Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                SECOND AMENDMENT

                  SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of October 20, 2004 (this "Second
Amendment"), to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February
13, 1998, as amended and restated as of December 10, 2003, as further amended
and restated as of March 4, 2004, and as amended by the First Amendment thereto,
dated as of August 6, 2004 (the "Credit Agreement"), among Nebraska Book
Company, Inc., a Kansas corporation (the "Borrower"), NBC Holdings Corp., NBC
Acquisition Corp., the lenders party from time to time thereto (the "Lenders"),
JPMorgan Chase Bank as administrative agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent") and collateral agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as
syndication agent, and Fleet National Bank and Wells Fargo Bank N.A., as
co-documentation agents.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent are parties to the Credit Agreement;

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Credit Agreement
be amended, among other things, (i) to provide for an Incremental Revolving
Credit Facility and (ii) to effect certain other related amendments to the
Credit Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are willing
to agree to such amendment to the Credit Agreement, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants contained herein, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent hereby agree as follows:

                  1. Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms which are defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein
defined.

                  2. Amendment of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is
hereby amended to read in its entirety as set forth in Annex A hereto (the
"Amended Credit Agreement"), without any further actions required for the
effectiveness of such Amended Credit Agreement. On the Amendment Effective Date,
the terms "Agreement," "this Agreement," "herein," "hereinafter," "hereto,"
"hereof" and words of similar import, as used in the Credit Agreement, shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, refer to the Amended Credit Agreement,
and the term "Credit Agreement" or similar terms, as the case may be, as used in
the other Credit Documents, shall mean the Amended Credit Agreement.

                  3. Representations and Warranties.

                  (a) The Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower represents and warrants that, after giving effect to this Second
Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

                  (b) The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Holdings and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at June 30, 2004, and the related unaudited consolidated
statements of income and cash flows for the three-month period ended on such
date, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such date, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows

<PAGE>

for the three-month period then ended. All such financial statements, including
the related schedules and any notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as
disclosed therein).

                  4. Amendment Fee. In consideration of the agreement of the
Lenders to the amendments contained herein, the Borrower agrees to pay to each
Lender which so agrees on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October
20, 2004 (by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent or its counsel
this Second Amendment on or prior to such time), an amendment fee in an amount
equal to 1/10 of 1% of the aggregate amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment and Term Loans in effect on the Second Amendment Effective Date; such
fees shall be payable on the Second Amendment Effective Date in immediately
available funds to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the applicable Lender.

                  5. Effectiveness. This Second Amendment shall become effective
as of the date set forth above (the "Second Amendment Effective Date") upon the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) Second Amendment. The Administrative Agent shall have
received this Second Amendment executed and delivered by the Administrative
Agent, the Borrower, each Lender with a Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment
and Lenders party to the Credit Agreement constituting the "Required Lenders"
thereunder (or, in the case of any Lender, a lender addendum or joinder
agreement in a form specified by the Administrative Agent).

                  (b) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have
received all fees required to be paid on or before the Second Amendment
Effective Date, and all expenses required to be paid on or before the Second
Amendment Effective Date for which invoices have been timely presented,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of legal
counsel, on or before the Second Amendment Effective Date.

                  (c) Security Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have
received the Acknowledgment and Confirmation, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto, executed and delivered by an authorized officer of the
Borrower and each other Loan Party.

                  (d) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
received a certificate of each of Holdings and the Borrower, dated the Second
Amendment Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibits C-1 and C-2 to
the Credit Agreement, with appropriate insertions and attachments.

                  (e) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have
received the legal opinion of Morris Laing Evans Brock & Kennedy, Chtd, counsel
to the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.

                  6. Collateral. On or prior to the date which is 30 days after
the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have taken such
action as is reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent in order to secure
the Incremental Revolving Credit Facility equally and ratably with the Term
Facility and Revolving Credit Facility under the Loan Documents. The Lenders
authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into amendments to the Security
Documents in such form as are approved by the Administrative Agent in order to
implement the foregoing.

                  7. Continuing Effect of the Credit Agreement. This Second
Amendment shall not constitute an amendment of any other provision of the Credit
Agreement not expressly referred to herein and shall not be construed as a
waiver or consent to any further or future action on the part of the

                                        2

<PAGE>

Borrower that would require a waiver or consent of the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent. Except as expressly amended hereby, the provisions of the
Credit Agreement are and shall remain in full force and effect.

                  8. Counterparts. This Second Amendment may be executed by the
parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts (including facsimiled
counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which
taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

                  9. GOVERNING LAW. THIS SECOND AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SECOND AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  10. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse the
Administrative Agent for all of its out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Second
Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel to the Administrative Agent.

                     [rest of page intentionally left blank]

                                        3

<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second
Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                        NBC HOLDINGS CORP.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

                                        NBC ACQUISITION CORP.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

                                        NEBRASKA BOOK COMPANY, INC.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

                                        JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as
                                        Administrative Agent and as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ NEIL R. BOYLAH
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Neil R. Boylah
                                            Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                          Signature page to the Second Amendment
                                             dated as of October 20, 2004 to the
                                                     NEBRASKA BOOK COMPANY, INC.
                                           Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

                                        [INSERT LENDER NAME]

                                        By: ____________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

<PAGE>

                                                                   SCHEDULE 1.1A

                                   COMMITMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           COMMITMENTS IN DOLLARS
                           ----------------------
                                                    INCREMENTAL REVOLVING CREDIT
       NAME OF LENDER                                        COMMITMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
    JPMorgan Chase Bank                                    $ 5,000,000.00
Citicorp North America, Inc.                               $ 5,000,000.00
          TOTAL                                            $10,000,000.00
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                     FORM OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONFIRMATION

                  1. Reference is made to Second Amendment, dated as of October
20, 2004 (the "Second Amendment"), to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of February 13, 1998, as amended and restated as of December 10, 2003,
as further amended and restated as of March 4, 2004, and as amended by the First
Amendment thereto (as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Nebraska Book
Company, Inc., a Kansas corporation (the "Borrower"), NBC Holdings Corp., NBC
Acquisition Corp., the lenders party from time to time thereto (the "Lenders"),
JPMorgan Chase Bank as administrative agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent") and collateral agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as
syndication agent, and Fleet National Bank and Wells Fargo Bank N.A., as
co-documentation agents.

                  2. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees, with respect to
each Loan Document to which it is a party:

                           (a) all of its obligations, liabilities and
         indebtedness under such Loan Document shall remain in full force and
         effect on a continuous basis after giving effect to the Second
         Amendment and its guarantee, if any, of the obligations, liabilities
         and indebtedness of the other Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement
         (or any predecessor agreement) shall extend to and cover any
         Incremental Revolving Credit Loans made under the Credit Agreement and
         interest thereon and fees and expenses and other obligations in respect
         thereof and in respect of commitments related thereto; and

                           (b) all of the Liens and security interests created
         and arising under such Loan Document remain in full force and effect on
         a continuous basis, and the perfected status and priority of each such
         Lien and security interest continues in full force and effect on a
         continuous basis, unimpaired, uninterrupted and undischarged, after
         giving effect to the Second Amendment, as collateral security for its
         obligations, liabilities and indebtedness under the Credit Agreement
         and under its guarantees in the Loan Documents, including the
         Incremental Revolving Credit Facility and guarantees thereof.

                  3. THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONFIRMATION SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK.

                  4. This Acknowledgment and Confirmation may be executed by one
or more of the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts (including
by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument.

                     [rest of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Acknowledgement and Confirmation to be duly executed and delivered by their
proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                        NBC HOLDINGS CORP.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

                                        NBC ACQUISITION CORP.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

                                        NEBRASKA BOOK COMPANY, INC.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

                                        SPECIALTY BOOKS, INC.

                                        By: /s/ ALAN G. SIEMEK
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Alan G. Siemek
                                            Title: Treasurer

<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX A

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

                                  $230,000,000

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                               NBC HOLDINGS CORP.,

                             NBC ACQUISITION CORP.,

                          NEBRASKA BOOK COMPANY, INC.,
                                  AS BORROWER,

                               THE SEVERAL LENDERS
                        FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,

                              JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
                           AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND
                                COLLATERAL AGENT,

                         CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
                              AS SYNDICATION AGENT

                                       AND

              FLEET NATIONAL BANK AND WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., AS CO-
                              DOCUMENTATION AGENTS

                         DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 13, 1998,
     AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF DECEMBER 10, 2003 AND AS FURTHER AMENDED
                        AND RESTATED AS OF MARCH 4, 2004

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

                         J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. AND
                         CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
                  AS JOINT LEAD ARRANGERS AND JOINT BOOKRUNNERS

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PAGE
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS............................................................................      2

     1.1    Defined Terms.........................................................................      2
     1.2    Other Definitional Provisions.........................................................     36

SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS........................................................     37

     2.1    Term Loan Commitments.................................................................     37
     2.2    Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing.....................................................     38
     2.3    Repayment of Term Loans...............................................................     38
     2.4    Revolving Credit Commitments; Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments................     39
     2.5    Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing and Incremental Revolving Credit Borrowing...     40
     2.6    Swing Line Commitment.................................................................     40
     2.7    Procedure for Swing Line Borrowing; Refunding of Swing Line Loans.....................     41
     2.8    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt..................................................     42
     2.9    Commitment Fees, etc..................................................................     43
     2.10   Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments..............................     44
     2.11   Optional Prepayments..................................................................     44
     2.12   Mandatory Prepayments.................................................................     44
     2.13   Conversion and Continuation Options...................................................     46
     2.14   Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Eurodollar Tranches.............................     46
     2.15   Interest Rates and Payment Dates......................................................     47
     2.16   Computation of Interest and Fees......................................................     47
     2.17   Inability to Determine Interest Rate..................................................     47
     2.18   Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.......................................................     48
     2.19   Requirements of Law...................................................................     50
     2.20   Taxes.................................................................................     51
     2.21   Indemnity.............................................................................     53
     2.22   Illegality............................................................................     53
     2.23   Change of Lending Office..............................................................     54
     2.24   Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances....................................     54

SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT......................................................................     54

     3.1    L/C Commitment........................................................................     54
     3.2    Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit............................................     55
     3.3    Commissions, Fees and Other Charges...................................................     55
     3.4    L/C Participations....................................................................     55
     3.5    Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower..............................................     56
     3.6    Obligations Absolute..................................................................     57
     3.7    Letter of Credit Payments.............................................................     57
     3.8    Applications..........................................................................     57
</TABLE>

                                       -i-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PAGE
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.........................................................     57

     4.1    Financial Condition...................................................................     57
     4.2    No Change.............................................................................     60
     4.3    Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law..............................................     60
     4.4    Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations...............................     60
     4.5    No Legal Bar..........................................................................     60
     4.6    No Material Litigation................................................................     61
     4.7    No Default............................................................................     61
     4.8    Ownership of Property; Liens..........................................................     61
     4.9    Intellectual Property.................................................................     61
     4.10   Taxes.................................................................................     61
     4.11   Federal Regulations...................................................................     62
     4.12   Labor Matters.........................................................................     62
     4.13   ERISA.................................................................................     62
     4.14   Investment Company Act; Other Regulations.............................................     62
     4.15   Subsidiaries..........................................................................     63
     4.16   Use of Proceeds.......................................................................     63
     4.17   Environmental Matters.................................................................     63
     4.18   Accuracy of Information, etc..........................................................     64
     4.19   Security Documents....................................................................     64
     4.20   Solvency..............................................................................     65
     4.21   Senior Indebtedness...................................................................     65
     4.22   Regulation H..........................................................................     65

SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...................................................................     65

     5.1    Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit.............................................     65
     5.2    Conditions to Each Extension of Credit................................................     69

SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................     69

     6.1    Financial Statements..................................................................     69
     6.2    Certificates; Other Information.......................................................     70
     6.3    Payment of Obligations................................................................     72
     6.4    Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence, etc.................................     72
     6.5    Maintenance of Property; Insurance....................................................     73
     6.6    Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions................................     73
     6.7    Notices...............................................................................     74
     6.8    Environmental Laws....................................................................     75
     6.9    Interest Rate Protection..............................................................     75
     6.10   Additional Collateral, etc............................................................     75

SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.....................................................................     77

     7.1    Financial Covenants...................................................................     77
     7.2    Limitation on Indebtedness............................................................     79
     7.3    Limitation on Liens...................................................................     81
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PAGE
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
     7.4    Limitation on Fundamental Changes.....................................................     83
     7.5    Limitation on Sale of Assets..........................................................     83
     7.6    Limitation on Dividends...............................................................     83
     7.7    Limitation on Capital Expenditures....................................................     85
     7.8    Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances.........................................     85
     7.9    Limitation on Optional Payments and Modifications of Debt Instruments, etc............     86
     7.10   Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates............................................     87
     7.11   Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks....................................................     87
     7.12   Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods...............................................     88
     7.13   Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses.................................................     88
     7.14   Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions................................     88
     7.15   Limitation on Lines of Business.......................................................     88
     7.16   Merger Agreement......................................................................     89
     7.17   Limitation on Activities of Holdings and SuperHoldings................................     89

SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT......................................................................     89

SECTION 9. THE AGENTS.............................................................................     93

     9.1    Appointment...........................................................................     93
     9.2    Delegation of Duties..................................................................     93
     9.3    Exculpatory Provisions................................................................     93
     9.4    Reliance by Administrative Agent......................................................     94
     9.5    Notice of Default.....................................................................     94
     9.6    Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders..............................................     94
     9.7    Indemnification.......................................................................     95
     9.8    Agent in Its Individual Capacity......................................................     95
     9.9    Successor Administrative Agent........................................................     95
     9.10   Authorization to Release Liens........................................................     96
     9.11   Co-Documentation Agents and Syndication Agent.........................................     96

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................     96

     10.1   Amendments and Waivers................................................................     96
     10.2   Notices...............................................................................     97
     10.3   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies........................................................     98
     10.4   Survival of Representations and Warranties............................................     98
     10.5   Payment of Expenses...................................................................     98
     10.6   Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments................................     99
     10.7   Adjustments; Set-off..................................................................    102
     10.8   Counterparts..........................................................................    103
     10.9   Severability..........................................................................    103
     10.10  Integration...........................................................................    103
     10.11  GOVERNING LAW.........................................................................    103
     10.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers...................................................    104
     10.13  Acknowledgements......................................................................    104
     10.14  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.................................................................    105
</TABLE>

                                      -iii-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PAGE
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
     10.15  Confidentiality.......................................................................    105
     10.16  Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement..................    105
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>

ANNEXES:

A        Pricing Grid

SCHEDULES:

1.1A     Commitments
1.1B     Mortgaged Property
4.4      Consents, Authorizations, Filings and Notices
4.9      Intellectual Property
4.15     Subsidiaries
4.19(a)  UCC Filing Jurisdictions
4.19(b)  Mortgage Filing Jurisdictions
7.2(e)   Existing Indebtedness
7.3(f)   Existing Liens
7.8      Existing Investments

EXHIBITS:

A        Form of Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
B-1      Form of Borrower Compliance Certificate
B-2      Form of Holdings Compliance Certificate
B-3      Form of SuperHoldings Compliance Certificate
C-1      Form of Borrower Closing Certificate
C-2      Form of Holdings Closing Certificate
C-3      Form of Subsidiary Closing Certificate
C-4      Form of SuperHoldings Closing Certificate
D        Form of Mortgage
E        Form of Assignment and Assumption
F        Form of Legal Opinion of Bingham McCutchen LLP
G-1      Form of Term Note
G-2      Form of Revolving Credit Note
G-3      Form of Swing Line Note
H        Form of Prepayment Option Notice
I        Form of Exemption Certificate
J        Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

                                       -v-

<PAGE>

                  AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of February
13, 1998, as amended and restated as of December 10, 2003, as further amended
and restated as of March 4, 2004, among NBC Holdings Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("SuperHoldings"), NBC Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), Nebraska Book Company, Inc., a Kansas corporation (the
"Borrower"), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from
time to time parties to this Agreement (the "Lenders") and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent"), CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., as syndication agent (in
such capacity, the "Syndication Agent") and FLEET NATIONAL BANK and WELLS FARGO
BANK, N.A., as co-documentation agents (in such capacities, the
"Co-Documentation Agents").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
Holdings, and Holdings is a direct subsidiary of SuperHoldings;

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower, Holdings, the Administrative Agent and
certain of the Lenders are parties to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February
13, 1998, as amended and restated as of December 10, 2003 (the "Existing Credit
Agreement");

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower and Holdings intend to enter into a
recapitalization transaction pursuant to which (i) indebtedness of the Borrower
under the Existing Credit Agreement will be refinanced, (ii) the Existing Credit
Agreement and the credit facilities thereunder will be amended and restated
pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) the Tender Offers (as hereinafter defined)
will be consummated, (iv) Weston Presidio Capital and certain of its affiliates
(collectively "WP") will purchase certain shares of the capital stock of
Holdings held by certain existing shareholders of Holdings, (v) WP and certain
members of management will contribute their shares of Holdings to SuperHoldings,
a newly created entity, (vi) WP will make a new equity contribution into
SuperHoldings, and will capitalize a newly created entity called New NBC
Acquisition Corp. with the proceeds of such contribution and (vii) the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as hereinafter defined) will
be consummated (the foregoing, the "Transactions");

                  WHEREAS, in connection with the Transactions, the Borrower has
requested that the Lenders to provide senior credit facilities aggregating
$230,000,000; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lenders party hereto, including certain of the
Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement (the "Continuing Lenders"), are
willing to make such senior credit facilities available upon and subject to the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree that, upon the
effectiveness of this Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety as follows:

<PAGE>

                                                                               2

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

                  1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed
in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section
1.1.

                  "Account": as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect
         in the Sate of New York from time to time.

                  "Adjustment Date": as defined in the Pricing Grid.

                  "Administrative Agent": JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its capacity
         as administrative agent and collateral agent.

                  "Affiliate": as to any Person, any other Person which,
         directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under
         common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition,
         "control" of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either
         to (a) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power
         for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions)
         of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management
         and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

                  "Agents": the collective reference to the Syndication Agent,
         the Co-Documentation Agents and the Administrative Agent.

                  "Aggregate Exposure": with respect to any Lender, an amount
         equal to (a) until the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of such
         Lender's Commitments and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate
         unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Term Loans, (ii) the amount of
         such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment or, if the Revolving Credit
         Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender's Revolving
         Extensions of Credit and (iii) the amount of such Lender's Incremental
         Revolving Credit Commitment or, if the Incremental Revolving Credit
         Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender's
         Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit.

                  "Aggregate Exposure Percentage": with respect to any Lender,
         the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's Aggregate
         Exposure to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders.

                  "Agreement": this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as
         amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Applicable Margin": (a) (i) with respect to Revolving Credit
         Loans and Incremental Revolving Credit Loans, 1.75% for Base Rate Loans
         and 2.75% for Eurodollar Loans, and (ii) with respect to Swing Line
         Loans, 1.75% provided, that on and after the first Adjustment Date
         occurring after the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the
         Borrower after the Closing Date, the Applicable Margin with respect to
         Revolving Credit Loans, Incremental Revolving Credit Loans and Swing
         Line Loans will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; and

<PAGE>

                                                                               3

                  (b) with respect to Term Loans on any day, the rate per annum
         set forth in the relevant column heading below opposite the Term Loan
         Rating in effect for such day:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Level       Term Loan Rating                 Eurodollar Loans                  Base Rate Loans
-----       ----------------                 ----------------                  ---------------
<S>         <C>                              <C>                               <C>
   I         > or = B+/B1                          2.25%                            1.25%
  II           < B+/B1                             2.50%                            1.50%
</TABLE>

         The Borrower agrees that it shall cause the Term Loans to be rated by
         each of S&P and Moody's until the Term Loans are repaid in full. For
         purposes of the foregoing table, (i) if the ratings established or
         deemed to have been established by Moody's Investors Services
         ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") for the Term
         Loans shall fall within different Levels, the Applicable Margin shall
         be based on the lower of the two ratings (i.e., the higher Level
         number); and (ii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been
         established by Moody's and S&P for the Term Loans shall be changed
         (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of Moody's or
         S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is
         first announced by the applicable rating agency. Each change in the
         Applicable Margin for the Term Loans shall apply during the period
         commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date
         immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If
         the rating system of Moody's or S&P shall change, or if either such
         rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate
         debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good
         faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or
         the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the
         effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Margin for the Term
         Loans shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in
         effect prior to such change or cessation.on and after the first
         Adjustment Date occurring after the completion of one full fiscal
         quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the Applicable Margin
         with respect to Revolving Credit Loans, Incremental Revolving Credit
         Loans and Swing Line Loans will be determined pursuant to the Pricing
         Grid.

                  "Application": an application, in such form as the Issuing
         Lender may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to
         open a Letter of Credit.

                  "Approved Fund": as defined in Section 10.6(b).

                  "Arrangers": J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Citicorp Global
         Markets Inc.

                  "Asset Sale": any Disposition of Property or series of related
         Dispositions of Property (excluding any such Disposition permitted by
         clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of Section 7.5).

<PAGE>

                                                                               4

                  "Assignee": as defined in Section 10.6(b).

                  "Assignment and Assumption": an Assignment and Assumption,
         substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

                  "Available Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment": as to any
         Incremental Revolving Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the
         excess, if any, of (a) such Lender's Incremental Revolving Credit
         Commitment over (b) such Lender's Incremental Revolving Extensions of
         Credit.

                  "Available Revolving Credit Commitment": as to any Revolving
         Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of
         (a) such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment over (b) such Lender's
         Revolving Extensions of Credit; provided, that in calculating any
         Lender's Revolving Extensions of Credit for the purpose of determining
         such Lender's Available Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section
         2.9(a), the aggregate principal amount of Swing Line Loans then
         outstanding shall be deemed to be zero.

                  "Base Rate": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards,
         if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the
         Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective
         Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For purposes hereof: "Prime
         Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from
         time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank as its prime or base rate in effect
         at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being
         intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by JPMorgan Chase
         Bank in connection with extensions of credit to debtors). Any change in
         the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds
         Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the
         effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds
         Effective Rate, respectively.

                  "Base Rate Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to
         which is based upon the Base Rate.

                  "Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
         of the United States (or any successor).

                  "Bookstore": any business establishment that has as its
         primary business the sale of textbooks.

                  "Borrower": as defined in the recitals hereto.

                  "Borrower Pro Forma Financial Statements": as defined in
         Section 4.1(a)(ii).

                  "Borrower Projections": as defined in Section 6.2(c)(ii).

                  "Borrowing Base": at the time of any determination an amount
         equal to the sum, without duplication, of (a) the sum of (i) 60% of
         Eligible Accounts Receivable in respect of Standard Sales Invoices at
         such time and (ii) 85% of Eligible Accounts Receivable in respect of
         Buy-Fund Invoices at such time; (b) 55% of Wholesale Inventory, Retail

<PAGE>

                                                                               5

         Inventory and Information Systems Inventory that, in each case,
         constitutes Eligible Inventory at such time (provided, however, that
         the amount in respect of such Information Systems Inventory shall not
         at any time exceed $500,000) minus the aggregate Rent Reserve at such
         time; and (c) the sum of the Over Advance Amount then in effect and if
         the time of such determination is (i) during the Peak Period, an amount
         equal to 55% of Buy-Funds at such time and (ii) during the Non-Peak
         Period, the lesser of (A) $1,000,000 and (B) an amount equal to 55% of
         Buy-Funds at such time. The Borrowing Base at any time shall be
         determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate
         delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.2(g),
         absent any error in such Borrowing Base Certificate. In the event that
         at any time after the date hereof (a) the Borrower materially alters
         any of its accounting policies or procedures, (b) there occurs a
         material change in the Borrower's customer base or (c) there occurs a
         material change in the nature of the Borrower's Inventory, then the
         Administrative Agent will be entitled in its reasonable discretion with
         the consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably
         withheld, to adjust the eligibility criteria and reserves in respect of
         Eligible Accounts Receivable and Eligible Inventory.

                  "Borrowing Base Certificate": a certificate in substantially
         the form of Exhibit J hereto (with such changes thereto from time to
         time as may reasonably be required by the Administrative Agent to
         reflect the components of and reserves against the Borrowing Base as
         provided for herein), executed and certified by a Responsible Officer
         of the Borrower, which certificate shall include appropriate exhibits,
         schedules, supporting documentation and additional reports (i) as
         outlined in Schedule 1 to Exhibit J and (ii) as provided for in Section
         6.2(g).

                  "Borrowing Date": any Business Day specified by the Borrower
         as a date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make
         Loans hereunder.

                  "Business": as defined in Section 4.17.

                  "Business Day": (i) for all purposes other than as covered by
         clause (ii) below, a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
         which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by
         law to close and (ii) with respect to all notices and determinations in
         connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar
         Loans, any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) and
         which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits
         in the interbank eurodollar market.

                  "Buy-Funds": the aggregate amount of cash in the possession of
         the Borrower's buyers conducting book-buys during any buy-back period
         at an educational institution or commercial Bookstore, less the
         aggregate amount represented by outstanding drafts issued by the
         Borrower in respect of purchases of used books during such buy-back
         period.

                  "Buy-Fund Invoice": an invoice resulting from the sale or
         advance by the Borrower to, or the agreement by the Borrower with, an
         educational institution or commercial Bookstore in respect of used
         books that (a) have been purchased by the Borrower during any buy-back
         period at such educational institution or commercial

<PAGE>

                                                                               6

         Bookstore and (b) are designated to remain on the campus of such
         educational institution or on the premises of such commercial
         Bookstore, in each case net of any commission owed by the Borrower to
         such educational institution or commercial Bookstore in respect of such
         sale.

                  "Capital Expenditures": for any period, with respect to any
         Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its
         Subsidiaries for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a capital
         lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including
         replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period)
         which should be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet
         of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

                  "Capital Lease Obligations": as to any Person, the obligations
         of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or
         other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal
         property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to
         be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of
         such Person under GAAP, and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the
         amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount
         thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations
         or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a
         corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person
         (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options
         to purchase any of the foregoing.

                  "Cash Equivalents": (a) marketable direct obligations issued
         by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or
         issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of
         the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date
         of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar
         time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six
         months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by
         any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of
         America or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not
         less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at
         least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") or P-1 by
         Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or carrying an equivalent
         rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two
         named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper
         issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of
         acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any
         commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this
         definition, having a term of not more than 30 days with respect to
         securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States
         government; (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the
         date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state,
         commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political
         subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or
         territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state,
         commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or
         foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by S&P or
         A by Moody's; (f) securities with maturities of six months or less from
         the date of acquisition backed by

<PAGE>

                                                                               7

         standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank
         satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition; or (g)
         shares of money market mutual or similar funds which invest exclusively
         in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of
         this definition.

                  "Closing Date": March 4, 2004 or such later date not beyond
         March 30, 2004 on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section
         5.1 shall have been satisfied.

                  "Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
         time to time.

                  "Collateral": all Property of the Loan Parties, now owned or
         hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any
         Security Document.

                  "Commitment": as to any Lender, the sum of the Term Loan
         Commitment, the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Incremental
         Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender.

                  "Commitment Fee Rate": 1/2 of 1% per annum.

                  "Commonly Controlled Entity": an entity, whether or not
         incorporated, which is under common control with the Borrower within
         the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which
         includes the Borrower and which is treated as a single employer under
         Section 414 of the Code.

                  "Compliance Certificate": a certificate duly executed by a
         Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

                  "Conduit Lender": any special purpose corporation organized
         and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans
         otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such
         Lender in a written instrument; provided, that the designation by any
         Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of
         any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any
         reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the
         designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole
         right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required
         or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender,
         and provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to
         receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.19, 2.20, 2.21 or 10.5
         than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in
         respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender or (b)
         be deemed to have any Commitment.

                  "Confidential Information Memorandum": the Confidential
         Information Memorandum dated February 2004 and furnished to the
         Lenders.

                  "Consolidated Current Assets": at any date, all amounts (other
         than cash and Cash Equivalents) which would, in conformity with GAAP,
         be set forth opposite the caption "total current assets" (or any like
         caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries at such date.

<PAGE>

                                                                               8

                  "Consolidated Current Liabilities": at any date, all amounts
         which would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption
         "total current liabilities" (or any like caption) on a consolidated
         balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, but
         excluding (a) the current portion of any Funded Debt of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries and (b) without duplication of clause (a) above,
         all Indebtedness consisting of Revolving Extensions of Credit or
         Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit to the extent otherwise
         included therein.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA": for any period, Consolidated Net Income
         for such period plus, without duplication and to the extent reflected
         as a charge in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such
         period, the sum of (a) income tax expense, (b) interest expense,
         amortization or writeoff of debt discount and debt issuance costs and
         commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with
         Indebtedness (including the Loans), (c) depreciation and amortization
         expense, (d) amortization of intangibles (including, but not limited
         to, goodwill) and organization costs, (e) any non-cash extraordinary,
         unusual or non-recurring expenses or losses (including, whether or not
         otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement of such
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, losses on sales of assets
         outside of the ordinary course of business and excluding any non-cash
         expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for
         cash expenditures in any future period), (f) any other non-cash charges
         and (g) any non-recurring stock compensation expenses and other
         non-capitalized expenses incurred in connection with the Stock
         Repurchase (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), and minus, to
         the extent included in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income
         for such period, the sum of (i) interest income, (ii) any
         extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring income or gains (including,
         whether or not otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement
         of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, gains on the sales of
         assets outside of the ordinary course of business) and (iii) any other
         non-cash income, all as determined on a consolidated basis.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio": for any period,
         the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period less the aggregate
         amount actually paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash
         during such period on account of Capital Expenditures to (b)
         Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period; provided that for purposes
         of calculating Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the Consolidated
         EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges of any Person or bookstore
         location acquired or disposed of by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
         during such period shall be included on a pro forma basis, including
         the effect of identified business synergies, for such period (assuming
         the consummation of each such acquisition and the incurrence or
         assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith occurred on the
         first day of such period) if (other than the pro forma adjustments to
         Consolidated EBITDA included in the calculation thereof for the
         twelve-month period ended January 31, 2004 for the purposes of Section
         5.1(k)) either (x) the consolidated balance sheet of such acquired
         Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of the period
         preceding the acquisition of such Person and the related consolidated
         statements of income and stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the
         period in respect of which Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed
         Charges is to be calculated have been previously provided to the
         Administrative

<PAGE>

                                                                               9

         Agent and the Lenders and reported on without a qualification arising
         out of the scope of the audit by independent certified public
         accountants of nationally recognized standing or (y) other financial
         information in respect of such acquired Person or bookstore location
         shall have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
         and shall have been found reasonably acceptable by the Required
         Lenders.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charges": for any period, the sum (without
         duplication) of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (b)
         provision for cash income taxes made by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in respect of such period and (c)
         scheduled payments made during such period on account of principal of
         Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including
         scheduled principal payments in respect of the Term Loans but excluding
         scheduled principal payments under the Original Credit Agreement and
         excluding payments made to redeem the Existing Senior Subordinated
         Notes prior to June 30, 2004).

                  "Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio": for any period, the
         ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated
         Interest Expense for such period; provided that for purposes of
         calculating Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the Consolidated
         EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense of any Person or bookstore
         location acquired or disposed of by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
         during such period shall be included on a pro forma basis, including
         the effect of identified business synergies, for such period (assuming
         the consummation of each such acquisition and the incurrence or
         assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith occurred on the
         first day of such period) if (other than the pro forma adjustments to
         Consolidated EBITDA included in the calculation thereof for the
         twelve-month period ended January 31, 2004 for the purposes of Section
         5.1(k)) either (x) the consolidated balance sheet of such acquired
         Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of the period
         preceding the acquisition of such Person and the related consolidated
         statements of income and stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the
         period in respect of which Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated
         Interest Expense is to be calculated have been previously provided to
         the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and reported on without a
         qualification arising out of the scope of the audit by independent
         certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing or (y)
         other financial information in respect of such acquired Person or
         bookstore location shall have been provided to the Administrative Agent
         and the Lenders and shall have been found reasonably acceptable by the
         Required Lenders.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense": for any period, the sum of
         (i) total cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capital
         Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period
         with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts
         and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
         bankers' acceptance financing and net costs under Interest Rate
         Protection Agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to
         such period in accordance with GAAP but excluding any amounts payable
         on the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes prior to June 30, 2004) net
         of cash interest income received during such period and (ii) the amount
         of dividends paid in cash by the Borrower to Holdings during such
         period to permit Holdings to pay cash interest on the

<PAGE>

                                                                              10

         Holdings Discount Notes or the Existing Holdings Discount Debentures,
         other than amounts used to redeem the Existing Holdings Discount
         Debentures prior to June 30, 2004.

                  "Consolidated Leverage Ratio": as at the last day of any
         period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the ratio of (a)
         Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such
         period; provided that for purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA
         of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the Consolidated
         EBITDA of any Person or bookstore location acquired or disposed of by
         the Borrower or its Subsidiaries during such period shall be included
         on a pro forma basis, including the effect of identified business
         synergies, for such period (assuming the consummation of each such
         acquisition and the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in
         connection therewith occurred on the first day of such period) if
         (other than the pro forma adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA included
         in the calculation thereof for the twelve-month period ended January
         31, 2004 for the purposes of Section 5.1(k)) either (x) the
         consolidated balance sheet of such acquired Person and its consolidated
         Subsidiaries as at the end of the period preceding the acquisition of
         such Person and the related consolidated statements of income and
         stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the period in respect of
         which Consolidated EBITDA is to be calculated have been previously
         provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and reported on
         without a qualification arising out of the scope of the audit by
         independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized
         standing or (y) other financial information in respect of such acquired
         Person or bookstore location shall have been provided to the
         Administrative Agent and the Lenders and shall have been found
         reasonably acceptable by the Required Lenders.

                  "Consolidated Net Income": for any period, the consolidated
         net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined
         on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there
         shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued
         prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged
         into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b)
         the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the
         Borrower) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an
         ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is
         actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of
         dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings
         of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or
         payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not
         at the time permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other
         than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such
         Subsidiary.

                  "Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio": as at the last day of
         any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the ratio of (a)
         Consolidated Total Debt less the aggregate principal amount of the
         Senior Subordinated Notes and the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes
         and any refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(g)(ii) on
         such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such period; provided that for
         purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for any period, the Consolidated EBITDA of any Person or
         bookstore location acquired or disposed of by

<PAGE>

                                                                              11

         the Borrower or its Subsidiaries during such period shall be included
         on a pro forma basis, including the effect of identified business
         synergies, for such period (assuming the consummation of each such
         acquisition and the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in
         connection therewith occurred on the first day of such period) if
         (other than the pro forma adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA included
         in the calculation thereof for the twelve-month period ended January
         31, 2004 for the purposes of Section 5.1(k)) either (x) the
         consolidated balance sheet of such acquired Person and its consolidated
         Subsidiaries as at the end of the period preceding the acquisition of
         such Person and the related consolidated statements of income and
         stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the period in respect of
         which Consolidated EBITDA is to be calculated have been previously
         provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and reported on
         without a qualification arising out of the scope of the audit by
         independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized
         standing or (y) other financial information in respect of such acquired
         Person or bookstore location shall have been provided to the
         Administrative Agent and the Lenders and shall have been found
         reasonably acceptable by the Required Lenders.

                  "Consolidated Total Debt": at any date, the aggregate
         principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP (other than Revolving Extensions of Credit made
         under the Borrowing Base) provided, however, any Existing Senior
         Subordinated Notes shall be deemed to be not outstanding prior to June
         30, 2004 for purposes of calculating Consolidated Total Debt.

                  "Consolidated Working Capital": at any date, the excess of
         Consolidated Current Assets on such date over Consolidated Current
         Liabilities on such date.

                  "Continuing Directors": as defined in Section 8(j) hereof.

                  "Continuing Lenders": as defined in the recitals hereto.

                  "Contractual Obligation": as to any Person, any provision of
         any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or
         other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any
         of its Property is bound.

                  "Converted Term Loan": as defined in Section 2.1(b) hereof.

                  "Default": any of the events specified in Section 8, whether
         or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
         both, has been satisfied.

                  "Defaulted Account": as defined in the definition of the
         "Eligible Accounts Receivable".

                  "Disposition": with respect to any Property, any sale, sale
         and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition
         thereof; and the terms "Dispose" and "Disposed of" shall have
         correlative meanings.

                  "Co-Documentation Agents": as defined in the preamble hereto.

<PAGE>

                                                                              12

                  "Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency of the United
         States of America.

                  "Domestic Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Borrower
         organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States
         of America.

                  "ECF Percentage": 75%; provided, that with respect to each
         fiscal year of the Borrower, the ECF Percentage shall be reduced to 50%
         if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal
         year is not greater than 3.5 to 1.0.

