or its
           -----------------
Affiliates, Ron Elliot or his Family Members and Family Trusts, and Jeff Mair
and his Family Members and Family Trusts.

          "Permitted Intercompany Advances" means Intercompany Advances so long
           -------------------------------
as (a) after giving effect to the making of such Intercompany Advance, the
Guarantor or Borrower that is acting as the lender with respect thereto (i) has
Availability and Qualified Cash in an aggregate amount of not less than
$1,000,000, and (ii) is Solvent, (b) the Intercompany Subordination Agreement is
in full force and effect with respect to the proposed Intercompany Advance, and
(c) Parent shall not have received a Default Notice (as such term is defined in
the Intercompany Subordination Agreement) which Default Notice is still in
effect.

          "Permitted Investments" means (a) investments in Cash Equivalents, (b)
           ---------------------
investments in negotiable instruments for collection, (c) advances made in
connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of
business, and (d) investments resulting from Permitted Intercompany Advances.

          "Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens held by Agent for the benefit of
           ---------------
Agent and the Lenders, (b) Liens for unpaid taxes that either (i) are not yet
delinquent, or (ii) do not constitute an Event of Default hereunder and are the
subject of Permitted Protests, (c) Liens set forth on Schedule P-1, (d) the
                                                      ------------
interests of lessors under operating leases, (e) purchase money Liens or the
interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent that such Liens or

                                     -25-
<PAGE>

interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and so long as such Lien
attaches only to the asset purchased or acquired and the proceeds thereof, (f)
Liens arising by operation of law in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers,
mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, incurred in the ordinary course
of Borrowers' business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and
which Liens either (i) are for sums not yet delinquent, or (ii) are the subject
of Permitted Protests, (g) Liens arising from deposits made in connection with
obtaining worker's compensation or other unemployment insurance, (h) Liens or
deposits to secure performance of bids, tenders, or leases incurred in the
ordinary course of Borrowers' business and not in connection with the borrowing
of money, (i) Liens granted as security for surety or appeal bonds in connection
with obtaining such bonds in the ordinary course of Borrowers' business, (j)
Liens resulting from any judgment or award that is not an Event of Default
hereunder, and (k) with respect to any Real Property, easements, rights of way,
and zoning restrictions that do not materially interfere with or impair the use
or operation thereof by Borrowers.

          "Permitted Preferred Stock" means and refers to any Preferred Stock
           -------------------------
issued by Parent (and not by one or more of its Subsidiaries) that is not
Prohibited Preferred Stock.

          "Permitted Protest" means the right of the applicable Borrower to
           -----------------
protest any Lien (other than any such Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes
(other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a United States
federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect
to such obligation is established on the Books in such amount as is required
under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted
diligently by the applicable Borrower in good faith, and (c) Agent is reasonably
satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment
of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of the Agent's Liens.

          "Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness" means, as of any date of
           -------------------------------------
determination, Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred after the Closing Date in an
aggregate amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $250,000.

          "Person" means natural persons, corporations, limited liability
           ------
companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability
partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or other
organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and governments
and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

          "Post-Closing Matters Agreement" means that certain post closing
           ------------------------------
matters agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between Parent, SK, Borrowers
and Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.

          "Preferred Stock" means, as applied to the capital Stock of any
           ---------------
Person, the capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is
preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person,
over shares of capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

                                     -26-
<PAGE>

          "Prohibited Preferred Stock" means any Preferred Stock that by its
           --------------------------
terms is mandatorily redeemable or subject to any other payment obligation
(including any obligation to pay dividends, other than dividends of shares of
Preferred Stock of the same class and series payable in kind or dividends of
shares of common Stock) on or before a date that is more than 1 year after the
Maturity Date, or, on or before the date that is more than 1 year after the
Maturity Date, is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof for cash or
assets or securities (other than distributions in kind of shares of Preferred
Stock of the same class and series or of shares of common Stock).

          "Projections" means Parent's consolidated and consolidating forecasted
           -----------
(a) balance sheets, (b) profit and loss statements, and (c) cash flow
statements, all prepared on a consistent basis with Parent's historical
financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a
statement of underlying assumptions.

          "Pro Rata Share" means the percentage obtained by dividing (i) a
           --------------
Lender's Commitment, by (ii) the aggregate amount of Commitments of all Lenders;
provided, however, that, in each case, in the event all Commitments have been
--------  -------
terminated, Pro Rata Share shall be determined according to the Commitments in
effect immediately prior to such termination.

          "Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (other than the
           ---------------------------
Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations), incurred at the time
of, or within 20 days after, the acquisition of any fixed assets for the purpose
of financing all or any part of the acquisition cost thereof.

          "Qualified Cash" means, as of any date of determination, cash and Cash
           --------------
Equivalents of Guarantors or Borrowers that is on deposit with banks, or in
Securities Accounts with securities intermediaries, or any combination thereof,
and which such deposit account or Securities Account is maintained by a branch
office located within the United States and is the subject of a Control
Agreement.

          "QTL" means QTL Corporation, a California corporation.
           ---

          "Real Property" means any estates or interests in real property now
           -------------
owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower and the improvements thereto.

          "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or
           ------
which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in
perceivable form.

          "Remedial Action" means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove,
           ---------------
remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address
Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or
minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not
migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the
indoor or outdoor environment, (c) perform any pre-remedial studies,

                                     -27-
<PAGE>

investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (d)
conduct any other actions authorized by 42 USC (S) 9601.

          "Report" has the meaning set forth in Section 16.17.
           ------                               -------------

          "Required Availability" means Excess Availability and cash and Cash
           ---------------------
Equivalents in an amount of not less than $10,500,000 (of which not less than
$7,000,000 must be as a result of Excess Availability).

          "Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares
           ----------------
aggregate more than 50% of the Commitments, or if the Commitments have been
terminated irrevocably, more than 50% of the Obligations then outstanding.

          "Reserve Percentage" means, on any day, for any Lender, the maximum
           ------------------
percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(or any successor Governmental Authority) for determining the reserve
requirements (including any basic, supplemental, marginal, or emergency
reserves) that are in effect on such date with respect to eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as "eurocurrency liabilities") of that Lender, but so
long as such Lender is not required or directed under applicable regulations to
maintain such reserves, the Reserve Percentage shall be zero.

          "Revolver Usage" means, as of any date of determination, the sum of
           --------------
(a) the then extant principal amount of outstanding Advances,  plus (b) the then
extant amount of the Letter of Credit Usage.

          "Risk Participation Liability" means, as to each Letter of Credit, all
           ----------------------------
reimbursement obligations of Borrowers to the Issuing Lender with respect to an
L/C Undertaking, consisting of (a) the amount available to be drawn or which may
become available to be drawn, (b) all amounts that have been paid by the Issuing
Lender to the Underlying Issuer to the extent not reimbursed by Borrowers,
whether by the making of an Advance or otherwise, and (c) all accrued and unpaid
interest, fees, and expenses payable with respect thereto.

          "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and
           ---
any successor thereto.

          "Securities Account" means a "securities account" as that term is
           ------------------
defined in the Code.

          "Settlement" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(f)(i).
           ----------                               -----------------

          "Settlement Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(f)(i).
           ---------------                               -----------------

          "SK" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
           --

                                     -28-
<PAGE>

          "SK Existing Lender" means Silicon Valley Bank.
           ------------------

          "SK Pay-Off Letter" means a letter, in form and substance satisfactory
           -----------------
to Agent, from SK Existing Lender to Agent respecting the amount necessary to
repay in full all of the obligations of SK owing to SK Existing Lender and
obtain a release of all of the Liens existing in favor of SK Existing Lender in
and to the assets of SK.

          "SK Security Agreement" means a security agreement executed and
           ---------------------
delivered by SK and Agent, the form and substance of which is satisfactory to
Agent.

          "Solvent" means, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that
           -------
such Person is not insolvent (as such term is defined in the Uniform Fraudulent
Transfer Act).

          "Stock" means all shares, options, warrants, interests,
           -----
participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a
Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, or
any other "equity security" (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the
General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

          "Stock Pledge Agreement" means a stock pledge agreement, in form and
           ----------------------
substance satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each Borrower that
owns Stock of a Subsidiary of Parent.

          "Subsidiary" of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited
           ----------
liability company, or other entity in which that Person directly or indirectly
owns or controls the shares of Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a
majority of the board of directors (or appoint other comparable managers) of
such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity.

          "Swing Lender" means GMAC or any other Lender that, at the request of
           ------------
Borrowers and with the reasonable consent of Agent agrees, in such Lender's sole
discretion, to become the Swing Lender hereunder.

          "Swing Loan" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d)(i).
           ----------                               -----------------

          "Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
           -----                               -----------

          "Trademark Security Agreement" means a trademark security agreement
           ----------------------------
executed and delivered by each Borrower and Agent, the form and substance of
which is satisfactory to Agent.

          "Underlying Issuer" means a third Person which is the beneficiary of
           -----------------
an L/C Undertaking and which has issued a letter of credit at the request of the
Issuing Lender for the benefit of Borrowers.

                                     -29-
<PAGE>

          "Underlying Letter of Credit" means a letter of credit that has been
           ---------------------------
issued by an Underlying Issuer.

          "Voidable Transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section 17.7.
           -----------------                               ------------

          "WESS" means William E. Simon & Sons Private Equity Fund, L.P., a
           ----
Delaware limited liability company.

     1.2  Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein
          ----------------
shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. When used herein, the term
"financial statements" shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Whenever
the term "Borrowers", the term "Guarantors" or the term "Parent" is used in
respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood
to mean Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis unless the context
clearly requires otherwise.

     1.3  Code. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code
          ----
shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined
herein.

     1.4  Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan
          ------------
Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the
singular, references to the singular include the plural, the term "including" is
not limiting, and the term "or" has, except where otherwise indicated, the
inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or." The words "hereof,"
"herein," "hereby," "hereunder," and similar terms in this Agreement or any
other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the
case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or
such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause,
schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents to any
agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments,
changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions,
joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any
restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions,
modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements
set forth herein). Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to
include such Person's successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing
contained herein or in the other Loan Documents shall be satisfied by the
transmission of a Record.

     1.5  Schedules and Exhibits. All of the schedules and exhibits attached
          ----------------------
to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

     2.1  Revolver Advances.
          -----------------

                  (a)    ECH Revolver.

                                     -30-
<PAGE>

                    (i)   Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
and during the term of this Agreement, each Lender agrees (severally, not
jointly or jointly and severally) to make advances to ECH in an amount at any
one time outstanding not to exceed such Lender's Pro Rata Share of an amount
equal to the least of (A) the Maximum Revolver Amount minus the then extant
Revolver Usage of EPI, (B) the ECH Maximum Revolver Amount less the ECH Letter
of Credit Usage, or (C) the ECH Borrowing Base less the ECH Letter of Credit
Usage.

                    (ii)  Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1(a)
                                                           -------------
notwithstanding, Agent shall have the right to establish reserves in such
amounts, and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion
shall deem necessary or appropriate, against the ECH Borrowing Base, including
reserves with respect to (A) sums that ECH is required to pay (such as taxes,
assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or
other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay under any Section
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (B) the estimated costs relating
to unpaid freight charges, warehousing or storage charges, taxes, duties and
other similar unpaid costs associated with the acquisition of Eligible Inventory
by Borrowers by means of Letters of Credit, and (C) amounts owing by ECH to any
Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any of its Collateral
(other than any existing Lien described in clauses (c), (d), (e) or (g) of the
definition of "Permitted Liens" which have priority over the Agent's Liens),
which Lien or trust, in the Permitted Discretion of Agent likely would have a
priority superior to the Agent's Liens (such as Liens or trusts in favor of
landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or
suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or other taxes
where given priority under applicable law) in and to such item of the
Collateral. In addition to the foregoing, Agent shall have the right (x) to have
ECH's Inventory reappraised by a qualified appraisal company selected by Agent
from time to time after the Closing Date for the purpose of redetermining the
Net Liquidation Percentage of ECH's Eligible Inventory, which appraisals, so
long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing,
shall be conducted at ECH's expense no more frequently than 2 times during any
12 consecutive month period, and, after the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, at ECH's expense as frequently
as Agent shall determine, (y) to have ECH's Inventory reappraised, on a desk-top
basis, by a qualified appraisal company selected by Agent from time to time
after the Closing Date for the purpose of redetermining the Net Liquidation
Percentage of ECH's Eligible Inventory, which appraisals, so long as no Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, shall be conducted at
ECH's expense no more frequently than 2 times during any 12 consecutive month
period, and, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an
Event of Default, at ECH's expense as frequently as Agent shall determine, and
(z) to have ECH's Eligible Accounts audited from time to time after the Closing
Date, which audits, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing, shall be conducted at ECH's expense no more
frequently than 4 times during any 12 consecutive month period, and, after the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, at
ECH's expense as frequently as Agent shall determine. Based upon the results of
any such re-determination, and

                                     -31-
<PAGE>

any other information received from the collateral reporting required under
Section 6.2, Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, re-determine the ECH
-----------
Borrowing Base; provided, however that any changes to the Net Liquidation
                --------  -------
Percentage with respect to the ECH Borrowing Base which is in effect on the
Closing Date will not be effective until a date which is 12 Business Days after
the date when ECH receives a copy of the appraisal of ECH's Inventory prepared
by the appraisal company selected by Agent.

                (b) EPI Revolver.

                        (i)   Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and during the term of this Agreement, each Lender agrees (severally,
not jointly or jointly and severally) to make advances to EPI in an amount at
any one time outstanding not to exceed such Lender's Pro Rata Share of an amount
equal to the least of (A) the Maximum Revolver Amount minus the then extant
Revolver Usage of ECH, (B) the EPI Maximum Revolver Amount less the EPI Letter
of Credit Usage, or (C) the EPI Borrowing Base less the EPI Letter of Credit
Usage.

                        (ii)  Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1(b)
                                                               -------------
notwithstanding, Agent shall have the right to establish reserves in such
amounts, and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion
shall deem necessary or appropriate, against the EPI Borrowing Base, including
reserves with respect to (A) sums that EPI is required to pay (such as taxes,
assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or
other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay under any Section
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (B) Inventory Reserves, and (C)
amounts owing by EPI to any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust
over, any of its Collateral (other than any existing Lien described in clauses
(c), (d), (e) or (g) of the definition of "Permitted Liens" which have priority
over the Agent's Liens), which Lien or trust, in the Permitted Discretion of
Agent likely would have a priority superior to the Agent's Liens (such as Liens
or trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen,
laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or
other taxes where given priority under applicable law) in and to such item of
the Collateral. In addition to the foregoing, Agent shall have the right (x) to
have EPI's Inventory reappraised by a qualified appraisal company selected by
Agent from time to time after the Closing Date for the purpose of redetermining
the Net Liquidation Percentage of EPI's Eligible Inventory, which appraisals, so
long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing,
shall be conducted at EPI's expense no more frequently than 2 times during any
12 consecutive month period, and, after the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, at EPI's expense as frequently
as Agent shall determine, (y) to have EPI's Inventory reappraised, on a desk-top
basis, by a qualified appraisal company selected by Agent from time to time
after the Closing Date for the purpose of redetermining the Net Liquidation
Percentage of EPI's Eligible Inventory, which appraisals, so long as no Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, shall be conducted at
EPI's expense no more frequently than 2 times during any 12 consecutive month
period, and, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default

                                     -32-
<PAGE>

or an Event of Default, at EPI's expense as frequently as Agent shall determine,
and (z) to have EPI's Eligible Accounts audited from time to time after the
Closing Date, which audits, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing, shall be conducted at EPI's expense no more
frequently than 4 times during any 12 consecutive month period, and, after the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, at
EPI's expense as frequently as Agent shall determine. Based upon the results of
any such re-determination, and any other information received from the
collateral reporting required under Section 6.2, Agent may, in its Permitted
                                    -----------
Discretion, re-determine the EPI Borrowing Base; provided, however that any
                                                 --------  -------
changes to the Net Liquidation Percentage with respect to the EPI Borrowing Base
which is in effect on the Closing Date will not be effective until a date which
is 12 Business Days after the date when EPI receives a copy of the appraisal of
EPI's Inventory prepared by the appraisal company selected by Agent.

               (c) [Intentionally Omitted]

               (d) The Lenders shall have no obligation to make additional
Advances hereunder at any time and to the extent such additional Advances would
cause the Revolver Usage to exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount.

               (e) Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section may be repaid and,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed at any time
during the term of this Agreement.

     2.2 [intentionally omitted].

     2.3 Borrowing Procedures and Settlements.
         ------------------------------------

               (a)  Procedure for Borrowing. Each Borrowing shall be made by an
irrevocable written request by an Authorized Person delivered to Agent (which
notice must be received by Agent no later than 10:00 a.m. (California time) on
the Business Day prior to the date that is the requested Funding Date specifying
(i) the amount of such Borrowing, and (ii) the requested Funding Date, which
shall be a Business Day; provided, however, that in the case of a request for
                         --------  -------
Swing Loan in an amount of $5,000,000, or less, such notice will be timely
received if it is received by Agent no later than 10:00 a.m. (California time)
on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date) specifying (i) the
amount of such Borrowing, and (ii) the requested Funding Date, which shall be a
Business Day. At Agent's election, in lieu of delivering the above-described
written request, any Authorized Person may give Agent telephonic notice of such
request by the required time, with such telephonic notice to be confirmed in
writing within 24 hours of the giving of such notice.

               (b)  Agent's Election. Promptly after receipt of a request for a
Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3(a), Agent shall elect, in its discretion, (i)
                      --------------
to have the terms of Section 2.3(c) apply to such requested Borrowing, or (ii)
                     --------------
if the Borrowing is for an Advance with respect to which the respective Borrower
has not elected to exercise the

                                     -33-
<PAGE>

LIBOR Option, to request Swing Lender to make a Swing Loan pursuant to the terms
of Section 2.3(d) in the amount of the requested Borrowing; provided, however,
   --------------                                           --------  -------
that if Swing Lender declines in its sole discretion to make a Swing Loan
pursuant to Section 2.3(d), Agent shall elect to have the terms of Section
            --------------                                         -------
2.3(c) apply to such requested Borrowing.
-----

          (c) Making of Advances.

          (i)  In the event that Agent shall elect to have the terms of this
     Section 2.3(c) apply to a requested Borrowing as described in Section
     --------------                                                -------
     2.3(b), then promptly after receipt of a request for a Borrowing pursuant
     ------
     to Section 2.3(a), Agent shall notify the Lenders, not later than 1:00 p.m.
        --------------
     (California time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the Funding
     Date applicable thereto, by telecopy, telephone, or other similar form of
     transmission, of the requested Borrowing.  Each Lender shall make the
     amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available
     to Agent in immediately available funds, to Agent's Account, not later than
     10:00 a.m. (California time) on the Funding Date applicable thereto.  After
     Agent's receipt of the proceeds of such Advances upon satisfaction of the
     applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, Agent shall
                                                  ---------
     make the proceeds thereof available to the applicable Borrower on the
     applicable Funding Date by transferring immediately available funds equal
     to such proceeds received by Agent to the applicable Borrower's Designated
     Account; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Section
              --------  -------                                     -------
     2.3(i), Agent shall not request any Lender to make, and no Lender shall
     ------
     have the obligation to make, any Advance if Agent shall have actual
     knowledge that (1) one or more of the applicable conditions precedent set
     forth in Section 3 will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for
              ---------
     the applicable Borrowing unless such condition has been waived, or (2) the
     requested Borrowing would exceed the Availability on such Funding Date.

          (ii) Unless Agent receives notice from a Lender on or prior to the
     Closing Date or, with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing Date, at
     least 1 Business Day prior to the date of such Borrowing, that such Lender
     will not make available as and when required hereunder to Agent for the
     account of Borrowers the amount of that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
     Borrowing, Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will make such
     amount available to Agent in immediately available funds on the Funding
     Date and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such
     assumption, make available to Borrowers on such date a corresponding
     amount. If and to the extent any Lender shall not have made its full amount
     available to Agent in immediately available funds and Agent in such
     circumstances has made available to Borrowers such amount, that Lender
     shall on the Business Day following such Funding Date make such amount
     available to Agent, together

                                     -34-
<PAGE>

     with interest at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day during such
     period. A notice submitted by Agent to any Lender with respect to amounts
     owing under this subsection shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If
     such amount is so made available, such payment to Agent shall constitute
     such Lender's Advance on the date of Borrowing for all purposes of this
     Agreement. If such amount is not made available to Agent on the Business
     Day following the Funding Date, Agent will notify Borrowers of such failure
     to fund and, upon demand by Agent, Borrowers shall pay such amount to Agent
     for Agent's account, together with interest thereon for each day elapsed
     since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest
     rate applicable at the time to the Advances composing such Borrowing. The
     failure of any Lender to make any Advance on any Funding Date shall not
     relieve any other Lender of any obligation hereunder to make an Advance on
     such Funding Date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of
     any other Lender to make the Advance to be made by such other Lender on any
     Funding Date.

