<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                                              LNS ______________


$25,000,000.00,   New York, New York, 11-18, 1996 after date for value received,
the undersigned promises to pay to the order of THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK,
LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH, One World Trade Center, Suite 4911, New York, N.Y.
10048, Twenty-five Million and 00/100 Dollars, in current funds of the United
States of America, with interest from the date hereof at the rate of 5-84375.
percent per annum.

         The makers, endorsers and guarantors of this note hereby waive
presentment for payment, demand, notice of non-payment and dishonor, protest,
and notice of protest; waive trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising
from, out of, under or by reason of this note, pursuant to any renewals,
extensions and partial payments of this item or the indebtedness for which it
_______ without notice to them and consent that no such renewals, extensions or
partial payments shall discharge any party hereto from liability herein in whole
or in part.

         In the event of happening of any one or more of the following, to-wit:
(a) the non-payment of any of the Obligations; (b) the death, failure in
business, dissolution or termination of existence of the undersigned; (c) any
petition in bankruptcy, or under any Acts of Congress relating to the relief of
debtors, being commenced for the relief or readjustment of any indebtedness of
the undersigned or any endorser or guarantor of this note whether through
reorganization, composition, extension, or otherwise; (d) the making by the
undersigned or any underwriter or guarantor of this note of an assignment for
the benefit of creditors or the taking advantage by any of the same of any
insolvency law; (e) the appointment of a receiver of any property of the
undersigned or any endorser or guarantor of this note; (f) the attachment or
distraint of any funds or other property of the undersigned which may be in, or
come into, the possession of or control of the Bank, or of any third party
acting for the Bank, or of the same becoming subject at any time to any
mandatory order of court or other legal process; (g) any government authority or
any court at the insistence of any government authority shall take possession of
any substantial part of the property of the undersigned or shall assume control
over the affairs or operations of the undersigned or a receiver shall be
appointed or if a writ or order of attachment or garnishment or order of
execution shall be levied or made against any of the property or assets of the
undersigned or any endorser or guarantor of this note -- then, or at any time
after the happening of any such event, this note and/or any notice or other
Obligations which may be taken in renewal or extension of all or any part of the
indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall become due and payable at the option of
the holder, without demand or notice, and likewise upon the happening of any
such event or at any time thereafter, any or all of other Obligations then
existing shall, at the option of the Bank, become due and payable forthwith,
without demand upon or notice by the undersigned. If this note be not paid when
due and if it be placed with an attorney for collection, the makers, endorsers
and guarantors agrees to pay all costs of collection, including an attorney's
fee of 15% of the amount of this note, which is hereby agreed to be just and
reasonable and which shall be added to the amount due under this note and
recoverable with the amount due under this note. The undersigned further agrees
that this note shall be deemed to have been made under and shall be governed by
the laws of the State of New York in all respects, including matters of
construction, validity and performance, and that none of its terms or provisions
may be waived, altered, modified or amended, except if the Bank may consent
thereto in writing duly signed for and on its behalf. The undersigned, if more
than one, shall be jointly and severally liable hereunder.

         PAYABLE AT                                     Carter L. Godwin
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                       Authorized Signature


No_________ Due on 7-30-97                          ---------------------------
                                                       Individual as Maker