                  "Eligible Accounts Receivable": at the time of any
         determination, the gross outstanding balance at such time, determined
         in accordance with GAAP and stated on a basis consistent with the
         historical practices of the Borrower as of the date hereof, of Accounts
         of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the aggregate amount of
         all Past-due Addbacks less, as applicable and without duplication, the
         aggregate amount of (i) all charge-backs for returns, (ii) all finance
         agreements, (iii) all trade discounts, (iv) all finance charges, late
         fees and other fees that are unearned, (v) the aggregate amount of all
         reserves for service fees and such other fees or commissions or similar
         amounts that the Borrower or such Subsidiary has agreed to pay and (vi)
         at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, a dilution reserve,
         reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent based upon the
         calculations set forth in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate
         delivered by the Borrower, in an amount equal to the product of (A) the
         amount, expressed as a percentage, by which dilution of Eligible
         Accounts Receivable in respect of Standard Sales Invoices exceeds 25%
         and (B) the amount that would constitute Eligible Accounts Receivable
         prior to the implementation of the reserve contemplated by this clause
         (vi). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Account shall not be included
         in this definition of Eligible Accounts Receivable if, at the time of
         any determination, without duplication:

                           (a) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has not complied
                  with all material requirements of applicable Federal, state
                  and local and laws, rules, regulations and orders (including
                  all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental or
                  judicial authority relating to truth in lending, billing
                  practices, fair credit reporting, equal credit opportunity,
                  debt collection practices and consumer debtor protection)
                  applicable to such Account (or any related contracts) or
                  affecting the collectibility of such Account; or

                           (b) (i) such Account is not assignable or requires
                  consent of the Account debtor and such a requirement of
                  consent is enforceable law or (ii) a first priority security
                  interest in such Account in favor of the Administrative Agent
                  for the ratable benefit of the Lenders has not been obtained
                  and fully perfected by filing Uniform Commercial Code
                  financing statements against the Borrower or such Subsidiary;
                  or

                           (c) such Account is subject to any Lien whatsoever,
                  other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 7.3; or

<PAGE>

                                                                              13

                           (d) the Borrower or such Subsidiary, in order to be
                  entitled to collect such Account, is required to perform any
                  additional service for, or perform or incur any additional
                  obligation to, the Account debtor, except the portion of such
                  Account that has arisen in respect of the sale of any
                  Information Systems Inventory; or

                           (e) such Account does not constitute a legal, valid
                  and binding irrevocable payment obligation of the Account
                  debtor to pay the balance thereof in accordance with its terms
                  or is subject to any defense, setoff, recoupment or
                  counterclaim; or

                           (f) the Account debtor is an Affiliate, division or
                  employee of the Borrower or such Subsidiary; or

                           (g) (i) if such Account (A) is an account of the
                  United States Government or any of its agencies or
                  instrumentalities, (B) is subject to any Lien pursuant to the
                  Federal Assignment of Claims Act and (C) the Administrative
                  Agent has not received an assignment of claims in form and
                  substance satisfactory to it within 45 days of the creation of
                  such Account or (ii) such Account is (A) an account of the
                  government of any state of the United States or any political
                  subdivision thereof or any agency or instrumentality of any of
                  the foregoing and (B) a first priority security interest in
                  such account in favor of the Administrative Agent for the
                  ratable benefit of the Lenders has not been obtained and fully
                  perfected by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing
                  statements against the Borrower or such Subsidiary; or

                           (h) an estimated or accrual loss has been recognized
                  in respect of such Account, as determined in accordance with
                  the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's usual business practice
                  (each such Account, a "Defaulted Account"); or

                           (i) 20% or more of the aggregate outstanding amount
                  of all Accounts from the Account debtor in respect of such
                  Account and its Affiliates constitute Defaulted Accounts; or

                           (j) any representation or warranty contained in this
                  Agreement or in any other Loan Documents applicable either to
                  Accounts in general or to any such specific Account shall
                  prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect
                  when made or deemed made with respect to such Account; or

                           (k) 50% or more of the outstanding amount of all
                  Accounts from the same Account debtor have become, or have
                  been determined by the Administrative Agent to be, ineligible
                  pursuant to subparagraph (m) below; or

                           (l) the Account debtor (i) has filed a petition for
                  relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code (or similar
                  action under any successor law or under any comparable law),
                  (ii) has made a general assignment for the benefit of
                  creditors, (iii) has filed against it any petition or other
                  application for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code
                  (or similar action under any successor law or

<PAGE>

                                                                              14

                  under any comparable law), (iv) has failed, suspended business
                  operations, become insolvent, called a meeting of its
                  creditors for the purpose of obtaining any financial
                  concession or accommodation or (v) had or suffered a receiver
                  or a trustee to be appointed for all or a significant portion
                  of its assets or affairs; or

                           (m) (i) any portion of such Account has remained
                  unpaid 120 or more days past the original invoice date thereof
                  or (ii) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has reason to believe
                  that all or a material portion of such Account is
                  uncollectible (in the reasonable discretion of the
                  Administrative Agent); or

                           (n) in respect of Buy-Fund Invoices, any portion of
                  such Account has remained unpaid 31 or more days past the
                  original invoice date therefor; or

                           (o) the sale represented by such Account is to an
                  Account debtor organized or located outside the states of the
                  United States, the District of Columbia or Canada unless, in
                  the case of any Account debtor controlled by an entity
                  organized or located outside one of the states of the United
                  States or the District of Columbia, the Administrative Agent
                  has, for the benefit of the Lenders, a valid, legal and
                  perfected first-priority security interest in such Account; or

                           (p) the Account debtor is a supplier or creditor of
                  the Borrower or such Subsidiary (but only to the extent of the
                  lesser of (i) the amount owing from such Account debtor to the
                  Borrower or such Subsidiary pursuant to Accounts that are
                  otherwise eligible and (ii) the amount owing to such Account
                  debtor by the Borrower or such Subsidiary); or

                           (q) such Account is not denominated in dollars or is
                  payable outside the United States; or

                           (r) if applicable, the sale represented by such
                  Account is on a bill-and-hold, undelivered sale, guaranteed
                  sale, sale-or-return, consignment or sale-on-approval basis or
                  is subject to any right of return (other than (i) in the
                  ordinary course of business or (ii) a standard right of claim
                  for defective goods for which neither the related Account
                  debtor has made a claim nor the Borrower or such Subsidiary
                  has any basis to believe that such Account debtor is entitled
                  to such a claim), charge-back or setoff; or

                           (s) the Administrative Agent believes, in its
                  reasonable discretion, that the collection of such Account may
                  not be paid and the Administrative Agent shall so notify the
                  Borrower; or

                           (t) the Borrower or such Subsidiary is in default, in
                  any material respect, in the performance or observance of any
                  of the terms of any agreement giving rise to such Account; or

                           (u) the Borrower or such Subsidiary does not have
                  good and marketable title to such Account as sole owner of
                  such Account; or

<PAGE>

                                                                              15

                           (v) such Account does not arise from the sale and
                  delivery of goods or provision of services in the ordinary
                  course of business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the
                  Account debtor; or

                           (w) such Account is on terms other than those normal
                  or customary in the business or the Borrower or such
                  Subsidiary; or

                           (x) any amounts payable under or in connection with
                  such Account are evidenced by promissory notes, agreements to
                  repay cash advances or other instruments, unless such
                  promissory notes, agreements or instruments have been endorsed
                  and delivered to the Administrative Agent; or

                           (y) such Account has been paid by a check that has
                  been returned for insufficient funds; or

                           (z) the Account debtor is a third party credit card
                  company or a debit card company; or

                           (aa) such Account is not subject to the standard
                  credit and collection policies of the Borrower or such
                  Subsidiary; or

                           (bb) such Account has been placed with an attorney or
                  other third party for collection; or

                           (cc) the aggregate credit balances of the Borrower or
                  such Subsidiary on an Account debtor by Account debtor basis
                  of all Accounts have remained unpaid for the past due amounts
                  referenced in subparagraphs (m) and (n) above; or

                           (dd) such Account is subject to any adverse security
                  deposit, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the
                  benefit of the applicable Account debtor, in each case only to
                  the extent thereof; or

                           (ee) such Account was invoiced (i) in advance of
                  goods or services provided, or (ii) twice or more, or (iii)
                  the associated income has not been earned; or

                           (ff) the goods giving rise to such Account have not
                  been shipped and title has not been transferred to the Account
                  debtor, or the Account represents a progress-billing or
                  otherwise does not represent a complete sale, except the
                  portion of such Account that has arisen in respect of the sale
                  of any Information Systems Inventory; for purposes hereof,
                  "progress-billing" means any invoice for goods sold or leased
                  or services rendered under a contract or agreement pursuant to
                  which the Account debtor's obligation to pay such invoice is
                  conditioned upon the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's
                  completion of any further performance under the contract or
                  agreement; or

                           (gg) such Account is created on cash on delivery
                  terms;

<PAGE>

                                                                              16

                  provided that, all Accounts of any single Account debtor and
                  its Affiliates which, in the aggregate exceed (i) 20% in
                  respect of an Account debtor whose securities are rated
                  Investment Grade, and (ii) 15% in respect of all other Account
                  debtors, of the total amount of all Accounts at the time of
                  any determination shall be deemed not to be Eligible Accounts
                  Receivable to the extent of such excess.

                  "Eligible Inventory": at any date of determination thereof,
         the value (determined at the lowest of cost or market or the
         written-down value in accordance with the Borrower's historical
         practice in accordance with GAAP) at such date of all inventories
         ("Inventory") of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owned by the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries and in the possession of the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries or any warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including any educational institution or
         commercial Bookstore, net of (i) any interdivisional profit, (ii) any
         amounts payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of
         commissions, processing fees or other charges, (iii) any advance
         payments and unliquidated progress billings in respect of such
         Inventory, (iv) the Obsolescence Reserve and (v) the RTV Reserve.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, Inventory shall not constitute Eligible
         Inventory if, without duplication:

                           (a) such item of Inventory is not assignable or a
                  first priority security interest in such item of Inventory in
                  favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of
                  the Lenders has not been obtained and fully perfected by
                  filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements against
                  the Borrower or such Subsidiary; or

                           (b) such item of Inventory is subject to any Lien
                  whatsoever, other than Liens expressly permitted by Section
                  7.3 of this Agreement; or

                           (c) there shall have occurred any event that, or any
                  condition with respect to such item of Inventory, would
                  substantially impede the ability of the Borrower or such
                  Subsidiary to continue to use or sell such item of Inventory
                  in the normal course of business; or

                           (d) any claim disputing the title of the Borrower or
                  such Subsidiary to, or right to possession of or dominion
                  over, such item of Inventory shall have been asserted; or

                           (e) any representation or warranty contained in this
                  Agreement or in any other Loan Document applicable to either
                  Inventory in general or to such specific item of Inventory has
                  been breached with respect to such item of Inventory; or

                           (f) the Borrower or such Subsidiary does not have
                  good and marketable title to such item of Inventory as sole
                  owner of such item of Inventory; or

                           (g) such item of Inventory is located outside of the
                  United States; or

<PAGE>

                                                                              17

                           (h) such item of Inventory is evidenced by an
                  Account; or

                           (i) such item of Inventory consists of packing,
                  packaging and/or shipping supplies or materials; or

                           (j) such item of Inventory has been shipped to a
                  customer, even if on a consignment or "sale or return" basis;
                  or

                           (k) such item of Inventory consists of obsolete
                  Information Systems Inventory or Retail Inventory, including
                  books and related materials with titles classified as
                  slow-moving; or

                           (l) such item of Inventory consists of any unsaleable
                  Inventory; or

                           (m) such item of Inventory is located on a leasehold,
                  or is in the possession or control of any lessor,
                  warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor, unless (i) a Rent
                  Reserve has been established for Inventory at that location,
                  or (ii) the applicable lessor, warehouseman, bailee, agent or
                  processor (including any educational institution or commercial
                  Bookstore), has been notified of the Lien granted under the
                  Security Documents and has entered into a Landlord Waiver, or
                  (iii) (A) the Administrative Agent shall have received an
                  opinion, in form and substance acceptable to and from local
                  counsel approved by the Administrative Agent, and addressed to
                  the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, to
                  the effect that there is no law in the jurisdiction where such
                  Inventory is located that would allow Inventory located on
                  such leasehold, or in the possession or control of such
                  warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor, to be subjected to
                  any Lien in favor of the applicable lessor, warehouseman,
                  bailee, agent or processor arising by operation of law and (B)
                  the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of
                  a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary
                  certifying that there is no term or condition of any agreement
                  or other document governing the relationship between the
                  Borrower or such Subsidiary and the applicable lessor,
                  warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor that provides for any
                  such Lien; or

                           (n) such item of Inventory consists of food,
                  beverages or sundries; or

                           (o) such item of Inventory consists of cigarettes; or

                           (p) such item of Inventory is to be sold by the
                  Borrower or such Subsidiary from a vending machine; or

                           (q) such item of Inventory has been determined by the
                  Administrative Agent, exercising its reasonable discretion, to
                  be unacceptable because (i) the Administrative Agent believes
                  that such item of Inventory is not readily saleable under the
                  customary terms on which it is usually sold or (ii) such item
                  of Inventory (other than Information Systems Inventory) is not
                  of a type typically sold by campus Bookstores; or

<PAGE>

                                                                              18

                           (r) such item of Inventory is goods returned or
                  rejected by the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's customers due
                  to quality issues or is goods in transit to a third party; or

                           (s) such item of Inventory is a reserve computed by
                  the Borrower or such Subsidiary to accrue for future
                  adjustments to Inventory relating to inaccuracies arising from
                  the utilization of the gross profit method of accounting for
                  Retail Inventory; or

                           (t) such item of Inventory is an accrual computed by
                  the Borrower or such Subsidiary to accrue for anticipated
                  returns of sold Inventory.

                  "Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, Federal, state,
         local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes,
         ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority
         or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating,
         relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning
         protection of human health or the environment, as now or may at any
         time hereafter be in effect.

                  "ERISA": the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
         as amended from time to time.

                  "Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day as applied to
         a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum
         rates (expressed as a decimal) of reserve requirements in effect on
         such day (including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal
         and emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board or other
         Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto)
         dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding
         (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of
         the Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

                  "Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each
         Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum
         determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a
         period equal to such Interest Period commencing on the first day of
         such Interest Period appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate screen as
         of 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of
         such Interest Period. In the event that such rate does not appear on
         Page 3750 of the Telerate screen (or otherwise on such service), the
         "Eurodollar Base Rate" for purposes of this definition shall be
         determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available
         service for displaying eurodollar rates as may be selected by the
         Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by
         reference to the rate at which the Administrative Agent is offered
         Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., New York City time, two
         Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the
         interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar and foreign currency
         and exchange operations are then being conducted for delivery on the
         first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised
         therein.

                  "Eurodollar Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to
         which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

<PAGE>

                                                                              19

                  "Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each
         Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum
         determined for such day in accordance with the following formula
         (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%):

                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                   ------------------------------------------
                    1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

                  "Eurodollar Tranche": the collective reference to Eurodollar
         Loans the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which
         begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not
         such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

                  "Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 8,
         provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of
         time, or both, has been satisfied.

                  "Excess Cash Flow": for any fiscal year of the Borrower, the
         excess, if any, of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i)
         Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, (ii) an amount equal to
         the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and
         amortization) deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,
         (iii) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on the
         Disposition of Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
         such fiscal year (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course
         of business), to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated
         Net Income, (iv) the net increase during such fiscal year (if any) in
         deferred tax accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (v)
         decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year over (b)
         the sum, without duplication, of (i) an amount equal to the amount of
         all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net
         Income, (ii) the aggregate amount actually paid by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year on account of Capital
         Expenditures, (iii) the aggregate amount actually paid by the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year on account of
         acquisitions (net of any debt incurred in such fiscal year in
         connection with such acquisition and without duplication of any amounts
         included in clause (b)(ix) below), (iv) the aggregate amount of all
         prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans during such
         fiscal year to the extent accompanying permanent optional reductions of
         the Revolving Credit Commitments, (v) the aggregate amount of all
         optional prepayments of the Term Loans during such fiscal year, (vi)
         the aggregate amount of all regularly scheduled principal payments of
         Funded Debt (including, without limitation, the Term Loans) of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries made during such fiscal year (other than
         in respect of any revolving credit facility to the extent there is not
         an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), (vii) an
         amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on the Disposition of
         Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year
         (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), to
         the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, (viii)
         the net decrease during such fiscal year (if any) in deferred tax
         accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ix) increases in
         Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year (without duplication
         of any amounts included in clause (b)(iii) above) and (x) the aggregate
         amount actually paid by the Borrower to Holdings during such fiscal
         year pursuant to Section 7.6(b).

<PAGE>

                                                                              20

                  "Excess Cash Flow Application Date": as defined in Section
         2.12(c).

                  "Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries": any Foreign Subsidiary in
         respect of which either (i) the pledge of all of the Capital Stock of
         such Subsidiary as Collateral or (ii) the guaranteeing by such
         Subsidiary of the Obligations, would, in the good faith judgment of the
         Borrower, result in adverse tax consequences to the Borrower.

                  "Existing Credit Agreement": as defined in the recitals
         hereto.

                  "Existing Holdings Discount Debentures": the 10 3/4% Senior
         Discount Debentures of Holdings due 2009 and issued pursuant to the
         Existing Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture.

                  "Existing Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture": the
         Indenture dated as of February 13, 1998 entered into by Holdings in
         connection with the issuance of the Existing Holdings Discount
         Debentures, together with all instruments and other agreements entered
         into by Holdings in connection therewith, as the same may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
         Section 7.9.

                  "Existing Senior Subordinated Note Indenture": the Indenture
         dated as of February 13, 1998 entered into by the Borrower in
         connection with the issuance of the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes,
         together with all instruments and other agreements entered into by the
         Borrower in connection therewith, as the same may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
         Section 7.9.

                  "Existing Senior Subordinated Notes": the 8 3/4% Senior
         Subordinated Notes of the Borrower due 2008 and issued pursuant to the
         Existing Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "Exiting Lender": each Lender (as defined in the Existing
         Credit Agreement) that is not a Continuing Lender.

                  "Facility": each of (a) the Term Loan Commitments and the Term
         Loans made thereunder (the "Term Loan Facility"), (b) the Revolving
         Credit Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder (the
         "Revolving Credit Facility") and (c) the Incremental Revolving Credit
         Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder (the
         "Incremental Revolving Credit Facility").

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate"; for any day, the weighted
         average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with
         members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds
         brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the
         Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published
         for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for
         the day of such transactions received by the Reference Lender from
         three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

<PAGE>

                                                                              21

                  "First Amendment": the First Amendment dated as of August 6,
         2004 to this Agreement.

                  "First Amendment Effective Date": the date on which the
         conditions precedent set forth in Section 7 of the First Amendment
         shall have been satisfied, which date is August 6, 2004.

                  "Foreign Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is
         not a Domestic Subsidiary.

                  "Funded Debt": as to any Person, all Indebtedness of such
         Person that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or
         matures within one year from such date but is renewable or extendible,
         at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such
         date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that
         obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of
         more than one year from such date, including, without limitation, all
         current maturities and current sinking fund payments in respect of such
         Indebtedness whether or not required to be paid within one year from
         the date of its creation and, in the case of the Borrower, Indebtedness
         in respect of the Loans.

                  "Funding Office": the office specified from time to time by
         the Administrative Agent as its funding office by notice to the
         Borrower and the Lenders pursuant to Section 10.2.

                  "GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United
         States of America as in effect from time to time, except that for
         purposes of Section 7.1, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such
         principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used
         in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements
         delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(b). In the event that any "Accounting
         Change" (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a
         change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards
         or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative
         Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such
         provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting
         Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the
         Borrower's financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting
         Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such
         time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the
         Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all
         financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall
         continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes
         had not occurred. "Accounting Changes" refers to changes in accounting
         principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation,
         pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of
         the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if
         applicable, the Securities and Exchange Commission (or successors
         thereto or agencies with similar functions).

                  "Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state
         or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising
         executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or

<PAGE>

                                                                              22

         administrative functions of or pertaining to government (including,
         without limitation, the National Association of Insurance
         Commissioners).

                  "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement": the Amended and Restated
         Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be executed and delivered by
         SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor,
         substantially in the form of Exhibit A, as the same may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing
         person"), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another
         Person (including, without limitation, any bank under any letter of
         credit) to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has
         issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in
         either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness,
         leases, dividends or other obligations (the "primary obligations") of
         any other third Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
         directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation
         of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase
         any such primary obligation or any Property constituting direct or
         indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the
         purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain
         working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise
         to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to
         purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of
         assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the
         primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv)
         otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary
         obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the
         term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments
         for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The
         amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be
         deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or
         determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such
         Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such
         guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the
         instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary
         obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person
         may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount
         of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's
         maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as
         determined by the Borrower in good faith.

                  "Guarantors": the collective reference to SuperHoldings,
         Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

                  "Holdings": as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Holdings Discount Notes": the 11 % Senior Discount Notes of
         Holdings due 2013 and issued pursuant to the Holdings Discount Notes
         Indenture.

                  "Holdings Discount Notes Indenture": the Indenture dated as of
         March 4, 2004 entered into by Holdings in connection with the issuance
         of the Holdings Discount Notes, together with all instruments and other
         agreements entered into by Holdings in

<PAGE>

                                                                              23

         connection therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 7.9.

                  "Holdings Pro Forma Financial Statements": as defined in
         Section 4.1(a)(i).

                  "Holdings Projections": as defined in Section 6.2(c)(i).

                  "Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment": as to any Lender,
         the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Incremental Revolving
         Credit Loans, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount
         set forth under the heading "Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment"
         opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A to the Second Amendment or
         in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a
         party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to
         the terms hereof. The original amount of the Total Incremental
         Revolving Credit Commitments is $10,000,000.

                  "Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment Period": the period
         from and including the Second Amendment Effective Date to the
         Incremental Revolving Credit Termination Date.

                  "Incremental Revolving Credit Lender": each Lender which has
         an Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment or which has made
         Incremental Revolving Credit Loans.

                  "Incremental Revolving Credit Loans": as defined in Section
         2.4(b).

                  "Incremental Revolving Credit Percentage": as to any
         Incremental Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage which
         such Lender's Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment then constitutes
         of the Total Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments (or, at any time
         after the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired
         or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of
         such Lender's Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit then
         outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Total
         Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding).

                  "Incremental Revolving Credit Termination Date": June 30,
         2005.

                  "Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit": as to any
         Incremental Revolving Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the
         aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Revolving Credit Loans
         made by such Lender then outstanding.

                  "Indebtedness": of any Person at any date, without duplication
         (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all
         obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of Property
         or services (other than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary
         course of such Person's business), (c) all obligations of such Person
         evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d)
         all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other
         title retention agreement with respect to Property acquired by such
         Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender
         under such agreement in the event of default are limited

<PAGE>

                                                                              24

         to repossession or sale of such Property), (e) all Capital Lease
         Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person,
         contingent or otherwise, as an account party under acceptance, letter
         of credit or similar facilities, (g) all obligations of such Person,
         contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise
         acquire for value any Capital Stock (other than common stock) of such
         Person, (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of
         obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above;
         (i) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h)
         above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an
         existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on
         Property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights)
         owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become
         liable for the payment of such obligation, (j) for the purposes of
         Section 8(e) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of
         Interest Rate Protection Agreements and (k) the liquidation value of
         any mandatorily redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person or
         its Subsidiaries held by any Person other than such Person and its
         Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

                  "Information Systems Inventory": all Inventory located at the
         Borrower's warehouses consisting of computer hardware and software,
         including IBM point-of-sale register systems and related software.

                  "Insolvency": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
         condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section
         4245 of ERISA.

                  "Insolvent": pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

                  "Intellectual Property": the collective reference to all
         rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property,
         whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or
         otherwise, including, without limitation, copyrights, copyright
         licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses,
         technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in
         equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the
         right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

                  "Interest Payment Date": (a) as to any Base Rate Loan, the
         last day of each January, April, July and October to occur while such
         Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to
         any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less,
         the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan
         having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day which is
         three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such
         Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to
         any Loan (other than any Revolving Credit Loan or Incremental Revolving
         Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan and any Swing Line Loan), the date
         of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.

                  "Interest Period": as to any Eurodollar Loan (a) initially,
         the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case
         may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three
         or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of
         borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with
         respect

<PAGE>

                                                                              25

         thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of
         the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan
         and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the
         Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less
         than three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current
         Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the
         foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the
         following:

                           (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
                  day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be
                  extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result
                  of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into
                  another calendar month in which event such Interest Period
                  shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

                           (ii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend
                  beyond the Revolving Credit Termination Date or the
                  Incremental Revolving Credit Termination Date or beyond the
                  date final payment is due on the Term Loans shall end on the
                  Revolving Credit Termination Date, the Incremental Revolving
                  Credit Termination Date or such due date, as applicable;

                           (iii) any 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) shall end on the last
                  Business Day of a calendar month; and

                           (iv) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as
                  not to require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan
                  during an Interest Period for such Loan.

                  "Interest Rate Protection Agreement": any interest rate
         protection agreement, interest rate futures contract, interest rate
         option, interest rate cap or other interest rate hedge arrangement, to
         or under which the Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or a
         beneficiary on the date hereof or becomes a party or a beneficiary
         after the date hereof.

                  "Inventory": as defined in the definition of "Eligible
         Inventory".

                  "Investment Grade": having a rating established by a third
         party rating agency, equivalent to a Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
         BBB- or a Moody's Investor's Services, Inc. Baa3 or better.

                  "Issuing Lender": JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its capacity as
         issuer of any Letter of Credit.

                  "Landlord Waiver": a written agreement satisfactory in form
         and substance to the Administrative Agent (i) acknowledging that
         Inventory located on a leasehold or in possession or control of any
         warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor is subject to the Lien granted
         under the Security Documents, (ii) waiving and releasing any applicable
         Lien held by such lessor, warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor with
         respect to such item of Inventory (whether arising by operation of law
         or otherwise) and (iii) providing

<PAGE>

                                                                              26

         the Administrative Agent with the right to receive notice of default,
         the right to repossess such item of Inventory at any time upon the
         occurrence or during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default
         and such other rights as may be reasonably required by the
         Administrative Agent.

                  "L/C Commitment": $10,000,000.

                  "L/C Fee Payment Date": the last day of each March, June,
         September and December and the last day of the Revolving Credit
         Commitment Period.

                  "L/C Obligations": at any time, an amount equal to the sum of
         (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then
         outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings
         under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to
         Section 3.5.

                  "L/C Participants": the collective reference to all the
         Revolving Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.

                  "Lenders": as defined in the preamble hereto; provided, that
         unless the context otherwise requires, each reference herein to the
         Lenders shall be deemed to include any Conduit Lender.

                  "Letters of Credit": as defined in Section 3.1(a).

                  "Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
         deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or
         other security interest or any preference, priority or other security
         agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever
         (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title
         retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same
         economic effect as any of the foregoing).

                  "Loan": any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this
         Agreement.

                  "Loan Documents": this Agreement, the Security Documents and
         the Notes as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
         modified from time to time.

                  "Loan Parties": SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and each
         other Subsidiary of SuperHoldings which is a party to a Loan Document.

                  "Majority Facility Lenders": with respect to any Facility, the
         holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
         the Term Loans, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit or the Total
         Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit, as the case may be,
         outstanding under such Facility (or, (a) in the case of the Revolving
         Credit Facility, prior to any termination of the Revolving Credit
         Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Revolving Credit
         Commitments, or (b) in the case of the Incremental Revolving Credit
         Facility, prior to any termination of the Incremental Revolving Credit
         Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Incremental
         Revolving Credit Commitments).

<PAGE>

                                                                              27

                  "Majority Incremental Revolving Credit Facility Lenders": the
         Majority Facility Lenders in respect of the Incremental Revolving
         Credit Facility.

                  "Majority Revolving Credit Facility Lenders": the Majority
         Facility Lenders in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

                  "Material Adverse Effect": a material adverse effect on (a)
         the Transactions, (b) the business, operations, property, condition
         (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as
         a whole, or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any
         of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the
         Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

                  "Material Environmental Amount": an amount payable by
         SuperHoldings and/or its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for
         remedial costs, compliance costs, compensatory damages, punitive
         damages, fines, penalties or any combination thereof.

                  "Materials of Environmental Concern": any gasoline or
         petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum
         products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes,
         defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Law,
         including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and
         urea-formaldehyde insulation.

                  "Merger": the merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement of New
         NBC Acquisition Corp. with and into Holdings, with Holdings as the
         surviving corporation.

                  "Merger Agreement": the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
         of February 18, 2004 among the Borrower, Holdings, SuperHoldings and
         New NBC Acquisition Corp. and all documents and agreements entered in
         connection therewith, as the same may be amended, modified or
         supplemented from time to time pursuant to Section 7.16.

                  "Mortgaged Properties": the owned real properties listed on
         Schedule 1.1B, as to which the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
         the Lenders has been or shall be granted a Lien pursuant to the
         Mortgages.

                  "Mortgages": each mortgage referred to in Section 5.1(a) and
         each of the mortgages and deeds of trust made by any Loan Party in
         favor of, or for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent for the
         benefit of the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit D (with
         such changes thereto as shall be advisable under the law of the
         jurisdiction in which such mortgage or deed of trust is to be
         recorded), as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
         modified from time to time.

                  "Multiemployer Plan": a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as
         defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

                  "Net Cash Proceeds": (a) in connection with any Asset Sale or
         any Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash
         Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way of deferred
         payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or
         purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but only as

<PAGE>

                                                                              28

         and when received) of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event, net of
         attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, investment banking fees, amounts
         required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a
         Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset which is the subject of
         such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a
         Security Document), insurance proceeds applied to pay costs incurred in
         connection with the repair or restoration of any Property that is real
         property in the event of damage by casualty and other customary fees
         and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith and net of taxes
         paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after
         taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax
         sharing arrangements) and (b) in connection with any issuance or sale
         of debt securities or instruments or the incurrence of loans, the cash
         proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys'
         fees, investment banking fees, accountants' fees, underwriting
         discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses
         actually incurred in connection therewith.

                  "Non-Excluded Taxes": as defined in Section 2.20(a).

                  "Non-Peak Period": the collective reference to (i) the period
         from and including January 16 of any year to and including April 30 of
         the same year and (ii) the period from and including September 16 of
         any year to and including November 30 of the same year.

                  "Non-U.S. Lender": as defined in Section 2.20(d).

                  "Notes": the collective reference to any promissory note
         evidencing Loans.

                  "Obligations": the unpaid principal of and interest on
         (including, without limitation, interest accruing after the maturity of
         the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the
         filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any
         insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the
         Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition
         interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other
         obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent
         or to any Lender (or, in the case of Interest Rate Protection
         Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect,
         absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or
         hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection
         with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit,
         any Interest Rate Protection Agreement entered into with any Lender or
         any affiliate of any Lender or any other document made, delivered or
         given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of
         principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities,
         costs, expenses (including, without limitation, all fees, charges and
         disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender
         that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or
         otherwise.

                  "Obsolescence Reserve": an amount equal to 50% of the excess
         of (a) total Wholesale Inventory held by the Borrower over (b) the
         Inventory listed in the Borrower's buyers' guide; provided that during
         the Peak Period such percentage shall be reduced to 25% so long as the
         Borrower provides the supporting documentation and additional reports
         described in Schedule I to Exhibit J with respect to such Wholesale
         Inventory.

<PAGE>

                                                                              29

                  "Optional Payment Amount": $15,000,000 plus the amount of any
         Term Loan Prepayment Amount not accepted by the Accepting Lenders
         pursuant to Section 2.18(d).

                  "Original Credit Agreement": the Credit Agreement, dated as of
         February 18, 1998, among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative
         Agent and the lenders party thereto.

                  "Original Term Loans": the term loans made to the Borrower
         pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date.

                  "Original Term Loan Lenders": Lenders which hold the Original
         Term Loans immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

                  "Other Taxes": any and all present or future stamp or
         documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
         similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the
         execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to,
         this Agreement.

                  "Over Advance Amount": (i) for the period from and including
         January 16 of any year to and including April 30 of the same year, $0,
         (ii) for the period from and including May 1 of any year to and
         including June 30 of the same year, $10,000,000, (iii) for the period
         from and including July 1 of any year to and including August 9 of the
         same year, $5,000,000, (iv) for the period from and including August 10
         of any year to and including September 15 of the same year,
         $10,000,000, (v) for the period from and including September 16 of any
         year to and including November 30 of the same year, $0, and (vi) for
         the period from and including December 1 of any year to and including
         January 15 of next succeeding year, $10,000,000.

                  "Participant": as defined in Section 10.6(c).

                  "Past-due Addbacks": the aggregate amount of past due credit
         balances aged over 120 days from the original invoice date.

                  "Payment Office": the office specified from time to time by
         the Administrative Agent as its payment office by notice to the
         Borrower and the Lenders.

                  "PBGC": the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
         pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).

                  "Peak Period": the collective reference to (i) the period from
         and including May 1 of any year to and including September 15 of the
         same year and (ii) the period from and including December 1 of any year
         to and including January 15 of next succeeding year.

                  "Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
         liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust,
         unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or
         other entity of whatever nature.

<PAGE>

                                                                              30

                  "Plan": at a particular time, any employee benefit plan which
         is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly
         Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time,
         would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as
         defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

                  "Pricing Grid": the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex A.

                  "Primary Investors": the collective reference to the Sponsors
         and their Related Parties, and any additional investment fund for which
         any of the Sponsors is the sole advisor or which is effectively
         controlled by any of the Sponsors.

                  "Pro Forma Financial Statements": the collective reference to
         the Borrower Pro Forma Financial Statements and the Holdings Pro Forma
         Financial Statements.

                  "Properties": as defined in Section 4.17.

                  "Property": any right or interest in or to property of any
         kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible
         or intangible, including, without limitation, Capital Stock.

                  "Recovery Event": any settlement of or payment in respect of
         any property, title or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation
         proceeding relating to any asset of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the
         Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

                  "Reference Lender": the Administrative Agent.

                  "Refunded Swing Line Loans": as defined in Section 2.7.

                  "Refunding Date": as defined in Section 2.7.

                  "Register": as defined in Section 10.6(b).

                  "Regulation U": Regulation U of the Board as in effect from
         time to time.

                  "Reimbursement Obligation": the obligation of the Borrower to
         reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn
         under Letters of Credit.

                  "Reinvestment Deferred Amount": with respect to any
         Reinvestment Event, the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by
         SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
         Subsidiaries in connection therewith which are not applied to prepay
         the Term Loans as a result of the delivery of a Reinvestment Notice.

                  "Reinvestment Event": any Asset Sale or Recovery Event in
         respect of which the Borrower has delivered a Reinvestment Notice.

                  "Reinvestment Notice": a written notice executed by a
         Responsible Officer stating that no Event of Default has occurred and
         is continuing and that the Borrower (directly or indirectly through a
         Subsidiary) intends and expects to use all or a specified

<PAGE>

                                                                              31

         portion of the Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale or Recovery Event to
         acquire assets useful in its business.

                  "Reinvestment Prepayment Amount": with respect to any
         Reinvestment Event, the Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating thereto
         less any amount expended prior to the relevant Reinvestment Prepayment
         Date to acquire assets useful in the Borrower's business.

                  "Reinvestment Prepayment Date": with respect to any
         Reinvestment Event, the earlier of (a) the date occurring one year
         after such Reinvestment Event and (b) the date on which the Borrower
         shall have determined not to, or shall have otherwise ceased to,
         acquire assets useful in the Borrower's business with all or any
         portion of the relevant Reinvestment Deferred Amount.

                  "Related Party": with respect to any of the Sponsors (A) any
         controlling stockholder or partner, a direct or indirect 80% (or more)
         owned Subsidiary, or spouse or immediate family member (in the case of
         an individual) of such Sponsor, (B) any trust, corporation, partnership
         or other entity, the controlling beneficiaries, stockholders, partners
         or owners of which, directly or indirectly, consist of the Sponsor
         and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding
         clause (A) and/or in the succeeding clause (D), (C) any partner or
         stockholder of such Sponsor as of the Closing Date who acquires any
         assets or voting stock of the Borrower or Holdings pursuant to a
         general distribution by such Sponsor to each of its partners or
         stockholders or (D) any officer or director of such Sponsor.

                  "Rent Reserve": on any date, with respect to any retail store,
         distribution center, warehouse, or other location where any Eligible
         Inventory subject to a Lien arising by operation of contract and/or law
         is located and with respect to which no Landlord Waiver is in effect, a
         reserve equal to three months' rent at such retail store, distribution
         center, warehouse, or other location.

                  "Reorganization": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
         condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of
         Section 4241 of ERISA.

                  "Replacement Term Loan Commitment": as to any Lender, the
         obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Replacement Term Loan to
         the Borrower hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed the amount
         agreed to by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.
         The original aggregate amount of the Replacement Term Loan Commitments
         is $179,550,000.

                  "Replacement Term Loan Lender": each Lender which has a
         Replacement Term Loan Commitment or which has made a Replacement Term
         Loan.

                  "Replacement Term Loans": as defined in Section 2.1(a) hereof.

                  "Reportable Event": any of the events set forth in Section
         4043(b) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day
         notice period is waived under subsection .13, .14, .16, .18, .19 or .20
         of PBGC Reg. Section 2615.

<PAGE>

                                                                              32

                  "Required Lenders": the holders of more than 50% of (a) until
         the Closing Date, the Commitments and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i)
         the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans, (ii) the Total
         Revolving Credit Commitments or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments
         have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit and
         (iii) the Total Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments or, if the
         Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated, the
         Total Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit.

                  "Required Prepayment Lenders": the Majority Facility Lenders
         in respect of the Term Loan Facility.

                  "Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Certificate of
         Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing
         documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or
         determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental
         Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or
         any of its Property or to which such Person or any of its Property is
         subject.

                  "Responsible Officer": the chief executive officer, president
         or chief financial officer of the Borrower, but in any event, with
         respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer, vice
         president - finance or controller of the Borrower.

                  "Retail Inventory": all Inventory located at a Bookstore
         consisting of: new and used textbooks, including any related study
         aids; general subject books; medical, technical and reference books;
         periodicals and magazines; clothing, including school insignia items;
         electronics; gifts; stationery and cards; school and office supplies
         and art; food, beverages and sundries; and all other items held for
         resale in the ordinary course of business.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment": as to any Lender, the
         obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Credit Loans and
         participate in Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit, in an aggregate
         principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth under
         the heading "Revolving Credit Commitment" opposite such Lender's name
         on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which
         such Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time
         to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The original amount of the Total
         Revolving Credit Commitments is $50,000,000.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment Period": the period from and
         including the Closing Date to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

                  "Revolving Credit Lender": each Lender which has a Revolving
         Credit Commitment or which has made Revolving Credit Loans.

                  "Revolving Credit Loans": as defined in Section 2.4(a).

                  "Revolving Credit Percentage": as to any Revolving Credit
         Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender's Revolving Credit
         Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments
         (or, at any time after the Revolving Credit

<PAGE>

                                                                              33

         Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the
         aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Extensions of
         Credit then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount
         of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding).

                  "Revolving Credit Termination Date": March 4, 2009.

                  "Revolving Extensions of Credit": as to any Revolving Credit
         Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate
         principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then
         outstanding, (b) such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of the L/C
         Obligations then outstanding and (c) such Lender's Revolving Credit
         Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Swing Line Loans then
         outstanding.

                  "RTV Reserve": at any time, an amount equal to the amount of
         Inventory that is identified as to be returned to vendor.

                  "Second Amendment": the Second Amendment dated as of October
         20, 2004 to this Agreement.

                  "Second Amendment Effective Date": the date on which the
         conditions precedent set forth in Section 5 of the Second Amendment
         shall have been satisfied, which date is October 20, 2004.

                  "Securities Act": as defined in Section 4.1(a)(i) hereof.

                  "Security Documents": the collective reference to the
         Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages and all other
         security documents hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent
         granting a Lien on any Property of any Person to secure the obligations
         and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

                  "Senior Subordinated Note Indenture": the Indenture dated as
         of March 4, 2004 entered into by the Borrower in connection with the
         issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes, together with all
         instruments and other agreements entered into by the Borrower in
         connection therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 7.9.

                  "Senior Subordinated Notes": the 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated
         Notes of the Borrower due 2012 and issued pursuant to the Senior
         Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "Single Employer Plan": any Plan which is covered by Title IV
         of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

                  "Solvent": when used with respect to any Person, means that,
         as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair
         saleable value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such date,
         exceed the amount of all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or
         otherwise", as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in
         accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing
         determinations of the

<PAGE>

                                                                              34

         insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the
         assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount
         that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts
         as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not
         have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with
         which to conduct its business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay
         its debts as they mature. For purposes of this definition, (i) "debt"
         means liability on a "claim", and (ii) "claim" means any (x) right to
         payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment,
         liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured,
         disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y)
         right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach
         gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an
         equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or
         unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

                  "Specified Acquisitions": the proposed acquisitions referred
         to in the press release of the Borrower dated October 4, 2004. The
         Specified Acquisitions shall be consummated on or prior to December 31,
         2004 and the aggregate consideration therefor shall not exceed
         $15,000,000.

                  "Sponsors": Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., a Delaware
         limited partnership, Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., a Delaware
         limited partnership, WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited
         partnership, and WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited
         partnership.

