Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.9

                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                            DATED ____________, 2001

                               QK HEALTHCARE, INC.

                                      WITH

                          FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS

                              ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                       AND

                              MELLON BANK, N.A., AS

                                SYNDICATION AGENT

                                       AND

                            FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                       AND

                              MELLON BANK, N.A., AS

                                  CO-ARRANGERS

                                       AND

        EACH OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NOW AND HEREAFTER SHOWN ON THE
                        SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF AS LENDERS
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
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SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION ....................................      1

  1.1 TERMS DEFINED: ..........................................................      1

SECTION 2.  THE LOANS .........................................................     15

  2.1 REVOLVING CREDIT - DESCRIPTION: .........................................     15
  2.2 LETTERS OF CREDIT: ......................................................     16
  2.3 ADVANCES, AND PAYMENTS: .................................................     18
  2.4 INTEREST: ...............................................................     23
  2.5 FEES: ...................................................................     26
  2.6 PREPAYMENTS: ............................................................     27
  2.7 USE OF PROCEEDS: ........................................................     27
  2.8 INDEMNITY/LOSS OF MARGIN: ...............................................     27
  2.9 CAPITAL ADEQUACY: .......................................................     28

SECTION 3.  COLLATERAL ........................................................     30

  3.1 DESCRIPTION: ............................................................     30
  3.2 LIEN DOCUMENTS: .........................................................     31
  3.3 OTHER ACTIONS: ..........................................................     31
  3.4 SEARCHES: ...............................................................     32
  3.5 LANDLORD'S AND MORTGAGEE'S WAIVERS: .....................................     32
  3.6 FILING SECURITY AGREEMENT: ..............................................     33
  3.7 POWER OF ATTORNEY: ......................................................     33

SECTION 4.  CLOSING, FUNDING AND CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING AND FUNDING ..     33

  4.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING: ........................................     33
  4.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO FUNDING: ........................................     36
  4.3 NON-WAIVER OF RIGHTS: ...................................................     39

SECTION 5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ....................................     39

  5.1 CORPORATE ORGANIZATION AND VALIDITY: ....................................     39
  5.2 PLACES OF BUSINESS: .....................................................     40
  5.3 PENDING LITIGATION: .....................................................     40
  5.4 TITLE TO PROPERTIES: ....................................................     40
  5.5 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENT AND OTHER CONSENTS: ................................     40
  5.6 TAXES: ..................................................................     41
  5.7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: ...................................................     41
  5.8 FULL DISCLOSURE: ........................................................     41
  5.9 SUBSIDIARIES: ...........................................................     41
  5.10  GUARANTEES, CONTRACTS, ETC.: ..........................................     41
  5.11  GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, ETC.: .........................................     42
  5.12  BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS: ...............................................     43
  5.13  NAMES: ................................................................     43
  5.14  OTHER ASSOCIATIONS: ...................................................     43
  5.15  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS: ................................................     43
  5.16  REGULATION O: .........................................................     44
  5.17  CAPITAL STOCK: ........................................................     44
  5.18  SOLVENCY: .............................................................     45
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
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  5.19  PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, ETC.: .........................................    45
  5.20  INVESTMENT COMPANY: ................................................    45
  5.21  CONSUMMATION OF QKH REORGANIZATION: ................................    45

SECTION 6.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS ..........................................    46

  6.1 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS: .........................................    46
  6.2 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND CORPORATE EXISTENCE: ...................    46
  6.3 BUSINESS CONDUCTED: ..................................................    48
  6.4 LITIGATION AND INVESTIGATIONS: .......................................    48
  6.5 TAXES: ...............................................................    48
  6.6 BANK ACCOUNTS: .......................................................    50
  6.7 PENSION PLANS: .......................................................    50
  6.8 WARRANTIES FOR FUTURE ADVANCES: ......................................    51
  6.9 FINANCIAL COVENANTS: .................................................    52
  6.10  FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION: ................................    53
  6.11  OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES: ............................................    55
  6.12  INSPECTION: ........................................................    56
  6.13  TAX RETURNS AND REPORTS: ...........................................    56
  6.14  INFORMATION TO ASSIGNEE AND PARTICIPANT: ...........................    56
  6.15  MATERIAL ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTS: .....................................    57
  6.16  NAME CHANGES OR CHANGE OF PLACES OF BUSINESS: ......................    57
  6.17  SUPPLIER ADVANCE POLICIES: .........................................    57

SECTION 7.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS: ............................................    57

  7.1 MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION: ...................    57
  7.2 ACQUISITIONS: ........................................................    57
  7.3 LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES: ..............................................    58
  7.4 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES OR SUBSIDIARIES: ........................    59
  7.5 INDEBTEDNESS: ........................................................    59
  7.6 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS: .................................................    60
  7.7 LOANS AND INVESTMENTS: ...............................................    60
  7.8 USE OF LENDERS' NAME: ................................................    61
  7.9 MISCELLANEOUS COVENANTS: .............................................    61
  7.10  SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS: ...................................    61

SECTION 8.  DEFAULT ........................................................    61

  8.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT: ...................................................    61
  8.2 CURE: ................................................................    64
  8.3 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT: ......................................    64
  8.4 NATURE OF REMEDIES: ..................................................    66
  8.5 SET-OFF: .............................................................    66

SECTION 9.  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ...........................................    66

  9.1 APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION: .......................................    67
  9.2 GENERAL IMMUNITY: ....................................................    67
  9.3 CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL: ...........................................    67
  9.4 DOCUMENTS: ...........................................................    67
  9.5 RIGHTS AS A LENDER: ..................................................    67
  9.6 RESPONSIBILITY OF AGENT: .............................................    68
  9.7 COLLECTIONS AND DISBURSEMENTS: .......................................    68
  9.8 INDEMNIFICATION: .....................................................    69
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
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  9.9 EXPENSES: ............................................................    70
  9.10  NO RELIANCE: .......................................................    70
  9.11  REPORTING: .........................................................    70
  9.12  REMOVAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: ...................................    71
  9.13  ACTION ON INSTRUCTIONS OF LENDERS: .................................    71
  9.14  SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS: ...............................................    71
  9.15  AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS AND WAIVERS: .............................    72
  9.16  PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS: ....................................    74
  9.17  SYNDICATION AGENT: .................................................    75

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS ..................................................    75

  10.1  TERMINATION: .......................................................    75
  10.2  GOVERNING LAW: .....................................................    75
  10.3  INTEGRATED AGREEMENT: ..............................................    76
  10.4  WAIVER AND INDEMNITY: ..............................................    76
  10.5  TIME: ..............................................................    77
  10.6  EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDERS: ......................    77
  10.7  BROKERAGE: .........................................................    77
  10.8  NOTICES: ...........................................................    78
  10.9  HEADINGS: ..........................................................    78
  10.10 SURVIVAL: ..........................................................    79
  10.11 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS: ............................................    79
  10.12 DUPLICATE ORIGINALS: ...............................................    79
  10.13 MODIFICATION: ......................................................    79
  10.14 SIGNATORIES: .......................................................    79
  10.15 THIRD PARTIES: .....................................................    79
  10.16 DISCHARGE OF TAXES, BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS, ETC.: ..................    80
  10.17 WITHHOLDING AND OTHER TAX LIABILITIES: .............................    80
  10.18 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION: ...........................................    81
  10.19 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: ..............................................    81
</TABLE>

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                             SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedule A           --    Lenders
Schedule B           --    Blocked Accounts
Schedule C           --    Inventory Locations
Schedule D           --    List of Sub Debt Holders
Schedule  2.2(d)     --    Existing L/C's
Schedule  5.1        --    Borrower's States of Qualifications
Schedule  5.2        --    Places of Business
Schedule  5.3        --    Judgments, Proceedings, Litigation and Orders
Schedule  5.4        --    Existing Liens and Claims
Schedule  5.7        --    Borrower's Federal Tax Identification Number
Schedule  5.9        --    Subsidiaries and Affiliates
Schedule  5.10(a)    --    Advances to Suppliers
Schedule  5.10(b)    --    Existing Guaranties, Investments and Borrowings,
                           Leases and Other Loans
Schedule  5.10(c)    --    Existing Contra Accounts
Schedule  5.11       --    Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule  5.13       --    Schedule of Names
Schedule  5.14       --    Other Associations
Schedule  5.17       --    Capital Stock
Schedule  5.19(a)    --    Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights
Schedule  5.19(b)    --    Licenses from Third Parties & Source Codes
Schedule  7.4        --    Affiliate Transactions

Exhibit A            --    Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit B            --    Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C            --    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D            --    Form of Assignment and Assumption
<PAGE>   6
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

      This Loan and Security Agreement ("Agreement") is dated as of this _____
day of ____________, 2001, by and among QK HEALTHCARE, INC. a Delaware
corporation ("Borrower"), FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION ("Fleet"), a Rhode Island
corporation in its capacity as administrative agent ("Administrative Agent"),
MELLON BANK, N.A. ("Mellon"), a national banking association in its capacity as
syndication agent ("Syndication Agent"), FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION and MELLON
BANK, N.A. in their capacities as co-arrangers (each a "Co-Arranger" and
collectively "Co-Arrangers"), and the financial institutions now or hereafter
listed on Schedule A attached hereto and made part of this Agreement (as such
Schedule A may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time), in their
capacity as lenders (collectively, the "Lenders" and singly, each a "Lender").

                                   BACKGROUND

      A. Borrower desires to establish financing arrangements with Lenders to
permit its uninterrupted and continuous operations. Lenders are willing to make
loans and grant extensions of credit to Borrower under the terms and provisions
hereinafter set forth.

      B. The parties desire to define the terms and conditions of their
relationship and reduce them to writing.

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

      1.1 Terms Defined:

      As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following
respective meanings:

            Account - All of the "accounts" (as the term is defined in the UCC),
including without limitation, all rights to payment for goods sold or leased or
for services rendered which are not evidenced by an instrument or chattel paper,
whether or not they have been earned by performance.

            Account Debtor - Any Person obligated on any Account owing to
Borrower.

            Advance(s) - Any monies advanced or credit extended to or for the
benefit of Borrower by any Lender(s) under the Revolving Credit, including
without limitation cash advances and the issuance of Letters of Credit.

            Advances to Suppliers - The amounts, which shall be net of any
reserves (not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time) outstanding at
any one time, as required to be
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maintained by Borrower in accordance with GAAP, advanced by Borrower to any
supplier(s) who is a drug manufacturer or wholesale distributor as prepayments
for Inventory to be sold by such supplier(s), without deduction or setoff for
any sums owed by Borrower to such supplier(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
"Advances to Suppliers" shall not include any amount paid, and reflected in
Borrower's books and records as a payment, by Borrower to a supplier on account
of accounts payable then owing by Borrower to such supplier.

            Affiliate - Any entity which directly or indirectly through one or
more intermediaries controls or is controlled by or is under common control with
Borrower which control may be by ownership, contract, or otherwise. For purposes
of this definition, "control" of a Person means the power, directly or
indirectly, either to (i) vote 35% or more of the securities having voting power
for the election of directors of such Person or (ii) direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or
otherwise. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent any one or more of the
Nussdorf Group (individually or collectively) have "control" of an entity under
either clause (i) or clause (ii) above, such entity shall be treated as an
Affiliate for all purposes hereof.

            Administrative Agent - Fleet Capital Corporation, in its capacity as
administrative agent hereunder.

            Agreement - This Loan and Security Agreement, as it may hereafter be
amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

            Amended and Restated Quality King Credit Facility - An amended and
restated credit facility by and among Quality King and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, as borrowers, Mellon Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and
certain other financial institutions as lenders, established pursuant to the
Amended and Restated Quality King Loan Agreement.

            Amended and Restated Quality King Loan Agreement - Section
4.1(b)(i).

            Assignment and Acceptance - Section 9.16.

            Authorized Officer - Any officer of Borrower authorized by specific
resolution of Borrower to request Advances or to execute any of the Loan
Documents, as set forth in the incumbency certificate referred to in Section
4.1(a)(iv) of this Agreement, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time in writing and delivered to Administrative Agent.

            Base Rate - The per annum rate that is equal to the rate designated
or announced by Fleet National Bank at its principal office from time to time as
its prime rate of interest, which may be greater or less than other interest
rates charged by such bank to other borrowers and is not solely based or
dependent upon the interest rate which such bank may charge any particular
borrower or class of borrowers.

            Base Rate Loan - That portion of the Loans on which interest accrues
at the Base Rate.

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            Base Rate Option - Section 2.4(a).

            Blocked Accounts - Those certain bank accounts of Borrower with
those financial institutions set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and made a
part hereof, as it may be amended or supplemented in writing from time to time
to identify such other financial institutions as are acceptable to Borrower and
Administrative Agent, so long as such institutions have executed Blocked Account
Agreements.

            Blocked Account Agreement - Those agreements, in form and substance
acceptable to Administrative Agent, among Borrower, Administrative Agent and the
financial institutions set forth on Schedule B governing the operation of the
Blocked Accounts.

            Borrower - QK Healthcare, Inc.

            Borrowing Availability - At any date, the amount equal to the
difference between (a) the lesser of: (i) the Borrowing Base and (ii) the
Maximum Revolving Credit Limit and (b) the aggregate amount of all Loans
outstanding as of such date.

            Borrowing Base - As of any date of determination, an amount equal to
the sum of (i) 85% of Eligible Accounts, plus (ii) the lesser of (a) 65% of
Eligible Inventory and (b) the Inventory Sublimit.

            Business Day - Any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or day on
which Administrative Agent is required or permitted to close, provided, however,
that solely with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans requested by Borrower, such day
shall also be a day on which Administrative Agent is able to determine the LIBOR
Rate for such requested LIBOR Rate Loan.

            Capital Expenditures - Any expenditure that would be classified as a
capital expenditure on a statement of cash flow of Borrower prepared in
accordance with GAAP.

            Capital Stock - Any and all shares, interests, participation or
other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any
and all other ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any
and all warrants or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

            Cash Collateral Account - Section 2.3(b).

            Change of Control - Section 8.1.(q).

            Chattel Paper - All of the "chattel paper" (as that term is defined
in the UCC) of Borrower.

            Closing - The execution and delivery of this Agreement and all other
Loan Documents required by Section 4.1 at the offices of Blank Rome Comisky &
McCauley LLP on the Closing Date.

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            Closing Date - The date upon which this Agreement shall be executed
and delivered by Borrower and Lenders to Administrative Agent and all other Loan
Documents required under Section 4.1 have been executed and/or delivered as
applicable to Administrative Agent, and all other conditions under Section 4.1
have been completed.

            Collateral - Section 3.1.

            Collateral Management Fee - Section 2.5(d).

            Collection Bank - Fleet National Bank.

            Current Assets - Borrower's current assets as would appear on
Borrower's balance sheet, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

            Current Liabilities - Borrower's current liabilities as would appear
on Borrower's balance sheet, prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as, for
the purposes hereof (if not otherwise included), the Loans.

            Current Ratio - The ratio of Current Assets to Current Liabilities.

            Defaulting Lender - Section 2.3(c)(vi).

            Distribution -

            (a) Dividends or other distributions on Capital Stock of Borrower;
and

            (b) The redemption, repurchase or acquisition of such stock or of
warrants, rights or other options to purchase such Capital Stock.

            Documents - All of the "documents" (as that term is defined in the
UCC) of Borrower.

            EBIT - For any period, Borrower's Net Income (or deficit) (excluding
extraordinary gains and extraordinary non-cash losses and excluding, for
calculations hereof through January 31, 2002, any expense charge up to
$14,250,000 resulting from the issuance, in conjunction with a Qualified IPO, of
options to key management to purchase shares of Borrower's common stock) plus
(a) interest expense, plus (b) tax expense, all as determined in accordance with
GAAP, provided that Net Income shall be reduced in any period by the amount of
any cash payment paid as a result of an extraordinary non-cash loss shown in a
prior period.

            EBITDA - For any period, Borrower's Net Income (or deficit)
(excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary non-cash losses and excluding,
for calculations hereof through January 31, 2002, any expense charge up to
$14,250,000 resulting from the issuance, in conjunction with a Qualified IPO, of
options to key management to purchase shares of Borrower's common stock) plus
(a) interest expense, plus (b) depreciation expense, plus (c)

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amortization expense plus (d) tax expense, all as determined in accordance with
GAAP, provided that Net Income shall be reduced in any period by the amount of
any cash payment paid as a result of an extraordinary non-cash loss shown in a
prior period.

            Eligible Accounts - All Accounts of Borrower meeting all of the
following specifications as determined by Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion: (i) the Account is lawfully and exclusively owned by Borrower and
subject to no Lien other than Liens of Administrative Agent for the benefit of
Lenders, and Borrower has the unconditional right, power and authority to grant
a security interest therein; (ii) the Account is valid and enforceable
representing the undisputed indebtedness of an Account Debtor not more than 90
days past the original invoice date; (iii) not more than 50% of the aggregate
balance of all Accounts constituting Eligible Accounts owing from the Account
Debtor are outstanding more than 90 days past their original invoice date; (iv)
the Account is not subject to any defense, set-off, counterclaim, deduction,
discount, credit, chargeback, freight claim, allowance or adjustment of any
kind; provided that only the portion of an Account which is subject to any such
defense, setoff, counterclaim, deduction, discount, credit, chargeback, freight
claim, allowance or adjustment shall not be deemed an Eligible Account; provided
further that, at any time no Event of Default is outstanding, Accounts subject
to contras created in the ordinary course of Borrower's business (and which are
paid in the ordinary course through an exchange of checks), will be considered
Eligible Accounts up to an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time
$20,000,000, subject to Administrative Agent's right (in Administrative Agent's
sole discretion) exercisable at any time and from time to time and effective
immediately upon such exercise to deem all or a portion of such Accounts
ineligible (Administrative Agent shall give Borrower written notice concurrent
with any decision to deem all or any portion of such Accounts ineligible, but
Administrative Agent's failure to give such notice shall not prevent, impair or
delay the effectiveness of Administrative Agent's decision to exercise this
right); (v) there shall be excluded from the Account any portion thereof
attributable to the sale of goods that have been returned, rejected, lost or
damaged; (vi) if the Account arises from the sale of goods by Borrower, such
sale was an absolute sale and not on consignment or on approval or on a
sale-or-return basis nor subject to any other repurchase or return agreement,
and such goods have been shipped to the Account Debtor or its designee; (vii) if
the Account arises from the performance of services, such services have actually
been performed; (viii) the Account arose in the ordinary course of Borrower's
business; (ix) no notice of the bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization,
liquidation, dissolution, or insolvency of the Account Debtor has been received
by Administrative Agent or Borrower, except for those Accounts, acceptable to
Administrative Agent, owing from an Account Debtor which is a
debtor-in-possession in a Chapter 11 case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code and
is a party to a debtor-in-possession financing agreement approved by final (and
non-appealable) court order, which Accounts may be subject to a stricter
delinquency requirement as Administrative Agent may determine in its sole
discretion; (x) the Account Debtor is not a Subsidiary or Affiliate or employee
of Borrower; (xi) unless Administrative Agent consents otherwise in writing with
respect to a specific Account Debtor, the Account is not an Account of an
Account Debtor having its principal place of business, majority of its assets or
executive office outside the United States, unless the payment of such Account
is guaranteed in full by an irrevocable letter of credit satisfactory to
Administrative Agent; (xii) the Account does not represent a sale to the
government of the

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United States or any subdivision thereof unless Borrower has complied, for the
benefit of Administrative Agent, with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act;
(xiii) the Account, together with all other Accounts owing from the same Account
Debtor represents no more than 15% of the aggregate amount of all of the
Accounts of Borrower (it being understood that any such Accounts which are
otherwise Eligible Accounts shall be Eligible Accounts up to an amount which,
together with all other Eligible Accounts, does not exceed 15% of the aggregate
amount of all of the Accounts of Borrower) provided, however, that
Administrative Agent shall have the option in its sole discretion to increase
the percentage applicable under this clause (xiii) to a percentage not exceeding
20% as to any particular Account Debtor(s) (or 25% in the case of each of
Walgreen and Wal-Mart and 40% in the case of McKesson); and (xiv) the Account
meets such other specifications and requirements which may from time to time be
reasonably established by Administrative Agent, in its discretion or as directed
by the SuperMajority Lenders.

            Eligible Inventory - Any and all current and salable finished goods
Inventory of Borrower, as determined by Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion, located at the places of business listed on Schedule C attached
hereto and made a part hereof and for which location Administrative Agent, on
behalf of Lenders, has received a landlord, mortgagee or warehouseman waiver as
determined by, and in form and substance satisfactory to, Administrative Agent,
which is not subject to any Lien other than Liens of Administrative Agent for
the benefit of Lenders and which meets such other specifications and
requirements which may from time to time be reasonably established by
Administrative Agent in its discretion or as directed by the SuperMajority
Lenders. Inventory shall be valued on a lower of cost (determined on a FIFO
basis) or market basis. Without limiting Administrative Agent's rights, Eligible
Inventory does not include raw materials, work-in-process, packaging materials,
supplies and other similar items, tooling, slow moving or damaged Inventory,
expired or obsolete Inventory, controlled substances required by applicable law
or by Borrower's policies and procedures to be under lock and key, liquor,
cigarettes, Inventory held in bonded warehouses, and any Inventory consigned to
or consigned from Borrower. Any amount of Inventory otherwise constituting
Eligible Inventory which is within six (6) months from the date of its
expiration exceeding 10% of the value of all of Borrower's Eligible Inventory,
shall, to the extent of such excess, not be considered Eligible Inventory.

            ERISA - The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the
same may be amended, from time to time.

            Event of Default - Section 8.1.

            Existing L/C's - Section 2.2(d).

            Expenses - Section 10.6.

            Facility Fees - Those facility fees owing to Lenders and
Co-Arrangers as more fully provided in any Fee Letter.

            Federal Funds Rate - The daily rate of interest announced from time
to time by

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<PAGE>   12
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in publication H.15 as the
"Federal Funds Rate."

            Fee Letters - Any separate letter(s) between Borrower and
Administrative Agent identifying a fee owing to Administrative Agent and/or any
Co-Arranger in respect of the Revolving Credit.

            Fees - Facility Fees, L/C Fees, Unused Commitment Fees, Collateral
Management Fee and all other fees at any time owing to Administrative Agent,
Co-Arrangers, Lenders or any Lender in connection herewith.

            Fleet - Fleet Capital Corporation, in its capacity as Lender
hereunder.

            Funded Capital Expenditures - Capital Expenditures of Borrower
financed, by loan or lease, other than through Advances under this Agreement.

            Funded Debt - At any time, without duplication, the aggregate
principal amount of interest bearing Indebtedness of Borrower (including without
limitation, for the purposes hereof, capitalized lease obligations, but
excluding undrawn letters of credit).

            Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio - For any period, the ratio of (i)
Funded Debt to (ii) EBITDA.

            Funding - The making of the initial Advance under the Revolving
Credit.

            Funding Date - The date upon which all of the conditions of Section
4.2 have been fully completed and consummated, including the execution and/or
delivery of all required documents, and the Funding occurs.

            GAAP - Generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the
Closing Date, as they may be amended from time to time and in any event
consistently applied; provided that in the event GAAP is amended, subsequent
financial statements must include comparative figures obtained under GAAP as in
effect on the date of the most recent audited financial statements of Borrower
furnished to Administrative Agent under Section 6.10 herein and further provided
that if GAAP is amended, Administrative Agent (on behalf of Lenders) may amend
the financial covenants contained herein to take into account such amendment(s)
and bring the covenants to a basis of comparable measurement as if such
amendments had not occurred.

            Good Business Day - Any Business Day when banks in New York, New
York and London, England are open for business.

            Hazardous Substance - Section 5.15(d).

            Indebtedness - Of any applicable Person at any date, without
duplication, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including,
with respect to Borrower, the

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<PAGE>   13
Obligations and Subordinated Debt) or for the deferred purchase price of
property or services (other than current trade liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary practices)
or indebtedness with respect to swap or other interest rate hedging agreements,
(ii) any other indebtedness of such Person which is evidenced by a note, bond,
debenture or similar instrument, (iii) all capitalized lease obligations of such
Person, (iv) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of
such Person and all drafts drawn thereunder (including, without limitation, the
Letter of Credit), (v) all guarantees of such Person (whether as surety,
guarantor, accommodation maker or otherwise at any time, directly or indirectly,
liable for any obligations of any other Person), (vi) all liabilities secured by
any Lien on any property owned by such Person even though such Person has not
assumed or otherwise become liable for the payment thereof, and (vii) Mandatory
Redeemable Stock, if any.

            Interest Coverage Ratio - For any period, the ratio of (i) EBIT to
(ii) Borrower's interest expense, as determined in accordance with GAAP and
calculated on a rolling four (4) quarter basis, provided, however, such
calculations for the fiscal quarters ending April 30, 2001 and July 31, 2001
shall be on a fiscal year to date basis.

            Instruments - All of the "instruments" (as that term is defined in
the UCC) of Borrower.

            Inventory - All of the "inventory" (as that term is defined in the
UCC) of Borrower.

            Inventory Sublimit - A sublimit under the Borrowing Base for
Inventory supported Advances, limited to, at any one time outstanding of
$245,000,000. For purposes hereof, all merchandise and documentary letters of
credit, as well as all standby letters of credit issued to support, directly or
indirectly, the purchase of merchandise by Borrower, shall be considered as
Inventory supported Advances. To calculate the amount of Inventory supported
Advances which are subject to the Inventory Sublimit, deduct an amount equal to
85% of the Eligible Accounts from the total outstanding Advances, which includes
the face amount of all outstanding and undrawn and drawn but unreimbursed
Letters of Credit.

            Inventory Turnover Ratio - A quotient equal to (i) Borrower's cost
of goods sold, calculated on a FIFO basis, for the twelve (12) month period for
which such calculation is made, divided by (ii) the average of the FIFO book
value of Borrower's Inventory (a) for the four (4) quarterly fiscal periods
ending with the last day of the period for which such calculation is made, for
all calculations through October 31, 2001 and (b) for the twelve (12) monthly
periods ending with the last day of the period for which such calculation is
made, for all calculations as of January 31, 2002 and thereafter.

            Investment Property - All of the "investment property" (as defined
in the UCC) of Borrower.

            IRS - The Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

                                                                               8
<PAGE>   14
            Issuing Bank - Section 2.2(a).

            Letters of Credit - Section 2.2(a).

            L/C Amount - At any time, the aggregate undrawn face amount of all
Letters of Credit then outstanding plus the amount of all drawn but unreimbursed
Letters of Credit.

            L/C Fees - Section 2.5(c).

            L/C Sublimit - A sublimit under the Revolving Credit for
documentary/merchandise and standby letters of credit limited to an aggregate
face amount at any one time outstanding, whether drawn and unpaid, or undrawn,
of $35,000,000.

            Liabilities - All liabilities of every kind of Borrower as would be
shown on a balance sheet of Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP.

            Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth Ratio - At any time, the ratio of
(i) total Liabilities (excluding Subordinated Debt) to (ii) Tangible Net Worth
(plus Subordinated Debt).

            LIBOR Based Rate - The LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Applicable
Margin.

            LIBOR Based Rate Loan - That portion of the Loans on which interest
accrues at the LIBOR Based Rate.

            LIBOR Interest Period - Section 2.4(b)(ii).

            LIBOR Rate - An annual rate of interest determined by Administrative
Agent as being the rate available to Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00
A.M. London time in the London Interbank Market, as referenced by Reuters Screen
"LIBO", in accordance with the usual practice in such market, for the LIBOR
Interest Period elected by Borrower, in effect two Good Business Days prior to
the funding date for a requested LIBOR Based Rate Loan (including those
requested in connection with the conversion of a portion of the Revolving Credit
subject to the Base Rate Option to a LIBOR Based Rate Loan in accordance with
Section 2.4 hereof), or for a LIBOR Based Rate Loan which Borrower has elected
to continue as a LIBOR Based Rate Loan beyond the expiration of the then current
LIBOR Interest Period with respect thereto, for deposits of dollars in amounts
equal (as nearly as may be estimated) to the amount of the LIBOR Based Rate Loan
which shall then be loaned by Lenders to Borrower as of the time of such
determination, as such rate may be adjusted by the reserve percentage applicable
during the LIBOR Interest Period in effect (or if more than one such percentage
shall be applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in
such LIBOR Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so
applicable) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum
reserve requirement (including without limitation, any emergency, supplemental
or other marginal reserve requirement) for Administrative Agent with respect to
liabilities or assets consisting of or including "Eurocurrency Liabilities" as
such term is defined in Regulation D of the Board of Governors

                                       9
<PAGE>   15
of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, having a term
equal to such LIBOR Interest Period ("Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement"). Such
adjustment shall be effectuated by calculating, and the LIBOR Rate shall be
equal to, the quotient of (i) the offered rate divided by (ii) one minus the
Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement.