          (iii)  Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender
     any payments made by Borrowers to Agent for the Defaulting Lender's
     benefit, and, in the absence of such transfer to the Defaulting Lender,
     Agent shall transfer any such payments to each other non-Defaulting Lender
     member of the Lender Group ratably in accordance with their Commitments
     (but only to the extent that such Defaulting Lender's Advance was funded by
     the other members of the Lender Group) or, if so directed by Borrowers and
     if no Default or Event of Default had occurred and is continuing (and to
     the extent such Defaulting Lender's Advance was not funded by the Lender
     Group), retain same to be re-advanced to Borrowers as if such Defaulting
     Lender had made Advances to Borrowers. Subject to the foregoing, Agent may
     hold and, in its Permitted Discretion, re-lend to Borrowers for the account
     of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments received and
     retained by it for the account of such Defaulting Lender. Solely for the
     purposes of voting or consenting to matters with respect to the Loan
     Documents, such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a "Lender" and
     such Lender's Commitment shall be deemed to be zero. This Section shall
     remain effective with respect to such Lender until (x) the Obligations
     under this Agreement shall have been declared or shall have become
     immediately due and payable, (y) the non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent, and the
     applicable Borrower shall have waived such Defaulting Lender's default in
     writing, or (z) the Defaulting Lender makes its Pro Rata Share of the
     applicable Advance and pays to Agent all amounts owing by Defaulting Lender
     in respect thereof. The operation of this Section shall not be construed to
     increase or otherwise affect the Commitment of any Lender, to relieve or
     excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its
     duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance
     by Borrowers of their duties and obligations hereunder

                                     -35-
<PAGE>

          to Agent or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender. Any such
          failure to fund by any Defaulting Lender shall constitute a material
          breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle
          Parent at its option, upon written notice to Agent, to arrange for a
          substitute Lender to assume the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender,
          such substitute Lender to be reasonably acceptable to Agent. In
          connection with the arrangement of such a substitute Lender, the
          Defaulting Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced
          hereunder, and agrees to execute and deliver a completed form of
          Assignment and Acceptance Agreement in favor of the substitute Lender
          (and agrees that it shall be deemed to have executed and delivered
          such document if it fails to do so) subject only to being repaid its
          share of the outstanding Obligations (including an assumption of its
          Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability) without any
          premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever; provided further, however,
                                                     -------- -------  -------
          that any such assumption of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender
          shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any of the Lender
          Groups' or Borrowers' rights or remedies against any such Defaulting
          Lender arising out of or in relation to such failure to fund.

               (d)  Making of Swing Loans.

               (i)  In the event Agent shall elect, with the consent of Swing
          Lender, as a Lender, to have the terms of this Section 2.3(d) apply to
                                                         --------------
          a requested Borrowing as described in Section 2.3(b), Swing Lender as
                                                --------------
          a Lender shall make such Advance in the amount of such Borrowing (any
          such Advance made solely by Swing Lender as a Lender pursuant to this
          Section 2.3(d) being referred to as a "Swing Loan" and such Advances
          --------------                         ----------
          being referred to collectively as "Swing Loans") available to
                                             -----------
          Borrowers on the Funding Date applicable thereto by transferring
          immediately available funds to the applicable Borrower's Designated
          Account. Each Swing Loan is an Advance hereunder and shall be subject
          to all the terms and conditions applicable to other Advances, except
          that no such Swing Loan shall be eligible for the LIBOR Option and all
          payments on any Swing Loan shall be payable to Swing Lender as a
          Lender solely for its own account (and for the account of the holder
          of any participation interest with respect to such Swing Loan).
          Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(i), Agent shall not request
                                       --------------
          Swing Lender as a Lender to make, and Swing Lender as a Lender shall
          not make, any Swing Loan if Agent has actual knowledge that (i) one or
          more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3
                                                                   ---------
          will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for the applicable
          Borrowing unless such condition has been waived, or (ii) the requested
          Borrowing would exceed the Availability on such Funding Date. Swing
          Lender as a Lender shall not otherwise be required to determine
          whether the applicable conditions

                                     -36-
<PAGE>

          precedent set forth in Section 3 have been satisfied on the Funding
                                 ---------
          Date applicable thereto prior to making, in its sole discretion, any
          Swing Loan.

               (ii)  The Swing Loans shall be secured by the Agent's Liens,
          shall constitute Advances and Obligations hereunder, and shall bear
          interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Advances that are
          Base Rate Loans.

               (e) Agent Advances.

               (i)   Agent hereby is authorized by Borrowers and the Lenders,
          from time to time in Agent's sole discretion, (1) after the occurrence
          and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, or (2)
          at any time that any of the other applicable conditions precedent set
          forth in Section 3 have not been satisfied, to make Advances to
                   ---------
          Borrowers on behalf of the Lenders that Agent, in its Permitted
          Discretion deems necessary or desirable (A) to preserve or protect the
          Collateral, or any portion thereof, (B) to enhance the likelihood of
          repayment of the Obligations, or (C) to pay any other amount
          chargeable to Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
          including Lender Group Expenses and the costs, fees, and expenses
          described in Section 10 (any of the Advances described in this
                       ----------
          Section 2.3(e) shall be referred to as "Agent Advances").  Each Agent
          --------------                          --------------
          Advance is an Advance hereunder and shall be subject to all the terms
          and conditions applicable to other Advances, except that no such Agent
          Advance shall be eligible for the LIBOR Option and all payments
          thereon shall be payable to Agent solely for its own account (and for
          the account of the holder of any participation interest with respect
          to such Agent Advance).

               (ii)  The Agent Advances shall be repayable on demand and secured
          by the Agent's Liens granted to Agent under the Loan Documents, shall
          constitute Advances and Obligations hereunder, and shall bear interest
          at the rate applicable from time to time to Advances that are Base
          Rate Loans.

               (f) Settlement. It is agreed that each Lender's funded portion of
the Advances is intended by the Lenders to equal, at all times, such Lender's
Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Advances. Such agreement notwithstanding,
Agent, Swing Lender, and the other Lenders agree (which agreement shall not be
for the benefit of or enforceable by Borrowers) that in order to facilitate the
administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, settlement among
them as to the Advances, the Swing Loans, and the Agent Advances shall take
place on a periodic basis in accordance with the following provisions:

               (i)   Agent shall request settlement ("Settlement") with the
                                                      ----------
          Lenders on a weekly basis, or on a more frequent basis if so
          determined by Agent, (1) on behalf of Swing Lender, with respect to
          each outstanding Swing Loan, (2) for itself, with respect to each
          Agent Advance, and (3) with respect to

                                     -37-
<PAGE>

          Collections received, as to each by notifying the Lenders by telecopy,
          telephone, or other similar form of transmission, of such requested
          Settlement, no later than 2:00 p.m. (California time) on the Business
          Day immediately prior to the date of such requested Settlement (the
          date of such requested Settlement being the "Settlement Date"). Such
                                                       ---------------
          notice of a Settlement Date shall include a summary statement of the
          amount of outstanding Advances, Swing Loans, and Agent Advances for
          the period since the prior Settlement Date. Subject to the terms and
          conditions contained herein (including Section 2.3(c)(iii)): (y) if a
                                                 -------------------
          Lender's balance of the Advances, Swing Loans, and Agent Advances
          exceeds such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Advances, Swing Loans, and
          Agent Advances as of a Settlement Date, then Agent shall, by no later
          than 12:00 p.m. (California time) on the Settlement Date, transfer in
          immediately available funds to the account of such Lender as such
          Lender may designate, an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon
          receipt of such amount, have as of the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata
          Share of the Advances, Swing Loans, and Agent Advances, and (z) if a
          Lender's balance of the Advances, Swing Loans, and Agent Advances is
          less than such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Advances, Swing Loans,
          and Agent Advances as of a Settlement Date, such Lender shall no later
          than 12:00 p.m. (California time) on the Settlement Date transfer in
          immediately available funds to the Agent's Account, an amount such
          that each such Lender shall, upon transfer of such amount, have as of
          the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Advances, Swing Loans,
          and Agent Advances. Such amounts made available to Agent under clause
          (z) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied against the
          amounts of the applicable Swing Loan or Agent Advance and, together
          with the portion of such Swing Loan or Agent Advance representing
          Swing Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof, shall constitute Advances of
          such Lenders. If any such amount is not made available to Agent by any
          Lender on the Settlement Date applicable thereto to the extent
          required by the terms hereof, Agent shall be entitled to recover for
          its account such amount on demand from such Lender together with
          interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate.

               (ii)  In determining whether a Lender's balance of the Advances,
          Swing Loans, and Agent Advances is less than, equal to, or greater
          than such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Advances, Swing Loans, and
          Agent Advances as of a Settlement Date, Agent shall, as part of the
          relevant Settlement, apply to such balance the portion of payments
          actually received in good funds by Agent with respect to principal,
          interest, fees payable by Borrowers and allocable to the Lenders
          hereunder, and proceeds of Collateral. To the extent that a net amount
          is owed to any such Lender after such application, such net amount
          shall be distributed by Agent to that Lender as part of such next
          Settlement.

                                     -38-
<PAGE>

               (iii) Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to the extent no Agent
          Advances or Swing Loans are outstanding, may pay over to Swing Lender
          any payments received by Agent, that in accordance with the terms of
          this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Advances, for
          application to Swing Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Advances. If, as
          of any Settlement Date, Collections received since the then
          immediately preceding Settlement Date have been applied to Swing
          Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Advances other than to Swing Loans, as
          provided for in the previous sentence, Swing Lender shall pay to Agent
          for the accounts of the Lenders, and Agent shall pay to the Lenders,
          to be applied to the outstanding Advances of such Lenders, an amount
          such that each Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have, as of
          such Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Advances. During the
          period between Settlement Dates, Swing Lender with respect to Swing
          Loans, Agent with respect to Agent Advances, and each Lender (subject
          to the effect of letter agreements between Agent and individual
          Lenders) with respect to the Advances other than Swing Loans and Agent
          Advances, shall be entitled to interest at the applicable rate or
          rates payable under this Agreement on the daily amount of funds
          employed by Swing Lender, Agent, or the Lenders, as applicable.

               (g) Notation. Agent shall record on its books the principal
amount of the Advances owing to each Lender, including the Swing Loans owing to
Swing Lender, and Agent Advances owing to Agent, and the interests therein of
each Lender, from time to time. In addition, each Lender is authorized, at such
Lender's option, to note the date and amount of each payment or prepayment of
principal of such Lender's Advances in its books and records, including computer
records, such books and records constituting conclusive evidence, absent
manifest error, of the accuracy of the information contained therein.

               (h) Lenders' Failure to Perform. All Advances (other than Swing
Loans and Agent Advances) shall be made by the Lenders contemporaneously and in
accordance with their Pro Rata Shares. It is understood that (i) no Lender shall
be responsible for any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligation to
make any Advance (or other extension of credit) hereunder, nor shall any
Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of any failure by
any other Lender to perform its obligations hereunder, and (ii) no failure by
any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall excuse any other Lender
from its obligations hereunder.

               (i) Optional Overadvances. Any contrary provision of this
Agreement notwithstanding, the Lenders hereby authorize Agent or Swing Lender,
as applicable, and Agent or Swing Lender, as applicable, may, but is not
obligated to, knowingly and intentionally, continue to make Advances (including
Swing Loans) to Borrowers notwithstanding that an Overadvance exists or thereby
would be created, so long as (i) after giving effect to such Advances (including
a Swing Loan), the Revolver Usage

                                     -39-
<PAGE>

does not exceed the Aggregate Borrowing Base by more than $2,500,000, (ii) after
giving effect to such Advances (including a Swing Loan) the outstanding Revolver
Usage (except for and excluding amounts charged to the Loan Accounts for
interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses) does not exceed the Maximum Revolver
Amount, and (iii) at the time of the making of any such Advance (including a
Swing Loan), Agent does not believe, in good faith, that the Overadvance created
by such Advance will be outstanding for more than 90 days. The foregoing
provisions are for the exclusive benefit of Agent, Swing Lender, and the Lenders
and are not intended to benefit Borrowers in any way. The Advances and Swing
Loans, as applicable, that are made pursuant to this Section 2.3(i) shall be
                                                     --------------
subject to the same terms and conditions as any other Advance or Swing Loan, as
applicable, except that they shall not be eligible for the LIBOR Option and the
rate of interest applicable thereto shall be the rate applicable to Advances
that are Base Rate Loans under Section 2.6(c) hereof without regard to the
                               --------------
presence or absence of a Default or Event of Default.

               (i)   In the event Agent obtains actual knowledge that the
          Revolver Usage exceeds the amounts permitted by the preceding
          paragraph, regardless of the amount of, or reason for, such excess,
          Agent shall notify Lenders as soon as practicable (and prior to making
          any (or any additional) intentional Overadvances (except for and
          excluding amounts charged to the Loan Accounts for interest, fees, or
          Lender Group Expenses) unless Agent determines that prior notice would
          result in imminent harm to the Collateral or its value), and the
          Lenders with Revolver Commitments thereupon shall, together with
          Agent, jointly determine the terms of arrangements that shall be
          implemented with Borrowers and intended to reduce, within a reasonable
          time, the outstanding principal amount of the Advances to Borrowers to
          an amount permitted by the preceding paragraph. In the event Agent or
          any Lender disagrees over the terms of reduction or repayment of any
          Overadvance, the terms of reduction or repayment thereof shall be
          implemented according to the determination of the Required Lenders.

               (ii)  Each Lender with a Revolver Commitment shall be obligated
          to settle with Agent as provided in Section 2.3(f) for the amount of
                                              --------------
          such Lender's Pro Rata Share of any unintentional Overadvances by
          Agent reported to such Lender, any intentional Overadvances made as
          permitted under this Section 2.3(i), and any Overadvances resulting
                               --------------
          from the charging to the Loan Accounts of interest, fees, or Lender
          Group Expenses.

     2.4 Payments.
         --------

               (a) Payments by Borrowers.

                     (i)  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all
          payments by Borrowers shall be made to Agent's Account for the account
          of the Lender Group and shall be made in immediately available funds,
          no later

                                     -40-
<PAGE>

          than 11:00 a.m. (California time), shall be deemed to have been
          received on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or
          fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business Day.

                    (ii) Unless Agent receives notice from the applicable
          Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders
          that such Borrower will not make such payment in full as and when
          required, Agent may assume that such Borrower have made (or will make)
          such payment in full to Agent on such date in immediately available
          funds and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon
          such assumption, distribute to each Lender on such due date an amount
          equal to the amount then due such Lender. If and to the extent
          Borrowers do not make such payment in full to Agent on the date when
          due, each Lender severally shall repay to Agent on demand such amount
          distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at the
          Defaulting Lender Rate for each day from the date such amount is
          distributed to such Lender until the date repaid.

               (b) Apportionment and Application.

               (i)  Except as otherwise provided with respect to Defaulting
          Lenders and except as otherwise provided in the Loan Documents
          (including letter agreements between Agent and individual Lenders),
          aggregate principal and interest payments shall be apportioned ratably
          among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance of the
          Obligations to which such payments relate held by each Lender) and
          payments of fees and expenses (other than fees or expenses that are
          for Agent's separate account, after giving effect to any letter
          agreements between Agent and individual Lenders) shall be apportioned
          ratably among the Lenders having a Pro Rata Share of the type of
          Commitment or Obligation to which a particular fee relates. All
          payments shall be remitted to Agent and all such payments (other than
          payments received while no Event of Default has occurred and is
          continuing and which relate to the payment of principal or interest of
          specific Obligations or which relate to the payment of specific fees),
          and all proceeds of Accounts or other Collateral received by Agent,
          shall be applied as follows:

                    A.  first, to pay any Lender Group Expenses then due to
                        -----
               Agent under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

                    B.  second, to pay any Lender Group Expenses then due to the
                        ------
               Lenders under the Loan Documents, on a ratable basis, until paid
               in full,

                                     -41-
<PAGE>

                     C.  third, to pay any fees then due to Agent (for its
                         -----
               separate accounts, after giving effect to any letter agreements
               between Agent and the individual Lenders) under the Loan
               Documents until paid in full,

                     D.  fourth, to pay any fees then due to any or all of the
                         ------
               Lenders (after giving effect to any letter agreements between
               Agent and individual Lenders) under the Loan Documents, on a
               ratable basis, until paid in full,

                     E.  fifth, to pay interest due in respect of all Agent
                         -----
               Advances, until paid in full,

                     F.  sixth, ratably to pay interest due in respect of the
                         -----
               Advances (other than Agent Advances) and the Swing Loans until
               paid in full,

                     G.  seventh, to pay the principal of all Agent Advances
                         -------
               until paid in full,

                     H.  eighth, to pay the principal of all Swing Loans until
                         ------
               paid in full,

                     I.  ninth, to pay the principal of all Advances until paid
                         -----
               in full,

                     J.  tenth, if an Event of Default has occurred and is
                         -----
               continuing, to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable
               benefit of Issuing Lender and the Lenders, as cash collateral in
               an amount up to 105% of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage
               until paid in full,

                     K.  eleventh, to pay any other Obligations until paid in
                         --------
               full, and

                     L.  twelfth, to Borrowers (to be wired to the applicable
                         -------
               Borrower's Designated Account) or such other Person entitled
               thereto under applicable law.

               (ii)  Agent promptly shall distribute to each Lender, pursuant to
          the applicable wire instructions received from each Lender in writing,
          such funds as it may be entitled to receive, subject to a Settlement
          delay as provided in Section 2.3(h).
                               --------------

               (iii) In each instance, so long as no Event of Default has
          occurred and is continuing, Section 2.4(b) shall not be deemed to
                                      --------------
          apply to any payment by Borrowers specified by Borrowers to be for the
          payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable)
          under any provision of this Agreement.

                                     -42-
<PAGE>

                    (iv) For purposes of the foregoing, "paid in full" means
             payment of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to
             the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional
             fees, interest (and specifically including interest accrued after
             the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding), default interest,
             interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, whether or not
             the same would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part
             in any Insolvency Proceeding.

                    (v)  In the event of a direct conflict between the priority
             provisions of this Section 2.4 and other provisions contained in
                                -----------
             any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto
             that such priority provisions in such documents shall be read
             together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in
             concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable
             conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and
             provisions of this Section 2.4 shall control and govern.
                                -----------

     2.5  Overadvances.  If, at any time or for any reason, the amount of
          ------------
Obligations owed by Borrowers to the Lender Group pursuant to Sections 2.1 and
                                                              ----------------
2.12 is greater than either the Dollar or percentage limitations set forth in
----
Sections 2.1 or 2.12, (an "Overadvance"), Borrowers immediately shall pay to
--------------------       -----------
Agent, in cash, the amount of such excess, which amount shall be used by Agent
to reduce the Obligations in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section
                                                                         -------
2.4(b). In addition, Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby promise to pay the
------
Obligations (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses) in
Dollars in full to the Lender Group as and when due and payable under the terms
of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     2.6  Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee: Rates, Payments, and
          -------------------------------------------------------------
Calculations.
------------

                    (a)  Interest Rates. Except as provided in clause (c) below,
all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to
the Loan Accounts pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest on the Daily
Balance thereof as follows (i) if the relevant Obligation is a LIBOR Rate Loan,
at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Margin, and (ii)
otherwise, at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin.

                    (b)  Letter of Credit Fee. Borrowers shall pay Agent (for
the ratable benefit of the Lenders with a Revolver Commitment, subject to any
letter agreement between Agent and individual Lenders), a Letter of Credit fee
(in addition to the charges, commissions, fees, and costs set forth in Section
                                                                       -------
2.12(e)) which shall accrue at a rate equal to 3.0% per annum times the Daily
--------
Balance of the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

                    (c)  Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default (and at the election of Agent or the
Required Lenders),

                                     -43-
<PAGE>

                      (i)  all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of
               Credit) that have been charged to the Loan Accounts pursuant to
               the terms hereof shall bear interest on the Daily Balance thereof
               at a per annum rate equal to 2 percentage points above the per
               annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder, and

                      (ii) the Letter of Credit fee provided for above shall be
               increased to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate
               otherwise applicable hereunder.

               (d)  Payment.  Interest (other than interest that is accruing on
LIBOR Rate Loans), Letter of Credit fees, and all other fees payable hereunder
shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month at any time
that Obligations or Commitments are outstanding. Borrowers hereby authorize
Agent, from time to time, without prior notice to Borrowers, to charge such
interest and fees, all Lender Group Expenses (as and when incurred), the
charges, commissions, fees, and costs provided for in Section 2.12(e) (as and
                                                      ---------------
when accrued or incurred), the fees and costs provided for in Section 2.11 (as
                                                              ------------
and when accrued or incurred), and all other payments as and when due and
payable under any Loan Document to the Loan Accounts, which amounts thereafter
constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then
applicable to Advances hereunder. Any interest not paid when due shall be
compounded by being charged to Borrowers' Loan Accounts and shall thereafter
constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then
applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans hereunder.

