October 4, 1999                                                 EXHIBIT 10.13
                                                                -------------



Mr. Michael D. Rowley
7852 Woodside Lane
Jacksonville, FL 32256

Dear Michael:

I am  delighted  to extend  this  offer to you to join us at HCI Direct as Chief
Financial  Officer.  I expect that your  experience  and talents will make you a
highly visible and valuable member of our management team.

This letter summarizes the offer of employment to you by HCI Direct.

   1.    Position: Chief Financial Officer

   2.    Reporting Relationship: Reports to Chairman and CEO.

   3.    Primary  Responsibilities:  Development and implementation of HCI
         Direct financial strategy, controls and procedures, including banking
         and investor relations, accounting functions, budgetary planning and
         controls for all North America and International operations and for
         U.S. Textile Corp.

   4.    Base Salary:  Your total annual base salary will be $240,000 to be paid
         in equal weekly installments.

   5.    Bonus:  Based on the attainment of objectives agreed on by you and the
         CEO, you may receive a bonus of up to 25% per year of your base salary.

         For the  remainder  of 1999,  you will  receive  a bonus at year end of
         $10,000.

   6.    Benefits:  You will be entitled to the employee  benefits  described in
         the  attached  materials.  During your first,  second and third year of
         employment,  you shall be entitled to a three-week  vacation  with full
         pay; after the fourth  anniversary,  four weeks with full pay. Vacation
         time shall be taken with due regard for work schedules and the business
         interests of the Company.

   7.    Company Car & Other Perquisites: While your permanent residence remains
         in Florida, the Company will provide you with a furnished,  one-bedroom
         apartment (at Company expense) and will reimburse you for air travel to
         your  Florida  residence,  on terms to be worked out.  The Company will
         provide  you  with  the  use of a  Company  car.  The  Company  will be
         responsible  for  operating  costs  such  as  insurance,  gasoline  and
         maintenance of the vehicle.

   8.    Upon your hire date, you will be granted the option to purchase  25,000
         shares,  with a strike  price  based on the current  value.  If you are
         employed  by the Company on 1/1/01,  you will be granted an  additional
         25,000 shares with a strike price based on the Company's 2000 financial
         results.  These grants will be exercisable under conditions outlined in
         certain documents related to stock options.


<PAGE>





    9.   Confidentiality:  During the term of your employment, you will have
         access to and become familiar with substantial amounts of proprietary
         and confidential information concerning the business operations of the
         Company, its products, marketing systems, sales information, computer
         systems and software, customer lists, financial and economic data and
         various plans for future operations (all of such information being
         herein referred to as the "Confidential Information").  You shall
         not disclose any portion of the Confidential Information, directly or
         indirectly, or use it in any way, either during the term of this
         Agreement or at any later time, except as required in the course of
         your employment or by law.  All files, records, documents, drawings,
         specifications and similar items relating to the business of the
         Company, whether prepared by you or otherwise coming into your
         possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company and
         shall not be removed from the premises of the Company under any
         circumstances and shall be immediately returned upon cessation of your
         employment.

   10.   While  employed  at  Corporate  Headquarters,  you will work a four-day
         week; in the event you oversee the  operation of an acquired  business,
         you will be  expected  to  adjust  your  work  schedule  to that of the
         acquired Company.  Only with written permission of the Company will you
         be  allowed to  provide  services  of a  business  nature  directly  or
         indirectly to any other person or organization during your employment.

Michael,  I am  extremely  pleased  that you  will  join  us.  Your  turn-around
experience,  international  exposure  and  high-leverage  background  make you a
perfect fit with our team.

This  offer  expires  two  weeks  from  this  date.  Please  countersign  below,
confirming your start date. Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

HCI DIRECT, INC.



John F. Biagini

JFB/lbs

I intend to start employment on _________________.


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Michael D. Rowley                   Date