                  "Standard Sales Invoices": the collective reference to (i)
         invoices resulting from sales by the Borrower to educational
         institutions or commercial Bookstores of new or used books and other
         instructional educational materials and (ii) invoices resulting from
         sales by the Borrower to educational institutions or commercial
         Bookstores of Information Systems Inventory or other Inventory in an
         aggregate amount at any time of up to 10% of the gross Accounts with
         respect to all invoices to educational institutions or commercial
         Bookstores, excluding Buy-Fund Invoices, provided that the percentage
         of the gross Accounts with respect to invoices to educational
         institutions or commercial Bookstores which may result from sales of
         Information Systems Inventory or other Inventory shall be subject to
         revision by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion with
         the consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably
         withheld.

                  "Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership,
         limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or
         other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than
         stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by
         reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the
         board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership
         or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is
         otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more
         intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified,
         all references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this Agreement
         shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

<PAGE>

                                                                              35

                  "Subsidiary Guarantor": each Subsidiary of the Borrower other
         than any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary.

                  "SuperHoldings": NBC Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation
         and, prior to the merger permitted by Section 7.4(d), the primary
         stockholder of Holdings.

                  "Swing Line Commitment": the obligation of the Swing Line
         Lender to make Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.6 in an aggregate
         principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000.

                  "Swing Line Lender": JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its capacity as
         the lender of Swing Line Loans.

                  "Swing Line Loans": as defined in Section 2.6.

                  "Swing Line Participation Amount": as defined in Section 2.7.

                  "Syndication Agent": as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Tender Offers": the tender offers made to purchase the
         Existing Holdings Discount Debentures and the Existing Senior
         Subordinated Notes.

                  "Term Loan Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of
         such Lender, if any, to make a Term Loan to the Borrower hereunder in a
         principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading
         "Term Loan Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A.
         The original aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitments is
         $180,000,000.

                  "Term Loan Lenders": prior to the First Amendment Effective
         Date, the Original Term Loan Lenders; and from and after the First
         Amendment Effective Date, the Replacement Term Loan Lenders.

                  "Term Loan Percentage": as to any Term Loan Lender at any
         time, the percentage which such Lender's Term Loan Commitment then
         constitutes of the aggregate Term Loan Commitments (or, at any time
         after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal
         amount of such Lender's Term Loans then outstanding constitutes of the
         aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding).

                  "Term Loan Refinancing": the refinancing in full of the
         outstanding Original Term Loans with the proceeds of the Replacement
         Term Loans.

                  "Term Loans": prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, the
         Original Term Loans; and from and after the First Amendment Effective
         Date, the Replacement Term Loans.

                  "Total Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments": at any time,
         the aggregate amount of the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments at
         such time.
<PAGE>

                                                                              36

                  "Total Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit": at any
         time, the aggregate amount of the Incremental Revolving Extensions of
         Credit of the Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders at such time.

                  "Total Revolving Credit Commitments": at any time, the
         aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

                  "Total Revolving Extensions of Credit": at any time, the
         aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Revolving
         Credit Lenders at such time.

                  "Transactions": as defined in the recitals hereto.

                  "Transferee": as defined in Section 10.15.

                  "Type": as to any Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a
         Eurodollar Loan.

                  "Uniform Customs": the Uniform Customs and Practice for
         Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce
         Publication No. 500, as the same may be amended from time to time.

                  "Warehouse": any warehouses being used by the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries.

                  "Wholesale Inventory": at any time, Inventory that is located
         at a Warehouse at such time and consists of textbooks.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary": as to any Person, any other Person
         all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying
         shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through
         other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor": any Subsidiary Guarantor
         that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise
specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

                  (b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto,
accounting terms relating to Holdings, the Borrower and their respective
Subsidiaries not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in
Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given
to them under GAAP.

                  (c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

<PAGE>
                                                                              37

                  (d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

                  (e) From and after the effective date of the merger permitted
by Section 7.4(d), (i) all references to SuperHoldings in the Credit Documents
shall be deemed to be inapplicable and (ii) the surviving corporation of such
merger shall assume all payment and performance obligations of the other
constituent corporation(s) and be "Holdings" for all purposes of the Credit
Documents and shall remain a guarantor of the Obligations and the pledgor of the
Capital Stock of the Borrower pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement.

                  SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

                  2.1 Term Loan Commitments. (a) (a) The Original Term Loans
were made to the Borrower on the Closing Date. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, each Replacement Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make a
term loan (or, in the case of a Continuing Term Lender, pursuant to clause (b),
elect to convert all of such Continuing Term Lender's Original Term Loans) (the
"Replacement Term Loans") to the Borrower on the First Amendment Effective Date
in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Replacement Term Loan Commitment of
such Lender. The Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or Base
Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative
Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.13.

                  (b) In connection with the making of the Replacement Term
Loans pursuant to clause (a) above, by delivering written notice to the
Administrative Agent on or prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, any
Continuing Term Lender may elect to make all of such Lender's Replacement Term
Loan requested by the Borrower to be made on the First Amendment Effective Date
by converting all of the outstanding principal amount of the Original Term Loans
held by such Lender into Replacement Term Loans in a principal amount equal to
the amount of the loans so converted (each, a "Converted Original Term Loan").
On the First Amendment Effective Date, the Converted Original Term Loans shall
be converted for all purposes of this Agreement into Replacement Term Loans, and
the Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the aggregate amounts of
Converted Original Term Loans converted into Replacement Term Loans. Any written
notice to the Administrative Agent delivered by an applicable Lender pursuant to
this Section shall specify the amount of such Lender's Replacement Term Loan
Commitment and the principal amount of the Original Term Loans held by such
Lender that are to be converted into Replacement Term Loans. Converted Term
Loans shall constitute Replacement Term Loans for all purposes of this
Agreement.

                  (c) The Term Loan Refinancing shall not extinguish the
Original Term Loans; provided that the Original Term Loans will be refinanced
with the proceeds of the Replacement Term Loans. Nothing herein contained shall
be construed as a substitution or novation of the Original Term Loans, which
shall remain outstanding after the First Amendment Effective Date as Replacement
Term Loans. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the provisions of
Sections 2.19, 2.20, 2.21 and 10.5 as in effect immediately prior to the First
Amendment Effective Date will continue to be effective as to all matters arising
out of or in any way related to facts or events existing or occurring prior to
the First Amendment Effective Date.

<PAGE>
                                                                              38

                  (d) The aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit
Loans, all Swing Line Loans and all Letters of Credit outstanding under the
Credit Agreement on the First Amendment Effective Date shall continue to be
outstanding.

                  2.2 Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing. The Borrower shall give
the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by
the Administrative Agent prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, (a) three
Business Days prior to the requested First Amendment Effective Date, in the case
of Eurodollar Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested First
Amendment Effective Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans) requesting that the
Replacement Term Loan Lenders make Replacement Term Loans or convert the
Original Term Loans on the First Amendment Effective Date to Replacement Term
Loans. Upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify each Replacement Term Loan Lender thereof. Not later than 12:00 Noon, New
York City time, on the First Amendment Effective Date each Replacement Term Loan
Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an
amount in immediately available funds equal to the Replacement Term Loan or
Replacement Term Loans to be made by such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall
apply the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Replacement
Term Lenders to the repayment of principal of the Original Term Loans.

                  2.3 Repayment of Term Loans. The Term Loan of each Term Loan
Lender shall mature in 28 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on June
30, 2004 and ending on March 4, 2011, each of which shall be in an amount equal
to such Lender's Term Loan Percentage multiplied by the amount set forth below
opposite such installment:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Installment                                                Principal Amount
   -----------                                                ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
June 30, 2004                                                 $        450,000
September 30, 2004                                            $        450,000
December 31, 2004                                             $        450,000
March 31, 2005                                                $        450,000
June 30, 2005                                                 $        450,000
September 30, 2005                                            $        450,000
December 31, 2005                                             $        450,000
March 31, 2006                                                $        450,000
June 30, 2006                                                 $        450,000
September 30, 2006                                            $        450,000
December 31, 2006                                             $        450,000
March 31, 2007                                                $        450,000
June 30, 2007                                                 $        450,000
September 30, 2007                                            $        450,000
December 31, 2007                                             $        450,000
March 31, 2008                                                $        450,000
June 30, 2008                                                 $        450,000
September 30, 2008                                            $        450,000
December 31, 2008                                             $        450,000
March 31, 2009                                                $        450,000
June 30, 2009                                                 $        450,000
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                                              39

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Installment                                                Principal Amount
   -----------                                                ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
September 30, 2009                                            $        450,000
December 31, 2009                                             $        450,000
March 31, 2010                                                $        450,000
June 30, 2010                                                 $     42,300,000
September 30, 2010                                            $     42,300,000
December 31, 2010                                             $     42,300,000
March 4, 2011                                                 $     42,300,000
</TABLE>

                  2.4 Revolving Credit Commitments; Incremental Revolving Credit
Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving
Credit Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans ("Revolving Credit
Loans") to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Credit Commitment
Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, when
added to such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of the sum of (i) the L/C
Obligations then outstanding and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the
Swing Line Loans then outstanding, does not exceed the amount of such Lender's
Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that no Revolving Credit Loans shall be
made if, after giving effect to the making of such Revolving Credit Loans, the
Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the lesser of (A) the
Borrowing Base then in effect and (B) the Total Revolving Credit Commitments.
During the Revolving Credit Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Revolving
Credit Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Credit Loans in whole
or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof. The Revolving Credit Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or
Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the
Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.5 and 2.13, provided that no
Revolving Credit Loan shall be made as a Eurodollar Loan after the day that is
one month prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

                  (b) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each
Incremental Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit
loans ("Incremental Revolving Credit Loans") to the Borrower from time to time
during the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment Period in an aggregate
principal amount at any one time outstanding which does not exceed the amount of
such Lender's Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that no
Incremental Revolving Credit Loans shall be made if, after giving effect to the
making of such Incremental Revolving Credit Loans, the Total Incremental
Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Incremental Revolving
Credit Commitments. During the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment Period
the Borrower may use the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments by borrowing,
prepaying the Incremental Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part, and
reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The
Incremental Revolving Credit Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or
Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the
Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.5 and 2.13, provided that no
Incremental Revolving Credit Loan shall be made as a Eurodollar Loan after the
day that is one month prior to the Incremental Revolving Credit Termination
Date.

<PAGE>
                                                                              40

                  (c) The Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Credit
Loans on the Revolving Credit Termination Date. The Borrower shall repay all
outstanding Incremental Revolving Credit Loans on the Incremental Revolving
Credit Termination Date.

                  2.5 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing and Incremental
Revolving Credit Borrowing. The Borrower may borrow under the Revolving Credit
Commitments during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period and/or under the
Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments during the Incremental Revolving Credit
Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the
Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, (a) three Business
Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or
(b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Base
Rate Loans), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Revolving Credit Loans or
Incremental Revolving Credit Loans, as the case may be, to be borrowed, (ii) the
requested Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the
respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the
initial Interest Period therefor. Any Revolving Credit Loans made on the Closing
Date shall initially be Base Rate Loans. Each borrowing under the Revolving
Credit Commitments or Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may
be, shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of Base Rate Loans,
$1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available
Revolving Credit Commitments or Incremental Available Revolving Credit
Commitments, as the case may be, are less than $1,000,000, such lesser amount)
and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of
$500,000 in excess thereof; provided, that the Swing Line Lender may request, on
behalf of the Borrower, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Commitments which
are Base Rate Loans in other amounts pursuant to Section 2.7. Upon receipt of
any such notice from the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify each Revolving Credit Lender or Incremental Revolving Credit Lender, as
the case may be, thereof. Each Revolving Credit Lender or Incremental Revolving
Credit Lender, as the case may be, will make the amount of its pro rata share of
each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the
Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower in funds immediately available to the
Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower
by the Administrative Agent in like funds as received by the Administrative
Agent.

                  2.6 Swing Line Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender agrees to make available a portion of
the credit otherwise available to the Borrower under the Revolving Credit
Commitments from time to time during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period by
making swing line loans ("Swing Line Loans") to the Borrower; provided that (i)
the aggregate principal amount of Swing Line Loans outstanding at any time shall
not exceed the Swing Line Commitment then in effect (notwithstanding that the
Swing Line Loans outstanding at any time, when aggregated with the Swing Line
Lender's other outstanding Revolving Credit Loans hereunder, may exceed the
Swing Line Commitment then in effect) and (ii) the Borrower shall not request,
and the Swing Line Lender shall not make, any Swing Line Loan if, after giving
effect to the making of such Swing Line Loan, the aggregate amount of the
Available Revolving Credit Commitments would be less than zero. During the
Revolving Credit Commitment Period, the Borrower may use the Swing Line
Commitment by borrowing,

<PAGE>
                                                                              41

repaying and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof. Swing Line Loans shall be Base Rate Loans only.

                  (b) The Borrower shall repay all outstanding Swing Line Loans
on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

                  2.7 Procedure for Swing Line Borrowing; Refunding of Swing
Line Loans. (a) Whenever the Borrower desires that the Swing Line Lender make
Swing Line Loans it shall give the Swing Line Lender irrevocable telephonic
notice confirmed promptly in writing (which telephonic notice must be received
by the Swing Line Lender not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
proposed Borrowing Date), specifying (i) the amount to be borrowed and (ii) the
requested Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day during the Revolving
Credit Commitment Period). Each borrowing under the Swing Line Commitment shall
be in an amount equal to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess
thereof. Not later than 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Borrowing Date
specified in a notice in respect of Swing Line Loans, the Swing Line Lender
shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount
in immediately available funds equal to the amount of the Swing Line Loan to be
made by the Swing Line Lender. The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds
of such Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower on such Borrowing Date in
immediately available funds.

                  (b) The Swing Line Lender, at any time and from time to time
in its sole and absolute discretion may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby
irrevocably directs the Swing Line Lender to act on its behalf), on one Business
Day's notice given by the Swing Line Lender no later than 12:00 Noon, New York
City time, request each Revolving Credit Lender to make, and each Revolving
Credit Lender hereby agrees to make, a Revolving Credit Loan, in an amount equal
to such Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of the aggregate
amount of the Swing Line Loans (the "Refunded Swing Line Loans") outstanding on
the date of such notice, to repay the Swing Line Lender. Each Revolving Credit
Lender shall make the amount of such Revolving Credit Loan available to the
Administrative Agent at the Funding Office in immediately available funds, not
later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business Day after the date of
such notice. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loans shall be immediately
applied by the Swing Line Lender to repay the Refunded Swing Line Loans. The
Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to charge the Borrower's
accounts with the Administrative Agent (up to the amount available in each such
account) in order to immediately pay the amount of such Refunded Swing Line
Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not
sufficient to repay in full such Refunded Swing Line Loans.

                  (c) If prior to the time a Revolving Credit Loan would have
otherwise been made pursuant to Section 2.7(b), one of the events described in
Section 8(f) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Borrower
or if for any other reason, as determined by the Swing Line Lender in its sole
discretion, Revolving Credit Loans may not be made as contemplated by Section
2.7(b), each Revolving Credit Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Credit
Loan was to have been made pursuant to the notice referred to in Section 2.7(b)
(the "Refunding Date"), purchase for cash an undivided participating interest in
an amount equal to (i) its Revolving Credit Percentage times (ii) the aggregate
principal amount of Swing Line

<PAGE>
                                                                              42

Loans then outstanding which were to have been repaid with such Revolving Credit
Loans (the "Swing Line Participation Amount").

                  (d) Whenever, at any time after the Swing Line Lender has
received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Lender's Swing Line Participation
Amount, the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of the Swing Line
Loans, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Swing Line
Participation Amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments,
to reflect the period of time during which such Lender's participating interest
was outstanding and funded and, in the case of principal and interest payments,
to reflect such Lender's pro rata portion of such payment if such payment is not
sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all Swing Line Loans then
due); provided, however, that in the event that such payment received by the
Swing Line Lender is required to be returned, such Revolving Credit Lender will
return to the Swing Line Lender any portion thereof previously distributed to it
by the Swing Line Lender.

                  (e) Each Revolving Credit Lender's obligation to make the
Loans referred to in Section 2.7(b) and to purchase participating interests
pursuant to Section 2.7(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be
affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any setoff,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Credit
Lender or the Borrower may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or
any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance
of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other
conditions specified in Section 5; (iii) any adverse change in the condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower; (iv) any breach of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other
Revolving Credit Lender; or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

                  2.8 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower
hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the appropriate Revolving Credit Lender, Incremental Revolving Credit
Lender or Term Loan Lender or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, (i) the
then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan of such Revolving
Credit Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date (or such earlier date on
which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 8), (ii) the then
unpaid principal amount of each Incremental Revolving Credit Loan of such
Incremental Revolving Credit Lender on the Incremental Revolving Credit
Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable
pursuant to Section 8), (iii) the then unpaid principal amount of each Swing
Line Loan of the Swing Line Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date (or
such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section
8) and (iv) the principal amount of each Term Loan of such Term Loan Lender in
installments according to the amortization schedule set forth in Section 2.3 (or
on such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to
Section 8). The Borrower hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of the Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof
until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set
forth in Section 2.15.

                  (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual
practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such
Lender resulting from each

<PAGE>
                                                                              43

Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and
interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

                  (c) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall
maintain the Register pursuant to Section 10.6(b), and a subaccount therein for
each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made
hereunder and any Note evidencing such Loan, the Type thereof and each Interest
Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and
payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder
and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent
hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender's share thereof.

                  (d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each
Lender maintained pursuant to Section 2.8(b) shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the
failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or
any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the
obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to
such Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                  (e) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the
Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will execute and deliver to
such Lender a promissory note of the Borrower evidencing any Term Loans,
Revolving Credit Loans, Incremental Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Line Loans,
as the case may be, of such Lender, substantially in the forms of Exhibit G-1,
G-2 or G-3, respectively, with appropriate insertions as to date and principal
amount.

                  2.9 Commitment Fees, etc. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to
the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender a
commitment fee for the period from and including the Closing Date to the last
day of the Revolving Credit Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee
Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitment of
such Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in
arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the
Revolving Credit Termination Date, commencing on the first of such dates to
occur after the date hereof.

                  (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of each Incremental Revolving Credit Lender a commitment fee for the
period from and including the Second Amendment Effective Date to the last day of
the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment
Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Incremental Revolving
Credit Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made,
payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and
December and on the Incremental Revolving Credit Termination Date, commencing on
the first of such dates to occur after the date hereof.

                  (c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the
fees in the amounts and on the dates from time to time agreed to in writing by
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>
                                                                              44

                  2.10 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit
Commitments. The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three
Business Days' notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving
Credit Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving
Credit Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving
Credit Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any
prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans made on the
effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed
the Total Revolving Credit Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount
equal to $500,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the
Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

                  (b) The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than
three Business Days' notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the
Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the
amount of the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that no such
termination or reduction of Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments shall be
permitted if the Total Incremental Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed
the Total Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments. Any such reduction shall be
in an amount equal to $500,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce
permanently the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

                  2.11 Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and
from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or
penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent at least
three Business Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Loans and at least
one Business Day prior thereto in the case of Base Rate Loans, which notice
shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of
Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is
prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable
thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.21.
Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified
in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together
with (except in the case of Revolving Credit Loans or Incremental Revolving
Credit Loans which are Base Rate Loans and Swing Line Loans) accrued interest to
such date on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of Term Loans, Revolving
Credit Loans and Incremental Revolving Credit Loans shall be in an aggregate
principal amount not less than $500,000. Partial prepayments of the Term Loans
shall be applied to remaining installments thereof in any order selected by the
Borrower. Partial prepayments of Swing Line Loans shall be in an aggregate
principal amount not less than $500,000.

                  2.12 Mandatory Prepayments. (a) Unless the Required Prepayment
Lenders shall otherwise agree, if any Indebtedness shall be incurred by
SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries,
an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied on the
date of such incurrence toward the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in
Section 2.12(d), provided, however, that the foregoing requirements of this
paragraph (a)(ii) shall not apply to any Indebtedness incurred in accordance
with Section 7.2 as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

                  (b) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise
agree, if on any date SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
respective Subsidiaries shall receive

<PAGE>
                                                                              45

Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale or Recovery Event (or, in the event of
damage by casualty, the date the repair or restoration of the relevant Property
is completed) then, unless a Reinvestment Notice shall be delivered in respect
thereof, such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied on such date toward the
prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(d); provided, that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of Asset
Sales and Recovery Events that may be excluded from the foregoing requirement
pursuant to a Reinvestment Notice shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any fiscal year
of the Borrower, or $2,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower immediately
succeeding a fiscal year of the Borrower as of the last day of which the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 4.0 to 1.0, and (ii) on
each Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the Reinvestment
Prepayment Amount with respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event shall be
applied toward the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(d);
and provided further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, such Net Cash Proceeds
which are not subject to a Reinvestment Notice shall not be required to be
applied toward the prepayment of the Term Loans until the date upon which the
aggregate amount of such Net Cash Proceeds received by SuperHoldings, Holdings,
the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries and not previously applied toward
the prepayment of the Term Loans shall exceed $1,000,000.

                  (c) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise
agree, if, for any fiscal year of the Borrower commencing with the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2005, there shall be Excess Cash Flow, the Borrower shall, on
the relevant Excess Cash Flow Application Date, apply the ECF Percentage of such
Excess Cash Flow toward the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in Section
2.12(d). Each such prepayment shall be made on a date (an "Excess Cash Flow
Application Date") no later than three months after the date on which the
financial statements of the Borrower referred to in Section 6.1(a), for the
fiscal year with respect to which such prepayment is made, are required to be
delivered to the Lenders.

                  (d) Amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments made
pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be applied to the prepayment of the Term
Loans. The application of any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be
made first to Base Rate Loans and second to Eurodollar Loans. Each prepayment of
the Loans under this Section 2.12 shall be accompanied by accrued interest to
the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of the
Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be applied in the order set forth
in Section 2.18

                  (e) If, at any time the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit
exceeds the lesser of (A) the Borrowing Base in effect on such date and (B) the
Total Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall repay the Revolving
Credit Loans to the extent of such excess, provided that if the aggregate
principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding is less than the
amount of such excess (because L/C Obligations constitute a portion thereof),
the Borrower shall, to the extent of the balance of such excess, replace
outstanding Letters of Credit and/or deposit an amount in cash in a cash
collateral account established with the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>
                                                                              46

                  (f) If, at any time the Total Incremental Revolving Extensions
of Credit exceeds the Total Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments, the
Borrower shall repay the Incremental Revolving Credit Loans to the extent of
such excess.

                  (g) The Borrower agrees that during each calendar year there
shall be a period of at least 30 consecutive days during which there are no
Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding.

                  2.13 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Borrower may
elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans by giving
the Administrative Agent at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of
such election, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be
made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower
may elect from time to time to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans by
giving the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days' prior irrevocable
notice of such election (which notice shall specify the length of the initial
Interest Period therefor), provided that no Base Rate Loan under a particular
Facility may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan (i) when any Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Majority
Facility Lenders in respect of such Facility have determined in its or their
sole discretion not to permit such conversions or (ii) after the date that is
one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of such
Facility. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

                  (b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the
Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the term "Interest Period" set forth in
Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such
Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan under a particular Facility may be
continued as such (i) when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of
such Facility have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such
continuations or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the final
scheduled termination or maturity date of such Facility, and provided, further,
that if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above
in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the
preceding proviso such Loans shall be automatically converted to Base Rate Loans
on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such
notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender
thereof.

                  2.14 Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Eurodollar
Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all
borrowings, conversions, continuations and optional prepayments of Eurodollar
Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder shall be in
such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving
effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans
comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $2,500,000 or a whole
multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than ten Eurodollar
Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.

<PAGE>
                                                                              47

                  2.15 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar
Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect
thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day
plus the Applicable Margin (it being understood that Eurodollar Loans bear
interest from and including the first day of each Interest Period to but not
including the last day of such Interest Period).

                  (b) Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

                  (c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any
Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the
stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all outstanding Loans and
Reimbursement Obligations (whether or not overdue) shall bear interest at a rate
per annum which is equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would
otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.15 plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate
applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility plus 2%, and
(ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or Reimbursement
Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be
paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise),
such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate
applicable to Base Rate Loans under the relevant Facility plus 2%.

                  (d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
Section 2.15 shall be payable from time to time on demand.

                  2.16 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest, fees and
commissions payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a
360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to Base Rate
Loans the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime
Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-,
as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative
Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders
of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a
Loan resulting from a change in the Base Rate or the Eurocurrency Reserve
Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on
which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as
practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date
and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

                  (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of
manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower,
deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the
Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section
2.15(a) and the manner of performing any required calculation hereunder.

                  2.17 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the
first day of any Interest Period:

<PAGE>
                                                                              48

                  (a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which
         determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that,
         by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and
         reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for
         such Interest Period, or

                  (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from
         the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of the relevant Facility that
         the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest
         Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders
         (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining
         their affected Loans during such Interest Period, the Administrative
         Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower
         and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such
         notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility
         requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be
         made as Base Rate Loans, (y) any Loans under the relevant Facility that
         were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to
         Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as Base Rate Loans and (z) any
         outstanding Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility shall be
         converted, on the first day of such Interest Period, to Base Rate
         Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative
         Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility shall be
         made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to
         convert Loans under the relevant Facility to Eurodollar Loans.

                  2.18 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by
the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrower on account
of any commitment fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders shall
be made pro rata according to the respective Term Loan Percentages, Revolving
Credit Percentages or Incremental Revolving Credit Percentages, as the case may
be, of the relevant Lenders.

                  (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower
on account of principal of and interest on the Term Loans shall be made pro rata
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then
held by the Term Loan Lenders (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.18(d)).
Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11, as among the Term Loans,
prepayments shall be applied 75% ratably to the respective remaining
installments thereof and 25% in the direct order to the respective next four
installments thereof (or, to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of
the next four installments of the Term Loan Facility is less than such 25%, the
excess shall be applied ratably to the respective remaining installments
thereof). Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

                  (c) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower
on account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Credit Loans shall be
made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the
Revolving Credit Loans then held by the Revolving Credit Lenders. Each payment
(including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and
interest on the Incremental Revolving Credit Loans shall be made pro rata
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Incremental
Revolving Credit Loans then held by the Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders.

<PAGE>
                                                                              49

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.12
or 2.18, so long as any Revolving Credit Loans are outstanding, each Term Loan
Lender may, at its option, decline up to 100% of the portion of any mandatory
payment applicable to the Term Loans of such Lender; accordingly, with respect
to the amount of any mandatory prepayment described in Section 2.12 that is
allocated to Term Loans (such amounts, the "Term Loan Prepayment Amount"), at
any time when Revolving Credit Loans remain outstanding, the Borrower will, in
lieu of applying such amount to the prepayment of Term Loans, on the date
specified in Section 2.12 for such prepayment, give the Administrative Agent
telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing) requesting that the
Administrative Agent prepare and provide to each Term Loan Lender a notice
(each, a "Prepayment Option Notice") as described below. As promptly as
practicable after receiving such notice from the Borrower, the Administrative
Agent will send to each Term Loan Lender a Prepayment Option Notice, which shall
be in the form of Exhibit H, and shall include an offer by the Borrower to
prepay on the date (each a "Prepayment Date") that is five Business Days after
the date of the Prepayment Option Notice, the relevant Term Loans of such Lender
by an amount equal to the portion of the Prepayment Amount indicated in such
Lender's Prepayment Option Notice as being applicable to such Lender's Term
Loans. On the Prepayment Date (i) the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative
Agent the aggregate amount necessary to prepay that portion of the outstanding
relevant Term Loans in respect of which Term Loan Lenders have accepted
prepayment as described above (such Lenders, the "Accepting Lenders"), and such
amount shall be applied to reduce the Term Loan Prepayment Amounts, with respect
to each Accepting Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative
Agent an amount equal to 100% of the portion of the Term Loan Prepayment Amount
not accepted by the Accepting Lenders, and such amount shall be applied to the
prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans without a reduction in the Revolving
Credit Commitments.

                  (e) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the
Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or
otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior
to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Payment Office, in Dollars and in
immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such
payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any
payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and
payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to
the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes
due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall
be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such
extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which
event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In
the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding
two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate
during such extension.

                  (f) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the
amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is
making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative
Agent by the

<PAGE>
                                                                              50

required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay
to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a
rate equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period
until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative
Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with
respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.18(f) shall be conclusive in
the absence of manifest error. If such Lender's share of such borrowing is not
made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business
Days of such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to
recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to
Base Rate Loans under the relevant Facility (in lieu of interest otherwise
provided for hereunder), on demand, from the Borrower.

                  (g) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder
that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and
the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares
of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative
Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days of such required date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender
to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence,
such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit
the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

                  2.19 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change
in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or
compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made
subsequent to the date hereof:

                  (i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever
         with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Application
         or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of
         payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Non-Excluded
         Taxes covered by Section 2.20 and changes in the rate of tax on the
         overall net income of such Lender);

                  (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
         held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
         advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other
         acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which is not
         otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate
         hereunder; or

                  (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase, relative to the date
hereof, the cost to such Lender, by an amount which such Lender deems to be
material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans
or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce, relative to the
date hereof, any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any
such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any
additional

<PAGE>
                                                                              51

amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced
amount receivable. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional
amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19, it shall promptly notify the Borrower
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has
become so entitled.

                  (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of
or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental
Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Lender's or such corporation's capital as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of
Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have
achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration
such Lender's or such corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy)
by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after
submission by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction;
provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant
to this paragraph for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the
date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender's intention to claim
compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the circumstances giving
rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such six-month period shall
be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect.

                  (c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 2.19 submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a
copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest
error. The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.19 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.

                  2.20 Taxes. (a) All payments made by the Borrower under this
Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding
for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or
hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental
Authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of
net income taxes) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result
of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent or such
Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any
such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender
having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment
under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document). If any such
non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") or Other Taxes are required to be withheld
from any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder,
the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be
increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or such
Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any
such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in
this Agreement, provided,

<PAGE>
                                                                              52

however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts
payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes (i) that are
attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section, (ii) that are United States withholding
taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender (including United States
withholding taxes with respect to amounts payable under this Section 2.20) under
laws in effect at the time the Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, except
to the extent that such Lender's assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of
assignment, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such
Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to Section 2.20(a) or (iii) that is imposed as a
result of an event occurring after the Lender becomes a Lender other than a
change in law or regulation or the introduction of any law or regulation or a
change in interpretation or administration of any law.

                  (b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

                  (c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable
by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to
the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Agent or Lender, as the
case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the
Borrower showing payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded
Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to
remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required
documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become
payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such
failure. The agreements in this Section 2.20 shall survive the termination of
this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.

                  (d) Each Lender (or Participant) that is not a "U.S. Person"
as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a "Non-U.S. Lender") shall
deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a
Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been
purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or
Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S.
federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect
to payments of "portfolio interest" a statement substantially in the form of
Exhibit I and a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors
thereto properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming
complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on
all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it
becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or
before the date such Participant purchases the related participation). In
addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the
obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S.
Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time it
determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously
delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification
adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Section 2.20(d), a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required
to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.20(d) that such Non-U.S. Lender
is not legally able to deliver.

<PAGE>
                                                                              53

                  (e) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender receives a
refund in respect of Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Borrower,
which in the good faith judgment of such Lender is allocable to such payment, it
shall promptly pay such refund, together with any other amounts paid by the
Borrower in connection with such refunded Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, to
the Borrower, net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender incurred in
obtaining such refund, provided, however, that the Borrower agrees to promptly
return such refund to the Administrative Agent or the applicable Lender, as the
case may be, if it receives notice from the Administrative Agent or applicable
Lender that such Administrative Agent or Lender is required to repay such
refund. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees that it will
contest such Non-Excluded Taxes, Other Taxes or liabilities if (i) the Borrower
furnishes to it an opinion of reputable tax counsel acceptable to the
Administrative Agent or such Lender to the effect that such Non-Excluded Taxes
or Other Taxes were wrongfully or illegally imposed and (ii) the Administrative
Agent or such Lender determines, in sole discretion, that it would not be
disadvantaged or prejudiced in any manner whatsoever as a result of such
contest.

                  2.21 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender
and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may
sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a
borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the
Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any
prepayment after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar
Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect
thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any,
of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid,
or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such
prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of
such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or
continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such
failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided
for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any)
over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which
would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on
deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar
market. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 2.21
submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                  2.22 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision herein,
if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the
interpretation or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender to
make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the
commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue
Eurodollar Loans as such and convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall
forthwith be cancelled and (b) such Lender's Loans then outstanding as
Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on
the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to
such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the
then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 2.21.

<PAGE>
                                                                              54

                  2.23 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon
the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.19 or
2.20(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to
designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the
object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such
designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause
such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section 2.23 shall
affect or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any
Lender pursuant to Section 2.19 or 2.20(a).

                  2.24 Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances. The
Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender which (a) requests
reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.19 or 2.20 or (b) defaults
in its obligation to make Loans hereunder, with a replacement financial
institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any
Requirement of Law, (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any such
replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.23 so as to
eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section
2.19 or 2.20, (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par,
all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the
date of replacement, (v) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender
under Section 2.21 if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be
purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto,
(vi) the replacement financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender
shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the
registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as
such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional
amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.19 or 2.20, as the case may be,
and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights
which the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have
against the replaced Lender.

                          SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT

                  3.1 L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving
Credit Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit
("Letters of Credit") for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day during
the Revolving Credit Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time
to time by the Issuing Lender; provided that the Issuing Lender shall have no
obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such
issuance (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment, (ii) the
aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitments would be less
than zero or (iii) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the
Borrowing Base then in effect. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in
Dollars and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary
of its date of issuance and (y) the date which is five Business Days prior to
the Revolving Credit Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit with a
one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year
periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause
(y) above).

<PAGE>
                                                                              55

                  (b) Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform
Customs and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of
New York.

                  (c) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to
issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or
cause the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by,
any applicable Requirement of Law.

                  3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. The Borrower
may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit
by delivering to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein
an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender,
and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the
Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Lender
will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers
and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its
customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested
thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any
Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the
Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers
and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of
Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by the
Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such
Letter of Credit to the Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof. The
Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall
in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter
of Credit (including the amount thereof).

                  3.3 Commissions, Fees and Other Charges. (a) The Borrower will
pay a commission on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal
to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans under
the Revolving Credit Facility, shared ratably among the Revolving Credit Lenders
and payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance
date. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender for its own
account a fronting fee of 1/4 of 1% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on
each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance date.

                  (b) In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the
Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender for such normal and customary
costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing,
negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any
Letter of Credit.

                  3.4 L/C Participations. (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably
agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the
Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant
irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from
the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C
Participant's own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C
Participant's Revolving Credit Percentage in the Issuing Lender's obligations
and rights under each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each
draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant
unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft
is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not
reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, such L/C Participant

<PAGE>
                                                                              56

shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand at the Issuing Lender's address for
notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant's Revolving
Credit Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not
so reimbursed.

                  (b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant
to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed
portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is
paid to the Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such
payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand
an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average
Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such
payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available
to the Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is
360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to
Section 3.4(a) is not made available to the Issuing Lender by such L/C
Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, the
Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on
demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the
rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit
Facility. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant
with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error.

                  (c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made
payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its
pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), the Issuing
Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly
from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto
by the Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the
Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share
thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by
the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such
L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof
previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

                  3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. The Borrower
agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender on each date on which the Issuing Lender
notifies the Borrower of the date and amount of a draft presented under any
Letter of Credit and paid by the Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) such draft
so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by
the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Each such payment shall be
made to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein in lawful
money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds.
Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the
Borrower under this Section from the date such amounts become payable (whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full at the
rate set forth in Section 2.15(c). Each drawing under any Letter of Credit shall
(unless an event of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 8(f)
shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Borrower, in which
case the procedures specified in Section 3.4 for funding by L/C Participants
shall apply) constitute a request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent
for a borrowing pursuant to Section 2.5 of Base Rate Loans (or, at the option of
the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender in their sole discretion, a

<PAGE>
                                                                              57

borrowing pursuant to Section 2.7 of Swing Line Loans) in the amount of such
drawing. The Borrowing Date with respect to such borrowing shall be the date of
such drawing.

                  3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligations under
this Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
which the Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing Lender, any
beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees
with the Issuing Lender that the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for,
and the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations under Section 3.5 shall not be
affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of
any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be
invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and
any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter
of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against
any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Issuing
Lender shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in
transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or
omissions found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Issuing Lender. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the
Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related
drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct and in accordance with the standards or care specified in the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of New York, shall be binding on the Borrower and
shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower.

                  3.7 Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented
for payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify
the Borrower of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility of the Issuing
Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under
any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly
provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the
documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in
connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such
Letter of Credit.

                  3.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any
Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions
of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.

                    SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the
Letters of Credit, Holdings and the Borrower hereby jointly and severally
represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

                  4.1 Financial Condition. (a) (i) The unaudited pro forma
consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at
December 31, 2003 (including the notes thereto) (the "Holdings Pro Forma Balance
Sheet"), copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been
prepared giving effect (as if such events had occurred

<PAGE>
                                                                              58

on December 31, 2003) to (i) the consummation of the Transactions, (ii) the
Loans to be made on the Closing Date and the use of proceeds thereof, (iii) the
payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing and (iv) material
acquisitions consummated during the last two fiscal years of Holdings. The
Holdings Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared based on the best information
available to Holdings as of the date of delivery thereof, and presents fairly in
all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of
Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003, assuming
that the events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred on
such date, prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The unaudited pro forma consolidated
statement of operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the nine-month
period ended December 31, 2003 (including the notes thereto) (the "Holdings Pro
Forma Income Statement"; collectively with the Holdings Pro Forma Balance Sheet,
the "Holdings Pro Forma Financial Statements"), copies of which have heretofore
been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving effect (as if such
events had occurred on the first day of such nine-month period) to (i) the
consummation of the Transactions, (ii) the Loans to be made on the Closing Date
and the use of proceeds thereof and (iii) the payment of fees and expenses in
connection with the foregoing. The Holdings Pro Forma Income Statement has been
prepared based on the best information available to Holdings as of the date of
delivery thereof, and presents fairly in all material respects on a pro forma
basis the estimated consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003 and the consolidated results
of their operations for the nine-month period then ended assuming that the
events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred on the first
day of such nine-month period, prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under
the Securities Act.