            LIBOR Rate Applicable Margin - One Hundred Sixty-Two and One-Half
(162.5) basis points, provided however, that if the Net Proceeds (exclusive of
any proceeds resulting from any exercise of an underwriter's option to acquire
additional shares) to Borrower of any Qualified IPO consummated and closed prior
to or on the Funding Date are less than $151,000,000, the LIBOR Rate Applicable
Margin shall be One Hundred Seventy-Five (175) basis points, and further
provided that the LIBOR Rate Applicable Margin shall be redetermined (and if
applicable adjusted as provided below) after the receipt and review by
Administrative Agent of the interim financial statements of Borrower (as
required by Section 6.10(a)(iii)), for Borrower's fiscal quarter ending July 31,
2001 and subsequent quarterly financial statements of Borrower (as required by
Section 6.10(a)(iii)). No downward adjustment may occur if an Event of Default,
or event or condition which with the giving of notice or passage of time or
both, would constitute an Event of Default, shall exist (and has not been waived
in writing by Agent) at the time of the delivery of such financial statements.
Adjustments, if any, shall be based upon the Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, as
reflected on such financial statements, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         FUNDED DEBT/EBITDA             LIBOR RATE APPLICABLE
         ------------------             ---------------------
<S>                                     <C>
Equal to or less than 3.00:1.00         137.5 basis points

Greater than  3.00:1.00  but equal to   150.0 basis points
or less than 3.75:1.00

Greater than  3.75:1.00  but equal to   162.5 basis points
or less than 4.0:1.00

Greater than 4.0:1.00                   175.0 basis points
</TABLE>

Any adjustment shall be effective 10 Business Days following Administrative
Agent's receipt of the financial statements (an "Interest Adjustment Date"),
until (but not including) the next following Interest Adjustment Date (such time
period between Interest Adjustment Dates being an "Interest Adjustment Period").
Any adjusted LIBOR Rate Applicable Margin shall apply to all LIBOR Rate Loans
for which the LIBOR Interest Period commences during such new Interest
Adjustment Period, but shall not apply to any LIBOR Rate Loan for which the
LIBOR Interest Period commenced during the preceding Interest Adjustment Period.
For the purpose of all calculations hereunder, "Funded Debt" shall be determined
by taking the average of the daily outstanding Funded Debt for the quarter
ending on the date of the applicable financial statements and "EBITDA" shall be
determined based on the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the
applicable financial statements.

            Lien - Any interest of any kind or nature in Property securing an
obligation

                                                                              10
<PAGE>   16
owed to, or a claim of any kind or nature in Property by, a Person other than
the owner of such Property, whether such interest is based on the common law,
statute, regulation or contract, and including, but not limited to, a security
interest or lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, conditional sale
or trust receipt, a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes, a
trust, or an assignment. The term "Lien" shall include without limitation,
reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, covenants,
conditions, restrictions, leases and other title exceptions and encumbrances
affecting Property other than those which would not materially interfere with
Borrower's use of the Property and would not materially detract from the value
of the Property. For the purposes of this Agreement, Borrower shall be deemed to
be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to a
conditional sale agreement or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the
Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person for security
purposes.

            Loans - The unpaid principal balance of Advances under the Revolving
Credit.

            Loan Documents - This Agreement, the Revolving Credit Notes,
Subordination Agreements, the Lockbox Agreement, Blocked Account Agreements and
all agreements, instruments and documents executed and/or delivered from time to
time in connection therewith, as amended or replaced from time to time.

            Lockbox - Section 2.3(b).

            Lockbox Agreement - That certain lockbox agreement among Borrower,
Administrative Agent and Collection Bank executed and delivered by Borrower and
Collection Bank to Administrative Agent as of the date hereof, as it may be
amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

            Majority Lenders - At any time, Lenders holding Pro Rata Percentages
aggregating at least 51% of the total Pro Rata Shares at such time.

            Mandatory Redeemable Stock - All Capital Stock that is (i)
redeemable, payable or required to be purchased or otherwise retired or
extinguished (other than Capital Stock which is redeemable, payable or required
to be purchased under all circumstances for consideration consisting solely of
common stock of Borrower), or convertible into any Indebtedness of the issuer,
(a) at a fixed or determinable date, whether by operation of a sinking fund or
otherwise, (b) at the option of any Person other than the issuer (whether or not
conditioned upon the occurrence of a circumstance, such as a change in control
of the issuer), or (c) upon the occurrence of a condition not solely within the
control of the issuer, such as a redemption required to be made out of future
earnings, or (ii) convertible into Capital Stock described in clause (i) above.

            Material Adverse Effect - A material adverse effect (i) on the
business, Property, financial condition or prospects of Borrower (or, prior to
the Funding Date, of Quality King and its Affiliates), (ii) on the ability of
Borrower to pay and perform its obligations hereunder, or (iii) on the ability
of Administrative Agent to enforce its rights hereunder against Borrower.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>   17
            Maximum Revolving Credit Limit - The sum of the Pro Rata Shares
which at the time of Closing equals $350,000,000.

            Mellon - Mellon Bank, N.A.

            Net Income - The net income of Borrower as such would appear on
Borrower's statement of income, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

            Net Proceeds - The cash proceeds received by Borrower from
Borrower's initial public offering (prior to any payments on account of the
Subordinated Debt) net of all costs and expenses of conducting the initial
public offering including attorneys' fees and underwriting fees.

            Nussdorf Estate - The Estate of Bernard Nussdorf, as established
pursuant to that certain Will of Bernard Nussdorf dated as of March 12, 1992.

            Nussdorf Family - Stephen Nussdorf, Glenn Nussdorf and Arlene
Nussdorf, either in his or her own right or (individually or collectively) in
his or her capacity as the sole trustee of one or more trusts created for the
benefit of his or her respective lineal descendents.

            Nussdorf Group - Each member of the Nussdorf Family, Ruth Nussdorf
and the Nussdorf Estate.

            Obligations - All existing and future debts, liabilities and
obligations of every kind or nature at any time owing by Borrower to Lenders or
any Lender, Issuing Bank, and/or to Administrative Agent if incurred under or in
connection with the Loan Documents (including without limitation the Revolving
Credit Notes) or the transactions contemplated thereby or administration
thereof, whether joint or several, related or unrelated, primary or secondary,
matured or contingent, direct or indirect, due or to become due, and whether
principal, interest, Fees, indemnification obligations hereunder including,
without limitation, Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit whether
related to cash Advances or Letters of Credit (whether drawn or undrawn) and any
extensions, modifications, substitutions, increases and renewals thereof, and
the payment of all Expenses of Administrative Agent and Lenders, and further
including, without limitation, the payment of all amounts that would become due,
specifically after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
proceeding with respect to Borrower, whether or not a claim for such
post-commencement obligations is allowed.

            Overadvances - Amount by which the outstanding Loans at any time
exceed the lesser of the Maximum Revolving Credit Limit or the Borrowing Base.

            PBGC - The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

            Permitted Liens - Section 7.3.

                                                                              12
<PAGE>   18
            Permitted Sub Debt Prepayment - As defined in the Subordination
Agreement.

            Person - An individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
unincorporated association or organization, joint venture, limited liability
corporation or partnership, or any other entity.

            Prior Lender Group Agent - Mellon Bank, N.A., in its capacity as
Administrative Agent for the lenders under the Prior Loan Agreement.

            Prior Loan Agreement - That certain Loan and Security Agreement
dated June 18, 1996, as amended from time to time, among Borrower, Quality King,
certain of Quality King' subsidiaries and affiliates as additional borrowers,
the affiliate guarantors identified therein, Prior Lender Group Agent and each
lender identified therein, as amended.

            Property - Any interest of Borrower of any kind in any property or
asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

            Pro's Choice - Pro's Choice Beauty Care, Inc.

            Pro's Choice Credit Facility - A new credit facility by and among
Pro's Choice, as borrower, Mellon Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and
certain other financial institutions as lenders, established pursuant to the
Pro's Choice Loan Agreement.

            Pro's Choice Loan Agreement - Section 4.1(b)(i).

            Pro's Choice Reorganization - The transfer of the hair care business
and all assets (including Inventory and Accounts) related thereto, of Quality
King to Pro's Choice, the transfer and assumption of certain liabilities of
Quality King allocated to Pro's Choice by Quality King and distribution of the
Capital Stock of Pro's Choice to the shareholders of Quality King all as more
fully described in the Pro's Choice Reorganization Documents.

            Pro's Choice Reorganization Documents - All agreements, documents
and instruments, executed and/or delivered in connection with the Pro's Choice
Reorganization, all such instruments, agreements and documents to be in form and
substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

            Pro Rata Percentage - Section 2.1(a)(ii).

            Pro Rata Share - Section 2.1(a)(ii).

            Quality King - Quality King Distributors, Inc.

            QKH Reorganization - The transfer of the pharmaceutical and medical
supply business, and all assets (including Inventory and Accounts) related
thereto, by Quality King to Borrower, the transfer and assumption of certain
liabilities of Quality King allocated to Borrower by Quality King and
distribution of the Capital Stock of Borrower to the shareholders of Quality
King, Inc., all as more fully described in the QKH Reorganization

                                       13
<PAGE>   19
Documents.

            QKH Reorganization Documents - All agreements, documents and
instruments executed and/or delivered in connection with the QKH Reorganization,
all such agreements, instruments and documents to be in form and substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

            Qualified IPO - An initial public offering conducted under and in
accordance and compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and all other federal and
state securities laws which results in Net Proceeds to Borrower of at least
$125,000,000, exclusive of any proceeds resulting from any exercise of an
underwriter's option to acquire additional shares.

            Real Property - Section 5.15.

            Regulation D - Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, comprising Part 204 of Title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, as
amended, and any successor thereto.

            Revolving Credit - Section 2.1(a).

            Revolving Credit Loan Balance - The outstanding principal balance of
Loans owing to any Lender at any particular time or from time to time.

            Revolving Credit Maturity Date - __________, 2005.

            Revolving Credit Notes - Section 2.1(b).

            Settlement Date - Section 2.3(c)(iv).

            Spin Off - The distribution of Borrower's capital stock from Quality
King to one or more members of the Nussdorf Family.

            Subordinated Debt - Certain unsecured obligations of Borrower to the
Sub Debt Holders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $110,000,000 as
evidenced by six (6) promissory notes to be dated as of the date of the Spin
Off, each in the principal amount of $18,333,333.33, all of which shall be
subject to a Subordination Agreement. Each of the unsecured subordinated
promissory notes referenced above shall be on terms and conditions satisfactory
to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and without limiting the
foregoing, shall conform to the terms and conditions regarding such unsecured
subordinated promissory notes contained in the Commitment Letter dated February
2, 2001 by and among Borrower and Co-Arrangers.

            Sub Debt Holders - Those Persons listed on Schedule D attached
hereto.

            Subordination Agreements - Section 4.1(a)(x).

                                                                              14
<PAGE>   20
            Subsidiary - Any Person (other than an individual) more than 50% of
whose ownership interests or voting stock is legally and beneficially owned
directly or indirectly by Borrower or owned by a Person (other than an
individual) more than 50% of whose ownership interests or voting stock is
legally and beneficially owned directly or indirectly by Borrower.

            SuperMajority Lenders - At any time, Lenders holding Pro Rata
Percentages aggregating at least 66-2/3% percent of the total Pro Rata Shares at
such time.

            Supplier Advance Policies - Section 4.1(a)(xii).

            Tangible Net Worth - At any time, the amount by which the total
assets of Borrower (excluding trademarks, copyrights, goodwill, covenants not to
compete, leasehold improvements, deferred income taxes, deferred closing costs,
and any other assets which would be determined to be intangible assets under
GAAP) exceed all of Borrower's Liabilities as would be shown on a balance sheet
for Borrower, prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that, for the purposes
of calculating Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth Ratio and a minimum Tangible
Net Worth under Section 6.9, there shall be subtracted from the amount of
Borrower's Tangible Net Worth an amount equal to the aggregate amount of any and
all Advances to Suppliers which are outstanding for more than sixty (60) days as
of the date of such calculation.

            UCC - The Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania at 13 Pa. C.S.A. Sections 1101 et seq. as amended from time to
time.

            Unused Commitment Fee - Section 2.5(b).

            Voting Stock - Capital stock or other equity interests of any class
or classes of a corporation having power under ordinary circumstances to vote
for the election of members of the board of directors of such corporation, or
persons performing similar functions (irrespective of whether or not at the time
stock or interests of any other class or classes shall have or might have
special voting powers or rights by reason of the happening of any contingency).

            1.2 Accounting Principles: Where the character or amount of any
asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined or
any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to be made for the
purposes of this Agreement, this shall be done in accordance with GAAP, to the
extent applicable, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.

SECTION 2.  THE LOANS

      2.1 Revolving Credit - Description:

            (a) (i) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each
Lender hereby establishes for the benefit of Borrower a revolving credit
facility (collectively,

                                       15
<PAGE>   21
the "Revolving Credit") which shall include Advances extended by Lenders to or
for the benefit of Borrower from time to time hereunder. The aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Loans, including without limitation the face
amount of issued and outstanding Letters of Credit and unreimbursed draws on
Letters of Credit shall not, at any time, exceed the lesser of the Maximum
Revolving Credit Limit or the Borrowing Base. Subject to such limitation, the
outstanding balance of Loans may fluctuate from time to time, to be reduced by
repayments made by Borrower, to be increased by future Advances which may be
made by Lenders and, subject to the provisions of Section 8 below or as
otherwise provided herein, shall be due and payable on the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date. If the aggregate principal amount of all Loans, including the
face amount of issued and outstanding Letters of Credit and unreimbursed draws
on Letters of Credit at any time exceed the lesser of the Maximum Revolving
Credit Limit or the Borrowing Base, Borrower shall immediately repay such excess
in full subject only to the provisions of Section 9.15(f) below, if applicable.
Administrative Agent has the right at any time and from time to time, in its
sole discretion, (but without any obligation) to set aside reasonable reserves
against the Borrowing Base in such amounts as it may deem appropriate.

                (ii) Subject to Section 8.3(a) below and the terms of this
Agreement, each Lender agrees to lend to Borrower an amount equal to such
Lender's respective percentage (as to each Lender, the percentage of the
Revolving Credit set forth opposite its name on Schedule A attached hereto and
made a part hereof and referred to as its "Pro Rata Percentage") of the Advance
requested by Borrower. The outstanding Loans of each Lender shall not exceed the
respective amount (as such amount may change from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof, the "Pro Rata Shares") set forth opposite its name on
Schedule A.

            (b) At Closing, Borrower shall execute and deliver a promissory note
to each Lender for the total principal amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share
(collectively, as may be amended, modified or replaced from time to time, the
"Revolving Credit Notes"). The Revolving Credit Notes shall evidence Borrower's
unconditional obligation to repay such Lender for all outstanding Loans owing to
such Lender, with interest as herein and therein provided. Each and every
Advance under the Revolving Credit shall be deemed evidenced by the Revolving
Credit Notes, which are deemed incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof. All Revolving Credit Notes shall be substantially in the form set forth
in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof.

            (c) The Revolving Credit shall expire on the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date. On such date, unless sooner due under the terms hereof or having
been sooner accelerated by Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms hereof,
all sums of every kind owing under the Revolving Credit and all other unpaid
Obligations shall be due and payable in full, and as of and after such date no
further Advances to Borrower shall be available from Lenders.

      2.2 Letters of Credit:

            (a) As a part of the Revolving Credit and subject to its terms and
conditions

                                                                              16
<PAGE>   22
(including, without limitation, the requirement of borrowing availability under
the Borrowing Base and the conditions set forth in Section 2.1 above), each
Lender hereby agrees to make a letter of credit subfacility available to
Borrower as set forth in this section. To implement this letter of credit
subfacility, Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of and for the benefit of all
Lenders, issue its, or cause to be issued by its Affiliate (collectively,
Administrative Agent or its Affiliates, as applicable, in this context, or,
Mellon (as the Prior Lender Group Agent) solely with respect to Existing L/C's,
being referred to as the "Issuing Bank"), documentary/merchandise letters of
credit and standby letters of credit (collectively, "Letters of Credit") for the
account of Borrower; provided that the aggregate face amount of all outstanding
Letters of Credit shall not exceed, in the aggregate at any one time, the lesser
of (i) the L/C Sublimit or (ii) the Borrowing Base minus outstanding Loans and
reserves established under Section 2.1(a)(i), if any. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, all Letters of Credit shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Issuing Bank. No documentary/merchandise letter of credit shall
be issued with an expiry date of greater than one hundred eighty (180) days from
the date of issuance and no standby letter of credit shall be issued with an
expiry date later than one (1) year from the date of issuance, but in no event
shall any Letter of Credit carry an expiry date later than the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date. Borrower shall execute and deliver to Issuing Bank, all letter of
credit agreements and other documents required by Issuing Bank, for such
purposes, all such documents to be in form and substance satisfactory to Issuing
Bank in its sole discretion. Borrower agrees to unconditionally and absolutely
indemnify, defend, pay and hold harmless Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent, and
Lenders for all draws, claims, losses, damages, obligations and liabilities
suffered or incurred at any time by Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent or
Lenders, including without limitation any guaranty or indemnity Administrative
Agent may provide to any Affiliate issuing a Letter of Credit and further
including attorneys' fees and reasonable costs with respect to any and all
Letters of Credit, except to the extent directly suffered or incurred as a
result of Issuing Bank's, Administrative Agent's or Lenders' gross negligence or
willful misconduct.

            (b) Immediately upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit, and with
respect to each Existing L/C, each Lender is hereby deemed to have acquired, an
undivided participating interest (without recourse or warranty), in accordance
with each Lender's respective Pro Rata Percentage, in all of Issuing Bank's
rights and liabilities with respect to such Letter of Credit. Each Lender shall
be directly, absolutely and unconditionally obligated, without deduction or
setoff of any kind, to Issuing Bank, according to its Pro Rata Percentage, to
reimburse and indemnify Issuing Bank for any amount paid pursuant to any draws
made at any time (including without limitation following the commencement of any
bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, liquidation or dissolution proceeding
with respect to Borrower) under any Letter of Credit, without regard to the
occurrence of an Event of Default or the exercise by Administrative Agent of any
of the remedies under Section 8 hereof. The amount of Issuing Bank's payment
(and the respective reimbursements of each Lender to Issuing Bank) each shall
automatically constitute an Advance under the Revolving Credit, without the
necessity of any affirmative act by Administrative Agent and/or Lenders, and
without regard to any borrowing condition contained herein (regardless of
whether an Overadvance is created thereby and regardless of whether Advances are
otherwise being made hereunder to Borrower) and without any request, consent or
other action of Borrower, and any such

                                       17
<PAGE>   23
Advance shall be secured by all of the Collateral and shall bear interest and be
payable at the same rate and in the same manner provided in the Agreement for
any Advances.

            (c) Each standby Letter of Credit issued from time to time under the
Revolving Credit which remains undrawn, including, without limitation, the
Existing L/C's representing standby letters of credit, shall reduce dollar for
dollar the amount available to be borrowed by Borrower under the Revolving
Credit, and each merchandise Letter of Credit issued from time to time shall, to
the extent of 35% of the full amount thereof, reduce the amount available for
borrowing under the Revolving Credit, except to the extent that draws have been
made thereunder in respect of which an Advance is deemed to have been made under
Subsection 2.2(b) above.

            (d) Those certain letters of credit identified on Schedule 2.2(d)
hereto issued by Prior Lender Group Agent on behalf of Quality King, and/or the
other borrowers under the Prior Loan Agreement which remain undrawn on the
Closing Date (the "Existing L/C's") and which have been allocated to Borrower as
part of the QKH Reorganization are assumed by Borrower (as if the original
account party thereunder) and are considered as Letters of Credit issued under
the Revolving Credit and, together with all Letters of Credit now or hereafter
issued hereunder, shall be subject to the L/C Sublimit. Each reference to
"Letters of Credit" or any "Letter of Credit" in this Agreement shall be deemed
to include the Existing Letters of Credit. All Existing L/C's are listed on
Schedule 2.2(d) attached hereto and made a part hereof.

            (e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.2 to the contrary,
Borrower's obligation to reimburse either (i) Issuing Bank for any draws under
any Letter of Credit; or (ii) any Lender with respect to any Advance by such
Lender that was used to reimburse Issuing Bank, shall be unconditional and
irrevocable under all circumstances (including, without limitation, whether (x)
there was any lack of validity or enforceability of the applicable Letter of
Credit; (y) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under
such Letter of Credit proves to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient
in any respect; or (z) payment by Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit
against presentation of a draft, demand certificate or other document does not
comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, unless Issuing Bank shall have
acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

      2.3 Advances, and Payments:

            (a) Except to the extent otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all
payments of principal and interest on the Revolving Credit, the Fees, the
Expenses, and all other charges and any other Obligations of Borrower hereunder,
shall be made to Administrative Agent at its offices at 200 Glastonbury
Boulevard, Glastonbury, Connecticut (or to such other location as Administrative
Agent may direct in writing), in United States dollars, in immediately available
funds. Administrative Agent, on behalf of all Lenders, shall have the
unconditional right and discretion to make an Advance under the Revolving Credit
to pay, and/or to charge Borrower's operating account with any Affiliate of
Administrative Agent or with any Lender for, any or all of Borrower's
Obligations as they become due from time to time under this Agreement, including
without limitation, interest, principal, Fees and reimbursement of Expenses.

                                                                              18
<PAGE>   24
            (b) Borrower shall maintain, in favor of Administrative Agent, a
lockbox account(s) ("Lockbox") with Collection Bank and a depository account(s)
("Cash Collateral Account") with Collection Bank subject to the provisions of
this subparagraph, and subject to the Lockbox Agreement or any other agreements
Administrative Agent may require. Borrower has agreed with Administrative Agent
that all collections of Accounts will be paid directly from Account Debtors into
the Lockbox, except as otherwise permitted below. Funds shall then be deposited
into the Cash Collateral Account in accordance with the terms hereof. Subject to
the provisions of the last two sentences of this subparagraph (b), deposits into
the Cash Collateral Account shall be applied by Administrative Agent daily, to
reduce the outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit, with future
Advances made subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 2; provided
however, that so long as no Event of Default has occurred hereunder and no
Overadvance exists or would exist as a result of or giving effect to the
following transfer, in the event funds in the Cash Collateral Account exceed the
aggregate outstanding balance of Base Rate Loans then the Loans will be repaid
only to the extent of the amount of outstanding Base Rate Loans and the excess
of such funds shall be credited to Borrower's operating account with Collection
Bank. If the excess funds described at the end of the preceding sentence exceed
$100,000, the excess may, at Borrower's option, be credited to such other
investment account with Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of Administrative
Agent as Borrower may reasonably request, but subject in all events to the
investment options and conditions such Affiliate may then offer. Funds, at any
time in any Blocked Account or the Cash Collateral Account shall not bear
interest. If an Event of Default is outstanding or if an Overadvance is
outstanding or would be created by not applying funds to the Obligations,
Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, hold such funds in the Cash
Collateral Account or otherwise as cash collateral for the Obligations or apply
such funds to the Obligations. All collections of Accounts and proceeds of other
Collateral received by Borrower shall be held in trust for the benefit of
Lenders and immediately deposited into the Cash Collateral Account or remitted,
in specie, to Administrative Agent for deposit in the Cash Collateral Account,
in which case such amount shall be applied by Administrative Agent to reduce the
outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit. Borrower may also cause
collections of Accounts to be remitted to a Blocked Account so long as the
depository institution with whom any such Blocked Account is maintained executes
and delivers to Administrative Agent a Blocked Account Agreement. Administrative
Agent is also hereby irrevocably authorized to cause such funds to be
transferred from the depository institutions with whom the Blocked Accounts are
maintained via wire transfer to the Cash Collateral Account. Borrower shall have
no right of access to or withdrawal from the Lockbox, any of the Blocked
Accounts, or the Cash Collateral Account. All funds transferred from the Cash
Collateral Account for application to Borrower's Obligations to Lenders and all
funds credited to Borrower's operating account with Administrative Agent as
described in the proviso clause above, shall be subject to Administrative
Agent's standard clearance procedures, as well as chargeback procedures for
dishonored remittances. When determining the principal balance of the Base Rate
Loans and the LIBOR Rate Loans for the purposes of determining borrowing
availability under the Revolving Credit, remittances shall be deemed to have
been applied to the Loans on the Business Day following the date such
remittances are received in the Lockbox, but when determining the principal
balance of the Base Rate Loans and the LIBOR Rate Loans for the

                                                                              19
<PAGE>   25
purposes of computing interest under Section 2.4, each remittance will be deemed
to have been applied to the Loans as of the date such remittances are actually
cleared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, funds received into the Cash Collateral
Account by wire transfer shall be deemed to have been applied to the Loans on
the date such funds are received into such account for all purposes.

            (c) (i) A request for an Advance other than a Letter of Credit shall
be made, or shall be deemed to be made, as follows:

                        (A) Advances subject to the Base Rate Option, other than
Letters of Credit, requested by Borrower under the Revolving Credit must be
requested by 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, on the date such Advance is to be made.
Advances subject to the LIBOR Rate Option or conversions from Advances subject
to the Base Rate Option to the LIBOR Rate Option, requested by Borrower must be
requested by 12:00 P.M. Eastern time, three Good Business Days prior to the date
of such requested Advance or conversion. Advances will be made available to
Borrower by 3:00 P.M. Eastern time on the same Business Day, if a Base Rate
Loan, or on the requested date, if a LIBOR Rate Loan, but in no event sooner
than three (3) Good Business Days after the request. All requests or
confirmation of requests for an Advance are to be in writing (in a form
acceptable to Administrative Agent) and may be sent by electronic, telecopy or
facsimile transmission provided that Administrative Agent shall have the right
to require that receipt of such request not be effective unless confirmed via
telephone with Administrative Agent; and

                        (B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a request for an
Advance subject to the Base Rate Option shall have been deemed to have been
irrevocably made by Borrower on the due date of any amount required to be paid
under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether as interest due
or for any other Obligation. An Advance under this clause (c)(i)(B) may be made
without regard to any borrowing condition contained in this Agreement
(regardless of whether an Overadvance is created thereby and regardless of
whether Lenders have otherwise ceased making Advances to Borrower).

                  (ii) Advances which may be made by Lenders from time to time
under the Revolving Credit shall be made available for the use and benefit of
Borrower (A) in the case of Advances requested under Section 2.3(c)(i)(A), by
disbursing such proceeds to Borrower's operating account with Collection Bank
and (B) in the case of Advances made under Section 2.3(c)(i)(B), by disbursement
by Administrative Agent as direct payment of the relevant interest or
obligation.

                  (iii) Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs
Lenders or Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders, in each case in
Administrative Agent's sole discretion, to make Advances to Borrower under the
Revolving Credit in a sum sufficient to pay all interest accrued on Base Rate
Loans during the immediately preceding month, to pay all interest accrued on
LIBOR Rate Loans during the immediately preceding month and at the end of each
LIBOR Interest Period, and to pay all costs, Fees and expenses or other
Obligations at any time due and owing by Borrower to Administrative Agent,
Issuing Bank and/or any Lender hereunder.

                                                                              20
<PAGE>   26
                  (iv) (A) Between each Settlement Date (as defined below),
Administrative Agent shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to make all
Advances subject to the Base Rate Option for the account and on behalf of
Lenders. In such event, Administrative Agent shall make a determination of each
Lender's Revolving Credit Loan Balance (by applying each Lender's Pro Rata
Percentage to the total outstanding Loans) periodically but not less frequently
than once every week on the same day of each week, unless such day is not a
Business Day, in which event such determination shall be made the next Business
Day ("Settlement Date"), which outstanding amount shall be calculated as of the
close of the Business Day immediately preceding each respective Settlement Date.
A Settlement Date shall occur notwithstanding any intervening Event of Default,
or event which with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would
constitute an Event of Default, or other occurrence, event or circumstance,
including without limitation the commencement of a bankruptcy or reorganization
case by or against Borrower. Amounts of principal paid to Administrative Agent
by Borrower from time to time shall, between Settlement Dates, be applied to the
Revolving Credit Loan Balance of Administrative Agent, with each Lender's
respective Revolving Credit Loan Balance to be adjusted on the next Settlement
Date. Interest shall accrue and each Lender shall be entitled to receive
interest from Borrower at the applicable rate on the actual outstanding funded
dollar amount of its Revolving Credit Loan Balance. On each Settlement Date,
Administrative Agent shall promptly issue to each Lender a settlement schedule
containing information with respect to the status of the Loans and the relevant
net positions of each such Lender and its outstanding Revolving Credit Loan
Balance as of the close of the Business Day preceding such Settlement Date. Each
settlement schedule shall show the amount, if any, due from each such Lender to
Administrative Agent or from Administrative Agent to each such Lender, which
amount shall be paid by federal funds, via wire transfer to the party entitled
thereto to be received on or before 3:00 P.M. Eastern time on the Settlement
Date (provided such settlement schedule has been delivered prior to 11:00 A.M.
Eastern time on the Settlement Date). The obligations of Lenders under this
Section are unconditional, not subject to setoff, and irrevocable and may not be
terminated at any time.

