Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.21

            NINTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

          ESCALADE, INCORPORATED, an Indiana corporation (the "Company"), and
BANK ONE, INDIANA, National Association, a national banking association (the
"Bank") being parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of May 31, 1996 as amended from time to time through the date hereof
(collectively the "Agreement"), hereby agree to amend the Agreement by this
Ninth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Ninth
Amendment"), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth as follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS

         a. Terms used in this Ninth Amendment with their initial letter
         capitalized which are not defined herein shall have the meanings
         ascribed to them in the Agreement.

         b. The following definitions set forth in Section 1 of the Agreement
         are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

o        "Applicable Rate" means that number of percentage points to be taken
         into account in determining the Applicable Spread which is used in
         computing the rate at which interest accrues on the Loans, the
         Applicable Unused Fee Rate which is used in calculating the Unused Fee,
         the Applicable Commission Rate which is used in calculating the amount
         of Commission which is payable with respect to Standby Letters of
         Credit, and the Applicable Issuance Fee Rate which is used in
         calculating the amount of Issuance Fees payable with respect to
         Commercial Letters of Credit. Initially, from the date of the Ninth
         Amendment and until receipt by the Bank of the Company's first fiscal
         quarter end financial statements furnished after such date to the Bank
         pursuant to the requirements of Section 5.b(ii), the Applicable Rate
         shall be determined by reference to the Company's Leverage Ratio in
         accordance with the following table:

                                 Applicable Rate
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Applicable Spread*
                       -------------------------------        Applicable   Applicable        Applicable
                       Prime-based         LIBOR-based        Unused Fee   Commission        Issuance
Leverage Ratio         Rate                Rate               Rate         Rate              Fee Rate
--------------         -----------------   ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>                 <C>                <C>          <C>               <C>
greater than or
equal to               0.00% RL            1.75% RL           .375%        1.375%            .625%
2.50:1.00              0.00% TL            2.00% TL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
less than or
equal to
2.49:1.00, but
greater than or
equal to               0.00% RL            1.50% RL           .25%         1.25%             .50%
2.00:1.00              0.00% TL            1.75% TL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
less than or
equal to
1.99:1.00, but
greater than or
equal to               0.00% RL            1.25% RL           .25%         1.125%            .375%
1.50:1.00              0.00% TL            1.50% TL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
less than 1.50:1.00    0.00% RL            1.00% RL           .25%         1.00%             .25%
                       0.00% TL            1.25% TL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
         * Where "RL" means Revolving Loan and "TL" means Term Loan.

         Such determination and resulting rate change will be effective as of
         the first day of the month following the receipt of the financial
         statements.

         Thereafter, the Applicable Rate shall be determined on the basis of the
         financial statements of the Company for each fiscal quarter end
         furnished to the Bank pursuant to the requirements of Section 5.b(ii),
         and shall be effective as of the first day of the month following the
         receipt of the financial statements. Commissions and Issuance Fees with
         respect to Letters of Credit shall be determined from the Applicable
         Rate in effect when the related Letter of Credit is issued or renewed,
         and will thereafter adjust quarterly after receipt of the financial
         statements and determination of the Applicable Rate. It is noted that
         the above table provides an Applicable Rate for a Leverage Ratio
         greater than that which will be permissible under the terms of Section
         5.g(ii). For the avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that it is the intent
         of the parties that the Bank shall be free to exercise all remedies
         otherwise provided for in this Agreement in the event of the violation
         by the Company of the covenant stated in Section 5.g(ii),
         notwithstanding the accrual of interest upon the Loan at a rate
         determined in accordance with this definition.

2.       TERM LOAN.  Section 2.c. of the Agreement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety, to read as follows:

         c. The Term Loan. The Bank will make a term loan (the "Term Loan") to
         the Company contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement on
         the following terms and subject to the following conditions:

                  (i) Amount. The principal amount of the Term Loan shall be
                  Twenty Million Five Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars
                  ($20,500,000) or so much thereof as shall be advanced for the
                  purposes set forth herein.