                  (ii) The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003 (including
the notes thereto) (the "Borrower Pro Forma Balance Sheet"), copies of which
have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving effect
(as if such events had occurred on December 31, 2003) to (i) the consummation of
the Transactions, (ii) the Loans to be made on the Closing Date and the use of
proceeds thereof, (iii) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the
foregoing and (iv) material acquisitions consummated during the last two fiscal
years of the Borrower. The Borrower Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared
based on the best information available to the Borrower as of the date of
delivery thereof, and presents fairly in all material respects on a pro forma
basis the estimated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003, assuming that the events specified in the
preceding sentence had actually occurred on such date, prepared in accordance
with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. The unaudited pro forma
consolidated statement of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
the nine-month period ended December 31, 2003 (including the notes thereto) (the
"Borrower Pro Forma Income Statement"; collectively with the Borrower Pro Forma
Balance Sheet, the "Borrower Pro Forma Financial Statements"), copies of which
have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving effect
(as if such events had occurred on the first day of such nine-month period) to
(i) the consummation of the Transactions, (ii) the Loans to be made on the
Closing Date and the use of proceeds thereof and (iii) the payment of fees and
expenses in connection with the foregoing. The Borrower Pro Forma Income
Statement has been prepared based on the best information available to the
Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, and presents fairly in all material
respects on a pro forma basis the estimated consolidated financial condition of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at

<PAGE>
                                                                              59

December 31, 2003 and the consolidated results of their operations for the
nine-month period then ended assuming that the events specified in the preceding
sentence had actually occurred on the first day of such nine-month period,
prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

                  (b) (i) The audited consolidated balance sheets of Holdings
and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at March 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and March
31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003,
reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from Deloitte & Touche
LLP present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition
of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such date, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the
respective fiscal years then ended. The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of
Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003, and the
related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the
nine-month period ended on such date, present fairly in all material respects
the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its consolidated cash flows for the nine-month period then ended (subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments). All such financial statements, including the
related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the
aforementioned firms of accountants and disclosed therein). Holdings and its
Subsidiaries do not have any material Guarantee Obligations, material contingent
liabilities or material liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or
unusual forward or long-term commitments, including, without limitation, any
interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction or other
obligation in respect of derivatives, which are not reflected in the most recent
financial statements (including the notes thereto) referred to in this paragraph
(b)(i). During the period from March 31, 2003 to and including the date hereof,
there has been no Disposition by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any
material part of its business or Property.

                  (ii) The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower
and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at March 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and March
31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003
reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from Deloitte & Touche
LLP present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition
of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such date, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the
respective fiscal years then ended. The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003, and the
related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the
nine-month period ended on such date, present fairly in all material respects
the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its consolidated cash flows for the nine-month period then ended (subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments). All such financial statements, including the
related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the
aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein). The Borrower and its
Subsidiaries do not have any material Guarantee Obligations, material contingent
liabilities or material liabilities

<PAGE>
                                                                              60

for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments,
including, without limitation, any interest rate or foreign currency swap or
exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, which are
not reflected in the most recent financial statements (including the notes
thereto) referred to in this paragraph (b)(ii). During the period from March 31,
2003 to and including the date hereof, there has been no Disposition by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any material part of its business or
Property.

                  4.2 No Change. Since December 31, 2003 there has been no
development or event which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of
SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries (a) is
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate power and authority to
own and operate its Property, to lease the Property it operates as lessee and to
conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as
a foreign corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction
where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so
qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that
the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
Each Loan Party has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to
make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the
case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower,
to authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No
consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in
respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in
connection with the Transactions and the borrowings hereunder or with the
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and
notices described in Schedule 4.4, which consents, authorizations, filings and
notices have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) the
filings referred to in Section 4.19. Each Loan Document has been duly executed
and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement
constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a
legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto,
enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or
at law).

                  4.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit,
the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not violate
any Requirement of Law or any material Contractual Obligation of SuperHoldings,
Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries and will not
result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien

<PAGE>
                                                                              61

on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of
Law or any such Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the
Security Documents). No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable
to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.6 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or
proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or,
to the knowledge of SuperHoldings, Holdings or the Borrower, threatened by or
against SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with
respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, or (b) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  4.7 No Default. Neither SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower
nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to
any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing.

                  4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of SuperHoldings,
Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries has title in fee simple
to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property, and good title to,
or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other Property, and none of such
Property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section 7.3. Schedule
1.1B lists, as of the Closing Date, each parcel of owned real property and each
leasehold interest in real property in respect of which aggregate annual rent
payments in excess of $250,000 are payable, in each case, located in the United
States and held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  4.9 Intellectual Property. Each of SuperHoldings, Holdings,
the Borrower and each of their respective Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to
use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as
currently conducted. Schedule 4.9 sets forth all of the applications for
registration and registered Intellectual Property owned or licensed by each of
SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and each of their respective Subsidiaries
on the Closing Date. No material claim has been asserted and is pending by any
Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the
validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, nor does SuperHoldings,
Holdings or Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim. The use of
Intellectual Property by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and their
respective Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person in any
material respect.

                  4.10 Taxes. Each of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and
each of their respective Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all
Federal, state and other material tax returns which are required to be filed and
has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any
assessments made against it or any of its Property and all other taxes, fees or
other charges imposed on it or any of its Property by any Governmental Authority
(other than any the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in
conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of SuperHoldings, Holdings,
the Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries, as the case

<PAGE>
                                                                              62

may be); no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of Holdings and the
Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other
charge.

                  4.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans
or Letters of Credit will be used for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock"
within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as
now and from time to time hereafter in effect or for any purpose which violates
the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. If requested by any Lender or
the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the
requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in
Regulation U.

                  4.12 Labor Matters. There are no strikes or other labor
disputes against SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
respective Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the
Borrower, threatened that (individually or in the aggregate) could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Hours worked by and payment made to
employees of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and their respective
Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any
other applicable Requirement of Law dealing with such matters that (individually
or in the aggregate) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. All payments due from SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare
insurance that (individually or in the aggregate) could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect if not paid have been paid or accrued as a
liability on the books of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or the relevant
Subsidiary.

                  4.13 ERISA. Neither a Reportable Event nor an "accumulated
funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on
which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and
each Plan has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of ERISA and the Code. No termination of a Single Employer Plan has occurred,
and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such five-year
period. The present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer
Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the
last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is
made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to
such accrued benefits by a material amount. Neither the Borrower nor any
Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any
Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in a material liability under ERISA, and neither the Borrower nor any Commonly
Controlled Entity would become subject to any material liability under ERISA if
the Borrower or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely
from all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the
date on which this representation is made or deemed made. No such Multiemployer
Plan is in Reorganization or Insolvent.

                  4.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Loan Party
is an "investment company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment
company", within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
No Loan Party is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than
Regulation X of the Board) which limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.

<PAGE>
                                                                              63

                  4.15 Subsidiaries. The Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.15
constitute all the Subsidiaries of SuperHoldings at the date hereof.

                  4.16 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans shall be
used to finance the Transactions and to pay related fees and expenses; and any
remaining proceeds of the Term Loans shall be used to finance the general
capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower. The proceeds of
the Revolving Extensions of Credit and Incremental Revolving Extensions of
Credit shall be used to finance the general capital needs and general corporate
purposes of the Borrower. The Replacement Term Loans shall be used for the Term
Loan Refinancing.

                  4.17 Environmental Matters. (a) The facilities and properties
owned, leased or operated by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries (the "Properties") do not contain, and have not
previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or
concentrations or under circumstances which (i) constitute or constituted a
violation of, or (ii) could give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law,
except in either case insofar as such violation or liability, or any aggregation
thereof, could not reasonably be expected to result in the payment of a Material
Environmental Amount.

                  (b) The Properties and all operations at the Properties are in
material compliance, and have in the last five years been in material
compliance, with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no
contamination at, under or about the Properties or violation of any
Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the business operated by
SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries
(the "Business") which could materially interfere with the continued operation
of the Properties or impair the fair saleable value thereof in an amount
equaling or exceeding a Material Environmental Amount. As of the Closing Date,
neither SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries has assumed any liability of any other Person under Environmental
Laws.

                  (c) Neither SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower nor any of
their respective Subsidiaries has received or is aware of any notice of
violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability
regarding environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with
regard to any of the Properties or the Business, nor does SuperHoldings,
Holdings or the Borrower have knowledge or reason to believe that any such
notice will be received or is being threatened, except insofar as such notice or
threatened notice, or any aggregation thereof, does not involve a matter or
matters that could reasonably be expected to result in the payment of a Material
Environmental Amount.

                  (d) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been
transported or disposed of from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner
or to a location which could give rise to liability under, any Environmental
Law, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated,
stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of, or
in a manner that could give rise to liability under, any applicable
Environmental Law, except insofar as any such violation or liability referred to
in this paragraph, or any aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be expected
to result in the payment of a Material Environmental Amount.

<PAGE>
                                                                              64

                  (e) No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative
action is pending or, to the knowledge of SuperHoldings, Holdings and the
Borrower, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which SuperHoldings,
Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries is or will be
named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor are there
any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or
other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under
any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business, except
insofar as such proceeding, action, decree, order or other requirement, or any
aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be expected to result in the payment
of a Material Environmental Amount.

                  (f) There has been no release or threat of release of
Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or arising from or
related to the operations of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Properties or otherwise in
connection with the Business, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that
could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws, except insofar as any
such violation or liability referred to in this paragraph, or any aggregation
thereof, could not reasonably be expected to result in the payment of a Material
Environmental Amount.

                  4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. No statement or information
contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Confidential
Information Memorandum or any other document, certificate or statement furnished
to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or any of them, by or on behalf of
any Loan Party for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, contained as of the date such statement,
information, document or certificate was so furnished (or, in the case of the
Confidential Information Memorandum, as of the date of this Agreement), any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading. The projections and pro forma financial information contained in the
materials referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions
believed by management of the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it
being recognized by the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to
future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the
period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the
projected results set forth therein by a material amount. There is no fact known
to any Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect that has not been expressly disclosed herein, in the other Loan
Documents, in the Confidential Information Memorandum or in any other documents,
certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by
the other Loan Documents.

                  4.19 Security Documents. (a) The Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the
Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the Pledged
Stock described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock
certificates representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Administrative
Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement in which a security interest may be perfected by filing a
financing statement, when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in
the offices specified on Schedule 4.19(a), the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in,
all right,

<PAGE>
                                                                              65

title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds
thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other
Person.

                  (b) Each of the Mortgages is effective to create in favor of
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and
enforceable Lien on the Mortgaged Properties described therein and proceeds
thereof, and when the amendments to the Mortgages referred to in Section 5.1(a)
are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4.19(b), each such Mortgage shall
constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title
and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds
thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the relevant Mortgage),
in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person.

                  4.20 Solvency. Each Loan Party is, and after giving effect to
the Transactions and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being
incurred in connection herewith and therewith will be and will continue to be,
Solvent.

                  4.21 Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations constitute "Senior
Indebtedness" of the Borrower under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated
Note Indenture. The obligations of each Guarantor under the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement constitute "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" of such
Guarantor under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  4.22 Regulation H. As of the Closing Date, no Mortgage
encumbers improved real property which is located in an area that has been
identified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as an area having
special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made available under
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. If, after the Closing Date, any
Mortgage encumbers improved real property which is located in an area that has
been identified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as an area
having special flood hazards, then flood insurance made available under the
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 has been obtained, if such insurance is
available.

                         SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement
of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by
it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of
such extension of credit on the Closing Date, of the following conditions
precedent (except that the conditions set forth in clauses (a)(iii) and (p)
below may be satisfied at any time within 30 days following the Closing Date):

                  (a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly
         authorized officer of SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower, (ii)
         the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by a
         duly authorized officer of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and
         each Subsidiary Guarantor and (iii) an amendment (or an amendment and
         restatement), in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent, to each Mortgage existing

<PAGE>
                                                                              66

         on the Closing Date, executed and delivered by a duly authorized
         officer of each party thereto.

                  (b) Transactions. The following transactions shall have been
         consummated, in each case on terms and conditions reasonably
         satisfactory to the Lenders:

                           (i) the transactions required to be consummated on or
                  prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Merger Agreement
                  shall have been consummated;

                           (ii) the Borrower shall have received at least
                  $175,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the
                  Senior Subordinated Notes;

                           (iii) Holdings shall have received at least
                  $50,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the
                  Holdings Discount Notes; and

                           (iv) the Administrative Agent shall have received
                  satisfactory evidence that the fees and expenses to be
                  incurred in connection with the Transactions and the financing
                  thereof shall not exceed $25,000,000.

                  (c) Ratable Holdings. The Lenders and the lenders under the
         Existing Credit Agreement shall have made such payments among
         themselves as directed by the Administrative Agent with the result that
         on the Closing Date the Revolving Credit Commitments are held ratably
         by the Revolving Credit Lenders and the Term Loans are held ratably by
         the Term Loan Lenders.

                  (d) Pro Forma Financial Statements; Financial Statements. The
         Lenders shall have received (i) the Pro Forma Financial Statements,
         (ii) audited consolidated financial statements of each of Holdings and
         the Borrower referred to in the first sentence of each of subsections
         4.1(b)(i) and 4.1(b)(ii) and (iii) unaudited interim consolidated
         financial statements of each of Holdings and the Borrower for each
         fiscal month and quarterly period ended subsequent to the date of the
         latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause
         (ii) of this paragraph and, in the case of quarterly financial
         statements, such quarterly period ending at least 45 days prior to the
         Closing Date, and, in the case of monthly financial statements, such
         month ending at least 30 days prior to the Closing Date, and such
         financial statements shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent.

                  (e) Approvals. All material governmental and third party
         approvals (including landlords' and other consents) necessary in
         connection with the Transactions, the continuing operations of
         SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries
         and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and
         be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall
         have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any
         competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose
         adverse conditions on the Transactions or the financing contemplated
         hereby.

                  (f) Related Agreements. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received (in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent), with a copy for each Lender,

<PAGE>
                                                                              67

         true and correct copies, certified as to authenticity by the Borrower,
         of such documents or instruments as may be reasonably requested by the
         Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, a copy of any debt
         instrument, security agreement or other material contract to which the
         Loan Parties may be a party.

                  (g) Fees. The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
         Arrangers shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all
         expenses for which invoices have been presented, on or before the
         Closing Date.

                  (h) Projections. The Lenders shall have received satisfactory
         projections for fiscal years 2004-2011.

                  (i) Solvency Analysis. The Lenders shall have received a
         reasonably satisfactory solvency opinion from an independent valuation
         firm satisfactory to the Administrative Agent which shall document the
         solvency of each of the Borrower and its subsidiaries and Holdings and
         its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transactions.

                  (j) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the results of a recent lien search in each of the
         jurisdictions of organization of the Loan Parties, and such search
         shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of SuperHoldings, Holdings
         or its Subsidiaries except for liens permitted by Section 7.3 or liens
         to be discharged on or prior to the Closing Date in a manner
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (k) Consolidated EBITDA. The Administrative Agent and the
         Syndication Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that the
         Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the twelve-month period ended
         on January 31, 2004 is equal to or greater than $58,000,000; provided
         that, the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of this
         Section 5.1(k) shall include on a pro forma basis the Consolidated
         EBITDA of any Person or bookstore location acquired or disposed of by
         Holdings or its Subsidiaries during such period, including the effect
         of identified business synergies, for such period (assuming the
         consummation of each such acquisition and the incurrence or assumption
         of any Indebtedness in connection therewith occurred on the first day
         of such period).

                  (l) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of each
         Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
         Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments.

                  (m) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the following executed legal opinions:

                           (i) the legal opinion of Bingham McCutchen LLP,
                  counsel to SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower,
                  substantially in the form of Exhibit F; and

                           (ii) the legal opinion of local counsel in Kansas.

         Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent
         may reasonably require.

<PAGE>
                                                                              68

                  (n) Pledged Stock; Stock Power; Pledged Notes. The
         Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates
         representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the
         Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock
         power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized
         officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note pledged to
         the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral
         Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an
         executed transfer form in blank satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent) by the pledgor thereof.

                  (o) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document
         (including, without limitation, any Uniform Commercial Code financing
         statement) required by the Security Documents or under law or
         reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed,
         registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the
         Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien
         on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any
         other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by
         Section 7.3), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or
         recordation.

                  (p) Title Insurance; Flood Insurance. (i) The Administrative
         Agent shall have received in respect of each Mortgaged Property a
         mortgagee's title insurance policy (or policies) or marked up
         unconditional binder for such insurance. Each such policy shall (A) be
         in an amount satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (B) be issued at
         ordinary rates; (C) insure that the Mortgage insured thereby creates a
         valid first Lien on such Mortgaged Property free and clear of all
         defects and encumbrances, except as disclosed therein; (D) name the
         Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders as the insured
         thereunder; (E) be in the form of ALTA Loan Policy - 1970 (Amended
         10/17/70 and 10/17/84) (or equivalent policies or such other form of
         loan policy as is authorized in the state in which the Mortgaged
         Property is located); (F) contain such endorsements and affirmative
         coverage as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (G) be
         issued by title companies reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent (including any such title companies acting as co-insurers or
         reinsurers, at the option of the Administrative Agent). The
         Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it
         that all premiums in respect of each such policy, all charges for
         mortgage recording tax, and all related expenses, if any, have been
         paid.

                  (ii) If requested by the Administrative Agent, the
         Administrative Agent shall have received (A) for each Mortgaged
         Property which is located in a designated flood zone, a policy of flood
         insurance which (1) covers any parcel of improved real property which
         is encumbered by any Mortgage (2) is written in an amount not less than
         the outstanding principal amount of the indebtedness secured by such
         Mortgage which is reasonably allocable to such real property or the
         maximum limit of coverage made available with respect to the particular
         type of property under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968,
         whichever is less, and (3) has a term ending not later than the
         maturity of the Indebtedness secured by such Mortgage and (B)
         confirmation that the Borrower has received the notice required
         pursuant to Section 208(e)(3) of Regulation H of the Board.

<PAGE>
                                                                              69

                  (iii) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of
         all recorded documents referred to, or listed as exceptions to title
         in, the title policy or policies referred to in clause (i) above and a
         copy of all other material documents affecting the Mortgaged
         Properties.

                  (q) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied
         with the insurance program to be maintained by Holdings and its
         Subsidiaries and shall have received satisfactory insurance
         certificates with respect thereto.

                  5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of
each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any
date (including, without limitation, its initial extension of credit) is subject
to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the
         representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to
         the Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of such date as
         if made on and as of such date.

                  (b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the
         extensions of credit requested to be made on such date.

Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower
hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of
the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this
Section 5.2 have been satisfied.

                  5.3 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit under the
Incremental Revolving Credit Facility. In addition to the conditions precedent
set forth in Section 5.2, the agreement of each Incremental Revolving Credit
Lender to make any extension of credit under the Incremental Revolving Credit
Facility requested to be made by it is subject to the satisfaction of the
condition precedent that the Specified Acquisitions shall have been consummated.

                        SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower hereby jointly and
severally agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of
Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or
the Administrative Agent hereunder, each of SuperHoldings, Holdings and the
Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

                  6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender:

                  (a) (i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of
         Holdings, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings
         and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the
         related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for
         such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures
         for the previous year, reported on without a "going concern" or like
         qualification or exception,

<PAGE>
                                                                              70

         or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by independent
         certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing; and

                  (ii) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
         Borrower, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year
         and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash
         flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
         figures for the previous year, reported on without a "going concern" or
         like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the
         scope of the audit, by independent certified public accountants of
         nationally recognized standing;

                  (b) (i) not later than 45 days after the end of each of the
         first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of Holdings, the
         unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated
         Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited
         consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter
         and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter,
         setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
         previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly
         stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit
         adjustments); and

                  (ii) not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first
         three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the
         unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related
         unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such
         quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such
         quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for
         the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly
         stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit
         adjustments);

all such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material
respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior
periods (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be,
and disclosed therein).

                  6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender, or, in the case of clause (h), to the
relevant Lender:

                  (a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
         referred to in Section 6.1(a), a certificate of the independent
         certified public accountants reporting on such financial statements
         stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge
         was obtained of any Default or Event of Default, except as specified in
         such certificate;

                  (b) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements
         pursuant to Section 6.1, (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer
         stating that, to the best of each such Responsible Officer's knowledge,
         each Loan Party during such period has observed or performed all of its
         covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every condition,

<PAGE>
                                                                              71

         contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is
         a party to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such
         Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event
         of Default except as specified in such certificate and (ii) in the case
         of quarterly or annual financial statements, (x) a Compliance
         Certificate containing all information necessary for determining
         compliance by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and their
         respective Subsidiaries with the provisions of this Agreement referred
         to therein as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of
         the Borrower, as the case may be and (y) to the extent not previously
         disclosed to the Administrative Agent, a description of any change in
         the jurisdiction of organization of any Loan Party and a listing of any
         applications for registration and registered Intellectual Property
         acquired by any Loan Party since the date of the most recent list
         delivered pursuant to this clause (y) (or, in the case of the first
         such list so delivered, since the Closing Date);

                  (c) (i) as soon as available, and in any event no later than
         45 days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, a detailed
         consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a
         projected consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries
         as of the end of the following fiscal year, and the related
         consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected changes in
         financial position and projected income), and, as soon as available,
         significant revisions, if any, of such budget and projections with
         respect to such fiscal year (collectively, the "Holdings Projections"),
         which Holdings Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a
         certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Holdings
         Projections are based on reasonable estimates, information and
         assumptions and that such Responsible Officer has no reason to believe
         that such Holdings Projections are incorrect or misleading in any
         material respect; and

                  (ii) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 45
         days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed
         consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a
         projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, and the
         related consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected
         changes in financial position and projected income), and, as soon as
         available, significant revisions, if any, of such budget and
         projections with respect to such fiscal year (collectively, the
         "Borrower Projections"), which Borrower Projections shall in each case
         be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that
         such Borrower Projections are based on reasonable estimates,
         information and assumptions and that such Responsible Officer has no
         reason to believe that such Borrower Projections are incorrect or
         misleading in any material respect;

                  (d) (i) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of
         Holdings, a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial
         condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries
         for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of the
         then current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, as compared
         to the portion of the Holdings Projections covering such periods and to
         the comparable periods of the previous year; and

<PAGE>
                                                                              72

                  (ii) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of
         the Borrower, a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial
         condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the
         beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal
         quarter, as compared to the portion of the Borrower Projections
         covering such periods and to the comparable periods of the previous
         year;

                  (e) no later than 10 Business Days prior to the effectiveness
         thereof, copies of substantially final drafts of any proposed
         amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification with respect to the
         Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, the Holdings Discount Notes
         Indenture, the Existing Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or the
         Existing Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture;

                  (f) within five days after the same are sent, copies of all
         financial statements and reports which Holdings or the Borrower sends
         to the holders of any class of its debt securities or public equity
         securities and within five days after the same are filed, copies of all
         financial statements and reports which Holdings or the Borrower may
         make to, or file with, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
         successor or analogous Governmental Authority;

                  (g) no later than 12 Business Days following each fiscal month
         of the Borrower, a completed Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth
         the Borrowing Base as of the close of business on the last day of such
         fiscal month, or, so long as the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit
         exceed $25,000,000, no later than 3 Business Days following each week,
         a completed Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth the Borrowing Base
         as of the close of business on the last day of such week, and at any
         other time requested by the Administrative Agent when the
         Administrative Agent reasonably believes that the most recently
         delivered Borrowing Base Certificate is materially inaccurate, as soon
         as reasonably available but in no event later than 5 Business Days
         after such request, a completed Borrowing Base Certificate setting
         forth the Borrowing Base as of the date so requested, and at any
         additional time at the option of the Borrower, a completed Borrowing
         Base Certificate setting forth the Borrowing Base as of the date so
         selected by the Borrower, in each case with supporting documentation
         and additional reports with respect to the Borrowing Base as the
         Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

                  (h) promptly, such additional financial and other information
         as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

                  6.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise
satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may
be, all its material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or
validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been
provided on the books of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or their
respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

                  6.4 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence, etc. (a)
(i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence
and (ii) take all reasonable action

<PAGE>
                                                                              73

to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the
normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by
Section 7.4 and except, in the case of clause (ii) above, to the extent that
failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law
except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Keep all Property
useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and
reputable insurance companies insurance on all its Property in at least such
amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public
liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured
against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar
business.

                  6.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.
(a) (i) Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct
entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (ii)
permit representatives of any Lender upon reasonable prior written notice to
visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any
of its books and records during the Borrower's normal business hours and as
often as may reasonably be desired and to discuss the business, operations,
properties and financial and other condition of Holdings, the Borrower and their
respective Subsidiaries with officers and employees of Holdings, the Borrower
and such Subsidiaries and with their independent certified public accountants.

                  (b) The Borrower will permit any representatives designated by
the Administrative Agent (including employees of the Administrative Agent or any
consultants, accountants, lawyers and appraisers retained by the Administrative
Agent) to conduct evaluations and appraisals of the Borrower's computation of
the Borrowing Base and the assets included in the Borrowing Base and such other
assets and other financial information and properties of the Borrower as the
Administrative Agent may require, as often as reasonably requested by the
Administrative Agent and with the consent of the Borrower, such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall
not be entitled to conduct such evaluations and appraisals more frequently than
once per year unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
(y) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines in consultation with the
Borrower that a material event or material change has occurred with respect to
the Loan Parties, their inventory practices or the performance of the Collateral
and that as a result of such event or change more frequent evaluations or
appraisals are required to effectively monitor the Borrowing Base, in which case
the Borrower will permit the Administrative Agent to conduct such evaluations
and appraisals at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably
requested, in each case so long as any Revolving Credit Loans, Incremental
Revolving Credit Loans or Letters of Credit shall be outstanding or shall have
been requested by the Borrower hereunder. The Borrower shall pay all fees,
including internally allocated fees and expenses of employees of the
Administrative Agent, and expenses as to which invoices have been furnished of
any such representatives retained by the Administrative Agent to conduct any
such evaluation or appraisal, including the reasonable fees and expenses
associated with collateral monitoring services performed by the Collateral Agent
Services Group of the

<PAGE>
                                                                              74

Administrative Agent. To the extent required by the Administrative Agent as a
result of any such evaluation, appraisal or monitoring, the Borrower also agrees
to modify or adjust the parameters for including Eligible Inventory and Eligible
Accounts Receivable in the Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent shall
reasonably require based upon the results of such evaluation and appraisal,
provided that the Administrative Agent shall specify to the Borrower in writing
the reasons for any such additional adjustments.

                  (c) In the event that historical accounting practices, systems
or reserves relating to the components of the Borrowing Base are modified in a
manner that is adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, the Borrower
agrees to maintain additional reserves (for purposes of computing the Borrowing
Base) in respect of the components of the Borrowing Base and make other
adjustments (which may include maintaining additional reserves, modifying the
advance rates or modifying the eligibility criteria for the components of the
Borrowing Base) to the computation of the Borrowing Base, in each case, as
reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and with the consent of the
Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, to provide for such
modification.

                  6.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender of:

                  (a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

                  (b) any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
         Obligation of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
         respective Subsidiaries or (ii) litigation, investigation or proceeding
         which may exist at any time between SuperHoldings, Holdings, the
         Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries and any Governmental
         Authority, which in either case, if not cured or if adversely
         determined, as the case may be, could reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect;

                  (c) any litigation or proceeding affecting SuperHoldings,
         Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries in which
         the amount involved is $1,000,000 or more and not covered by insurance
         or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought;

                  (d) the following events, as soon as possible and in any event
         within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof:
         (i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan, a
         failure to make any required contribution to a Plan, the creation of
         any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal from, or the
         termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or
         (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action
         by the PBGC or the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any
         Multiemployer Plan with respect to the withdrawal from, or the
         termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Plan;

                  (e) any development or event which has had or could reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (f) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the
         Borrower knows or reasonably should know thereof, the failure to make
         any rental payment when due and payable with respect to any property
         leased by the Borrower or any of its Domestic

<PAGE>
                                                                              75

         Subsidiaries at which Inventory of the Borrower or any of its Domestic
         Subsidiaries is located; and

                  (g) any sale or other disposition by the Primary Investors of
         any Capital Stock having ordinary voting power in the election of
         directors of SuperHoldings or Holdings.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein and stating what action SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or the
relevant Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto.

                  6.8 Environmental Laws. (a) Comply in all material respects
with, and ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and
subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and
comply in all material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants
and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any
and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws.

                  (b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling
and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful
orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental
Laws.

                  6.9 Interest Rate Protection. In the case of the Borrower,
within 90 days after the Closing Date, enter into Interest Rate Protection
Agreements to the extent necessary to provide that at least 50% of the aggregate
principal amount of the non-revolving long-term Indebtedness of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries is subject to either a fixed interest rate or interest rate
protection for a period of not less than two years, which Interest Rate
Protection Agreements shall have terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent.

                  6.10 Additional Collateral, etc. (a) With respect to any
Property acquired after the Closing Date by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the
Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries (other than (x) any Property
described in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) below and (y) any Property subject to a
Lien expressly permitted by Section 7.3(g)) as to which the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, does not have a perfected Lien, promptly
(i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or such other documents as the Administrative
Agent deems necessary or advisable in order to grant to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in such Property and
(ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security
interest in such Property, including without limitation, the filing of Uniform
Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the
Administrative Agent.

                  (b) With respect to any interest in any real property having a
value (together with improvements thereof) of at least $1,000,000 acquired after
the Closing Date by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
respective Subsidiaries (other than any

<PAGE>
                                                                              76

such real property subject to a Lien expressly permitted by Section 7.3(g)),
promptly (i) execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage in favor of the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, covering such real
property, (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, provide the Lenders
with (x) title and extended coverage insurance covering such real property in an
amount at least equal to the purchase price of such real estate (or such other
amount as shall be reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent) as well as
a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a surveyor's certificate and (y)
any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by the
Administrative Agent in connection with such mortgage or deed of trust, each of
the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and (iii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver
to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described
above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel,
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (c) With respect to any new Subsidiary (other than an Excluded
Foreign Subsidiary) created or acquired after the Closing Date (which, for the
purposes of this paragraph (c), shall include any existing Subsidiary that
ceases to be an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, promptly (i) execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable in order to grant to
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first
priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary which is
owned by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates
representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank,
executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of SuperHoldings, Holdings,
the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, (iii) cause such new
Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and
(B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative
Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security
interest in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
with respect to such new Subsidiary (subject to any existing liens on such
Collateral securing Indebtedness existing at the time such new Subsidiary is
created or acquired, so long as such Indebtedness was not incurred in
anticipation of such creation or acquisition and such Lien is not spread to
encumber additional property of such Subsidiary), including, without limitation,
the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions
as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may
be requested by the Administrative Agent, and (iv) if requested by the
Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions
relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and
substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.

                  (d) With respect to any new Excluded Foreign Subsidiary
created or acquired after the Closing Date by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the
Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, promptly (i) execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable in
order to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new
Subsidiary which is owned by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries (provided that in no event shall more than 65% of
the total outstanding Capital Stock of any such new Subsidiary be required to be
so pledged), (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the

<PAGE>
                                                                              77

certificates representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock
powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of
SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
and take such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the
Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent
thereon, and (iii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the
Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above,
which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                          SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower hereby jointly and
severally agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of
Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or
the Administrative Agent hereunder, each of SuperHoldings, Holdings and the
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly:

                  7.1 Financial Covenants.

                  (a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio as at the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters of the Borrower ending with any fiscal quarter ending on the dates set
forth below to exceed the ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Consolidated
  Fiscal Quarter                                           Leverage Ratio
  --------------                                           --------------
<S>                                                        <C>
June 30, 2004                                                6.60 to 1.0
September 30, 2004                                           6.60 to 1.0
December 31, 2004                                            6.60 to 1.0
March 31, 2005                                               6.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2005                                                6.50 to 1.0
September 30, 2005                                           6.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2005                                            6.25 to 1.0
March 31, 2006                                               6.00 to 1.0
June 30, 2006                                                6.00 to 1.0
September 30, 2006                                           5.65 to 1.0
December 31, 2006                                            5.65 to 1.0
March 31, 2007                                               5.25 to 1.0
June 30, 2007                                                5.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2007                                           4.85 to 1.0
December 31, 2007                                            4.85 to 1.0
March 31, 2008                                               4.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2008                                                4.50 to 1.0
September 30, 2008                                           4.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2008                                            4.25 to 1.0
March 31, 2009                                               4.00 to 1.0
June 30, 2009                                                4.00 to 1.0
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                                              78

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Consolidated
  Fiscal Quarter                                           Leverage Ratio
  --------------                                           --------------
<S>                                                        <C>
September 30, 2009                                           3.75 to 1.0
December 31, 2009                                            3.75 to 1.0
Thereafter                                                   3.50 to 1.0
</TABLE>

                  (b) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters of the Borrower ending with any fiscal quarter ending on the dates set
forth below to be less than the ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal
quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Consolidated Interest
  Fiscal Quarter                                                      Coverage Ratio
  --------------                                                  ---------------------
<S>                                                               <C>
June 30, 2004                                                          2.00 to 1.0
September 30, 2004                                                     2.00 to 1.0
December 31, 2004                                                      2.00 to 1.0
March 31, 2005                                                         2.25 to 1.0
June 30, 2005                                                          2.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2005                                                     2.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2005                                                      2.25 to 1.0
March 31, 2006                                                         2.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2006                                                          2.50 to 1.0
September 30, 2006                                                     2.50 to 1.0
December 31, 2006                                                      2.50 to 1.0
March 31, 2007                                                         2.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2007                                                          2.50 to 1.0
September 30, 2007                                                     2.50 to 1.0
December 31, 2007                                                      2.50 to 1.0
March 31, 2008                                                         2.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2008                                                          2.50 to 1.0
September 30, 2008                                                     2.50 to 1.0
December 31, 2008                                                      2.50 to 1.0
March 31, 2009                                                         2.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2009                                                          2.75 to 1.0
September 30, 2009                                                     2.75 to 1.0
December 31, 2009                                                      2.75 to 1.0
Thereafter                                                             3.00 to 1.0
</TABLE>

; provided, that for the purposes of determining the Consolidated Interest
Coverage Ratio for the fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending June 30, 2004,
September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2004, Consolidated Interest Expense for the
relevant period shall be deemed to equal Consolidated Interest Expense for such
fiscal quarter (and, in the case of the latter two such determinations, all
fiscal quarters commencing after March 31, 2004) multiplied by 4, 2 and 4/3,
respectively.

<PAGE>
                                                                              79

                  (c) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending with any fiscal quarter ending on the
dates set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth below opposite such
fiscal quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Consolidated Fixed
  Fiscal Quarter                                           Charge Coverage Ratio
  --------------                                           ---------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
June 30, 2004                                                   1.15 to 1.0
September 30, 2004                                              1.15 to 1.0
December 31, 2004                                               1.15 to 1.0
March 31, 2005                                                  1.15 to 1.0
June 30, 2005                                                   1.15 to 1.0
September 30, 2005                                              1.20 to 1.0
December 31, 2005                                               1.20 to 1.0
March 31, 2006                                                  1.20 to 1.0
June 30, 2006                                                   1.20 to 1.0
September 30, 2006                                              1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2006                                               1.25 to 1.0
March 31, 2007                                                  1.25 to 1.0
June 30, 2007                                                   1.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2007                                              1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2007                                               1.25 to 1.0
March 31, 2008                                                  1.25 to 1.0
June 30, 2008                                                   1.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2008                                              1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2008                                               1.25 to 1.0
March 31, 2009                                                  1.25 to 1.0
June 30, 2009                                                   1.25 to 1.0
September 30, 2009                                              1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 2009                                               1.25 to 1.0
Thereafter                                                      1.25 to 1.0
</TABLE>

; provided, that for the purposes of determining the Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio for the fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending June 30, 2004,
September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2004, Consolidated Interest Expense and
scheduled payments on account of principal of Indebtedness of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for the relevant period shall be deemed to equal Consolidated
Interest Expense and scheduled payments on account of principal of Indebtedness
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter (and, in the case
of the latter two such determinations, all fiscal quarters commencing after
March 31, 2004) multiplied by 4, 2 and 4/3, respectively.

                  7.2 Limitation on Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan
         Document;

<PAGE>
                                                                              80

                  (b) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any
         Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or any other
         Subsidiary;

                  (c) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.3(g)
         in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one
         time outstanding;

                  (d) Capital Lease Obligations in an aggregate principal amount
         not to exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

                  (e) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on
         Schedule 7.2(e) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or
         extensions thereof (without any increase in the principal amount
         thereof);

                  (f) guarantees made in the ordinary course of business by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations of any Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary Guarantor;

                  (g) (i) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of the Senior
         Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
         $175,000,000, (ii) any refinancing thereof with an issuance of debt
         securities of Holdings or the Borrower, provided that such securities
         (excluding the interest rate) are (x) taken as a whole, at least as
         favorable to Holdings, the Borrower and the Lenders as the Senior
         Subordinated Notes and (y) at least as subordinated to payment of the
         Obligations as the Senior Subordinated Notes and (iii) Guarantee
         Obligations of Holdings and of any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of
         such Indebtedness of the Borrower; provided that such Guarantee
         Obligations are subordinated to the obligations of such Guarantor under
         the Loan Documents to the same extent as are the obligations of the
         Borrower in respect of the Senior Subordinated Notes or, if applicable,
         such refinancing securities;

                  (h) (i) Indebtedness of Holdings in respect of the Holdings
         Discount Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
         $77,000,000, (ii) any refinancing thereof with (x) the proceeds of a
         substantially concurrent issuance of new common equity by Holdings or
         (y) an issuance of debt securities of the Borrower or Holdings,
         provided that such securities (excluding the interest rate) are (A)
         taken as a whole, at least as favorable to Holdings, the Borrower and
         the Lenders as the Holdings Discount Notes and (B) at least as
         subordinated to payment of the Obligations as the Holdings Discount
         Notes (in the case of a refinancing with an issuance of debt securities
         by Holdings) or the Senior Subordinated Notes (in the case of a
         refinancing with an issuance of debt securities by the Borrower), as
         applicable and (iii) Guarantee Obligations of Holdings and of any
         Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of such Indebtedness of the Borrower in
         the case of a refinancing with an issuance of debt securities of the
         Borrower; provided that such Guarantee Obligations are subordinated to
         the obligations of such Guarantor under the Loan Documents to the same
         extent as are the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Senior
         Subordinated Notes or, if applicable, any refinancing securities
         permitted by Section 7.2(g)(ii);

                  (i) additional Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
         outstanding for the Borrower and all

<PAGE>
                                                                              81

         Subsidiaries) not to exceed $15,000,000 less the aggregate principal
         amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (c) and (d) above
         and (l) below at such time;

                  (j) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of Interest Rate
         Protection Agreements;

                  (k) (i) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of up to
         $22,000,000 of Existing Senior Subordinated Notes and subordinated
         Guarantee Obligation of any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect thereof;
         and (ii) Indebtedness of Holdings in respect of up to $15,500,000 of
         Existing Holdings Discount Debentures; and

                  (l) Indebtedness consisting of the obligations of
         SuperHoldings or Holdings to pay the deferred portion of the purchase
         price of common stock or common stock options of Holdings or
         SuperHoldings from former officers or employees of SuperHoldings,
         Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries upon the
         termination of employment of such officer or employee in connection
         with purchases permitted by Section 7.6(d); provided that (i) interest
         thereon shall be a per annum market rate and shall not be payable more
         frequently than quarterly, (ii) except as permitted by Section 7.6(d),
         no principal or interest shall be paid with respect to each such
         obligation other than in-kind and (iii) each such obligation (x) is
         subordinated to the Obligations of the relevant Loan Party under the
         Loan Documents on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (y)
         has a maturity that extends beyond September 15, 2011 (it being
         understood that a portion of such obligations may have a shorter
         maturity date as long as the payments that will become due with respect
         to such obligations shall not exceed the amount permitted to be paid in
         cash pursuant to Section 7.6(d)(ii)) and (z) is evidenced by a
         promissory note having terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
         provided further that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this
         Section 7.2(l) shall reduce the amount of Indebtedness permitted by
         Sections 7.2(i).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary of Holdings will create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Guarantee Obligation in respect of any
Indebtedness of Holdings.