                        (B) Each Lender is absolutely and unconditionally
obligated, without setoff or deduction of any kind (and irrespective of any
Event of Default or, event which with the giving of notice of passage of time,
or both, would constitute an Event of Default), to remit to Administrative Agent
on the Settlement Date any amount showing to be owing to Administrative Agent by
such Lender on the settlement schedule for such date. Administrative Agent shall
also be entitled to recover any and all actual losses and damages either may
incur (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) from any Lender
failing to remit payment on the Settlement Date in accordance with this
Agreement. Administrative Agent may set off the obligations of such Lender under
this paragraph against any distributions or payments of the Obligations to which
such Lender would otherwise be entitled at any time or Administrative Agent may
withhold such distributions or payments of such Obligations to which such Lender
would otherwise be entitled and make such distributions or payments to
Administrative Agent in an amount equal to, and as a repayment of, such Lender's
Pro Rata Percentage of the Advance made by Administrative Agent on such Lender's
behalf.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>   27
                  (v) (A) With respect to all LIBOR Based Rate Loans
Administrative Agent shall, and in lieu of the procedure set forth in the
preceding subparagraph (iv) with respect to Base Rate Loans, Administrative
Agent may, provide Lenders with notice that Borrower has requested a cash
Advance (whether subject to the Base Rate Option or the LIBOR Rate Option), on
the same Business Day as such request, and request each Lender to provide
Administrative Agent with such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such requested
cash Advance prior to Administrative Agent's making such cash Advance. Upon
receipt of such notice from Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 P.M. Eastern
time, on the day the Advance is requested, each Lender shall remit to
Administrative Agent its respective Pro Rata Percentage of such requested cash
Advance, prior to 1:00 P.M. Eastern time, on the Business Day Administrative
Agent is scheduled to make such cash Advance in accordance with Section
2.3(c)(i) hereof. Neither Administrative Agent nor any other Lender shall be
obligated, for any reason whatsoever, to remit or advance the share of any other
Lender for any purpose under this Agreement. Administrative Agent shall not be
required to make the full amount of the requested cash Advance unless and until
it receives funds representing each other Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such
requested cash Advance, but Administrative Agent shall advance to Borrower that
portion of the requested cash Advance equal to the Pro Rata Percentages of such
requested cash Advance which it has received from the Lenders.

                        (B) If Administrative Agent does not receive each other
Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such requested cash Advance, and Administrative
Agent elects, in its sole discretion, without any obligation at any time to do
so, to make the requested cash Advance on behalf of Lenders or any of them,
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover each Lender's Pro Rata
Percentage of each cash Advance together with interest at a per annum rate equal
to the Federal Funds Rate during the period commencing on the date such cash
Advance is made and ending on (but excluding) the date Administrative Agent
recovers such amount. Each Lender is absolutely and unconditionally obligated,
without deduction or setoff of any kind, to forward to Administrative Agent its
Pro Rata Percentage of each cash Advance made pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. To the extent Administrative Agent is not reimbursed by such Lender,
Borrower shall repay such amount to Administrative Agent immediately on demand.
Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover any and all actual losses
and damages (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) from any
Lender failing to so advance upon demand of Administrative Agent. Administrative
Agent may set off the obligations of a Lender under this paragraph against any
distributions or payments of the Obligations which Administrative Agent would
otherwise make available to such Lender at any time. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation at any time for
any reason to make any Advance on behalf of any Lender.

                  (vi) To the extent and during the time period in which any
Lender fails to provide or delays providing its respective payment to
Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) above (any such Lender being
referred to, during such period, as a "Defaulting Lender"), such Lender's
percentage of all payments of the Obligations (but not its Pro Rata Percentage
of future Advances required to be funded by such Lender) shall decrease to
reflect the actual percentage which its actual outstanding Loans bears to the
total

                                                                              22
<PAGE>   28
outstanding Loans of all Lenders. In addition, notwithstanding any definition or
other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, during any period in which a
Lender is a Defaulting Lender, all calculations for voting purposes among
Lenders shall be made as if the Defaulting Lender were not a Lender and not a
party to this Agreement and such Lender shall not be entitled to vote on any
matter under this Agreement.

      2.4 Interest:

            (a) Base Rate Option - The unpaid principal balance of cash Advances
under the Revolving Credit, unless subject to the LIBOR Rate Option, shall bear
interest, subject to the terms hereof, at a per annum rate equal to the Base
Rate ("Base Rate Option"). Changes in the Base Rate shall become effective on
the same day that the Base Rate changes. Interest on Base Rate Loans shall be
due and payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar month
commencing on the first Business Day of the first full month following the
Funding Date.

            (b) LIBOR Rate Option:

                  (i) The unpaid principal balance of cash Advances under the
Revolving Credit may, at Borrower's option, bear interest at the LIBOR Based
Rate ("LIBOR Rate Option"), provided however that (A) each LIBOR Based Rate Loan
shall be in a multiple of $1,000,000 and (B) in no event shall any LIBOR Based
Rate Loan be in an amount less than $7,000,000. In no event, however, may
Borrower have more than ten (10) LIBOR Based Rate Loans outstanding at any one
time.

                  (ii) LIBOR Based Rate Loans shall be selected for a period of
either a one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months duration, as Borrower may
elect, during which the LIBOR Based Rate is applicable ("LIBOR Interest
Period"); provided, however, that (a) if the LIBOR Interest Period would
otherwise end on a day which shall not be a Good Business Day, such LIBOR
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Good Business Day,
unless such Good Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case
such LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Good Business Day
subject to clause (c) below; (b) interest shall accrue from and including the
first day of each LIBOR Interest Period to, but excluding the day on which any
LIBOR Interest Period expires; and (c) with respect to any LIBOR Interest Period
which begins on the last Good 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 LIBOR Interest Period), the LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the last
Good Business Day of a calendar month. Interest on a LIBOR Based Rate Loan shall
be due and payable monthly in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar
month commencing on the first Business Day of the first full month following the
date on which such LIBOR Based Rate Loan was made provided that all remaining
accrued and unpaid interest on each LIBOR Based Rate Loan must be repaid in full
on the day the applicable LIBOR Interest Period expires. Notwithstanding any of
the foregoing, no LIBOR Interest Period may end after the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date. Subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to a
request that a new Advance be a LIBOR Based Rate Loan, Borrower may extend a
LIBOR Based Rate Loan as of the last day of the LIBOR Interest

                                       23
<PAGE>   29
Period to a new LIBOR Based Rate Loan or may convert all or a portion of the
Loans subject to the Base Rate Option to a LIBOR Based Rate Loan. If Borrower
fails to notify Administrative Agent of the LIBOR Interest Period for a
subsequent LIBOR Based Rate Loan at least three Good Business Days prior to the
last day of the then current LIBOR Interest Period of an outstanding LIBOR Based
Rate Loan, then such outstanding LIBOR Based Rate Loan shall become a Loan
subject to the Base Rate Option at the end of the current LIBOR Interest Period
for such outstanding LIBOR Based Rate Loan and shall accrue interest in
accordance with Section 2.4(a) above.

                  (iii) The LIBOR Rate may be automatically adjusted by
Administrative Agent on a prospective basis to take into account the additional
or increased cost of maintaining any necessary reserves for Eurodollar deposits
or increased costs due to changes in applicable law or regulation or the
interpretation thereof occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then
applicable LIBOR Interest Period, including but not limited to changes in tax
laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income tax laws as
they affect financial institutions) and changes in the reserve requirements
imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor), excluding any such changes that have resulted in a payment pursuant
to Section 2.8 hereof, that increase the cost to Lenders of funding the LIBOR
Based Rate Loan. Administrative Agent shall promptly give Borrower and each
Lender notice of such a determination and adjustment, which determination shall
be prima facie deemed correct as to the fact and the amount of such adjustment.
Borrower may, by written notice to Administrative Agent, (A) request
Administrative Agent to furnish to Borrower a statement setting forth the basis
for adjusting such LIBOR Based Rate and the method for determining the amount of
such adjustment, and/or (B) prepay the LIBOR Based Rate Loan with respect to
which such adjustment is made, subject to the requirements of Section 2.9 below.

                  (iv) In the event that Borrower shall have requested the LIBOR
Rate Option in accordance with Section 2.4(b) and Administrative Agent shall
have reasonably determined that Eurodollar deposits equal to the amount of the
principal of the requested LIBOR Based Rate Loan and for the LIBOR Interest
Period specified are unavailable, impractical or unlawful, or that the rate
based on the LIBOR Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost of the
LIBOR Based Rate applicable to the specified LIBOR Interest Period, of making or
maintaining the principal amount of the requested LIBOR Based Rate Loan
specified by Borrower during the LIBOR Interest Period specified, or that by
reason of circumstances affecting Eurodollar markets, adequate and reasonable
means do not exist for ascertaining the rate based on the LIBOR Rate applicable
to the specified LIBOR Interest Period, Administrative Agent shall promptly give
notice of such determination to Borrower that the rate based on the LIBOR Rate
is not available. A determination by Administrative Agent hereunder shall be
prima facie evidence of the correctness of the fact and amount of such
additional costs or unavailability. Upon such a determination, (i) the right of
Borrower to select, convert to, or maintain a LIBOR Based Rate Loan at the rate
based on the LIBOR Rate shall be suspended until Administrative Agent shall have
notified Borrower that such conditions shall have ceased to exist, and (ii) the
Loans subject to the requested LIBOR Rate Option shall accrue interest in
accordance with Section 2.4(a) above.

                                                                              24
<PAGE>   30
                  (v) In the event that, as a result of any changes in
applicable law or regulation or the interpretation thereof, it becomes unlawful
for a Lender to maintain Eurodollar liabilities sufficient to fund any LIBOR
Based Rate Loan subject to the LIBOR Based Rate, then such Lender shall
immediately notify Administrative Agent who shall immediately notify the other
Lenders and Borrower thereof and such Lender's obligations to make, convert to,
or maintain a LIBOR Based Rate Loan at the LIBOR Based Rate shall be suspended
until such time as such Lender may again cause the LIBOR Based Rate to be
applicable to its share of any LIBOR Based Rate Loans and such Lender's share of
the Loans subject to the LIBOR Based Rate shall accrue interest in accordance
with Section 2.4(a) above. Promptly after becoming aware that it is no longer
unlawful for such Lender to maintain such Eurodollar liabilities, such Lender
shall notify Administrative Agent who will notify Borrower thereof and such
suspension shall cease to exist. In the event that it becomes unlawful for a
Lender, other than Fleet or Mellon, to maintain Eurodollar liabilities as
described in this paragraph, Borrower shall have the option to replace such
Lender with another financial institution (acceptable to Administrative Agent)
who will purchase all (but not part) of such Lender's Pro Rata Share, as well as
its rights and obligations hereunder. Such Lender shall be required to assign
and transfer to the financial institution obtained by Borrower, pursuant to an
Assignment and Acceptance, its respective Pro Rata Share in exchange for a full
payment of its Revolving Credit Loan Balance, with accrued interest and unpaid
fees.

            (c) Calculation of Interest: Interest on the Loans, regardless of
the rate option, shall be based on a three hundred sixty (360) day year and
charged for the actual number of days elapsed.

            (d) Limitation on LIBOR Based Rate Loans: Upon the occurrence and
continuance of an Event of Default, and following written notice from
Administrative Agent to Borrower, Administrative Agent may, in its sole
discretion, or shall at the direction of the Majority Lenders, eliminate the
availability of LIBOR Based Rate Loans, whether by request for a new LIBOR Based
Rate Loan, the continuation or extension of an existing LIBOR Based Rate Loan or
the conversion of all or any portion of the Based Rate Loan to LIBOR Based Rate
Loan.

            (e) Default Rate: After the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, and upon (i) determination by Administrative Agent or at
the direction of the SuperMajority Lenders and (ii) upon prior written notice to
Borrower from Administrative Agent that the rate of interest provided for by
this Section 2.4(e) is applicable, the per annum effective rate of interest on
all cash Advances outstanding under the Revolving Credit, regardless of the rate
option, shall be increased to a per annum rate equal to 2.0% in excess of the
applicable interest rate. While the default rate may be imposed as of the date
the Event of Default occurred, the default rate may not be imposed retroactively
for a period greater than sixty (60) days unless Borrower has breached its
obligation under Section 6.10(b) in which event such sixty (60) day limit shall
not be applicable.

            (f) Conversion: Following the occurrence of an Event of Default and
written notice from Administrative Agent that the Obligations have been
accelerated, all

                                                                              25
<PAGE>   31
LIBOR Based Rate Loans shall convert to Base Rate Loans, which conversion is
independent of rights under Section 2.4(e).

            (g) Continuation of Interest Charges: All contractual rates of
interest chargeable on outstanding Loans, regardless of the rate option, shall
continue to accrue and be paid even after default, an Event of Default,
maturity, acceleration, judgment, bankruptcy, insolvency proceedings of any kind
or the happening of any event or occurrence similar or dissimilar.

            (h) Applicable Interest Limitations: In no contingency or event
whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest hereunder and
charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement exceed the highest
rate permissible under any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in
a final determination, deem applicable hereto. In the event that such court
determines Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the
highest applicable rate, Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, shall, in
its sole discretion, apply and set off such excess interest received by Lenders
against other Obligations due or to become due and such rate shall automatically
be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by such law.

      2.5 Fees:

            (a) Facility Fees: Borrower shall pay all Facility Fees in the
amounts and at the times set forth in the Fee Letters.

            (b) Unused Commitment Fee: So long as the Revolving Credit is
outstanding and has not been terminated, Borrower shall unconditionally pay to
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders in accordance with each
Lender's Pro Rata Percentage, a non-refundable fee ("Unused Commitment Fee")
equal to 0.25% per annum of the average daily unused portion of the Revolving
Credit (which shall be calculated as the Maximum Revolving Credit Limit minus
the average daily outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit during the month
for which such calculation is made). Such fee shall commence as of the Closing
Date and shall be computed and paid on a monthly basis, in arrears, on the first
day of each calendar month, beginning on the first day of the first calendar
month after the Closing Date.

            (c) Letter of Credit Fees: Borrower shall pay to Administrative
Agent, (except as otherwise provided) for the ratable benefit of Lenders, letter
of credit fees (which fees Administrative Agent shall pay to Lenders on the
first Business Day immediately following receipt by Administrative Agent) equal
to: (i) 0.25% of the face amount of documentary/merchandise letters of credit,
payable in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter following the date of
issuance of each such documentary/merchandise letter of credit, and (ii) a
percent per annum equal to the then applicable LIBOR Rate Applicable Margin of
the face amount of each standby letter of credit, of which a fronting fee equal
to 0.125% of such amount per annum shall be for the sole benefit of Issuing
Bank, payable on the issuance date and thereafter quarterly in advance on the
first day of each calendar quarter, beginning on the date of issuance for each
such Letter of Credit for the remaining portion of such calendar quarter and on
the first day of such calendar quarter after the date of issuance of any such

                                       26
<PAGE>   32
Letter of Credit. Borrower agrees that such fees shall also be payable with
respect to the Existing L/C's as though such Existing L/C's were issued on the
Closing Date. Borrower shall also pay to Administrative Agent for the sole
benefit of Issuing Bank all of Issuing Bank's standard charges (including
without limitation all cable and wire transfer charges) for the account of
Issuing Bank for the issuance, amendment, negotiation/payment, extension and
cancellation of each such Letter of Credit. All such fees are collectively the
"L/C Fees". L/C Fees shall not be subject to refund or pro-ration for any reason
once paid.

            (d) Collateral Management Fee: Borrower shall pay to Administrative
Agent, for Administrative Agent's sole benefit, a collateral management fee
("Collateral Management Fee") in the amounts and at the times provided in the
Fee Letter.

            (e) Calculation of Fees: All fees provided for in this Section 2.5
which are required to be calculated on a per annum basis, shall be based on a
three hundred sixty (360) day year and charged for the actual number of days
elapsed.

      2.6 Prepayments:

            (a) LIBOR Based Rate Loans: No portion of the LIBOR Based Rate Loans
may be prepaid at any time unless Borrower first satisfy in full its obligations
under Section 2.8 below arising from such prepayment.

            (b) Base Rate Loans: Base Rate Loans may be prepaid at any time and
from time to time in whole or in part without premium or penalty.

            (c) Proceeds of Collateral: Borrower shall, promptly upon the
receipt of proceeds of any Collateral, pay all such proceeds to Administrative
Agent for application against the Obligations.

      2.7 Use of Proceeds:

            The extensions of credit under and proceeds of the Revolving Credit
shall be used for (i) refinancing the indebtedness under the Prior Loan
Agreement allocated to Borrower in conjunction with the QKH Reorganization, as
it may change prior to the Funding Date, (ii) providing working capital and
(iii) issuing Letters of Credit.

      2.8 Indemnity/Loss of Margin:

            (a) Borrower shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Administrative Agent and Lenders against any and all loss, liability, cost or
expense which Administrative Agent and any Lender or Lenders may sustain or
incur as a consequence of (a) any failure of Borrower to obtain, convert or
extend any LIBOR Based Rate Loan after notice thereof has been given to
Administrative Agent or (b) any payment, prepayment, termination or conversion
of a LIBOR Based Rate Loan made for any reason on a date other than the last day
of the applicable LIBOR Interest Period. Borrower shall pay the full amount
thereof to Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders, on demand
by Administrative

                                       27
<PAGE>   33
Agent.

            (b) In the event that any present or future law, rule, regulation,
treaty or official directive or the interpretation or application thereof by any
central bank, monetary authority or governmental authority, or the compliance
with any guideline or request of any central bank, monetary authority or
governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law) imposes,
modifies or deems applicable any deposit insurance, reserve, special deposit, or
other similar requirement with respect to deposits in or for the account of, or
loans or advances or commitment to make loans or advances by, or letters of
credit issued or commitment to issue letters of credit by a Lender (or an
Issuing Bank) and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the costs of
a Lender (or an Issuing Bank), reduce the income receivable by or return on
equity of a Lender (or an Issuing Bank) or impose any expense upon Lender (or an
Issuing Bank) with respect to any advances or extensions of credit or
commitments to make advances or extensions of credit under this Agreement, such
Lender (or an Issuing Bank) shall so notify Administrative Agent in writing who
will then notify Borrower. Upon notice from Administrative Agent, Borrower
agrees to pay such Lender (or an Issuing Bank) the amount of such increase in
cost, reduction in income, reduced return on equity or capital, or additional
expense after presentation by such Lender or Issuing Bank of a statement
concerning such increase in cost, reduction in income, reduced return on equity
or capital, or additional expense. Such statement shall set forth a brief
explanation of the amount and such Lender's or Issuing Bank's calculation of the
amount (in determining such amount such Lender or Issuing Bank may use any
reasonable averaging and attribution methods), which statement shall be prima
facie deemed correct absent manifest error. In the event that a Lender, other
than Fleet or Mellon, exercises its rights under this Section 2.8(b), Borrower
shall have the option (within one hundred twenty (120) days of such notice) to
replace such Lender (or designate a new Issuing Bank) with another financial
institution (acceptable to Administrative Agent) who will purchase all (but not
part) of such Lender's Pro Rata Share, as well as its rights and obligations
hereunder. Such Lender shall be required to assign and transfer to the financial
institution obtained by Borrower, pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, its
respective Pro Rata Share in exchange for full payment of its Revolving Credit
Loan Balance, with accrued interest and unpaid fees.

2.9   Capital Adequacy:

            If any present or future law, governmental rule, regulation, policy,
guideline, directive or similar requirement (whether or not having the force of
law) imposes, modifies, or deems applicable any capital adequacy, capital
maintenance or similar requirement which affects the manner in which any Lender
or an Issuing Bank allocates capital resources to its commitments (including any
commitments hereunder), and as a result thereof, in the opinion of such Lender
or Issuing Bank, the rate of return on such Lender's capital with regard to the
Loans, Letters of Credit and/or its obligations hereunder is reduced to a level
below that which such Lender could have achieved but for such circumstances
taking into account such Lender's or Issuing Bank's policies regarding capital
adequacy, then in such case such Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify
Administrative Agent in writing who will then notify Borrower. Upon notice from
Administrative Agent to Borrower, from time to time, Borrower shall pay such
Lender or Issuing Bank such additional amount or amounts as shall compensate
such

                                       28
<PAGE>   34
Lender for such reduction in its rate of return. Such notice shall contain the
statement of such Lender or Issuing Bank with regard to any such amount or
amounts which shall, in the absence of manifest error, be binding upon Borrower.
In determining such amount, such Lender or Issuing Bank may use any reasonable
method of averaging and attribution that it deems applicable. In the event that
a Lender or Issuing Bank, other than Fleet or Mellon, exercises its rights under
this Section 2.9, Borrower shall have the option (within one hundred twenty
(120) days of such notice) to replace such Lender or designate a new Issuing
Bank with another financial institution (acceptable to Administrative Agent and
who shall not be subject to compensation for a reduced rate of return based on
circumstances described above) who will purchase all (but not part) of such
Lender's Pro Rata Share, as well as its rights and obligations hereunder. Such
Lender shall be required to assign and transfer to the financial institution
obtained by Borrower, pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance its respective
Pro Rata Share in exchange for full payment of its Revolving Credit Loan
Balance, with accrued interest and unpaid fees.

      2.10 Statement of Account. Administrative Agent shall maintain, in
accordance with its customary procedures, a loan account in the name of Borrower
in which shall be recorded the date and amount of each Advance made by
Administrative Agent and the date and amount of each payment in respect thereof;
provided, however, the failure by Administrative Agent to record the date and
amount of any Advance shall not adversely affect Administrative Agent or any
Lender. Each month, Administrative Agent shall send to Borrower a statement
showing the accounting for the Advances made, payments made or credited in
respect thereof, and other transactions between Administrative Agent and
Borrower, during such month. The monthly statements shall be deemed correct and
binding upon Borrower in the absence of manifest error and shall constitute an
accurate statement between Lenders and Borrower unless Administrative Agent
receives a written statement of Borrower's specific exceptions thereto within 30
days after such statement is received by Borrower. The records of Administrative
Agent with respect to the loan account shall be prima facie evidence absent
manifest error of the amounts of Advances and other charges thereto and of
payments applicable thereto.

      2.11 Hedging Arrangement:

            To the extent Borrower may request either of the Co-Arrangers to
provide for Borrower's account and the requested Co-Arranger (in its discretion)
agrees to provide (in its capacity as a Lender and credit provider, for the
purposes hereof, a "Swap Provider") a swap or other interest rate hedging
arrangement to Borrower in order to hedge Borrower's interest obligations, such
hedging arrangement shall be subject to the following conditions:

            (a) Such hedging arrangement shall be made available under such
terms as the Swap Provider may then determine (with any interest or other income
or compensation thereon to be for the sole account of the Swap Provider);

            (b) The aggregate amount of credit exposure with respect to all such
hedging arrangements shall constitute part of the Obligations and shall be
secured by the Collateral and, in addition, the credit exposure thereunder shall
be reserved against within the

                                       29
<PAGE>   35
Borrowing Base and within the Maximum Revolving Credit Limit in such amount as
Administrative Agent may determine; and

            (c) Each Lender shall automatically acquire a risk participation in
any credit exposures associated with, and ultimate loss, expense or damages
resulting from, any such hedging arrangement, in accordance with its Pro Rata
Percentage. Each Lender shall be directly, absolutely and unconditionally
obligated, without deduction or setoff of any kind, to fund any such loss,
expense or damages at the direction of Administrative Agent (upon request of the
Swap Provider) by making payment directly to the Swap Provider or to the
Administrative Agent if it elects to fund (without the further request or
consent of Borrower) any such loss, expenses or damages on behalf of Lenders
(which funding shall be deemed an Advance under the Revolving Credit), including
without limitation following the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization,
receivership, liquidation or dissolution proceeding with respect to Borrower and
without regard to any outstanding Event of Default.

SECTION 3.  COLLATERAL

      3.1 Description:

            As security for the payment and performance of the Obligations, and
satisfaction by Borrower of all covenants and undertakings contained in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Borrower hereby assigns and grants to
Administrative Agent, in the ratable benefit of Lenders and Issuing Bank, a
continuing first (except as set forth in 3.1(d) below) lien on and security
interest in, upon and to all of its following described Property ("Collateral"):

                  (a) Accounts - All now owned and hereafter acquired, created,
or arising Accounts;

                  (b) Inventory - All now owned or hereafter acquired, created
or arising Inventory of every nature and kind, wherever located;

                  (c) General Intangibles - All now owned and hereafter
acquired, created or arising general intangibles of every kind and description,
including, but not limited, to all existing and future customer lists, telephone
lists and directories, choses in action, loans, claims, books, records, patents
and patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, tradenames, tradestyles,
trademark applications, blueprints, drawings, designs and plans, trade secrets,
contracts, contract rights, distributorship agreements, licenses, license
agreements, formulae, tax and any other types of refunds, rights to or in
employee or other pension, retirement or similar plans and any assets thereof,
or any portion thereof, including without limitation refunds for overpayments,
distributions upon termination, reversion of any surplus assets or otherwise,
returned and unearned insurance premiums, rights and claims under insurance
policies including without limitation, credit insurance and key man life
insurance policies, and computer information, software, records and data;

                  (d) Equipment - All now owned and hereafter acquired
equipment,

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<PAGE>   36
including, without limitation, machinery, vehicles, furniture, leasehold
improvements and fixtures, wherever located, and all replacements, parts,
accessories, accessions, substitutions and additions thereto; provided however,
that such security interest in equipment may be subject to the Liens set forth
on Schedule 5.4;

                  (e) Deposit Accounts and Related Property - All now existing
and hereafter acquired or arising deposit accounts, investment accounts,
commercial paper, and certificates of deposit, of every nature, wherever
located, and all documents and records associated therewith;

                  (f) Property in Lender's Possession - All Property, now or
hereafter in Administrative Agent's or any Lender's possession;

                  (g) Investment Property - All now existing and hereafter
required or arising Investment Property, investment securities and securities
entitlements;

                  (h) Other Property - All now existing or hereafter acquired or
created Chattel Paper, Instruments, Documents, letters of credit, guarantees and
security for obligations of Account Debtors to Borrower, and all other personal
Property of such entity not described above whether now existing or hereafter
acquired; and

                  (i) Proceeds - The proceeds (including, without limitation,
insurance proceeds), whether cash or non-cash, of all of the foregoing.

      3.2 Lien Documents:

            At Closing and thereafter as Administrative Agent deems necessary,
Borrower shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent, or have executed and
delivered (all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative
Agent):

            (a) Financing Statements - Financing statements pursuant to the UCC,
which Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders and Issuing Bank, may file in
any jurisdiction where any Collateral is or may be located, in the jurisdiction
where Borrower is incorporated and in any other jurisdiction that Administrative
Agent deems appropriate; and

            (b) Other Agreements - Any other agreements, documents, instruments
and writings, including, without limitation, patent and trademark security
agreements, and control agreements reasonably required by Administrative Agent
to evidence, perfect or protect Lenders' liens and security interests in the
Collateral or as Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time.

      3.3 Other Actions:

            In addition to the foregoing, Borrower shall do anything further
that may be lawfully and reasonably required by Administrative Agent to perfect
or continue the perfection of Administrative Agent's security interest in the
Collateral and to secure

                                                                              31
<PAGE>   37
Borrower's Obligations and to effectuate the intentions and objects of this
Agreement, including, but not limited to, the execution and delivery of lockbox
and blocked account agreements, continuation statements, amendments to financing
statements, security agreements, contracts and any other documents required
hereunder. At Administrative Agent's request, Borrower shall also immediately
deliver (with execution by Borrower of all necessary documents or forms to
reflect Administrative Agent's Lien thereon for the ratable benefit of Lenders
and Issuing Bank, including any required stock powers or forms of assignment
executed in blank) to Administrative Agent as bailee for Lenders and Issuing
Bank, all items for which Administrative Agent must receive possession to obtain
a perfected security interest, including without limitation, all certificated
securities, notes, letters of credit, certificates and documents of title,
chattel paper, warehouse receipts, instruments, and any other similar
instruments constituting Collateral. Borrower shall upon request of
Administrative Agent, promptly deliver or cause to be delivered, certificates of
title at any future date with respect to any and all trucks, trailers and other
vehicles.