               (e)  Computation.  All interest and fees chargeable under the
Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual
number of days elapsed. In the event the Base Rate is changed from time to time
hereafter, the rates of interest hereunder based upon the Base Rate
automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal
to such change in the Base Rate.

               (f)  Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no event
shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other
amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under
any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination,
deem applicable. Borrowers and the Lender Group, in executing and delivering
this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and
manner of payment stated within it; provided, however, that, anything contained
                                    --------  -------
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if said rate or rates of interest or
manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso
facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrowers are and shall be liable only
for the payment of such maximum as allowed by law, and payment received from
Borrowers in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied
to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess.

     2.7 Cash Management.
         ---------------

                                     -44-
<PAGE>

               (a)  Within the time period set forth in the Post Closing Matters
Agreement, Borrowers shall (i) establish and maintain cash management services
of a type and on terms reasonably satisfactory to Agent at one or more of the
banks set forth on Schedule 2.7(a) (each a "Cash Management Bank"), and shall
                   ---------------          --------------------
request in writing and otherwise take such reasonable steps to ensure that all
of its Account Debtors forward payment of the amounts owed by them directly to
such Cash Management Bank, and (ii) deposit or cause to be deposited promptly,
and in any event no later than the first Business Day after the date of receipt
thereof, all Collections (including those sent directly by Account Debtors to a
Cash Management Bank) into a bank account in Agent's name (a "Cash Management
Account") at one of the Cash Management Banks.

               (b)  Within the time period set forth in the Post Closing Matters
Agreement, each Cash Management Bank shall establish and maintain Cash
Management Agreements with Agent and Borrowers, in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to Agent. Each such Cash Management Agreement shall provide, among
other things, that (i) all items of payment deposited in such Cash Management
Account and proceeds thereof are held by such Cash Management Bank as agent or
bailee-in-possession for Agent, (ii) the Cash Management Bank has no rights of
setoff or recoupment or any other claim against the applicable Cash Management
Account, other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly
related to the administration of such Cash Management Account and for returned
checks or other items of payment, and (iii) it immediately will forward by daily
sweep all amounts in the applicable Cash Management Account to the Agent's
Account, to the extent that the amount in the applicable Cash Management
Account, as of any date of determination, is greater than or equal to $25,000.

               (c)  So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, Borrowers may amend Schedule 2.7(a) or (b) to add or replace a
                                   ----------------------
Cash Management Account Bank or Cash Management Account; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------
(i) such prospective Cash Management Bank shall be satisfactory to Agent and
Agent shall have consented in writing in advance to the opening of such Cash
Management Account with the prospective Cash Management Bank, and (ii) prior to
the time of the opening of such Cash Management Account, Borrowers and such
prospective Cash Management Bank shall have executed and delivered to Agent a
Cash Management Agreement. Borrowers shall close any of their Cash Management
Accounts (and establish replacement cash management accounts in accordance with
the foregoing sentence) promptly and in any event within 30 days of notice from
Agent that the creditworthiness of any Cash Management Bank is no longer
acceptable in Agent's reasonable judgment, or as promptly as practicable and in
any event within 60 days of notice from Agent that the operating performance,
funds transfer, or availability procedures or performance of the Cash Management
Bank with respect to Cash Management Accounts or Agent's liability under any
Cash Management Agreement with such Cash Management Bank is no longer acceptable
in Agent's reasonable judgment.

                                     -45-
<PAGE>

               (d)  The Cash Management Accounts shall be cash collateral
accounts, with all cash, checks and similar items of payment in such accounts
securing payment of the Obligations, and in which Borrowers are hereby deemed to
have granted a Lien to Agent.

     2.8 Crediting Payments.  The receipt of any payment item by Agent (whether
         ------------------
from transfers to Agent by the Cash Management Banks pursuant to the Cash
Management Agreements or otherwise) shall not be considered a payment on account
unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately available federal
funds made to the Agent's Account or unless and until such payment item is
honored when presented for payment. Should any payment item not be honored when
presented for payment, then Borrowers shall be deemed not to have made such
payment and interest shall be calculated accordingly. Anything to the contrary
contained herein notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by
Agent only if it is received into the Agent's Account in the form of immediately
available funds on a Business Day on or before 11:00 a.m. (California time). If
any payment item is received into the Agent's Account on a non-Business Day or
after 11:00 a.m. (California time) on a Business Day, it shall be deemed to have
been received by Agent as of the opening of business on the immediately
following Business Day.

     2.9 Designated Account.  Agent is authorized to make the Advances, and
         ------------------
Issuing Lender is authorized to issue the Letters of Credit, under this
Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone
purporting to be an Authorized Person, or without instructions if pursuant to
Section 2.6(d). Each Borrower agrees to establish and maintain its Designated
--------------
Account with the applicable Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving
the proceeds of the Advances requested by such Borrower and made by Agent or the
Lenders hereunder. Unless otherwise agreed by Agent and the applicable Borrower,
any Advance, Agent Advance, or Swing Loan requested by such Borrower and made by
Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be made to the applicable Borrower's
Designated Account.

     2.10  Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations.  Agent shall
           ------------------------------------------------------
maintain an account on its books in the name of each Borrower (each, a "Loan
                                                                        ----
Account", and, collectively, the "Loan Accounts") on which the applicable
-------                           -------------
Borrower will be charged with all Advances to such Borrower or for such
Borrower's account, and with all other payment Obligations of such Borrower
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees
and expenses, and Lender Group Expenses. In accordance with Section 2.8, each
                                                            -----------
Borrower's Loan Account will be credited with all payments received by Agent
from such Borrower or for such Borrower's account, including all amounts
received in the Agent's Account from any Cash Management Bank attributable to
such Borrower. Agent shall render statements regarding the Loan Account to
Borrowers, including principal, interest, fees, and including an itemization of
all charges and expenses constituting Lender Group Expenses owing, and such
statements shall be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate and
constitute an account stated between Guarantors and Borrowers and the Lender
Group unless, within 60 days after receipt thereof by the

                                     -46-
<PAGE>

applicable Borrower, such Borrower shall deliver to Agent written objection
thereto describing the error or errors contained in any such statements.

     2.11  Fees.  Borrowers shall pay to Agent the following fees and charges,
           ----
which fees and charges shall be non-refundable when paid (irrespective of
whether this Agreement is terminated thereafter) and shall be apportioned among
the Lenders in accordance with the terms of letter agreements between Agent and
individual Lenders:

               (a)  Unused Line Fee. On the first day of each month during the
term of this Agreement, an unused line fee in the amount equal to 0.5% per annum
times the result of (a) the Maximum Revolver Amount, less (b) the average Daily
Balance of the Revolver Usage during the immediately preceding month,

               (b)  Fee Letter Fees. As and when due and payable under the terms
of the Fee Letter, Borrowers shall pay to Agent the fees set forth in the Fee
Letter, and

               (c)  Audit, Appraisal, and Valuation Charges. For the separate
account of Agent, audit, appraisal, and valuation fees and charges as follows,
(i) a fee of $850 pay day, per auditor, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
for each financial audit of a Borrower performed by personnel employed by Agent,
and (ii) subject to the limitations expressly provided herein, the actual and
reasonable charges paid or incurred by Agent if it elects to employ the services
of one or more third Persons to perform financial audits of Borrowers, to
appraise the Collateral, or any portion thereof, or to assess a Borrower's
business valuation.

     2.12  Letters of Credit
           -----------------

               (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Issuing Lender agrees to issue letters of credit for the account of each of the
Borrowers (each, an "L/C") or to purchase participations or execute indemnities
                     ---
or reimbursement obligations (each such undertaking, an "L/C Undertaking") with
                                                         ---------------
respect to letters of credit issued by an Underlying Issuer for the account of
each of the Borrowers. To request the issuance of an L/C or an L/C Undertaking
(or the amendment, renewal, or extension of an outstanding L/C or L/C
Undertaking), the applicable Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or
transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been
approved by the Issuing Lender) to the Issuing Lender and Agent (reasonably in
advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension) a
notice requesting the issuance of an L/C or L/C Undertaking, or identifying the
L/C or L/C Undertaking to be amended, renewed, or extended, the date of
issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension, the date on which such L/C or L/C
Undertaking is to expire, the amount of such L/C or L/C Undertaking, the name
and address of the beneficiary thereof (or of the Underlying Letter of Credit,
as applicable), and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare,
amend, renew, or extend such L/C or L/C Undertaking. If requested by the Issuing
Lender, the applicable Borrower also shall be an applicant under the application
with respect to any Underlying Letter of Credit

                                     -47-
<PAGE>

that is to be the subject of an L/C Undertaking. The Issuing Lender shall have
no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit if any of the following would result
after giving effect to the requested Letter of Credit:

               (i)    the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Aggregate
          Borrowing Base less the aggregate amount of all outstanding Advances
          made to or for the account of Borrowers, or

               (ii)   the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $500,000, or

               (iii)  the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Maximum
          Revolver Amount less the then extant principal amount of outstanding
          Advances.

          Each Letter of Credit (and corresponding Underlying Letter of Credit)
shall have an expiry date no later than 45 days prior to the Maturity Date and
all such Letters of Credit (and corresponding Underlying Letter of Credit) shall
be in form and substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender (in the exercise of
its Permitted Discretion), including the requirement that the amounts payable
thereunder must be payable in Dollars.  If Issuing Lender is obligated to
advance funds under a Letter of Credit, Borrowers immediately shall reimburse
such L/C Disbursement to Issuing Lender by paying to Agent an amount equal to
such L/C Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., California time, on the date
that such L/C Disbursement is made, if the applicable Borrower shall have
received written or telephonic notice of such L/C Disbursement prior to 10:00
a.m., California time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by
the applicable Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than
11:00 a.m., California time, on the next Business Day and, in the absence of
such reimbursement, the L/C Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be
deemed to be an Advance hereunder and, thereafter, shall bear interest at the
rate then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans under Section 2.6.  To
                                                                -----------
the extent an L/C Disbursement is deemed to be an Advance hereunder, Borrowers'
obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement shall be discharged and replaced
by the resulting Advance.  Promptly following receipt by Agent of any payment
from Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, Agent shall distribute such payment
to the Issuing Lender or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant
to Section 2.12(c) to reimburse the Issuing Lender, then to such Lenders and the
   ---------------
Issuing Lender as their interest may appear.

               (b)  Promptly following receipt of a notice of L/C Disbursement
pursuant to Section 2.12(a), each Lender with a Revolver Commitment agrees to
            ---------------
fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance deemed made pursuant to the foregoing
subsection on the same terms and conditions as if Borrowers had requested such
Advance and Agent shall promptly pay to Issuing Lender the amounts so received
by it from the Lenders. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment
to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further
action on the part of the Issuing Lender or the Lenders with Revolver
Commitment, the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have granted to each Lender
with a

                                     -48-
<PAGE>

Revolver Commitment, and each Lender with a Revolver Commitment shall be deemed
to have purchased, a participation in each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal
to its Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability of such Letter of
Credit, and each such Lender agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of the
Issuing Lender, such Lender's Pro Rata Share of any payments made by the Issuing
Lender under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the
foregoing, each Lender with a Revolver Commitment hereby absolutely and
unconditionally agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender,
such Lender's Pro Rata Share of each L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Lender
and not reimbursed by Borrowers on the date due as provided in clause (a) of
this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to
Borrowers for any reason. Each Lender with a Revolver Commitment acknowledges
and agrees that its obligation to deliver to Agent, for the account of the
Issuing Lender, an amount equal to its respective Pro Rata Share pursuant to
this Section 2.12(b) shall be absolute and unconditional and such remittance
     ---------------
shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or continuation of an Event of
Default or Default or the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section
                                                                        -------
3 hereof. If any such Lender fails to make available to Agent the amount of such
-
Lender's Pro Rata Share of any payments made by the Issuing Lender in respect of
such Letter of Credit as provided in this Section, Agent (for the account of the
Issuing Lender) shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such
Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate until paid
in full.

               (c)  Each Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and
hold the Lender Group harmless from any loss, cost, expense, or liability, and
reasonable attorneys fees incurred by the Lender Group arising out of or in
connection with any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that no Borrower shall
                                      --------  -------
be obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or liability
that is caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing
Lender or any other member of the Lender Group. Each Borrower agrees to be bound
by the Underlying Issuer's regulations and interpretations of any Underlying
Letter of Credit or by Issuing Lender's interpretations of any L/C issued by
Issuing Lender to or for such Borrower's account, even though this
interpretation may be different from such Borrower's own, and each Borrower
understands and agrees that the Lender Group shall not be liable for any error,
negligence, or mistake, whether of omission or commission, in following
Borrowers' instructions or those contained in the Letter of Credit or any
modifications, amendments, or supplements thereto. Each Borrower understands
that the L/C Undertakings may require Issuing Lender to indemnify the Underlying
Issuer for certain costs or liabilities arising out of claims by Borrowers
against such Underlying Issuer. Each Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save,
defend, and hold the Lender Group harmless with respect to any loss, cost,
expense (including reasonable attorneys fees), or liability incurred by the
Lender Group under any L/C Undertaking as a result of the Lender Group's
indemnification of any Underlying Issuer; provided, however, that no Borrower
                                          --------  -------
shall be obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or
liability that is caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Issuing Lender or any other member of the Lender Group.

                                     -49-
<PAGE>

               (d)  Each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs any Underlying
Issuer to deliver to the Issuing Lender all instruments, documents, and other
writings and property received by such Underlying Issuer pursuant to such
Underlying Letter of Credit and to accept and rely upon the Issuing Lender's
instructions with respect to all matters arising in connection with such
Underlying Letter of Credit and the related application.

               (e)  Any and all charges, commissions, fees, and costs incurred
by the Issuing Lender relating to Underlying Letters of Credit shall be Lender
Group Expenses for purposes of this Agreement and immediately shall be
reimbursable by Borrowers to Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender; it
being acknowledged and agreed by each Borrower that that such issuance charge
may be changed from time to time, and that the Underlying Issuer also imposes a
schedule of charges for amendments, extensions, drawings, and renewals.

               (f)  If by reason of (i) any change in any applicable law,
treaty, rule, or regulation or any change in the interpretation or application
thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (ii) compliance by the Underlying
Issuer or the Lender Group with any direction, request, or requirement
(irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority
or monetary authority including, Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board as
from time to time in effect (and any successor thereto):

               (i)  any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is or shall be
          imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit issued
          hereunder, or

               (ii) there shall be imposed on the Underlying Issuer or the
          Lender Group any other condition regarding any Underlying Letter of
          Credit or any Letter of Credit issued pursuant hereto;

and the result of the foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost
to the Lender Group of issuing, making, guaranteeing, or maintaining any Letter
of Credit or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof by the Lender
Group, then, and in any such case, Agent may, at any time within a reasonable
period, and in any event within 180 days, after the additional cost is incurred
or the amount received is reduced, notify Parent, and Borrowers shall pay on
demand such amounts as Agent may specify to be necessary to compensate the
Lender Group for such additional cost or reduced receipt during the 180 days
preceding the date on which such notice is given and during each fiscal quarter
thereafter, together with interest on such amount from the date of such demand
until payment in full thereof at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans
hereunder; provided, however, that (x) Borrowers shall not be obligated to pay
           --------  -------
any such increased cost which relates to a period ending more than 180 days
prior to the date of receipt by Parent of such notice, and (y) in the event that
payments to any Lender are required to be made hereunder as a result of such
additional costs, Borrowers shall be entitled to substitute for such Lender any
other bank or financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the
Required Lenders.  The determination by Agent of any amount due pursuant to this
Section, as set forth in a certificate setting forth

                                     -50-
<PAGE>

the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest
or demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties
hereto.

     2.13  LIBOR Option.
           ------------

               (a)  Interest and Interest Payment Dates.  In lieu of having
interest charged at the rate based upon the Base Rate, Borrowers shall have the
option (the "LIBOR Option") to have interest on all or a portion of the Advances
             ------------
be charged at a rate of interest based upon the LIBOR Rate. Interest on LIBOR
Rate Loans shall be payable (i) on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, (ii) on the date on which the Required Lenders or Agent on
behalf thereof elect to accelerate the maturity of the Obligations pursuant to
the terms and conditions hereof, (iii) on the date that is three months after
the first day of the applicable Interest Period, or (iv) on the date that is the
date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof. On the last
day of each applicable Interest Period, unless the applicable Borrower properly
has exercised the LIBOR Option with respect thereto, the interest rate
applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan automatically shall convert to the rate of
interest then applicable to Base Rate Loans of the same type hereunder. At any
time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers no
longer shall have the option to request that Advances bear interest at the LIBOR
Rate and Agent shall have the right to convert the interest rate on all
outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans to the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans
hereunder.

               (b)  LIBOR Election.

               (i)    Each Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, so
          long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, elect to
          exercise the LIBOR Option by notifying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m.
          (California time) at least 3 Business Days prior to the commencement
          of the proposed Interest Period (the "LIBOR Deadline"). Notice of the
                                                --------------
          applicable Borrower's election of the LIBOR Option for a permitted
          portion of the Advances and an Interest Period pursuant to this
          Section shall be made by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice received
          by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline, or by telephonic notice received
          by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline (to be confirmed by delivery to
          Agent of a LIBOR Notice received by Agent prior to 5:00 p.m.
          (California time) on the same day. Promptly upon its receipt of each
          such LIBOR Notice, Agent shall provide a copy thereof to each of the
          Lenders having a Revolver Commitment.

               (ii)   Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on
          Borrowers. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, each Borrower
          shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders harmless
          against any loss, cost, or reasonable expense incurred by Agent or any
          Lender as a result of (a) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR
          Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable
          thereto (including as a result of an Event

                                     -51-
<PAGE>

          of Default), (b) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on
          the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the
          failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on
          the date specified in any LIBOR Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such
          losses, costs, and expenses, collectively, "Funding Losses"). Funding
                                                      --------------
          Losses shall, with respect to Agent or any Lender, be deemed to equal
          the amount determined by Agent or such Lender to be the excess, if
          any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the
          principal amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan had such event not occurred,
          at the LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable thereto, for the
          period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current
          Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,
          convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest
          Period therefor), minus (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue
          on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which
          Agent or such Lender would be offered were it to be offered, at the
          commencement of such period, Dollar deposits of a comparable amount
          and period in the London interbank market. A certificate of Agent or a
          Lender delivered to Parent setting forth any amount or amounts that
          Agent or such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section
          shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

               (iii)  Borrowers shall have not more than 3 LIBOR Rate Loans in
          effect at any given time. Borrowers only may exercise the LIBOR Option
          for LIBOR Rate Loans of at least $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
          $500,000 in excess thereof.

               (c)  Prepayments.  Borrowers may prepay LIBOR Rate Loans at any
time; provided, however, that in the event that LIBOR Rate Loans are prepaid on
      --------  -------
any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
including as a result of any automatic prepayment through the required
application by Agent of proceeds of Collections in accordance with Section
                                                                   -------
2.4(b) or for any other reason, including early termination of the term of this
------
Agreement or acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, each
Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders and their
Participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses in accordance with
clause (b) above.

               (d)  Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate.

               (i)    The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Agent with respect to
          any Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional
          or increased costs to such Lender of maintaining or obtaining any
          eurodollar deposits or increased costs due to changes in applicable
          law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable
          Interest Period, including changes in tax laws (except changes of
          general applicability in corporate income tax laws or franchise taxes
          in lieu of income taxes) and changes in the reserve

                                     -52-
<PAGE>

          requirements imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
          System (or any successor), excluding the Reserve Percentage, which
          additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding loans
          bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate. In any such event, the affected
          Lender shall give Parent and Agent notice of such a determination and
          adjustment and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other
          Lender and, upon its receipt of the notice from the affected Lender,
          Parent may, by notice to such affected Lender (y) require such Lender
          to furnish to Parent a statement setting forth the basis for adjusting
          such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such
          adjustment, or (z) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans with respect to which
          such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under clause
          (b)(ii) above).

               (ii) In the event that any change in market conditions or any
          law, regulation, treaty, or directive, or any change therein or in the
          interpretation of application thereof, shall at any time after the
          date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of any Lender, make it unlawful
          or impractical for such Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Advances or
          to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge
          interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, such Lender shall give notice of
          such changed circumstances to Agent and Parent and Agent promptly
          shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and (y) in the case of
          any LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender that are outstanding, the date
          specified in such Lender's notice shall be deemed to be the last day
          of the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the
          LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender thereafter shall accrue interest at
          the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (z) Borrowers shall
          not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option until such Lender determines
          that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.

               (e)  No Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the contrary
contained herein notwithstanding, neither Agent, nor any Lender, nor any of
their Participants, is required actually to acquire eurodollar deposits to fund
or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at the LIBOR
Rate. The provisions of this Section shall apply as if each Lender or its
Participants had match funded any Obligation as to which interest is accruing at
the LIBOR Rate by acquiring eurodollar deposits for each Interest Period in the
amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans.