                  (ii) The Term Note. The obligation of the Company to repay the
                  Term Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note (the "Term
                  Note") in the form of Exhibit A. The principal of the Term
                  Loan shall be repayable in equal annual installments of
                  $4,100,000 each, due and payable on the last day of each
                  March, commencing March 31, 2001, provided that if the full
                  amount set forth above is not advanced at closing, the annual
                  installments shall be reduced proportionately. On March 31,
                  2005, the entire remaining principal amount of the Term Loan
                  shall be due and payable, together with all accrued and unpaid
                  interest. Subject to the contemporaneous payment of any
                  Prepayment Premium which would become due on account of any
                  proposed prepayment, the principal of the Term Loan may be
                  prepaid at any time in whole or in part, provided that any
                  partial prepayment shall be in an amount which is an integral
                  multiple of $250,000.00. Further, any partial prepayment up to
                  the amount of the next scheduled principal installment, shall
                  be applied to that installment but prepayments in excess of
                  the next scheduled installment shall be applied to the
                  principal installments payable on the Term Loan in the inverse
                  order of their maturities.

                  (iii) Interest on the Term Loan. The unpaid principal balance
                  from time to time of the Term Loan shall bear interest from
                  the date the Loan is made prior to the maturity of the Term
                  Note at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus the
                  Applicable Spread, except that at the option of the Company
                  exercised from time to time as provided in
<PAGE>   3
                  Section 2.d(i) of the Agreement, interest may accrue prior to
                  maturity on the entire outstanding balance of the Term Loan or
                  on any portion thereof which is in excess of $1,000,000.00 and
                  as to which no Optional Rate previously selected remains in
                  effect at a LIBOR-based Rate for a period of 30, 60, 90 or 180
                  days; provided that no Optional Rate may be elected for a
                  period extending beyond the scheduled final maturity of the
                  Term Loan. Those elections of a "LIBOR-based Rate" which have
                  been made under the "Term Loan" as outstanding prior to the
                  Ninth Amendment and which remain in effect on the date of the
                  Ninth Amendment, shall continue, under this Agreement, to be
                  in effect through the end of the interest period for which
                  elected. After maturity, whether scheduled maturity or
                  maturity by virtue of acceleration on account of the
                  occurrence of an Event of Default, interest will accrue on the
                  Term Loan at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus the
                  Applicable Spread plus two percent (2%), except that as to any
                  portion of the Loan for which the Company may have elected an
                  Optional Rate for a period of time that has not expired at
                  maturity, such portion shall, during the remainder of such
                  period, bear interest at the greater of the Prime Rate plus
                  the Applicable Spread plus two percent (2%) per annum or the
                  Optional Rate then in effect plus two percent (2%) per annum.
                  Prior to maturity, interest shall be due and payable on the
                  last Banking Day of each month in addition to any installment
                  of principal which may be due and payable on such date. After
                  maturity, interest shall be payable as accrued and without
                  demand.

                  (iv) Use of Proceeds of the Term Loan; Reduction of Principal
                  Amount. The proceeds of the Term Loan shall be used to finance
                  the repurchase of stock by the Company from existing
                  shareholders in a tender offer filed with and in compliance
                  with the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission, through open-market purchases and to repurchase
                  outstanding warrants for stock in an aggregate amount not to
                  exceed Thirteen Million Five Hundred Thousand and No/100
                  Dollars ($13,500,000) on or prior to March 31, 2000 and to
                  refinance the Company's existing Term Loan in the amount of
                  Seven Million and No/100 Dollars ($7,000,000.00). On or before
                  March 31, 2000, the Company shall deliver to the Bank a
                  Certificate of an Authorized Officer certifying that the
                  Company has used $13,500,000 of the Term Loan proceeds, or
                  such lesser amount as actually used, to repurchase the common
                  stock of the Company through the tender offer, open-market
                  purchases or through the purchase of warrants. In the event
                  that the Company has not fully utilized the $13,500,000 for
                  such purpose by March 31, 2000, the remaining unused proceeds
                  of the Term Loan, to the extent advanced, shall be immediately
                  repaid by the Company as a prepayment of the Term Loan and
                  shall be applied against the latest maturing installment of
                  principal; and if not previously advanced, shall be cancelled,
                  and in either event the annual principal payments shall be
                  adjusted proportionately to reflect the actual principal
                  amount outstanding.