      3.4 Searches:

            Administrative Agent shall, prior to or at Closing, and thereafter
as Administrative Agent may determine from time to time, at Borrower's expense,
obtain the following searches (the results of which are to be consistent with
the warranties made by Borrower in this Agreement):

            (a) UCC Searches: UCC searches with the Secretary of State and local
filing office of each state and jurisdiction where Borrower maintains its
executive office, a place of business, or assets or where Borrower is
incorporated;

            (b) Judgments, Etc.: Judgment, federal and state tax lien and
corporate tax lien searches, in all applicable filing offices of each state
searched under subparagraph (a) above.

            Borrower shall, prior to or at Closing and at its expense, obtain
and deliver to Administrative Agent good standing certificates showing Borrower
to be in good standing in its state of incorporation and in each other state or
foreign country in which it is doing and presently intends to do business for
which failure to be so qualified is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

      3.5 Landlord's and Mortgagee's Waivers:

            Borrower will cause each owner (and, if applicable, mortgagee) of
any premises occupied by Borrower or to be occupied by Borrower where Collateral
at any time is held, to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an
instrument, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, under
which such owner(s) (and, if applicable, mortgagee(s)) subordinates
its/his/their interests in and waives its/his/their right to distrain on or
foreclose against the Collateral and agrees to allow Administrative Agent to
remain on such premises to dispose of or deal with any Collateral located
thereon.

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<PAGE>   38
      3.6 Filing Security Agreement:

            A carbon, photographic or other reproduction or other copy of this
Agreement or of a financing statement is sufficient as and may be filed in lieu
of a financing statement.

      3.7 Power of Attorney:

            Each of the officers of Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably
made, constituted and appointed the true and lawful attorney and agent for
Borrower (without requiring any of them to act as such) with full power of
substitution to do the following: (1) endorse the name of Borrower upon any and
all checks, drafts, money orders and other instruments for the payment of monies
that are payable to such entity and constitute collections on Borrower's
Accounts or General Intangibles; (2) execute in the name of Borrower any
financing statements, security agreements, schedules, assignments, instruments,
documents and statements that Borrower is obligated to give Administrative Agent
hereunder or is necessary to perfect Administrative Agent's security interest or
lien in the Collateral; (3) to verify validity, amount or any other matter
relating to the Collateral by mail, telephone, telecopy or otherwise; and (4)
after acceleration of the Obligations following an Event of Default, do such
other and further acts and deeds in the name of Borrower that Administrative
Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to enforce any Account or other
Collateral.

SECTION 4.  CLOSING, FUNDING AND CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING AND FUNDING

      4.1 Conditions Precedent to Closing:

            The completion of Closing is subject to satisfaction of each of the
following conditions precedent (all documents to be in form and substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent's counsel):

      (a) Resolutions, Opinions, and Other Documents: Borrower shall have
delivered to Administrative Agent the following (Administrative Agent
acknowledging that the statements referenced in clause (vi)(A) below were
delivered to Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date and are in
acceptable form, and the statements referenced in clause (vi)(B) for the year
ending October 31, 1999 previously delivered to Administrative Agent were in
acceptable form):

            (i) this Agreement and the Revolving Credit Notes all properly
executed;

            (ii) each other Loan Document (including UCC-1 Financing
Statements), required to be executed under any provision of this Agreement or
any related agreement (including, without limitation, landlord and mortgagee
waivers);

            (iii) certified copies of (i) resolutions of the board of directors
of Borrower authorizing the execution of this Agreement, the Revolving Credit
Notes to be issued hereunder and each other Loan Document required to be
delivered by any Section hereof and

                                       33
<PAGE>   39
(ii) Borrower's Articles or Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws;

            (iv) an incumbency certificate for Borrower identifying all
Authorized Officers, with specimen signatures;

            (v) a written opinion of Borrower's independent counsel addressed to
Administrative Agent for the benefit of all Lenders and Issuing Bank and
opinions of such other counsel (including securities counsel) as Administrative
Agent deems necessary;

            (vi) (A) final year end unqualified audited financial statements for
Quality King (including for such purpose Borrower and Pro's Choice) for the
fiscal year ending October 31, 2000, on a combined basis;

                  (B) final year end unqualified audited financial statements
for Borrower, as a division of Quality King, and final year end financial
statements for each of Quality King and Pro's Choice, each for the fiscal year
ending October 31, 2000 (including, without limitation, audited balance sheet of
each entity and reviewed income statements for each entity) reported on by each
such entity's independent certified public accountants, all on a pro forma basis
as if the QKH Reorganization and the Pro's Choice Reorganization had occurred;

            (vii) certification by the chief financial officer or chief
accounting officer of Borrower (or, as the case may be, chief financial officer
of any other relevant entity), as of the Closing Date, that (A) there is no
material litigation, judgment or judicial or administrative proceeding or
investigation (governmental or otherwise, and whether criminal or civil)
pending, or to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower, Quality
King or any of its Affiliates (including Pro's Choice); (B) there has not
occurred any material adverse change in the financial condition, operating
status, assets, liabilities or prospects of Borrower or of Quality King and its
Affiliates (including Pro's Choice) from the conditions described in the most
recent financial statements or projections for each such party delivered to
Administrative Agent or in any additional reports, statements and/or information
provided to Administrative Agent, (C) none of the information, documents or
written statements, including any financial statements concerning Borrower or
Quality King and its Affiliates (including Pro's Choice) and their respective
finances, projections, assets or liabilities contain any untrue statements of
any material fact or omissions to state any material fact necessary to make
statements contained therein not misleading; (D) no Event of Default or event
which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would
constitute an Event of Default hereunder, has occurred and is continuing and (E)
all of the conditions of this Section 4.1 have been fulfilled;

            (viii) Uniform Commercial Code, judgment, federal and state tax lien
searches against Borrower, at Borrower's expense, showing that the Property of
Borrower is not subject to any Liens except for Permitted Liens, together with
Good Standing and Corporate Tax Lien Search Certificates showing no Liens on
Borrower's Property and showing Borrower to be in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect;

                                                                              34
<PAGE>   40
            (ix) certification by the chief financial officer or chief
accounting officer of Borrower that (a) to the best of his or her knowledge, all
real estate used or occupied, planned or to be used or occupied by Borrower is
free of material contamination, (b) to the best of his or her knowledge,
Hazardous Substances, if any, including any hazardous wastes, produced,
maintained, generated, handled, disposed of, or transported by Borrower are
handled in conformity with all federal and state environmental laws, and (c)
Borrower has all licenses (including the New York State pharmaceutical license
and all other pharmaceutical licenses) and permits necessary to operate its
business.

            (x) Subordination Agreements executed by each Sub Debt Holder
pursuant to which the Subordinated Debt is subordinated to the Obligations
("Subordination Agreements");

            (xi) written consent from the Prior Lender Group Agent (and the
requisite lenders under the Prior Loan Agreement) to the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and related agreements and an Intercreditor Agreement executed
by Borrower and Prior Lender Group Agent;

            (xii) written description of Borrower's current policies and
procedures concerning making Advances to Suppliers ("Supplier Advance
Policies"), to be received by Administrative Agent at least ten (10) Business
Days prior to the Closing Date; and

            (xiii) certified copies of or original insurance policies evidencing
insurance coverage satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion
along with a standard Lender's Loss Payable and Additional Insured Endorsement
issued in favor of Administrative Agent.

            (b) Additional Conditions Precedent to Closing: The following
conditions shall have been satisfied:

                  (i) Borrower shall have established the Lockbox Account and
the Cash Collateral Account and its primary disbursement and operating
account(s) with Collection Bank, and Borrower shall have delivered a Blocked
Account Agreement executed by Borrower and the respective third-party financial
institution with respect to each Blocked Account;

                  (ii) Each of the warranties and representations contained in
Section 5 as well as any other section of this Agreement shall be true and
correct in all material respects on the Closing Date;

                  (iii) Neither Borrower nor Quality King or any of its
Affiliates (including Pro's Choice) is in violation of, or has received written
notice that it is in violation of, or has knowingly caused any Person to
violate, any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance of the United States of
America, or any state, city, town, municipality, county or of any other
jurisdiction, or of any agency or department thereof (including without
limitation,

                                       35
<PAGE>   41
environmental laws and regulations), which has caused or is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (iv) Closing shall have been consummated under a certain Loan
and Security Agreement among Pro's Choice, Mellon Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent, Fleet Capital Corporation, as syndication agent and the lending
institutions named as lenders therein ("Pro's Choice Loan Agreement") and a
certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement among Quality King,
certain of its subsidiaries as borrowers, certain of its Affiliates and
subsidiaries as affiliate guarantors, Mellon Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent, Fleet Capital Corporation, as syndication agent and the lending
institutions named as lenders therein ("Amended and Restated Quality King Loan
Agreement"), and the Pro's Choice Loan Agreement and the Amended and Restated
Quality King Loan Agreement shall each have become effective and binding on the
parties;

                  (v) Administrative Agent shall have approved the terms and
conditions of the QKH Reorganization Documents, the Pro's Choice Reorganization
Documents and the asset transfers as part of the QKH Reorganization and the
Pro's Choice Reorganization shall each have been consummated;

                  (vi) Lenders with the aggregate Pro Rata Shares equal to the
Maximum Revolving Credit Limit have executed this Agreement;

                  (vii) No event has occurred or condition exists which would
constitute an Event of Default and Borrower shall not have taken any action or
permitted any condition to exist which is or would have been prohibited by any
section hereof;

                  (viii) Administrative Agent shall have completed an inspection
and audit of the books and records and Property of Borrower, with the results
thereof being satisfactory in all respects to Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion;

                  (ix) Borrower shall have delivered an initial pro forma
Borrowing Base Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, which shall be prepared
assuming that all the conditions to effectiveness listed in this section 4.1 and
all the conditions to Funding listed in Section 4.2 hereof have occurred,
including the closing and consummation of a Qualified IPO with Net Proceeds of
$125,000,000 (prior to any distributions to shareholders), evidencing that after
consideration (without deferral) of and giving effect to all closing
disbursements, costs and fees (including, without limitation those associated
with the Qualified IPO, regardless of whether completed, billed, due or paid),
Expenses and all other then current obligations and taxes and all planned
initial Advances under the Revolving Credit, Borrower has a Borrowing
Availability of at least $60,000,000.

      4.2 Conditions Precedent to Funding:

            Notwithstanding the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this
Agreement, Lenders shall have no obligation to make any Advance under the
Revolving Credit until the following conditions have been satisfied, as
determined by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion:

                                                                              36
<PAGE>   42
      (a) Closing of Qualified IPO: Borrower shall have consummated and closed a
Qualified IPO, the Net Proceeds of which (exclusive of any proceeds resulting
from any exercise of an underwriters option to acquire additional shares) shall
be no less than $125,000,000 and of which at least $100,000,000 shall be
retained by Borrower, provided that if the Net Proceeds exceed or equal
$151,000,000, the amount retained by Borrower shall be at least $111,000,000
plus the excess of Net Proceeds over $151,000,000 (exclusive of any proceeds
being used for the Permitted Sub Debt Prepayment).

      (b) Payment of Fees: Administrative Agent shall have received payment from
Borrower of all Fees required to be paid on or before the Funding Date pursuant
to the terms hereof or of the Fee Letters and all Expenses associated with the
Revolving Credit incurred to the Funding Date.

      (c) Minimum Availability: Borrower shall have delivered an initial
borrowing base certificate dated the Funding Date evidencing that, after
consideration (without deferral) of and after giving effect to all closing
disbursements, costs and fees (including, without limitation those associated
with the Qualified IPO, regardless of whether completed, billed, due or paid),
Expenses, and all other then current obligations and taxes and all initial
Advances under the Revolving Credit, Borrower has a Borrowing Availability of at
least $65,000,000, provided that, if the Net Proceeds of the Qualified IPO are
less than $151,000,000, the Borrowing Availability shall be at least
$60,000,000.

      (d) Tangible Net Worth: After giving effect to the Qualified IPO (and any
Permitted Sub Debt Prepayment then intended to be made), the opening tangible
net worth, plus Subordinated Debt of Borrower, shall be at least $117,000,000,
of which no less than $45,000,000 thereof shall be equity (not Subordinated
Debt). If the Net Proceeds of the Qualified IPO equal or exceed $151,000,000,
the opening tangible net worth plus Subordinated Debt must at least equal the
sum of (i) $128,000,000 plus (ii) the excess of Net Proceeds of the Qualified
IPO over $151,000,000, of which no less than $58,000,000 thereof shall be equity
plus the amount, if any, of any Net Proceeds of the Qualified IPO over
$151,000,000. All minimum equity numbers set forth in this clause (d) shall be
increased by the full proceeds of any exercise of an underwriter's option to
acquire additional shares.

      (e) Payoff Letters: Administrative Agent shall have received a payoff
letter/termination agreement from the Prior Lending Group Agent, acceptable to
Administrative Agent, stating under what conditions Borrower shall be released
from any and all liabilities and obligations under the Prior Loan Agreement, and
the existing liens of the Prior Lending Group Agent against Property of Borrower
shall be terminated.

      (f) Funding of Pro's Choice Loan Agreement and Quality King Loan
Agreement: All conditions to the initial funding shall have occurred under each
of the Pro's Choice Loan Agreement and the Amended and Restated Quality King
Loan Agreement and funding shall have occurred thereunder.

      (g) Release of Prior Lender Group Agent's Liens: Borrower shall have been

                                                                              37
<PAGE>   43
released from any and all obligations to Prior Lender Group Agent and the
lenders named in the Prior Loan Agreement, and Borrower shall have provided
Administrative Agent with all instruments and documents, including UCC-3
termination statements, which Administrative Agent shall deem necessary and
desirable to terminate any and all existing Liens of the Prior Lender Group
Agent against any of Borrower's Property (including the Collateral).

      (h) Absence of Certain Events: At the Funding Date, no Event of Default
hereunder shall have occurred and be continuing, and no event shall have
occurred and be continuing which, with the passage of time, or the giving of
notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder.

      (i) Warranties and Representations at Funding: Each of the warranties and
representations contained in Section 5 as well as any other Section of this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Funding Date
with the same effect as though made on and as of that date. Borrower shall not
have taken any action or permitted any condition to exist which is or would have
been prohibited by any Section hereof.

      (j) Compliance with this Agreement: Borrower shall have performed and
complied with all agreements, covenants and conditions contained herein
including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 hereof, which
are required to be performed or complied with by Borrower before or on the
Funding Date.

      (k) Officer's Funding Certificate: Administrative Agent shall have
received a certification by the chief financial officer or chief accounting
officer of Borrower (or, as the case may be, the chief financial officer of any
other relevant entity), as of the Funding Date, that (A) there is no material
litigation, judgment or judicial or administrative proceeding or investigation
(governmental or otherwise, and whether criminal or civil) pending, or to the
knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower, Quality King or any of its
Affiliates (including Pro's Choice); (B) there has not occurred any material
adverse change in the financial condition, operating status, assets, liabilities
or prospects of Borrower or of Quality King and its Affiliates (including Pro's
Choice) from the conditions described in the most recent financial statements
for each such party delivered to Administrative Agent or in any additional
reports, statements and/or information provided to Administrative Agent or from
the Closing Date, (C) none of the information, documents or written statements,
including any financial statements concerning Borrower or Quality King and its
Affiliates (including Pro's Choice) and their respective finances, projections,
assets or liabilities contain any untrue statements of any material fact or
omissions to state any material fact necessary to make statements contained
therein not misleading; (D) no Event of Default or event which, with the passage
of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event of Default
hereunder, has occurred and is continuing and (E) all of the conditions of this
Section 4.2 have been fulfilled;

      (l) Funding Date: If the Funding Date has not occurred by 1:00 P.M.
Eastern time, on the earlier of (i) 15 days after the Closing Date, (ii) 15 days
after the Spin Off, or (iii) July 15, 2001, this Agreement and all other Loan
Documents among Borrower and Administrative Agent and/or Lenders shall become
null and void and of no further force and

                                       38
<PAGE>   44
effect and all obligations if any, of Lenders to make Advances shall terminate.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the failure of the Funding Date to occur
by 1:00 P.M. Eastern time, on July 15, 2001 shall not have any effect whatsoever
upon the Prior Loan Agreement and any documents, instruments or agreements
executed and/or delivered by Borrower in connection therewith.

      (m) Debt Allocation Agreement: Administrative Agent, Borrower, Pro's
Choice, Quality King and the respective administrative agents for the Amended
and Restated Quality King Credit Facility and the Pro's Choice Credit Facility
shall have entered into an agreement setting forth the amount of the
indebtedness outstanding under the Prior Loan Agreement respectively allocated
to each of Borrower, Pro's Choice and Quality King as of the Funding Date.

      4.3 Non-Waiver of Rights:

            By completing the Closing and/or the making of the initial Advance
hereunder, or by making any subsequent Advance hereunder, Administrative Agent
and Lenders do not thereby waive a breach of any warranty or representation made
by Borrower hereunder or any agreement, document, or instrument delivered to
Administrative Agent and Lenders or otherwise referred to herein and any claims
and rights of Administrative Agent resulting from any breach or
misrepresentation by Borrower are specifically reserved by Administrative Agent
and Lenders.

SECTION 5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      To induce Lenders and Issuing Bank to make the initial Advances under the
Revolving Credit to Borrower, Borrower warrants and represents to Administrative
Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders that:

      5.1 Corporate Organization and Validity:

            (a) Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of its state of incorporation, is duly qualified, is validly
existing and in good standing and has lawful power and authority to engage in
the business it conducts in each state where the nature and extent of its
business requires qualification, except where the failure to so qualify would
not have or be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. A list of
all states and other jurisdictions where Borrower is qualified to do business is
attached hereto as Schedule 5.1 and made a part hereof.

            (b) The making and performance of this Agreement and related
agreements, and each document required by any Section hereof will not violate
any law, government rule or regulation, or the charter, minutes or bylaw
provisions of Borrower, or violate or result in a default (immediately or with
the passage of time) under any contract, agreement or instrument to which
Borrower is a party or is bound, except, in the case of any law, rule,
regulation, contract, agreement or instrument, for such violations and defaults
which separately or collectively would not have or be reasonably likely to have
a Material Adverse

                                                                              39
<PAGE>   45
Effect. To the best of Borrower's knowledge, Borrower is not in violation of or
has not knowingly caused any Person to violate any term of any agreement or
instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or of its charter,
minutes or its bylaws which violation has caused or is reasonably likely to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

            (c) Borrower has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into and perform this Agreement and to incur the obligations herein
provided for, and has taken all proper and necessary corporate action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the
documents and related agreements required hereby.

            (d) This Agreement, the Revolving Credit Notes and all related
agreements and documents required to be executed and delivered by Borrower
hereunder, when delivered, will be valid and binding upon Borrower, and
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

      5.2 Places of Business:

            The only places of business of Borrower, and the places where
Borrower keeps and intends to keep its Property and records concerning its
Property, are at the addresses listed in Schedule 5.2 attached hereto and made a
part hereof.

      5.3 Pending Litigation:

            There are no judgments or judicial or administrative orders,
proceedings or investigations (civil or criminal) pending, or to the knowledge
of Borrower, threatened, against Borrower in any court or before any
governmental authority or arbitration board or tribunal except as shown in
Schedule 5.3 attached hereto and made a part hereof, none of which has caused or
is reasonably likely to have Material Adverse Effect. Borrower is not in default
with respect to any order of any court, governmental authority, regulatory
agency or arbitration board or tribunal, the existence or result of which has
caused or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. No executive
officer of Borrower has been indicted or convicted in connection with or is
engaging in any criminal conduct, or is currently subject to any lawsuit or
proceeding or under investigation in connection with any anti-racketeering or
other conduct or activity.

      5.4 Title to Properties:

            Borrower has good and marketable title in fee simple (or its
equivalent under applicable law) to all the Property it purports to own, free
from Liens and free from the claims of any other Person, except for Liens
granted to Administrative Agent hereunder, Permitted Liens and those Liens set
forth on Schedule 5.4 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

      5.5 Governmental Consent and Other Consents:

            Neither the nature of Borrower or of its business or Property, nor
any relationship between Borrower and any other Person, nor any circumstance
affecting

                                       40
<PAGE>   46
Borrower in connection with the issuance or delivery of this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents, is such as to require a consent, approval or authorization
of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any governmental authority or
any other third party on the part of Borrower in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance or delivery of the other Loan
Documents or the consummation of the Qualified IPO or QKH Reorganization.

      5.6 Taxes:

            All tax returns required to be filed by Borrower in any jurisdiction
have in fact been filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges upon Borrower, or upon any of its Property, income or franchises, which
are shown to be due and payable on such returns have been paid, except for those
taxes being contested in good faith with due diligence by appropriate
proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been maintained under GAAP.
Borrower is not aware of any proposed additional tax assessment or tax to be
assessed against or applicable to Borrower which has caused or is reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      5.7 Financial Statements:

            The audited financial statements of Borrower (as a division of
Quality King) as of October 31, 2000 as well as the audited financial statements
of Quality King as of October 31, 2000 and the compiled combined and combining
financial statements of Quality King as of October 31, 2000, all accompanied by
reports therein from such entities' independent certified public accountants,
(complete copies of all of which have been delivered to Administrative Agent),
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and present fairly in all material
respects the financial position of each such respective entity as of such date
and the results of its operations for such period. The fiscal year for Borrower
currently ends October 31 of each year. Borrower's federal tax identification
number is as listed on Schedule 5.7 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

      5.8 Full Disclosure:

            Neither the financial statements referred to in Section 5.7, nor
this Agreement or related agreements and documents or any written statement
furnished by Borrower to Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation
of the Revolving Credit or contained in any financial statements or documents
relating to Borrower contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein or herein not
misleading.

      5.9 Subsidiaries:

            Borrower has no Subsidiaries or Affiliates, except as listed on
Schedule 5.9 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

      5.10 Guarantees, Contracts, etc.:

                                                                              41
<PAGE>   47

                  (a) Borrower does not own or hold equity or long term debt
investments in, does not have any outstanding advances to or serve as guarantor,
surety or accommodation maker for the obligations of, or have any outstanding
borrowings from, any Person, or has not entered into any leases for real or
personal property (whether as landlord or tenant), except for (i) existing
advances to Suppliers as listed as of _____________, 2001 on Schedule 5.10(a)
attached hereto and (ii) those other existing advances, investments, borrowings,
leases and guarantees listed as of _____________, 2001 on Schedule 5.10(b)
attached hereto. All contra Accounts of Borrower in existence as of the Closing
Date are listed on Schedule 5.10(c) attached hereto.

                  (b) Borrower is not a party to any contract or agreement, or
subject to any charter or other corporate restriction, which has caused or is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement, Borrower has not agreed or consented to cause or permit any of its
Property whether now owned or hereafter acquired to be subject in the future
(upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) to a Lien not permitted by
this Agreement.

         5.11     Government Regulations, etc.:

                  (a) The use of the proceeds of and Borrower's issuance of the
Revolving Credit Notes will not directly or indirectly violate or result in a
violation of Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
Regulations U, T and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
12 C.F.R., Chapter II. Borrower does not own or intend to carry or purchase any
"margin stock" within the meaning of said Regulation U.

                  (b) Borrower has obtained all licenses, permits, franchises or
other governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property
and for the conduct of its business, except where the failure to obtain is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c) As of the date hereof, no employee benefit plan ("Pension
Plan"), as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, maintained by Borrower or under
which Borrower could have any liability under ERISA (i) has failed to meet the
minimum funding standards established in Section 302 of ERISA, (ii) has failed
to comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of ERISA and
of the Internal Revenue Code, including all applicable rulings and regulations
thereunder which would subject Borrower to any material liability, (iii) has
engaged in or been involved in a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code which would subject Borrower
to any material liability, or (iv) has been terminated if such termination would
subject Borrower to any material liability. Except as shown on Schedule 5.11
attached hereto and made part hereto, Borrower has not assumed, or received
notice of a claim asserted against Borrower for, withdrawal liability (as
defined in Section 4207 of ERISA) with respect to any Multiemployer Pension Plan
(as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) and is not a member of any
Controlled Group (as defined in ERISA). Borrower has timely made all
contributions when due with

                                                                              42
<PAGE>   48
respect to any Multiemployer Pension Plan (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA) in which it participates and no event has occurred triggering a claim
against Borrower for withdrawal liability with respect to any Multiemployer
Pension Plan (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) in which Borrower
participates. All Pension Plans and Multiemployer Pension Plan (as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) in which Borrower participates are listed on
Schedule 5.11.

                  (d) Borrower is not in violation of, has not received written
notice that it is in violation of, and has not knowingly caused any Person to
violate, any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance of the United States of
America, or of any state, city, town, municipality, county or of any other
jurisdiction, or of any agency, or department thereof, (including without
limitation, environmental laws and regulations), which has caused or is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (e) Borrower is current with all reports and documents
required to be filed with any state or federal securities commission or similar
agency and is in full compliance in all material respects with all applicable
rules and regulations of such commissions.

         5.12     Business Interruptions:

                  Within five (5) years prior to the date hereof, none of the
business, Property or operations of Borrower have been materially and adversely
affected in any way by any casualty, strike, lockout, combination of workers,
order of the United States of America, or any state or local government, or any
political subdivision or agency thereof, directed against Borrower. There are no
pending or threatened labor disputes, strikes, lockouts or similar occurrences
or grievances affecting the business being operated by Borrower.

         5.13     Names:

                  Within five (5) years prior to the Closing Date, Borrower has
not conducted business under or used any other name (whether corporate or
assumed) except for the names shown on Schedule 5.13, attached hereto and made a
part hereof. Borrower is the sole owner of all names listed on such Schedule
5.13 and, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, any and all business done and all
invoices issued in such trade names are Borrower's sales, business and invoices.
Each trade name of Borrower represents a division or trading style of Borrower
and not a separate corporate subsidiary or affiliate or independent entity.

         5.14     Other Associations:

                  Borrower is not engaged or has no interest in any joint
venture or partnership with any other Person, except as described on Schedule
5.14 hereto and made a part hereof.

         5.15     Environmental Matters:

         To the best of Borrower's knowledge:

                  (a) There are no Hazardous Substances present on any of the
real property that is or is planned to be occupied by Borrower or on which
Borrower conducts or plans to

                                                                              43
<PAGE>   49
conduct any operations or has or plans to have its personal property ("Real
Property"), nor are there nor has there been any on-site spills, releases,
discharges, disposal or storage of Hazardous Substances on any of such Real
Property nor are there or has there been any other material environmental
contamination of any kind on any of such Real Property.

                  (b) There are no, nor have there been any, spills, releases,
discharges or disposal of Hazardous Substances on any Real Property as a result
of the conduct, action or activities of Borrower or Quality King or its
Affiliates.

                  (c) All Hazardous Substances, including any hazardous wastes,
generated, maintained, transported by or on behalf of or disposed of by or on
behalf of Borrower or prior to the date hereof by Quality King are and have been
maintained, handled, transported and disposed of in conformity with all federal,
state and local environmental laws.

                  (d) Neither Borrower nor Quality King has received within the
past five (5) years any notice, citation, report or writing notifying such
entity that it is in violation in any material respect of any federal or state
statute, rule or regulation dealing with the creation, use, maintenance,
disposition or transportation of Hazardous Substances or otherwise dealing with
the environment or is being investigated for possible violation of any such
statute.

                  (e) As used herein, the term "Hazardous Substances" means any
substances defined or designated as hazardous or toxic waste, hazardous or toxic
material, hazardous or toxic substance or similar term, by any environmental
statute, rule or regulation of any governmental entity presently in effect and
applicable to such real property.

