Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                MERGER AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                                ASHFORD.COM, INC.

                          ASHFORD-WATCHNETWORK COMPANY

                                       AND

                     E.S.T., INC. (d/b/a THE WATCH NETWORK)

                                FEBRUARY 14, 2001
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

ARTICLE I    THE MERGER........................................................2
             1.1      The Reverse Merger.......................................2
             1.2      Closing; Effective Time..................................2
             1.3      Effect of the Reverse Merger.............................3
             1.4      Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.....................3
             1.5      Directors and Officers...................................4
             1.6      Effect on Capital Stock..................................4
             1.7      Surrender of Certificates...............................19
             1.8      No Further Ownership Rights in Target Common Stock......22
             1.9      Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates..................22
             1.10     Tax Consequences........................................23
             1.11     Exemption from Registration.............................23
             1.12     Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action..............23
             1.13     Termination of Exchange Fund............................24
             1.14     No Liability............................................24
ARTICLE II   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
             OF TARGET AND THE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS.........................25
             2.1      Organization, Standing and Power........................25
             2.2      Capital Structure.......................................26
             2.3      Authority...............................................27
             2.4      Financial Statements....................................30
             2.5      Absence of Certain Changes..............................30
             2.6      Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities......................31
             2.7      Accounts Receivable.....................................31
             2.8      Litigation..............................................32
             2.9      Restrictions on Business Activities.....................33
             2.10     Governmental Authorization..............................33
             2.11     Title to Property.......................................33
             2.12     Intellectual Property...................................34
             2.13     Environmental Matters...................................35
             2.14     Taxes...................................................35
             2.15     Employee Benefit Plans..................................40
             2.16     Employees and Consultants...............................43
             2.17     Related-Party Transactions..............................45
             2.18     Insurance...............................................46
             2.19     Compliance with Laws....................................46
             2.20     Brokers' and Finders' Fees..............................46
             2.21     Target Stockholder Matters..............................47
             2.22     Vote Required...........................................47
             2.23     Inventory...............................................47
             2.24     Trade Relations.........................................48
             2.25     Suppliers...............................................48
             2.26     Material Contracts......................................48

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             2.27     No Breach of Material Contracts.........................51
             2.28     Third-Party Consents....................................51
             2.29     [Intentionally Omitted].................................52
             2.30     Minute Books............................................52
             2.31     Complete Copies of Materials............................52
             2.32     Bank Accounts; Credit and Charge Cards..................52
             2.33     Privacy Guidelines......................................53
             2.34     Information Supplied....................................53
             2.35     Representations Complete................................53
             2.36     Investment Representations..............................54
             2.37     Knowledge Definition....................................55
ARTICLE III  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
             ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB..........................................56
             3.1      Organization, Standing and Power........................56
             3.2      Capital Structure.......................................57
             3.3      Authority...............................................59
             3.4      SEC Documents; Financial Statements; NASD Listing.......60
             3.5      Brokers' and Finders' Fees..............................62
ARTICLE IV   CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME..............................62
             4.1      General Conduct of Business of Target...................62
             4.2      Conduct of Business of Target...........................63
             4.3      Notices.................................................67
ARTICLE V    ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS............................................67
             5.1      No Solicitation; Non-Competition........................67
             5.2      Preparation of Information Statement....................69
             5.3      Stockholders Meeting or Consent Solicitation............69
             5.4      Access to Information...................................69
             5.5      Confidentiality.........................................70
             5.6      Public Disclosure.......................................71
             5.7      Consents................................................71
             5.8      Update Target Disclosure Schedule; Breaches.............73
             5.9      Stockholder Agreements..................................73
             5.10     Legal Requirements......................................75
             5.11     Tax-Free Reorganization.................................75
             5.12     Blue Sky Laws...........................................76
             5.13     [Intentionally Omitted].................................76
             5.14     [Intentionally Omitted].................................76
             5.15     Listing of Additional Shares............................76
             5.16     Additional Agreements; Best Efforts.....................76
             5.17     Employee Benefits.......................................76
             5.18     Watch Straps Business...................................77
             5.19     Repair and Vintage Watch Business.......................77
             5.20     Acquiror Options........................................77
             5.21     Termination of Employment Agreements....................78
             5.22     Relationships...........................................78
             5.23     Icon Office Solutions Litigation........................78
             5.24     Watch Brand Contracts...................................78