                  (v) Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Bank's agreement
                  to advance new funds to the Company and refinance the balance
                  of the Company's existing term loan, the Company shall pay a
                  Commitment Fee equal to 1/4% of the amount of the increase in
                  the Term Loan with the fee not to exceed $33,750.00, which
                  shall be due and payable at Closing.

3.       AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.  Sections 5.g(i), (ii) and (iii) of the
Agreement are hereby amended to read in their entirety as follows:

                  (i) Tangible Net Worth. The Company shall maintain its
                  Tangible Net Worth,
<PAGE>   4
                  determined on a consolidated basis, of not less than an amount
                  equal to 95% of the Company's consolidated Tangible Net Worth
                  as of the date of funding of the tender offer (after giving
                  effect to the tender offer and its related transactional
                  expenses) until June 30, 2000. At June 30, 2000 and at the
                  last day of each fiscal quarter end thereafter, the Tangible
                  Net Worth to be maintained by the Company on that date and at
                  all times thereafter until the last day of the next quarter
                  shall be increased by an amount equal to seventy-five percent
                  (75%) of the Company's consolidated net profit for the fiscal
                  quarter then ended.

                  (ii) Leverage Ratio. For each period of four consecutive
                  fiscal quarters of the Company ending during the periods
                  indicated in the table below, the Company shall maintain a
                  Leverage Ratio, at levels not greater than those shown in the
                  following table:

                      Period                                      Ratio
                      ------                                      -----
                  from the date of this Ninth Amendment           3.00 to 1.0
                     and until March 31, 2001

                  At April 1, 2001 and at all                     2.50 to 1.0
                     times thereafter

                  (iii) Debt Service Coverage. For each period of four
                  consecutive fiscal quarters ending during the periods
                  indicated in the table below, the Company shall maintain a
                  debt service coverage ratio (hereinafter defined), determined
                  on a consolidated basis, of not less than that indicated in
                  the table below.

                      Period                                      Ratio
                      ------                                      -----
                  from the date of this Ninth Amendment and
                     until December 30, 2000                      1.05 to 1.0

                  from December 31, 2000 and until
                     December 29, 2001                            1.10 to 1.0

                  at December 30 , 2001 and at all
                     times thereafter                             1.20 to 1.0

                  For purposes of this covenant, the phrase "debt service
                  coverage ratio" means the ratio of (A) the sum of consolidated
                  net income before taxes plus interest expense plus
                  depreciation and amortization expense plus non-recurring and
                  extraordinary charges, all for the period for which the ratio
                  is being determined, over (B) the sum of scheduled Term Loan
                  and other debt payments plus interest expense plus cash income
                  taxes plus capital expenditures which were not financed plus
                  stock repurchased and cash dividends made, but excluding the
                  stock repurchase under the tender offer and related activities
                  referred to in Section 2(c)(iv) above, all for the period for
                  which such ratio is being determined.
<PAGE>   5
4.       NEGATIVE COVENANT.  Section 6.a. of the Agreement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety to read as follows:

         a. Restricted Payments. If an Event of Default has occurred and is
         continuing or would occur as a result of any of the following, the
         Company shall not purchase or redeem any shares of the capital stock of
         the Company or declare or pay any dividends thereon except for
         dividends payable entirely in capital stock; and the Company shall not
         make any other distributions to shareholders as shareholders, or set
         aside any funds for any such purpose, or prepay, purchase or redeem any
         subordinated indebtedness of the Company.

5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  In order to induce the Bank to enter
into this Ninth Amendment, the Company represents and warrants to the Bank that:

         a. The execution and delivery of this Ninth Amendment, the execution
         and delivery of all of the other documents executed in connection
         herewith, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under
         this Ninth Amendment and all of the documents executed in connection
         herewith are within the corporate power of the Company, have been duly
         authorized by all necessary corporate action, have received any
         required governmental or regulatory agency approvals and do not and
         will not contravene or conflict with any provision of law or of the
         Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or of any agreement
         binding upon the Company or any of its property.

         b. This Ninth Amendment and all of the documents executed by the
         Company in connection herewith are the legal, valid and binding
         obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
         accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that
         enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium and other laws enacted for the relief of
         debtors generally and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
         creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles which may affect
         the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies.

         c. The representations and warranties contained in Section 3 of the
         Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof except that the
         representations contained in Section 3.d. of the Agreement shall be
         deemed to refer to the latest financial statements furnished by the
         Company to the Bank.

         d. No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and
         is continuing as of the date of this Ninth Amendment.