         5.16     Regulation O:

                  No director, executive officer, principal shareholder or
partner of Borrower is a director, executive officer or principal shareholder of
any Lender. For the purposes hereof the terms "director" (when used with
reference to a Lender), "executive officer" and "principal shareholder" have the
respective meanings assigned thereto in Regulation O issued by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         5.17     Capital Stock:

                  All of the Capital Stock of Borrower has been duly and validly
authorized and issued and is fully paid and non-assessable and has been sold and
delivered to the holders thereof in compliance with, or under valid exemption
from, all Federal and state laws and the rules and regulations of all regulatory
bodies thereof governing the sale and delivery of securities. The initial public
offering to be completed and closed by Borrower as a condition to Funding
hereunder has been and will be conducted under and in full accordance and
compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and all other federal and state securities
laws. Except for the rights and obligations set forth in Schedule 5.17, there
are no subscriptions, warrants, options, calls, commitments, rights or
agreements by which Borrower or any of the shareholders of Borrower is bound
relating to the issuance, transfer, voting or redemption of shares of its

                                                                              44
<PAGE>   50
Capital Stock or any pre-emptive rights held by any Person with respect to the
shares of Capital Stock of Borrower. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.17,
Borrower has not issued any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of its Capital Stock or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire
such shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares.

         5.18     Solvency:

                  Borrower is solvent, able to pay its debts as they become due,
and has capital sufficient to carry on its businesses and all businesses in
which it is to engage, and now owns Property having a value both at fair
valuation and at present fair salable value greater than the amount required to
pay its debts. Borrower will not be rendered insolvent by the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or any of the other documents executed in connection
with this Agreement or by the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder
or by the consummation of the QKH Reorganization.

         5.19     Patents, Trademarks, Etc.:

                  (a) All trademarks, patents or copyrights which Borrower uses,
plans to use or has a right to use are listed on Schedule 5.19(a) attached
hereto and made a part hereof. Borrower to the best of its knowledge, is the
sole owner of such Property except to the extent any other Person has claims or
rights in such Property, as such claims and rights are described on such
Schedule 5.19(a). To the best of Borrower's knowledge, Borrower is not in
violation of any rights of any other Person with respect to such Property.

                  (b) Borrower does not require any patents, trademarks or other
intellectual property, or license(s) in order to sell Inventory in the ordinary
course of business, other than (i) the patents, trademarks or other intellectual
property listed on Schedule 5.19(a), and (ii) licenses to Borrower from any
other Person allowing Borrower to sell certain merchandise listed on Schedule
5.19(b) attached hereto (copies of such license agreements having been delivered
to Administrative Agent) and (b) Administrative Agent will not require any
patents, trademarks or other intellectual property or any licenses to use the
same in order to sell any of such Inventory after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, except any such license as may be required under applicable law to sell
controlled substances or narcotics. Borrower is in possession of all source and
object codes related to each piece of software used in its business (other than
source and object codes for shrink wrap licensed software or mass market
software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Windows and Corel WordPerfect)) and is
the creator and owner of, or, as identified on Schedule 5.19(b), holds a license
to use and enjoy the benefits of, all such software and codes.

         5.20     Investment Company:

                  Borrower is not an "investment company" registered or required
to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor is
Borrower controlled by such a company.

         5.21     Consummation of QKH Reorganization:

                                                                              45
<PAGE>   51
                  The QKH Reorganization has been or when fully consummated on
the date of the Spin Off will have been fully consummated in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the QKH Reorganization Documents and in full compliance
with any and all federal, state, and local laws that may be applicable. The QKH
Reorganization Documents constitute a valid, binding and enforceable obligation
of the parties thereto. True and complete copies of all the QKH Reorganization
Documents have been delivered to Administrative Agent, and no default or event
of default has occurred under any of the QKH Reorganization Documents.

SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Borrower covenants that until all of the Obligations to Lenders are
paid and satisfied in full and the Revolving Credit and each Letter of Credit
has been terminated:

         6.1      Payment of Taxes and Claims:

                  Borrower shall pay, before they become delinquent,

                  (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies
imposed upon it or upon Borrower's Property and

                  (b) all claims or demands of materialmen, mechanics, carriers,
warehousemen, landlords and other Persons entitled to the benefit of statutory
or common law Liens,

which, if unpaid, would result in the imposition of a Lien upon its Property;
provided, however, that Borrower shall not be required to pay any such tax,
assessment, charge, levy, claim or demand if the amount, applicability or
validity thereof shall at the time be contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings by Borrower, and if Borrower shall have set aside on its books
adequate reserves in respect thereof, in accordance with GAAP; which deferment
of payment is permissible so long as no Lien other than a Permitted Lien has
been entered and Borrower's title to, and its right to use, its Property are not
materially adversely affected thereby.

         6.2      Maintenance of Properties and Corporate Existence:

                  (a) Property - Borrower shall maintain its Property in good
condition and make all necessary renewals, replacements, additions, betterments
and improvements thereto and will pay and discharge when due the cost of repairs
and maintenance to its Property, all as in the judgment of Borrower may be
necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times.

                  (b) Property Insurance - Borrower shall maintain insurance on
all insurable tangible Property against fire, flood, casualty and such other
hazards (including, without limitation, extended coverage, workmen's
compensation, boiler and machinery) in such amounts, with such deductibles and
with such insurers as are customarily used by companies operating in the same
industry as Borrower and acceptable to Administrative Agent. At or

                                                                              46
<PAGE>   52
prior to Closing, Borrower shall furnish Administrative Agent with copies of
original policies of insurance certified as true and correct and being in full
force and effect as of the Closing Date or such other evidence of insurance as
Administrative Agent may require. In the event Borrower fails to procure or
cause to be procured any such insurance or to timely pay or cause to be paid the
premium(s) on any such insurance, Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit
of Lenders) may, in its discretion, do so for Borrower, but Borrower shall
continue to be liable for the same. The policies of all such casualty insurance
shall contain standard Lender's Loss Payable Clauses issued in favor of
Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of Lenders) indicating that
Administrative Agent is sole Lender Loss Payee, under which all losses
thereunder shall be paid to Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of
Lenders) as Administrative Agent's interest may appear. Such policies shall
expressly provide that the requisite insurance cannot be altered or canceled
without thirty (30) days prior written notice to Administrative Agent and shall
insure Lenders notwithstanding the act or neglect of Borrower. Borrower hereby
appoints Administrative Agent as Borrower's attorney-in-fact, exercisable at
Administrative Agent's option to endorse any check which may be payable to
Borrower, and to file proofs of loss with respect to any insurance claims, in
order to collect the proceeds of such insurance and any amount or amounts
collected by Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph
may be applied by Administrative Agent, in its discretion, to the Obligations.
Borrower further covenants that all insurance premiums owing under its current
casualty policy have been paid. Borrower also agrees to notify Administrative
Agent, promptly, upon any receipt of a notice of termination, cancellation, or
non-renewal from its insurance company of any such policy.

                  (c) Public and Products Liability Insurance - Borrower shall
maintain, and shall deliver to Administrative Agent upon Administrative Agent's
request evidence of, public liability, products liability and business
interruption insurance in such amounts as is customary for companies in the same
or similar businesses located in the same or similar area as Borrower and
acceptable to Administrative Agent.

                  (d) Financial Records - Borrower shall keep current and
accurate books of records and accounts in which full and correct entries will be
made of all of its business transactions, and will reflect in its financial
statements adequate accruals and appropriations to reserves, all in accordance
with GAAP. Borrower shall not change its fiscal year end date without the prior
written consent of Administrative Agent which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

                  (e) Corporate Existence and Rights - Borrower shall do (or
cause to be done) all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its existence, good standing, rights, licenses and franchises.

                  (f) Compliance with Laws - Borrower shall be in compliance
with any and all laws, ordinances, governmental rules and regulations, and court
or administrative orders or decrees to which it is subject, whether federal,
state or local, (including without limitation environmental or environmental
related laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations and notices), and shall
obtain and maintain any and all licenses, permits, franchises or other
governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its Property or to the
conduct of

                                                                              47
<PAGE>   53
its businesses, except where such violation or failure to obtain will not have
or be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower shall timely
satisfy all assessments, fines, costs and penalties imposed by any governmental
body against Borrower or any Property of Borrower subject to the provisions of
Section 6.1 above.

         6.3      Business Conducted:

                  Borrower shall continue in the business presently operated by
it using its best efforts to maintain its customers and goodwill. Borrower shall
not engage, directly or indirectly, in any material respect in any line of
business substantially different from the businesses conducted by the Borrower
immediately prior to the Closing Date, unless such line of business is
reasonably related to such business so conducted prior to the Closing Date.

         6.4      Litigation and Investigations:

                  Notwithstanding any other undertaking or provision herein,
Borrower shall give prompt notice to Administrative Agent of (but in any event,
within 3 days of Borrower becoming aware of) (a) any litigation claiming in
excess of $1,000,000 from Borrower, (b) any such litigation claiming in excess
of $250,000 which causes all then outstanding claims against Borrower, in the
aggregate, to be or continue to be in excess of $2,500,000, and (c) such other
claims, or administrative or governmental investigations against Borrower, the
existence or result of any of which (if determined adversely to Borrower) will
have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.5      Taxes:

                  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
other than 6.5(f) and (g), any and all payments by Borrower hereunder shall be
made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future
taxes, levies, imports or withholding taxes, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding taxes imposed on Administrative Agent's or any Lender's net
income and franchise taxes imposed on Administrative Agent or any Lender by the
United States or any jurisdiction under the laws of which it is organized or in
which an office is located or any political subdivision thereof (all such
nonexcluded taxes, levies, imports, withholding taxes and liabilities being
hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If Borrower shall be required by law to
deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Lender
or Administrative Agent (i) the sum payable shall be increased by the amount
necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 6.5) such Lender or
Administrative Agent shall receive an amount equal to the sum it would have
received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such
deductions and (iii) Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
taxing authority or other governmental authority in accordance with applicable
law.

                  (b) In addition, Borrower agrees to pay any present or future
stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the
execution, delivery, filing, recording, or

                                                                              48
<PAGE>   54
registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

                  (c) Borrower will indemnify each Lender and Administrative
Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other
Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 6.5)
paid by such Lender or Administrative Agent in respect of any and all payments
made by Borrower hereunder, as the case may be, and any liability (including
penalties, interest and expenses other than those resulting from the failure of
a Lender or Administrative Agent to pay any Taxes or Other Taxes for which it
shall have received an indemnity payment hereunder) arising therefrom or with
respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or
legally asserted. Such indemnification shall be made promptly after the date any
Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, makes written demand
therefor. If a Lender or Administrative Agent shall become aware that it is
entitled to receive a refund it shall notify Borrower and shall, promptly after
receipt of a request by Borrower, apply for and pursue such a refund at
Borrower's expense. If any Lender or Administrative Agent receives a refund in
respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes for which such Lender or Administrative
Agent has received payment from Borrower hereunder it shall promptly upon
receipt repay such refund to Borrower without interest, except to the extent
interest shall have accompanied such refund, provided that Borrower, upon the
request of such Lender or Administrative Agent, agrees to return such refund
(plus penalties, interest or other charges) to such Lender or Administrative
Agent in the event such Lender or Administrative Agent is required to repay such
refund.

                  (d) Within forty five (45) days after the date of any payment
of Taxes or Other Taxes withheld by Borrower in respect of any payment to any
Lender or Administrative Agent, Borrower will furnish to Administrative Agent,
the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

                  (e) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement
contained herein, the agreements and obligations contained in this Section 6.5
shall survive the payment in full of principal and interest hereunder.

                  (f) On or prior to the date it becomes a party to this
Agreement, each Lender that is organized outside of the United States shall
deliver to Borrower such certificates, documents or other evidence, as required
by the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant
thereto, including Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or 1001 and any other
certificate or statement or exemption required by Treasury Regulation Section
1.1441-4(a) or Section 1.1441-6(c) or any subsequent version thereof, properly
completed and duly executed by such Lender establishing that such payment is (i)
not subject to withholding under the Code because such payment is effectively
connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business in the United
States or (ii) totally exempt from United States Federal withholding tax under a
provision of an applicable tax treaty. In addition, each such Lender shall, if
legally able to do so, thereafter deliver such certificates, documents or other
evidence from time to time establishing that payments received hereunder are not
subject to such withholding upon receipt of a written request therefor from
Borrower

                                                                              49
<PAGE>   55
or Administrative Agent. Unless Borrower and Administrative Agent have received
forms or other documents satisfactory to them indicating that payments hereunder
or under the Revolving Credit Notes are not subject to United States Federal
withholding tax under an applicable tax treaty, Borrower or Administrative Agent
shall withhold taxes from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

                  (g) Borrower shall not be required to pay any additional
amounts to any Lender in respect of United States Federal withholding tax
pursuant to this Section 6.5 if the obligation to pay such additional amounts
would not have arisen but for a failure by such Lender to deliver the
certificate, documents or other evidence specified in this Section 6.5 unless
such failure is attributable to (i) a change in applicable law, regulation or
official interpretation thereof or (ii) an amendment or modification to or a
revocation of any applicable tax treaty or a change in official position
regarding the application or interpretation thereof, in each case on or after
the date such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement.

                  (h) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal
and regulatory restrictions) to file any certificate or document requested by
Borrower or to change the jurisdiction of its applicable lending office if the
making of such filing or change would avoid the need for or reduce the amount of
any such additional amounts which may thereafter accrue and would not result in
the incurrence by such Lender of any cost for which Borrower do not provide such
security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by the Lender to indemnify
it in full for such cost and would not in the judgment of such Lender be
otherwise disadvantageous to it. Each Lender agrees with reasonable promptness
to notify Borrower of any determination which it shall make to make any claim
for additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 6.5.

                  (i) In the event any Lender (other than Fleet or Mellon) shall
make any claim for the payment of additional amounts under this Section 6.5,
Borrower may require such Lender to assign (in accordance with Section 9.16) its
interests, rights and obligations hereunder (including its Pro Rata Share and
the Loans at the time owing to it and the Revolving Credit Note held by it),
pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, provided that (i) such assignment
shall not conflict with or violate any law, rule or regulation or order of any
court or other governmental authority, (ii) Borrower shall have received the
written consent of Administrative Agent to such assignment, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed and (iii) such Lender shall have been paid all
amounts owed to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

         6.6      Bank Accounts:

                  Borrower shall maintain its main depository and disbursement
account(s) with the Collection Bank.

         6.7      Pension Plans:

                  Borrower will (a) fund all its Pension Plan(s) in a manner
that will satisfy the

                                                                              50
<PAGE>   56
minimum funding standards of Section 302 of ERISA, or will promptly satisfy any
accumulated funding deficiency that arises under Section 302 of ERISA, (b)
furnish Administrative Agent, promptly upon Administrative Agent's request of
the same, with copies of all reports or other statements filed with the United
States Department of Labor, the PBGC or the IRS with respect to all Pension
Plan(s), or which Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group, may receive from
the United States Department of Labor, the IRS or the PBGC, with respect to all
such Pension Plan(s), and (c) promptly advise Administrative Agent of the
occurrence of any reportable event (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA, other
than a reportable event for which the thirty (30) day notice requirement has
been waived by the PBGC) or prohibited transaction (under Section 406 of ERISA
or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to any such Pension
Plan(s) and the action which Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.
Borrower will make all contributions when due with respect to any Multiemployer
Pension Plan (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) in which it
participates and will promptly advise Administrative Agent (i) upon its receipt
of notice of the assertion against Borrower of a claim for withdrawal liability,
(ii) upon the occurrence of any event which, to the best of Borrower's
knowledge, would trigger the assertion of a claim for withdrawal liability
against Borrower, and (iii) upon the occurrence of any event which, to the best
of Borrower's knowledge, would place Borrower in a Controlled Group as a result
of which any member (including Borrower) thereof may be subject to a claim for
withdrawal liability, whether liquidated or contingent.

         6.8      Warranties for Future Advances:

                  Each request by Borrower for an Advance under the Revolving
Credit in any form following the Funding Date shall constitute an automatic
representation and warranty by Borrower to the effect that as of the date of
such request and after giving effect to the requested Advance:

                  (a) No event or condition which constitutes a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to Borrower has occurred since the date of delivery of
Borrower's most recent financial statements.

                  (b) No Event of Default which has not been cured or waived, or
event or condition which with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both,
would constitute an Event of Default, then exists;

                  (c) Each Advance is within and complies with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement including without limitation the notice provisions
contained in Section 2.3 hereof;

                  (d) No Lien, other than Permitted Liens, including, without
limitation, any federal tax Lien, has been imposed on Borrower which may, in any
way, take priority over Administrative Agent's and/or Lenders' security
interests in or Liens on any Collateral; and

                  (e) Each representation and warranty set forth in Section 5 of
this Agreement is then true and correct in all material respects; provided that
Borrower shall,

                                                                              51
<PAGE>   57
within ten (10) days of the end of each quarter (or more frequently if the
applicable information is required to be provided more frequently under another
provision of this Agreement), update, in writing to Administrative Agent,
Schedules 5.1, 5.3, 5.9, 5.10(a), 5.10(b), 5.11, 5.14, 5.17 and 5.19 so that
such Schedules accurately reflect the state of Borrower's affairs as of the last
day of the immediately preceding quarter end (or, if applicable, other more
frequent period), and provided further that any such updated Schedules which do
not reflect events or conditions which constitute violations of Section 6 or 7
hereof or otherwise reflect any Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed a
violation of Borrower's warranty under this Section 6.8(e).

         6.9      Financial Covenants:

                  (a) Borrower shall maintain and comply with the following
financial covenants as reflected on and computed from their financial
statements:

                           (i) Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth Ratio: Borrower
shall have and maintain at all times a Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth Ratio
of not more than 3.00 to 1.00.

                           (ii) Capital Expenditures: Borrower shall not expend,
in the aggregate, for Capital Expenditures more than $3,000,000 per fiscal year,
beginning with the fiscal year ending October 31, 2001.

                           (iii) Inventory Turnover Ratio: Borrower shall have
an Inventory Turnover Ratio, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter,
of at least 3.25 to 1.00 commencing with the fiscal quarter ending April 30,
2001 and each fiscal quarter thereafter through and including the fiscal quarter
ending October 31, 2002, and 3.00 to 1.00 thereafter.

                           (iv) Interest Coverage Ratio: Borrower shall have an
Interest Coverage Ratio, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
at least 1.75 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending April 30, 2001, 2.00 to 1.00
for the fiscal quarters ending July 31, 2001 and October 31, 2001, 2.25 to 1.00
commencing with the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2002 and each fiscal
quarter thereafter through and including the fiscal quarter ending April 30,
2003, and 2.50 to 1.00 thereafter.

                           (v) Advances to Suppliers: Borrower shall not have at
any time aggregate outstanding Advances to Suppliers in excess of $20,000,000;
provided, however, that within such overall limit outstanding Advances to
Suppliers, who have an annual revenue of $500,000,000 or less per annum, shall
not exceed $3,000,000 in the aggregate.

                           (vi) Current Ratio: Borrower shall have and maintain
at all times a Current Ratio of at least 1.25 to 1.00.

                           (vii) Minimum Tangible Net Worth: Borrower shall
have, as of and at all times after the Funding Date, a minimum Tangible Net
Worth (plus Subordinated Debt), of not less than Borrower's Tangible Net Worth
(plus Subordinated Debt) as of the

                                                                              52
<PAGE>   58
Funding Date after giving effect to the consummation of the Qualified IPO (and
any Permitted Sub Debt Prepayment) and further provided that the minimum
Tangible Net Worth (plus Subordinated Debt) required pursuant to this Section
shall permanently increase by an amount equal to 50% of Borrower's annual Net
Income (without deduction at any time for any Net Loss), commencing with the
fiscal year ending October 31, 2001.

                  (b) In the event that the default rate of interest has been
instituted as a result of Borrower's failure to comply with any of the financial
covenants set forth in Sections 6.9(a)(i) through 6.9(a)(vii), as of the end of
any fiscal quarter, Borrower shall be entitled to have the contractual interest
rate otherwise applicable hereunder (and not the default rate) to be reinstated
thirty (30) days after Administrative Agent's receipt of written notice from
Borrower requesting the reinstatement of the contractual interest rate,
accompanied by the financial statements and compliance certificate for the
fiscal quarter immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Event of
Default occurred, so long as (i) neither the financial statements nor compliance
certificate for such fiscal quarter reflect a violation of any financial
covenant(s) as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, (ii) no other Event of
Default is outstanding as of the end of such thirty (30) day period, and (iii)
no acceleration of the Obligations has occurred as of the end of such thirty
(30) day period. Nothing contained in the preceding sentence shall at any time
create or be deemed to constitute a waiver of or commit Lenders to waive (A) any
financial covenant violation regardless of the applicability or
non-applicability of the default rate of interest or (B) the applicability of
the default rate of interest at any time following acceleration of the
Obligations.

         6.10     Financial and Business Information:

                  Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent (and Lenders if
so indicated) the following:

                  (a) Financial Statements and Collateral Reports: such data,
reports, statements and information, financial or otherwise, as Administrative
Agent may reasonably request, including, without limitation:

                           (i) within ninety (90) days after the end of each
fiscal year of Borrower, deliver to Administrative Agent and each Lender,
financial statements of Borrower for such year including the balance sheet of
Borrower as at the end of such fiscal year and a statement of cash flows and
income statement for such fiscal year, setting forth in the statements in
comparative form, the corresponding figures as at the end of and for the
previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, including all supporting
schedules, and audited and unqualifiedly certified by independent public
accountants of recognized standing, selected by Borrower and reasonably
satisfactory to Administrative Agent (it being acknowledged that BDO Seidman is
acceptable to Administrative Agent for this purpose), to have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP, and such independent public accountants shall also provide
an unqualified opinion that the financial statements present fairly Borrower's
financial condition. Such independent accountants shall also provide a statement
certifying that nothing has come to their attention to cause them to believe
that calculations contained in the compliance certificate are inaccurate and a
management letter (if so requested by Administrative Agent),

                                                                              53
<PAGE>   59
however Administrative Agent hereby acknowledges that such independent certified
public accountants shall not be obligated to take any measure other than those
which are a part of such firm's auditing procedures used in conducting audits of
financial statements. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if the Securities
and Exchange Commission shall grant an extension of the due date for the filing
of Borrower's annual 10-K report for up to (but no more than) thirty (30) days,
Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion may grant an extension of
similar duration of the due date for the annual financial statements under this
Section 6.10.

                           (ii) within fifteen (15) days after the end of each
calendar month, deliver to Administrative Agent Borrower's month end accounts
receivable aging report, accounts payable aging report, inventory certificates,
month-end perpetual Inventory reports (including a separate itemization of new
and terminated Borrower locations), and such other reports as Administrative
Agent reasonably deems necessary, certified by Borrower's chief financial
officer or chief accounting officer as true and correct, all in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, provided that
Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may require such reporting on a more
frequent basis at any time.

                           (iii) within forty-five (45) days after the end of
each month, deliver to Administrative Agent and each Lender Borrower's
internally-prepared monthly financial statements, including balance sheet,
income statement and statements of cash flows, in a form satisfactory to
Administrative Agent, and such reports and certificates as Administrative Agent
may request (such as quarterly and/or annual results) in order for
Administrative Agent to determine Borrower's compliance with each subsection of
Section 6.9 and redetermine the LIBOR Rate Applicable Margin.

                           (iv) no later than the third Business Day of the
immediately following week, deliver to Administrative Agent Borrower's weekly
accounts receivable agings, reports concerning "contra" accounts, sales,
collections, credit adjustments and all other information pertaining to accounts
receivable and a report identifying the aggregate amount of Inventory at each
Inventory location, provided that Administrative Agent in its sole discretion,
may require such reporting on a more frequent basis at any time and from time to
time.

                           (v) within sixty (60) days prior to the end of each
fiscal year, deliver to Administrative Agent and each Lender Borrower's annual
projections of profit and loss, cash flows, balance sheets and availability
prepared on a monthly basis.

                           (vi) within twenty-five (25) days of the end of each
calendar month, deliver to Administrative Agent a schedule, by supplier,
detailing the then outstanding Advances to Suppliers (as well as the most recent
year end gross annual sales of each such supplier), such schedule to be in form
and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

                           (vii) on a weekly basis, on the third Business Day of
each week (or more frequently as Administrative Agent may request in its sole
discretion at any time and from time to time shall so request), a borrowing base
certificate ("Borrowing Base Certificate")

                                                                              54
<PAGE>   60
in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto and made part hereof.

                           (viii) any such other collateral, operational and
financial reports and information as Administrative Agent in its sole discretion
may request at any time and from time to time.

                  (b) Notice of Event of Default - promptly upon becoming aware
of the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a default or an
Event of Default under this Agreement, or which with the passage of time or the
giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder, a
written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what
action Borrower is taking (and/or proposes to take) with respect thereto;

                  (c) Notice of Claimed Default - promptly upon receipt by
Borrower, notice of default, oral or written, given to Borrower by any creditor
for borrowed money in excess of $750,000; and

                  (d) Securities and Other Reports - all reports required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including, without
limitation, Borrower's 10-K and 10-Q reports) shall be delivered to
Administrative Agent and Lenders within five (5) days after such filing is made.

         6.11     Officers' Certificates:

                  Along with the set of financial statements delivered to
Administrative Agent and each Lender at the end of each month and fiscal year
pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(i) and (iii) hereof, Borrower shall deliver to
Administrative Agent and each Lender a certificate (in the form of Exhibit C
attached hereto and made a part hereof) from the chief financial officer or
chief accounting officer of Borrower (and as to certificates accompanying the
annual statements of Borrower, also certified by Borrower's independent
certified public accountant) setting forth:

                  (a) Covenant Compliance - the information (including detailed
calculations) required in order to establish whether Borrower is in compliance
with the requirements of Section 6.9 as of the end of the period covered by the
financial statements then being furnished (and any exhibits appended thereto)
under Section 6.10; and

                  (b) Event of Default - that such chief financial officer or
chief accounting officer in his capacity as an officer of Borrower and, in the
case of a certificate certified by Borrower's independent accountant, such
accountant in its capacity as such, has reviewed the relevant terms of this
Agreement, and has made (or caused to be made under his supervision) a review of
the transactions and conditions of Borrower from the beginning of the accounting
period covered by the financial statements being delivered therewith to the date
of the certificate, and that such review has not disclosed the existence during
such period of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or
which is then, or with the passage of time or giving of notice, or both, could
become an Event of Default hereunder or if any

                                                                              55
<PAGE>   61
such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and period of
existence thereof and what action Borrower has taken or propose to take with
respect thereto.

         6.12     Inspection:

                  Borrower will permit any of Administrative Agent's officers or
other representatives to visit and inspect any of the locations of Borrower
during regular business hours, to examine and audit all of Borrower's books of
account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts
therefrom and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers,
employees and independent certified public accountants; provided, however, that
prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, Administrative Agent
shall provide Borrower with prior reasonable notice of such visits or
inspections. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs all such
accountants and auditors to exhibit and deliver to Administrative Agent copies
of any and all of Borrower's financial statements or other accounting records of
any sort in the accountant's or auditor's possession. Administrative Agent will
notify Lenders of each scheduled inspection one (1) week in advance (if
practical) and to the extent reasonably practicable, qualified representatives
of not more than two (2) Lenders may accompany Administrative Agent, on a
rotational basis, during each such inspection. After the occurrence of any Event
of Default, all such inspections shall be at Borrower's expense at the standard
rates charged by Administrative Agent for such activities (plus the
out-of-pocket expenses of Administrative Agent and of two Lenders accompanying
Administrative Agent on such inspections).

         6.13     Tax Returns and Reports:

                  At Administrative Agent's request from time to time, within 10
days of such request Borrower shall promptly furnish Administrative Agent with
copies of the annual federal and state income tax returns of Borrower. Borrower
further agrees that, if requested by Administrative Agent, it shall promptly
furnish Administrative Agent with copies of all reports filed with any federal,
state or local governmental authority or agency, board or commission.

         6.14     Information to Assignee and Participant:

                  Administrative Agent and each Lender may divulge to any
participant, co-lender or assignee or prospective participant, co-lender or
assignee of an interest in the Revolving Credit all information, and furnish to
such Person copies of any reports, financial statements, certificates, and
documents obtained under any provision of this Agreement, or related agreements
and documents; provided, however that any potential participant, co-lender or
assignee shall agree to hold in confidence all information not otherwise public
when such information is provided to them by Borrower, Administrative Agent or
such Lender except (a) to the extent that the production of such information is
required pursuant to any statute, ordinance, regulation, rule or order or any
subpoena or any governmental inquiry or by reason of any bank regulation in
connection with any bank examination, and (b) such potential participant,
co-lender or assignee shall not be prohibited from disclosing any such
information to any of their agents, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants
or consultants

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<PAGE>   62
who shall be informed of and agreed to be bound by this provision.