     2.14 Capital Requirements.  If, after the date hereof, any Lender
          --------------------
determines that (i) the adoption of or change in any law, rule, regulation or
guideline regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or
any change in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority charged with the administration thereof, or (ii) compliance by such
Lender or its parent bank holding company with any guideline, request or
directive of any such entity regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having
the

                                     -53-
<PAGE>

force of law), the effect of reducing the return on such Lender's or such
holding company's capital as a consequence of such Lender's Commitments
hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such holding company could
have achieved but for such adoption, change, or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's or such holding company's then existing policies
with respect to capital adequacy and assuming the full utilization of such
entity's capital) by any amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then such
Lender may notify Parent and Agent thereof. Following receipt of such notice,
Borrowers agree to pay such Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of
return of capital as and when such reduction is determined, incurred by such
Lender during the 180 days preceding the date on which such notice is given and
during each fiscal quarter thereafter, payable within 90 days after presentation
by such Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable
detail such Lender's calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such
calculation was based (which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent
manifest error). In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods; provided, however, that (x) Borrowers shall
                                   --------  -------
not be obligated to pay any such amounts which relate to a period ending more
than 180 days prior to the date of receipt by Parent of such notice, and (y) in
the event that payments to any Lender are required to be made hereunder as a
result of such additional costs, Borrowers shall be entitled to substitute for
such Lender any other bank or financial institution reasonably acceptable to the
Agent and the Required Lenders. Each such Lender shall state in the notice
required by this Section 2.14, in reasonable detail, the cause and amount of
                 ------------
such additional cost.

     2.15 Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers.
          ----------------------------------------

          (a)  Each of Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial
accommodations to be provided by the Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement,
for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of Borrowers and in
consideration of the undertakings of the other Borrowers to accept joint and
several liability for the Obligations.

          (b)  Each of Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint
and several liability with the other Borrowers, with respect to the payment and
performance of all of the Obligations (including, without limitation, any
Obligations arising under this Section 2.15), it being the intention of the
                               ------------
parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and several
obligations of each Person composing Borrowers without preferences or
distinction among them.

          (c)  If and to the extent that any of Borrowers shall fail to make any
payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any
of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event
the other Persons composing Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or
perform, such Obligation.

                                     -54-
<PAGE>

          (d) The Obligations of each Person composing Borrowers under the
provisions of this Section 2.15 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full
                   ------------
recourse Obligations of each Person composing Borrowers enforceable against each
such Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of
the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other
circumstances whatsoever.

          (e) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each
Person composing Borrowers hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and
several liability, notice of any Advances or Letters of Credit issued under or
pursuant to this Agreement, notice of the occurrence of any Default, Event of
Default, or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement, notice of any
action at any time taken or omitted by Agent or Lenders under or in respect of
any of the Obligations, any requirement of diligence or to mitigate damages and,
generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and
other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement (except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement).  Each Person composing Borrowers hereby
assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for
the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of any of
the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver,
consent or other action or acquiescence by Agent or Lenders at any time or times
in respect of any default by any Person composing Borrowers in the performance
or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement,
any and all other indulgences whatsoever by Agent or Lenders in respect of any
of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole
or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the Obligations or
the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Person
composing Borrowers.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of
Borrowers assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on
the part of any Agent or Lender with respect to the failure by any Person
composing Borrowers to comply with any of its respective Obligations, including,
without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to
pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations
thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.15 afford
                                                        ------------
grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any Person composing
Borrowers, in whole or in part, from any of its Obligations under this Section
                                                                       -------
2.15, it being the intention of each Person composing Borrowers that, so long as
----
any of the Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the Obligations of such
Person composing Borrowers under this Section 2.15 shall not be discharged
                                      ------------
except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance.  The
Obligations of each Person composing Borrowers under this Section 2.15 shall not
                                                          ------------
be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization,
arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to
any Person composing Borrowers or any Agent or Lender.  The joint and several
liability of the Persons composing Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full
force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any
other change whatsoever in the name, constitution or place of formation of any
of the Persons composing Borrowers or any Agent or Lender.

                                     -55-
<PAGE>

          (f) Each Person composing Borrowers represents and warrants to Agent
and Lenders that such Borrower is currently informed of the financial condition
of Borrowers and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would
reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations.  Each
Person composing Borrowers hereby covenants that such Borrower will continue to
keep informed of Borrowers' financial condition, the financial condition of
other guarantors, if any, and of all other circumstances which bear upon the
risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Obligations.

          (g) The provisions of this Section 2.15 are made for the benefit of
                                     ------------
the Agent, the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, and may be
enforced by it or them from time to time against any or all of the Persons
composing Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without
requirement on the part of any such Agent, Lender, successor or assign first to
marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights
against any of the other Persons composing Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies
available to it or them against any of the other Persons composing Borrowers or
to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the
Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy.  The provisions of this
Section 2.15 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been
------------
paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied.  If at any time, any payment, or any
part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must
otherwise be restored or returned by any Agent or Lender upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Persons composing Borrowers, or
otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.15 will forthwith be reinstated in
                                  ------------
effect, as though such payment had not been made.

          (h) Each of the Persons composing Borrowers hereby agrees that it will
not enforce any of its rights of contribution or subrogation against the other
Persons composing Borrowers with respect to any liability incurred by it
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any payments made by it to
the Agent or the Lenders with respect to any of the Obligations or any
collateral security therefor until such time as all of the Obligations have been
paid in full in cash.  Any claim which any Borrower may have against any other
Borrower with respect to any payments to any Agent or Lender hereunder or under
any other Loan Documents are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in
right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations
arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of the
Obligations and, in the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership,
liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding under the laws of any
jurisdiction relating to any Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether
voluntary or involuntary, all such Obligations shall be paid in full in cash
before any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities
or other property, shall be made to any other Borrower therefor.

          (i) Each of the Persons composing Borrowers hereby agrees that, after
the occurrence and during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default,
the payment of any amounts due with respect to the indebtedness owing by any
Borrower to any other

                                     -56-
<PAGE>

Borrower is hereby subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of the
Obligations. Each Borrower hereby agrees that after the occurrence and during
the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, such Borrower will not
demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any indebtedness of any other
Borrower owing to such Borrower until the Obligations shall have been paid in
full in cash. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, such Borrower shall
collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness, such
amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by such Borrower as trustee
for the Agent, and such Borrower shall deliver any such amounts to the
applicable Agent for application to the Obligations in accordance with Section
                                                                       -------
2.4(b).
------

3.   CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.

     3.1  Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit.  The
          -------------------------------------------------------
obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to make the initial
Advance (or otherwise to extend any credit provided for hereunder), is subject
to the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Agent, of each of the conditions
precedent set forth below:

               (a)  the Closing Date shall occur on or before April 30, 2001;

               (b)  Agent shall have received all financing statements required
by Agent, duly executed by Guarantors and Borrowers;

               (c)  Agent shall have received each of the following documents,
in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly executed, and each such
document shall be in full force and effect:

               (i)    the Copyright Security Agreement,

               (ii)   the Disbursement Letter,

               (iii)  the Due Diligence Letter,

               (iv)   the ECH Pay-Off Letter, together with UCC termination
          statements and other documentation evidencing the termination by ECH
          Existing Lender of its Liens in and to the properties and assets of
          ECH,

               (v)    the Fee Letter,

               (vi)   the Parent Security Agreement,

               (vii)  the Guarantor Stock Pledge Agreement, together with all
          certificates, if any, representing the shares of Stock pledged
          thereunder, as well as Stock powers with respect thereto endorsed in
          blank,

               (viii) the Guaranty,

                                     -57-
<PAGE>

               (ix)   the Intercompany Subordination Agreement,

               (x)    the Patent Security Agreement,

               (xi)   the Post Closing Matters Agreement,

               (xii)  the SK Pay-Off Letter, together with UCC termination
          statements and other documentation evidencing the termination by SK
          Existing Lender of its Liens in and to the properties and assets of
          SK, and

               (xiii) the SK Security Agreement,

               (xiv)  the Stock Pledge Agreements, together with all
          certificates representing the shares of Stock pledged thereunder, as
          well as Stock powers with respect thereto endorsed in blank, and

               (xv)   the Trademark Security Agreement;

               (d)  Agent shall have received a certificate from the Secretary
of each Borrower attesting to the resolutions of such Borrower's Board of
Directors authorizing its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents to which such Borrower is a party and authorizing
specific officers of such Borrower to execute the same;

               (e)  Agent shall have received copies of each Borrower's
Governing Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented to the Closing Date,
certified by the Secretary of such Borrower;

               (f)  Agent shall have received a certificate of status with
respect to each Borrower, dated within 10 days of the Closing Date, such
certificate to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdiction of
organization of such Borrower, which certificate shall indicate that such
Borrower is in good standing in such jurisdiction;

               (g)  Agent shall have received certificates of status with
respect to each Borrower, each dated within 30 days of the Closing Date, such
certificates to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdictions (other
than the jurisdiction of organization of such Borrower) in which its failure to
be duly qualified or licensed would constitute a Material Adverse Change, which
certificates shall indicate that such Borrower is in good standing in such
jurisdictions;

               (h)  Agent shall have received a certificate from the Secretary
of each Guarantor attesting to the resolutions of such Guarantor's Board of
Directors authorizing its execution, delivery, and performance of the Loan
Documents to which such Guarantor is a party and authorizing specific officers
of such Guarantor to execute the same;

                                     -58-
<PAGE>

          (i)  Agent shall have received copies of each Guarantor's Governing
Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented to the Closing Date, certified
by the Secretary of such Guarantor;

          (j)  Agent shall have received a certificate of status with respect to
each Guarantor, dated within 10 days of the Closing Date, such certificate to be
issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdiction of organization of such
Guarantor, which certificate shall indicate that such Guarantor is in good
standing in such jurisdiction;

          (k)  Agent shall have received certificates of status with respect to
each Guarantor, each dated within 30 days of the Closing Date, such certificates
to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdictions (other than the
jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor) in which its failure to be duly
qualified or licensed would constitute a Material Adverse Change, which
certificates shall indicate that such Guarantor is in good standing in such
jurisdictions;

          (l)  Agent shall have received a certificate of insurance, together
with the endorsements thereto, as are required by Section 6.8, the form and
                                                  -----------
substance of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

          (m)  Agent shall have received opinions of Guarantors' and Borrowers'
counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

          (n)  Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence
(including a certificate of the chief financial officer of Parent) that all tax
returns required to be filed by Borrowers have been timely filed and all taxes
upon Borrowers or their properties, assets, income, and franchises (including
Real Property taxes and payroll taxes) have been paid prior to delinquency,
except such taxes that are the subject of a Permitted Protest;

          (o)  Borrowers shall have the Required Availability after giving
effect to the initial extensions of credit hereunder;

          (p)  Agent shall have completed its business, legal, and collateral
due diligence, including (i) a collateral audit and review of Borrowers' books
and records and verification of Borrowers' representations and warranties to the
Lender Group, the results of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent,
and (ii) an inspection of each of the locations where Inventory is located, the
results of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

          (q)  Agent shall have received completed reference checks with respect
to Borrowers' senior management, the results of which are satisfactory to Agent
in its sole discretion;

                                     -59-
<PAGE>

          (r)  Agent shall have received an appraisal of the Net Liquidation
Percentage applicable to Borrowers' Inventory, the results of which shall be
reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

          (s)  Agent shall have received Borrowers' Closing Date Business Plan;

          (t)  Borrowers shall pay all Lender Group Expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions evidenced by this Agreement;

          (u)  Agent shall have received a copy of the Consulting Agreement,
together with a certificate of the Secretary of Parent certifying that such
document is in full force and effect and that such document is a true, correct,
and complete copy thereof;

          (v)  Agent shall have received copies of each of the Acquisition
Documents, together with a certificate of the Secretary of Parent certifying
that each such document is in full force and effect and that such document is a
true, correct, and complete copy thereof;

          (w)  Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it
that each of the following has occurred:

                    (i)   Parent has changed its name from S-E Educational
     Holdings Corp. to LearningStar Corp.,

                    (ii)  the Merger has been consummated in accordance with the
     terms and conditions of the Acquisition Agreement (no provision of which
     shall have been amended or otherwise modified or waived without the prior
     written consent of Agent).

                    (iii) the holders of the limited liability interests in ECH
     have contributed such interests to Parent in accordance with the terms and
     conditions of the Acquisition Agreement (no provision of which shall have
     been amended or otherwise modified or waived without the prior written
     consent of Agent), and

                    (iv)  each party to an Acquisition Document has fully
     performed all of the obligations to be performed by it under the
     Acquisition Documents on or prior to the date hereof.

          (x)  Agent shall have received a written certification from the
relevant filing service that the certificate of merger evidencing the
consummation of the Merger has been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State's
office;

          (y)  Borrowers shall have received all licenses, approvals or evidence
of other actions required by any Governmental Authority in connection with the
execution and

                                     -60-
<PAGE>

delivery by Borrowers of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

          (z)  all other documents and legal matters in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been delivered, executed,
or recorded and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

     3.2 Conditions Subsequent to the Initial Extension of Credit.  The
         --------------------------------------------------------
obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to continue to make
Advances (or otherwise extend credit hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment,
on or before the date applicable thereto, of each of the conditions subsequent
set forth in the Post Closing Matters Agreement within the respective time
period set forth therein (the failure by Borrowers to so perform or cause to be
performed constituting an Event of Default).

     3.3 Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit.  The obligation of
         ------------------------------------------------
the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to make all Advances (or to extend any
other credit hereunder) shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:

               (a)  the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on
and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and
warranties relate solely to an earlier date);

               (b)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result from
the making thereof;

               (c)  no injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of
any nature prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the extending of such credit
shall have been issued and remain in force by any Governmental Authority against
any Borrower, Agent, any Lender, or any of their Affiliates; and

               (d)  no Material Adverse Change shall have occurred.

     3.4 Term.  This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and
         ----
delivery hereof by Borrowers, Agent, and the Lenders and shall continue in full
force and effect for a term ending on April 30, 2004 (the "Maturity Date").  The
                                                           -------------
foregoing notwithstanding, the Lender Group, upon the election of the Required
Lenders, shall have the right to terminate its obligations under this Agreement
immediately and without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuation
of an Event of Default.

     3.5 Effect of Termination.  On the date of termination of this Agreement,
         ---------------------
all Obligations (including contingent reimbursement obligations of Borrowers
with respect to any outstanding Letters of Credit) immediately shall become due
and payable without notice

                                     -61-
<PAGE>

or demand. No termination of this Agreement, however, shall relieve or discharge
Borrowers of their duties, Obligations, or covenants hereunder and the Agent's
Liens in the Collateral shall remain in effect until all Obligations have been
fully and finally discharged and the Lender Group's obligations to provide
additional credit hereunder have been terminated. When this Agreement has been
terminated and all of the Obligations have been fully and finally discharged and
the Lender Group's obligations to provide additional credit under the Loan
Documents have been terminated irrevocably, Agent will, at Borrowers' sole
expense, execute and deliver any UCC termination statements, lien releases,
mortgage releases, re-assignments of trademarks, discharges of security
interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable,
in recordable form) as are reasonably necessary to release, as of record, the
Agent's Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed
by Agent with respect to the Obligations.

     3.6 Early Termination by Borrowers.  Borrowers have the option, at any time
         ------------------------------
upon 30 days prior written notice by Borrowers to Agent, to terminate this
Agreement (in whole and not in part or as to less than all Borrowers) by paying
to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, in cash, the Obligations
(including either (i) providing cash collateral to be held by Agent for the
benefit of those Lenders with a Revolver Commitment in an amount equal to 105%
of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage, or (ii) causing the original Letters
of Credit to be returned to the Issuing Lender), in full, together with the
Applicable Prepayment Premium (to be allocated based upon letter agreements
between Agent and individual Lenders). If Borrowers have sent a notice of
termination pursuant to the provisions of this Section, then the Commitments
shall terminate and Borrowers shall be obligated to repay the Obligations
(including either (i) providing cash collateral to be held by Agent for the
benefit of those Lenders with a Revolver Commitment in an amount equal to 105%
of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage, or (ii) causing the original Letters
of Credit to be returned to the Issuing Lender), in full, together with the
Applicable Prepayment Premium, on the date set forth as the date of termination
of this Agreement in such notice; provided, however that if such notice is
                                  --------  -------
given in connection with a refinancing of the Obligations, the effectiveness of
such notice may be conditioned on the closing of such refinancing transaction.
In the event of the termination of this Agreement and repayment of the
Obligations at any time prior to the Maturity Date, for any other reason,
including (a) termination upon the election of the Required Lenders to terminate
after the occurrence of an Event of Default, (b) foreclosure and sale of
Collateral, (c) sale of the Collateral in any Insolvency Proceeding, or (iv)
restructure, reorganization or compromise of the Obligations by the confirmation
of a plan of reorganization, or any other plan of compromise, restructure, or
arrangement in any Insolvency Proceeding, then, in view of the impracticability
and extreme difficulty of ascertaining the actual amount of damages to the
Lender Group or profits lost by the Lender Group as a result of such early
termination, and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable
estimation and calculation of the lost profits or damages of the Lender Group,
Borrowers shall pay the Applicable Prepayment Premium to Agent (to be allocated
based upon letter agreements between Agent and individual Lenders), measured as
of the date of such termination. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding,
in the event that any

                                     -62-
<PAGE>

termination of this Agreement by Borrowers pursuant to the first sentence of
Section 3.6 occurs as a proximate result of or in proximate connection with a
-----------
refinancing of the Obligations provided by a credit facility agented by GMAC,
then the Applicable Prepayment Premium shall equal zero.

4.     CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

     4.1  Grant of Security Interest.  Each Borrower hereby grants to Agent, for
          --------------------------
the benefit of the Lender Group, a continuing security interest in all of its
right, title, and interest in all currently existing and hereafter acquired or
arising Borrower Collateral in order to secure prompt repayment of any and all
of the Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan
Documents and in order to secure prompt performance by Guarantors and Borrowers
of each of their covenants and duties under the Loan Documents. The Agent's
Liens in and to the Borrower Collateral shall attach to all Borrower Collateral
without further act on the part of Agent or Borrowers. Anything contained in
this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding,
except for Permitted Dispositions, Borrowers have no authority, express or
implied, to dispose of any item or portion of the Collateral.

     4.2  Negotiable Collateral.  In the event that any Collateral, including
          ---------------------
proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, and if and to
the extent that perfection or priority of Agent's security interest is dependent
on or enhanced by possession, the applicable Borrower, immediately upon the
request of Agent, shall endorse and deliver physical possession of such
Negotiable Collateral to Agent.

     4.3  Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles, and Negotiable
          -----------------------------------------------------------
Collateral. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an
----------
Event of Default, Agent or Agent's designee may (a) notify Account Debtors of
Borrowers that the Accounts, chattel paper, or General Intangibles have been
assigned to Agent or that Agent has a security interest therein, or (b) collect
the Accounts, chattel paper, or General Intangibles directly and charge the
reasonable collection costs and expenses to the Loan Accounts. Each Guarantor
and each Borrower agree that they will hold in trust for the Lender Group, as
the Lender Group's trustee, any Collections that they receive and immediately
will deliver said Collections to Agent or a Cash Management Bank in their
original form as received by them.

     4.4  Delivery of Additional Documentation Required.
          ---------------------------------------------

                    (a)  At any time upon the request of Agent, Borrowers shall
execute and deliver to Agent, any and all financing statements, original
financing statements in lieu of continuation statements, fixture filings,
security agreements, pledges, assignments, endorsements of certificates of title
(other than certificates of title relating to motor vehicles, and all other
documents (the "Additional Documents") that Agent may request in its Permitted
Discretion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to perfect
and continue perfected or better perfect the Agent's Liens in the Collateral
(whether now owned

                                     -63-
<PAGE>

or hereafter arising or acquired), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Agent
in any owned Real Property acquired after the Closing Date, to the extent that
the difference between the then current fair market value of such Real Property
and the amount of all Liens with respect to such Real Property (as determined by
Agent in its sole discretion) is in excess of $500,000, and in order to fully
consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan
Documents. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each Borrower
authorizes Agent to execute any such Additional Documents in the applicable
Borrower's name and authorize Agent to file such executed Additional Documents
in any appropriate filing office. In addition, on a quarterly basis with the
delivery of the financial statements, Borrowers shall (a) provide Agent with a
report of all new material patentable, copyrightable, or trademarkable materials
acquired or generated by Borrowers during the prior period, (b) cause all
material patents, copyrights, and trademarks acquired or generated by Borrowers
that are not already the subject of a registration with the appropriate filing
office (or an application therefor diligently prosecuted) to be registered with
such appropriate filing office in a manner sufficient to impart constructive
notice of Borrowers' ownership thereof, and (c) cause to be prepared, executed,
and delivered to Agent supplemental schedules to the applicable Loan Documents
to identify such patents, copyrights, and trademarks as being subject to the
security interests created thereunder; provided, however that the Borrowers
                                       --------  -------
shall not be required to register any patents, copyrights or trademarks that
Borrowers determine in their reasonable business judgment that it is not
economic to register.