6.       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.  This Ninth Amendment shall become effective upon
the Bank's receipt of the following, contemporaneously with the execution of
this Ninth Amendment, each duly executed, dated and in form and substance
satisfactory to the Bank:

         a. This Ninth Amendment;

         b. The replacement Term Loan Note;

         c. Certified copies of Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
         Company, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance,
         respectively of this Ninth Amendment and the Term Loan Note, and the
         other Loan Documents to which such entity is a party;
<PAGE>   6
         d. Certificate of the Secretary of the Company certifying the name of
         the officer or officers authorized to sign each document to which the
         Company is a party, together with a sample of the true signature of
         each such officer;

         e. Copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company
         certified by the Secretary of such entity or a Certificate of No Change
         to such documents if previously delivered to the Bank;

         f. An opinion of counsel for the Company in form and substance
         acceptable to the Bank and its counsel;

         g. Receipt of payment of the reasonable legal fees and expenses of
         Bank's counsel at closing or immediately upon receipt by Borrower of an
         invoice therefor.

         h. Payment of the Commitment Fee due at closing.

         i. Such other documents as the Bank may reasonably request, including
         but not limited to all documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
         Commission regarding the tender offer.

7.       PRIOR AGREEMENTS.  The Agreement, as amended by this Ninth Amendment,
supersedes all previous agreements and commitments made or issued by the Bank,
related to all of the subjects of the Agreement, as amended by this Ninth
Amendment, and any oral or written proposals or commitments made or issued by
the Bank.

8.       AFFIRMATION.  Except as expressly amended by this Ninth Amendment, all
of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and each of the Loan Documents
remains in full force and effect.

         Executed on March 28, 2000.

                                       ESCALADE, INCORPORATED

                                       By John R. Wilson
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          John R. Wilson, Secretary

                                       BANK ONE, INDIANA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                       By Steven J. Krakoski
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Steven J. Krakoski, Vice President and
                                          Senior Relationship Manager<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

                       [Commonwealth Partners Letterhead]

COMMONWEALTH PARTNERS NY, LLC "CONSULTING AGREEMENT"

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

                                               December 13, 1999

Mr. Joseph Lechiara
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
AlphaCom, Inc.
1035 Rosemary Blvd., Suite I
Akron, OH 44306

                                               VIA FAX

Dear Joseph:

         This letter ("Engagement Letter") confirms that Commonwealth Partners
NY, LLC ("Commonwealth," "we" or "our") has been engaged by Alpha.Com, Inc., its
subsidiaries, successors, affiliates, (the "Company," "you" or "your") to act as
their non-exclusive Consultant (and to perform other functions mutually agreed
upon by the parties) for the purpose of rendering to you financial advice and
other services in such capacity, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth. Our engagement shall become effective as of the date set forth above,
however, any services to be performed by Commonwealth under this Engagement
Letter will be requested in writing by the Company.

      1. CONFIDENTIALITY
         It is understood that during the course of this engagement Commonwealth
will be furnishing proprietary and confidential advice and information to you
relating to structure and capital sources developed by Commonwealth through its
relationships with such sources and that, accordingly, any such information or
any other information relating to Commonwealth's efforts on your behalf with
third parties provided to you by Commonwealth, is confidential. You agree to
treat as confidential any such information or related or similar information
provided to you by Commonwealth and you will not, without our prior written
consent, disclose such to any third party. We, in turn, will treat as
confidential and will not, without your prior written consent, disclose to any
third party any confidential information provided to Commonwealth by you.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Paragraph 1 shall not apply to
any information which is or becomes generally available to the public, is
required by law to be disclosed, or is obtained from any third party which is in
possession of such information through no fault of Commonwealth and is not under
any obligation, to Commonwealth's knowledge, to treat such information as
confidential.