                  7.3 Limitation on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Lien upon any of its Property or revenues, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except for:

                  (a) Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested
         in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate
         reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of Holdings,
         the Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in
         conformity with GAAP;

                  (b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
         repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of
         business which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or
         which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

                  (c) pledges or deposits in connection with workers'
         compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
         legislation;

<PAGE>
                                                                              82

                  (d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
         contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory
         obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other
         obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of
         business;

                  (e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
         encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
         aggregate, are not substantial in amount and which do not in any case
         materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or
         materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (f) Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule
         7.3(f), securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(e), provided
         that no such Lien is spread to cover any additional Property after the
         Closing Date and that the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not
         increased;

                  (g) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other
         Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(c) to finance the
         acquisition of fixed or capital assets, provided that (i) such Liens
         shall be created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of
         such fixed or capital assets, (ii) such Liens do not at any time
         encumber any Property other than the Property financed by such
         Indebtedness and (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is
         not increased;

                  (h) Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

                  (i) any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered
         into by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of
         its business and covering only the assets so leased;

                  (j) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 7.3 so long
         as neither (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
         obligations secured thereby nor (ii) the aggregate fair market value
         (determined as of the date such Lien is incurred) of the assets subject
         thereto exceeds (as to the Borrower and all Subsidiaries) $1,000,000 at
         any one time;

                  (k) any covenants, easements, restrictions, encumbrances and
         exceptions contained in any mortgagee's title insurance policy
         delivered in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement or referred
         to in Section 5.1(o)(i);

                  (l) any existing leases or subleases of all or any portion of
         a Mortgaged Property and any renewals and extensions thereof, any
         leases or subleases entered into upon the expiration or termination of
         any such lease or sublease, and any leases or subleases hereafter
         entered into of all or any portion of a Mortgaged Property not required
         by the Borrower for the operation of its business; and

                  (m) Liens, if any, consisting of amounts escrowed to redeem
         the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes or Existing Holdings Discount
         Debentures.

<PAGE>
                                                                              83

                  7.4 Limitation on Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger,
consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or
suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of all or substantially all
of its Property or business except:

                  (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or
         consolidated with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower
         shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or with or into any
         Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that the Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation);

                  (b) the Borrower and any Subsidiary of the Borrower may
         Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or
         otherwise) to the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor;

                  (c) Holdings may consummate the Merger; and

                  (d) SuperHoldings may merge with and into Holdings, with
         Holdings as the surviving corporation; provided that the first priority
         security interest in the Capital Stock of the Borrower in favor of the
         Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders is
         maintained.

                  7.5 Limitation on Sale of Assets. Dispose of any of its
Property or business (including, without limitation, receivables and leasehold
interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any
Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary's Capital Stock to any
Person, except:

                  (a) the Disposition of obsolete or worn out property in the
         ordinary course of business;

                  (b) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

                  (c) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.4(b);

                  (d) the sale or issuance of any Subsidiary's Capital Stock to
         the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor or the sale or
         issuance of the Borrower's Capital Stock to Holdings, in each case, so
         long as such Capital Stock is pledged to the Administrative Agent for
         the benefit of the Lenders to the extent required by the Guarantee and
         Collateral Agreement; and

                  (e) the sale of other assets at fair market value provided
         that (i) such assets have a fair market value not to exceed $2,000,000
         for any fiscal year of the Borrower and not exceeding $5,000,000 in the
         aggregate from the Closing Date and (ii) the consideration received by
         Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries for each such
         sale of assets shall not be less than 75% cash, provided, that the
         requirements of Section 2.12(d) are complied with in connection
         therewith.

                  7.6 Limitation on Dividends. Declare or pay any dividend
(other than dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such
dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a
sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase,

<PAGE>
                                                                              84

redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any shares of any
class of Capital Stock of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
respective Subsidiaries or any warrants or options to purchase any such Capital
Stock, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in
respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or
in obligations of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries
(collectively, "Restricted Payments"), except that:

                  (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may make Restricted
         Payments to the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (and
         if such Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, to
         its other holders of Capital Stock on a pro rata basis, provided that
         any such Restricted Payment to such other holders of Capital Stock be
         attributable only to cash flows of such Subsidiary);

                  (b) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing after giving effect to the payment of any
         such dividend or investment, the Borrower may pay dividends to Holdings
         or make investments in Holdings to permit Holdings to pay scheduled
         cash interest payments on the Holdings Discount Notes or any
         refinancing thereof permitted by Section 7.2(h)(ii) and, if still
         outstanding, on the Existing Holdings Discount Debentures) or to permit
         Holdings to make any payments permitted by Section 7.9(a)(ii) in an
         amount not to exceed the amount of interest required to be paid in cash
         by the terms of the Holdings Discount Notes Indenture or any
         refinancing thereof permitted by Section 7.2(h)(ii) or the amount of
         such payment made pursuant to Section 7.9(a)(ii), as applicable;

                  (c) the Borrower may pay dividends to Holdings or make
         investments in Holdings to permit Holdings, and Holdings may pay
         dividends to SuperHoldings or make investments in SuperHoldings to
         permit SuperHoldings, to (i) pay corporate overhead expenses incurred
         in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $250,000 in any fiscal
         year and (ii) pay any taxes which are due and payable by SuperHoldings,
         Holdings and the Borrower as part of a consolidated group;

                  (d) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, (i) the Borrower may pay dividends to
         Holdings or make investments in Holdings (and, if applicable, Holdings
         may use such proceeds to pay dividends to SuperHoldings or make
         investments in SuperHoldings) to permit Holdings to purchase Holdings'
         common stock (or, if applicable, to permit SuperHoldings to purchase
         SuperHolding's common stock) or common stock options from present or
         former officers or employees, or the estate, heirs or legatees of such
         former officers or employees, of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
         respective Subsidiaries upon the death, disability or termination of
         employment of such officer or employee, and (ii) SuperHoldings and
         Holdings may pay principal and interest on the Indebtedness permitted
         by Section 7.2(l), and the Borrower may pay dividends to Holdings or
         make investments in Holdings (and, if applicable, Holdings may use such
         proceeds to pay dividends to SuperHoldings or make investments in
         SuperHoldings) to permit Holdings to (or, if applicable, to permit
         SuperHoldings to) pay principal and interest on the Indebtedness
         permitted by Section 7.2(l), provided, that the aggregate amount of
         payments under this paragraph (d) after the Closing Date shall not
         exceed $1,000,000 per annum and $2,000,000 in the aggregate, net

<PAGE>
                                                                              85

         of any cash proceeds received by Holdings (or, if applicable,
         SuperHoldings) and contributed to the Borrower in connection with
         resales of any common stock or common stock options so purchased;

                  (e) SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the foregoing may make any Restricted Payment required to be made on or
         prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Merger Agreement; and

                  (f) SuperHoldings or Holdings may make any Restricted Payment
         permitted by Section 7.2(l).

                  7.7 Limitation on Capital Expenditures. Make or commit to make
(by way of the acquisition of securities of a Person or otherwise) any Capital
Expenditure, except:

                  (a) in any fiscal year, Capital Expenditures of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business not exceeding
         the amount set forth below opposite such fiscal year:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year               Capital Expenditures
-----------               --------------------
<S>                       <C>
   2004                       $ 6,500,000
   2005                         8,500,000
   2006                         8,500,000
   2007                         9,500,000
   2008                        11,000,000
   2009                        13,000,000
   2010                        14,000,000
   2011                        16,000,000
</TABLE>

         ; provided, that (i) 100% of any such amount not so expended in the
         fiscal year for which it is permitted, may be carried over for
         expenditure in the next succeeding fiscal year and (ii) Capital
         Expenditures made pursuant to this clause (a) during any fiscal year
         shall be deemed made, first, in respect of amounts carried over from
         the prior fiscal year pursuant to subclause (i) above and, second, in
         respect of amounts permitted for such fiscal year as provided above;

                  (b) in addition to the amounts permitted by clause (a) above,
         Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the
         ordinary course of business not exceeding an aggregate of $2,000,000 in
         the aggregate from the Closing Date; and

                  (c) Capital Expenditures permitted pursuant to Section 7.8.

                  7.8 Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances. Make any
advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital
contribution to, or purchase any stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other
securities of or any assets constituting all or a material part of a business
unit of, or make any other investment in, any Person, except:

                  (a) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of
         business;
<PAGE>

                                                                              86

                  (b) investments in Cash Equivalents;

                  (c) Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 7.2;

                  (d) loans and advances to employees of Holdings, the Borrower
         or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (including,
         without limitation, for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses)
         in an aggregate amount for Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         not to exceed $500,000 at any one time outstanding;

                  (e) investments made by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount;

                  (f) investments by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in the Borrower or any Person that, prior to such
         investment, is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor; and

                  (g) acquisitions by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
         the Capital Stock of, or assets of, entities engaged in similar lines
         of business as the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date,
         provided that (i) the aggregate purchase price for all such
         acquisitions occurring after the Closing Date shall not exceed
         $65,000,000, (ii) the aggregate purchase price for all such
         acquisitions (excluding, in the fiscal year of the Borrower ending on
         December 31, 2004, the aggregate purchase price for the Specified
         Acquisitions) shall not exceed $15,000,000 in any fiscal year of the
         Borrower, (iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or
         be continuing after giving effect to any such acquisition, (iv) no
         Indebtedness shall be assumed by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in connection with any such acquisition except to the
         extent otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement and (v) the
         Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth
         in Section 7.1 after giving effect to any such acquisition;

                  (h) investments existing on the Closing Date and listed on
         Schedule 7.8;

                  (i) investments and advances made by the Borrower in Holdings
         to the extent permitted by Section 7.6(b), (c) or (d); and

                  (j) other investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5
         million at any one time outstanding.

                  7.9 Limitation on Optional Payments and Modifications of Debt
Instruments, etc. (a) Make or offer to make any payment, prepayment, repurchase,
redemption or defeasance of or otherwise defease or segregate funds with respect
to the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Holdings Discount Notes, the Existing
Senior Subordinated Notes or the Existing Holding Discount Debentures (other
than scheduled interest payments required to be made in cash), except (i) in
connection with the issuance of any refinancing Indebtedness permitted by
Section 7.2(g)(ii) or Section 7.2(h)(ii) or from the proceeds of a substantially
concurrent issuance of new common equity of Holdings and (ii) so long as (A) no
proceeds of Revolving Extensions of Credit or Incremental Revolving Extensions
of Credit are used to make such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption,
defeasance or segregation of funds, except in aggregate

<PAGE>

                                                                              87

amount not to exceed the portion of the Optional Payment Amount which has been
applied to the prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.18(d)
and (B) after giving pro forma effect to such payment, prepayment, repurchase,
redemption, defeasance or segregation of funds, (I) the Consolidated Senior
Leverage Ratio of the Borrower is less than 2.00 to 1, (II) the Borrower is in
pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1 and
(III) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in
an aggregate amount since the Closing Date for the Senior Subordinated Notes,
the Holdings Discount Debentures and any refinancing Indebtedness permitted by
Section 7.2(g)(ii) and Section 7.2(h)(ii) not in excess of the Optional Payment
Amount;

                  (b) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or
agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the
terms of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Holdings Discount Notes, the
Existing Senior Subordinated Notes or the Existing Holdings Discount Debentures
or any refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(g)(ii) or Section
7.2(h)(ii) (other than any such amendment, modification, waiver or other change
which (i) would extend the maturity or reduce the amount of any payment of
principal thereof or which would reduce the rate or extend the date for payment
of interest thereon and (ii) does not involve the payment of a consent fee);

                  (c) designate any Indebtedness other than the Obligations as
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" for the purposes of the Senior Subordinated
Note Indenture or any refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(g)(ii)
or Section 7.2(h)(ii) or the Existing Senior Subordinated Note Indenture; or

                  (d) amend its certificate of incorporation in any manner
determined by the Administrative Agent to be adverse to the Lenders without the
prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, prior to June 30, 2004, (i) the Borrower may optionally redeem the
Existing Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii)
Holdings may optionally redeem the Existing Holdings Discount Debentures in
accordance with the terms thereof, and in each case, make all required payments
to the holders thereof in accordance with such redemption.

                  7.10 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into
any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of Property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any
management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate (other than Holdings,
the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor) unless such transaction
is (a) otherwise permitted under this Agreement, (b) in the ordinary course of
business of Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and
(c) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to Holdings, the Borrower
or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than it would obtain in a comparable
arm's length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate; provided that
Holdings and its Subsidiaries may consummate the transactions required to be
consummated on the Closing Date pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

                  7.11 Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks. Enter into any
arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by SuperHoldings,
Holdings, the Borrower or any of their

<PAGE>

                                                                              88

respective Subsidiaries of real or personal property owned by Holdings, the
Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries on the Closing Date which has
been or is to be sold or transferred by SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or
such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or
are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental
obligations of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower or any its Subsidiaries may enter
into any such arrangement described in the immediately preceding sentence with
respect to any property acquired by the Borrower or such Subsidiary after the
Closing Date to the extent otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement,
provided that such arrangement is entered into within 90 days after such
property is acquired by the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

                  7.12 Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods. Permit the
fiscal year of the Borrower to end on a day other than March 31 or change the
Borrower's method of determining fiscal quarters.

                  7.13 Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or
suffer to exist or become effective any agreement which prohibits or limits the
ability of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of
its Property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the
Obligations or, in the case of any guarantor, its obligations under the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, other than (a) this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, (b) the Holdings Discount Notes Indenture and the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture or any refinancing thereof permitted by Section
7.2(g) or Section 7.2(h) and (c) any agreements governing any purchase money
Liens or Capital Lease Obligations otherwise permitted hereby (in which case,
any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets
financed thereby).

                  7.14 Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions.
Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to (a) pay
dividends or make any other distributions in respect of any Capital Stock of
such Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Borrower or any
other Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) make loans or advances to the Borrower or
any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or (c) transfer any of its assets to the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for such encumbrances
or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing
under the Loan Documents, the Holdings Discount Notes Indenture or the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture or any refinancing thereof permitted by Section
7.2(g) or Section 7.2(h) and (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary
imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into in connection with
the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of
such Subsidiary.

                  7.15 Limitation on Lines of Business. Enter into any business,
either directly or through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or
which are related, ancillary or complementary thereto.
<PAGE>

                                                                              89

                  7.16 Merger Agreement. Amend, modify, waive or supplement the
Merger Agreement in a manner which is materially adverse to the Lenders without
the consent of the Administrative Agent.

                  7.17 Limitation on Activities of Holdings and SuperHoldings.
(a) In the case of Holdings, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) conduct, transact or otherwise engage
in, or commit to conduct, transact or otherwise engage in, any business or
operations other than those incidental to its ownership of the Capital Stock of
the Borrower, (ii) incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness or
other liabilities or financial obligations, except (A) nonconsensual obligations
imposed by operation of law, (B) pursuant to the Loan Documents to which it is a
party, (C) obligations with respect to its Capital Stock and (D) the Holdings
Discount Notes or any refinancing thereof permitted by Section 7.2(h)(ii) or the
Existing Holdings Discount Debentures, (iii) own, lease, manage or otherwise
operate any properties or assets (including cash (other than cash received from
the Borrower in accordance with Section 7.6 pending application in the manner
contemplated by said Section) and cash equivalents) other than the ownership of
shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower or (iv) own the Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Holdings may refinance the Holdings Discount Notes to the extent
permitted by Sections 7.2 and 7.9.

                  (b) In the case of SuperHoldings, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) conduct, transact
or otherwise engage in, or commit to conduct, transact or otherwise engage in,
any business or operations other than those incidental to its ownership of the
Capital Stock of Holdings, (ii) incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any
Indebtedness or other liabilities or financial obligations, except (A)
nonconsensual obligations imposed by operation of law, (B) pursuant to the Loan
Documents to which it is a party and (C) obligations with respect to its Capital
Stock and (iii) own, lease, manage or otherwise operate any properties or assets
(including cash (other than cash received from Holdings in accordance with
Section 7.6 pending application in the manner contemplated by said Section) and
cash equivalents) other than the ownership of shares of Capital Stock of
Holdings or (iv) own the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary (other than Holdings
and its Subsidiaries).

                           SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                  If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

                  (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan
         or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms
         hereof; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or
         Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or
         under any other Loan Document, within five days after any such interest
         or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

                  (b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any
         Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or which is contained
         in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished
         by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any
         such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any
         material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

<PAGE>
                                                                              90

                  (c) Any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section
         6.4(a) (with respect to Holdings and the Borrower only), Section 6.7(a)
         or Section 7; or

                  (d) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any
         other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through
         (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a
         period of 30 days; or

                  (e) SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
         respective Subsidiaries shall (i) default in making any payment of any
         principal of any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any
         Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans) on the scheduled or
         original due date with respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any
         payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of
         grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such
         Indebtedness was created; or (iii) default in the observance or
         performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such
         Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing,
         securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or
         condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or
         condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or beneficiary of such
         Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
         beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such
         Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (in the case
         of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation) to become
         payable; provided, that a default, event or condition described in
         clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time
         constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more
         defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clauses (i),
         (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be
         continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding principal
         amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $2,500,000; or

                  (f) (i) SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
         respective Subsidiaries shall commence any case, proceeding or other
         action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction,
         domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
         or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with
         respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or
         seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up,
         liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to
         it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee,
         custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or
         any substantial part of its assets, or Holdings, the Borrower or any of
         their respective Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for the
         benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against
         SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
         Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred
         to in clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for
         relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains
         undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii)
         there shall be commenced against SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower
         or any of their respective Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other
         action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
         distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its
         assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which
         shall not have been

<PAGE>

                                                                              91

         vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days
         from the entry thereof; or (iv) SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower
         or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall take any action in
         furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or
         acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or
         (iii) above; or (v) SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of
         their respective Subsidiaries shall generally not, or shall be unable
         to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they
         become due; or

                  (g) (i) Any Person shall engage in any "prohibited
         transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
         Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
         defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist
         with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan
         shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled
         Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or
         proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee
         shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer
         Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or
         appointment of a trustee is, in the reasonable opinion of the Required
         Lenders, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes
         of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for
         purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the Borrower or any Commonly
         Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the Required
         Lenders is likely to, incur any liability in connection with a
         withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a
         Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or condition shall occur or
         exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through
         (vi) above, such event or condition, together with all other such
         events or conditions, if any, could, in the sole judgment of the
         Required Lenders, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect; or

                  (h) One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against
         SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
         Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or fully
         covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has
         acknowledged coverage) of $2,500,000 or more, and all such judgments or
         decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded
         pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof; or

                  (i) Any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason,
         to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of
         any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by any of the
         Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect
         and priority purported to be created thereby; or

                  (j) (i) Any Person or "group" (within the meaning of Section
         13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
         other than the Primary Investors (A) shall have acquired beneficial
         ownership of a greater percentage of SuperHoldings' voting common stock
         than is then held by the Primary Investors or (B) shall obtain the
         power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the Borrower's,
         Holding's or SuperHoldings's directors (for purposes of this clause
         (i), and clause (ii)(B) below, any shares of voting stock that are
         required to be voted for a nominee of any Primary Investor shall be
         deemed to be held by such Primary Investor for purposes of determining
         the

<PAGE>

                                                                              92

         voting power held by any Person); or (ii) (A) the board of directors of
         the Borrower, Holdings or SuperHoldings shall not consist of a majority
         of Continuing Directors; as used in this paragraph "Continuing
         Directors" shall mean the directors the Borrower, Holdings or
         SuperHoldings, as the case may be, on the Closing Date and each other
         director, if such other director's nomination for election to the board
         of directors of the Borrower, Holdings or SuperHoldings is recommended
         by a majority of the then Continuing Directors or (B) the Primary
         Investors shall cease to be able to elect a majority of the board of
         directors of (x) SuperHoldings, (y) through SuperHoldings, Holdings, or
         (z) through Holdings, the Borrower; or (iii) the Primary Investors
         shall cease to own legally and beneficially at least 51% of each
         outstanding class of Capital Stock having ordinary voting power in the
         election of directors of SuperHoldings; or (iv) prior to the merger
         contemplated by Section 7.4(d), SuperHoldings shall cease to own
         legally and beneficially 90% of each class of Capital Stock of
         Holdings, free of Liens (other than Liens created by the Security
         Documents); or (v) Holdings shall cease to own legally and beneficially
         100% of each class of Capital Stock of the Borrower, free of Liens
         (other than Liens created by the Security Documents); or (vi) a "change
         of control" as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or the
         Holdings Discount Notes Indenture shall occur; or

                  (k) The Senior Subordinated Notes, any refinancing thereof
         pursuant to Section 7.2(g)(ii) or the guarantees thereof shall cease,
         for any reason, to be validly subordinated to the Obligations or the
         obligations of the Guarantors under the Loan Documents, as the case may
         be, as provided in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or any other
         applicable documentation, or any Loan Party shall so assert;

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower,
Holdings or SuperHoldings, automatically the Commitments shall immediately
terminate and the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other
amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including,
without limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the
beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the
documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B)
if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following
actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Majority Revolving Credit
Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the
Majority Revolving Credit Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by
notice to the Borrower declare the Revolving Credit Commitments to be terminated
forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments shall immediately
terminate; (ii) with the consent of the Majority Incremental Revolving Credit
Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the
Majority Incremental Revolving Credit Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent
shall, by notice to the Borrower declare the Incremental Revolving Credit
Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Incremental Revolving
Credit Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (iii) with the consent of
the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the
Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower,
declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other
amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including,
without limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the
beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the
documents required thereunder) to be due

<PAGE>

                                                                              93

and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and
payable. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment
for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to
this paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral
account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then
undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such
cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the
payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion
thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn
upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrower
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After all such Letters of Credit
shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall
have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if
any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower (or such
other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). Except as expressly provided
above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any
kind are hereby expressly waived by SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower.

                           SECTION 9. THE AGENTS

                  9.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and
appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on
its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated
to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Administrative Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, or 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 the Administrative Agent.

                  9.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute
any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or
through agents or attorneys in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel
concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall
not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                  9.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither any Agent nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be
taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by
a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted from its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct)
or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer
thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any
certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document

<PAGE>

                                                                              94

or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or
sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of
any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder. The Agents shall not 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 properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

                  9.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any
instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit,
letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order 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, without limitation, counsel to the Loan
Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of
any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of
assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in
failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the
Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it
deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the
Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent
shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request
of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders),
and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall
be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

                  9.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a
Lender, Holdings or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such
Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of
default". In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the
Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if
so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the
Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative
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 in the best interests of the Lenders.

                  9.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender
expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have
made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent
hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any
affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or
warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that
it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender,
and based on such documents and

<PAGE>

                                                                              95

information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made
its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any
Agent 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 analysis,
appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary
to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except
for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to
the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent
shall have no duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or
other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition
(financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any
affiliate of a Loan Party which may come into the possession of the
Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

                  9.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent
in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Holdings or the
Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Holdings or the Borrower to do
so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in
effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section 9.7
(or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments
shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in
accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to such
date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind whatsoever which may at any time (including, without limitation, at any
time following the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments,
this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by
or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in
connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable
for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
which are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The agreements in this Section 9.7 shall survive the payment of the
Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                  9.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its
affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any
kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent was not an Agent. With
respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of
Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have the same rights
and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and
may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms "Lender" and
"Lenders" shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

                  9.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days' notice to the Lenders and the
Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under
this Agreement and the other

<PAGE>
                                                                              96

Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a
successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of
Default under Section 8(a) or Section 8(f) with respect to the Borrower shall
have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such
successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the
Administrative Agent, and the term "Administrative Agent" shall mean such
successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former
Administrative Agent's rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall
be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such
former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any
holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as
Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a retiring
Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the
Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
agent as provided for above. After any retiring Agent's resignation as Agent,
the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents.

                  9.10 Authorization to Release Liens. The Administrative Agent
is hereby irrevocably authorized by each of the Lenders to release any Lien
covering any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is the
subject of a Disposition which is permitted by this Agreement or which has been
consented to in accordance with Section 10.1.

                  9.11 Co-Documentation Agents and Syndication Agent. Neither
the Co-Documentation Agents nor the Syndication Agent shall have any duties or
responsibilities hereunder in its capacity as such.

                           SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

                  10.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other
Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or
modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.1. The
Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or
(with the written consent of the Required Lenders) the Administrative Agent and
each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a)
enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the
other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders
or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and
conditions as the Required Lenders, or the Administrative Agent, as the case may
be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its
consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment,
supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the
final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan, extend the scheduled date of any
amortization payment in respect of any Term Loan, reduce the stated rate of any
interest, fee or letter of credit commission payable hereunder or extend the
scheduled date of any payment thereof, extend the duration of any Interest
Period beyond six months, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date
of any Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment or Incremental Revolving Credit
Commitment, in

<PAGE>
                                                                              97

each case without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; (ii)
amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 10.1 or reduce any
percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders or Required
Prepayment Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any
of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release Holdings or, while
SuperHoldings remains in existence, SuperHoldings or all or substantially all of
the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, in each case without the written consent of all Lenders;
(iii) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Majority Facility
Lenders without the written consent of all Lenders under each affected Facility;
(iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 without the written
consent of the Administrative Agent; (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of
Section 3 without the written consent of the Issuing Lender; (vii) amend, modify
or waive any provision of Section 2.6 or 2.7 or increase or decrease the amount
of Swing Line Commitment without the written consent of the Swing Line Lender;
(viii) amend or modify the definition of "Borrowing Base", "Eligible Accounts
Receivable", "Eligible Inventory" or "Over Advance Amount", in each case without
the consent of the Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, or (ix) amend, modify or
waive any provision of Sections 2.18(a), (b), (c) or (d) without the written
consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby or, with respect to Sections
2.18(e), (f) or (g) without the written consent of the Majority Facility Lenders
in respect of each Facility adversely affected thereby. Any such waiver and any
such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the
Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any
waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be
restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be
cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

                  10.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when
received by a responsible officer of the addressee, addressed as follows in the
case of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and
as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative
Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter
notified by the respective parties hereto:

            SuperHoldings and                NBC Acquisition Corp.
               Holdings:                     4700 South 19th Street
                                             Lincoln, Nebraska 68501
                                             Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                             Facsimile: 402-421-0507

<PAGE>

                                                                              98

            The Borrower:                  Nebraska Book Company, Inc.
                                           4700 South 19th Street
                                           Lincoln, Nebraska 68501
                                           Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                           Facsimile: 402-421-0507

            The Administrative Agent:      JPMorgan Chase Bank
                                           Bank Loans and Agency Services
                                           1111 Fannin Street, 10th Floor
                                           Houston, TX 77002
                                           Attention: Shaji Easo
                                           Facsimile: 713-750-2599

                     with a copy to:       JPMorgan Chase Bank
                                           270 Park Avenue
                                           New York, New York 10017
                                           Attention: Neil Boylan
                                           Facsimile: 212-270-6637

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.

                  Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may
be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures
approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not
apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the
Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the
Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other
communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to
procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be
limited to particular notices or communications.

                  10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise
and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or
privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges
provided by law.

                  10.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and
in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the making of the Loans hereunder.

                  10.5 Payment of Expenses. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or
reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable documented
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and
execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and any other documents

<PAGE>
                                                                              99

prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and
administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of
counsel to the Administrative Agent (with such counsel to include no more than
one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction so long as such counsel are
engaged with the Borrower's prior written consent), (b) to pay or reimburse each
Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other
documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and
other charges of one counsel (and the allocated fees and expenses of in-house
counsel) to each Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay,
indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless from, any
and all recording and filing fees or any amendment, supplement or modification
of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other
Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold
each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective officers,
directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling persons (each, an
"indemnitee") harmless from and against any and all other liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the
execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including,
without limitation, any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the
Loans or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any
Environmental Law applicable to the operations of Holdings, the Borrower any of
their respective Subsidiaries or any of the Properties and the reasonable fees,
disbursements and other charges of one counsel (and the allocated fees and
expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel to the
Administrative Agent (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the
"indemnified liabilities"), provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation
hereunder to any indemnitee with respect to indemnified liabilities (i) to the
extent such indemnified liabilities are found by a final and nonappealable
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such indemnitee or (ii) arising from a
lawsuit or administrative proceeding against such indemnitee if the Borrower was
not given notice of such lawsuit or administrative proceeding and an opportunity
to participate in the defense thereof at its own expense. Without limiting the
foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower agrees
not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and
agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to so waive, all rights for contribution or any
other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines,
liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or
nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by
statute or otherwise against any indemnitee. The agreements in this Section
shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                  10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Lender that issues any
Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower
without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or
otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with
this Section.

<PAGE>

                                                                             100

                  (b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph
(b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an
"Assignee") all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing
to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably
delayed or withheld) of:

                           (A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the
         Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate
         of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of
         Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; and

                           (B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no
         consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment
         of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a
         Lender or an Approved Fund.

                  (ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional
conditions:

                           (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender,
         an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the
         entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitments or Loans
         under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the
         assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the
         date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is
         delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than
         $5,000,000 (or, in the case of Term Facility, $1,000,000 or, in the
         case of the Incremental Revolving Credit Facility, $1,000,000) unless
         each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent,
         provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if
         an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) has occurred and is
         continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each
         prospective Lender and its Affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

                           (B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and
         deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption,
         together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (treating
         multiple or simultaneous assignments by or to two or more Approved
         Funds or two or more funds that are engaged in making, purchasing,
         holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in
         the ordinary course of business that are managed by the same investment
         advisor or Affiliated advisors as a single assignment); and

                           (C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall
         deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire.

                  For the purposes of this Section 10.6, "Approved Fund" means
any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing,
holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the
ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a
Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an
entity that administers or manages a Lender; provided that, for purposes of
proviso (2) of clause (b)(ii)(A) above, in connection with an assignment to a
prospective Lender not previously a

<PAGE>
                                                                             101

Lender, the term "Lender" as it is used in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this
paragraph shall mean such prospective Lender.

                  (iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to
paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each
Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and,
to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have
the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning
Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement
(and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning
Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to
be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections
2.19, 2.20, 2.21 and 10.5). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or
obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 10.6
shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a
participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this Section.

                  (iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an
agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each
Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of
the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal
amount of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the
terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register
shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Lender and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the
Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of
this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Lender and any Lender, at
any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and
Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee's
completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a
Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph
(b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by
paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such
Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the
Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless
it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

                  (c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or
the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other
entities (a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments
and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender's obligations under
this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations
and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the other
Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any
agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide
that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to
approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement; provided that such

<PAGE>

                                                                             102

agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the
Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires
the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to
the second sentence of Section 10.1 and (2) directly affects such Participant.
Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each
Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.19, 2.20 and 2.21 to
the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by
assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by
law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7(b)
as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to
Section 10.7(a) as though it were a Lender.

                  (ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any
greater payment under Section 2.19 or 2.20 than the applicable Lender would have
been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such
Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made
with the Borrower's prior written consent. Any Participant that is a Non-U.S.
Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.20 unless such
Participant complies with Section 2.20(d).

                  (d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure
obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure
obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any
such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge
or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender
as a party hereto.

                  (e) The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the
relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to
facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (d) above.

                  (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may
assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating
Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and
without regard to the limitations set forth in Section 10.6(b). Each of
Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms
that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in
instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or
similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest
maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however,
that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save
and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense
arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit
Lender during such period of forbearance.

                  10.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this
Agreement provides for payments to be allocated to the Lenders under a
particular Facility, if any Lender (a "Benefitted Lender") shall at any time
receive any payment of all or part of its Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations
owing to it, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof
(whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or
proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or otherwise), in a
greater proportion than any such payment to

<PAGE>

                                                                             103

or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other
Lender's Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations owing to such other Lender, or
interest thereon, such Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other
Lenders a participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender's
Loan and/or of the Reimbursement Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or
shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or
the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to
share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with
each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such
excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender,
such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned,
to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

                  (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders
provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to
SuperHoldings, Holdings or the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived
by SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower to the extent permitted by
applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by SuperHoldings,
Holdings or the Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise) to set off and appropriate and apply against such
amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or
final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any
currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender, any Affiliate
thereof or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of
SuperHoldings, Holdings or the Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify
SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any
such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

                  10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or
more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts
(including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this
Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.

                  10.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

                  10.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents
represent the agreement of SuperHoldings, Holdings, the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not
expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

                  10.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE

<PAGE>

                                                                             104

GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  10.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each of
SuperHoldings, Holdings and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

                  (a) submits for itself and its Property in any legal action or
         proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to
         which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment
         in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the
         Courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of
         America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts
         from any thereof;

                  (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought
         in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter
         have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or
         that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and
         agrees not to plead or claim the same;

                  (c) agrees that service of process in any such action or
         proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or
         certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
         prepaid, to SuperHoldings, Holdings or the Borrower, as the case may be
         at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address of
         which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant
         thereto;

                  (d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to
         effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
         limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

                  (e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any
         right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding
         referred to in this Section 10.12 any special, exemplary, punitive or
         consequential damages.

                  10.13 Acknowledgements. Each of SuperHoldings, Holdings and
the Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

                  (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
         execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

                  (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any
         fiduciary relationship with or duty to SuperHoldings, Holdings or the
         Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of
         the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Administrative
         Agent and Lenders, on one hand, and SuperHoldings, Holdings and the
         Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is
         solely that of debtor and creditor; and

                  (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan
         Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions
         contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among SuperHoldings, Holdings,
         the Borrower and the Lenders.

<PAGE>

                                                                             105

                  10.14 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. SUPERHOLDINGS, HOLDINGS, THE
BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING
TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

                  10.15 Confidentiality. The Administrative Agent and each
Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by
any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Loan Party
as confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative
Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the
Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate of any Lender, (b) to
any Participant or Assignee (each, a "Transferee") or prospective Transferee
which agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section, (c) to the
employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional
advisors of such Lender or its affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or such
Lender, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental
Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law,
(f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or
similar proceeding, (g) which has been publicly disclosed other than in breach
of this Section 10.15, (h) to the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating
agency that requires access to information about a Lender's investment portfolio
in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (i) in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document or
(j) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or
such contractual counterparty's professional advisor (so long as such
contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual
counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section).

                  10.16 Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the Existing
Credit Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall be deemed to be an amendment to and
restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement and the Existing Credit Agreement
as amended and restated hereby shall remain in full force and effect and is
hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects. All extensions of credit under
the Existing Credit Agreement on the Closing Date shall remain outstanding
following the Closing Date and shall be continued under this Agreement, as
amended in the manner set forth herein. All references to the Existing Credit
Agreement in any other agreement or document shall, on and after the Closing
Date, be deemed to refer to the Existing Credit Agreement as amended and
restated hereby. The Borrower agrees, acknowledges and affirms that (i) each of
the Security Documents to which it is a party shall remain in full force and
effect and shall constitute security for all extensions of credit pursuant to
the Existing Credit Agreement as amended and restated hereby and (ii) any
reference to the Existing Credit Agreement appearing in any such Security
Document shall on and after the Closing Date be deemed to refer to the Existing
Credit Agreement as amended and restated hereby.

                  (b) On the Closing Date, each Exiting Lender shall cease to be
a party to this Agreement.

<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                     NBC HOLDINGS CORP.

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     NBC ACQUISITION CORP.

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     NEBRASKA BOOK COMPANY, INC.

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
                                     as Administrative Agent and as a Lender

                                     By: _______________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX A

         PRICING GRID FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS, INCREMENTAL REVOLVING
                       CREDIT LOANS AND SWING LINE LOANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Consolidated                  Applicable Margin for Eurodollar    Applicable Margin for
Leverage Ratio                               Loans                    Base Rate Loans
--------------                 --------------------------------    ---------------------
<S>                            <C>                                 <C>
>4.0 to 1.0                                 2.75%                         1.75%

< or = 4.0 to 1.0 but                       2.50%                         1.50%
>3.5 to 1.0

< or = 3.5 to 1.0 but                       2.25%                         1.25%
>3.0 to 1.0

< or = 3.0 to 1.0                           2.00%                         1.00%
</TABLE>

Changes in the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans,
Incremental Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans resulting from changes
in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the
"Adjustment Date") on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders
pursuant to Section 6.1 (but in any event not later than the 45th day after the
end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year or the 90th
day after the end of each fiscal year, as the case may be) and shall remain in
effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any
financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time periods
specified above, then, until such financial statements are delivered, the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at the end of the fiscal period that would have
been covered thereby shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be
greater than 4.0 to 1. In addition, at all times while an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall for the
purposes of this definition be deemed to be greater than 4.0 to 1. Each
determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to this definition
shall be made with respect to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of
the Borrower ending at the end of the period covered by the relevant financial
statements.

<PAGE>

                                                                   SCHEDULE 1.1A

                                   COMMITMENTS

                               [posted separately]<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

Instrument Prepared by and When
Recorded Return to:
Marc D. Glenn, Esq.
Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy LLP
191 Peachtree Street, N.E., 16th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

                     MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, FINANCING
                          STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING

         THIS MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE
FILING ("MORTGAGE") is made as of October ___, 2004, by EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP,
L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership ("MORTGAGOR"), with the mailing address of
7700 Wolf River Boulevard, Germantown, Tennessee 38138 for the benefit of ING
USA ANNUITY AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Iowa corporation ("MORTGAGEE") with
the mailing address of c/o ING Investment Management LLC, 5780 Powers Ferry
Road, NW, Suite 300, Atlanta, Georgia 30327-4349.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Mortgagor has executed and delivered to Mortgagee a Promissory
Note dated on or about this same date in the principal amount of FORTY MILLION
SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($40,600,000.00), (which Promissory
Note, together with all notes issued and accepted in substitution or exchange
therefor, and as any of the foregoing may from time to time be modified,
extended, renewed, consolidated, restated or replaced, is hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "NOTE"), which Note provides, among other things, for final
payment of principal and interest under the Note, if not sooner paid or payable
as provided therein, to be due on or before November 1, 2024, the Note by this
reference thereto being incorporated herein; and

         WHEREAS, Mortgagee is desirous of securing the prompt payment of the
Note together with interest, charges and prepayment fees, if any, thereon in
accordance with the terms of the Note, and any additional indebtedness accruing
to Mortgagee on account of any future payments, advances or expenditures made by
Mortgagee pursuant to the Note or this Mortgage and any additional sums with
interest thereon which may be loaned to Mortgagor by Mortgagee or advanced under
the Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined) (all hereinafter sometimes
collectively referred to as the "INDEBTEDNESS").