               (b)  Parent, SK and Borrowers each agree to cause:

               (i)  each Subsidiary of Parent not in existence on the Closing
Date to execute and deliver to Agent for the benefit of the Lender Group
promptly and in any event within 3 Business Days after the formation,
acquisition or change in status thereof (A) a joinder to the Guaranty, (B) a
joinder to the Parent Security Agreement, (C) if such Subsidiary has any
Subsidiaries, a joinder to the Guarantor Stock Pledge Agreement together with
(y) certificates evidencing all of the Stock of any Person owned by such
Subsidiary, and (z) undated stock powers executed in blank, (D) one or more
mortgages regarding any owned Real Property, to the extent that the difference
between the then current fair market value of such Real Property and the amount
of all Liens with respect to such Real Property (as determined by Agent in its
sole discretion) is in excess of $500,000, and (E) such other agreements,
instruments, approvals, or other documents reasonably requested by Agent in
order to create, perfect, establish the first priority (other than Permitted
Liens) of or otherwise protect any Lien purported to be covered by any such
Parent Security Agreement, Guarantor Stock Pledge Agreement or mortgage or
otherwise to make such Subsidiary a party to and bound by all of the terms,
covenants and agreements contained in the Loan Documents and that all or
substantially all of the property and assets of such Subsidiary shall become
Collateral for the Obligations; and

               (ii) each owner of the Stock of any such Subsidiary to execute
and deliver promptly and in any event within 3 Business Days after the formation
or acquisition

                                     -64-
<PAGE>

of such Subsidiary a supplement to the Stock Pledge Agreement or Guarantor Stock
Pledge Agreement, as applicable, together with (A) certificates evidencing all
of the Stock of such Subsidiary, (B) undated stock powers or other appropriate
instruments of assignment executed in blank, and (C) such other agreements,
instruments, approvals, or other documents reasonably requested by Agent.

     4.5  Power of Attorney.  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably makes,
          -----------------
constitutes, and appoints Agent (and any of Agent's officers, employees, or
agents designated by Agent) as such Borrower's true and lawful attorney, with
power to (a) if such Borrower refuses to, or fails timely to execute and deliver
any of the documents described in Section 4.4, sign the name of such Borrower on
                                  -----------
any of the documents described in Section 4.4, (b) at any time that an Event of
                                  -----------
Default has occurred and is continuing, sign such Borrower's name on any invoice
or bill of lading relating to the Collateral, drafts against Account Debtors, or
notices to Account Debtors, (c) send requests for verification of Accounts no
more than four times in any calendar year, (d) endorse such Borrower's name on
any Collection item that may come into the Lender Group's possession, (e) at any
time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, make, settle, and
adjust all claims under such Borrower's policies of insurance and make all
determinations and decisions with respect to such policies of insurance, and (f)
at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, settle and
adjust disputes and claims respecting the Accounts, chattel paper, or General
Intangibles directly with Account Debtors, for amounts and upon terms that Agent
reasonably determines to be reasonable, and Agent may cause to be executed and
delivered any documents and releases that Agent reasonably determines to be
necessary. The appointment of Agent as each Borrower's attorney, and each and
every one of its rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, is
irrevocable until all of the Obligations have been fully and finally repaid and
performed and the Lender Group's obligations to extend credit hereunder are
terminated.

     4.6  Right to Inspect.  Agent and each Lender (through any of their
          ----------------
respective officers, employees, or agents) shall have the right, from time to
time hereafter to inspect the Books and to check, test, and appraise the
Collateral in order to verify Borrowers' financial condition or the amount,
quality, value, condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral.

     4.7  Control Agreements.  Each Guarantor and each Borrower agrees that it
          ------------------
will not transfer assets out of any Securities Accounts other than as permitted
under Section 7.19 and, if to another securities intermediary, unless each of
      ------------
Parent, SK or the applicable Borrower, Agent, and the substitute securities
intermediary have entered into a Control Agreement. No arrangement contemplated
hereby or by any Control Agreement in respect of any Securities Accounts or
other Investment Property shall be modified by Parent, SK or Borrowers without
the prior written consent of Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Default or Event of Default, Agent may notify any securities
intermediary to liquidate the applicable Securities Account or any related
Investment Property maintained or held thereby and remit the proceeds thereof to
the Agent's Account.

                                     -65-
<PAGE>

5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

            In order to induce the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement,
each of Parent, SK and each Borrower makes the following representations and
warranties to the Lender Group which shall be true, correct, and complete, in
all material respects, as of the date hereof, and shall be true, correct, and
complete, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date, and at and as of the
date of the making of each Advance (or other extension of credit) made
thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Advance (or other
extension of credit) (except to the extent that such representations and
warranties relate solely to an earlier date) and such representations and
warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

     5.1  No Encumbrances.  Each of Parent, SK and each Borrower has good and
          ---------------
indefeasible title to its properties and assets, free and clear of Liens except
for Permitted Liens.

     5.2  Eligible Accounts.  The Eligible Accounts are bona fide existing
          -----------------
payment obligations of Account Debtors created by the sale and delivery of
Inventory to such Account Debtors in the ordinary course of Borrowers' business,
owed to Borrowers without defenses, disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights
of return or cancellation. As to each Eligible Account, such Account is not:

               (a)  owed by an employee, Affiliate, or agent of a Borrower,

               (b)  on account of a transaction wherein goods were placed on
consignment or were sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a sale
on approval, a bill and hold, or on any other terms by reason of which the
payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional,

               (c)  payable in a currency other than Dollars,

               (d)  owed by an Account Debtor that has or has asserted a right
of setoff, has disputed its liability, or has made any claim with respect to its
obligation to pay the Account,

               (e)  owed by an Account Debtor that is subject to any Insolvency
Proceeding or is not Solvent or as to which a Borrower has received notice of an
imminent Insolvency Proceeding or a material impairment of the financial
condition of such Account Debtor,

               (f)  on account of a transaction as to which the goods giving
rise to such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor,

                                     -66-
<PAGE>

               (g)  a right to receive progress payments or other advance
billings that are due prior to the completion of performance by the applicable
Borrower of the subject contract for goods or services, and

               (h)  an Account that has not been billed to the customer.

     5.3  Eligible Inventory.  All Eligible Inventory is of good and
          ------------------
merchantable quality, free from defects. As to each item of Eligible Inventory,
such Inventory is

               (a)  owned by a Borrower free and clear of all Liens other than
Liens in favor of Agent,

               (b)  either located at one of the locations set forth on Schedule
                                                                        --------
E-1 or in transit from one such location to another such location,
---

               (c)  not located on real property leased by a Borrower or in a
contract warehouse, in each case, unless (i) it is subject to a Collateral
Access Agreement executed by the lessor, warehouseman, or other third party, as
the case may be, or (ii) a Landlord Reserve has been established with respect to
such location, and unless segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from
goods of others, if any, stored on the premises,

               (d)  not goods that have been returned or rejected by Borrowers'
customers, and

               (e)  not goods that are obsolete or slow moving, restrictive or
custom items, work-in-process, or that constitute spare parts, packaging and
shipping materials, supplies used or consumed in Borrowers' business, bill and
hold goods, defective goods, "seconds," or Inventory acquired on consignment.

     5.4  Equipment.  All of the Equipment is used or held for use in Borrowers'
          ---------
business and is fit for such purposes.

     5.5  Location of Inventory and Equipment.  Except as identified on Schedule
          ------------------------------------                          --------
5.5, the Inventory and Equipment are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or
----
similar party and are located only at the locations identified on Schedule 5.5.
                                                                  ------------

     5.6  Inventory Records.  Each Borrower keeps correct and accurate records
          -----------------
itemizing and describing the type, quality, and quantity of its Inventory and
the book value thereof.

     5.7  Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN.  The chief executive office
          ----------------------------------------
of Parent, SK and each Borrower is located at the address indicated in Schedule
                                                                       --------
5.7 and Parent's, SK's and each Borrower's FEIN is identified in Schedule 5.7.
---                                                              ------------

     5.8  Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
          ------------------------------------------------

                                     -67-
<PAGE>

               (a)  Parent, SK and each Borrower is duly organized and existing
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and
qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified
reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

               (b)  Set forth on Schedule 5.8(b), is a complete and accurate
                                 ---------------
description of the authorized capital Stock of Parent, SK and each Borrower, by
class, and, as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of
each such class that are issued and outstanding. Other than as described on
Schedule 5.8(b), there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls
---------------
relating to any shares of each Borrower's capital Stock, including any right of
conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument.
Neither any Guarantor nor any Borrower is subject to any obligation (contingent
or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its
capital Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of its
capital Stock.

               (c)  Set forth on Schedule 5.8(c), is a complete and accurate
                                 ---------------
list of each Guarantor's and each Borrower's direct and indirect Subsidiaries,
showing: (i) the jurisdiction of their organization; (ii) the number of shares
of each class of common and preferred Stock authorized for each of such
Subsidiaries; and (iii) the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares
of each such class owned directly or indirectly by the applicable Guarantor or
the applicable Borrower. All of the outstanding capital Stock of each such
Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.

               (d)  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.8(c), there are no
                                           ---------------
subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of any
Guarantor's or any Borrower's Subsidiaries' capital Stock, including any right
of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument.
Neither any Guarantor nor any Borrower nor any of their respective Subsidiaries
is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or
otherwise acquire or retire any shares of any Guarantor's or any Borrower's
Subsidiaries' capital Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for
any such capital Stock.

     5.9  Due Authorization; No Conflict.
          ------------------------------

               (a)  As to each Guarantor and each Borrower, the execution,
delivery, and performance by such Guarantor and such Borrower of this Agreement
and the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of such Guarantor and such Borrower.

               (b)  As to each Guarantor and each Borrower, the execution,
delivery, and performance by such Guarantor and such Borrower of this Agreement
and the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate in
any material respect any provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation
applicable to any Guarantor or any Borrower, the Governing Documents of any
Guarantor and any Borrower, or any material

                                     -68-
<PAGE>

order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding
on any Guarantor or any Borrower, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or
constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
material contractual obligation of any Guarantor or any Borrower, (iii) result
in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever
upon any properties or assets of any Guarantor or any Borrower, other than
Permitted Liens, or (iv) require any approval of any Guarantor's or any
Borrower's interestholders or any approval or consent of any Person under any
material contractual obligation of any Guarantor or any Borrower.

               (c)  Other than the filing of financing statements, the
execution, delivery, and performance by each Guarantor and each Borrower of this
Agreement and the Loan Documents to which such Guarantor or such Borrower is a
party do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or approval
of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority or
other Person.

               (d)  As to each Guarantor and each Borrower, this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor and such Borrower is a party,
and all other documents contemplated hereby and thereby, when executed and
delivered by such Guarantor and such Borrower will be the legally valid and
binding obligations of such Guarantor and such Borrower, enforceable against
such Guarantor and such Borrower in accordance with their respective terms,
except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting
creditors' rights generally.

               (e)  The Agent's Liens are validly created, perfected, and first
priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens.

     5.10   Litigation.  Other than those matters disclosed on Schedule 5.10,
            ----------                                         -------------
there are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of
Guarantors and Borrowers, threatened against Guarantors or Borrowers, or any of
their Subsidiaries, as applicable, except for (a) matters that are fully covered
by insurance (subject to customary deductibles), and (b) matters arising after
the Closing Date that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change.

     5.11   No Material Adverse Change.  All financial statements relating to
            --------------------------
Guarantors or Borrowers that have been delivered by Guarantors or Borrowers to
the Lender Group have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case
of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject
to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects,
Parent's, SK's or Borrowers', as applicable, financial condition as of the date
thereof and results of operations for the period then ended. There has not been
a Material Adverse Change with respect to Parent, SK or Borrowers since the date
of the latest financial statements submitted to the Lender Group on or before
the Closing Date.

                                     -69-
<PAGE>

     5.12   Fraudulent Transfer.
            -------------------

               (a)  Each Guarantor and each Borrower is Solvent.

               (b)  No transfer of property is being made by any Guarantor or
any Borrower and no obligation is being incurred by any Guarantor or any
Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either
present or future creditors of any of the Guarantors or any of the Borrowers.

     5.13   Employee Benefits.  Neither any one of the Guarantors nor any one of
            -----------------
Borrowers, any of their Subsidiaries, or any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains
or contributes to any Benefit Plan.

     5.14   Environmental Condition.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14, (a)
            -----------------------                          -------------
to Parent's, SK's and Borrowers' knowledge, none of Parent's, SK's or Borrowers'
properties or assets has ever been used by Parent, SK or Borrowers or by
previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle,
treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such production,
storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any
material respect, of applicable Environmental Law, (b) to Parent's, SK's and
Borrowers' knowledge, none of Parent's, SK's or Borrowers' properties or assets
has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any
environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c)
none of Parent, SK or Borrowers have received notice that a Lien arising under
any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned
or operated by Parent, SK or Borrowers, and (d) none of Parent, SK or Borrowers
have received a summons, citation, notice, or directive from the Environmental
Protection Agency or any other federal or state governmental agency concerning
any action or omission by Parent, SK or any Borrower resulting in the releasing
or disposing of Hazardous Materials into the environment.

     5.15   Brokerage Fees.  Neither Guarantors nor Borrowers have utilized the
            --------------
services of any broker or finder in connection with Borrowers' obtaining
financing from the Lender Group under this Agreement and no brokerage commission
or finders fee is payable by Guarantors or Borrowers in connection herewith.

     5.16   Intellectual Property.  Parent, SK and each Borrower owns, or holds
            ---------------------
licenses in, all trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights,
and licenses that are necessary to the conduct of its business as currently
conducted. Attached hereto as Schedule 5.16 is a true, correct, and complete
                              -------------
listing of all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark
applications, copyrights, and copyright registrations as to which Parent, SK or
a Borrower is the owner or is an exclusive licensee.

     5.17   Leases.  Parent, SK and each of the Borrowers enjoy peaceful and
            ------
undisturbed possession under all leases material to the business of Parent, SK
and Borrowers and to

                                     -70-
<PAGE>

which they are a party or under which they are operating. All of such leases are
valid and subsisting and no material default by Parent, SK or Borrowers exists
under any of them.

     5.18   DDAs.  Set forth on Schedule 5.18 are all of the DDAs of Parent, SK
            ----                -------------
and each Borrower, including, with respect to each depository (i) the name and
address of that depository, and (ii) the account numbers of the accounts
maintained with such depository.

     5.19   Complete Disclosure.  All factual information (taken as a whole)
            -------------------
furnished by or on behalf of Parent, SK or Borrowers in writing to Agent or any
Lender (including all information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the
other Loan Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the
other Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and
all other such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or
on behalf of Parent, SK or Borrowers in writing to the Agent or any Lender will
be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such
information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any
fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any
material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such
information was provided. On the Closing Date, the Closing Date Projections
represent, and as of the date on which any other Projections are delivered to
Agent, such additional Projections represent Parent's, SK's and Borrowers' good
faith best estimate of its future performance for the periods covered thereby.

     5.20   Indebtedness.  Set forth on Schedule 5.20 is a true and complete
            ------------                -------------
list of all Indebtedness of Parent, SK and each Borrower outstanding immediately
prior to the Closing Date that is to remain outstanding after the Closing Date
and such Schedule accurately reflects the aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness and the principal terms thereof.

     5.21   Real Property.  As of the Closing Date, neither any Guarantor nor
            -------------
any Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries owns any fee interest in any Real
Property.

     5.22   Dormant Subsidiary. Colorations, Inc. does not have any assets or
            ------------------
liabilities of any nature whatsoever or engage in any activity or business of
any kind.

6.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

            Each of Parent, SK and each Borrower, jointly and severally,
covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit hereunder shall be available
and until full and final payment of the Obligations, it shall and shall cause
each of its respective Subsidiaries to do all of the following:

     6.1    Accounting System.  Maintain a system of accounting that enables
            -----------------
Parent, SK and Borrowers to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP
and maintain records pertaining to the Collateral that contain information as
from time to time reasonably

                                     -71-
<PAGE>

may be requested by Agent. Borrowers also shall keep an inventory reporting
system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with
respect to the Inventory.

     6.2    Collateral Reporting.  Provide Agent (and if so requested by Agent,
            --------------------
with copies for each Lender) with the following documents at the following times
in form reasonably satisfactory to Agent:

<TABLE>
==============================================================================================================
<S>                         <C>
 Weekly                     (a) a summary calculation of the ECH Borrowing Base and the EPI Borrowing Base
                                as of such date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Monthly (not               (b) notice of all material returns, disputes, or claims,
 later than the
 15th day of each           (c) Inventory reports specifying each Borrower's cost and the wholesale
 month)                     market value of its Inventory, by category, with additional detail showing
                            additions to and deletions from the Inventory,

                            (d) a detailed calculation of the ECH Borrowing Base and the EPI Borrowing
                            Base (including detail regarding those Accounts that are not Eligible
                            Accounts),

                            (e) a detailed aging, by total, of the Accounts, together with a
                            reconciliation to the detailed calculation of the ECH Borrowing Base and the
                            EPI Borrowing Base previously provided to Agent,

                            (f) a summary aging, by vendor, of Parent's and Borrowers' accounts payable
                            and any book overdraft,

                            (g) a calculation of ECH Dilution and the EPI Dilution for the prior month,
                            and

                            (h) a detailed description of the Intercompany Advances, by amount, lender,
                            and borrower.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quarterly,                 (i) a detailed list of each Borrowers' customers,
 concurrently with
 the delivery of            (j) a report regarding each Borrowers' accrued, but unpaid, ad valorem taxes,
 financial
 statements

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Upon request by            (k) copies of invoices in connection with the Accounts, credit memos, remittance
 Agent                      advices, deposit slips, shipping and delivery documents in connection with the
                            Accounts and, for Inventory and Equipment acquired by Borrowers, purchase
                            orders and invoices,

                            (l) a sales journal, collection journal, credit register, and other supporting
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                     -72-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>
==============================================================================================================
                            ledgers since the last such report, and

                            (m) such other reports as to the Collateral, or the financial condition of
                            Parent or Borrowers as Agent may request.
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


     6.3 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates.  Deliver to Agent, with
         -------------------------------------------
copies to each Lender:

               (a)  as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days (45
days in the case of a month that is the end of one of the first 3 fiscal
quarters in a fiscal year) after the end of each month during each of Parent's
fiscal years,

               (i)    a company prepared consolidated and consolidating balance
          sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow covering Parent's
          and its Subsidiaries' operations during such period,

               (ii)   a certificate signed by the chief financial officer of
          Parent to the effect that:

                      A. the financial statements delivered hereunder have been
               prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for the lack of
               footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and
               fairly present in all material respects the financial condition
               of Parent and its Subsidiaries,

                      B. the representations and warranties of Parent and
               Borrowers contained in this Agreement and the other Loan
               Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as
               of the date of such certificate, as though made on and as of such
               date (except to the extent that such representations and
               warranties relate solely to an earlier date), and

                      C. there does not exist any condition or event that
               constitutes a Default or Event of Default (or, to the extent of
               any non-compliance, describing such non-compliance as to which he
               or she may have knowledge and what action Parent, SK or Borrowers
               have taken, are taking, or propose to take with respect thereto),
               and

               (iii)  for each month that is the date on which a financial
          covenant in Section 7.20 is to be tested, a Compliance Certificate
                      ------------
          demonstrating, in

                                     -73-
<PAGE>

          reasonable detail, compliance at the end of such period with the
          applicable financial covenants contained in Section 7.20, and
                                                      ------------

               (b)  as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after
the end of each of Parent's fiscal years,

               (i)    financial statements of Parent and its Subsidiaries for
          each such fiscal year, audited by independent certified public
          accountants reasonably acceptable to Agent and certified, without any
          qualifications, by such accountants to have been prepared in
          accordance with GAAP (such audited financial statements to include a
          consolidated balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash
          flow and, if prepared, such accountants' letter to management), and
          accompanied by a consolidating balance sheet of Parent and its
          Subsidiaries prepared by Parent,

               (ii)   a certificate of such accountants addressed to Agent and
          the Lenders stating that such accountants do not have knowledge of the
          existence of any Default or Event of Default under Section 7.20,
                                                             ------------

               (c)  as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after
the start of each of Parent's fiscal years,

               (i)    copies of Parent's Projections, in form (including as to
          scope and underlying assumptions) reasonably satisfactory to Agent, in
          its Permitted Discretion, for the forthcoming 2 years, year by year,
          and for the forthcoming fiscal year, month by month, certified by the
          chief financial officer of Parent as being such officer's good faith
          best estimate of the financial performance of Parent and its
          Subsidiaries during the period covered thereby,

               (d)  if and when filed by Parent,

               (i)    10-Q quarterly reports, Form 10-K annual reports, and Form
          8-K current reports,

               (ii)   any other filings made by any Borrower with the SEC,

               (iii)  copies of Parent's federal income tax returns, and any
          amendments thereto, filed with the Internal Revenue Service, and

               (iv)   any other information that is provided by Parent to its
          shareholders generally,

               (e)  if and when filed by any Guarantor or any Borrower and as
requested by Agent, reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment of applicable
excise taxes in each jurisdictions in which (i) any Guarantor or any Borrower
conducts business or is

                                     -74-
<PAGE>

required to pay any such excise tax, (ii) where the failure to pay any such
applicable excise tax would result in a Lien on the properties or assets of any
Guarantor or any Borrower, or (iii) where any Guarantor's or any Borrower's
failure to pay any such applicable excise tax reasonably could be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Change,

               (f)  as soon as a Parent, SK or a Borrower has knowledge of any
event or condition that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, notice
thereof and a statement of the curative action that Guarantors or Borrowers
propose to take with respect thereto, and

               (g)  upon the request of Agent, any other report reasonably
requested relating to the financial condition of Parent, SK or Borrowers.