      2. ENGAGEMENT FEE FOR ADVISORY SERVICES
         In addition to any amounts payable pursuant to Paragraph 6 hereof, the
Company agrees to pay Commonwealth a nonrefundable engagement fee of 200,000
shares of the common stock of the Company or a new or successor entity or the
surviving Company in any merger or acquisition, or such other consideration
which may form all or part of the consideration paid or exchanged at any such
closing or thereafter as part of the transaction or a combination of both said
shares are payable 100,000 restricted shares upon the execution of this
Engagement Letter and 100,000 registered shares payable between four and six
months hence, plus a $10,000.00 per month advisory fee payable on the first day
of each month after execution of this Engagement Letter. The cash portion of
this Section 2 shall accrue until the Company obtains its first funding of at
least $4,000,000.00. Said fee shall be payable for the financial advisory
services to be provided by Commonwealth, as hereinafter set forth, ("Financial
Advisory Fee") is due and payable upon your acceptance of

<PAGE>   2
this Engagement Letter. This fee is not contingent upon the consummation of any
acceptance of this Engagement Letter transaction.

     3.   CONSULTING SERVICE
          Commonwealth will, throughout the term of this engagement, in
consideration of the Consulting Fee set forth in Paragraph 2 above:

1.   Commonwealth will introduce the Company to end user groups, joint venture
     partners, strategic alliances, funding sources, retail and institutional
     brokers, and other potential sources of business. Commonwealth during the
     term hereof, shall provide Company with the benefit of its industry
     knowledge and experience and it is understood and acknowledged by the
     Company that the value of Commonwealth's services to be rendered hereunder
     is related to the quality and not necessarily the quantity thereof.

2.   Participate in strategic planning with management to analyze the Company's
     capital funding requirements and proposed financing sources, structures,
     mergers, acquisitions and consolidations or proposed transactions.
     Commonwealth will also advise and assist the Company in negotiations with
     potential capital sources, merger and/or acquisition candidates, and joint
     venture partners. All decisions with respect to potential transactions,
     however, will remain the sole responsibility and determination of the
     Company.

3.   Commonwealth will, further, assist and advise the Company in the Company's
     preparation of any letters of intent, agreements, documents or materials
     that Commonwealth, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to assess and
     achieve the financing objectives of the Company ("Materials"). It is
     understood that the Materials will be based upon assumptions and
     information provided by the Company, that Commonwealth would not be
     required to make or be responsible for any independent analysis or
     investigation of any information provided by the Company, and that
     Commonwealth is entitled to rely thereon. It is further agreed that
     Commonwealth assumes no responsibility or liability as to the truth,
     accuracy or completeness of such information, which the Company herewith
     warrants to Commonwealth, and that Commonwealth shall have the right to
     make appropriate disclaimers to any Materials with respect thereto.
     Although Commonwealth may review and make suggestions regarding the
     Materials, the contents, including, but not limited to, the completeness,
     truth and accuracy thereof, are the sole responsibility of the Company and
     are not that of Commonwealth.

4.   Commonwealth will assist management of the Company in the preparation of
     presentation materials for the purpose of pursuing financing, which may
     include growth and acquisition financing.

5.   Commonwealth will evaluate the Company's programs in the area of business
     plans, corporate goals, financial structures and organization and merger
     and acquisition plans that may include the creation of a global
     organization. Commonwealth has available for use by the Company resources
     necessary to create market and product exposure.

6.   Commonwealth will act as non-exclusive financial advisor to the Company,
     which may include evaluation of the capital structure of the Company for
     future listing on the NASDAQ SC or NMS, Philadelphia and or London stock
     exchanges.

     4.   APPOINTMENT AS CONSULTANT AND FINDER FOR CAPITAL RAISING
          The Company hereby further appoints and retains Commonwealth, on a
"best efforts" basis, as it's non-exclusive consultant and finder of debt and/or
equity capital sources and capital. The Company understands, however, that
Commonwealth itself shall not have any obligation hereunder as a result of such
appointment to purchase any securities of the Company or to provide financing of
any kind to the Company.

     5.   NON-CIRCUMVENTION
          During the term of this Engagement Letter, the Company, its officer,
directors, employees, agents, affiliates and/or successors shall not directly or
indirectly (i) offer any of its securities (or any instrument similar to
securities) for sale or exchange to, or solicit any offer to purchase or
exchange any of its securities (or any instrument similar to a security) from,
or otherwise contact, approach or negotiate with respect thereto, any third
party, or (ii) authorize anyone other than Commonwealth to act on the Company's
behalf to place or exchange any
<PAGE>   3
of the Company's securities (or instruments similar to securities) with any
third party, without first notifying Commonwealth.