         NOW, THEREFORE, Mortgagor, to secure payment of the Indebtedness and
the performance of the covenants and agreements herein contained to be performed
by Mortgagor, for good and valuable consideration in hand paid, the receipt and
sufficiency whereof are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound,
hereby agrees and covenants as follows:

                  NOTE TO RECORDER: DUPLICATE COUNTERPARTS OF THIS MORTGAGE ARE
                  BEING RECORDED IN BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES, FLORIDA.
                  DOCUMENTARY STAMP AND NONRECURRING INTANGIBLES TAXES ARE BEING
                  PAID IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

         1. GRANTING CLAUSES. Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and absolutely does
by these presents GRANT AND CONVEY, MORTGAGE, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, BARGAIN AND SELL
to Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, with all powers of sale (if any) and
all statutory rights under the laws of the State of Florida, and grants to
Mortgagee a security interest in, all of Mortgagor's present and hereafter
acquired estate, right, title and interest in, to and under the following
(collectively referred to herein as the "PREMISES"):

         (a) That certain real property situated in Broward and Palm Beach
Counties, Florida and more particularly described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto
and incorporated herein by this reference (the "LAND"), together with all
buildings, structures and improvements now or hereafter erected on the Land,
together with all fixtures and items that are to become fixtures thereto
(collectively, the "IMPROVEMENTS");

         (b) To the extent legally assignable or transferable, all and singular
the easements, rights-of-way, licenses, permits, rights of use or occupancy,
privileges, tenements, appendages, hereditaments and appurtenances and other
rights and privileges attached or belonging to the Land or Improvements or in
any wise appertaining thereto, whether now or in the future, and all the rents,
issues and profits from the Land or Improvements;

         (c) The land lying within any street, alley, avenue, roadway or
right-of-way open or proposed or hereafter vacated in front of or adjoining the
Land; and all right, title and interest, if any, of Mortgagor in and to any
strips and gores adjoining the Land;

         (d) All machinery, apparatus, equipment, goods, systems, building
materials, carpeting, furnishings, fixtures, fittings, appliances, furniture and
property of every kind and nature whatsoever, now or hereafter located in or
upon or affixed to the Land or Improvements, or any part thereof, or used or
usable in connection with any construction on or any present or future operation
of the Land or Improvements, now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor,
including, but without limitation of the generality of the foregoing: all right,
title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the furnishings, fixtures, equipment,
heating, lighting, refrigerating, ventilating, air-conditioning, air-cooling,
electrical, fuel, garbage, sanitary drainage, removal of dust, refuse or
garbage, fire extinguishing, plumbing, cleaning, telephone, communications and
power equipment, systems and apparatus; and all elevators, switchboards, motors,
pumps, screens, awnings, floor coverings, cabinets, partitions, conduits, ducts
and compressors; and all cranes and craneways, oil storage, sprinkler/fire
protection and water service equipment; and also including any of such property
stored on the Land or Improvements or in warehouses and intended to be used in
connection with or incorporated into the Land or Improvements or for the pursuit
of any other activity in which Mortgagor may be engaged on the Land or
Improvements, and including without limitation all tools, musical instruments
and systems, cabinets, awnings, window shades, venetian blinds, drapes and
drapery rods and brackets, screens, carpeting and other window and floor
coverings, decorative fixtures, plants, cleaning apparatus, and cleaning
equipment, refrigeration equipment, cables, computers, software, books,
supplies, kitchen equipment, motor vehicles, appliances, tractors, lawn mowers,
ground sweepers and tools, swimming pools, whirlpools, recreational or play
equipment together with all substitutions, accessions, repairs, additions and
replacements to any of the foregoing; it being understood and

                                       2

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

agreed that all such machinery, equipment, apparatus, goods, systems, fixtures,
fittings, appliances, furniture, building materials, and property are a part of
the Improvements and are declared to be a portion of the security for the
Indebtedness (whether in single units or centrally controlled, and whether
physically attached to said real estate or not), excluding, however, personal
property owned by tenants of the Land or Improvements;

         (e) Any and all awards, payments or insurance proceeds, including
interest thereon, and the right to receive the same, which may be paid or
payable with respect to the Land or Improvements or other properties described
above as a result of: (1) the exercise of the right of eminent domain or action
in lieu thereof; or (2) the alteration of the grade of any street; or (3) any
fire, casualty, accident, damage or other injury to or decrease in the value of
the Land or Improvements or other properties described above, to the extent of
all amounts which may be secured by this Mortgage at the date of receipt of any
such award or payment by Mortgagor or Mortgagee, and of the reasonable counsel
fees, costs and disbursements incurred by Mortgagor or Mortgagee in connection
with the collection of such award or payment. Mortgagor agrees to execute and
deliver, from time to time, such further instruments as may be requested by
Mortgagee to confirm such assignment to Mortgagee of any such award or payment;

         (f) Any and all accounts receivable and any right of Mortgagor to
payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, whether or not yet
earned by performance, and whether or not evidenced by an instrument or chattel
paper, arising from the operation of the Land or Improvements, now existing or
hereafter created, substitutions therefor, proceeds thereof (whether cash or
noncash, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible) received upon the sale,
exchange, transfer, collection or other disposition or substitution thereof and
any or all of the foregoing and proceeds therefrom, all income, rents, room
rates, issues, profits, revenues, deposits, accounts, and other benefits from
the operation of the hotel on the Land and/or the Improvements, including,
without limitation, all revenues and credit card receipts collected from guest
rooms, restaurants, bars, mini-bars, meeting rooms, banquet rooms and
recreational facilities and otherwise, all receivables, customer obligations,
installment payment obligations and other obligations now existing or hereafter
arising or created out of sale, lease, sublease, license, concessions or other
grant of the right of the possession, use or occupancy of all or any portion of
the Land and/or Improvements, or personalty located thereon, or rendering of
services by Mortgagor or any operator or manager of the hotel or the commercial
space located in the Improvements or acquired from others including without
limitation, from the rental of any office space, retail space, commercial space,
guest room or other space, halls, stores or offices, including any deposits
securing reservations of such space, exhibit or sales space of every kind,
license, lease, sublease and concession fees and rentals, health club membership
fees, food and beverage wholesale and retail sales, service charges and vending
machine sales;

         (g) To the extent permitted under applicable laws, any and all
authorizations, licenses, permits, contracts, management agreements, franchise
agreements, and occupancy and other certificates concerning the ownership, use
and operation of the Land or Improvements;

         (h) All monies on deposit for the payment of real estate taxes or
special assessments against the Land or Improvements or for the payment of
premiums on policies of fire and other

                                       3

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

hazard insurance covering the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) or the Land or
Improvements; all proceeds paid for damage done to the Collateral or the Land or
Improvements; all proceeds of any award or claim for damages for any of the
Collateral or the Land or Improvements taken or damaged under the power of
eminent domain or by condemnation; and all tenants' or security deposits held by
Mortgagor in respect of the Land or Improvements;

         (i) Any and all leases, occupancy agreements, tenancies affecting the
Land or Improvements and any and all names under or by which the Land or the
Improvements may at any time be operated or known (including, without
limitation, all Mortgagor's right, title and interest in any subleases, licenses
or parking agreements pursuant to the Operating Leases, or otherwise), and all
rights to carry on business under any such names or any variant thereof, and all
trademarks, trade names, patents, patents pending and goodwill with respect to
the Land or Improvements;

         (j) Any and all shares of stock, membership or partnership interest or
other evidence of ownership of any part of the Land or Improvements that is
owned by Mortgagor in common with others, including all water stock relating to
the Land or Improvements, if any, and all documents of membership in any owners'
or members' association or similar group having responsibility for managing or
operating any part of the Land or Improvements and any management agreements;

         (k) Any and all plans and specifications prepared for construction of
improvements on the Land or Improvements and all studies, data and drawings
related thereto; and all contracts and agreements of Mortgagor relating to the
aforesaid plans and specifications or to the aforesaid studies, data and
drawings, or to the construction of improvements on the Land or Improvements;

         (l) Any and all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest in, to and
under any and all reserve, deposit or escrow accounts made pursuant to any loan
documents made between Mortgagor and Mortgagee with respect to the Land or
Improvements, together with all income, profits, benefits and advantages arising
therefrom;

         (m) Any and all goods, accounts, general intangibles, chattel paper,
instruments, documents, consumer goods, equipment and inventory (as defined in
the Florida Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC")) located on and used in the
operation of the Land or Improvements;

         (n) All of Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to deposit
accounts and letter of credit rights (as defined in the UCC) with respect to the
Land and Improvements;

         (o) Any and all substitutions, accessions, additions and replacements
to any of the foregoing;

         (p) Any and all products and proceeds of any of the foregoing, or with
respect to the Land or Improvements, including without limitation, insurance
proceeds, proceeds of any voluntary or involuntary disposition or diminution in
value of any of the foregoing or of the Land

                                       4

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
or Improvements, and any claim respecting any thereof (pursuant to judgment,
condemnation award or otherwise) and all goods, accounts, general intangibles,
chattel paper, instruments, documents, consumer goods, equipment and inventory,
wherever located, acquired with the proceeds of any of the foregoing or proceeds
thereof. For purposes of this Mortgage, the term "PROCEEDS" means whatever is
received when any of the foregoing or the proceeds thereof (including, without
limitation, cash proceeds) is sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of
(including involuntary dispositions or destruction and claims for damages
thereto), including without limitation cash proceeds, insurance proceeds,
condemnation proceeds, and any other rights or property arising under or
receivable upon any such disposition; and

         (q) All right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to (i) those five
(5) certain lease agreements (more particularly described on EXHIBIT "B"
attached hereto and, by reference, made a part hereof) between Mortgagor, as
landlord, and ENN Leasing Company, Inc., a Tennessee corporation ("ENN"), as
tenant (individually, "OPERATING LEASE" and collectively, the "OPERATING
LEASES"); (ii) that certain Subordination Agreement dated of even date herewith
executed by ENN and Mortgagor in favor of Mortgagee, together with any
extensions, modifications and renewals thereof; (iii) those five (5) certain
Management Agreements (individually, a "MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT" and collectively,
the "MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS") by and between ENN and Hospitality Group, Inc., a
Florida corporation ("MANAGER"), with respect to the operation of the hotels on
the Premises; and (iv) the "Collateral", as that term is defined in that certain
Assignment and Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and
between ENN and Mortgagor (the "ASA"), together with all other right, title and
interest granted to Mortgagor in, under and to the ASA.

         The parties intend the definition of Premises to be broadly construed
and in the case of doubt as to whether a particular item is to be included in
the definition of Premises, the doubt should be resolved in favor of inclusion.

         TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Premises with all rights, privileges and
appurtenances thereunto belonging, and all income, rents, royalties, revenues,
issues, profits and proceeds therefrom, unto Mortgagee, its successors and
assigns, forever, for the uses and purposes herein expressed.

         THIS MORTGAGE IS GIVEN TO SECURE: Payment of the Indebtedness; payment
of such additional sums with interest thereon which may hereafter be loaned to
Mortgagor by Mortgagee pursuant to the Note or Mortgage or otherwise advanced
under the Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined), including without limitation
advances made by Mortgagee to protect the Premises or the lien and interest of
this Mortgage or to pay taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, and all other
amounts that Mortgagor has agreed to pay pursuant to the provisions hereof or
that Mortgagee has incurred by reason of the occurrence of an Event of Default
(as hereinafter defined), including without limitation, advances made to enable
the completion of the Improvements or any restoration thereof, even though the
aggregate amount outstanding at any time may exceed the original principal
balance stated herein and in the Note; and the due, prompt and complete
performance of each and every covenant, condition and agreement contained in
this Mortgage, the Note, and every other agreement, document and instrument to
which reference

                                       5

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
is expressly made in this Mortgage or which at any time evidences or secures the
Indebtedness evidenced by the Note (this Mortgage, the Note and guaranty of
Mortgagor to Mortgagee and all such other agreements, documents and instruments,
but excluding the certain Environmental Indemnification Agreement executed by
Mortgagor, are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "LOAN
DOCUMENTS"). Mortgagor hereby warrants that Mortgagor has good and marketable
title to the Premises, is lawfully seized and possessed of the Premises and
every part thereof, and has the right to convey same; that Mortgagor will
forever warrant and defend the title to the Premises unto Mortgagee against the
claims of all persons whomsoever; and that the Premises are unencumbered except
as set forth on Mortgagee's title insurance policy dated on or about even date
herewith regarding the Premises.

         2. MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF IMPROVEMENTS, PAYMENT OF
PRIOR LIENS, ETC. Mortgagor shall: (a) promptly repair, restore or rebuild any
Improvements now or hereafter on the Premises which may become damaged or be
destroyed, such Improvements to be of at least equal value and substantially the
same character as prior to such damage or destruction; (b) keep the Premises in
good condition and repair, without waste, and free from mechanics' liens or
other liens or claims for lien (except the lien of current general taxes duly
levied and assessed but not yet due and payable); (c) immediately pay when due
or within any applicable grace period any indebtedness which may be secured by a
lien or charge on the Premises (no such lien, except for current general taxes
duly levied and assessed but not yet payable, to be permitted hereunder), and
upon request exhibit reasonably satisfactory evidence to Mortgagee of the
discharge of such lien; (d) complete within a reasonable time any Improvements
now or at any time in process of erection upon the Land; (e) comply with all
requirements of law (including, without limitation, pollution control and
environmental protection laws and laws relating to the accommodation of persons
with disabilities), ordinance or other governmental regulation in effect from
time to time affecting the Premises and the use thereof, and covenants,
easements and restrictions of record with respect to the Premises and the use
thereof; (f) make no material alterations in the Premises; (g) suffer or permit
no material change in the general nature of the use of the Premises, without
Mortgagee's written consent; (h) initiate or acquiesce in no zoning
reclassification or variance with respect to the Premises without Mortgagee's
written consent; and (i) pay each item of Indebtedness when due according to the
terms hereof or of the Note.

         3. PAYMENT OF TAXES. Mortgagor shall pay before any delinquency or any
penalty or interest attaches all general taxes, special taxes, special
assessments, water charges, sewer service charges, and all other charges against
the Premises of any nature whatsoever when due, and shall, upon written request,
furnish to Mortgagee duplicate receipts therefor.

         4. TAX DEPOSITS. Mortgagor covenants and agrees to deposit with such
depositary as the Mortgagee from time to time may in writing appoint, and in the
absence of such appointment, then at the office of Mortgagee, c/o ING Investment
Management LLC, 5780 Powers Ferry Road, NW, Suite 300, Atlanta, Georgia
30327-4349, Attention: Mortgage Loan Servicing Department, commencing on the
date of disbursement of the loan secured hereby (the LOAN") and on the first day
of each month following the month in which said disbursement occurred until the
Indebtedness is fully paid, a sum equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the last
total

                                       6

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
annual taxes and assessments for the last ascertainable year (if the current
year's taxes and assessments are not yet ascertainable) (general and special) on
the Premises (unless said taxes are based upon assessments which exclude the
Improvements or any part thereof now constructed or to be constructed, in which
event the amount of such deposits shall be based upon the Mortgagee's reasonable
estimate as to the amount of taxes and assessments to be levied and assessed).
Such deposits are to be held without any allowance of interest (unless local law
requires otherwise) and are to be used for the payment of taxes and assessments
(general and special) on the Premises next due and payable when they become due.
Upon demand by such depositary, Mortgagor shall deliver and pay over to such
depositary from time to time such additional sums or such additional security as
are necessary to make up any deficiency in the amount necessary to enable such
depositary to fully pay any of the items hereinabove mentioned as they become
payable. If the funds so deposited exceed the amount required to pay such items
hereinabove mentioned for any year, the excess shall be applied on a subsequent
deposit or deposits. Said deposits need not be kept separate and apart from any
other funds of Mortgagee or such depositary.

         If any such taxes or assessments (general or special) shall be levied,
charged, assessed or imposed upon or for the Premises, or any portion thereof,
and if such taxes or assessments shall also be a levy, charge, assessment or
imposition upon or for any other property not covered by the lien of this
Mortgage, then the computation of any amount to be deposited under this
PARAGRAPH 4 shall be based upon the entire amount of such taxes or assessments,
and Mortgagor shall not have the right to apportion the amount of any such taxes
or assessments for the purposes of such computation.

         5. MORTGAGEE'S INTEREST IN AND USE OF DEPOSITS. Upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default, Mortgagee may at its option, without being required to do
so, apply any monies at the time on deposit pursuant to PARAGRAPHS 4 and 7
hereof, on any of Mortgagor's obligations herein or in the Note or any of the
Loan Documents contained, in such order and manner as the Mortgagee may elect.
When the Indebtedness has been fully paid, any remaining deposits shall be paid
to Mortgagor or to the then owner or owners of the Premises. A security interest
within the meaning of the UCC is hereby granted to the Mortgagee in and to any
monies at any time on deposit pursuant to PARAGRAPHS 4 and 7 hereof and such
monies and all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest therein are hereby
assigned to Mortgagee, all as additional security for the Indebtedness and shall
in the absence of the occurrence of an Event of Default be applied by the
depositary for the purposes for which made hereunder and shall not be subject to
the direction or control of Mortgagor; provided, however, that neither Mortgagee
nor said depositary shall be liable for any failure to apply to the payment of
taxes and assessments and insurance premiums any amount so deposited. Neither
Mortgagee nor any depositary hereunder shall be liable for any act or omission
taken in good faith or pursuant to the instruction of any party but only for its
willful misconduct.

         6. INSURANCE.

         (a) Until the Indebtedness is fully paid, the Improvements and all
fixtures, equipment and property therein contained or installed shall be kept
unceasingly insured against loss and

                                       7

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

damage by such hazards, casualties and contingencies in such amounts and for
such periods as may from time to time be required by Mortgagee. All insurance
shall be written in policies and by insurance companies approved by Mortgagee
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as a A.M. Best
Company's Key Rating Guide Class rating of at least A X is maintained and the
policy otherwise conforms to the terms hereof. All policies of insurance and
renewals thereof shall contain standard noncontributory mortgagee loss payable
clauses to Mortgagee, shall not contain a co-insurance clause or other clause
limiting the amount of coverage under any conditions, shall have a deductible of
not more than $100,000, and shall provide for at least thirty (30) days prior
written notice of modification, termination, nonrenewal or cancellation to
Mortgagee as well as a waiver of subrogation endorsement, all as required by
Mortgagee, in form and content acceptable to Mortgagee. All policies (or
certified copies thereof) and original ACORD 27 and ACORD 25 (as to liability
only) Certificates shall, with all premiums fully paid, be delivered to
Mortgagee as issued at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of existing
policies and shall be held by Mid-North Financial Services, Inc. having an
address at 205 West Wacker Drive, Suite 202, Chicago, Illinois 60606-1296 (or
such other entity as designated by Mortgagee) until all sums hereby secured are
fully paid. Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall furnish Mortgagee
evidence of the replacement cost of the Improvements. In case of sale pursuant
to a foreclosure of this Mortgage or other transfer of title to the Premises and
extinguishment of the Indebtedness, complete title to all policies, other than
liability insurance policies, held by Mortgagee and all prepaid or unearned
premiums thereon shall pass to and vest in the purchaser or grantee. Mortgagee
shall not by reason of accepting, rejecting, approving or obtaining insurance
incur any liability for payment of losses.

         (b) Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Mortgagor covenants and agrees to maintain insurance coverage on the Premises
which shall include: (i) all risk coverage insurance (including vandalism and
malicious mischief) for an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the
full replacement cost of the Improvements, written on a replacement cost basis
and with a replacement cost endorsement (without depreciation) and an agreed
amount endorsement pertaining to the co-insurance clause, and containing a
mortgagee clause in Mortgagee's favor; and if at any time a dispute arises with
respect to replacement cost, Mortgagor agrees to provide at Mortgagor's expense,
an insurance appraisal prepared by an insurance appraiser approved by Mortgagee,
establishing the full replacement cost in a manner satisfactory to the insurance
carrier; (ii) business interruption or rent loss insurance insuring against loss
arising out of the perils insured against in the policy or policies referred to
in clause (i) above, in an amount equal to not less than gross revenue from the
Premises for twelve (12) months from the operation and rental of all
Improvements now or hereafter forming part of the Premises, based upon one
hundred percent (100%) occupancy of such Improvements, less any allocable
charges and expenses which do not continue during the period of restoration and
naming Mortgagee in a standard mortgagee loss payable clause thereunder; (iii)
comprehensive general public liability and property damage insurance with a
broad form coverage endorsement for an amount as required from time to time by
the Mortgagee but not less than an aggregate amount of Three Million and No/100
Dollars ($3,000,000.00) with a single occurrence limit of not less than Three
Million and No/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00) for claims arising from any one (1)
accident or occurrence in or upon the Premises and naming Mortgagee as an
additional insured thereunder; (iv) flood insurance whenever in Mortgagee's
judgment such protection is

                                       8

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
necessary and is available and in such case in an amount acceptable to Mortgagee
and naming Mortgagee as the loss payee thereunder; (v) earthquake insurance
whenever in Mortgagee's judgment such protection is necessary and is available
and in such case in an amount acceptable to Mortgagee and naming Mortgagee as
the loss payee thereunder, (vi) insurance covering pressure vessels, pressure
piping and machinery, if any, and all major components of any centralized
heating or air-conditioning systems located in the Improvements, in an amount
satisfactory to Mortgagee, such policies also to insure against physical damage
to such buildings and improvements arising out of peril covered thereunder; and
(vii) such other insurance that may be reasonably required from time to time by
Mortgagee.

         (c) Mortgagor shall not take out separate insurance concurrent in form
or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained
hereunder.

         7. INSURANCE PREMIUM DEPOSITS. It is further covenanted and agreed that
for the purpose of providing funds with which to pay the premiums as the same
become due on the policies of insurance as herein covenanted to be furnished by
the Mortgagor, Mortgagor shall deposit with Mortgagee or the depositary referred
to in PARAGRAPH 4 hereof on the date of disbursement of the proceeds of the Loan
and on the first day of each month following the month in which said
disbursement occurred, an amount equal to the annual premiums that will next
become due and payable on such policies less any amount then on deposit with the
Mortgagee or such depositary, divided by the number of months to elapse thirty
(30) days prior to the date when such premiums become delinquent. No interest
shall be allowed to Mortgagor on account of any deposit or deposits made
hereunder and said deposits need not be kept separate and apart from any other
funds of Mortgagee or such depositary.

         8. ADJUSTMENT OF LOSSES WITH INSURER AND APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF
INSURANCE.

         (a) In case of loss or damage by fire or other casualty, Mortgagor
shall immediately give Mortgagee and the insurance companies that have insured
against such risks written notice of such occurrence.

         (b) In case of loss or damage by fire or other casualty, Mortgagor
shall, if no Event of Default then exists hereunder, have the sole and exclusive
right to settle, compromise or adjust any claim under, and receive, for the
purpose of rebuilding and restoration, the proceeds arising from, any and all
losses payable under insurance policies to the extent the amount thereof does
not exceed One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), and all claims
for losses in excess of said amount shall be settled, compromised or adjusted
only with the mutual agreement of Mortgagor and Mortgagee and the proceeds paid
as hereinafter provided. In the event insurance proceeds in excess of One
Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) are payable or if an Event of
Default exists hereunder, then in either of such events, Mortgagee is authorized
to collect and receipt for any insurance proceeds. Insurance proceeds collected
by Mortgagee as aforesaid, after deducting therefrom any expenses incurred in
the collection thereof, shall, if requested by Mortgagor in writing within
thirty (30) days after the proceeds of insurance covering such damage or
destruction become available, be made available to Mortgagor for the purpose of
paying the cost of rebuilding or restoring of the Improvements if (i)

                                       9

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
the Premises, in Mortgagee's sole and absolute discretion is capable of being
restored to that condition which existed immediately prior to the damage or
loss, (ii) the insurance proceeds, together with all other funds which are to be
provided by Mortgagor, are sufficient to restore the Premises, (iii) Mortgagee
determines that income from the Premises shall not be materially affected
following the completion of the restoration or rebuilding, (iv) no Event of
Default then exists hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and no
circumstance or condition exists that would constitute an Event of Default upon
the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, and (v) the rebuilding and
restoration is reasonably estimated to be completed at least one hundred eighty
(180) days prior to the Maturity Date or any Call Date, as those terms are
defined in the Note. In the event that Mortgagee makes said proceeds available
to Mortgagor to pay the cost of rebuilding or restoring of the Improvements,
such proceeds shall be made available in the manner and under the conditions
that the Mortgagee may reasonably require to assure proper application of such
proceeds. In the event such insurance proceeds are made available by the
Mortgagee, the Mortgagor shall pay all reasonable costs incurred by Mortgagee in
connection with the application of such insurance proceeds (including but not
limited to reasonable costs incurred by Mortgagee, and a title company or agent
approved by Mortgagee in overseeing the disbursement of such insurance
proceeds). The Improvements shall be restored or rebuilt so as to be of at least
equal value and substantially the same character as prior to such damage or
destruction. If the projected cost of rebuilding, repairing or restoring of the
Improvements exceeds the sum of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars
($100,000.00), then insurance proceeds shall not be made available to Mortgagor
unless and until Mortgagee has approved plans and specifications for the
proposed rebuilding and restoration, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. If the proceeds are to be made available by Mortgagee to Mortgagor to
pay the cost of said rebuilding or restoration, any surplus which may remain out
of said insurance proceeds after payment of the costs of rebuilding or restoring
the Premises shall, at the option of the Mortgagee, be applied on account of the
Indebtedness or be paid to any party entitled thereto under such conditions as
Mortgagee may reasonably require. No interest shall be allowed to Mortgagor on
any proceeds held by Mortgagee.

         (c) In the event proceeds of insurance are not made available to
Mortgagor for the purpose of paying the cost of the rebuilding or restoring of
the Improvements, Mortgagee, after deducting the costs of any collection,
adjustment and compromise, shall apply such insurance proceeds in accordance
with terms of the Note upon the Indebtedness, provided that any amount so
applied by Mortgagee in reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the
Note shall be credited to installments of principal in the inverse order of
their maturity but no such application shall delay or postpone any installment
payment of principal and interest under the Note.

         9. STAMP TAX. If, by the laws of the United States of America, or of
any state having jurisdiction over Mortgagor, any tax is due or becomes due in
respect of the issuance of the Note hereby secured and this Mortgage, Mortgagor
covenants and agrees to pay such tax in the manner required by any such law.
Mortgagor further covenants to reimburse Mortgagee for any sums which Mortgagee
reasonably expends by reason of the imposition of any tax on the issuance of the
Note secured hereby and this Mortgage.

                                       10

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

         10. OBSERVANCE OF LEASE ASSIGNMENT.

         (a) As additional security for the payment of the Note secured hereby
and for the faithful performance of the terms and conditions contained herein,
Mortgagor, as landlord, has assigned to Mortgagee, by that certain Assignment of
Rents and Leases dated on or about this same date (the "ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS"),
all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest as landlord in and to all leases or
other rights of use and or occupancy of any part of the Premises (including,
without limitation, the Operating Leases), both present and future (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "LEASES") and all of the rents, issues and
profits from the Leases or guaranties thereof (hereinafter collectively referred
to as the "RENTS").

         (b) No amendments or modifications to the Operating Leases shall be
permitted or valid or enforceable without Mortgagee's prior written consent. All
Leases entered into after the date hereof are subject to the approval of
Mortgagee as to form, content and tenants, and without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, Mortgagor will not without Mortgagee's prior written consent,
enter into or make any Lease. Any permitted Lease shall require actual occupancy
by the lessee thereunder.

         (c) Mortgagor will not, without Mortgagee's prior written consent: (i)
execute an assignment or pledge of any Rents and/or any Leases; (ii) accept any
prepayment of any installment of any Rents more than thirty (30) days before the
due date of such installment, and in any event no more than thirty (30) days in
advance of the then current month; or (iii) enter into non-disturbance
agreements with subtenants under any of the Operating Leases.

         (d) Mortgagor at its sole cost and expense will: (i) at all times
promptly and faithfully abide by, discharge and perform all of the material
covenants, conditions and agreements contained in all Leases, on the part of the
landlord thereunder to be kept and performed; (ii) enforce or secure the
performance of all of the material covenants, conditions and agreements of the
Leases on the part of the lessees to be kept and performed, but Mortgagor shall
not modify, amend, renew, extend, cancel, terminate or accept surrender of any
Lease without the prior written consent of Mortgagee which shall not be
unreasonably withheld; (iii) appear in and defend any action or proceeding
arising under, growing out of or in any manner connected with the Leases or the
obligations, duties or liabilities of landlord or of the lessees thereunder;
(iv) upon written request of Mortgagee, transfer and assign to Mortgagee, any
Lease or Leases heretofore or hereafter entered into, and make, execute and
deliver to Mortgagee upon demand, any and all instruments reasonably required to
effectuate said assignment; (v) furnish Mortgagee, within thirty (30) days after
a request by Mortgagee so to do, a written statement containing the names of all
lessees, terms of all Leases, including the spaces occupied and the rentals
payable thereunder; and (vi) exercise within thirty (30) days of any demand
therefor by Mortgagee any right to request from the lessee under any Lease a
certificate with respect to the status thereof.

         (e) Nothing in this Mortgage or in any other documents relating to the
Loan shall be construed to obligate Mortgagee, expressly or by implication, to
perform any of the covenants of Mortgagor as landlord under any of the Leases
assigned to Mortgagee or to pay any sum of

                                       11

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
money or damages therein provided to be paid by the landlord, each and all of
which covenants and payments Mortgagor agrees to perform and pay.

         (f) Mortgagor will not permit any Lease or any part thereof to become
subordinate to any lien other than the lien hereof.

         (g) Mortgagee shall have the option to declare this Mortgage in default
because of a default of landlord in any Lease of the Premises unless such
default is cured by Mortgagor pursuant to the terms of the Lease and within any
applicable cure period or unless such default would not permit the tenant to
terminate the Lease. It is covenanted and agreed that an Event of Default under
the Assignment of Rents shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder on
account of which the whole of the Indebtedness shall at once, at the option of
the Mortgagee, become immediately due and payable without notice to the
Mortgagor.

         (h) Mortgagor shall not, and shall not permit any tenant to, conduct
any on-site dry cleaning operations on the Premises.

         (i) In the event of the enforcement by Mortgagee of the remedies
provided for by law or by this Mortgage, the lessee under each Lease of the
Premises shall, at the option of Mortgagee, attorn to any person succeeding to
the interest of Mortgagor as a result of such enforcement and shall recognize
such successor in interest as landlord under such Lease without change in the
terms or other provisions thereof; provided, however, that said successor in
interest shall not be bound by any payment of rent or additional rent for more
than one month in advance or any amendment or modification to any Lease made
without the consent of Mortgagee or said successor in interest. Each lessee,
upon request by said successor in interest, shall execute and deliver an
instrument or instruments confirming such attornment.

         11. EFFECT OF EXTENSION OF TIME. If the payment of the Indebtedness, or
any part thereof, is extended or varied, or if any part of any security for the
payment of the Indebtedness is released, or if any person or entity liable for
the payment of the Indebtedness is released, or if Mortgagee takes other or
additional security for the payment of the Indebtedness, or if Mortgagee waives
or fails to exercise any right granted herein, or in the Note secured hereby, or
in any other instrument given to secure the payment hereof, then all persons now
or at any time hereafter liable for the payment of the Indebtedness, or any part
thereof, or interested in the Premises shall be held to assent to such
extension, variation, release, waiver, failure to exercise or the taking of
additional security, and their liability and the lien and interest and all
provisions hereof shall continue in full force, the right of recourse against
all such persons being expressly reserved by Mortgagee, notwithstanding such
extension, variation, release, waiver, failure to exercise, or the taking of
additional security.

         12. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN LAWS REGARDING TAXATION. In the event of the
enactment after this date of any law of the state in which the Premises are
located deducting from the value of the Premises for the purpose of taxation any
lien thereon, or imposing upon the Mortgagee the payment of the whole or any
part of the taxes or assessments or charges or liens herein required to be paid
by Mortgagor, or changing in any way the laws relating to the taxation of
mortgages

                                       12

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

or debts secured by mortgages or Mortgagee's interest in the Premises, or the
manner of collection of taxes, so as to affect this Mortgage or the debt secured
hereby or the holders thereof, then, and in any such event, Mortgagor, upon
demand by Mortgagee, shall pay such taxes or assessments, or reimburse Mortgagee
therefor if Mortgagee pays such taxes and submits proof of payment to Mortgagor;
provided, however, that if in the opinion of counsel for Mortgagee: (a) it might
be unlawful to require Mortgagor to make such payment, or (b) the making of such
payment might result in the imposition of interest beyond the maximum amount
permitted by law; then and in such event, Mortgagee may elect, by notice in
writing given to Mortgagor, to declare all of the Indebtedness to be and become
due and payable sixty (60) days from the giving of such notice, without the
applicable Prepayment Premium (as defined in the Note).

         13. MORTGAGEE'S PERFORMANCE OF DEFAULTED ACTS. Upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default herein, Mortgagee may, but need not, and whether electing to
declare the whole of the Indebtedness due and payable or not, and without waiver
of any other remedy, make any payment or perform any act herein required of
Mortgagor in any form and manner deemed expedient, and may, but need not, make
full or partial payments of principal or interest on prior encumbrances, if any,
and purchase, discharge, compromise or settle any tax lien or other prior lien
or title or claim thereof, or redeem from any tax sale or forfeiture affecting
the Premises or contest any tax or assessment or cure any default of Mortgagor
as landlord in any Lease. All monies paid for any of the purposes herein
authorized and all expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, and any other monies advanced by Mortgagee in regard
to any tax referred to in PARAGRAPHS 9 and 12 hereof or to protect the Premises
or the lien and interest hereof, shall be additional Indebtedness and shall
become immediately due and payable without notice and with interest thereon at
the Default Rate of interest set forth in the Note. Inaction of Mortgagee shall
never be considered as a waiver of any right accruing to it on account of any
Event of Default on the part of Mortgagor.

         14. MORTGAGEE'S RELIANCE ON TAX BILLS, ETC. Mortgagee in making any
payment hereby authorized: (a) relating to taxes and assessments, may do so
according to any bill, statement or estimate procured from the appropriate
public office without inquiry into the accuracy of such bill, statement or
estimate or into the validity of any tax, assessment, sale, forfeiture, tax lien
or title or claim thereof; or (b) relating to insurance premiums, may do so
according to any bill or statement procured from the appropriate company without
inquiry into the accuracy of such bill or statement; or (c) for the purchase,
discharge, compromise or settlement of any other prior lien, may do so without
inquiry as to the validity or amount of any claim for lien which may be
asserted.

         15. ACCELERATION OF INDEBTEDNESS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT. It is expressly
agreed by Mortgagor that time is of the essence hereof and that the whole of the
Indebtedness shall become immediately due and payable without notice to
Mortgagor at the option of the Mortgagee upon the occurrence of one or more of
the following events (hereinbefore and hereinafter collectively referred to as
"EVENTS OF DEFAULT" and individually referred to as an "EVENT OF DEFAULT"),
together with a prepayment premium in the amount, if any, required to be paid
pursuant to the terms of the Note in the event of a prepayment:

                                       13

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

         (a) nonpayment of any monetary sum due hereunder within ten (10) days
after the same shall become due; or

         (b) default shall be made in the due observance or performance of the
terms and conditions of PARAGRAPH 6 hereof (Insurance) or PARAGRAPH 30 hereof
(Due on Sale or Further Encumbrance); or

         (c) default shall be made in the due observance or performance of any
of the other covenants, agreements or conditions hereinbefore or hereinafter
contained, required to be kept or performed or observed by the Mortgagor which
does not relate to the nonpayment of any monetary sum, and such default is not
cured within sixty (60) days following written notice thereof by Mortgagee to
Mortgagor or within such longer period of time, not exceeding an additional
thirty (30) days, as may be reasonably necessary to cure such non-compliance if
Mortgagor is diligently and with continuity of effort pursuing such cure and the
failure is susceptible of cure within an additional period of thirty (30) days;
or

         (d) the entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having
jurisdiction in respect of Mortgagor, a general partner of Mortgagor if
Mortgagor is a partnership, the beneficiary or beneficiaries of Mortgagor if
Mortgagor is a trust, a managing member of Mortgagor if Mortgagor is a limited
liability company, or any guarantor of the Note secured hereby (any of the
foregoing parties being referred to herein as a "KEY PARTY"), in any involuntary
case under the federal bankruptcy laws now or hereafter constituted, or any
other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law,
or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator (or other similar official) for any Key Party or any substantial
part of the property of any such Key Party, or for the winding up or liquidation
of the affairs of any Key Party and the continuance of any such decree or order
unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

         (e) the commencement by any Key Party, of a voluntary case under
federal bankruptcy laws, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other
applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or any other similar laws or
the consent by any such Key Party to the appointment of or taking possession by
a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other
similar official) of any Key Party, or of any substantial part of the property
of any such person or entity, or the making by any such Key Party of an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or the failure of any such Key Party
generally to pay the debts of any such Key Party as such debts become due, or
the taking of action by any such Key Party in furtherance of any of the
foregoing; or

         (f) the death of any individual guarantor of the Note secured hereby,
unless a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) or other third party approved by
Mortgagee of the decedent having a net worth or an aggregate net worth, as the
case may be, greater than the net worth of the decedent upon the date hereof
shall become liable by assumption under the guaranty within ten (10) days of the
appointment of the executor or personal representative; or

                                       14

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         (g) any warranty, representation, certification, financial statement,
or other information furnished or to be furnished to Mortgagee by or on behalf
of Mortgagor or any guarantor of the Note to induce Mortgagee to loan the money
evidenced by the Note proves to have been inaccurate or false in any material
respect when made; or

         (h) any breach, default, event of default or failure of performance
(however denominated) under the Note or any of the other Loan Documents and the
expiration of any applicable cure period without the same having been cured; or

         (i) Mortgagor shall be in default of, or in violation of, beyond any
applicable grace period, any conditions, covenants or restrictions which benefit
or burden the Premises; or

         (j) a default by ENN (or any successor to ENN) under any of those five
(5) certain Franchise License Agreements (individually, a "FRANCHISE AGREEMENT"
and collectively, the "FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS") with Promus Hotels, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("FRANCHISOR"), with respect to the operation of five (5)
hotels (individually, a "HOTEL" and collectively, the "HOTELS") located on the
Premises; or

         (k) if Mortgagor fails, at any time, to own all of the Personalty (as
that term is defined in the ASA), free and clear of all liens except any liens
granted pursuant to the Loan Documents; or

         (l) a default by Mortgagor or ENN under (i) the ASA, (ii) any of the
Operating Leases or (iii) that certain Subordination Agreement executed on or
about the date hereof by Mortgagor and ENN for the benefit of Mortgagee.

If, while any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards are being held by
Mortgagee to reimburse Mortgagor for the cost of rebuilding or restoration of
buildings or improvements on the Premises, Mortgagee shall accelerate the
Indebtedness, then and in such event, the Mortgagee shall be entitled to apply
all such insurance proceeds and condemnation awards then held by it in reduction
of the Indebtedness and any excess held by it over the amount of Indebtedness
then due hereunder shall be returned to Mortgagor or any other party entitled
thereto without interest.