          In addition to the above, Parent agrees that no Borrower, or any
Subsidiary of a Borrower, will have a fiscal year different from that of Parent.
Parent, SK and Borrowers agree that their independent certified public
accountants are authorized to communicate with Agent and to release to Agent
whatever financial information concerning Parent, SK and Borrowers that Agent
reasonably may request. Parent, SK and each Borrower waives the right to assert
a confidential relationship, if any, it may have with any accounting firm or
service bureau in connection with any information requested by Agent pursuant to
or in accordance with this Agreement, and agree that Agent may contact directly
any such accounting firm or service bureau in order to obtain such information.

     6.4  [intentionally omitted]
          -----------------------

     6.5  Return.  Cause returns and allowances as between Borrowers and their
          ------
Account Debtors, to be on the same basis and in accordance with the usual
customary practices of the applicable Borrower, as they exist at the time of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement. If, at a time when no Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, any Account Debtor returns any Inventory to any
Borrower, the applicable Borrower promptly shall determine the reason for such
return and, if the applicable Borrower accepts such return, issue a credit
memorandum (with a copy to be sent to Agent) in the appropriate amount to such
Account Debtor. If, at a time when an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, any Account Debtor returns any Inventory to any Borrower, the
applicable Borrower promptly shall determine the reason for such return and, if
Agent consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),
issue a credit memorandum (with a copy to be sent to Agent) in the appropriate
amount to such Account Debtor.

     6.6 Maintenance of Properties.  Maintain and preserve all of its properties
         -------------------------
which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct to its business in good
working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and comply at all
times and in all material respects with the provisions of all material leases to
which it is a party as lessee, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof
or thereunder.

                                     -75-
<PAGE>

     6.7  Taxes.  Cause all assessments and taxes, whether real, personal, or
          -----
otherwise, due or payable by, or imposed, levied, or assessed against Parent, SK
or Borrowers or any of their assets to be paid in full, before delinquency or
before the expiration of any extension period, except to the extent that the
validity of such assessment or tax shall be the subject of a Permitted Protest.
Parent, SK and Borrowers will make timely payment or deposit of all tax payments
and withholding taxes required of it by applicable laws, including those laws
concerning F.I.C.A., F.U.T.A., state disability, and local, state, and federal
income taxes, and will, upon request, furnish Agent with proof reasonably
satisfactory to Agent indicating that the applicable Borrower has made such
payments or deposits. Parent, SK and Borrowers shall, upon request, deliver
reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment of applicable excise taxes in each
jurisdictions in which Parent, SK or any Borrower is required to pay any such
excise tax.

     6.8  Insurance.
          ---------

               (a)  At Parent's, SK's or Borrowers' expense, maintain insurance
respecting their properties and assets wherever located, covering loss or damage
by fire, theft, explosion, and all other hazards and risks as ordinarily are
insured against by other Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses.
[Parent, SK and Borrowers also shall maintain business interruption, public
liability, and product liability insurance, as well as insurance against
larceny, embezzlement, and criminal misappropriation.] All such policies of
insurance shall be in such amounts and with such insurance companies as are
reasonably satisfactory to Agent. Parent, SK and Borrowers shall deliver copies
of all such policies to Agent with a satisfactory lender's loss payable
endorsement naming Agent as sole loss payee or additional insured, as
appropriate. Each policy of insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause
requiring the insurer to give not less than 30 days prior written notice to
Agent in the event of cancellation of the policy for any reason whatsoever.

               (b)  Parent, SK and each Borrower shall give Agent prompt notice
of any loss covered by such insurance. If no Event of Default has occurred or is
continuing, Parent shall have the exclusive right to adjust any losses payable
under any such insurance policies less than $250,000. If an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, Agent shall have the exclusive right to adjust any
losses payable under any such insurance policies, without any liability to
Parent, SK or Borrowers whatsoever in respect of such adjustments. In all other
cases, losses payable under any such insurance shall be adjusted based upon the
mutual agreement, in good faith, of Agent and Parent. Any monies received as
payment for any loss under any insurance policy mentioned above (other than
liability insurance policies) or as payment of any award or compensation for
condemnation or taking by eminent domain, shall be paid over to Agent to be
applied at the option of the Required Lenders either to the prepayment of the
Obligations or shall be disbursed to Parent, SK or the applicable Borrower under
staged payment terms reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders for
application to the cost of repairs, replacements, or restorations. Any such
repairs, replacements, or

                                     -76-
<PAGE>

restorations shall be effected with reasonable promptness and shall be of a
value at least equal to the value of the items or property destroyed prior to
such damage or destruction.

               (c)  Parent, SK and Borrowers shall not take out separate
insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that
required to be maintained under this Section 6.8, unless Agent is included
                                     -----------
thereon as named insured with the loss payable to Agent under a lender's loss
payable endorsement or its equivalent. Parent, SK and each Borrower immediately
shall notify Agent whenever such separate insurance is taken out, specifying the
insurer thereunder and full particulars as to the policies evidencing the same,
and copies of such policies promptly shall be provided to Agent.

     6.9  Location of Inventory and Equipment.  Keep the Inventory and Equipment
          -----------------------------------
only at the locations identified on Schedule 5.5; provided, however, that
                                    ------------  --------  -------
Borrowers may amend Schedule 5.5 so long as such amendment occurs by written
                    ------------
notice to Agent not less than 30 days prior to the date on which the Inventory
or Equipment is moved to such new location, so long as such new location is
within the continental United States, and so long as, at the time of such
written notification, the applicable Borrower provides any financing statements
or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue perfected the Agent's Liens
on such assets and also provides to Agent a Collateral Access Agreement.

     6.10 Compliance with Laws.  Comply with the requirements of all applicable
          --------------------
laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, including
the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, other than
laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which, individually
or in the aggregate, would not result in and reasonably could not be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Change.

     6.11 Leases.  Pay when due all rents and other amounts payable under any
          ------
material leases to which Parent, SK or any Borrower is a party or by which
Parent's, SK's or any Borrower's properties and assets are bound, unless such
payments are the subject of a Permitted Protest.

     6.12 Brokerage Commissions.  Pay any and all brokerage commission or
          ---------------------
finders fees incurred in connection with or as a result of Borrowers' obtaining
financing from the Lender Group under this Agreement. Parent, SK and Borrowers,
jointly and severally, agree and acknowledge that payment of all such brokerage
commissions or finders fees shall be the sole responsibility of Parent, SK and
Borrowers, and Parent, SK and each Borrower, jointly and severally, agrees to
indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lender Group harmless from and against
any claim of any broker or finder arising out of Borrowers' obtaining financing
from the Lender Group under this Agreement.

     6.13 Existence. At all times preserve and keep in full force and effect
          ---------
Parent's, SK's and each Borrower's valid existence and good standing and any
rights and franchises material to their businesses.

                                     -77-
<PAGE>

     6.14 Environmental.
          -------------

               (a)  Keep any property either owned or operated by Parent, SK or
any Borrower free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial
assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such
Environmental Liens, (b) comply, in all material respects, with Environmental
Laws and provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent
reasonably requests, (c) promptly notify Agent of any release of a Hazardous
Material of any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by
Parent, SK or any Borrower and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said
release or otherwise to come into compliance with applicable Environmental Law,
and (d) promptly provide Agent with written notice within 10 days of the receipt
of any of the following: (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed
against any of the real or personal property of Parent, SK or any Borrower, (ii)
commencement of any Environmental Action or notice that an Environmental Action
will be filed against Parent, SK or any Borrower, and (iii) notice of a
violation, citation, or other administrative order which reasonably could be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

7.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

          Parent, SK and each Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any
credit hereunder shall be available and until full and final payment of the
Obligations, Parent, SK and Borrowers will not and will not permit any of their
respective Subsidiaries to do any of the following:

     7.1  Indebtedness.  Create, incur, assume, permit, guarantee, or otherwise
          ------------
become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any
Indebtedness, except:

               (a)  Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with Indebtedness owed to Underlying Issuers with respect to
Underlying Letters of Credit;

               (b)  Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 5.20;
                                              -------------

               (c)  Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness;

               (d)  refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness
permitted under clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 7.1 (and continuance or
                                            -----------
renewal of any Permitted Liens associated therewith) so long as: (i)
[intentionally omitted] (ii) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not
result in an increase in the principal amount of, or interest rate with respect
to, the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, (iii) such
refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the
average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or
extended, nor are they on terms or conditions, that, taken as a whole, are
materially more burdensome or restrictive to the applicable Borrower,

                                     -78-
<PAGE>

and (iv) if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was
subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and
conditions of the refinancing, renewal, or extension Indebtedness must be
include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the
Lender Group as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or
extended Indebtedness; and

               (e)  Indebtedness of a Borrower resulting from Permitted
Intercompany Advances; and

               (f)  Indebtedness of a Guarantor or a Borrower resulting from a
guaranty of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of Parent that is permitted under this
Agreement.

     7.2  Liens.  Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist, directly or
          -----
indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom,
except for Permitted Liens (including Liens that are replacements of Permitted
Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is refinanced, renewed, or
extended under Section 7.1(d) and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber
               --------------
those assets that secured the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness).

     7.3  Restrictions on Fundamental Changes.
          -----------------------------------

               (a)  enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or
recapitalization, or reclassify its Stock, other than (i) a merger between the
Borrowers or (ii) a merger between a Borrower and SK with respect to which a
Borrower is the surviving entity of such merger.

               (b)  liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any
liquidation or dissolution).

               (c)  convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise
dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any
substantial part of its assets, other than a transfer of assets from one
Borrower to another Borrower.

     7.4  Disposal of Assets.  Other than Permitted Dispositions, convey, sell,
          ------------------
lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of
any Borrower.

     7.5  Change Name.  Change Parent's, SK's or any Borrower's name, FEIN,
          -----------
corporate structure or identity, or add any new fictitious name; provided,
                                                                 --------
however, that Parent, SK or a Borrower may change its name upon at least 30 days
-------
prior written notice by the applicable Person to Agent of such change and so
long as, at the time of such written notification, such Person provides any
financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue
perfected Agent's Liens.

                                     -79-
<PAGE>

     7.6  Guarantee.  Except to the extent permitted under Section 7.1(f) of
          ---------                                        --------------
this Agreement, Guarantee or otherwise become in any way liable with respect to
the obligations of any third Person, other than a Subsidiary of Parent, except
by endorsement of instruments or items of payment for deposit to the account of
Parent, SK or Borrowers or which are transmitted or turned over to Agent.

     7.7  Nature of Business.  Make any change in the principal nature of
          ------------------
Parent's, SK's or Borrowers' business.

     7.8  Prepayments and Amendments.
          --------------------------

               (a)  Except in connection with a refinancing permitted by Section
                                                                         -------
7.1(d), prepay, redeem, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness
------
of Parent, SK or any Borrower, other than (i) the Obligations in accordance with
this Agreement, and (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations in existence on the
Closing Date, and

               (b)  Except in connection with a refinancing permitted by Section
                                                                         -------
7.1(d), directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter, increase, or change any of
------
the terms or conditions of any agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or
other writing evidencing or concerning Indebtedness permitted under Sections
                                                                    --------
7.1(b) or (c).
-------------

     7.9  Change of Control.  Cause, permit, or suffer, directly or indirectly,
          -----------------
any Change of Control.

     7.10 Consignments.  Consign any Inventory or sell any Inventory on bill and
          ------------
hold, sale or return, sale on approval, or other conditional terms of sale
(other than sale or return transactions by EPI in accordance with its historical
practices).

     7.11 Distributions.  Other than Permitted Distributions, make any
          -------------
Distribution (in cash or other property).

     7.12 Accounting Methods.  Modify or change its method of accounting (other
          -----------------
than as may be required to conform to GAAP) or enter into, modify, or terminate
any agreement currently existing, or at any time hereafter entered into with any
third party accounting firm or service bureau for the preparation or storage of
Parent's, SK's or Borrowers' accounting records without said accounting firm or
service bureau agreeing to provide Agent information regarding the Collateral or
Parent's, SK's or Borrowers' financial condition.

     7.13 Investments.  Except for Permitted Investments, directly or
          -----------
indirectly, make or acquire any Investment, or incur any liabilities (including
contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment; provided,
                                                                  --------
however, that Parent, SK and Borrowers shall not have Permitted Investments in
-------
deposit accounts or securities accounts (other than in the Cash Management
Accounts) in excess of $50,000 outstanding at any one time unless Parent, SK or
the applicable Borrower and the applicable securities intermediary or bank have
entered

                                     -80-
<PAGE>

into Control Agreements or similar arrangements governing such Permitted
Investments, as Agent shall determine in its Permitted Discretion, to perfect
(and further establish) the Agent's Liens in such Permitted Investments.

     7.14 Transactions with Affiliates.  Except for Permitted Intercompany
          ----------------------------
Advances and except for Permitted Distributions, directly or indirectly enter
into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of Parent, SK or any
Borrower except for transactions that are in the ordinary course of Parent's,
SK's or the applicable Borrower's business, upon fair and reasonable terms, that
are no less favorable to Parent, SK or the applicable Borrower than would be
obtained in an arm's length transaction with a non-Affiliate.

     7.15 Suspension.  Suspend or go out of a substantial portion of its
          ----------
business.

     7.16 [intentionally omitted].
          -----------------------

     7.17 Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Advances for any purpose
          ---------------
other than (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to repay in full the outstanding
principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing to the ECH
Existing Lender, (ii) to repay in full the outstanding principal, accrued
interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing to the SK Existing Lender, and
(iii) to pay transactional fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions
hereof, for its lawful and permitted purposes.

     7.18 Change in Location of Chief Executive Office; Inventory and Equipment
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
with Bailees.  Relocate its chief executive office to a new location without
------------
Parent, SK or the applicable Borrower, as applicable, providing 30 days prior
written notification thereof to Agent and so long as, at the time of such
written notification, Parent, SK or the applicable Borrower, as applicable,
provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and
continue perfected the Liens of Agent in and to the Collateral. The Inventory
and Equipment shall not at any time now or hereafter be stored with a bailee,
warehouseman, or similar party without Agent's prior written consent, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

     7.19 Securities Accounts.  Establish or maintain any Securities Account
          -------------------
unless Agent shall have received a Control Agreement in respect of such
Securities Account. Parent, SK and Borrowers agree to not transfer assets out
of any Securities Account; provided, however, that, so long as no Event of
                           --------  -------
Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Parent, SK and
Borrowers may use such assets (and the proceeds thereof) to the extent not
prohibited by this Agreement.

     7.20 Financial Covenants.
          -------------------

               (a)  Fail to maintain:

                                     -81-
<PAGE>

               (i)  Minimum Availability.  At any time, Excess Availability in
                    --------------------
          excess of $4,000,000; provided, however that on the last day of each
                                --------  -------
          fiscal quarter (or the immediately preceding Business Day if the last
          day of a fiscal quarter is not a Business Day) and ending on the next
          succeeding Business Day, the foregoing may be satisfied by any
          combination of Qualified Cash (maintained in an account in Agent's
          name) or Excess Availability aggregating in excess of $4,000,000.

               (ii) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. A Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
          for each period set forth below in excess of than the ratio set forth
          opposite such period:

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Applicable Ratio                     Applicable Period
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              1.0 : 1.0                    Closing Date to September 30, 2001
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              1.0 : 1.0                    Closing Date to December 31, 2001
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              1.0 : 1.0                    Closing Date to March 31, 2002
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              1.0 : 1.0                  Trailing twelve month period ending
                                        June 30, 2002 and the last day of each
                                             fiscal quarter thereafter
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

               (b)  Make:

               (i)  Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures in any fiscal
          year in excess of the amount set forth in the following table for the
          applicable period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date up to      Fiscal Year 2002         Fiscal Year 2003         Fiscal Year 2004
and including
December 31, 2001
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                      <C>                      <C>
$2,150,000              $3,200,000               $4,900,000               $1,800,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     7.21 Preferred Stock.  Issue or sell any Preferred Stock other than
          ---------------
Permitted Preferred Stock.

8.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

          Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of
default (each, an "Event of Default") under this Agreement:
                   ----------------

                                     -82-
<PAGE>

     8.1  If any Borrower or any Guarantor fails to pay when due and payable, or
when declared due and payable, all or any portion of the Obligations (whether of
principal, interest (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the
Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts), fees and charges due the
Lender Group, reimbursement of Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts
constituting Obligations);

     8.2  If any Guarantor or any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries fails or
neglects to perform, keep, or observe (a) any term, provision, covenant,
condition, or agreement applicable to it (i) contained in Sections 6.2
(Collateral Reporting), 6.3 (Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates), 6.10
(Compliance with Laws), or 6.11 (Leases) of this Agreement and such failure
continues for a period of 5 Business Days; (ii) contained in Sections 6.1
(Accounting System), 6.6 (Maintenance of Properties), or 6.9 (Location of
Inventory and Equipment) of this Agreement and such failure continues for a
period of 10 Business Days; (iii) contained in Section 7 of this Agreement; or
(b) any other term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement contained in
this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents (other than any term,
provision, condition, covenant, or agreement that is the subject of another
provision of this Section 8, in which event such other provision of this Section
8 shall govern) and such failure continues for a period of 15 days; provided,
                                                                    --------
however, that, during any period of time that any such failure or neglect of
-------
Parent, SK or any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries referred to in this
Section 8.2 exists, even if such failure or neglect is not yet an Event of
Default by virtue of the existence of a grace or cure period of the pre-
condition of the giving of a notice, the Lenders shall not be required to extend
credit hereunder;

     8.3  If any material portion of any Borrower's or any Guarantor's or any of
their Subsidiaries' assets is attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress
warrant, levied upon;

     8.4  If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by any Borrower or any
Guarantor or any of its or their Subsidiaries;

     8.5  If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against any Borrower or any
Guarantor, or any of their Subsidiaries, and any of the following events occur:
(a) any Borrower or any Guarantor or the Subsidiary, as applicable, consents to
the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition
commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the
petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60
calendar days of the date of the filing thereof; provided, however, that, during
                                                 --------  -------
the pendency of such period, each Lender shall be relieved of its obligations to
extend credit hereunder, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession
of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate
all or any substantial portion of the business of, any Borrower or any Guarantor
or any of their Subsidiaries, or (e) an order for relief shall have been entered
therein;

                                     -83-
<PAGE>

     8.6  If any Borrower or any Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries is
enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by court order from continuing to
conduct all or any material part of its business affairs;

     8.7  If (a) a notice of Lien, levy, or assessment is filed of record with
respect to any Collateral by any Governmental Authority, or (b) any taxes or
debts owing at any time hereafter to any such Governmental Authority becomes a
Lien, whether choate or otherwise, upon any of the Collateral, which Lien, in
the reasonable judgment of Agent, would likely be determined to have priority
over the security interest of Agent with respect to such Collateral; provided,
                                                                     --------
however, that, if the aggregate amount claimed with respect to any of the
-------
foregoing is less than $1,000,000, an Event of Default shall not occur under
this section if such claims are the subject of a Permitted Protest unless the
Lien, levy, or assessment remains unreleased, undischarged, unbonded, or
unstayed for a period of 20 consecutive days at any time after the date it first
arises or is not released, discharged, bonded or stayed 5 days prior to the date
when such Collateral is subject to being forfeited; and, provided, further, that
                                                         --------  -------
in any such case where such a notice of Lien, levy, or assessment is filed of
record, or such tax becomes a Lien as described above, Agent shall have the
right to establish and maintain a reserve against the Aggregate Borrowing Base
in an amount equal to the aggregate amount asserted to be due including any
penalties or interest payable in connection therewith (including instances where
such asserted amount is less than $1,000,000);

     8.8  If a judgment or other claim becomes a Lien or encumbrance upon any
material portion of any Borrower's, any Guarantor's, or any of their
Subsidiaries, properties or assets and the same remains unreleased,
undischarged, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 20 consecutive days at any
time after the attachment of such Lien or encumbrance, or is not released,
discharged, bonded or stayed 5 days prior to the date when such Collateral is
subject to being forfeited; provided, however, that during such period, Agent
                            --------  -------
shall have the right to create a reserve against the Borrowing Base in an amount
sufficient to discharge such Lien or encumbrance and any interest and penalties
payable in connection therewith;

     8.9  If there is a default in any material agreement creating or relating
to Indebtedness in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 to which any Borrower or
any Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries is a party and such default (a)
occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (b) results in a
right by the other party thereto, irrespective of whether exercised, to
accelerate the maturity of any Borrower's or any Guarantor's or their
Subsidiaries' obligations thereunder;

     8.10 If any Borrower or any Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries makes
any payment on account of Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated
in right of payment to the payment of the Obligations, except to the extent such
payment is permitted by the terms of the subordination provisions applicable to
such Indebtedness;

     8.11 If any material misstatement or misrepresentation exists now or
hereafter in any warranty, representation, statement, or Record required to be
made to the Lender Group

                                     -84-
<PAGE>

by any Borrower, any Guarantor, or their Subsidiaries, or any officer, employee,
agent, or director of any Borrower, or any Guarantor or any of their
Subsidiaries;

     8.12  If the obligation of any Guarantor or any Borrower under the Guaranty
is limited or terminated by operation of law or by any Guarantor or any Borrower
thereunder; or

     8.13  If this Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to create
a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected
and, except to the extent permitted by the terms hereof or thereof, first
priority Lien on or security interest in the Collateral covered hereby or
thereby; or

     8.14  Any provision of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason
be declared to be null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall
be contested by any Borrower or any Guarantor, or a proceeding shall be
commenced by any Borrower or any Guarantor, or by any Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction over any Borrower or any Guarantor, seeking to establish the
invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or any Borrower or any Guarantor shall
deny that any Borrower or any Guarantor has any liability or obligation
purported to be created under any Loan Document.