         6.15     Material Adverse Developments:

                  Borrower agrees that immediately upon becoming aware of any
event, condition, development or other information which would be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, it shall give to Administrative Agent
telephonic, telegraphic or facsimile notice specifying the nature of such
development or information and such anticipated effect. In addition, such verbal
communication shall be confirmed by written notice thereof to Administrative
Agent on the next Business Day after such verbal notice is given.

         6.16     Name Changes or Change of Places of Business:

                  Borrower shall give thirty (30) days prior written notice to
Administrative Agent of any name change or change in the location of any of its
respective places of business, of the places where records concerning its
Accounts are kept, or the establishment of any new, or the discontinuance of any
existing place of business, including without limitation Inventory locations,
and any change in Borrower's state of incorporation.

         6.17     Supplier Advance Policies:

                  Borrower shall at all times comply with its Supplier Advance
Policies and shall not make any change, in any material respect, in its Supplier
Advance Policies.

SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS:

         Borrower covenants that until all of the Obligations to Lenders are
paid and satisfied in full and the Revolving Credit has been terminated, that:

         7.1      Merger, Consolidation, Dissolution or Liquidation:

                  (a) Borrower shall not sell, lease, license, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of its Property, other than (i) Inventory sold in the
ordinary course or ordinary operation of Borrower's business and (ii) Equipment
sold from time to time so long as the aggregate net book value of Equipment sold
by Borrower shall not exceed $500,000 in any contract year following the Closing
Date.

                  (b) Except as permitted by Section 7.4(a) hereof, Borrower
shall not merge or consolidate with any other Person or commence a dissolution
or liquidation.

         7.2      Acquisitions:

                  Borrower shall not acquire all or a material portion of the
stock, securities or assets of any Person in any transaction or in any series of
related transactions without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent
and the SuperMajority Lenders provided, however, that Borrower may (a) acquire
all or a material portion of the stock, securities or

                                                                              57
<PAGE>   63
assets of any Person so long as: (i) no Event of Default or event which, with
the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, constitutes an Event of
Default has occurred or would exist after giving effect to such acquisition;
(ii) if a stock acquisition, such Person becomes a Borrower hereunder pursuant
to documentation acceptable to Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion);
(iii) Administrative Agent has a first priority lien on all of the Property of
such Person; (iv) Borrower delivers all lien searches, resolutions,
organizational documents, opinions and other documents, instruments and
agreements as required by Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion); (v)
Borrower delivers revised or supplemental schedules to this Agreement reflecting
the addition of such Person and/or Property; (vi) the total consideration for
all acquisitions made pursuant hereto prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date does not exceed the aggregate sum of $5,000,000; (vii) Borrower has given
Administrative Agent at least twenty (20) days written notice prior to
consummating such proposed acquisition; (viii) the business conducted by the
Person whose Stock or Property is acquired is substantially the same as the
business of Borrower; (ix) a minimum Borrowing Availability of $10,000,000 plus
the total amount of contras included in the Borrowing Base shall exist
immediately before and after giving effect to any such acquisition (after giving
effect to all closing disbursements, costs and fees (regardless of whether
completed, billed, due or unpaid) and all other current obligations and taxes,
whether paid or unpaid); (x) the Person being acquired and all of its Property
(or if an asset acquisition, the Property) are located in the United States;
(xi) Borrower delivers to Administrative Agent the following information and
documents at least twenty (20) days prior to the intended date of acquisition
(all documents to be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative
Agent): (A) historical financial information (unaudited information being
acceptable if audited statements are unavailable) regarding such Person to be
acquired, (B) consolidated and consolidating projections (unaudited information
being acceptable if audited statements are unavailable) for not less than the
following twelve (12) months, for Borrower (including such Person being
acquired) accompanied by pro forma compliance certificates covering the period
for which the projections are given, (C) pro forma opening balance sheet of such
Person being acquired (or if it is an asset acquisition by Borrower, then a pro
forma opening balance sheet of Borrower), (D) a statement of the sources and
uses of cash related to the proposed acquisition, and (E) a copy of the final
term sheet or draft acquisition agreement related to the acquisition (with the
final deal structure and documentation to be substantially the same as the
documents previously provided to Administrative Agent); and (xii) any such
acquisition is not a hostile takeover, and (b) acquire on a bulk basis the
Inventory (but no other tangible or intangible Property) of any Person so long
as the aggregate of all such purchases does not exceed $10,000,000 in any
contract year following the Closing Date.

         7.3      Liens and Encumbrances:

                  Borrower shall not: (i) execute a negative pledge agreement
with any Person covering any of its Property, or (ii) cause or permit or agree
or consent to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency
or otherwise) its Property (including, without limitation, the Collateral),
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien or be subject
to any claim except for Permitted Liens. As used herein, "Permitted Liens"
means:

                                                                              58
<PAGE>   64
                  (a) Liens securing taxes, assessments or governmental charges
or levies or the claims or demands of materialmen, mechanics, carriers,
warehousemen, landlords, and other like persons, provided the payment thereof is
not at the time required by Section 6.1;

                  (b) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment, insurance,
social security and other like laws;

                  (c) Existing Liens described in Schedule 5.4 (except that any
Liens in favor of Prior Lender Group Agent granted by Borrower on or about the
date of the 11th Amendment to the Prior Loan Agreement in connection with
Borrower's joinder into the Prior Loan Agreement shall only be considered as
Permitted Liens hereunder between the Closing Date and the Funding Date, and any
such Liens in favor of Prior Lender Group Agent shall no longer be permitted
after and must, as a condition precedent to Funding, be released as of the
Funding Date);

                  (d) Liens constituting purchase money security interests in
equipment, capitalized leases or finance leases hereafter created by Borrower to
Persons providing financing for Capital Expenditures permitted under this
Agreement so long as each obligation secured by a Lien permitted by this
subparagraph (d) does not exceed 100% of the lower of the cost or fair market
value of the Property acquired with such financing and such Lien extends only to
the Property actually acquired with such financing.

         7.4      Transactions With Affiliates or Subsidiaries:

                  (a) Borrower shall not enter into or otherwise have
outstanding any transaction with any Subsidiary or other Affiliate including,
without limitation, the purchase, sale, or exchange of Property, or the loaning
or giving of funds to any Affiliate or any Subsidiary, other than (i) the
existing transactions set forth on Schedule 7.4 attached hereto and (ii)
purchases, sales or exchanges of Property to or with an Affiliate or Subsidiary
if (A) such Subsidiary or Affiliate is engaged in a business substantially
related to the business conducted by Borrower and the transaction is in the
ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Borrower's
business and upon terms substantially the same and no less favorable to Borrower
as it would obtain in a comparable arm's-length transaction with any Person not
an Affiliate or a Subsidiary, (B) such transaction is not otherwise prohibited
hereunder, and (C) no Event of Default would exist after giving effect thereto.

                  (b) Except to the extent a Subsidiary is created to
effectuate, or acquired as part of, an acquisition permitted under Section 7.2
above, Borrower shall not create or acquire any Subsidiary without the prior
written consent of Administrative Agent and Super Majority Lenders which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         7.5      Indebtedness:

                  Borrower shall not be or become at any time liable, directly
or indirectly, primarily or secondarily, jointly or severally, in any manner,
with respect to any

                                                                              59
<PAGE>   65
Indebtedness, whether matured or contingent, due or to become due, other than:

                  (a) Endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or
collection in the ordinary course of its business;

                  (b) Indebtedness under or pursuant to this Agreement;

                  (c) Indebtedness to Persons providing purchase money equipment
financing giving rise to a Permitted Lien under Section 7.3(d);

                  (d) Indebtedness under the Prior Loan Agreement (which may be
outstanding only until the Funding Date);

                  (e) Subordinated Debt; and

                  (f) Indebtedness consisting of existing borrowings and
guarantees shown on Schedule 5.10(b).

         7.6      Restricted Payments:

                  Borrower shall not: (a) declare or pay or make any forms of
Distribution to its shareholders, their successors or assigns other than
redemptions of stock, warrants or options held by employees of Borrower so long
as (i) no Event of Default exists or would exist after giving effect thereto;
(ii) the aggregate payments in any contract year following the Closing Date do
not exceed $1,000,000 on all such transactions; and (iii) a minimum Borrowing
Availability of at least $10,000,000 plus the total amount of contras included
in the Borrowing Base shall exist immediately before and after giving effect to
any such acquisition (after giving effect to all closing disbursements, costs
and fees (regardless of whether completed, billed, due or unpaid) and all other
current obligations and taxes, whether paid or unpaid); or (b) unless expressly
authorized herein or in any Subordination Agreement pertaining thereto, make any
payments or prepayments on any Subordinated Debt.

         7.7      Loans and Investments:

                  Borrower shall not make or have outstanding loans, advances,
extensions of credit or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person,
except (a) so long as no Event of Default is outstanding or, after giving effect
thereto, would occur, Advances to Suppliers to the extent permitted under
Section 6.9(a)(v) above, (b) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course
of business to customers of Borrower for payment for their purchase of Inventory
from Borrower, (c) to the extent funds are available for such purpose pursuant
to Section 2.3(b) hereof, investments in (i) commercial paper maturing in one
(1) year or less from the date of issuance rated either A-1 by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group ("S&P"), P-1 by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or
other similar nationally recognized credit rating agency of similar standing;
(ii) direct obligations of, or obligations, the principal of and interest on
which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America, or any
agency or instrumentality thereof, maturing in twelve (12) months or less from
the date of

                                       60
<PAGE>   66
acquisition thereof; or (iii) certificates of deposit maturing within ninety
(90) days from the date of origin issued by, or money market funds held by,
Fleet National Bank, all of which are permitted investments under this clause
(c) are pledged to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders as security
for the Obligations, and (d) loans or advances to officers or employees in an
amount not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate (as to all such Persons) at any
time outstanding.

         7.8      Use of Lenders' Name:

                  Borrower shall not use any Lender's name (or the name of any
of any Lender's affiliates) or Administrative Agent's name in connection with
any of its business operations except to identify the existence of the Revolving
Credit and the names of the Lenders and Administrative Agent in the ordinary
course of Borrower's business. Nothing herein contained is intended to permit or
authorize Borrower to make any contract on behalf of any Lender or
Administrative Agent.

         7.9      Miscellaneous Covenants:

                  (a) Borrower shall not become or be a party to any contract or
agreement which at the time of becoming a party to such contract or agreement
materially impairs Borrower's ability to perform under this Agreement, or under
any other instrument, agreement or document to which Borrower is a party or by
which it is or may be bound.

                  (b) Borrower shall not carry or purchase any "margin stock"
within the meaning of Regulations U, G, T or X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R., Chapter II.

         7.10     Sale and Leaseback Transactions:

                  Borrower shall not enter into any sale and leaseback
transaction without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and
SuperMajority Lenders; provided that Borrower may enter into sale and leaseback
transactions in an amount not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate for all such
transactions at any one time outstanding.

SECTION 8. DEFAULT

         8.1      Events of Default:

                  Each of the following events shall constitute an event of
default ("Event of Default") and Administrative Agent shall thereupon have the
option to declare, and the SuperMajority Lenders shall have the option (which
option of the SuperMajority Lenders, as it relates to an Event of Default under
Section 8.1(c) hereof, is only exercisable by such SuperMajority Lenders not
earlier than thirty (30) days after Administrative Agent obtains actual
knowledge of the occurrence of such Event of Default) to cause Administrative
Agent to declare (in which event Administrative Agent shall declare), the
Obligations immediately due and payable, all without demand, notice, presentment
or protest or further action of any kind (it also being understood that the
occurrence of any of the events or conditions set forth

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in subparagraphs (j), (k) or (l) shall automatically cause an acceleration of
the Obligations):

                  (a) Payments - if Borrower fails to make any payment of
principal or interest, including any Overadvance, under the Revolving Credit on
the due date of such payment, whether on a required due date or upon maturity,
acceleration or otherwise; or

                  (b) Other Charges - if Borrower fails to pay any other
charges, fees, Expenses or other monetary obligations owing to any Lender or
Administrative Agent arising out of or incurred in connection with this
Agreement within five (5) days after the date such payment is due and payable;
or

                  (c) Covenant Defaults - if Borrower fails to perform, comply
with or observe any covenant or undertaking contained in this Agreement (other
than as expressly set forth in Subsections 8.1(b), 8.1(i), 8.1(k), 8.1(l) and
8.1(q)); provided, however, that with respect only to covenants contained in
Sections 6.1, 6.2(a), 6.2(e) (except with respect to maintaining their
existence) and 6.7 Borrower shall have 30 days from the occurrence of such
failure to comply with or observe such covenant and with respect only to
covenants contained in Sections 6.10(a)(ii), 6.10(a)(v) and 6.10(a)(vi) Borrower
shall have 5 days from the occurrence of such failure to comply with or observe
such covenant; or

                  (d) Financial Information - if any statement, report,
financial statement, or certificate made or delivered by Borrower or any of
their officers, employees or agents, to Administrative Agent or any Lender is
not true or fairly stated, in all material respects, when made; or

                  (e) Uninsured Loss - if there shall occur any uninsured damage
to or loss, theft, or destruction in excess of $2,000,000 with respect to any
portion of any Property of Borrower; or

                  (f) Warranties or Representations - if any warranty,
representation or other statement by or on behalf of Borrower contained in or
pursuant to this Agreement, or in any document, agreement or instrument
furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in compliance with, relating to, or in
reference to this Agreement, is false, erroneous, or misleading in any material
respect when made or deemed made; or

                  (g) Agreements with Others - if Borrower shall default beyond
any grace period under any agreement with any creditor for borrowed money and
(i) such default consists of the failure to pay any principal, premium or
interest with respect to such Indebtedness, including without limitation, the
Subordinated Debt or (ii) such default consists of the failure to perform any
covenant or agreement with respect to (A) the Subordinated Debt or (B) any other
such Indebtedness in excess of $750,000 if, with respect to the Indebtedness
under this clause (B), the effect of such default is to cause Borrower's
obligations which are the subject thereof to become due prior to its maturity
date or prior to its regularly scheduled date of payment;

                  (h) Other Agreements with Lenders - if Borrower breaches or
violates the

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terms of, or if a default or an Event of Default, occurs under, any other
existing or future agreement (related or unrelated), among Borrower and
Administrative Agent or any Lender or all Lenders, which is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                  (i) Judgments - if any final judgment is entered against
Borrower for the payment of money in excess of $1,000,000, or aggregate final
judgments are entered against Borrower for the total amount of $3,000,000, which
in any such case is/are not fully and unconditionally covered by insurance or
for which Borrower has not established a cash or cash equivalent reserve or
agrees to the creation of a reserve against Borrowing Availability in the amount
of such judgment and such judgment shall continue unsatisfied and in effect for
a period of ninety (90) consecutive days without being vacated, discharged,
satisfied or bonded pending appeal;

                  (j) Assignment for Benefit of Creditors, etc. - if Borrower
makes or proposes an assignment for the benefit of creditors generally, offers a
composition or extension to creditors, or makes or sends notice of an intended
bulk sale of any business or assets now or hereafter owned or conducted by
Borrower which might materially and adversely affect Borrower; or

                  (k) Bankruptcy, Dissolution, etc. - upon the commencement of
any action for the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or the commencement of
any proceeding to avoid any transaction entered into by Borrower, or the
commencement of any case or proceeding for reorganization or liquidation of
Borrower's debts under the Bankruptcy Code or any other state or federal law,
now or hereafter enacted for the relief of debtors, whether instituted by or
against Borrower; provided, however, that Borrower shall have sixty (60) days to
obtain the dismissal or discharge of involuntary proceedings filed against it,
it being understood that during such sixty (60) day period, no Lender shall be
obligated to make Advances hereunder and Administrative Agent may seek adequate
protection, for the benefit of Lenders, in any bankruptcy proceeding; or

                  (l) Receiver - upon the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,
custodian, trustee or similar official or fiduciary for Borrower or for any of
Borrower's Property; provided however that if a receiver is appointed for
Property valued at less than $500,000 such receiver must be removed within
ninety (90) days of such appointment, it being understood that during such
ninety (90) day period, no Lender shall be obligated to make Advances hereunder;
or

                  (m) Execution Process, Seizure, etc. - the issuance of any
execution or distraint process against Borrower or any Property of Borrower, or
any Property of Borrower valued in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate is
subject to seizure(s), forfeiture or injunction or restraining order preventing
sale by any federal, state or local governmental entity(ies); or

                  (n) Termination of Business - if Borrower ceases any material
portion of its business operations as presently conducted; or

                  (o) Pension Benefits, etc. - if Borrower fails to comply with
ERISA, so that

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grounds exist to permit the appointment of a trustee under ERISA to administer
Borrower's employee plans or to allow the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
to institute proceedings to appoint a trustee to administer such plan(s), or to
permit the entry of a Lien to secure any deficiency or claim; or

                  (p) Investigations - any indication or evidence received by
Administrative Agent or any Lender that reasonably leads it to believe Borrower
may have directly or indirectly been engaged in any type of activity which would
be reasonably likely to result in the forfeiture or forfeitures of any Property
of Borrower valued in the aggregate in excess of $1,000,000 to any federal,
state or local governmental entity(ies); or

                  (q) Change of Control - if at any time (i) the Nussdorf Family
shall own less than 35% of the legal and beneficial interest in all Capital
Stock of Borrower entitled to vote for membership on the Board of Directors of
Borrower; (ii) if at any time any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d)
and Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect at the
Closing Date) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in
Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect at the Closing
Date), other than the Nussdorf Family, becomes the beneficial owners (as such
term is used in Rule 132.3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect
on the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, of a greater percentage of the
Capital Stock of Borrower entitled to vote for membership on the Board of
Directors of Borrower than the percentage of such Capital Stock owned at such
time by the Nussdorf Family; (iii) during any consecutive twelve (12) month
period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of Borrower cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors then in office; (iv) Michael Sosnowik ceases
to be and actively serve as the President of Borrower (unless a replacement
acceptable to the Board of Directors of Borrower is obtained within 180 days of
Mr. Sosnowik ceasing to be and act as President); or (v) Glenn Nussdorf shall
cease to be and to actively serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer of Borrower (unless a replacement acceptable to the
Majority Lenders (which for such purpose must include each of the Co-Arrangers,
or any successor or assign thereof) is obtained within sixty (60) days of the
Glenn Nussdorf ceasing to be or actively serve in either such position) (each
event or condition under this clause (q) constituting a "Change of Control").

         8.2      Cure:

                  Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Loan Documents
shall be deemed to compel Administrative Agent and/or Lenders to accept a cure
of any Event of Default hereunder.

         8.3      Rights and Remedies on Default:

                  (a) In addition to all other rights, options and remedies
granted or available to Administrative Agent or Lenders under this Agreement or
the Loan Documents, or otherwise available at law or in equity, upon or at any
time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, or
any event which with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would
become an Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, in its

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discretion, and the SuperMajority Lenders shall have the option (which option of
the SuperMajority Lenders, as it relates to an Event of Default under Section
8.1(c) hereof, shall only be exercisable by such SuperMajority Lenders not
earlier than thirty (30) days after Administrative Agent obtains actual
knowledge of the occurrence of such Event of Default) to cause Administrative
Agent to (in which event Administrative Agent shall), withhold or cease making
Advances under the Revolving Credit.

                  (b) In addition to all other rights, options and remedies
granted or available to Administrative Agent under this Agreement or the Loan
Documents (each of which is also then exercisable by Administrative Agent),
Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, and the SuperMajority Lenders shall
have the option (which option of the SuperMajority Lenders, as it relates to an
Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) hereof, shall only be exercisable by such
SuperMajority Lenders not earlier than thirty (30) days after Administrative
Agent obtains actual knowledge of the occurrence of such Event of Default) to
cause Administrative Agent to (in which event Administrative Agent shall), upon
or at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, terminate the Revolving Credit.

                  (c) In addition to all other rights, options and remedies
granted or available to Administrative Agent under this Agreement or the Loan
Documents (each of which is also then exercisable by Administrative Agent), upon
or at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, Borrower shall be obligated to deliver and pledge to Administrative
Agent, on behalf of all Lenders, cash collateral in the amount of all
outstanding Letters of Credit.

                  (d) In addition to all other rights, options and remedies
granted or available to Administrative Agent under this Agreement or the Loan
Documents (each of which is also then exercisable by Administrative Agent),
Administrative Agent may, upon or at any time after the acceleration of the
Obligations following the occurrence of an Event of Default (other than the
rights with respect to clause (iv) below which Administrative Agent may exercise
at any time after an Event of Default and regardless of whether there is an
acceleration) (with SuperMajority Lenders entitled to direct Administrative
Agent after acceleration or maturity and cessation of Advances following the
occurrence of an Event of Default to commence and continue enforcement of
Administrative Agent's rights in the Collateral, subject to Administrative
Agent's sole but reasonable determination as to the manner, order and exact
timing of such enforcement) exercise all rights under the UCC and any other
applicable law or in equity, and under all Loan Documents permitted to be
exercised after the occurrence of an Event of Default, including the following
rights and remedies (which list is given by way of example and is not intended
to be an exhaustive list of all such rights and remedies):

                           (i) The right to take possession of, send notices
regarding and collect directly the Collateral, with or without judicial process
(including without limitation the right to notify the United States postal
authorities to redirect mail addressed to Borrower to an address designated by
Administrative Agent); or

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                           (ii) By its own means or with judicial assistance,
enter Borrower's premises and take possession of the Collateral, or render it
unusable, or dispose of the Collateral on such premises in compliance with
subsection (e) below, without any liability for rent, storage, utilities or
other sums, and Borrower shall not resist or interfere with such action; or

                           (iii) Require Borrower at Borrower's expense to
assemble all or any part of the Collateral (other than real estate or fixtures)
and make it available to Administrative Agent at any place designated by
Administrative Agent;

                           (iv) The right to reduce the Maximum Revolving Credit
Limit or the advance rates, or to reduce the Borrowing Base or any portion
thereof for the benefit of Lenders or to modify the terms and conditions upon
which Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, may be willing to consider
making Advances under the Revolving Credit or to take additional reserves in the
Borrowing Base for any reason.

                  (e) Borrower hereby agrees that a notice received by it at
least ten (10) days before the time of any intended public sale or of the time
after which any private sale or other disposition of the Collateral is to be
made, shall be deemed to be reasonable notice of such sale or other disposition.
If permitted by applicable law, any perishable inventory or Collateral which
threatens to speedily decline in value or which is sold on a recognized market
may be sold immediately by Administrative Agent without prior notice to
Borrower. Borrower covenants and agrees not to interfere with or impose any
obstacle to Administrative Agent's exercise of its rights and remedies with
respect to the Collateral, after the occurrence of an Event of Default
hereunder.

         8.4      Nature of Remedies:

                  All rights and remedies granted Administrative Agent or
Lenders hereunder and under the Loan Documents, or otherwise available at law or
in equity, shall be deemed concurrent and cumulative, and not alternative
remedies, and Administrative Agent may proceed with any number of remedies at
the same time until all Obligations are satisfied in full. The exercise of any
one right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver or release of any other right
or remedy, and Administrative Agent, upon or at any time after the occurrence of
an Event of Default, may proceed against Borrower or any of the Collateral, at
any time, under any agreement, with any available remedy and in any order.

         8.5      Set-Off:

                  If any bank account of Borrower with Administrative Agent, any
Lender or any participant is attached or otherwise liened or levied upon by any
third party, such Lender (and such participant) as agent for Lenders shall have
and be deemed to have, without notice to Borrower or any of them, the immediate
right of set-off and may apply the funds or amount thus set-off against any of
the Obligations hereunder.

SECTION 9. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

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         9.1      Appointment and Authorization:

                  Each Lender, and each subsequent holder of any of the
Revolving Credit Notes by its acceptance thereof, hereby irrevocably appoints
and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such action on its behalf and to
exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to Administrative
Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided herein,
Borrower is hereby authorized by Lenders to deal solely with Administrative
Agent in all transactions which affect Lenders under this Agreement and the Loan
Documents. The rights, privileges and remedies accorded to Administrative Agent
hereunder shall be exercised by Administrative Agent on behalf of all Lenders.

         9.2      General Immunity:

                  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Administrative
Agent will handle all transactions relating to the Loans and all other
Obligations, including, without limitation, all transactions with respect to
Letters of Credit, this Agreement, the Loan Documents and all related documents
in accordance with its usual banking practices. In performing its duties as
Administrative Agent hereunder, Administrative Agent will take the same care as
it takes in connection with loans in which it alone is interested. However,
neither Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or
employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or
them hereunder or in connection herewith except for its or their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

         9.3      Consultation with Counsel:

                  Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel and any
other professional advisors or consultants deemed necessary or appropriate and
selected by Administrative Agent and shall not be liable for any action taken or
suffered in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel.

         9.4      Documents:

                  Administrative Agent shall not be under a duty to examine into
or pass upon the effectiveness, genuineness or validity of this Agreement or any
of the Revolving Credit Notes or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, and Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to assume that the same are valid, effective and genuine and what they
purport to be. In addition, Administrative Agent shall not be liable for failing
to make any inquiry concerning the accuracy, performance or observance of any of
the terms, provisions or conditions of such instrument or document.

         9.5      Rights as a Lender:

                  With respect to its applicable Pro Rata Percentage of the
Revolving Credit, Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers
hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not
Administrative Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless the
context otherwise indicates, include Administrative Agent in its

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individual capacity. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Administrative
Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind
of banking or trust business with Borrower and its Affiliates as if it were not
Administrative Agent.

         9.6      Responsibility of Agent:

                  It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligations of
Administrative Agent hereunder are only those expressly set forth in this
Agreement and that Administrative Agent shall be entitled to assume that no
Event of Default, and no event which with the passage of time, or the giving of
notice, would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing,
unless Administrative Agent has actual knowledge of such fact. Except to the
extent Administrative Agent is required by Lenders pursuant to the express terms
hereof to take, or refrain from taking, a specific action, Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to use its discretion with respect to exercising or refraining
from exercising any rights which may be vested in it by, or with respect to
taking or refraining from taking any action or actions that it may be able to
take under or in respect of, this Agreement and the Loan Documents.
Administrative Agent shall incur no liability under or in respect of this
Agreement and the Loan Documents by acting upon any notice, consent,
certificate, warranty or other paper or instrument believed by it to be genuine
or authentic or to be signed by the proper party or parties, or with respect to
anything that it may do or refrain from doing in the reasonable exercise of its
judgment, or that may seem to it to be necessary or desirable under the
circumstances. It is agreed among Administrative Agent and Lenders that
Administrative Agent shall have the responsibility to carry out no less than two
(2) field examinations per calendar year of Borrower's books and records and
such other field examinations or other examinations as Administrative Agent in
its sole discretion deems appropriate. The relationship between Administrative
Agent and each Lender is and shall be that of agent and principal only and
nothing herein shall be construed to constitute Administrative Agent a joint
venturer with any Lender, a trustee or fiduciary for any of the Lenders or for
the holder of a participation therein nor impose on Administrative Agent duties
and obligations other than those set forth herein.

         9.7      Collections and Disbursements:

                  (a) Administrative Agent will have the right to collect and
receive all payments of the Obligations, and to collect and receive all
reimbursements for draws made under the Letters of Credit, together with all
fees, charges or other amounts due under this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

                  (b) Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender, following
receipt by Administrative Agent, from the interest actually received by
Administrative Agent from Borrower, a sum equal to the interest calculated for
the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year of 360 days, on each
Lender's actual Revolving Credit Loan Balance at the rate equal to the
applicable rate of interest chosen by Borrower with respect to the outstanding
Advances or otherwise in effect under this Agreement. If Administrative Agent
should for any reason receive less than the full amount of the interest or other
compensation due under the Loan Documents, each Lender's share of such interest
or compensation shall proportionately decrease.

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                  (c) If any such payment received by Administrative Agent is
rescinded, determined to be unenforceable or invalid or is otherwise required to
be returned for any reason at any time, whether before or after termination of
this Agreement and the Loan Documents, each Lender will, upon written notice
from Administrative Agent, promptly pay over to Administrative Agent its Pro
Rata Percentage of the amount so rescinded, held unenforceable or invalid or
required to be returned, together with interest and other fees thereon if also
required to be rescinded or returned.