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ARTICLE VI   CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER.........................................79
             6.1      Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Affect
                      the Merger..............................................79
             6.2      Additional Conditions to Obligations of Target..........80
             6.3      Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Acquiror....82
ARTICLE VII  TERMINATION, EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER......................86
             7.1      Termination.............................................86
             7.2      Effect of Termination...................................88
             7.3      Broker Fee; Expenses and Termination Fees...............89
             7.4      Amendment...............................................90
             7.5      Extension; Waiver.......................................90
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION..................................................90
             8.1      Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants...90
             8.2      Indemnity...............................................91
             8.3      Claims..................................................93
             8.4      Reliance on Stockholders' Agent Authority...............94
             8.5      Actions of the Stockholders' Agent......................95
             8.6      Indemnification Limitations.............................95
ARTICLE IX   GENERAL PROVISIONS...............................................96
             9.1      Notices.................................................96
             9.2      Interpretation..........................................97
             9.3      Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts......................98
             9.4      Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries..........98
             9.5      Severability............................................98
             9.6      Remedies Cumulative.....................................99
             9.7      Governing Law...........................................99
             9.8      JURISDICTION............................................99
             9.9      Assignment.............................................100
             9.10     Rules of Construction..................................100
             9.11     Remedies...............................................100

SCHEDULES
TARGET DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
Section 1.6(g)             -        Target Options
Section 2.1                -        Jurisdictions & Qualification
Section 2.2                -        Capital Structure
Section 2.3(b)             -        Conflicts
Section 2.5                -        Absence of Certain Changes
Section 2.7                -        Accounts Receivable
Section 2.8                -        Litigation
Section 2.11               -        Real Property
Section 2.12(b)            -        Intellectual Property

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Section 2.15               -        Employee Plans
Section 2.16               -        Employee Matters
Section 2.20               -        Broker's Fees
Section 2.26               -        Material Contracts
Section 2.27               -        Breach of Material Contracts
Section 2.28(a)            -        Watch Brand Consents
Section 2.28(b)            -        Third Party Consents
Section 2.29               -        Relationships
Section 2.32               -        Bank Accounts
Section 5.24               -        Watch Brand Contracts

ACQUIROR DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
Section 3.1                -        Acquiror Capital Structure

OTHER SCHEDULES
Option Schedule

EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1.1                -        Certificate of Merger
Exhibit 1.6(c)             -        Contingent Share Exhibit
Exhibit 1.6(d)(iii)        -        New Business Definition
Exhibit 2.33               -        Privacy Guidelines
Exhibit 5.21               -        Terminated Employment Agreements
Exhibit 6.1(d)             -        Form of Employment Agreement
Exhibit 6.2(b)             -        Acquiror's Legal Opinion
Exhibit 6.3(e)             -        Target's Legal Opinion
Exhibit 6.3(m)             -        Target Stockholders Agreement

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                 INDEX/CROSS REFERENCE SHEET FOR DEFINED TERMS -

"12-Month Gross Profit".......................................................11
"1934 Act"....................................................................26
"AAA"..........................................................................8
"Accredited Investor".........................................................55
"Acquiror Common Stock"........................................................1
"Acquiror Contingent Letter"...................................................7
"Acquiror Disclosure Schedule"................................................56
"Acquiror ESPP"...............................................................57
"Acquiror Financial Statements"...............................................61
"Acquiror Materials"..........................................................47
"Acquiror SEC Documents"......................................................60
"Acquiror Stock Option Plans".................................................57
"Acquirors Earn-Out Letter"...................................................13
"Acquiror".....................................................................1
"Agreement"....................................................................1
"Antitrust Laws"..............................................................71
"Approvals"...................................................................72
"Arbiter"......................................................................8
"Arbiter's Determination"......................................................9
"Basket"......................................................................95
"Blue Sky Laws"...............................................................76
"Broker Fees".................................................................46
"CERCLA"......................................................................35
"Certificate of Merger"........................................................2
"Certificates"................................................................20
"Certified Public Accountant".............................................14, 15
"Certified Public Accountant's Determination".................................15
"Claim".......................................................................93
"Closing Date Shares"..........................................................6
"Closing Date".................................................................2
"Closing"......................................................................2
"COBRA".......................................................................41
"Code".........................................................................2
"Commission"...................................................................5
"Confidential Information")...................................................70
"Contingent Release Request Statement".........................................6
"Contingent Share Exhibit".....................................................6
"Contingent Shares"............................................................6
"Damages".....................................................................91
"Delaware Law".................................................................2
"Disposition"..................................................................5
"Dissenting Shares"...........................................................16
"Dissenting Stockholder"......................................................19
"Effective Date,"..............................................................3
"Effective Time"...............................................................3