         16. REMEDIES.

         (a) Primary Remedies. If an Event of Default shall occur, Mortgagee
may: declare the Indebtedness to be and the same shall be, immediately due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived and without regard to the value of the Premises held
as security for the Indebtedness or the solvency of any person liable for the
payment of such Indebtedness; and/or exercise any other right, power or remedy
available to it at law or in equity, hereunder or under any other Loan Document
without demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived, except such as is expressly required hereby or by such other Loan
Document. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Mortgagee may:

                                       15

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

                  (i) enter and take possession of the Premises or any part
         thereof, exclude Mortgagor and all persons claiming under Mortgagor
         wholly or partly therefrom, and operate, use, manage and control the
         same, or cause the same to be operated by a person selected by
         Mortgagee, either in the name of Mortgagor or otherwise, and upon such
         entry, from time to time, at the expense of Mortgagor and of the
         Premises, make all such repairs, replacements, alterations, additions
         or improvements thereto as Mortgagee may deem proper, and to lease the
         Premises or any part thereof at such rental and to such persons as it
         may deem proper and collect and receive the rents, revenues, issues,
         profits, royalties, income and benefits thereof including, without
         limitation, those past due and those thereafter accruing, with the
         right of Mortgagee to terminate, cancel or otherwise enforce any Lease
         or sublease for any default that would entitle Mortgagor to terminate,
         cancel or enforce same and apply the same to the payment of all
         expenses which Mortgagee may be authorized to incur under the
         provisions of this Mortgage and applicable laws, the remainder to be
         applied to the payment, performance and discharge of the Indebtedness
         in such order as Mortgagee may determine until the same have been paid
         in full;

                  (ii) institute an action for the foreclosure of this Mortgage
         and the sale of the Premises by any law procedure or pursuant to the
         judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction;

                  (iii) sell the Premises to the highest bidder or bidders at
         public auction at a sale or sales held at such place or places and time
         or times and upon such notice and otherwise in such manner as may be
         required by law, or in the absence of any such requirement, as
         Mortgagee may deem appropriate, and from time to time adjourn such sale
         by announcement at the time and place specified for such sale or for
         such adjourned sale or sales without further notice except such as may
         be required by law;

                  (iv) take all action to protect and enforce the rights of
         Mortgagee under this Mortgage by suit for specific performance of any
         covenant herein contained, or in aid of the execution of any power
         herein granted or for the enforcement of any other rights;

                  (v) exercise any or all of the rights and remedies available
         to a secured party under the UCC, including the right to (A) enter the
         Premises and take possession of any personal property without demand or
         notice and without prior judicial hearing or legal proceedings, which
         Mortgagor hereby expressly waives, (B) require Mortgagor to assemble
         any personal property, or any portion thereof, and make it available to
         Mortgagee at a place or places designated by Mortgagee and reasonably
         convenient to both parties and (C) sell all or any portion of the
         personal property at public or private sale, without prior notice to
         Mortgagor except as otherwise required by law (and if notice is
         required by law, after ten days' prior written notice), at such place
         or places and at such time or times and in

                                       16

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

         such manner and upon such terms, whether for cash or on credit, as
         Mortgagee in its sole discretion may determine. As to any property
         subject to Article 9 of the UCC included in the Premises, Mortgagee may
         proceed under the UCC or proceed as to both real and personal property
         in accordance with the provisions of this Mortgage and the rights and
         remedies that Mortgagee may have at law or in equity, in respect of
         real property, and treat both the real and personal property included
         in the Premises as one parcel or package of security. Mortgagor shall
         have the burden of proving that any such sale pursuant to the UCC was
         conducted in a commercially unreasonable manner;

                  (vi) terminate any management agreements, contracts, or
         agents/managers responsible, for the property management of the
         Premises, if in the sole discretion of Mortgagee such property
         management is unsatisfactory in any respect;

                  (vii) foreclose this Mortgage for the entire unpaid amount of
         the Indebtedness, or only as to the sum past due, with interest and
         costs without injury to this Mortgage or the displacement or impairment
         of the remainder of the lien thereof, and at such foreclosure sale the
         Premises shall be sold subject to all remaining items of the
         Indebtedness and Mortgagee may again foreclose, in the same manner, as
         often as there may be any sum past due. In case of sale in any action
         or proceeding to foreclose this Mortgage, the Mortgagee shall have the
         right to sell the Premises covered hereby in parts or as an entirety.
         It is intended hereby to give to the Mortgagee the widest possible
         discretion permitted by law with respect to all aspects of any such
         sale or sales.

                  (viii) if an Event of Default occurs due to the nonpayment of
         the Indebtedness, or any part thereof, as an alternative to the right
         of foreclosure for the full Indebtedness after acceleration thereof,
         Mortgagee shall have the right to institute proceedings, at Mortgagee's
         option, for partial foreclosure with respect to the portion of said
         Indebtedness so in default, as if under a full foreclosure, and without
         declaring the entire Indebtedness due (such proceedings being
         hereinafter referred to as "PARTIAL FORECLOSURE"), and provided that if
         a foreclosure sale is made because of an Event of Default in the
         payment of a part of the Indebtedness, such sale may be made subject to
         the continuing lien of this Mortgage for the unmatured part of the
         Indebtedness; and it is agreed that such sale pursuant to a Partial
         Foreclosure, if so made, shall not in any manner affect the unmatured
         part of the Indebtedness, but as to such unmatured part, this Mortgage
         and the lien thereof shall remain in full force and effect just as
         though no foreclosure sale had been made under the provisions of this
         Paragraph. Notwithstanding any Partial Foreclosure, Mortgagee may
         elect, at any time prior to sale pursuant to such Partial Foreclosure,
         to discontinue such Partial Foreclosure and to accelerate the
         Indebtedness by reason of any Event of Default upon which such Partial
         Foreclosure was predicated or by reason of any other further Event of
         Default, and proceed with full foreclosure proceedings. It is further
         agreed that several

                                       17

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         foreclosures may be made pursuant to Partial Foreclosure without
         exhausting the right of full or Partial Foreclosure sale for any
         unmatured part of the Indebtedness, it being the purpose to provide for
         a Partial Foreclosure sale of the Indebtedness hereby without
         exhausting the power to foreclose and to sell the Premises pursuant to
         any such Partial Foreclosure for any other part of the Indebtedness,
         whether matured at the time or subsequently maturing, and without
         exhausting any right of acceleration and full foreclosure.

         (b) Receiver. If an Event of Default shall occur, Mortgagee shall be
entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver of the Premises
and the rents, revenues, issues, profits, royalties, income and benefits
thereof, without notice or demand, and without regard to the adequacy of the
security for the Indebtedness, the value of the Premises or the solvency of
Mortgagor, either before or after any sale, and, Mortgagee may be appointed as
such receiver. Such receiver shall have the power: (i) to collect the rents,
issues and profits of the Premises during the pendency of any foreclosure
proceedings whether by judicial or non-judicial foreclosure, and, in case of a
sale and a deficiency, for such time when Mortgagor, except for the intervention
of such receiver, would be entitled to collect such rents, issues and profits,
to the maximum time and extent permitted by law; (ii) to extend or modify any
then existing Leases and to make new leases, which extensions, modifications and
new leases may provide for terms to expire, or for options to leases to extend
or renew terms to expire, beyond the maturity date of the Note and beyond the
date of the issuance of a deed or deeds to a purchaser or purchasers at a
foreclosure sale, it being understood and agreed that any such leases, and the
options or other such provisions to be contained therein, shall be binding upon
Mortgagor and all persons whose interests in the Premises are subject to the
lien hereof and upon the purchaser or purchasers at any foreclosure sale,
notwithstanding any redemption from sale, discharge of the secured obligations,
satisfaction of any foreclosure decree, or issuance of any certificate of sale
or deed to any purchaser; and (iii) all other powers which may be necessary or
are usual in such case for the protection, possession, control, management, and
operation of the Premises during the whole of said period. The court from time
to time may authorize the receiver to apply the net income in the receiver's
hands in payment in whole or in part of: (i) the Indebtedness and all
obligations hereunder, or by any decree foreclosing this Mortgage, or in
accordance with applicable non-judicial foreclosure provisions, any tax, special
assessment or other lien which may be or become superior to the lien hereof or
of such decree; and (ii) if this is a leasehold mortgage, all rents due or which
may become due under the underlying lease.

         (c) Sales by Parcels. In any sale made under or by virtue of this
Mortgage or pursuant to any judgment or decree of court, the Premises may be
sold in one or more parts or parcels or as an entirety and in such order as
Mortgagee may elect, without regard to the right of Mortgagor, or any person
claiming under it, to the marshaling of assets. To the full extent permitted by
law, Mortgagor waives the marshaling of assets.

         (d) Effect of Sale. The purchaser at any sale made under or by virtue
of this Mortgage or pursuant to any judgment or decree of court shall take title
to the Premises or the part thereof so sold free and discharged of the estate of
Mortgagor therein, the purchaser being hereby discharged from all liability to
see to the application of the purchase money. Any person,

                                       18

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
including Mortgagee, may purchase at any such sale. Mortgagee is hereby
irrevocably appointed the attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor in its name and stead to
make all appropriate transfers and deliveries of the Premises or any portions
thereof so sold and, for this purpose, Mortgagee may execute all appropriate
instruments of transfer, and may substitute one or more persons with like power,
Mortgagor hereby ratifying and confirming all that its said attorneys or such
substitute or substitutes shall lawfully do by virtue hereof. Nevertheless,
promptly upon Mortgagee's written request, Mortgagor shall ratify and confirm,
or cause to be ratified and confirmed, any such sale or sales by executing and
delivering, or by causing to be executed and delivered, to Mortgagee or to such
purchaser or purchasers all such instruments as may be advisable, in the
judgment of Mortgagee, for the purpose, and as may be designated, in such
request. Any sale or sales made under or by virtue of this Mortgage, to the
extent not prohibited by law, shall operate to divest all the estate, right,
title, interest, property, claim and demand whatsoever, whether at law or in
equity, of Mortgagor in, to and under the Premises, or any portions thereof so
sold, and shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against Mortgagor,
its successors and assigns, and against any and all persons claiming or who may
claim the same, or any part thereof, by, through or under Mortgagor, or its
successors or assigns. The powers and agency herein granted are coupled with an
interest and are irrevocable.

         (e) Eviction of Mortgagor After Sale. If Mortgagor fails or refuses to
surrender possession of the Premises after any sale thereof, Mortgagor shall be
deemed a tenant at sufferance, subject to eviction by means of forcible entry
and detainer proceedings, provided, that this remedy is not exclusive or in
derogation of any other right or remedy available to Mortgagee or any purchaser
of the Premises under any provision of this Mortgage or pursuant to any judgment
or decree of court.

         (f) Insurance Policies. In the event of a foreclosure sale pursuant to
this Mortgage or other transfer of title or assignment of the Premises in
extinguishment, in whole or in part, of the Indebtedness, all right, title and
interest of Mortgagor in and to all policies of insurance required under the
provisions of this Mortgage shall inure to the benefit of and pass to the
successor in interest of Mortgagor or the purchaser or grantee of the Premises
or any part thereof so transferred.

         (g) Foreclosure; Expense of Litigation. When the Indebtedness hereby
secured, or any part thereof shall become due, whether by acceleration or
otherwise, Mortgagee shall have the right to foreclose the lien hereof for such
Indebtedness or part thereof. In any suit to foreclose the lien hereof, there
shall be allowed and included as additional Indebtedness in the decree for sale
all expenditures and expenses which may be paid or incurred by or on behalf of
Mortgagee for reasonable attorneys' fees, appraiser's fees, actual costs of
environmental reviews or audits, outlays for documentary and expert evidence,
stenographers' charges, publication costs, and costs (which may be estimated as
to items to be expended after entry of the decree) of procuring all such
abstracts of title, title searches and examinations, title insurance policies,
and similar data and assurances with respect to the title as Mortgagee may deem
reasonably necessary either to prosecute such action or to evidence to bidders
at any sale which may be had pursuant to such decree the true condition of the
title to or the value of the Premises. All expenditures and expenses of the
nature in this Paragraph mentioned and such expenses and fees

                                       19

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
as may be incurred in the protection of the Premises and the maintenance of the
lien of this Mortgage, including the reasonable fees of any attorneys employed
by Mortgagee in any litigation or proceeding affecting this Mortgage, the Note
or the Premises, including appellate, probate and bankruptcy proceedings, or in
preparations for the commencement or defense of any proceedings or threatened
suit or proceeding shall be immediately due and payable by Mortgagor, with
interest thereon at the Default Rate of interest as set forth in the Note and
shall be secured by this Mortgage.

         17. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of any sale made either under
the power of sale hereby given or under a judgment, order or decree made in any
action to foreclose or to enforce this Mortgage, shall be applied:

         (a) first to the payment of (i) all costs and expenses of such sale,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, environmental site assessors fees and
costs, appraisers' fees and costs of procuring title searches, title insurance
policies and similar items and (ii) all charges, expenses and advances incurred
or made by Mortgagee in order to protect the lien or estate created by this
Mortgage or the security afforded hereby including any expenses of entering,
taking possession of and operating the Premises;

         (b) then to the payment of any other Indebtedness in such order as
Mortgagee may determine until the same have been paid in full; and

         (c) any balance thereof shall be paid to Mortgagor, or to whosoever
shall be legally entitled thereto, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may
direct.

         18. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. Each right, power and remedy herein
conferred upon Mortgagee is cumulative and in addition to every other right,
power or remedy, express or implied, given now or hereafter existing, at law or
in equity, and each and every right, power and remedy herein set forth or
otherwise so existing may be exercised from time to time as often and in such
order as may be deemed expedient by Mortgagee, and the exercise or the beginning
of the exercise of one right, power or remedy shall not be a waiver of the right
to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other right, power or remedy and
no delay or omission of Mortgagee in the exercise of any right, power or remedy
accruing hereunder or arising otherwise shall impair any such right, power or
remedy, or be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default or acquiescence
therein.

         19. MORTGAGEE'S RIGHT OF INSPECTION. Mortgagee shall, upon reasonable
notice to Mortgagor, have the right to inspect the Premises at all reasonable
times and access thereto shall be permitted for that purpose.

         20. CONDEMNATION. The Mortgagee may, at its option, in its own name (a)
appear or proceed in any condemnation proceeding, and (b) make any compromise or
settlement thereof, provided that so long as the Mortgagor promptly prosecutes
any compromise or settlement thereof, the Mortgagor shall control any compromise
or settlement proceeding with the result thereof being subject to the
Mortgagee's approval. The Mortgagor shall give the Mortgagee

                                       20

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
immediate notice of the initiation of any condemnation proceeding, and a copy of
every pleading, notice and other items served in any condemnation proceeding.
Mortgagor hereby assigns, transfers and sets over unto the Mortgagee the entire
proceeds of any award or any claim for damages for any of the Premises taken or
damaged under the power of eminent domain or by condemnation. Mortgagee may
elect to apply the proceeds of the award upon or in reduction of the
Indebtedness, whether due or not, or make said proceeds available for
restoration or rebuilding of the Premises. In the event that Mortgagee elects,
in Mortgagee's sole and absolute discretion, to make said proceeds available to
reimburse Mortgagor for the cost of the rebuilding or restoration of the
Improvements, such proceeds shall be made available in the manner and under the
conditions that Mortgagee may require. In any event, the Improvements shall be
restored or rebuilt in accordance with plans and specifications to be submitted
to and approved by Mortgagee prior to commencement of any building or
restoration. If the proceeds are made available by Mortgagee to reimburse
Mortgagor for the cost of said rebuilding or restoration, any surplus which may
remain out of said award after payment of such cost of rebuilding or restoration
shall at the option of Mortgagee be applied on account of the Indebtedness or be
paid to any party entitled thereto. No interest shall be allowed to Mortgagor on
the proceeds of any award held by the Mortgagee.

         21. RELEASE UPON PAYMENT AND DISCHARGE OF MORTGAGOR'S OBLIGATIONS.
Mortgagee shall release this Mortgage and the lien and interest hereof by proper
instrument upon payment and discharge of all Indebtedness including any
prepayment premium provided for herein or in the Note secured hereby. Until this
Mortgage shall be satisfied of record, Mortgagor hereby waives for itself, and
all subsequent successors in title to the Premises, any right it may now have or
hereafter have, pursuant to Florida Statutes 697.04 (1)(b), as amended from time
to time, to file for record a notice limiting the maximum amount which may be
secured by this Mortgage.

         22. GIVING OF NOTICE.

         (a) All notices, demands, requests, and other communications desired or
required to be given hereunder ("NOTICES"), shall be in writing and shall be
given by: (i) hand delivery to the address for Notices; (ii) delivery by
overnight courier service to the address for Notices; or (iii) sending the same
by United States mail, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to the address for Notices.

         (b) All Notices shall be deemed given and effective upon the earlier to
occur of: (i) the hand delivery of such Notice to the address for Notices; (ii)
one business day after the deposit of such Notice with an overnight courier
service by the time deadline for next day delivery addressed to the address for
Notices; or (iii) three business days after depositing the Notice in the United
States mail as set forth in (a)(iii) above. All Notices shall be addressed to
the following addresses:

                                       21

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         Mortgagor:            Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                               7700 Wolf River Boulevard
                               Germantown, Tennessee 38138
                               Attention: Mr. Howard Silver

         With a copy to:       Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                               c/o Equity Inns, Inc.
                               7700 Wolf River Boulevard
                               Germantown, Tennessee 38138
                               Attention: Michelle B. Chatfield, Esq.

                                             and

                               Hunton & Williams LLP
                               2000 Riverview Tower
                               900 South Gay Street
                               Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
                               Attn: John A. Decker, Esq.

         Mortgagee:            ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
                               c/o ING Investment Management LLC
                               5780 Powers Ferry Road, NW, Suite 300
                               Atlanta, Georgia, 30327-4349
                               Attention: Mortgage Loan Servicing Department

                                                and

                               ING Investment Management LLC
                               5780 Powers Ferry Road, NW, Suite 300
                               Atlanta, Georgia, 30327-4349
                               Attention: Real Estate Law Department

With a copy to:                Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy LLP
                               Sixteenth Floor
                               191 Peachtree Street N.E.
                               Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1736
                               Attention: John R. Parks, Esq.

or to such other persons or at such other place as any party hereto may by
Notice designate as a place for service of Notice. Provided, that the "copy to"
Notice to be given as set forth above is a courtesy copy only; and a Notice
given to such person is not sufficient to effect giving a Notice to the
principal party, nor does a failure to give such a courtesy copy of a Notice
constitute a failure to give Notice to the principal party.

                                       22

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

         23. WAIVER OF DEFENSE. No action for the enforcement of the lien or of
any provision hereof shall be subject to any defense which would not be good and
available to the party interposing same in an action at law or in equity upon
the Note hereby secured.

         24. WAIVER OF STATUTORY RIGHTS. Mortgagor shall not, and will not,
apply for or avail itself of any homestead, appraisement, valuation, stay,
extension or exemption laws, or any so-called "Moratorium Laws", now existing or
hereafter enacted, in order to prevent or hinder the enforcement or foreclosure
of this Mortgage, but to the extent lawfully allowed hereby waives the benefit
of such laws. Mortgagor, for itself and all who may claim through or under it,
waives any and all right to have the property and estates comprising the
Premises marshaled upon any foreclosure of the lien hereof and agrees that any
court having jurisdiction to foreclose such lien may order the Premises sold as
an entirety. To the extent permitted by law, Mortgagor does hereby expressly
waive any and all rights of redemption from sale under any order or decree of
foreclosure of this Mortgage on behalf of Mortgagor, the trust estate and all
persons beneficially interested therein and each and every person, acquiring any
interest in or title to the Premises subsequent to the date of this Mortgage.

         25. FURNISHING OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO MORTGAGEE.

         (a) Mortgagor covenants and agrees that it will keep and maintain books
and records of account, or cause books and records of account to be kept and
maintained in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings
and transactions relative to the Premises, which books and records of account
shall, at reasonable times during business hours and on reasonable notice, be
open to inspection by Mortgagee and Mortgagee's accountants and other duly
authorized representatives. Such books of record and account shall be kept and
maintained either:

                  (i) In accordance with generally accepted accounting
         principles consistently applied; or

                  (ii) In accordance with an accrual basis.

         (b) Mortgagor covenants and agrees to furnish, or cause to be furnished
to Mortgagee, annually, within ninety (90) days following the end of each fiscal
year of Mortgagor unaudited annual financial reports prepared on an accrual
basis, a copy of a report of the operations of the Premises, including a balance
sheet and supporting schedules and containing a detailed statement of income and
expenses, a current rent roll of the Premises and occupancy rates and average
daily room rates. Mortgagor shall simultaneously deliver to Mortgagee a
financial statement of Mortgagor, and each of its general partners if Mortgagor
is a partnership, and of any guarantor prepared in accordance with the
accounting requirements set forth above, certified by Mortgagor, or an officer,
manager or a general partner of any corporate, limited liability company or
partnership Mortgagor or by guarantor, as applicable. Each report or statement
shall be certified as correct by the appropriate party.

                                       23

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         (c) If Mortgagor omits to deliver as required any report or statement
required by this PARAGRAPH 25, and said omission is not cured by Mortgagor
within thirty (30) days after written notice of such omission has been given by
Mortgagee to Mortgagor, Mortgagee may elect, in addition to exercising any
remedy for an Event of Default as provided for in this Mortgage, to make an
audit of all books and records of Mortgagor including its bank accounts which in
any way pertain to the Premises and to prepare the statement or statements which
Mortgagor failed to procure and deliver. Such audit shall be made and such
statement or statements shall be prepared by an independent certified public
accountant to be selected by Mortgagee. Mortgagor shall pay all reasonable
expenses of the audit and other services, which expenses shall be secured hereby
as additional Indebtedness and shall be immediately due and payable with
interest thereon at the Default Rate of interest as set forth in the Note and
shall be secured by this Mortgage.

         26. FILING AND RECORDING FEES. Mortgagor will pay all filing,
registration or recording fees and all reasonable expenses incident to the
execution and acknowledgment of this Mortgage and all federal, state, county and
municipal taxes and other taxes, duties, imposts, assessments and charges
arising out of or in connection with the execution and delivery of said Note and
this Mortgage.

         27. BUSINESS PURPOSE. Mortgagor represents, covenants and agrees that
all of the proceeds of the Note secured by this Mortgage will be used solely for
business purposes and in furtherance of the regular business affairs of
Mortgagor.

         28. EXCULPATORY. The liability of the Mortgagor personally to pay the
Note or any interest that may accrue thereon, or any Indebtedness or obligation
accruing or arising hereunder is limited to the extent set forth in the Note.

         29. SECURITY AGREEMENT. Mortgagor and Mortgagee agree that this
Mortgage shall constitute a security agreement within the meaning of the UCC
with respect to all sums on deposit with the Mortgagee with respect to insurance
proceeds or condemnation proceeds ("DEPOSITS") and with respect to any personal
property and fixtures included in the definition herein of the word "PREMISES",
which property may not be deemed to form a part of the real estate described in
Exhibit "A" or may not constitute a "fixture" within the meaning of the UCC, and
all replacements of such property, substitutions and additions thereto and the
proceeds thereof, all such property being sometimes hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "COLLATERAL", and that a security interest in and to the
Collateral and the Deposits is hereby granted to Mortgagee and the Deposits and
all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest therein are hereby assigned to
Mortgagee, all to secure payment of the Indebtedness and to secure performance
by Mortgagor of the terms, covenants and provisions hereof. Upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default under this Mortgage, Mortgagee, pursuant to the
appropriate provisions of the UCC, shall have the option of proceeding with
respect to the Collateral in accordance with its rights and remedies with
respect to the real property, in which event the default provisions of the UCC
shall not apply. The parties agree that, in the event Mortgagee shall elect to
proceed with respect to the Collateral separately from the real property, ten
(10) days' notice of the sale of the Collateral shall be reasonable notice. The
reasonable expenses of retaking, holding, preparing

                                       24

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
for sale, selling and the like incurred by Mortgagee shall include, but not be
limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses incurred by Mortgagee.
Mortgagor agrees that, without the written consent of Mortgagee, Mortgagor will
not remove or permit to be removed from the Premises any of the Collateral
except that so long as the Mortgagor is not in default hereunder, Mortgagor
shall be permitted to sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral in the
ordinary course of business, when obsolete, worn out, inadequate, unserviceable
or unnecessary for use in the operation of the Premises, upon replacing the same
or substituting for the same other Collateral at least equal in value to the
initial value to that disposed of and in such a manner so that said Collateral
shall be subject to the security interest created hereby, and so that the
security interest of Mortgagee shall be first in priority, it being expressly
understood and agreed that all replacements of the Collateral and any additions
to the Collateral shall be and become immediately subject to the security
interest of this Mortgage and covered hereby. Mortgagor shall, from time to
time, on request of Mortgagee, deliver to Mortgagee an inventory of the
Collateral in reasonable detail. Mortgagor covenants and represents that all
Collateral, and all replacements thereof, substitutions therefor or additions
thereto, unless Mortgagee otherwise consents, now are and will be free and clear
of liens (other than the lien of taxes not yet due or payable), encumbrances or
security interests of others. Mortgagor shall, upon demand execute and deliver
to Mortgagee such financing statements and other documents in form satisfactory
to Mortgagee, and will do all such acts and things as Mortgagee may at anytime,
or from time to time, reasonably request or as may be necessary or appropriate
to establish and maintain a first perfected security interest in the Deposits
and Collateral, subject to no liens (other than the lien of taxes not yet due or
payable), encumbrances, or security interests of others.

         This Mortgage also constitutes a financing statement for the purpose of
the UCC and shall constitute a "fixture filing" under such statutes and shall be
filed in the real estate records of the County in which the Land is located. For
such purpose the name and address of the debtor and the secured party are as set
forth below:

         Name of Debtor:            Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.

         Debtor's Mailing
          Address:                  7700 Wolf River Boulevard
                                    Germantown, Tennessee 38138
         Debtor's Taxpayer
          Identification Number:    62-1550848

         Address of Property:       660 West Hillsboro Boulevard
                                    Deerfield Beach, Florida

                                    1455 Yamato Road
                                    Boca Raton, Florida

                                    1475 West Gateway Boulevard
                                    Boynton Beach, Florida

                                       25

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
                                    2025 Vista Parkway
                                    West Palm Beach, Florida

                                    4001 RCA Boulevard
                                    Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

         Name of Secured Party:     ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company

         Address of Secured
          Party:                    ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company
                                    c/o ING Investment Management LLC
                                    5780 Powers Ferry Road, NW, Suite 300
                                    Atlanta, Georgia 30327-4349
                                    Attention: Real Estate Law Department

This financing statement covers the Collateral. Some of the items or types of
property comprising the Collateral are or are to become fixtures on the real
property described in this Mortgage. Mortgagor is the record owner of the real
property described herein upon which the foregoing fixtures and other items and
types of property are located.

Mortgagor hereby represents and warrants to Mortgagee, and covenants and agrees
with Mortgagee as follows:

         (a) Mortgagor shall not merge or consolidate into, or transfer any of
the Collateral to, any other entity or person without the prior written consent
of the Mortgagee.

         (b) Mortgagor shall not change its name unless it has given Mortgagee
sixty (60) days prior written notice thereof and executed and authorized at the
request of Mortgagee, such additional financing statements to be filed in such
jurisdiction as the Mortgagee may deem necessary or desirable in its sole
discretion.

         (c) It shall be an Event of Default hereunder if any amendment to or
termination of a financing statement naming the Mortgagor as debtor and the
Mortgagee as secured party, or any correction statement with respect thereto, is
filed in any jurisdiction by any party other than the Mortgagee or its counsel
without the prior written consent of the Mortgagee.

         (d) Mortgagor hereby authorizes the Mortgagee, its counsel or its
representative, at any time and from time to time, to file financing statements
and amendments that describe the collateral covered by such financing statements
in such jurisdictions as the Mortgagee may deem necessary or desirable in order
to perfect the security interest granted by the Mortgagor under this security
agreement.

         30. DUE ON SALE OR FURTHER ENCUMBRANCE. (a) If, without Mortgagee's
prior written consent, (i) the Premises or any part thereof or any interest in
the Premises or the

                                       26

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
Mortgagor (including beneficial interests) is sold or conveyed; (ii) title to
the Premises or any interest therein is divested; (iii) the Premises or any
ownership interest in the Mortgagor is further encumbered or pledged; (iv) any
lease which gives the lessee any option to purchase the Premises or any part
thereof is entered into, or, (v) without limiting the generality of clause (i)
above, the ownership of shares of the Mortgagor, if a corporation, or of any
corporate general partner of Mortgagor, if a partnership, or the general
partnership interests in any partnership which is a general partner of
Mortgagor, or any membership interest in a Mortgagor which is a limited
liability company, or any beneficial or fiduciary interest in any Mortgagor
which is a trust or trustee, is sold or conveyed, the Mortgagee shall at its
sole discretion be entitled to accelerate the Indebtedness and declare the then
unpaid principal balance and all accrued interests and other sums due and
payable under the Note due and payable and exercise all remedies available to
Mortgagee under the Loan Documents. The Mortgagor understands that the present
ownership of the Premises and Improvements are a material inducement to
Mortgagee in the making of the Loan. Any consent by Mortgagee to a change in
ownership or to a change in the composition of the Mortgagor may be conditioned
upon payment of a transfer fee equal to one percent (1%) of the then outstanding
Indebtedness for processing such request for consent, upon an increase in the
rate of interest on the unpaid balance of the Indebtedness to a then-current
market rate, and/or other terms and conditions as Mortgagee may impose in its
sole discretion.

         (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing SUBPARAGRAPH (a), Mortgagee will
permit one transfer of the Premises, provided: (i) the transferee has a
financial and credit standing and management expertise acceptable to Mortgagee
as equal to or greater than that of Mortgagor on the date hereof; (ii)
assumption documents in form and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee are
executed by the transferee; (iii) Mortgagee is paid a transfer fee equal to one
percent (1%) of the then outstanding Indebtedness; (iv) Mortgagor reimburses
Mortgagee all reasonable fees and expenses associated with the transfer
including legal fees; (v) Mortgagee receives an endorsement to the
MortgageeSection s title policy, in form and substance acceptable to Mortgagee;
and (vi) at Mortgagee's option, Mortgagee receives opinions of counsel, and
Mortgagor and transferee authorization documents, in form and substance
acceptable to Mortgagee. Further, Mortgagee, in its sole judgement and
discretion, may require individuals specifically named by Mortgagee to deliver
to Mortgagee an Environmental Indemnification Agreement on MortgageeSection s
standard form. The rights granted to Mortgagor in this SUBPARAGRAPH (b) are
personal to Mortgagor, shall be extinguished after the exercise thereof, and
shall not inure to the benefit of any subsequent transferee. Such transfer and
assumption will not, however, release the Mortgagor or any guarantors from any
liability to the Mortgagee without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, which
consent may be given or withheld in MortgageeSection s sole discretion, but if
given, may be conditioned upon, without limitation, the execution of new
guaranties from principals of the transferee as Mortgagee deems necessary,
execution by the principals of the transferee of MortgageeSection s standard
Environmental Indemnification Agreement and such other requirements as Mortgagee
may deem appropriate in its discretion.

         (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing SUBPARAGRAPH (a) Mortgagee will
permit the following transfers of ownership interests in Mortgagor without the
1% fee or any change in the Loan terms provided that: (i) no Event of Default
shall have occurred or be continuing hereunder

                                       27

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
or under the Loan Documents; (ii) Mortgagee is promptly notified of such
proposed transfer and provided with such documentation evidencing the transfer
and identity of the transferee as reasonably requested by Mortgagee; (iii)
assumption documents, if deemed necessary by the Mortgagee, in a form that is
acceptable to Mortgagee are executed by the transferee; and (iv) Mortgagor
reimburses Mortgagee for all reasonable fees and expenses including reasonable
attorney's fees associated with Mortgagee's review and documentation of the
transfer:

                  (i) Any ownership interest in the Mortgagor may be transferred
         by operation of law upon the death of the owner of said interest but
         only by will or intestacy;

                  (ii) Any ownership interest in the Mortgagor may be
         voluntarily sold, transferred, conveyed or assigned for estate planning
         purposes to immediate family members or to a family trust, provided
         that at all times there exists a minimum of 51% control of the Premises
         and the Mortgagor by parties owning an ownership interest in Mortgagor
         as of the date hereof. "IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS" shall mean the
         spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, and the siblings' children,
         of each holder of an ownership interest in Mortgagor, as of the date
         hereof, or a trust for the benefit of one or more of any such persons;

                  (iii) Any ownership interest in the Mortgagor may be
         voluntarily sold, transferred or conveyed or assigned to another person
         owning an ownership interest in the Mortgagor as of the date hereof;

                  (iv) Limited partnership interests representing not more than
         ten (10%) percent of the total ownership interest.

         (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing SUBPARAGRAPH (a), Mortgagor may
encumber the Premises with a sole additional mortgage, subordinate in every
respect to the lien and interest of this Mortgage, for the purpose of securing
secondary indebtedness which, when combined with the indebtedness under this
Loan, does not exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the value of the Premises as
established by a current MAI appraisal prepared not more than ninety (90) days
prior to the closing of the proposed subordinate financing transaction (the
"SUBORDINATE FINANCING"), provided that:

                  (i) the subordinate mortgagee, the documentation for the
         Subordinate Financing, and the form and terms of the Subordinate
         Financing are satisfactory in all respects to Mortgagee;

                  (ii) all such documentation as Mortgagee may reasonably
         require shall be submitted to Mortgagee including, but not limited to,
         operating statements of the Premises for the previous two Loan Years (a
         "LOAN YEAR" is a period of twelve consecutive months commencing on the
         date hereof if it is the first of the month and otherwise commencing on
         the first day of the month immediately following the date hereof, and
         the first Loan Year shall include the

                                       28

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         period, if any, between the date hereof and the commencement date of
         the first Loan Year) and a pro forma operating statement for the
         current Loan Year, and a then - current MAI appraisal of the Premises,
         provided at Mortgagee's expense, by an appraiser approved by Mortgagee;

                  (iii) the Net Operating Income (for the purpose of this
         subparagraph, Net Operating Income shall mean gross cash operating
         receipts from the Premises less normal and customary operating expenses
         incurred in the operation, management, and maintenance of the Premises)
         shall not be less than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the combined
         aggregate of the Indebtedness and Subordinate Financing debt service
         payments;

                  (iv) the total of the outstanding principal balance of the
         Indebtedness and the Subordinate Financing does not exceed sixty-five
         percent (65%) of the value of the Premises as established by a
         then-current MAI appraisal;

                  (v) The mortgagee of the mortgage securing the Subordinate
         Financing shall expressly acknowledge the priority of the debt, liens
         and security interests of the Indebtedness and agree to provide
         Mortgagee with written notice of any default under the Subordinate
         Financing in a subordination agreement in form and substance
         satisfactory to Mortgagee. Mortgagor shall pay any fees, costs or
         expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by Mortgagee
         in connection with the Subordinate Financing;

                  (vi) Any default under the Subordinate Financing shall at
         Mortgagee's option constitute an Event of Default under this Mortgage
         and the other Loan Documents; and

                  (vii) If previously waived, Mortgagee shall have the right to
         reinstate escrow payments for taxes and insurance premiums.

         31. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS; NOTICE; INDEMNITY. Mortgagor covenants and
agrees as follows:

         (a) For purposes of this Mortgage, the following definitions shall
apply:

                  (i) The term "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means and includes any
         federal, state or local law, statute, regulation or ordinance
         pertaining to health, industrial hygiene or the environmental or
         ecological conditions on, under or about the Premises, including
         without limitation each of the following (and their respective
         successor provisions): the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. sections
         9601 et seq. ("CERCLA"); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
         1976, as amended, 42 U.S.C. sections 6901 et seq. ("RCRA"); the Federal
         Hazardous

                                       29

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         Materials Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. sections 1801 et
         seq.; the Toxic Substance Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. sections
         2601 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. sections 1857 et
         seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C.
         sections 1251 et seq.; and the rules, regulations and ordinances of the
         U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and of all other federal, state,
         county and municipal agencies, boards, commissions and other
         governmental bodies and officers having jurisdiction over the Premises
         or the use or operation of the Premises.

                  (ii) The term "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" means and includes: (1)
         those substances included within the definitions of "hazardous
         substances", "hazardous materials", "hazardous waste", "pollutants",
         "toxic substances" or "solid waste" in any Environmental Law; (2) those
         substances listed in the U.S. Department of Transportation Table or
         amendments thereto (49 CFR 172.101) or by the U.S. Environmental
         Protection Agency (or any successor agency) as hazardous substances (40
         CFR Part 302 and any amendments thereto); (3) those other substances,
         materials and wastes which are or become, regulated under any
         applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance or by
         any federal, state or local governmental agency, board, commission or
         other governmental body, or which are or become classified as hazardous
         or toxic by any such law, regulation or ordinance; and (4) any
         material, waste or substance which is any of the following: (A)
         asbestos; (B) polychlorinated biphenyl; (C) designated or listed as a
         "hazardous substance" pursuant to section 311 or section 307 of the
         Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. sections 1251 et seq.); (D) explosive; (E)
         radioactive; (F) a petroleum product; (G) infectious waste; or (H) mold
         or other similar fungal growth. As used herein, the term "mold or other
         similar fungal growth" shall mean and include mycotoxin producing molds
         in amounts sufficient to create a health risk to humans.
         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the term "HAZARDOUS
         SUBSTANCE" shall not include commercially sold products otherwise
         within the definition of the term "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE", but (X) which
         are used or disposed of by Mortgagor or used or sold by tenants of the
         Premises in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, (Y) the
         presence of which product is not prohibited by applicable Environmental
         Law, and (Z) the use and disposal of which are in all respects in
         accordance with applicable Environmental Law.

                  (iii) The term "Enforcement or Remedial Action" means and
         includes any action taken by any person or entity in an attempt or
         asserted attempt to enforce, to achieve compliance with, or to collect
         or impose assessments, penalties, fines, or other sanctions provided
         by, any Environmental Law.

                  (iv) The term "Environmental Liability" means and includes any
         claim, demand, obligation, cause of action, accusation, allegation,
         order, violation, damage (including consequential damage), injury,
         judgment, assessment, penalty, fine, cost of Enforcement or Remedial
         Action, or any other cost or expense whatsoever, including actual,
         reasonable attorneys' fees and

                                       30

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         disbursements, resulting from or arising out of the violation or
         alleged violation of any Environmental Law, any Enforcement or Remedial
         Action, or any alleged exposure of any person or property to any
         Hazardous Substance.

         (b) Mortgagor, its successors and assigns, after reasonable inquiry,
covenants, warrants and represents to its actual knowledge, that, except as
disclosed in any environmental report or study obtained by, or provided to,
Mortgagee in connection with the making of the Loan,

                  (i) No Hazardous Substances have been or shall be discharged,
         disbursed, released, stored, treated, generated, disposed of, or
         allowed to escape or migrate, or shall threaten to be injected,
         emptied, poured, leached, or spilled on or from the Premises.

                  (ii) No asbestos or asbestos-containing materials have been or
         will be installed, used, incorporated into, placed on, or disposed of
         on the Premises.

                  (iii) No polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBS") are or will be
         located on or in the Premises, in the form of electrical transformers,
         fluorescent light fixtures with ballasts, cooling oils, or any other
         device.

                  (iv) No underground storage tanks are or will be located on
         the Premises or were located on the Premises and subsequently removed
         or filled.

                  (v) No investigation, administrative order, consent order and
         agreement, litigation, settlement, lien or encumbrance with respect to
         Hazardous Substances is proposed, threatened, anticipated or in
         existence with respect to the Premises.