                  (d) All payments by Administrative Agent and Lenders to each
other hereunder shall be in immediately available funds. Administrative Agent
will at all times maintain proper books of account and records reflecting the
interest of each Lender in the Revolving Credit and the Letters of Credit, in a
manner customary to Administrative Agent's keeping of such records, which books
and records shall be available for inspection by each Lender at reasonable times
during normal business hours, at such Lender's sole expense. In the event that
any Lender shall receive any payments in reduction of the Obligations in an
amount greater than its applicable Pro Rata Percentage in respect of
indebtedness to Lenders evidenced hereby (including, without limitation amounts
obtained by reason of setoffs), such Lender shall hold such excess in trust (to
the extent such Lender is lawfully able to do so) for Administrative Agent (on
behalf of all other Lenders) and shall promptly remit to Administrative Agent
such excess amount so that the amounts received by each Lender hereunder shall
at all times be in accordance with its applicable Pro Rata Percentage. To the
extent necessary for each Lender's actual percentage of all outstanding Loans to
equal its applicable Pro Rata Percentage, the Lender having a greater share of
any payment(s) than its applicable Pro Rata Percentage shall acquire a
participation in the applicable outstanding balances of the Pro Rata Shares of
the other Lenders as determined by Administrative Agent.

                  (e) The proceeds from the sale or disposition of any
Collateral shall be applied first to Expenses incurred by Administrative Agent,
then to accrued but unpaid interest, then to accrued but unpaid Fees, then to
the principal balance of Loans in accordance with each Lender's Pro Rata
Percentage and then to Expenses, if any, incurred by any Lender (to the extent
subject to reimbursement by Borrower hereunder) in accordance with its Pro Rata
Percentages.

         9.8      Indemnification:

                  To the extent not promptly paid by Borrower, Lenders hereby
indemnifies Administrative Agent (and Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of
Credit) ratably according to its respective Pro Rata Percentages, from and
against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or
nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
Administrative Agent (or Issuing Bank, as the case may be) in any way relating
to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action
taken or omitted by Administrative Agent (or Issuing Bank, as the case may be)
under or related to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the Loans,
provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or

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disbursements resulting solely from Administrative Agent's (or Issuing Bank, as
the case may be) gross negligence or willful misconduct. Administrative Agent
shall have the right to deduct, from any amounts to be paid by Administrative
Agent to any Lender hereunder, any amounts owing to Administrative Agent by such
Lender by virtue of this paragraph.

         9.9      Expenses:

                  (a) All reasonable out-of-pocket costs and out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by Administrative Agent and not reimbursed on demand by
Borrower, in connection with the creation, amendment, administration,
termination and enforcement of the Loans (including, without limitation, audit
expenses, and counsel fees) and expenditures to protect, preserve and defend
Administrative Agent's and each Lender's rights and interest under the Loan
Documents shall be shared and paid on demand by Lenders pro rata based on their
applicable Pro Rata Percentage.

                  (b) Administrative Agent may deduct from payments or
distributions to be made to Lenders such funds as may be necessary to pay or
reimburse Administrative Agent for such costs or expenses.

                  (c) In connection with reimbursement of expenses set forth in
this Section 9.9 and indemnification obligations set forth in Section 9.8,
Administrative Agent shall provide a reasonable accounting to Lenders describing
such expenses or indemnification obligations.

         9.10     No Reliance:

                  By execution of or joining in this Agreement, each Lender
acknowledges that it has entered into this Agreement and the Loan Documents
solely upon its own independent investigation and is not relying upon any
information supplied by or any representations made by Administrative Agent.
Each Lender shall continue to make its own analysis and evaluation of Borrower.
Administrative Agent makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to the financial condition or Property of Borrower,
any obligor or any account debtor of Borrower; the accuracy, sufficiency or
currency of any information concerning the financial condition, prospects or
results of operations of Borrower; or for sufficiency, authenticity, legal
effect, validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents; or for the value of
any Collateral; or for the validity, perfection or enforceability of any Liens
of Administrative Agent on any Collateral. Administrative Agent assumes no
responsibility or liability with respect to the collectibility of the
Obligations or the performance by Borrower of any obligation under the Loan
Documents.

         9.11     Reporting:

                  During the term of this Agreement, Administrative Agent will
promptly furnish each Lender with settlement sheets as provided for herein, as
well as copies of all Borrowing Base Certificates delivered by Borrower and
field examination reports prepared by Administrative Agent, and, in addition,
Administrative Agent will furnish or make available

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to each Lender, at Administrative Agent's office in Glastonbury, Connecticut,
such other reports and materials actually received by Administrative Agent, as
any Lender may reasonably request. Administrative Agent will notify Lenders
within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed ten (10) Business Days) after
it receives actual knowledge of any Event of Default under the Loan Documents.

         9.12     Removal of Administrative Agent:

                  Administrative Agent may resign at any time upon giving thirty
(30) days prior written notice thereof to Lenders and Borrower. Administrative
Agent may be removed as Administrative Agent hereunder upon the written
direction of SuperMajority Lenders upon the following: (i) gross negligence or
willful misconduct in the performance of Administrative Agent's duties or
responsibilities under this Agreement; or (ii) if a receiver, trustee or
conservator is appointed for Administrative Agent or any state or federal
regulatory authority assumes management or control of Administrative Agent or
if, under applicable law, the administrative or discretionary duties and
responsibilities of Administrative Agent hereunder become controlled by or
subject to the approval of any state or federal regulatory authority. Upon any
resignation or permitted removal of Administrative Agent, Lenders shall have the
right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent by majority vote of the other
Lenders (based upon the percentages of the total Pro Rata Shares of Lenders
other than Lender which is Administrative Agent). Upon the acceptance of the
appointment as a successor Administrative Agent hereunder by such successor
Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, obligations and duties of
the retiring Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder, except that Administrative
Agent shall execute UCC-3 statements of assignment and execute and deliver such
further documents and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by
Lenders in connection with the appointment of a successor Administrative Agent
or to protect the interests of Lenders hereunder.

         9.13     Action on Instructions of Lenders:

                  With respect to any provision of this Agreement, or any issue
arising thereunder, concerning which Administrative Agent is authorized to act
or withhold action by direction of Lenders (or as the case may be under this
Agreement, SuperMajority or Majority Lenders), Administrative Agent shall in all
cases be fully protected in so acting, or in so refraining from acting,
hereunder in accordance with written instructions signed by the requisite
Lenders. Such instructions and any action taken or failure to act pursuant
thereto shall be binding on all Lenders and on all holders of the Revolving
Credit Notes.

         9.14     Several Obligations:

                  The obligation of each Lender is several, and neither
Administrative Agent nor any other Lender shall be responsible for any
obligation or commitment hereunder of any other Lender.

                                                                              71
<PAGE>   77
         9.15     Amendments, Modifications and Waivers:

                  (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 9.15,
Administrative Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right to service,
administer and monitor the Loans and the Loan Documents, including without
limitation, the right to exercise all rights, remedies, privileges and options
under the Loan Documents, including without limitation the determination as to
whether Advances should be made under the Agreement and the determination as to
the basis on which and extent to which Advances may be made and the
determination as to whether Letters of Credit should be issued, amended,
extended or whether draws should be honored for Letters of Credit.

                  (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
subparagraph (a) above, Administrative Agent shall not, without the prior
written consent of all Lenders: (i) extend any payment date under the Revolving
Credit or the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, (ii) decrease any interest rate on
the Revolving Credit or any fee or other amount payable for the benefit of
Lenders hereunder, (iii) compromise or settle all or a portion of the
Obligations, (iv) release Borrower or any obligor from the Obligations except in
connection with termination of the Revolving Credit and full payment and
satisfaction of all Obligations, (v) increase the advance rates for purposes of
determining the Borrowing Base, (vi) modify Section 9.15(b) or (c) or any other
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document expressly providing for
consent of all Lenders, or the definition of SuperMajority or Majority Lenders,
or (vii) release or subordinate Administrative Agent's interest (except with
respect to Permitted Liens, to the extent applicable) in any Collateral except
in connection with (A) a sale permitted under Section 7.1(a) hereof, or (B) the
enforcement of Administrative Agent's rights and interests in Collateral after
the occurrence of an Event of Default.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
subparagraph (a) above, Administrative Agent shall not: (i) enter into any
written amendment of, or waive Borrower's noncompliance with or any Event of
Default resulting from Borrower's noncompliance with, Section 6.9 or any
provision of Section 7, or increase the amount of the Inventory Sublimit,
without the prior written consent of SuperMajority Lenders; (ii) enter into any
written amendment to any provision hereof (other than those referred to in
clause (i) above or Section 9.15(b)) or of the Loan Documents (which in the case
of an amendment to this Section 9, shall also require Administrative Agent's
written consent) without the prior written consent of Majority Lenders; (iii)
waive Borrower's noncompliance with the terms and conditions of any provision
hereof (other than those referred to in clause (i) above or Section 9.15(b)), or
of the Loan Documents or any other Event of Default hereunder or thereunder
without the prior written consent of Majority Lenders; or (iv) subject to clause
(i) above and Section 9.15(b), consent to Borrower's taking any action which, if
taken, would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement or under any of
the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of Majority Lenders;
provided however, upon the occurrence of a violation of, or an Event of Default
resulting from a violation of section 6.9 hereof, and notwithstanding Sections
9.15(b) and (c), Administrative Agent may waive such violation or withhold
enforcement of action, in its sole discretion, for an indefinite period without
the consent of Lenders if the then most recent financial statements indicate
that the deviation from the financial covenant required to be maintained as of
that date is less than

                                                                              72
<PAGE>   78
5.0% from the required level. In the event Administrative Agent charges a fee in
connection with any such waiver, Lenders shall share in such fee in accordance
with their respective Pro Rata Percentages.

                  (d) Subject to the rights of the SuperMajority Lenders
contained in Section 8.3 above, after an acceleration of the Obligations,
Administrative Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right, with communication
(to the extent reasonably practicable under the circumstances) with all Lenders,
to exercise or refrain from exercising any and all rights, remedies, privileges
and options under the Loan Documents and available at law or in equity to
protect and enforce the rights of the Lenders and collect the Obligations,
including, without limitation, instituting and pursuing all legal actions
against Borrower or to collect the Obligations, or defending any and all actions
brought by Borrower or other Person; or incurring Expenses or otherwise making
expenditures to protect the Loans, the Collateral or Lenders' rights or
remedies.

                  (e) To the extent Administrative Agent is required to obtain
or otherwise elects to seek the consent of Lenders to an action Administrative
Agent desires to take, if any Lender fails to notify Administrative Agent, in
writing, of its consent or dissent to any request of Administrative Agent
hereunder within ten (10) Business Days of such Lender's receipt of such written
request, such Lender shall be deemed to have given its consent thereto.

                  (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9.15
and without impairing Administrative Agent's discretionary rights under Section
8, to the extent that there occurs any redetermination of which Accounts
constitute Eligible Accounts or which Inventory constitutes Eligible Inventory
which redetermination results in the creation of an Overadvance and to the
extent such Overadvances outstanding at any time as permitted under this Section
9.15(f) do not exceed $5,000,000, Administrative Agent shall, in its sole
discretion, without right of disapproval by Lenders, be entitled to permit
Borrower a period not to exceed thirty (30) days to repay or remove such
Overadvance. During such thirty (30) day period, the amount of Loans
constituting such Overadvance shall be excluded in the determination of whether
availability exists within the Borrowing Base for future Advances.

                  (g) Without regard to any other provision hereof, if any
Lender (for such purpose, a "Dissenting Lender") dissents to any action
Administrative Agent desires to take requiring unanimous consent of Lenders
either Borrower (if no Event of Default is outstanding and with the prior
written consent of Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion) or
Administrative Agent may compel such Dissenting Lender to assign its entire Pro
Rata Share (either to one or more existing Lenders or other financial
institutions(s) who is to become a Lender upon completing such assignment
pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance executed on the effective date provided
for below) so long as (i) such Dissenting Lender receives written notice of such
intended assignment (and the proposed effective date thereof) within one hundred
twenty (120) days of its providing its dissent to Administrative Agent and the
effective date of such intended assignment is not later than ten (10) days
thereafter and (ii) the Dissenting Lender receives full payment on the effective
date of such assignment of its entire Revolving Credit Loan Balance, with
accrued interest and unpaid fees to such date.

                                                                              73
<PAGE>   79
                  (h) Upon the written request of Borrower, Administrative
Agent, so long as no Event of Default is then outstanding and with the written
approval of the Majority Lenders (to include in all such cases each of the
Co-Arrangers), shall have the option (without any duty or obligation of any
kind) to increase the Maximum Revolving Credit Limit, provided, however, that
(i) such increase is subject to subparagraph 9.15(j) below and (ii) upon
consummation of such modification, Administrative Agent shall forward to all
Lenders a revised Schedule A reflecting the changes in the Pro Rata Shares of
those Lenders participating in the foregoing increase and the resulting changes
in the Pro Rata Percentages of all Lenders.

                  (i) The provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement are intended
solely for the benefit of Administrative Agent, Syndication Agent and Lenders
and not for the benefit of any third party, including without limitation,
Borrower and any amendment to Section 9 of this Agreement shall not require
Borrower's consent.

                  (j) No Lender's Pro Rata Share shall in any event be increased
without such Lender's written consent.

         9.16     Participations and Assignments:

                  (a) Each Lender may at any time grant participations of its
Pro Rata Share in and to its interests under this Agreement (collectively,
"Participations") to any other lending office of such Lender or to any other
bank, lending institution or other entity which the granting Lender reasonably
determines has the requisite sophistication to evaluate the merits and risks of
investments in Participations ("Participants"); provided however that: (i) all
amounts payable by Borrower to each Lender hereunder and voting rights of each
Lender hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not granted such
Participation; (ii) any agreement pursuant to which any Lender may grant a
Participation (A) shall provide that such Lender is not delegating and therefore
shall retain the sole right and responsibility to exercise all of its rights and
privileges under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right to
approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provisions of this
Agreement and (B) shall not release or discharge such Lender from its duties and
obligations, which shall remain absolute, hereunder, including its obligation to
make Advances hereunder; and (iii) upon entering into any such Participation,
the Lender granting such participation shall give thirty (30) days prior written
notice thereof to Administrative Agent.

                  (b) Each Lender may at any time assign all or any portion of
its Pro Rata Share (together with its rights and obligations with respect
thereto) pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance substantially in the form of
Exhibit D attached hereto ("Assignment and Acceptance") and its right, title and
interest therein or in and to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a
Lender or any affiliate of a Lender, or to any other bank or financial
institution, in each case with thirty (30) days prior written notice to
Administrative Agent and subject to the prior written consent of Administrative
Agent which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided however that (i) such
assignment shall not result in either the assigning or acquiring Lender having a
Pro Rata Share of less than $15,000,000 unless the assigning Lender assigns its
entire Pro Rata Share; (ii) any assignment to another

                                                                              74
<PAGE>   80
Lender (which is then a party to this Agreement) shall be in the amount of
$5,000,000 or a multiple thereof and any assignment to any other bank or
financial institution shall be in the minimum amount of $15,000,000 (or the
amount of a Lender's Pro Rata Share if less than $15,000,000) and integral
multiples of $5,000,000 in excess of such amount, unless the assigning Lender
assigns its entire Pro Rata Share, (iii) Borrower shall execute such replacement
Revolving Credit Notes as may be requested by Administrative Agent, and (iv) the
parties to the assignment shall pay Administrative Agent a processing fee of
$3,500 at the time of providing such assignment to Administrative Agent.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
each Lender may at any time collaterally assign all or any portion of its rights
under this Agreement and its Revolving Credit Note to any Federal Reserve Bank
to secure overnight deposits, provided that no such assignment shall release the
assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.

         9.17     Syndication Agent:

                  The parties hereto covenant and agree that Mellon shall be a
Syndication Agent, but that as Syndication Agent, Mellon shall have no rights,
duties or responsibilities, except for those received, undertaken or incurred by
Mellon in its capacity as a Lender. No duty, responsibility, right or option
granted to Administrative Agent herein is delegated or transferred, in whole or
in part, to the Syndication Agent and no compensation payable to Administrative
Agent shall be shared with, or paid to, Syndication Agent. Syndication Agent
shall not be entitled to any fees or reimbursement of Expenses except as Mellon
shall otherwise be entitled in its capacity as a Lender. Each disclaimer,
exculpation provision and indemnity contained in Section 9 of the Agreement
provided for the benefit of Administrative Agent shall likewise be deemed given
to and provided for the Syndication Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, no amendment to this Section 9.17 shall be
effective without the written consent of Syndication Agent.

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

         10.1     Termination:

                  In the event Borrower desires to terminate the Revolving
Credit prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, Borrower may effect such
termination on at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice to Administrative
Agent and full and unconditional payment of all outstanding Obligations under
this Agreement by Borrower upon the date specified in such notice. In addition,
Borrower must then provide to Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of
Issuing Bank and Lenders, with cash collateral satisfactory to Administrative
Agent in the face amount of all outstanding undrawn Letters of Credit. Upon the
date specified in such notice, all Obligations outstanding under this Agreement
shall mature and become due and owing, and all commitments of Administrative
Agent and Lenders hereunder shall cease.

         10.2     GOVERNING LAW:

                  THIS AGREEMENT, AND ALL RELATED AGREEMENTS AND

                                                                              75
<PAGE>   81
DOCUMENTS, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBSTANTIVE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ALL OTHER AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN
ARE TO BE DEEMED SEVERABLE, AND THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY
PROVISION SHALL NOT AFFECT OR IMPAIR THE REMAINING PROVISIONS WHICH SHALL
CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

         10.3     Integrated Agreement:

                  The Revolving Credit Notes, the other Loan Documents, all
related agreements, and this Agreement shall be construed as integrated and
complementary of each other, and as augmenting and not restricting Lenders' and
Administrative Agent's rights and remedies. If, after applying the foregoing, an
inconsistency still exists, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute an
amendment thereto and shall control.

         10.4     Waiver and Indemnity:

                  (a) No omission or delay by Administrative Agent or Lenders in
exercising any right or power under this Agreement or any related agreements and
documents will impair such right or power or be construed to be a waiver of any
default, or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein, and any single or
partial exercise of any such right or power will not preclude other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, and as to Borrower no
waiver will be valid unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent and
then only to the extent specified.

                  (b) Borrower releases and shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Administrative Agent, Syndication Agent, Co-Arrangers and Lenders, and
their respective officers, employees and agents, of and from any claims,
demands, liabilities, obligations, judgments, injuries, losses, damages and
costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees)
resulting from (i) acts or conduct of Borrower under, pursuant or related to
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) Borrower's breach or violation
of any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking contained in this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (iii) Borrower's failure to comply with
any or all laws, statutes, ordinances, governmental rules, regulations or
standards, whether federal, state or local, or court or administrative orders or
decrees, (including without limitation environmental laws, etc.) and (iv) the
Qualified IPO, whether resulting from acts or omissions of the Borrower or any
other Person or otherwise, and all costs, expenses, fines, penalties or other
damages resulting therefrom, unless resulting from acts or conduct of Lenders
constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence. The obligations of Borrower
under this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the occurrence of any and all events
whatsoever, including without limitation, payment of the Obligations or
investigation by or knowledge of Lenders.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement no amendment to this Section 10.4 shall be effective without the prior
written consent of

                                                                              76
<PAGE>   82
Administrative Agent.

         10.5     Time:

                  Whenever Borrower shall be required to make any payment, or
perform any act, on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment may be made,
or such act may be performed, on the next succeeding Business Day except with
respect to the repayment of LIBOR Based Loans as set forth in Section
2.4(b)(ii). Time is of the essence in Borrower's performance under all
provisions of this Agreement and all related agreements and documents.

         10.6     Expenses of Administrative Agent and Lenders:

                  At Closing and from time to time thereafter, Borrower will pay
on demand all expenses incurred from time to time by Administrative Agent
(including, without limitation, search costs, audit fees, appraisal fees,
environmental fees and the fees and expenses of legal counsel for Administrative
Agent) relating to this Agreement, and all related agreements and documents,
including, without limitation, expenses incurred in the analysis, negotiation,
preparation, closing, administration and enforcement of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, the enforcement, protection and defense of the rights of
Administrative Agent and Lenders in and to the Loans and Collateral or otherwise
hereunder, and any reasonable expenses relating to extensions, amendments,
waivers or consents pursuant to the provisions hereof, or any related agreements
and documents or relating to agreements with other creditors, or termination of
this Agreement. Borrower further agrees to pay, or reimburse Lenders for, all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including without limitation
attorneys' fees (including the allocated costs of in-house counsel), incurred in
connection with the enforcement, protection and defense of their rights in and
to the Loans and the Collateral or otherwise hereunder, following acceleration
of the Obligations after the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder or
following the failure to repay the Obligations in full upon maturity.
Collectively all of the foregoing are referred to as the "Expenses."

         10.7     Brokerage:

                  Except as otherwise provided herein, this transaction was
brought about and entered into by Administrative Agent, Co-Arrangers,
Syndication Agent, Lenders and Borrower acting as principals and without any
brokers, agents or finders being the effective procuring cause hereof. Borrower
represents that it has not committed Administrative Agent or any Lender to the
payment of any brokerage fee, commission or charge in connection with this
transaction. If any such claim is made on Administrative Agent or any Lender by
any broker, finder or agent or other person, Borrower hereby indemnifies,
defends and saves such party harmless against such claim and further will
defend, with counsel satisfactory to Administrative Agent, any action or actions
to recover on such claim, at Borrower's own cost and expense, including such
party's reasonable counsel fees. Borrower further agrees that until any such
claim or demand is adjudicated in such party's favor, the amount demanded shall
be deemed a liability of Borrower under this Agreement.

                                                                              77
<PAGE>   83
         10.8     Notices:

                  (a) Any notices or consents required or permitted by this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered in person
or if sent by facsimile or by nationally recognized overnight courier, or via
first class, certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, as follows, unless
such address is changed by written notice hereunder:

         If to Administrative Agent to:     Fleet Capital Corporation
                                            200 Glastonbury Boulevard
                                            Glastonbury, Connecticut
                                            Attn:  Mr. Jeffrey White
                                            Telecopy No.: 860-368-6029

         With copies to:                    Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP
                                            One Logan Square
                                            Philadelphia, PA  19103
                                            Attn:  Harvey I. Forman, Esquire
                                            Telecopy No.: 215-569-5522

         If to Borrower:                    QK Healthcare, Inc.
                                            2060 Ninth Avenue
                                            Ronkonkoma, NY  11779
                                            Attn:  President
                                            Telecopy No.: 631-737-5154

         With copies to:                    Greenberg Traurig
                                            777 South Flager Drive
                                            Suite 300E
                                            West Palm Beach, FL 33401
                                            Attn:  Morris Brown, Esquire
                                            Telecopy No.: 561-838-8828

         If to Lenders:                     To the addresses set forth on
                                            Schedule A attached hereto

                  (b) Any notice sent by Administrative Agent, any Lender or
Borrower by any of the above methods shall be deemed to be given when so
received.

                  (c) Administrative Agent shall be fully entitled to rely upon
any facsimile transmission or other writing purported to be sent by any
Authorized Officer (whether requesting an Advance or otherwise) as being genuine
and authorized.

         10.9     Headings:

                  The headings of any paragraph or Section of this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret any provision of this
Agreement.

                                       78
<PAGE>   84
         10.10    Survival:

                  All warranties, representations, and covenants made by
Borrower herein, or in any agreement referred to herein or on any certificate,
document or other instrument delivered by it or on its behalf under this
Agreement, shall be considered to have been relied upon by Administrative Agent
and Lenders, and shall survive the delivery to Lenders of the Revolving Credit
Notes, regardless of any investigation made by Lenders or on their behalf. All
statements in any such certificate or other instrument prepared and/or delivered
for the benefit of Administrative Agent and any and all Lenders shall constitute
warranties and representations by Borrower hereunder. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all covenants made by Borrower hereunder or under any
other agreement or instrument shall be deemed continuing until all Obligations
are satisfied in full.

         10.11    Successors and Assigns:

                  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties. Borrower may not
transfer, assign or delegate any of its duties or obligations hereunder.

         10.12    Duplicate Originals:

                  Two or more duplicate originals of this Agreement may be
signed by the parties, each of which shall be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, all of which counterparts taken together shall
constitute one completed fully executed document. If requested by Administrative
Agent, signatures by facsimile transmission shall bind the parties hereto.

         10.13    Modification:

                  No modification hereof or any agreement referred to herein
shall be binding or enforceable unless in writing and signed by Borrower,
Administrative Agent and the Lenders except as provided in Section 9 hereof. Any
modification in accordance with the terms hereof shall be binding on all parties
hereto, whether or not each is a signatory thereto.

         10.14    Signatories:

                  Each individual signatory hereto represents and warrants that
he or she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of his or her
principal and that he or she executes the Agreement in such capacity and not as
a party.

         10.15    Third Parties:

                  No rights are intended to be created hereunder, or under any
related

                                       79
<PAGE>   85
agreements or documents for the benefit of any third party donee, creditor or
incidental beneficiary of Borrower. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
construed as a delegation to Administrative Agent or any Lender of Borrower's
duty of performance, including, without limitation, Borrower's duties under any
account or contract with any other Person. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing,
the rights herein created in favor of Issuing Bank and the granting of
Collateral by Borrower and the incurrence of Obligations to Issuing Bank by
Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall inure to the benefit of Issuing
Bank.

         10.16    Discharge of Taxes, Borrower's Obligations, Etc.:

                  Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, shall have the
right at any time, and from time to time, with prior notice to Borrower if
Borrower fails to do so five (5) Business Days after requested in writing to do
so by Administrative Agent, to: (a) pay for the performance of Borrower's
obligations hereunder, and (b) discharge taxes or Liens, at any time levied or
placed on any of Borrower's Property in violation of this Agreement unless
Borrower is in good faith with due diligence by appropriate proceedings
contesting such taxes or Liens and maintaining proper reserves therefor in
accordance with GAAP. Expenses and advances shall be added to the Revolving
Credit, bear interest at the same rate applied to the Revolving Credit, until
reimbursed to Administrative Agent. Such payments and advances made by
Administrative Agent shall not be construed as a waiver by Administrative Agent
or Lenders of an Event of Default under this Agreement.

         10.17    Withholding and Other Tax Liabilities:

                  Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, each Lender
shall have the right to refuse to make any Advances from time to time unless
Borrower shall, at Administrative Agent's request, have given to Administrative
Agent evidence, reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, that they have
properly deposited or paid, as required by law, all withholding taxes and all
federal, state, city, county or other taxes due up to and including the date of
the requested Advance. Copies of deposit slips showing payment shall likewise
constitute satisfactory evidence for such purpose. In the event that any lien,
assessment or tax liability against Borrower shall arise in favor of any taxing
authority, whether or not notice thereof shall be filed or recorded as may be
required by law, Administrative Agent shall have the right (but shall not be
obligated, nor shall Administrative Agent or any Lender hereby assume the duty)
to pay any such lien, assessment or tax liability by virtue of which such charge
shall have arisen; provided, however, that Administrative Agent shall not pay
any such tax, assessment or lien if the amount, applicability or validity
thereof is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings by such
entity. In order to pay any such lien, assessment or tax liability,
Administrative Agent shall not be obliged to wait until said lien, assessment or
tax liability is filed before taking such action as hereinabove set forth. Any
sum or sums which Administrative Agent (shared ratably by Lenders) shall have
paid for the discharge of any such lien shall be added to the Revolving Credit
and shall be paid by Borrower to Administrative Agent with interest thereon,
upon demand, and Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all rights of such
taxing authority against Borrower.

                                                                              80
<PAGE>   86
         10.18    Consent to Jurisdiction:

                  Borrower and each Lender hereby irrevocably consents to the
jurisdiction of the Courts of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania in any and all actions and proceedings whether arising hereunder or
under any other Loan Document and irrevocably agree to service of process by
certified mail, return receipt requested to the address of the appropriate party
set forth herein.

         10.19    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL:

                  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER, AND BORROWER EACH HEREBY
WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
LITIGATION COMMENCED BY OR AGAINST ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR UNDER THE LOAN DOCUMENTS WHETHER SOUNDING
IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                                                              81
<PAGE>   87
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have executed this
Agreement the day and year first above written.

                                   QK HEALTHCARE, INC.

                                   By:________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                      SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON FOLLOWING PAGE

                                      S-1
<PAGE>   88
                     SIGNATURES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

                                      FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION, as
                                      Administrative Agent and Lender

                                      By:________________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                      SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON FOLLOWING PAGE

                                      S-2
<PAGE>   89
                     SIGNATURES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

                                      MELLON BANK, N.A., as
                                      Syndication Agent and Lender

                                      By:________________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                      SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON FOLLOWING PAGE

                                      S-3<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                        AMERICAN PHYSICIANS CAPITAL, INC.