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"Employee Obligation".........................................................45
"Employment Agreements".......................................................80
"Environmental Laws"..........................................................35
"ERISA Affiliate".............................................................40
"ERISA".......................................................................41
"Exchange Agent"..............................................................19
"Exchange Fund"...............................................................19
"Existing Relationship".......................................................68
"Existing Target Liabilities".................................................31
"Financial Statements"........................................................30
"First Arbiter"................................................................8
"First Certified Public Accountants"..........................................14
"First Quarter"...............................................................10
"Former Target Stockholders"..................................................24
"Fourth Quarter"..............................................................11
"Full Entitlement"............................................................11
"GAAP"........................................................................30
"General Market and Economic Conditions"......................................81
"Governmental Entity".........................................................28
"Gross Profit Statement"......................................................12
"Gross Profit"................................................................12
"Indemnified Matter"..........................................................93
"Indemnified Party"...........................................................93
"Indemnifying Parties"........................................................93
"Independent Arbiter"..........................................................8
"Intellectual Property".......................................................35
"IRCA"........................................................................44
"Lock Up Period"...............................................................5
"margin stock"................................................................26
"Mark"........................................................................35
"Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror".........................................80
"Material Adverse Effect on Target"...........................................82
"Material Adverse Effect".....................................................25
"Material Contracts"..........................................................48
"MCS&W, LLP"..................................................................81
"Merger Sub"...................................................................1
"NASD"........................................................................60
"Non Basket Losses"...........................................................95
"Order".......................................................................72
"Overpayment Amount"..........................................................11
"Permitted Legal Fees"........................................................66
"Person"......................................................................21
"Plans".......................................................................40
"Pre-Owned and Vintage Watch Business"........................................77
"Previously Issued Earn-out Shares"...........................................11
"Principal Stockholders".......................................................1
"Principal Stockholders' Shares"...............................................5

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"Proxy Holder"................................................................74
"Quarters"....................................................................11
"Quarter".....................................................................11
"RCRA"........................................................................35
"restricted securities"........................................................4
"Retained Share Pool".........................................................10
"Reverse Merger"...............................................................1
"Rule 144 Exemption"...........................................................5
"Sales".......................................................................12
"Second Arbiter"...............................................................8
"Second Certified Public Accountants".........................................14
"Second Quarter"..............................................................10
"Securities Act"..............................................................23
"Service Business"............................................................77
"Shortfall"...................................................................11
"Sole Arbiter".................................................................8
"Sole Certified Public Accountant"............................................14
"Source Materials"............................................................50
"Stockholder Materials".......................................................53
"Stockholders' Agent".....................................................47, 94
"Surviving Corporation.".......................................................2
"Takeover Proposal"...........................................................67
"Target Authorizations".......................................................33
"Target Balance Sheet Date"...................................................30
"Target Balance Sheet"........................................................31
"Target Common Stock"..........................................................1
"Target Disclosure Schedule"..................................................25
"Target Intellectual Property"................................................35
"Target Option Share Issuance"................................................17
"Target Options"..............................................................17
"Target Stockholder Information Materials"....................................69
"Target Stockholders' Agreements".............................................85
"Target Stockholders"..........................................................4
"Target"...................................................................1, 36
"Target's Knowledge"..........................................................55
"Tax Authority"...............................................................36
"Tax Returns".................................................................36
"Tax Return"..................................................................36
"Taxable".....................................................................36
"Taxes".......................................................................36
"Tax".........................................................................36
"Termination Date"............................................................91
"Third Arbiter"................................................................8
"Third Certified Public Accountant"...........................................14
"Third Quarter"...............................................................10
"to the knowledge of the Target,".............................................55
"Total Acquiror Shares"........................................................4

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"Transaction Documents".......................................................27
"Transaction Fees"............................................................66
"TS Contingent Letter".........................................................7
"TS Earn-Out Letter"..........................................................13
"Watch Brand Contracts".......................................................51
"Watch Strap Business"........................................................77
"Website Guidelines"..........................................................53

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                                MERGER AGREEMENT

     This MERGER AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of
February 14, 2001, by and among Ashford.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("ACQUIROR"), Ashford-Watchnetwork Company, a Delaware corporation ("MERGER
SUB") and E.S.T., Inc. (d/b/a The Watch Network), a Delaware corporation
("TARGET"); and Scott Hockler and Daniel Hirsch (who are the principal
stockholders of the Target) (the "PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS").