     The Company shall promptly refer to Commonwealth all offers, inquiries and
proposals relating to any placement or exchange of its securities made to the
Company, resulting from any referral or introduction made by Commonwealth, at
any time during the term of this Engagement Letter.

     The Company hereby agrees that its officers, directors, employees, agents,
affiliates or successors, will not make any contact with, deal with or otherwise
be involved in any future transaction(s) with any banking or lending institu-
tions, trusts, corporations, companies or individuals, lenders or borrowers,
buyers or sellers, including those specified herein, which were referred or
introduced by Commonwealth to you, without the written consent of Commonwealth.
You further agree that no effort shall be made to circumvent the terms of this
Engagement Letter in an effort to amend or modify such terms, including, without
limitation, the fee structure set forth herein.

     6.   COMPENSATION FOR CAPITAL RAISING EFFORTS
          In addition to, but not in lieu of, any other compensation or other
sums payable to Commonwealth pursuant to this Engagement Letter, the Company
agrees to pay Commonwealth a "Success Fee" equal to a percentage, as described
herein, of the gross amount of any capital, or the value of any merger
consideration, whether debt or equity, raised by Commonwealth or its sources
previously identified by Commonwealth for the Company: (i) ten percent (10%)
upto $2,000,000.00, (ii) seven percent (7%) above $2,000,000.00 upto
$5,000,000.00, (iii) five percent (5%) above $5,000,000.00, plus for each
$100,000.00 raised, 1000 restricted common shares of the Company, or a new
or successor entity or the surviving Company in any merger or acquisition, to
be issued by the Company upon exercise or conversion of any security or other
instrument issued by the Company in any stage of financing. Additionally the
Company agrees to pay Commonwealth a "Participation Success Fee" equal to a
percentage, as described herein, of the gross amount of any capital, or the
value of any merger consideration, whether debt or equity, when Commonwealth
participates in the fund raising effort for or with the Company; (i) three
percent (3%) upto $20,000,000.00, (ii) two percent (2%) above $20,000,000.00
upto $50,000,000.00, (iii) one percent (1%) above $50,000,000.00, said
"Participation Success Fee" shall be paid half in cash and half in restricted
common shares of the Company, or a new or successor entity or the surviving
Company in any merger or acquisition, to be issued by the Company upon
exercise or conversion of any security or other instrument issued by the
Company in any stage of financing. The Success Fee or Participation Success
Fee shall be paid at the closing of any such transaction, in cash and
securities, as described above, of the Company, or the surviving Company in
any merger, or such other consideration which may form all or part of the
consideration paid or exchanged at any such closing. In addition, if within
thirty-six (36) months following expiration or termination of this Engagement
Letter, for any reason except the gross and willful negligence or misconduct
of Commonwealth, any transaction is closed with any structure or capital
source that was identified by Commonwealth prior to such expiration or
termination, the Success Fee shall be payable to Commonwealth in accordance
with this Paragraph 6.

     7.   EXPENSES AND BREAK-UP FEE
          You hereby authorize Commonwealth to incur, and will reimburse
Commonwealth by the end of the month for all approved expenses submitted
within that month by the fifteenth of said month, against written vouchers
therefor, for all reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses paid or
incurred by us for goods and services which are necessary or appropriate in
order to fulfill our obligations of this Engagement. The Company further
agrees to pay Commonwealth, as liquidated damages, a "break-up" fee of Two
Hundred Thousand Dollar, ($200,000.00), if the Company for any reason
determines not to proceed with any financial transaction contemplated by this
Engagement Letter after such transaction has been accepted in writing by the
Company. Until such acceptance by the Company, the Company may, for any reason,
refuse any transaction proposed by Commonwealth. The Company shall pay such
fee in lieu of any damages thereby resulting to Commonwealth as a result of
such withdrawal.
<PAGE>   4
      8. TERM OF AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION
         The term of this Agreement shall be twelve (12) months from the date
first above set forth, unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties or
previously terminated as hereinafter set forth.