                             STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN

                          EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 13, 2000

Dykema Gossett PLLC
400 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI  48243-1668

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                                                ----
<S>      <C>                                                                                                    <C>
I.       GENERAL PROVISIONS.......................................................................................1

         1.01     Adoption of Plan................................................................................1
         1.02     Purpose.........................................................................................1
         1.03     Definitions.....................................................................................1
         1.04     Administration..................................................................................5
         1.05     Participants....................................................................................5
         1.06     Stock...........................................................................................5

II.      STOCK OPTIONS............................................................................................5

         2.01     Grant of Options................................................................................5
         2.02     Incentive Stock Options.........................................................................6
         2.03     Option Price....................................................................................6
         2.04     Payment for Option Shares.......................................................................6

III.     RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND UNITS........................................................................7

         3.01     Grant of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units.....................................7
         3.02     Terms of Restricted Stock Grants................................................................7
         3.03     Restricted Stock Agreement......................................................................7
         3.04     Transferability.................................................................................7
         3.05     Other Restrictions..............................................................................7
         3.06     Certificate Legend..............................................................................7
         3.07     Removal of Restrictions.........................................................................8
         3.08     Voting Rights...................................................................................8
         3.09     Dividends and Other Distributions...............................................................8

IV.      PERFORMANCE AWARDS.......................................................................................8

         4.01     Performance Awards..............................................................................8

V.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES...................................................................9

         5.01     Options.........................................................................................9
         5.02     Restricted Stock................................................................................9
         5.03     Other Provisions...............................................................................10
</TABLE>

                                      (i)

<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                                   <C>
VI.      ADJUSTMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL.......................................................................10

         6.01     Adjustments....................................................................................10
         6.02     Change in Control..............................................................................10
         6.03     Merger.........................................................................................11

VII.     MISCELLANEOUS...........................................................................................11

         7.01     Partial Exercise/Fractional Shares.............................................................11
         7.02     Rule 16b-3 Requirements........................................................................11
         7.03     Rights Prior to Issuance of Shares.............................................................11
         7.04     Non-Assignability..............................................................................12
         7.05     Securities Laws................................................................................12
         7.06     Withholding and Taxes..........................................................................12
         7.07     Termination and Amendment......................................................................13
         7.08     Effect on Employment and Services..............................................................13
         7.09     Use of Proceeds................................................................................13
         7.10     Approval of Plan...............................................................................13
         7.11     Governing Law..................................................................................13
</TABLE>

                                      (ii)

<PAGE>   4

                        AMERICAN PHYSICIANS CAPITAL, INC.
                             STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN

                          EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 13, 2000

                              I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

         1.01 ADOPTION OF PLAN. On September 13, 2000, the Board of Directors
("Board") of American Physicians Capital, Inc. ("Company") adopted the American
Physicians Capital, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan ("Plan"), which shall be
submitted to shareholders for approval within twelve months after adoption by
the Board.

         1.02 PURPOSE. The Plan is intended to attract and retain highly
competent, effective and loyal Employees, Non-Employee Directors and
Consultants, so as to further the growth and profitable operation of the Company
and its Affiliates by encouraging Employees, Non-Employee Directors and
Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates to acquire an ownership interest
in the Company through Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units
and Performance Awards, thus identifying their interests with those of
shareholders and encouraging them to make greater efforts on behalf of the
Company and its Affiliates to achieve the Company's long-term business plans and
objectives.

         1.03 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Plan, the following terms have the
meaning described below:

                  (A) "AFFILIATE" OR "AFFILIATES" means a corporation or other
entity that is affiliated with the Company and includes any parent or subsidiary
of the Company, as defined in Code Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively.

                  (B) AGREEMENT" means the written agreement that sets forth the
terms of a Participant's Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit
or Performance Award.

                  (C) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  (D) "CAUSE" means termination of employment (or services in
the event of a Non-Employee Director or Consultant) due to personal dishonesty,
incompetence, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving
personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation
of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar
offenses) or receipt of a final cease-and-desist order, or other material breach
of any provision in a Participant's written employment agreement with the
Company or an Affiliate, if applicable. In determining willfulness, no act or
failure to act on a Participant's part shall be considered "willful" unless done
or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without
reasonable belief that the Participant's action or omission was in the best
interests of the Company.

<PAGE>   5

                  (E) "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the
following events following the Effective Date:

                           (1) if any "person" (as such term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act in effect on the date hereof), or group of
persons acting in concert, other than the Company or any subsidiary thereof or
any employee benefit plan of the Company or a subsidiary becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, except that a
person shall also be deemed the beneficial owner of all securities which such
person may have a right to acquire, whether or not such right is presently
exercisable) directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
30% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of the Company's then
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of
directors ("voting stock"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the beneficial
ownership requirement in this Section 1.03(e) shall not be satisfied if the
attainment of the applicable percentage of beneficial ownership is the result of
an acquisition of voting stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of
shares outstanding increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially
owned by any person; provided, however, that if a person shall become the
beneficial owner of 30% or more of the voting stock of the Company then
outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such
share purchases by the Company become the beneficial owner of any additional
voting stock, then the beneficial ownership requirement in this Section 1.03(e)
shall have been satisfied; or

                           (2) if there is a change in the majority of the
members of the Board within any twenty-four month period, unless the election or
nomination for election of each new director was approved by a vote of at least
a majority of the directors still in office who were directors at the beginning
of the period (current members of the Board and those directors approved by a
majority of the current members shall be referred to as "Incumbent Directors");
or

                           (3) if there shall be consummated (a) any merger or
consolidation (or series of mergers or consolidations) of the Company, other
than a merger or consolidation effected to implement a reorganization of the
Company's ownership wherein the Company shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary
of another corporation and the shareholders of the Company shall become
shareholders of such other corporation without any material change in each
shareholder's proportionate ownership of such other corporation from that owned
in the Company prior to such merger or consolidation, or (b) any sale, lease,
exchange or other transfer (in transactions) of all, or substantially all, of
the assets of the Company; or

                           (4) upon the adoption of any plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

                  (F) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                                        2

<PAGE>   6

                  (G) "COMMITTEE" means the Board acting as a whole, or a
committee of two or more "non-employee directors" (as defined in Rule 16b-3) who
also constitute "outside directors" (as defined under Code Section 162(m) if
applicable at the time) if designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The
fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify under Rule 16b-3 or Code
Section 162(m) shall not invalidate any grant or award made by the Committee, if
the grant or award is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

                  (H) "COMMON STOCK" means shares of the Company's authorized
and unissued common stock, or reacquired shares of such common stock.

                  (I) "COMPANY" means American Physicians Capital, Inc. and any
successor thereto.

                  (J) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, who
is engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory board
services.

                  (K) "DISABILITY" means disability as defined in Section 22(e)
of the Code.

                  (L) "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date on which Mutual Insurance
Corporation of America is converted from a Michigan mutual property and casualty
insurance company to a Michigan stock property and casualty insurance company.

                  (M) "EMPLOYEE" means an employee of the Company or Affiliate,
who has an "employment relationship" with the Company or an Affiliate, as
defined in Treasury Regulation 1.421-7(h); and the term "employment" means
employment with the Company, or an Affiliate of the Company.

                  (N) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended from time to time and any successor thereto.

                  (O) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to a share of
Common Stock on a given date: (a) if the Common Stock is listed for trading on a
national securities exchange (including, for this purpose, the National Market
System ("NMS") of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
System ("NASDAQ")) on such date, the closing share price on such exchange (or,
if there is more than one, the principal such exchange), or, for the NMS, the
last sale price, on the day immediately preceding the date on which Fair Market
Value is being determined, or on the next preceding day on which shares were
traded if no shares were traded as the immediately preceding day; (b) if the
shares are not listed for trading on any securities exchange (including the NMS)
on such date but are reported by NASDAQ, and market information concerning the
Common Stock is published on a regular basis in The Wall Street Journal, the
average of the daily high bid and low asked prices of the shares, as so
published, on the day nearest preceding the date in question for which such
prices were published; (c) if (a) is inapplicable and market information
concerning the Common Stock is not regularly published as described in (b), the
average of the high bid and low asked prices of the Common Stock in the
over-the-counter market on the day nearest preceding the date in question as
reported by NASDAQ (or, if NASDAQ does not report such prices for the Common
Stock, another generally accepted reporting service); or (d) if none of the
foregoing is applicable, the fair market value of a share as, of the date in
question, determined by the Committee. For purposes of establishing Fair Market
Value for any grants or awards made prior to the Effective Date, the lower of
the purchase price for subscription shares or the underwritten offering price
shall be deemed to constitute Fair Market Value.

                                        3

<PAGE>   7

                  (P) "GRANT DATE" means the date on which the Committee
authorizes an individual Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit
or Performance Award, or such later date as shall be designated by the
Committee.

                  (Q) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option that is intended
to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

                  (R) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a director of the Company or
an Affiliate who is not an Employer or Consultant.

                  (S) "NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION" means an Option that is not
intended to constitute an Incentive Stock Option.

                  (T) "OPTION" means either an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonqualified Stock Option.

                  (U) "PARTICIPANT" means an Employee, Non-Employee Director or
Consultant designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

                  (V) "PERFORMANCE AWARD" means a performance award granted
pursuant to Article IV.

                  (W) "PLAN" means the American Physicians Capital, Inc. Stock
Compensation Plan, the terms of which are set forth herein, and any amendments
hereto.

                  (X) "RESTRICTED PERIOD" means the period of time during which
a Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit is subject to transfer
restrictions that make it nontransferable.

                  (Y) "RESTRICTED STOCK" means Common Stock or a Restricted
Stock Unit that is granted subject to restrictions, pursuant to Article III.

                  (Z) "RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD" means Common Stock that is
subject to a Restricted Period, granted pursuant to Article III.

                  (AA) "RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT" means a right granted pursuant to
Article III that is denominated in shares of Common Stock.

                                        4

<PAGE>   8
                  (BB) "RETIREMENT" means a Participant's voluntary cessation of
employment or services as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant following the
Participant's 65th birthday.

         1.04 ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee,
in accordance with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and Code Section 162(m), if
applicable. The Committee shall interpret the Plan, prescribe, amend, and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for its administration. The decision of
the Committee on any question concerning the interpretation of the Plan or its
administration with respect to any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted
Stock Unit or Performance Award granted under the Plan shall be final and
binding upon all Participants.

         1.05 PARTICIPANTS. Participants in the Plan shall be such Employees
(including Employees, who are directors), Non-Employee Directors and Consultants
of the Company and its Affiliates, as the Committee may select from time to
time. The Committee may grant Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock
Units and Performance Share Awards to an individual upon the condition that the
individual become an Employee of the Company or of an Affiliate, provided that
the Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share
Award shall be deemed to be granted only on the date that the individual becomes
an Employee.

         1.06 STOCK. The total number of shares of Company Common Stock which
shall be available for grants and awards under this Plan shall be 1,200,000,
subject to adjustments as provided in Article VI. The maximum number of shares
of Common Stock that may be subject to Option grants under the Plan to any
Participant during any one calendar year shall not exceed 700,000 shares. Shares
subject to any unexercised portion of a terminated, cancelled or expired Option
or Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award granted
hereunder may again be subjected to grants and awards under the Plan. All
provisions in this Section 1.06 shall be adjusted, as applicable, in accordance
with Article VI.

                                II. STOCK OPTIONS

         2.01 GRANT OF OPTIONS. The Committee, at any time and from time to
time, subject to Sections 2.02 and 7.07, may grant Options, Restricted Stock
Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards to such Employees,
Non-Employee Directors and Consultants and for such number of shares of Common
Stock as it shall designate. Any Participant may hold more than one Option,
Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award under the
Plan and any other Plan of the Company or Affiliate. The Committee shall
determine the general terms and conditions of exercise, including any applicable
vesting or performance requirements, which shall be set forth in a Participant's
Agreement. The Committee may designate any Option granted as either an Incentive
Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, or the Committee may designate a
portion of an Option as an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock
Option. No Option shall have an exercise period that extends beyond 10 years
from the Grant Date. A Participant's Option exercise rights in the event of a
Change in Control shall be in accordance with Section 6.02.

                                        5

<PAGE>   9

         2.02 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Any Option intended to constitute an
Incentive Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of this Section 2.02
and shall only be granted to an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate. No
Incentive Stock Option shall be granted with an exercise price below its Fair
Market Value on the Grant Date. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted
to any Participant who owns (within the meaning of Code Section 424(d)) stock of
the Company or any Affiliate possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Affiliate unless, at
the Grant Date, the exercise price for the Option is at least 110% of the Fair
Market Value of the shares subject to the Option and the Option, by its terms,
is not exercisable more than 5 years after the Grant Date. The aggregate Fair
Market Value of the underlying Common Stock (determined at the Grant Date) as to
which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan (including a plan of an
Affiliate) may first be exercised by a Participant in any one calendar year
shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that an Option intended to constitute
an Incentive Stock Option shall violate the foregoing $100,000 limitation (or
any other limitation set forth in Code Section 422), the portion of the Option
that exceeds the $100,000 limitation (or fails any other Code Section 422
requirement) shall be deemed to constitute a Nonqualified Stock Option.

         2.03 OPTION PRICE. The Committee shall determine the per share exercise
price for each Option granted under the Plan, but no Option shall be granted
with an exercise price below 100% of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on
the Grant Date.

         2.04 PAYMENT FOR OPTION SHARES.

                  (A) The purchase price for shares of Common Stock to be
acquired upon exercise of an Option granted hereunder shall be paid in full in
cash or by personal check, bank draft or money order at the time of exercise;
provided, however, that in lieu of such form of payment, the Committee may
permit a Participant to pay such purchase price in whole or in part by tendering
shares of Common Stock that have been held at least six months, which are freely
owned and held by the Participant independent of any restrictions,
hypothecations or other encumbrances, duly endorsed for transfer (or with duly
executed stock powers attached), or in any combination of the above.

                  (B) At the discretion of the Committee, as set forth in a
Participant's Option Agreement, any Option granted under the Plan may be deemed
exercised by delivery to the Company of a properly executed exercise notice,
acceptable to the Company, together with irrevocable instructions to the
Participant's broker to deliver to the Company sufficient cash to pay the
exercise price and any applicable income and employment withholding taxes, in
accordance with a written agreement between the Company and the brokerage firm
("cashless exercise procedure").

                                        6

<PAGE>   10

                     III. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND UNITS

         3.01 GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and
from time to time, may grant shares of Restricted Stock under this Plan or
Restricted Stock Units to such Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants
and in such amounts as it shall determine.

         3.02 TERMS OF RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS. The Committee shall have the
authority to grant Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units to such
Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants and for such number of shares
of Common Stock or Restricted Stock Units as it shall designate, subject to
vesting or other restrictions, which may include performance goals, that are
determined at the discretion of the Committee and set forth in an individual
Participant's Agreement. Restricted Stock Units may be settled in cash or shares
of Common Stock at the discretion of the Committee.

         3.03 RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT. Each Restricted Stock Award or grant
of Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Agreement that shall specify
the terms of the restrictions, including the Restricted Period, the number of
shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units subject to the grant, and
such other provisions, including vesting and performance goals, as the Committee
shall determine.

         3.04 TRANSFERABILITY. Except as provided in this Article III of the
Plan, the shares of Restricted Stock and any Restricted Stock Units granted
hereunder may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or
hypothecated until the termination of (a) the applicable Restricted Period or
for such period of time as shall be established by the Committee and specified
in the Restricted Stock Agreement, or (b) upon the earlier satisfaction of other
conditions as specified by the Committee and set forth in the Restricted Stock
Agreement. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock
Units granted to an Employee shall be exercisable during a Participant's
lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant's legal representative.

         3.05 OTHER RESTRICTIONS. The Committee shall impose such other
restrictions on any shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
granted under the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation,
restrictions under applicable Federal or State securities laws, and may legend
the certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock to give appropriate
notice of such restrictions.

         3.06 CERTIFICATE LEGEND. In addition to any legends placed on
certificates pursuant to Section 3.04, each certificate representing shares of
Restricted Stock shall bear the following legend:

         The sale or other transfer of the shares of stock represented by this
         certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, is
         subject to certain restrictions on transfer set forth in the American
         Physicians Capital, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan ("Plan"), rules and
         administrative guidelines adopted pursuant to such Plan and a
         Restricted Stock Agreement dated        ,      . A copy of the Plan,
         such rules and such Restricted Stock Agreement may be obtained from the
         Secretary of the Company.

                                       7

<PAGE>   11

         3.07 REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS. Except as otherwise provided under the
Plan, and subject to applicable federal and state securities laws, shares of
Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the
Participant after the last day of the Restricted Period. Once the shares are
released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to have the
legend required by Section 3.06 of the Plan removed from his or her stock
certificate. Provided further, the Committee shall have the discretion to waive
the applicable Restricted Period with respect to all or any part of a Restricted
Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit grant. The Company shall have the right to
retain the certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock Awards in its
possession until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to
such shares of Common Stock have been satisfied. The lapse of the Restricted
Period in the event of a Change in Control shall be in accordance with Section
6.02.

         3.08 VOTING RIGHTS. During the Restricted Period, Participants holding
shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights
with respect to the Restricted Stock.

         3.09 DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS.

                  (A) During the Restricted Period, a Participant shall be
entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to
shares under his or her Restricted Stock Award. If any dividends or
distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock during the Restricted Period,
the dividend or other distribution shares shall be subject to the same
restrictions on transferability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect
to which they were paid.

                  (B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any
dividend constitutes a "derivative security" or an "equity security" pursuant to
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, such dividend shall be subject to a
Restricted Period equal to the remaining Restricted Period applicable to the
shares of Restricted Stock on which the dividend was paid.

                             IV. PERFORMANCE AWARDS

         4.01 PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Committee is authorized to grant
Performance Awards to eligible Participants. Subject to the terms of the Plan, a
Performance Award granted under the Plan (a) may be denominated or payable in
cash or shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation, Restricted
Stock), and (b) shall confer on the holder thereof rights valued as determined
by the Committee and payable to, or exercisable by, the holder of the
Performance Award, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such performance
goals during such performance period, as the Committee shall establish. Subject
to the terms of the Plan, the performance goals to be achieved during any
performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any
Performance Award granted, the amount of any payment or transfer to be made
pursuant to any Performance Award, and the other terms and conditions of any
Performance Award, including the effect upon such Award, of termination of the
Participant's employment, directorship and/or consulting relationships, shall be
determined by the Committee.

                                        8

<PAGE>   12

                    V. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES

         5.01. OPTIONS.

                  (A) If, prior to the date that an Option first becomes
exercisable, a Participant's employment (or services) is terminated for any
reason, the Participant's right to exercise the Option shall terminate and all
rights thereunder shall cease as of the Participant's termination of employment
or services.

                  (B) If, on or after the date that an Option first becomes
exercisable, a Participant's employment (or services) is terminated for any
reason (except "Cause," as addressed in 5.01(d) below), including death,
Disability or Retirement, the Option, to the extent that it is then exercisable,
shall expire no later than three months after the Participant's termination of
employment for an Incentive Stock Option (one year in the event of death or
Disability), or on the date set forth by the Committee in the Participant's
Agreement, not to extend beyond 10 years from the Grant Date. The Committee, at
its discretion, may extend an exercise period, not to exceed the tenth
anniversary of the Grant Date; it being understood, that the extension of the
exercise term for an Incentive Stock Option may cause such Option to lose its
preferential tax treatment.

                  (C) The Committee, at the time of a Participant's termination
of employment (or services), may accelerate a Participant's right to exercise an
Option.

                  (D) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any
Participant whose employment (or services) is terminated for "Cause" shall, as
of the time of the "Cause" determination, forfeit his or her right to any
unexercised Option granted hereunder, whether or not such Option is vested and
exercisable at the time of the termination for "Cause."

                  (E) Shares subject to Options that are not exercised in
accordance with the provisions of (a) through (c) above shall expire and be
forfeited by the Participant as of 5:00 p.m. (East Lansing, Michigan time) on
their expiration date and shall become available for new grants and awards under
the Plan as of such time.

         5.02 RESTRICTED STOCK. Subject to the Change in Control provisions in
Section 6.02, if a Participant with a Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock
Unit grant terminates employment (or services) for any reason other than (a)
Retirement, (b) death, or (c) Disability, the Participant's shares of Restricted
Stock or Restricted Stock Units still subject to the Restricted Period
automatically shall expire and be forfeited by the Participant and, such shares
shall be available for new grants and awards under the Plan as of such
termination date; provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion,
may waive the restrictions remaining on any or all shares of a Restricted Stock
Award or Restricted Stock grant and add such new restrictions to such shares of
Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as it deems appropriate. In the event
of a Participant's Retirement, death or Disability, the Restricted Period on any
outstanding Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units shall be deemed to
have lapsed as of the occurrence of such event.

                                        9

<PAGE>   13

         5.03 OTHER PROVISIONS. (a) The transfer of a Participant from one
corporation or division to another corporation or division among the Company and
any of its Affiliates, or (b) a leave of absence under the Company's leave
policy, shall not be deemed to constitute a termination of employment for
purposes of the Plan, except that no new awards or grants may be made to a
Participant during a leave of absence.

                      VI. ADJUSTMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL

         6.01 ADJUSTMENTS.

                  (A) The total amount of Common Stock for which Options,
Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards may be
granted under the Plan, and the number of shares subject to any such grants and
awards (both as to the number of shares of Common Stock and the Option price),
shall be adjusted pro rata for any increase or decrease in the number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock resulting from a reorganization,
recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, rights
offering, liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, spin-off or sale of
assets, or any other change in or affecting the corporate structure or
capitalization of the Company.

                  (B) The foregoing adjustments shall be made by the Committee
or, if such adjustment is required by the Board, then by the Board at the
recommendation of the Committee. Any such adjustment shall provide for the
elimination of any fractional share which might otherwise become subject to an
Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award.

         6.02 CHANGE IN CONTROL.

         (A) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control after the Effective
Date, or if the Committee determines in its sole discretion that a Change in
Control after the Effective Date has occurred, then (i) any outstanding Option
granted hereunder immediately shall become exercisable in full, regardless of
any installment provision applicable to such Option; (ii) the remaining
Restricted Period on any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit granted
hereunder immediately shall lapse and any applicable shares of Restricted Stock
shall become fully transferable, subject to any applicable federal or state
securities laws; and (iii) the performance requirements for a Performance Award
granted hereunder shall be deemed to have been satisfied in full.

                                       10

<PAGE>   14

         (B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Committee determines in its
sole discretion that the provisions in Section 6.02(a) will in any way prevent
or impair pooling of interest accounting treatment in connection with a Change
in Control, then all or the applicable portion of the provisions of Section
6.02(a) shall be null and void.

         6.03 MERGER. If the Company is a party to any merger, consolidation,
reorganization, or sale of substantially all of its assets, each holder of
outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or
Performance Awards, to the extent that such grants and awards are not cancelled,
cashed-out or exercised, as applicable (or restrictions lapsed on Restricted
Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units or requirements satisfied for
Performance Awards), in connection with the merger, shall be entitled to receive
the securities and/or property which a shareholder owning the number of shares
subject to the grants would be entitled to receive pursuant to such merger,
consolidation, reorganization or sale of assets upon the eventual exercise of
such Options or the eventual lapse of the Restricted Period on a Restricted
Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit or the performance requirements satisfied
for a Performance Award (if applicable).

                               VII. MISCELLANEOUS

         7.01 PARTIAL EXERCISE/FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Committee may permit, and
shall establish procedures for, the partial exercise of Options granted under
the Plan. No fractional shares shall be issued in connection with the exercise
or payment of a grant or award under the Plan; instead, the Fair Market Value of
the fractional shares shall be paid in cash, or at the discretion of the
Committee, the number of shares shall be rounded down to the nearest whole
number of shares, and any fractional shares shall be disregarded.

         7.02 RULE 16B-3 REQUIREMENTS. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the Plan, the Committee may impose such conditions on a Restricted Stock Award,
Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award or the exercise of an Option
(including, without limitation, the right of the Committee to limit the time of
exercise to specified periods) as may be required to satisfy the requirements of
Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

         7.03 RIGHTS PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF SHARES. No Participant shall have any
rights as a shareholder with respect to shares covered by an Option, Restricted
Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award until the issuance of a
stock certificate for such shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends or
other rights with respect to such shares for which the record date is prior to
the date the certificate is issued.

                                       11

<PAGE>   15

         7.04 NON-ASSIGNABILITY. Except as set forth below, no Option,
Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award shall be
transferable by a Participant except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. During the lifetime of a Participant, an Incentive Stock Option
shall be exercised only by the Participant. No transfer of an Option, Restricted
Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award by will or the laws of
descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the
Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy of the
will or such evidence as the Company may deem necessary to establish the
validity of the transfer and the acceptance by the transferee of the terms and
conditions of the Option, Restricted Stock Grant Award, Restricted Stock Unit or
Performance Award.

         7.05 SECURITIES LAWS.

                  (A) Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, the
Company's obligation to sell and deliver Common Stock pursuant to the exercise
of an Option, or deliver Common Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award,
Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award is subject to such compliance with
federal and state laws, rules and regulations applying to the authorization,
issuance or sale of securities as the Company deems necessary or advisable. The
Company shall not be required to sell or deliver Common Stock unless and until
it receives satisfactory assurance that the issuance or transfer of such shares
shall not violate any of the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Exchange Act, any other applicable federal laws, or the rules and regulations of
the Securities Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder or those of any stock
exchange on which the Common Stock may be listed, the provisions of any state
laws governing the sale of securities, or that there has been compliance with
the provisions of such acts, rules, regulations and laws.

                  (B) The Committee may impose such restrictions on any shares
of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option, or the grant of
a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or a Performance Award granted
under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation,
restrictions (i) under applicable federal securities laws, (ii) under the
requirements of any stock exchange or other recognized trading market upon which
such shares of Common Stock are then listed or traded, or (iii) under any blue
sky or state securities laws applicable to such shares. No shares shall be
issued until counsel for the Company has determined that the Company has
complied with all requirements under appropriate securities laws.

         7.06 WITHHOLDING AND TAXES. The Company shall have the right to
withhold from a Participant's compensation or require a Participant to remit
sufficient funds to satisfy applicable withholding for income and employment
taxes upon the exercise of an Option, or the lapse of the Restriction Period on
a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or satisfaction of the
performance requirements relating to a Performance Award. A Participant may
tender previously acquired shares of Common Stock that have been held at least
six months to satisfy the withholding, provided that the shares have an
aggregate Fair Market Value sufficient to satisfy in whole or in part the
applicable minimum withholding or other federal, state or local taxes. The
cashless exercise procedure of Section 2.04(b) may be utilized to satisfy the
withholding requirements related to the exercise of an Option.

                                       12

<PAGE>   16

         7.07 TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.

                  (A) The Board may terminate the Plan, or the granting of
Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards
under the Plan, at any time. No new grants or awards shall be made under the
Plan after September 13, 2010.

                  (B) The Board may amend or modify the Plan at any time and
from time to time, but no amendment or modification, without the approval of the
shareholders of the Company, shall (i) materially increase the benefits accruing
to Participants under the Plan; (ii) increase the amount of Common Stock for
which grants and awards may be made under the Plan, except as permitted under
Section 6.01; or (iii) change the provisions relating to the eligibility of
individuals to whom grants and awards may be made under the Plan.

                  (C) No amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan
shall in any manner affect any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock
Unit or Performance Award previously granted under the Plan without the consent
of the Participant holding the Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock
Unit or Performance Award.

         7.08 EFFECT ON EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES. Neither the adoption of the Plan
nor the granting of any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or
Performance Award pursuant to the Plan shall be deemed to create any right in
any individual to be retained or continued in the employment or services of the
Company or an Affiliate.

         7.09 USE OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds received from the sale of Common
Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes of the
Company.

         7.10 APPROVAL OF PLAN. The Plan shall be subject to the approval of the
holders of at least a majority of the Common Stock of the Company present and
entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders of the Company held within 12
months after adoption of the Plan by the Board. No Option, Restricted Stock
Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award granted under the Plan may be
exercised or paid out in whole or in part unless the Plan has been approved by
the shareholders as provided herein. If not approved by shareholders within 12
months after approval by the Board, the Plan and any Options, Restricted Stock
Awards, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards granted under the Plan
shall be rescinded.

         7.11 GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and all actions taken under the Plan shall
be governed and construed in accordance with Michigan law.

         THIS PLAN is hereby executed as of September 13, 2000, in accordance
with the Board of Directors resolutions adopted on such date.

                                       13

<PAGE>   17

                                  AMERICAN PHYSICIANS CAPITAL, INC.

                                  By: /s/ William B. Cheeseman
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                           William B. Cheeseman
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                     BOARD APPROVAL:        9/13/00

                 SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL:      9/13/00

                                       14

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