                                    RECITALS

A.   The Boards of Directors and the stockholders of Target, Acquiror and Merger
     Sub believe it is in the best interests of their respective companies that
     Target and Merger Sub combine into a single company through the statutory
     merger of Merger Sub with and into Target (the "REVERSE MERGER") and, in
     furtherance thereof, have approved the Reverse Merger.

B.   Pursuant to the Reverse Merger, among other things, each outstanding share
     of common stock of Target, $.01 par value ("TARGET COMMON STOCK"), shall be
     converted into shares of common stock of Acquiror, $.001 par value
     ("ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK"), at the rate and in the manner set forth herein.

C.   Target, Acquiror and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations and
     warranties and other agreements in connection with the Reverse Merger.

D.   The parties desire to adopt, and intend that this Agreement constitute, a
     plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal
     Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"), and desire that the Reverse
     Merger qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Sections
     368(a)(2)(E) of the Code.
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     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and representations set
forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   THE MERGER

     1.1  THE REVERSE MERGER. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2)
and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Certificate of Merger attached hereto as EXHIBIT 1.1 (the "CERTIFICATE OF
MERGER") and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law
("DELAWARE LAW"), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into Target, the separate
corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and Target shall continue as the
surviving corporation. Target as the surviving corporation after the Reverse
Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "SURVIVING CORPORATION."

     1.2  CLOSING; EFFECTIVE TIME. The closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby (the "CLOSING") shall take place as soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof
or at such other time as the parties hereto agree (the date on which the Closing
shall occur, the "CLOSING DATE"); provided, however, that either Acquiror or
Target shall be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(b)
if the Closing shall not have occurred by March 5, 2001. The Closing shall take
place at the offices of Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP, 750 Lexington
Avenue, New York, New York 10022, or at such other location as the parties
hereto agree. On the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall cause the Reverse

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Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger, together with the
required officers' certificates, with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Delaware Law (the time
and date of such filing being the "EFFECTIVE TIME" and the "EFFECTIVE DATE,"
respectively).

     1.3  EFFECT OF THE REVERSE MERGER. At the Effective Time, the effect of the
Reverse Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger
and the applicable provisions of Delaware Law. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Merger Sub shall vest in the
Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Merger Sub shall
become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

     1.4  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION; BYLAWS.

         (a) At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger
Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
amended as provided by Delaware Law and such Certificate of Incorporation.

         (b) The Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended.

     1.5  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. At the Effective Time, the directors of Merger
Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the
Surviving Corporation, to hold office until such time as such directors resign,
are removed or their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified. The officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective

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Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, to hold office until
such time as such officers resign, are removed or their respective successors
are duly elected or appointed and qualified.

     1.6  EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective Time, subject and pursuant
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger, by
virtue of the Reverse Merger and without any action on the part of the Acquiror,
Merger Sub, Target or the holders of any of Target's securities:

         (a) MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES OF ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE AS A
RESULT OF THE MERGER. The maximum number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock
issuable to all of the Target stockholders ("TARGET STOCKHOLDERS") in exchange
for the acquisition by Acquiror of all outstanding Target Common Stock pursuant
to the Reverse Merger shall be equal to 7,491,000 shares of Acquiror Common
Stock (the "TOTAL ACQUIROR SHARES").

              (i)     The parties agree (and the Target and the Principal
Stockholders understand and have advised the Target Stockholders in writing)
that each of the Total Acquiror Shares will be "restricted securities" under
applicable Federal and state securities laws. Accordingly, each Principal
Stockholder agrees and has advised the Target Stockholders in writing not to
make any sale, transfer, or other disposition of any of the Total Acquiror
Shares unless (i) such sale, transfer or any other disposition is within the
applicable limitations of and in compliance with Rule 144 promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") under the Securities Act
("RULE 144 EXEMPTION"), (ii) some other exemption from registration under the
Securities Act is available with respect to any such proposed sale, transfer or
other disposition of the

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subject Target Acquiror Shares, or (iii) such distribution of such Target
Acquiror Shares has been registered under the Securities Act.