9. THE LENDER GROUP'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

9.1  Rights and Remedies

     9.1 Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence, and during the continuation,
         -------------------
of an Event of Default, the Required Lenders (at their election but without
notice of their election and without demand) may authorize and instruct Agent to
do any one or more of the following on behalf of the Lender Group (and Agent,
acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, shall do the same on
behalf of the Lender Group), all of which are authorized by Borrowers:

               (a)  Declare all Obligations, whether evidenced by this
Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately due and
payable;

               (b)  Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for the
benefit of Borrowers under this Agreement, under any of the Loan Documents, or
under any other agreement between Borrowers and the Lender Group;

               (c)  Terminate this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents
as to any future liability or obligation of the Lender Group, but without
affecting any of the Agent's Liens in the Collateral and without affecting the
Obligations;

               (d)  Settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account
Debtors for amounts and upon terms which Agent considers advisable, and in such
cases, Agent will credit the Loan Accounts with only the net amounts received by
Agent in payment of such

                                     -85-
<PAGE>

disputed Accounts after deducting all Lender Group Expenses incurred or expended
in connection therewith;

               (e)  Cause Borrowers to hold all returned Inventory in trust for
the Lender Group, segregate all returned Inventory from all other assets of
Borrowers or in Borrowers' possession and conspicuously label said returned
Inventory as the property of the Lender Group;

               (f)  Without notice to or demand upon any Borrower or any
Guarantor, make such payments and do such acts as Agent considers necessary or
reasonable to protect its security interests in the Collateral. Each Borrower
agrees to assemble the Borrower Collateral if Agent so requires, and to make the
Borrower Collateral available to Agent at a place that Agent may designate which
is reasonably convenient to both parties. Each Borrower authorizes Agent to
enter the premises where the Borrower Collateral is located, to take and
maintain possession of the Borrower Collateral, or any part of it, and to pay,
purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien that in Agent's reasonable
determination appears to conflict with the Agent's Liens and to pay all
reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith and to charge Borrowers'
Loan Accounts therefor. With respect to any of Borrowers' owned or leased
premises, each Borrower hereby grants Agent a license to enter into possession
of such premises and to occupy the same, without charge, in order to exercise
any of the Lender Group's rights or remedies provided herein, at law, in equity,
or otherwise;

               (g)  Without notice to any Borrower (such notice being expressly
waived), and without constituting a retention of any collateral in satisfaction
of an obligation (within the meaning of the Code), set off and apply to the
Obligations any and all (i) balances and deposits of any Borrower held by the
Lender Group (including any amounts received in the Cash Management Accounts),
or (ii) Indebtedness at any time owing to or for the credit or the account of
any Borrower held by the Lender Group;

               (h)  Hold, as cash collateral, any and all balances and deposits
of any Borrower held by the Lender Group, and any amounts received in the Cash
Management Accounts, to secure the full and final repayment of all of the
Obligations;

               (i)  Ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair,
prepare for sale, advertise for sale, and sell (in the manner provided for
herein) the Borrower Collateral. Each Borrower hereby grants to Agent a non-
exclusive license or other right to use, without charge, such Borrower's labels,
patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and
advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the
Borrower Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and
selling any Borrower Collateral and such Borrower's rights under all licenses
and all franchise agreements shall inure to the Lender Group's benefit;

               (j)  Sell the Borrower Collateral at either a public or private
sale, or both, by way of one or more contracts or transactions, for cash or on
terms, in such manner

                                     -86-
<PAGE>

and at such places (including Borrowers' premises) as Agent determines is
commercially reasonable. It is not necessary that the Borrower Collateral be
present at any such sale;

               (k)  Agent shall give notice of the disposition of the Borrower
Collateral as follows:

               (i)   Agent shall give the applicable Borrower a notice in
          writing of the time and place of public sale, or, if the sale is a
          private sale or some other disposition other than a public sale is to
          be made of the Borrower Collateral, the time on or after which the
          private sale or other disposition is to be made; and

               (ii)  The notice shall be personally delivered or mailed, postage
          prepaid, to the applicable Borrower as provided in Section 12, at
          least 10 days before the earliest time of disposition set forth in the
          notice; no notice needs to be given prior to the disposition of any
          portion of the Borrower Collateral that is perishable or threatens to
          decline speedily in value or that is of a type customarily sold on a
          recognized market;

               (l) Agent, on behalf of the Lender Group may credit bid and
purchase at any public sale;

               (m) Agent may seek the appointment of a receiver or keeper to
take possession of all or any portion of the Collateral or to operate same and,
to the maximum extent permitted by law, may seek the appointment of such a
receiver without the requirement of prior notice or a hearing;

               (n) The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies
available to it at law or in equity pursuant to any other Loan Documents; and

               (o) Any deficiency that exists after disposition of the Borrower
Collateral as provided above will be paid immediately by Borrowers. Any excess
will be returned, without interest and subject to the rights of third Persons,
by Agent to the applicable Borrower.

     9.2 Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of the Lender Group under
         -------------------
this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be
cumulative. The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies not
inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No
exercise by the Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election,
and no waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default shall be deemed a
continuing waiver. No delay by the Lender Group shall constitute a waiver,
election, or acquiescence by it.

                                     -87-
<PAGE>

10. TAXES AND EXPENSES.

          If any Borrower fails to pay any monies (whether taxes, assessments,
insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased properties or assets, rents or
other amounts payable under such leases) due to third Persons, or fails to make
any deposits or furnish any required proof of payment or deposit, all as
required under the terms of this Agreement, then, Agent, in its sole discretion
and without prior notice to any Borrower, may do any or all of the following:
(a) make payment of the same or any part thereof, (b) set up such reserves in
Borrowers' Loan Accounts as Agent reasonably deems necessary to protect the
Lender Group from the exposure created by such failure, or (c) in the case of
the failure to comply with Section 6.8 hereof, obtain and maintain insurance
                           -----------
policies of the type described in Section 6.8 and take any action with respect
                                  -----------
to such policies as Agent reasonably deems prudent. Any such amounts paid by
Agent shall constitute Lender Group Expenses and any such payments shall not
constitute an agreement by the Lender Group to make similar payments in the
future or a waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default under this
Agreement. Agent need not inquire as to, or contest the validity of, any such
expense, tax, or Lien and the receipt of the usual official notice for the
payment thereof shall be conclusive evidence that the same was validly due and
owing.

11. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.

     11.1  Demand; Protest; etc. Each Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of
           --------------------
protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment,
nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal
of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by the
Lender Group on which any such Borrower may in any way be liable.

     11.2  The Lender Group's Liability for Collateral. Each Borrower hereby
           -------------------------------------------
agrees that: (a) so long as the Lender Group complies with its obligations, if
any, under the Code, Agent shall not in any way or manner be liable or
responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage
thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any
diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of any carrier,
warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of
loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrowers.

     11.3  Indemnification. Each Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold
           ---------------
the Agent-Related Persons, the Lender-Related Persons with respect to each
Lender, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and
attorneys-in-fact (each, an "Indemnified Person") harmless (to the fullest
                             ------------------
extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits,
actions, investigations, proceedings, and damages, and all reasonable attorneys
fees and disbursements and other reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred
in connection therewith (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of
whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or
incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to
the execution, delivery,

                                     -88-
<PAGE>

enforcement, performance, or administration of this Agreement, any of the other
Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and (b) with
respect to any investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this
Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the use of the proceeds of the credit
provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party
thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related
thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"). The
                                               -----------------------
foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrowers shall have no obligation to
any Indemnified Person under this Section 11.3 with respect to any Indemnified
                                  ------------
Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have
resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified
Person. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
repayment of the Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any
other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which
Borrowers were required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such
payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be
indemnified and reimbursed by Borrowers with respect thereto. WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH
RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART CAUSED BY OR ARISE
OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER
PERSON.

12. NOTICES.

          Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands by
Parent, SK or Borrowers, on the one hand, and Agent or Lenders, on the other
hand, to the other relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall
be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational
documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be
personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid,
return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email
addresses as Parent, SK or the applicable Borrower or Agent or the Lenders, as
applicable, may designate to each other in accordance herewith), or
telefacsimile to the applicable address set forth below:

          If to Parent, SK or
          to any Borrower:      LEARNINGSTAR CORP.
                                2 Lower Ragsdale Drive
                                Suite 200
                                Monterey, CA 93940
                                Attn:  Mr. Ronald Elliott
                                Fax No. 831.333.2583

          with copies to:       LATHAM & WATKINS
                                633 West 5th Street
                                Suite 4000

                                     -89-
<PAGE>

                            Los Angeles, CA 90071
                            Attn: Glen B. Collyer, Esq.
                            Fax No. 213.891.8763

          If to Agent:      GMAC BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
                            55 South Lake Avenue
                            Suite 220
                            Pasadena, California 91101
                            Attn: Chip Oboza
                            Fax No. 626.585.6101

          with copies to:   BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP
                            550 South Hope Street
                            Suite 2100
                            Los Angeles, California 90071
                            Attn:  John Francis Hilson, Esq.
                            Fax No. 213.745.3345

          Agent, Parent, SK and Borrowers may change the address at which they
are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner
given to the other parties.  All notices or demands sent in accordance with this
Section 12, other than notices by Agent in connection with enforcement rights
----------
against the Collateral under the provisions of the Code, shall be deemed
received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after
the deposit thereof in the mail. Each of Parent, SK and each Borrower
acknowledges and agrees that notices sent by the Lender Group in connection with
the exercise of enforcement rights against Collateral under the provisions of
the Code shall be deemed sent when deposited in the mail or personally
delivered, or, where permitted by law, transmitted by telefacsimile or any other
method set forth above.

13. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

          (a)  THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
(UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT
OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT
HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH
RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR
THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

          (b)  THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND

                                     -90-
<PAGE>

THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND
FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR
--------  -------
OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT'S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR
OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWERS AND THE LENDER GROUP WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE
OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING
   ----- --- ----------
BROUGHT IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION
                                                                      -------
13(b).
-----

          BORROWERS AND THE LENDER GROUP HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO
A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF
THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING
CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR
STATUTORY CLAIMS.  BORROWERS AND THE LENDER GROUP REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS
REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL
RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A
COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE
COURT.

14. ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.

     14.1  Assignments and Participations.
           ------------------------------

               (a)  Any Lender may, with the written consent of Agent (provided
that no written consent of Agent shall be required in connection with any
assignment and delegation by a Lender to an Eligible Transferee), and, so long
as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, subject to the written
consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed,
assign and delegate to one or more assignees (each an "Assignee") all, or any
                                                       --------
ratable part of all, of the Obligations, the Commitments and the other rights
and obligations of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, in
a minimum amount of $5,000,000; provided, however, that Borrowers and Agent may
                                --------  -------
continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the
interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment,
together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with
respect to the Assignee, have been given to Parent and Agent by such Lender and
the Assignee, (ii) such Lender and its Assignee have delivered to Parent and
Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in form and substance satisfactory to Agent,
and (iii) the assignor Lender or Assignee has paid to Agent for Agent's

                                     -91-
<PAGE>

separate account a processing fee in the amount of $5,000. Anything contained
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the consent of Agent shall not be
required (and payment of any fees shall not be required) if such assignment is
in connection with any merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, or other
disposition of all or any substantial portion of the business or loan portfolio
of such Lender.

               (b)  From and after the date that Agent notifies the assignor
Lender (with a copy to Parent) that it has received an executed Assignment and
Acceptance and payment of the above-referenced processing fee, (i) the Assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and
Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan
Documents, and (ii) the assignor Lender shall, to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned by
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (except
with respect to Section 11.3 hereof) and be released from its obligations under
                ------------
this Agreement (and in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or
the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party
hereto and thereto), and such assignment shall affect a novation between
Borrowers and the Assignee.

               (c)  By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance,
the assigning Lender thereunder and the Assignee thereunder confirm to and agree
with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (1) other than as
provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this
Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished
pursuant hereto, (2) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty
and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of
Borrowers or the performance or observance by Borrowers of any of their
obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant
hereto, (3) such Assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this
Agreement, together with such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such
Assignment and Acceptance, (4) such Assignee will, independently and without
reliance upon Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement, (5) such Assignee appoints and authorizes Agent to take such
actions and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to
Agent, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto, and (6) such Assignee agrees that it will perform all of the
obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by
it as a Lender.

                                     -92-
<PAGE>

               (d)  Immediately upon each Assignee's making its processing fee
payment under the Assignment and Acceptance and receipt and acknowledgment by
Agent of such fully executed Assignment and Acceptance, this Agreement shall be
deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect
the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments
arising therefrom. The Commitment allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such
Commitments of the assigning Lender pro tanto.

               (e)  Any Lender may at any time, with the written consent of
Agent, sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other
Persons not Affiliates of such Lender (a "Participant") participating interests
                                          -----------
in its Obligations, the Commitment, and the other rights and interests of that
Lender (the "Originating Lender") hereunder and under the other Loan Documents
             ------------------
(provided that no written consent of Agent shall be required in connection with
any sale of any such participating interests by a Lender to an Eligible
Transferee); provided, however, that (i) the Originating Lender shall remain a
             --------  -------
"Lender" for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the
Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations, the
Commitments, and the other rights and interests of the Originating Lender
hereunder shall not constitute a "Lender" hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents and the Originating Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall
remain unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall remain solely responsible
for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrowers, Agent, and the Lenders
shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Originating Lender in
connection with the Originating Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall transfer or grant
any participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve
any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or
waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A)
extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such
Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the
Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release
all or a material portion of the Collateral or guaranties (except to the extent
expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the
Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone
the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such
Participant through such Lender, or (E) change the amount or due dates of
scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums; and (v) all amounts
payable by Borrowers hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not
sold such participation; except that, if amounts outstanding under this
Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become
due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant of
which Borrowers have received notice shall be deemed to have the right of set-
off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this
Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were
owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement. The rights of any
Participant only shall be derivative through the Originating Lender with whom
such Participant participates and no Participant shall have

                                     -93-
<PAGE>

any rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct rights
as to the other Lenders, Agent, Borrowers, the Collections, the Collateral, or
otherwise in respect of the Obligations. No Participant shall have the right to
participate directly in the making of decisions by the Lenders among themselves.

               (f)  In connection with any such assignment or participation or
proposed assignment or participation, a Lender may disclose all documents and
information which it now or hereafter may have relating to Borrowers or
Borrowers' business, subject to an agreement by the proposed recipient of such
information to be bound by the provisions of Section 16.17(d) of this Agreement.
                                             ----------------

               (g)  Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any
Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any
portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank
or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR (S)203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may
enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under
applicable law.

     14.2  Successors. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the
           ----------
respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, however,
                                                          --------  -------
that Borrowers may not assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder
without the Lenders' prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall
be absolutely void ab initio. No consent to assignment by the Lenders shall
release any Borrower from its Obligations. A Lender may assign this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder
pursuant to Section 14.1 hereof and, except as expressly required pursuant to
            ------------
Section 14.1 hereof, no consent or approval by any Borrower is required in
------------
connection with any such assignment.

15. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.

     15.1  Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
           ----------------------
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by Borrowers therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent at the written request
of the Required Lenders) and Parent (on behalf of itself and all Borrowers) and
then any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such
                                              --------  -------
waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the
Lenders affected thereby and Parent (on behalf of itself and all Borrowers) and
acknowledged by Agent, do any of the following:

               (a)  increase or extend any Commitment of any Lender that does
not consent thereto,

                                     -94-
<PAGE>

               (b)  postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other
amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document,

               (c)  reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any
loan or other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other amounts
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document,

               (d)  change the percentage of the Commitments that is required to
take any action hereunder,

               (e)  amend this Section or any provision of the Agreement
providing for consent or other action by all Lenders,

               (f)  release Collateral other than as permitted by Section 16.12,
                                                                  -------------

               (g)  change the definition of "Required Lenders",

               (h)  contractually subordinate any of the Agent's Liens,

               (i)  release any Borrower or any Guarantor from any obligation
for the payment of money, or

               (j)  change the definition of ECH Borrowing Base, the EPI
Borrowing Base, or the definitions of Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, or
Maximum Revolver Amount, or change Sections 2.1(a)(ii) or (b)(ii); or
                                   ------------------------------

               (k)  amend any of the provisions of Section 16.
                                                   ----------

and, provided further, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall,
     ----------------  -------
unless in writing and signed by Agent, Issuing Lender, or Swing Lender, affect
the rights or duties of Agent, Issuing Lender, or Swing Lender, as applicable,
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.  The foregoing notwithstanding,
any amendment, modification, waiver, consent, termination, or release of, or
with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that
relates only to the relationship of the Lender Group among themselves, and that
does not affect the rights or obligations of Borrowers, shall not require
consent by or the agreement of Borrowers.

     15.2  Replacement of Holdout Lender If any action to be taken by the Lender
           -----------------------------
Group or Agent hereunder requires the unanimous consent, authorization, or
agreement of all Lenders, and a Lender ("Holdout Lender") fails to give its
consent, authorization, or agreement, then Agent, upon at least 5 Business Days
prior irrevocable notice to the Holdout Lender, may permanently replace the
Holdout Lender with one or more substitute Lenders (each, a "Replacement
Lender"), and the Holdout Lender shall have not right to refuse to be replaced
hereunder. Such notice to replace the Holdout Lender shall specify an effective

                                     -95-
<PAGE>

date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days
after the date such notice is given.

          Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Holdout Lender
and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and
Acceptance Agreement, subject only to the Holdout Lender being repaid its share
of the outstanding Obligations (including an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of
the Risk Participation Liability) without any premium or penalty of any kind
whatsoever. If the Holdout Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver
any such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement prior to the effective date of such
replacement, the Holdout Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered
such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement. The replacement of any Holdout Lender
shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 14.1. Until such time as
                                              ------------
the Replacement Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the
Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Holdout Lender
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Holdout Lender shall remain
obligated to make the Holdout Lender's Pro Rata Share of Advances and to
purchase a participation in each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro
Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability of such Letter of Credit.

     15.3  No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies.  No failure by Agent or any Lender
           -------------------------------
to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or, any other Loan
Document, or delay by Agent or any Lender in exercising the same, will operate
as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective unless
it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated. No waiver by
Agent or any Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Agent's and each
Lender's rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrowers of any
provision of this Agreement. Agent's and each Lender's rights under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of
any other right or remedy that Agent or any Lender may have.

16. AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.

     16.1  Appointment and Authorization of Agent. Each Lender hereby designates
           --------------------------------------
and appoints GMAC as its representative under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to take such
action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan
Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly
delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent agrees to
act as such on the express conditions contained in this Section 16. The
                                                        ----------
provisions of this Section 16 are solely for the benefit of Agent, and the
                   ----------
Lenders, and Borrowers shall have no rights as a third party beneficiary of any
of the provisions contained herein. Any provision to the contrary contained
elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document notwithstanding, Agent
shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth
herein, nor shall Agent have or be deemed

                                     -96-
<PAGE>

to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants,
functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read
into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent;
it being expressly understood and agreed that the use of the word "Agent" is for
convenience only, that GMAC is merely the representative of the Lenders, and
only has the contractual duties set forth herein. Except as expressly otherwise
provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion
with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary
rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions that Agent expressly is
entitled to take or assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or of any
other provision of the Loan Documents that provides rights or powers to Agent,
Lenders agree that Agent shall have the right to exercise the following powers
as long as this Agreement remains in effect: (a) maintain, in accordance with
its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of
the Obligations, the Collateral, the Collections, and related matters, (b)
execute or file any and all financing or similar statements or notices,
amendments, renewals, supplements, documents, instruments, proofs of claim,
notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan Documents, (c)
make Advances, for itself or on behalf of Lenders as provided in the Loan
Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute the Collections as
provided in the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts and
cash management accounts as Agent deems necessary and appropriate in accordance
with the Loan Documents for the foregoing purposes with respect to the
Collateral and the Collections, (f) perform, exercise, and enforce any and all
other rights and remedies of the Lender Group with respect to Borrowers, the
Obligations, the Collateral, the Collections, or otherwise related to any of
same as provided in the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group
Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the performance and
fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.

     16.2  Delegation of Duties. Agent may execute any of its duties under this
           --------------------
Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects as
long as such selection was made without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

     16.3  Liability of Agent. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i) be
           ------------------
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by any Borrower or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of any Borrower, or any officer or director thereof, contained in this
Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report,
statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent
under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the
validity, effectiveness,

                                     -97-
<PAGE>

genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or for any failure of any Borrower or any other party to any Loan
Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related
Person shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as
to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or
conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the
Books or properties of Borrowers or the books or records or properties of any of
Borrowers' Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

     16.4   Reliance by Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be
            -----------------
fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message,
statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons,
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrowers
or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by
Agent. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first receive
such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and until such
instructions are received, Agent shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems
advisable. If Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable
satisfaction by Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be
incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Agent
shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or
consent of the Lenders and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.

     16.5   Notice of Default or Event of Default. Agent shall not be deemed to
            -------------------------------------
have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,
except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and
expenses required to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders, except
with respect to Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge, unless
Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or Parent referring to
this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default, and stating that
such notice is a "notice of default." Agent promptly will notify the Lenders of
its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of Default of which Agent has
actual knowledge. If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of
Default, such Lender promptly shall notify the other Lenders and Agent of such
Event of Default. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving any notices
to its Participants, if any. Subject to Section 16.4, Agent shall take such
                                        ------------
action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by
the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 9; provided, however, that
                                        --------- ---------  -------
unless and until Agent has received any such request, Agent may (but shall not
be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable.

                                     -98-
<PAGE>

     16.6   Credit Decision. Each Lender acknowledges that none of the Agent-
            ---------------
Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act
by Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender. Each
Lender represents to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon
any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of Borrowers and any other Person (other than the Lender Group)
party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to
the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into
this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrowers. Each Lender also represents
that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person
and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the
time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of Borrowers and any other Person (other than the Lender Group)
party to a Loan Document. Except for notices, reports, and other documents
expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall
not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or
other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property,
financial and other condition or creditworthiness of Borrowers and any other
Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of any of the
Agent-Related Persons.

     16.7   Costs and Expenses; Indemnification. Agent may incur and pay Lender
            -----------------------------------
Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for
the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations
pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, reasonable attorneys fees
and expenses, costs of collection by outside collection agencies and auctioneer
fees and costs of security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the
Collateral, whether or not Borrowers are obligated to reimburse Agent or Lenders
for such expenses pursuant to the Loan Agreement or otherwise. Agent is
authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from Collections
received by Agent to reimburse Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses
prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders. In the event Agent is not
reimbursed for such costs and expenses from Collections received by Agent, each
Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to or reimburse
Agent for the amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof. Whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify
upon demand the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on
behalf of Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of Borrowers to do so),
according to their Pro Rata Shares, from and against any and all Indemnified
Liabilities; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment
             --------  -------
to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities
resulting solely from such Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct nor
shall any Lender be liable for the

                                     -99-
<PAGE>

obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make an Advance or other
extension of credit hereunder. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender
shall reimburse Agent upon demand for such Lender's ratable share of any costs
or out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by
Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document
contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrowers. The undertaking in
this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the
resignation or replacement of Agent.

     16.8   Agent in Individual Capacity. GMAC and its Affiliates may make loans
            ----------------------------
to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire
equity interests in, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust,
financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person (other than the Lender Group)
party to any Loan Documents as though GMAC were not Agent hereunder, and, in
each case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender
Group. The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge that, pursuant to such
activities, GMAC or its Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrowers
or their Affiliates and any other Person (other than the Lender Group) party to
any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of
Borrowers or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such
information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge that, in such
circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality
obligations, which waiver Agent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain),
Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them. The
terms "Lender" and "Lenders" include GMAC in its individual capacity.

     16.9   Successor Agent. Agent may resign as Agent upon 45 days notice to
            ---------------
the Lenders. If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall
appoint a successor Agent for the Lenders. If no successor Agent is appointed
prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint,
after consulting with the Lenders, a successor Agent. If Agent has materially
breached or failed to perform any material provision of this Agreement or of
applicable law, the Required Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace
Agent with a successor Agent from among the Lenders; provided, however that so
                                                     --------  -------
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any appointment of a
successor Agent by Agent or the Lenders shall be subject to the written consent
of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. In any such
event, upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent hereunder, such
successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the
retiring Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean such successor Agent and the
retiring Agent's appointment, powers, and duties as Agent shall be terminated.
After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of
this Section 16 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to
     ----------
be

                                     -100-
<PAGE>

taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no successor Agent has
accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 45 days following a retiring
Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Agent's resignation shall
nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the
duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a
successor Agent as provided for above.

     16.10  Lender in Individual Capacity. Any Lender and its respective
            -----------------------------
Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept
deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of
banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person (other than
the Lender Group) party to any Loan Documents as though such Lender were not a
Lender hereunder without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender
Group. The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge that, pursuant to such
activities, such Lender and its respective Affiliates may receive information
regarding Borrowers or their Affiliates and any other Person (other than the
Lender Group) party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality
obligations in favor of Borrowers or such other Person and that prohibit the
disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge that,
in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality
obligations, which waiver such Lender will use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain), such Lender not shall be under any obligation to provide such
information to them. With respect to the Swing Loans and Agent Advances, Swing
Lender shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the sub-agent of the
Agent.

     16.11  Withholding Taxes.
            -----------------

                    (a)  If any Lender is a "foreign corporation, partnership or
trust" within the meaning of the IRC and such Lender claims exemption from, or a
reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the IRC, such
Lender agrees with and in favor of Agent and Borrowers, to deliver to Agent and
Parent:

                    (i)   if such Lender claims an exemption from withholding
            tax pursuant to its portfolio interest exception, (a) a statement of
            the Lender, signed under penalty of perjury, that it is not a (I) a
            "bank" as described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the IRC, (II) a 10%
            shareholder (within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the IRC),
            or (III) a controlled foreign corporation described in Section
            881(c)(3)(C) of the IRC, and (B) a properly completed IRS Form W-
            8BEN, before the first payment of any interest under this Agreement
            and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Parent;

                    (ii)  if such Lender claims an exemption from, or a
            reduction of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty,
            properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN before the first payment of any
            interest under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably
            requested by Agent or Parent;

                                     -101-
<PAGE>

                    (iii)  if such Lender claims that interest paid under this
          Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is
          effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such
          Lender, two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI
          before the first payment of any interest is due under this Agreement
          and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Parent;

                    (iv)   such other form or forms as may be required under the
          IRC or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption
          from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax.

Such Lender agrees promptly to notify Agent and Parent of any change in
circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or
reduction.

                    (b)  If any Lender claims exemption from, or reduction of,
withholding tax under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form W-8BEN
and such Lender sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise
transfers all or part of the Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender, such
Lender agrees to notify Agent of the percentage amount in which it is no longer
the beneficial owner of Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender. To the extent
of such percentage amount, Agent will treat such Lender's IRS Form W-8BEN as no
longer valid.

                    (c)  If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in the
applicable withholding tax, Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such
Lender an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into
account such reduction. If the forms or other documentation required by
subsection (a) of this Section are not delivered to Agent, then Agent may
withhold from any interest payment to such Lender not providing such forms or
other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

                    (d)  If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the
United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that Agent did not properly
withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the
appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such
Lender failed to notify Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the
exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other
reason) such Lender shall indemnify and hold Agent and Borrowers harmless for
all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by Agent as tax or otherwise,
including penalties and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any
jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Agent under this Section, together with
all costs and expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses). The obligation
of the Lenders under this subsection shall survive the payment of all
Obligations and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

                    (e)  All payments made by Borrowers hereunder or under any
note or other Loan Document will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other
defense, except as required by applicable law other than for Taxes (as defined
below). All such payments will

                                     -102-
<PAGE>

be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present
or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of
whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction (other than the
United States) or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein (other than of the United States) with respect to such payments (but
excluding, any tax imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision
or taxing authority thereof or therein (i) measured by or based on the net
income or net profits of a Lender, or (ii) to the extent that such tax results
from a change in the circumstances of the Lender, including a change in the
residence, place of organization, or principal place of business of the Lender,
or a change in the branch or lending office of the Lender participating in the
transactions set forth herein) and all interest, penalties or similar
liabilities with respect thereto (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, fees, assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as
"Taxes"). If any Taxes are so levied or imposed, each Borrower agrees to pay the
full amount of such Taxes, and such additional amounts as may be necessary so
that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or under any note,
including any amount paid pursuant to this Section 16.11(e) after withholding or
                                           ---------------
deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be less than the amount
provided for herein; provided, however, that Borrowers shall not be required to
                     --------  -------
increase any such amounts payable to Agent or any Lender (i) that is not
organized under the laws of the United States, if such Person fails to comply
with the other requirements of this Section 16.11, or (ii) if the increase in
                                    -------------
such amount payable results from Agent's or such Lender's own willful misconduct
or gross negligence. Borrowers will furnish to Agent as promptly as possible
after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law
certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Borrowers.

     16.12  Collateral Matters.
            ------------------

                    (a)  The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize Agent, at its
option and in its sole discretion, to release any Lien on any Collateral (i)
upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by
Borrowers of all Obligations, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed
of if a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and if Parent
certifies to Agent that the sale or disposition is permitted under Section 7.4
                                                                   -----------
of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (and Agent may rely conclusively
on any such certificate, without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property
in which no Borrower owned any interest at the time the security interest was
granted or at any time thereafter, or (iv) constituting property leased to a
Borrower under a lease that has expired or is terminated in a transaction
permitted under this Agreement. Except as provided above, Agent will not execute
and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral without the prior written
authorization of (y) if the release is of all or substantially all of the
Collateral, all of the Lenders, or (z) otherwise, the Required Lenders. Upon
request by Agent or Parent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing
Agent's authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of
Collateral pursuant to this Section 16.12; provided, however, that (1) Agent
                            -------------  --------  -------
shall not be required to execute any document necessary to evidence such release
on terms that, in Agent's opinion, would expose Agent to liability or create any

                                     -103-
<PAGE>

obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Lien without
recourse, representation, or warranty, and (2) such release shall not in any
manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than
those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of Borrowers in respect of)
all interests retained by Borrowers, including, the proceeds of any sale, all of
which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.

          (b)  Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders
to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by Borrowers or is cared for,
protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Agent's Liens have
been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, or
enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise at all or in
any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to
continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or
available to Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood
and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event
related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, Agent may
act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given Agent's
own interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders and that
Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender as to any
of the foregoing, except as otherwise provided herein.

     16.13  Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments.
            -------------------------------------------------------

                    (a)  Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, without
the express consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully
entitled to do so, upon the request of Agent, set off against the Obligations,
any amounts owing by such Lender to Borrowers or any deposit accounts of
Borrowers now or hereafter maintained with such Lender. Each of the Lenders
further agrees that it shall not, unless specifically requested to do so by
Agent, take or cause to be taken any action, including, the commencement of any
legal or equitable proceedings, to foreclose any Lien on, or otherwise enforce
any security interest in, any of the Collateral the purpose of which is, or
could be, to give such Lender any preference or priority against the other
Lenders with respect to the Collateral.

                    (b) If, at any time or times any Lender shall receive (i) by
payment, foreclosure, setoff, or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any
payments with respect to the Obligations arising under, or relating to, this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, except for any such proceeds or payments
received by such Lender from Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or
(ii) payments from Agent in excess of such Lender's ratable portion of all such
distributions by Agent, such Lender promptly shall (1) turn the same over to
Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the
same to Agent, or in immediately available funds, as applicable, for the account
of all of the Lenders and for application to the Obligations in accordance with
the applicable provisions of this Agreement, or (2) purchase, without recourse
or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the Obligations owed to
the other Lenders so that such excess payment received shall be applied ratably
as among the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata

                                     -104-
<PAGE>

Shares; provided, however, that if all or part of such excess payment received
by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases of
participations shall be rescinded in whole or in part, as applicable, and the
applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall be returned to such
purchasing party, but without interest except to the extent that such purchasing
party is required to pay interest in connection with the recovery of the excess
payment.

     16.14  Agency for Perfection. Agent hereby appoints each other Lender as
            ---------------------
its agent (and each Lender hereby accepts such appointment) for the purpose of
perfecting the Agent's Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of
the Code can be perfected only by possession. Should any Lender obtain
possession of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify Agent thereof, and,
promptly upon Agent's request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to Agent or
in accordance with Agent's instructions.

     16.15  Payments by Agent to the Lenders. All payments to be made by Agent
            --------------------------------
to the Lenders shall be made by bank wire transfer or internal transfer of
immediately available funds pursuant to such wire transfer instructions as each
party may designate for itself by written notice to Agent. Concurrently with
each such payment, Agent shall identify whether such payment (or any portion
thereof) represents principal, premium, or interest of the Obligations.

     16.16  Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents. Each member of
            ----------------------------------------------------
the Lender Group authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents relating to the Collateral, for the benefit of the
Lender Group. Each member of the Lender Group agrees that any action taken by
Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents
relating to the Collateral and the exercise by Agent of its powers set forth
therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably
incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.

     16.17  Field Audits and Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers
            ------------------------------------------------------------------
by Lenders; Other Reports and Information. By becoming a party to this
-----------------------------------------
Agreement, each Lender:

                    (a)  is deemed to have requested that Agent furnish such
Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field audit or
examination report (each a "Report" and collectively, "Reports") prepared by
                            ------                     -------
Agent, and Agent shall so furnish each Lender with such Reports,

                    (b)  expressly agrees and acknowledges that Agent does not
(i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report, and
(ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,

                    (c)  expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are
not comprehensive audits or examinations, that Agent or other party performing
any audit or

                                     -105-
<PAGE>

examination will inspect only specific information regarding Borrowers and will
rely significantly upon the Books, as well as on representations of Borrowers'
personnel,

               (d)  agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public
information regarding Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and their operations,
assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner;
it being understood and agreed by Borrowers that in any event such Lender may
make disclosures (a) to counsel for and other advisors, accountants, and
auditors to such Lender, (b) reasonably required by any bona fide potential or
actual Assignee or Participant in connection with any contemplated or actual
assignment or transfer by such Lender of an interest herein or any participation
interest in such Lender's rights hereunder, (c) of information that has become
public by disclosures made by Persons other than such Lender, its Affiliates,
assignees, transferees, or Participants, or (d) as required or requested by any
court, governmental or administrative agency, pursuant to any subpoena or other
legal process, or by any law, statute, regulation, or court order; provided,
                                                                   --------
however, that, unless prohibited by applicable law, statute, regulation, or
-------
court order, such Lender shall notify Parent of any request by any court,
governmental or administrative agency, or pursuant to any subpoena or other
legal process for disclosure of any such non-public material information
concurrent with, or where practicable, prior to the disclosure thereof, and

               (e)  without limiting the generality of any other indemnification
provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold Agent and any such
other Lender preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender
may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report
in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the
indemnifying Lender has made or may make to Borrowers, or the indemnifying
Lender's participation in, or the indemnifying Lender's purchase of, a loan or
loans of Borrowers; and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold
Agent, and any such other Lender preparing a Report harmless from and against,
the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts
(including, attorneys fees and costs) incurred by Agent and any such other
Lender preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties
who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

In addition to the foregoing: (x) any Lender may from time to time request of
Agent in writing that Agent provide to such Lender a copy of any report or
document provided by Borrowers to Agent that has not been contemporaneously
provided by Borrowers to such Lender, and, upon receipt of such request, Agent
shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, (y) to the extent that Agent is
entitled, under any provision of the Loan Documents, to request additional
reports or information from Borrowers, any Lender may, from time to time,
reasonably request Agent to exercise such right as specified in such Lender's
notice to Agent, whereupon Agent promptly shall request of Parent the additional
reports or information reasonably specified by such Lender, and, upon receipt
thereof from Parent, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender,
and (z) any time that Agent

                                     -106-
<PAGE>

renders to a Borrower a statement regarding its Loan Account, Agent shall send a
copy of such statement to each Lender.

     16.18  Several Obligations; No Liability. Notwithstanding that certain of
            ---------------------------------
the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or
in favor of Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the
Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of Agent (if any) to make any
credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint)
obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their
respective Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in
principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective
Commitments. Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest
in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business,
assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender. Each Lender shall
be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to
the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender
shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other
Lender. Except as provided in Section 16.7, no member of the Lender Group shall
                              ------------
have any liability for the acts or any other member of the Lender Group. No
Lender shall be responsible to any Borrower or any other Person for any failure
by any other Lender to fulfill its obligations to make credit available
hereunder, nor to advance for it or on its behalf in connection with its
Commitment, nor to take any other action on its behalf hereunder or in
connection with the financing contemplated herein.

     16.19  Legal Representation of Agent. In connection with the negotiation,
            -----------------------------
drafting, and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or in
connection with future legal representation relating to loan administration,
amendments, modifications, waivers, or enforcement of remedies, Brobeck, Phleger
& Harrison LLP ("Brobeck") only has represented and only shall represent GMAC in
its capacity as Agent and as a Lender. Each other Lender hereby acknowledges
that Brobeck does not represent it in connection with any such matters.

17.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.

     17.1   Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective
            -------------
when executed by Borrowers, Agent, and each Lender whose signature is provided
for on the signature pages hereof.

     17.2   Section Headings.  Headings and numbers have been set forth herein
            ----------------
for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context,
everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

     17.3   Interpretation.  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or
            --------------
ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against the Lender Group or
Borrowers, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary,
this Agreement has been reviewed by

                                     -107-
<PAGE>

all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary
meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions
of all parties hereto.

     17.4   Severability of Provisions.  Each provision of this Agreement shall
            --------------------------
be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of
determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

     17.5   Amendments in Writing. This Agreement only can be amended by a
            ---------------------
writing in accordance with Section 15.1.
                           ------------

     17.6   Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution.  This Agreement may be
            -------------------------------------
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate
counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be
an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and
the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by
telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed
counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of
this Agreement by telefacsimile also shall deliver an original executed
counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed
counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of
this Agreement. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis
mutandis.

     17.7   Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations.  If the incurrence or
            ----------------------------------------
payment of the Obligations by any Borrower or any Guarantor or the transfer to
the Lender Group of any property should for any reason subsequently be declared
to be void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors'
rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent
conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or
transfers of property (collectively, a "Voidable Transfer"), and if the Lender
                                        -----------------
Group is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable
Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as
to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that the Lender Group is
required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs,
expenses, and attorneys fees of the Lender Group related thereto, the liability
of Borrowers or any Guarantor automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and
restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.

     17.8   Integration.  This Agreement, together with the other Loan
            -----------
Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by
any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

                          [Signature page to follow.]

                                     -108-
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                LEARNINGSTAR CORP.,
                                a Delaware corporation

                                By:     /s/ Al Noyes
                                   -----------------------------------
                                Title:  Chairman of the Board


                                EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC,
                                a California limited liability company

                                By:     /s/ Ronald Elliott
                                   -----------------------------------
                                Title:  President


                                SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.,
                                a Delaware corporation

                                By:     /s/ Robert Cahill
                                   -----------------------------------
                                Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.,
                                a Texas corporation

                                By:     /s/ Ronald Elliott
                                   -----------------------------------
                                Title:  President


                                GMAC BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC,
                                a Delaware limited liability company

                                By:     /s/ Mark A. Deneen
                                   -----------------------------------
                                Title:  Managing Director

                                     -109-