                  (vi) The Premises and Mortgagor's operations at the Premises
         are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws including
         without limitation any, state and local statutes, laws and regulations.
         No notice has been served on Mortgagor, or any subsidiary of Mortgagor,
         from any entity, government body, or individual claiming any violation
         of any law, regulation, ordinance or code, or requiring compliance with
         any law, regulation, ordinance or code, or demanding payment or
         contribution for environmental damage or injury to natural resources.
         Copies of any such notices received subsequent to the date hereof shall
         be forwarded to Mortgagee within three (3) days of their receipt.

                  (vii) The Mortgagor has no knowledge of the release or threat
         of release of any Hazardous Substances from any property adjoining or
         in the immediate vicinity of the Premises.

                                       31

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
                  (viii) No portion of the Premises is a wetland or other water
         of the United States subject to jurisdiction under Section 404 of the
         Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) or any comparable state statute or
         local ordinance or regulation defining or protecting wetlands or other
         special aquatic areas.

                  (ix) There are no concentrations of radon or other radioactive
         gases or materials in any buildings or structures on the Premises that
         exceed background ambient air levels.

                  (x) To the best of Mortgagor's knowledge, there have been no
         complaints of illness or sickness alleged to result from conditions
         inside any buildings or structures on the Premises.

         (c) Mortgagor will give prompt written notice to Mortgagee of:

                  (i) any proceeding, known investigation or inquiry commenced
         by any governmental authority with respect to the presence of any
         Hazardous Substance on, under or about the Premises or the migration
         thereof to or from adjoining property;

                  (ii) all claims made or threatened by any individual or entity
         against Mortgagor or the Premises relating to any loss or injury
         allegedly resulting from any Hazardous Substance; and

                  (iii) the discovery by Mortgagor of any occurrence or
         condition on any real property adjoining or in the vicinity of the
         Premises which might cause the Premises or any part thereof to be
         subject to any restriction on the ownership, occupancy, transferability
         or use of the Premises under any Environmental Law.

         (d) Mortgagee shall have the right and privilege to: (i) join in and
participate in, as a party if it so elects, any one or more legal proceedings or
actions initiated with respect to the Premises; and to (ii) have all costs and
expenses thereof (including without limitation Mortgagee's reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs) paid by Mortgagor.

         (e) Mortgagor agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless
Mortgagee, its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors,
sub-contractors, licensees, invitees, participants, successors and assigns, from
and against any Environmental Liability and any and all claims, demands,
judgments, settlements, damages, actions, causes of action, injuries,
administrative orders, consent agreements and orders, liabilities, losses,
penalties, reasonable costs, including but not limited to any cleanup costs,
remediation costs and response costs, and all reasonable expenses of any kind
whatsoever including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, including but not
limited to those claims arising out of loss of life, injury to persons, property
or business or damage to natural resources in connection with the activities of
Mortgagor, its predecessors in interest, third parties who have trespassed on
the Premises, or

                                       32

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
parties in a contractual relationship with Mortgagor, and any of them, whether
or not occasioned wholly or in part by any condition, accident or event caused
by any act or omission of Mortgagee, the foregoing being collectively referred
to as "CLAIMS", which:

                  (i) arise out of the actual, alleged or threatened migration,
         spill, leaching, pouring, emptying, injection, discharge, dispersal,
         release, storage, treatment, generation, disposal or escape of any
         Hazardous Substances onto or from the Premises; or

                  (ii) actually or allegedly arise out of, in connection with
         the Premises, the use, specification or inclusion of any product,
         material or process containing Hazardous Substances, the failure to
         detect the existence or proportion of Hazardous Substances in the soil,
         air, surface water or ground water, or the performance of or failure to
         perform the abatement of any Hazardous Substances source or the
         replacement or removal of any soil, water, surface water or ground
         water containing any Hazardous Substances; or

                  (iii) arise out of the breach of any covenant, warranty or
         representation contained in any statement or other information given by
         Mortgagor to Mortgagee relating to environmental matters; or

                  (iv) arise out of any Enforcement or Remedial Action or any
         judicial or administrative action brought pursuant to any Environmental
         Law.

         Mortgagor, its successors and assigns, shall bear, pay and discharge
when and as the same become due and payable, any and all such judgments or
claims for damages, penalties or otherwise against Mortgagee described in this
SUBPARAGRAPH (e), shall hold Mortgagee harmless for those judgments or claims,
and shall assume the burden and expense of defending all suits, administrative
proceedings, and negotiations of any description with any and all persons,
political subdivisions or government agencies arising out of any of the
occurrences set forth in this SUBPARAGRAPH (e).

         Mortgagor's indemnifications and representations made herein shall
survive any termination or expiration of the documents evidencing or securing
the Loan and/or the repayment of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note,
including, but not limited to, any foreclosure on this Mortgage or acceptance of
a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Mortgagor's indemnifications and representations shall not extend to Hazardous
Substances which first originate on the Premises subsequent to Mortgagee's
succession to title by virtue of a foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu
of foreclosure.

         (f) If any investigation, site monitoring, containment, cleanup,
removal, restoration or other remedial work of any kind or nature (the "REMEDIAL
WORK") is reasonably desirable (in the case of an operation and maintenance
program or similar monitoring or preventative programs) or necessary, both as
determined by an independent environmental consultant selected by Mortgagee
under any applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance, or
under

                                       33

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
any judicial or administrative order or judgment, or by any governmental person,
board, commission or agency, because of or in connection with the current or
future presence, suspected presence, release or suspected release of a Hazardous
Substance into the air, soil, groundwater, or surface water at, on, about, under
or within the Premises or any portion thereof, Mortgagor shall within thirty
(30) days after written demand by Mortgagee for the performance (or within such
shorter time as may be required under applicable law, regulation, ordinance,
order or agreement), commence and thereafter diligently prosecute to completion
all such Remedial Work to the extent required by law. All Remedial Work shall be
performed by contractors approved in advance by Mortgagee (which approval in
each case shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and under the
supervision of a consulting engineer approved in advance by Mortgagee. All costs
and expenses of such Remedial Work (including without limitation the reasonable
fees and expenses of Mortgagee's counsel) incurred in connection with monitoring
or review of the Remedial Work shall be paid by Mortgagor. If Mortgagor shall
fail or neglect to timely commence or cause to be commenced, or shall fail to
diligently prosecute to completion, such Remedial Work, Mortgagee may (but shall
not be required to) cause such Remedial Work to be performed; and all costs and
expenses thereof, or incurred in connection therewith (including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Mortgagee's counsel), shall be
paid by Mortgagor to Mortgagee forthwith after demand and shall be a part of the
Indebtedness.

         32. CAPTIONS. The captions or headings preceding the text of the
paragraphs or subparagraphs of this Mortgage are inserted only for convenience
of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Mortgage, nor shall they in
any way affect its meaning, construction or effect.

         33. NO WAIVER; MODIFICATIONS IN WRITING. No failure or delay on the
part of Mortgagee in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies provided for
herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be
available to any party at law or in equity or otherwise. No amendment,
modification, supplement, termination or waiver of or to any provision of this
Mortgage, nor consent to any departure therefrom, shall be effective unless the
same shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party to be charged
with the enforcement thereof. Any amendment, modification or supplement of or to
any provision of this Mortgage, any waiver of any provision of this Mortgage,
and any consent to any departure from the terms of any provision of this
Mortgage, shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which made or given.

         34. RELATIONSHIP. Mortgagee is only a lender under the Loan Documents,
and nothing contained in this Mortgage or the other Loan Documents and no action
taken by the parties pursuant hereto shall be deemed to constitute the Mortgagee
and any other of the parties to any of the Loan Documents a partnership, an
association, a joint venture or other entity, nor constitute Mortgagee as a
fiduciary for any of the parties.

         35. GOVERNING LAW. This Mortgage shall be governed by the laws
(excluding conflicts of laws rules) of the State of Florida.

                                       34

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         36. TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence in the performance by the
parties of this Mortgage.

         37. CONSTRUCTION. Mortgagor has been represented by its own counsel in
this transaction, and this Mortgage shall not be construed more strongly against
any party regardless of who was more responsible for its preparation.

         38. GENDER; NUMBER; TERMS. Words and phrases herein shall be construed
as in the singular or plural number and as masculine, feminine or neuter gender,
according to the context. The use of the words "herein," "hereof," "hereunder"
and other similar compounds of the word "here" shall refer to this entire
Mortgage and not to any particular section, paragraph or provision. The term
"person" and words importing persons as used in this Mortgage shall include
firms, associations, partnerships (including limited partnerships), joint
ventures, trusts, corporations, limited liability companies, and other legal
entities, including public or governmental bodies, agencies or
instrumentalities, as well as natural persons.

         39. INTEGRATION. This Mortgage, together with the other Loan Documents
and the certain Environmental Indemnification Agreement executed by Mortgagor,
constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the
subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all negotiations, preliminary
agreements and all prior or contemporaneous discussions and understandings of
the parties hereto in connection with the subject matters hereof and thereof.

         40. GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) Mortgagor shall, at its sole cost and expense, protect, defend,
indemnify, release and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties (defined below)
from and against any and all Losses (defined below) imposed upon or incurred by
or asserted against any Indemnified Parties and directly or indirectly arising
out of or in any way relating to any one or more of the following: (i) any
accident, injury to or death of persons or loss of or damage to property
occurring in, on or about the Premises or any part thereof or on the adjoining
sidewalks, curbs, adjacent property or adjacent parking areas, streets or ways;
(ii) any use, nonuse or condition in, on or about the Premises or any part
thereof or on the adjoining sidewalks, curbs, adjacent property or adjacent
parking areas, streets or ways; (iii) performance of any labor or services or
the furnishing of any materials or other property in respect of the Premises or
any part thereof; (iv) any failure of the Premises to be in compliance with any
applicable laws; (v) any and all claims, demands or undertakings on its part to
perform or discharge any of the terms, covenants, or agreements contained in any
Lease; or (vi) the payment of any commission, charge or brokerage fee to anyone
which may be payable in connection with the funding of the Loan. Any amounts
payable to Mortgagee by reason of the application of this Paragraph shall become
immediately due and payable and shall bear interest at the Default Rate (as
defined in the Note) from the date loss or damage is sustained by Mortgagee
until paid. The term "LOSSES" shall mean any and all claims, suits, liabilities
(including, without limitation, strict liabilities), actions, proceedings,
obligations, debts, damages, losses, costs, expenses, fines, penalties, charges,
fees, judgments, awards,

                                       35

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
amounts paid in settlement of whatever kind or nature (including but not limited
to attorneys' fees and other costs of defense). The term "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES"
shall mean (i) Mortgagee, (ii) any prior owner or holder of the Note, (iii) any
servicer or prior servicer of the Loan, (iv) any participant or any prior
participant in any portion of the Loan, (v) any trustees, custodians or other
fiduciaries who hold or who have held a full or partial interest in the Loan for
the benefit of any participant or other third party, (vi) any receiver or other
fiduciary appointed in a foreclosure or other collection proceeding, (vii) any
officers, directors, shareholders, partners, members, employees, agents,
servants, representatives, contractors, subcontractors, affiliates or
subsidiaries of any and all of the foregoing, and (viii) the heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of any and all of the foregoing
(including, without limitation, any successors by merger, consolidation or
acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the Indemnified Parties' assets
and business), in all cases whether during the term of the Loan or as part of or
following a foreclosure of the Loan.

         (b) Upon written request by any Indemnified Party, Mortgagor shall
defend such Indemnified Party (if requested by any Indemnified Party, in the
name of the Indemnified Party) by attorneys and other professionals approved by
the Indemnified Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indemnified Parties
may, in their sole discretion, engage their own attorneys and other
professionals to defend or assist them, and, at the option of the Indemnified
Parties, their attorneys shall control the resolution of any claim or
proceeding. Upon demand, Mortgagor shall pay or, in the sole discretion of the
Indemnified Parties, reimburse, the Indemnified Parties for the payment of
reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, engineers, environmental
consultants, laboratories and other professionals in connection therewith.

         (c) Mortgagor shall, at its sole cost and expense, protect, defend,
indemnify, release and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and against
any and all Losses imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against any
Indemnified Parties and directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way
relating to any tax on the making and/or recording of this Mortgage, the Note or
any of the other Loan Documents.

         41. MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a) This Mortgage and all provisions hereof shall extend to and be
binding upon Mortgagor and its heirs, successors, grantees and assigns, any
subsequent owner or owners of the Premises and all persons claiming under or
through Mortgagor (but this clause shall not be construed as constituting the
consent by Mortgagee to the transfer of any interest in the Premises), and the
word "Mortgagor" when used herein shall include any such person and all persons
liable for the payment of the Indebtedness or any part thereof, whether or not
such persons shall have executed said Note or this Mortgage. The word
"Mortgagee", when used herein, shall include the successors and assigns of
Mortgagee, and the holder or holders, from time to time, of the Note secured
hereby. In addition, in the event Mortgagor is a land trust or similar entity,
the term "Mortgagor" as used herein shall include the beneficiary or
beneficiaries of such land trust or similar entity.

                                       36

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         (b) In the event one or more of the provisions contained in this
Mortgage or the Note secured hereby, or in any other security documents given to
secure the payment of the Note secured hereby, shall for any reason be held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality
or unenforceability shall, at the option of Mortgagee, not affect any other
provision of this Mortgage, and this Mortgage shall be construed as if such
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or
therein.

         (c) The Mortgagor will, from time to time, upon ten (10) business days'
prior written request from Mortgagee, make, execute, acknowledge and deliver to
Mortgagee such supplemental mortgages, certificates and other documents,
including without limitation UCC financing statements, as may be necessary for
better assuring and confirming unto Mortgagee any of the Premises, or for more
particularly identifying and describing the Premises, or to preserve or protect
the priority of this Mortgage lien, and generally do and perform such other acts
and things and execute and deliver such other instruments and documents as may
reasonably be deemed necessary or advisable by Mortgagee to carry out the
intentions of this Mortgage.

         (d) Mortgagor shall not by act or omission permit any building or other
improvement on any premises not subject to the lien of this Mortgage to rely on
the Premises or any part thereof or any interest therein to fulfill any
municipal or governmental requirement, and Mortgagor hereby assigns to Mortgagee
any and all rights to give consent for all or any portion of the Premises or any
interest therein to be so used. Similarly, no building or other Improvement on
the Premises shall rely on any premises not subject to the lien of this Mortgage
or any interest therein to fulfill any governmental or municipal requirement.
Mortgagor shall not by act or omission impair the integrity of the Premises as a
single zoning lot separate and apart from all other premises. Any act or
omission by Mortgagor which would result in a violation of any of the provisions
of this paragraph shall be void.

         (e) Mortgagor will, from time to time, upon ten (10) business days'
prior written request by Mortgagee, execute, acknowledge and deliver to
Mortgagee, a certificate stating that this Mortgage is unmodified and in full
force and effect (or, if there have been modifications, that this Mortgage is in
full force and effect as modified and setting forth such modifications) and
stating the principal amount secured hereby and the interest accrued to date on
such principal amount. The estoppel certificate from Mortgagor shall also state
to the best knowledge of Mortgagor whether any offsets or defenses to the
Indebtedness exist and if so shall identify them.

         (f) The Note secured hereby includes provisions for the assessment of a
Late Charge, as defined therein. Said Late Charge shall be secured hereby as
Indebtedness, as that term is used herein.

         (g) Mortgagee shall have the right and option to exercise power of sale
or to commence a civil action to foreclose this Mortgage and to obtain a decree
of foreclosure. The failure to join any tenant or tenants as party defendant or
defendants in any such civil action or the failure of any decree of foreclosure
and sale to foreclose their rights shall not be asserted by Mortgagor as a
defense in any civil action instituted to collect the Indebtedness, or any part

                                       37

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
thereof, or any deficiency remaining unpaid after foreclosure and sale of the
Premises, any statute or rule of law at any time existing to the contrary
notwithstanding.

         (h) At the option of Mortgagee, this Mortgage shall become, subject and
subordinate, in whole or in part (but not with respect to priority of
entitlement to insurance proceeds or any award in condemnation) to any one or
more, or to all, Leases upon the execution by Mortgagee and recording or
registration thereof, at any time hereafter, in the Office of the Recorder in
and for the county wherein the Premises are situated, or such other office as
determined by Mortgagee, of a unilateral declaration to that effect.

         (i) In the event that maturity of the Indebtedness is accelerated by
Mortgagee because of the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and a
tender of payment is made by or on behalf of Mortgagor in the amount necessary
to satisfy the Indebtedness at any time prior to judicial confirmation or other
conclusion if confirmation is not required, of a foreclosure sale or sale under
a power of sale, then such tender shall constitute a prepayment under the Note
and shall, to the extent specified in the Note, require payment of the
prepayment premium provided for in the Note.

         (j) All agreements between Mortgagor and Mortgagee (including, without
limitation, those contained in this Mortgage and the Note) are expressly limited
so that in no event whatsoever shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to the
Mortgagee exceed the highest lawful rate of interest permissible under the laws
of the State of Florida. If, from any circumstances whatsoever, fulfillment of
any provision hereof or the Note or any other documents securing the
Indebtedness at the time performance of such provision shall be due, shall
involve the payment of interest exceeding the highest rate of interest permitted
by law which a court of competent jurisdiction may deem applicable hereto, then,
ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the highest
lawful rate of interest permissible under the laws of the State of Florida; and
if for any reason whatsoever Mortgagee shall ever receive as interest an amount
which would be deemed unlawful, such interest shall be applied to the payment of
the last maturing installment or installments of the principal Indebtedness
(whether or not then due and payable) and not to the payment of interest.

         (k) Mortgagor covenants and agrees that it shall constitute an Event of
Default hereunder if any of the proceeds of the Loan will be used, or were used,
as the case may be, for the purpose (whether immediate, incidental or ultimate)
of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin security" as such terms are defined in
Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR
Part 207) or for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was
originally incurred for any such purpose.

         (l) Mortgagor shall exert its best efforts to include a "no lien"
provision in any property management agreement hereafter entered into by
Mortgagor or its beneficiary with a property manager for the Premises, whereby
the property manager waives and releases any and all mechanics' lien rights that
he, or anyone claiming through or under such manager, may have. Such property
management agreement containing such "no lien" provision or a short form

                                       38

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
thereof shall, at Mortgagee's request, be recorded in the office of the in and
for the County wherein the Premises is situated, or such other office as
reasonably requested by Mortgagee.

         42. ERISA REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTY. Mortgagor hereby represents,
warrants and agrees that as of the date hereof, none of the investors in or
owners of Mortgagor is an employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 as amended, a plat as
defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended,
nor an entity the assets of which are deemed to include plan assets pursuant to
Department of Labor regulation Section 2510.3-101 (the "PLAN ASSET REGULATION").
Mortgagor further represents, warrants and agrees that at all times during the
term of the Loan the assets of Mortgagor shall not be deemed to include plan
assets. If at any time during the entire term of the Loan any of the investors
in or owners of Mortgagor shall include a plan or entity described in the first
sentence of this Section 42, Mortgagor shall as soon as reasonably possible
following an investment by such plan or entity provide Mortgagee with an opinion
of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Mortgagee indicating that the assets of
Mortgagor are not deemed to include plan assets pursuant to the Plan Asset
Regulation. In lieu of such opinion, the Mortgagee may in its sole discretion
accept such other assurances from Mortgagor as are necessary to satisfy
Mortgagee in its sole discretion that the assets of Mortgagor are not deemed to
include plan assets pursuant to the Plan Asset Regulation.

         43. ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL.

         (a) Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that the Indebtedness and all
other obligations hereunder such Indebtedness and other obligations collectively
called the "OBLIGATIONS" are secured by the Premises and various other
collateral including, without limitation, at the time of execution of this
Mortgage certain personal property of Mortgagor and other parties described in
the Loan Documents. The Mortgagor specifically acknowledges and agrees that the
Premises, in and of itself, if foreclosed or realized upon would not be
sufficient to satisfy the outstanding amount of the Obligations. Accordingly,
Mortgagor acknowledges that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
it is in the Mortgagor's contemplation that the other collateral pledged to
secure the Obligations may be pursued by the Mortgagee in separate proceedings
in the various states, counties and other countries where such collateral may be
located and additionally that Mortgagor and other parties liable for payment of
the Obligations will remain liable for any deficiency judgments in addition to
any amounts the Mortgagee may realize on sales of other property or any other
collateral given as security for the Obligations except as otherwise set forth
in this Mortgage. Specifically, and without limitation of the foregoing, it is
agreed that it is the intent of the parties hereto that in the event of a
foreclosure of this Mortgage, the Obligations shall not be deemed merged into
any judgment of foreclosure, but rather shall remain outstanding. It is the
further intent and understanding of the parties that the Mortgagee, following an
Event of Default, may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, pursue
all of its Collateral with the Obligations remaining outstanding and in full
force and effect notwithstanding any judgment of foreclosure or any other
judgment which the Mortgagee may obtain.

                                       39

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         (b) Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that the Premises and the other
collateral which may from time to time be encumbered by the other Loan Documents
may be located in more than one state, county or country and therefore
Mortgagor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, waives and
relinquishes any and all rights it may have, whether at law or equity, to
require the Mortgagee to proceed to enforce or exercise any rights, powers and
remedies it may have under the Loan Documents in any particular manner, in any
particular order, or in any particular state or other jurisdiction. Furthermore,
Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, that the Mortgagee shall be allowed to enforce payment and performance of
the Obligations and to exercise all rights and powers provided under this
Mortgage, or the other Loan Documents or under any provision of law, by one or
more proceedings, (whether contemporaneous, consecutive or both) in any one or
more states, counties or countries in which the security is located. To the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither the acceptance of this
Mortgage or any Loan Document nor the enforcement in one state, county or
country, whether by court action, power of sale, or otherwise, shall prejudice
or in any way limit or preclude enforcement of such documents through one or
more additional proceedings, in that state or in any other state, county or
country.

         (c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Mortgagor
further agrees that any particular remedy or proceeding, including, without
limitation, foreclosure through court action (in a state or federal court) or
power of sale, may be brought and prosecuted in the local or federal courts of
any one or more states as to all or any part of the Premises or the collateral
encumbered by the Loan Documents, wherever located, without regard to the fact
that any one or more prior or contemporaneous proceedings have been situation
elsewhere with respect to the same or any other part of the Premises and the
other collateral encumbered by the Loan Documents.

         (d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Mortgagee may
resort to any other security held by the Mortgagee for the payment of the
Obligations in such order and manner as the Mortgagee may elect.

         (e) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, Mortgagee shall be under no duty to
Mortgagor or others, including, without limitation, the holder of any junior,
senior or subordinate deed of trust, deed to secure debt or mortgage on the
Premises or any part thereof or on any other security held by Mortgagee, to
exercise or exhaust all or any of the rights, powers and remedies available to
Mortgagee.

         44. PROPERTY RELEASE PRIVILEGE. Provided no event of default exists
under the terms of the Loan or the Loan Documents, Mortgagor shall be allowed,
subsequent to the Lockout Period (as that term is defined in the Note), to
partially prepay the Loan, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to
Mortgagee ("RELEASE REQUEST"), and to thereby obtain a partial release of this
Mortgage of any of the five (5) parcels (each, a "PARCEL" and collectively, the
"PARCELS") included within the Premises (the "RELEASE PRIVILEGE") subject to the
following conditions:

                                       40

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         (a) The total principal amount of the Loan to be funded pursuant to the
Commitment is hereby allocated by Mortgagee to each of the five (5) Parcels
included within the Premises in the following initial amounts ("PRINCIPAL
ALLOCATION") and in the following percentages of the total Loan amount
("ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE"):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

          PARCELS                            PRINCIPAL ALLOCATION       ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                        <C>
(1)Hampton Inn -- Deerfield                      $ 6,400,000                   15.764%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)Hampton Inn - Boca Raton                      $ 6,600,000                   16.256%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)Hampton Inn - Boynton Beach                   $10,700,000                   26.355%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)Hampton Inn - West Palm Beach                 $ 8,500,000                   20.935%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)Hampton Inn - Palm Beach Gardens              $ 8,400,000                   20.690%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               TOTAL                             $40,600,000                   100.00%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         As monthly installments of principal and interest are made in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, the Principal
Allocation for each Parcel shall be reduced by that Allocation Percentage of the
amortized principal amount paid, but the Allocation Percentage for each Parcel
shall remain constant until Mortgagor exercises its Release Privilege, at which
time the Allocation Percentage for each remaining Parcel shall be redetermined
and reallocated among the remaining Parcels by Mortgagee in its sole discretion.

         (b) Promptly following Mortgagee's receipt of a Release Request from
Mortgagor, Mortgagee shall determine the release price (the "RELEASE PRICE")
payable for the Parcel to be released, which shall be an amount equal one
hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the then remaining Principal Allocation for
such Parcel, based upon the Allocation Percentage for such Parcel multiplied by
the then outstanding principal balance of the Loan ("AMORTIZED PRINCIPAL
ALLOCATION"). For example, if Mortgagor submitted a request for a release of
Parcel (1) [Hampton Inn - Deerfield] in accordance with the conditions herein
set forth, the calculation would be as follows:

         (i)   Release Price      =   115%  x    Amortized Principal Allocation

                                      and

         (ii)  Amortized Principal Allocation =   15.764%  x  outstanding
         principal balance of Note

         (iii) Assuming a principal balance of $35,000,000, the Parcel (1)
         Release Price would be calculated as:

                  1.15     x    0.15764 x   $35,000,000   =    $6,345,010.00

                                       41

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
         (c) In addition to the Release Price, Mortgagor also shall pay to
Mortgagee, simultaneously with the Release Price, the Prepayment Premium (as
that term is defined in the Note) on such Release Price calculated in accordance
with the Terms of the Note;

         (d) Mortgagee shall have the right to apply the Release Price to the
Loan in such manner as Mortgagee may determine in its sole discretion;

         (e) After the Mortgagee has applied the Release Price to the Loan,
Mortgagee shall redetermine and reallocate the Allocation Percentages and
redetermine the Principal Allocations for the remaining Parcels, in its sole
discretion, and shall advise Mortgagor in writing within thirty (30) days of
receipt of the Release Request as to the amounts of the reallocated Allocation
Percentages and Principal Allocations;

         (f) Mortgagor shall pay all costs, fees and expenses associated with
the Release Privilege, including without limitation, one hundred percent (100%)
of all attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Mortgagee in
connection therewith, and all such sums shall be due and payable on the date of
closing and delivery of the release documentation by Mortgagee;

         (g) Mortgagor shall provide Mortgagee with an endorsement to its
mortgagee title insurance policy with respect to the remaining Parcels in form
and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee in its sole discretion insuring the Loan
through the date and time of recording of the release and modification
instrument, with no new exceptions since the original Loan closing unless
approved by Mortgagee in writing. To the extent that a released Parcel adjoined
a remaining Parcel or shared common areas, parking, utilities or amenities or
services with the a remaining Parcel, such endorsement will also (a) insure that
the remaining Premises has access to the same publicly dedicated streets as it
did prior to the release and (b) amend the legal description to include only the
remaining parcels.

         45. SUBSTITUTION OF COLLATERAL. Mortgagor may submit a written request
("SUBSTITUTION REQUEST"), upon at least ninety (90) days prior notice, that
Mortgagee permit a substitution (each a "SUBSTITUTION") of a substitute property
(which previously has not been the subject of inclusion in the collateral for
the Loan) (each a "SUBSTITUTE PROPERTY") for any individual Parcel (in such
capacity a "Replaced Property") upon and subject to the following terms and
conditions:

         (a) The Mortgagor shall submit a written request for Substitution,
identifying the proposed Substitute Property and the proposed Replaced Property
at least ninety (90) days prior to the proposed closing date for the
Substitution. Mortgagee shall evaluate the request for the proposed Substitution
and Substitute Property pursuant to its then customary underwriting and pricing
criteria. The amount of the "Principal Allocation" Mortgagee would determine to
allocate to the Substitute Property must be at least equal to the amount of the
then remaining Principal Allocation for the proposed Replaced Property, and the
loan-to-value ("LTV") ratio for the Mortgagee's proposed Principal Allocation
for the Substitute Property, based upon a current MAI appraisal in accordance
with subsection (h) below, must be at least equal to the then current LTV

                                       42

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
ratio for the proposed Replaced Property. In its underwriting and pricing
analysis, Mortgagee may review items such as, but not limited to, location,
occupancy, lease term, rollover, tenant exposure, tenant's credit.

         (b) The owner of the Substitute Property must be the Mortgagor (such
that the Substitute Property is owned one hundred percent (100%) by the same
entity as owns all the collateral constituting the Premises. The Substitute
Property must be located in the continental United States.

         (c) Mortgagee in its sole discretion shall acknowledge within ten (10)
business days of the Mortgagee's receipt of the Substitution Request whether the
proposed Substitution Property appears to be acceptable to permit the
Substitution. If in the Mortgagee's sole discretion it is determined that the
proposed Substitution Property is equal to or greater in value and quality than
the Replaced Property, then Mortgagee, through its loan correspondent, Mid-North
Financial Services, will process Mortgagor's formal request for Substitution.
The proposal will be reviewed by and presented to Mortgagee's investment review
committee pursuant to its then current commercial mortgage loan policies,
practices, standards and procedures. If the investment review committee approves
the formal request for Substitution, the Substitution will be subject to the
other conditions outlined herein.

         (d) No more than two (2) Substitution Requests shall be considered in
any calendar year for the entire Loan.

         (e) Mortgagor shall not be permitted to request and close more than a
total of three (3) Substitutions during the Loan term.

         (f) Mortgagor shall pay a processing fee to Mortgagee equal to $25,000
at closing of each approved Substitution. A "Substitution Deposit" of $5,000
shall be required with submission of a Substitution Request, which deposit shall
be applied to the processing fee at closing of the Substitution. The deposit and
processing fee contemplated by this subsection are in addition to reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in the documentation of such Substitution
and in the review of due diligence.

         (g) All improvements on the Substitute Property shall have been
completed in a good and workmanlike manner and in compliance, in all material
respects, with all applicable governmental requirements. The Substitute Property
must be lien free and all land, improvements and personal property must be paid
for in full.

         (h) The appraised fair market "As Is" value of the Substitute Property
shall be equal to or greater than the greater of (x) the then appraised fair
market value, or gross sales proceeds, as the case may be, of the Replaced
Property and (y) the original appraised value of the Replaced Property as set
forth in the appraisal delivered to Mortgagee in connection with the closing of
this Loan. The fair market "As Is" value of the Replaced Property and Substitute
Property shall be determined by a firm of appraisers selected by Mortgagor and
approved by the Mortgagee, based on an MAI appraisal satisfactory to Mortgagee,
dated not more than ninety (90) days prior

                                       43

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
to the closing of the Substitution. All costs of such appraisals shall be paid
by the Mortgagors on or prior to the closing of the Substitution. Mortgagee
shall have the right to readjust the Principal Allocations and Allocation
Percentages for all five (5) Parcels (or such number remaining if the Release
Privilege previously has been exercised). The Release Factor (i.e., 115%) set
forth in Section 43 subsection (ii) above shall remain the same upon closing of
the Substitution.

         (i) The actual net operating income relating to the Substitute Property
(based upon the trailing twelve (12) month financial results or such shorter
period, as Mortgagee deems appropriate, for a Substitute Property opened for
less than one year) shall equal or exceed the actual net operating income
relating (based upon the trailing twelve (12) month financial results or such
shorter period, as Mortgagee reasonably deems appropriate, for any Substitute
Property opened for less than one (1) year) to the Replaced Property.

         (j) Mortgagee's outside counsel shall prepare and Mortgagor shall
execute (1) amendments to the Note, Mortgage, assignment of rents and leases,
loan agreement, environmental indemnities, tax and insurance escrows and (2) all
other Loan Documents Mortgagee shall deems appropriate, including, but not
limited to, any new Mortgage, assignment of rents and leases, environmental
indemnities, etc. relating to the Substitute Property (all of which
documentation shall be substantially in the form of the applicable documents
executed in connection with the Loan with such changes thereto as Mortgagee
reasonably deems appropriate to reflect the terms and circumstances of the
Substitution and Substitute Property) (collectively, the "SUBSTITUTE LOAN
DOCUMENTS"). The Substitution Loan Documents shall be cross-defaulted and
cross-collateralized with the existing Loan Documents for the Loan.

         (k) Mortgagor shall be required to supply for Mortgagee's review and
approval due diligence materials relating to the Substitute Property prior to
closing of the Substitution including those items contained in that certain
Application Letter dated August 25, 2004 between Mortgagor and Mortgagee as a
requirement for closing of this Loan, and such other materials as may then be
customarily required as part of its then current commercial loan closing
policies, procedures, standards and practices for properties of similar type and
in similar locations as the Substitute Property, including, without limitation,
a current as-built ALTA survey, proof of adequate insurance, title insurance,
proof of compliance with governmental regulations, tenant estoppel certificates,
subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements. The Mortgagee shall,
at the Mortgagors' sole cost and expense, receive for its review and approval
all additional due diligence materials in any way relating to the Substitute
Property, including but not limited to, appraisal, Hazardous Substance report
and engineer report as required by Mortgagee in its sole discretion. The items
listed in this section are not exhaustive.

         (l) The Substitute Loan Documents, financing statements, and other
instruments required to perfect the liens in the Substitute Property and all
collateral under such documents shall be recorded, registered and filed (as
applicable) in such manner as may be required by law to create a valid,
perfected lien and security interest with respect to the Substitute Property and
the personal property related thereto. The liens created by the Substitute Loan
Documents shall be first liens and security interests on the Substitute Property
and the personal property related

                                       44

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
thereto, subject only to such exceptions as Mortgagee shall approve in its sole
discretion. At closing of the Substitution, the Mortgagor shall have good and
marketable title to the Substitute Property and good and valid title to any
personal property located thereon or used in connection therewith, in each case
satisfactory to the Mortgagee. The title policies to the remaining parcels of
Land in the Loan must also be endorsed to bring forward the effective dates
thereof through the dates and times of recording of the modification instruments
and showing no new exceptions since the original Loan closing unless approved by
Mortgagee in writing and continuing all coverage provided in the original loan
title policies.

         (m) Mortgagee shall receive (1) a confirmation and reaffirmation of all
Loan Documents by the Mortgagor for the other properties in the Loan, (2) a
consent to such Substitution by any "Carve-Out" or other guarantors or
indemnitors, if any, and (3) such other instruments and agreements and such
certificates and opinions of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Mortgagee in connection with such Substitution as it may reasonably request.

         (n) The Substitute Property shall be located within the continental
United States. Mortgagor shall consider all implications for documentary stamp
and intangible taxes on the Substitution and the Mortgage encumbering the other
Parcels of Land in the Loan that shall arise in connection with such
Substitution. Mortgagee shall require payment of all such documentary stamp and
intangibles taxes required by law and authorities having jurisdiction as a
condition of closing the Substitution and the corresponding loan modifications
to the Loan, regardless of whether the taxing authority imposes taxes
duplicative of those incurred at the original closing of the Loan.

         (o) No default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing hereunder or under any other Loan Documents for the Loan on the date
of Substitution Request or at closing of the Substitution.

         (p) Mortgagee shall be satisfied that no material adverse change in the
financial condition, operations or prospects of any guarantor, Mortgagor (or
General Partner or Limited Partner as applicable) has occurred after closing of
this Loan.

         (q) The Mortgagor shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with any such Substitution and the out-of-pocket
fees and expenses incurred by Mortgagee (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and expenses of its outside counsel) and its loan correspondent
and servicer in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Mortgagor shall, in connection with, and as a condition to, each
Substitution, pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Mortgagee's counsel, the
fees and expenses of Mortgagee's engineers, appraisers, construction
consultants, insurance consultants and other due diligence consultants and
contractors, recording charges, title insurance charges, and stamp and/or
mortgage or similar taxes, transfer taxes.

         46. FF&E RESERVE. Mortgagor agrees to fund an FF&E escrow account (the
"RESERVE"), pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 25 of that certain commitment
letter between Mortgagor and Mortgagee dated August 5, 2004, as amended (the
"COMMITMENT LETTER"), and to

                                       45

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>
enter into an agreement, satisfactory to Mortgagee, regarding such FF&E Account
(the "FF&E AGREEMENT"). Notwithstanding anything contained herein, Mortgagor's
obligation to fund the Reserve shall be waived during the first five (5) Loan
Years (as that term is defined in the Note), provided (i) no event of default
has occurred under any of the Loan Documents, (ii) the Franchise Agreements
continue to be in full force and effect without modification, unless approved by
Mortgagee, and (iii) the annual gross revenue of the Premises during each fiscal
year of Mortgagor during the term of the Loan (the "AGI"), as reported to
Mortgagee pursuant to PARAGRAPH 25 herein, equals or exceeds $15,500,000.00.
Mortgagor's obligation to fund the Reserve shall be waived for subsequent five
(5) year periods provided that, at the end of the immediately prior five (5)
year period, Mortgagor promptly provides documentation, sufficient in
Mortgagee's sole discretion, documenting that not less than three percent (3%)
of the gross revenues generated by the Premises over the immediately prior five
(5) year period have been spent on furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the
Premises. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Mortgagor is required to fund the
Reserve solely because of a failure of condition (iii) in the second sentence of
this Paragraph (i.e., the AGI does not equal or exceed $15,500,000.00 during
each said fiscal year), then at such time as the AGI during a twelve (12) month
period exceeds $17,000,000.00 (and provided further that Mortgagor does not
violate any other condition hereunder), Mortgagor shall have the right to
request that said funding requirement be waived for the remainder of the current
five-year period. Mortgagor shall make such request in writing to Mortgagee,
which shall not be unreasonably denied.

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE SIGNING. THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BECAUSE ONLY THOSE TERMS IN WRITING ARE ENFORCEABLE. MORTGAGOR
ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER TERMS OR ORAL PROMISES NOT
CONTAINED IN THIS WRITTEN CONTRACT AND NO SUCH OTHER TERMS AND PROVISIONS MAY BE
LEGALLY ENFORCED. YOU MAY CHANGE THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT ONLY BY ANOTHER
WRITTEN AGREEMENT.

         Mortgagor acknowledges receipt of a copy of this instrument at the time
of execution hereof.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       46

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Mortgagor has executed this instrument the day
and year first above written.

Signed and delivered in the presence of:    EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a
                                            Tennessee limited partnership

                                            By: Equity Inns Trust, a Maryland
----------------------------------------        real estate investment trust,
Witness                                         its sole general partner
Print Name:
           -----------------------------
                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                     ---------------------------
----------------------------------------        Title:
Witness                                               --------------------------
Print Name:
           -----------------------------

STATE OF
         -------------------------------

COUNTY OF
          ------------------------------

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ______day of October,
2004, by _________________________________________, the _____________________ of
Equity Inns Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, the sole general
partner of Equity Inns Partnership, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (the
"LIMITED PARTNERSHIP"), on behalf of the Limited Partnership. The aforesaid
__________________ is personally known to me or has produced
____________________________________ as identification and [did][did not] take
an oath.

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Notary Public
                                       Type or Print Name:
                                                          ----------------------
(Seal)
                                       My Commission expires:
                                                             -------------------

::ODMA\PCDOCS\ATL\803203\4

                                       47

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                                LEGAL DESCRIPTION

                                                  [MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                                         FINANCING STATEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING]
                                                                   ING No. 27449

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00073-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00073-of-00352.parquet"}]]