         This Engagement Letter may be terminated by either party at any time
upon sixty (60) days prior written notice, provided,however, that the
provisions hereof relating to confidentiality (Par.1), the payment of fees and
expenses (Pars. 2, 6 and 7), the right of first refusal (Par. 9), indemnifi-
cation (Par. 10) and non-solicitation (Par. 5) will survive the expiration or
earlier termination of the term of this Engagement letter, unless terminated by
reason of the gross and willful negligence of misconduct of Commonwealth.

      9. RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION
         The Company hereby grants Commonwealth a continuing right of
participation to raise any capital or advise with respect to any merger or
similar transaction by the Company, and any subsidiary of the Company,
including initial public offerings, whether debt or equity, public or private
(except commercial bank lines of credit or short-term loans) for use in the
normal course of the Company's business, for a period of three (3) years,
commencing with the date first above set forth. The Company shall notify
Commonwealth in writing of any such proposed financing (including the material
terms thereof) and Commonwealth shall have five (5) days from receipt of such
notice to provide such financing on the same or substantially similar terms
mutually acceptable to the parties.

     10. INDEMNIFICATION
         If, in connection with any services which are the subject of our
agreement, we become involved in any capacity in any action or legal proceeding
brought due to any alleged acts of omissions by you, you agree to reimburse us
for our reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including fees and disbursements of
our counsel. You also agree to indemnify and hold us harmless against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which we may become subject in any
action or proceeding brought against us due to any acts or omissions by you in
connection with the services which are the subject of this Engagement Letter;
provided, however, that you shall not be liable with respect to any loss, claim
damages or liability to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction shall have
determined to have resulted from our willful misfeasance or gross negligence.

     11. MISCELLANEOUS
A.       Independent Contractor Status. It is understood and agreed that the
Company engages Commonwealth as an independent contractor, solely to provide
the services described herein. Nothing contained in this Engagement Letter nor
the performance of services contemplated hereby, or otherwise, shall create a
fiduciary duty on the part of Commonwealth to the Company, nor shall
Commonwealth have any duties, obligations or liability to the security holders
of the Company or any third party in connection with its engagement hereunder.

B.       Commonwealth's Efforts. Commonwealth undertakes this engagement and
will work with you to achieve your desired objectives by using its best
efforts, judgment and skill. Commonwealth makes no representation or guarantee
regarding the outcome of our engagement. Commonwealth makes no representation
or warranties that any financing or structuring is or will be available nor
that any entity which desires or commits to provide financing or structuring
would in fact honor its commitments. Commonwealth will not be liable for the
Company's inability or failure to obtain financing or structuring through
Commonwealth's efforts.

C.       Governing Law. This Engagement Letter shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without
any references to it, conflicts of laws principles.

D.       Entire Understanding. This Engagement Letter contains the entire
understandings between the Company and Commonwealth with reference to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior understandings and agreements
related thereto, whether written or oral. This Engagement Letter may be executed
in one or more counterparts, which together shall constitute a binding
agreement. A signed facsimile will create and constitute an original, legally
binding agreement on the party sending the same.

<PAGE>   5
E.   Cost of Obtaining Benefits. The Company shall reimburse Commonwealth for
the full cost of any approved reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by
Commonwealth in obtaining the benefits to which it is entitled under the terms
of this Engagement Letter.

F.   Currency. All fees, values, computations and the like herein are expressed
in U.S. Dollars.

G.   Severability. In any provision of this Engagement Letter, or the applica-
tion of such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the
remainder of this Engagement Letter, or the application of such provision to
persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not
be affected thereby.

H.   Headings. The text in the headings of paragraphs and subparagraphs of this
Engagement Letter are for convenience of identification only and do not
constitute a part of any such paragraph and/or subparagraph.

     If the foregoing constitutes the agreement and understanding of the
Company, please confirm this by signing and returning one copy of this
Engagement Letter to the undersigned, whereupon this agreement shall become
binding between you and Commonwealth as of the date first above written.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   Commonwealth Partners NY, LLC

                                   /s/ Roger M. De Trano
                                   Roger M. De Trano
                                   Managing Member

Accepted and agreed,               /s/ William F. Palla
                                   William F. Palla
AlphaCom, Inc.                     Managing Member

/s/Joseph M. Lechiara
---------------------------------
Authorized Signature

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00007-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00007-of-00352.parquet"}]]