              (ii)    The Acquiror has indicated that the prospect of the sale
of any shares of Acquiror Common Stock held by the Principal Stockholders
("PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS' SHARES") received as part of the Closing Date Shares
upon consummation of the merger, prior to several months after the Closing Date
could be detrimental to the Acquiror's merger efforts. The Principal
Stockholders agree not to sell any of the Principal Stockholders' Shares for a
period ending on the later of (i) the six (6) month anniversary of the Effective
Time or (ii) December 15, 2001 (the "LOCK UP PERIOD"). The Principal
Stockholders agree that they will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior
written consent of the Acquiror, offer, contract to sell, grant any option to
purchase or otherwise dispose (collectively, a "DISPOSITION") of any of the
Principal Stockholders' Shares during the Lock-Up Period. This restriction is
expressly agreed to preclude the Principal Stockholders from engaging in any
hedging or other transaction which is designed to or reasonably could be
expected to lead to or result in a Disposition of Principal Stockholders' Shares
during the Lock-up Period, even if such Principal Stockholder Shares would be
disposed of by someone other than such Principal Stockholder. Such prohibited
hedging or other transactions would include, without limitation, any short sale
(whether or not against the box) or any purchase, sale or grant of any right
(including, without limitation, any put or call option) with respect to any
Principal Stockholders' Shares or with respect to any security (other than a
broad-based market basket or index) that includes, relates to or derives any
significant part of its value from Principal Stockholders' Shares.

         (b) CLOSING DATE SHARES. 1,991,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock
("CLOSING DATE SHARES") shall be issued at the Effective Time. No adjustment
shall be made in the number

                                       5
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of shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued in the Reverse Merger as a result of
(x) any increase or decrease in the market price of Acquiror Common Stock prior
to the Effective Time or (y) any cash proceeds received by Target from the date
hereof to the Closing Date pursuant to the exercise of currently outstanding
Target Options.

         (c) CONTINGENT SHARES.

              (i)     2,200,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall be
reserved for issuance by the Acquiror ("CONTINGENT SHARES") and shall be issued
in accordance with this Section 1.6(c) and EXHIBIT 1.6 (c) hereto (the
"CONTINGENT SHARE EXHIBIT").

              (ii)    From the Effective Date until twelve (12) months following
the Effective Date, the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target
Stockholders) shall be entitled to prepare and deliver a statement to the
Acquiror requesting the issuance of the Contingent Shares (the "CONTINGENT
RELEASE REQUEST STATEMENT"). The Contingent Release Request Statement shall set
forth in reasonable detail the number of Contingent Shares to be issued and the
reasons for such issuance. In connection with preparing the Contingent Release
Request Statement, and any disputes relating thereto, the parties will give the
other party and its representatives access to the relevant books and records of
the Acquiror and Surviving Corporation during normal business hours.

              (iii)   The Acquiror will have 30 days following receipt to review
and respond to the Contingent Release Request Statement. If, within such 30-day
period, the Acquiror has not delivered to Stockholders' Agent a written letter
(the "ACQUIROR CONTINGENT LETTER") setting forth in reasonable detail any
proposed changes or objections to the Contingent Release Request Statement and
the basis for such adjustment, the Contingent Release Request Statement shall be
determined to be the final Contingent Release Request Statement. Any statements
in the Contingent

                                       6
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Release Request Statement as to which the Acquiror has not commented on will be
deemed to be accepted and will become final.

              (iv)    Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders)
will have 30 days following receipt to review and respond to the Acquiror
Contingent Letter. If, within such 30-day period, the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) has not delivered to the Acquiror a written
letter ("TS CONTINGENT LETTER") setting forth in reasonable detail its objection
to the Acquiror Contingent Letter, the proposed changes or objections to the
Contingent Release Request Statement shall be deemed accepted by the Target
Stockholders. Any changes or objections set forth in the Acquiror Contingent
Letter as to which Stockholders' Agent has not commented on will be deemed to be
accepted and will become final.

              (v)     As soon as reasonably practicable following the periods
provided in Section 1.6(c) (iii) and (iv) but in any event no later than 15 days
after Stockholders' Agent's delivery of the TS Contingent Letter, the parties
will meet and endeavor to resolve the changes and objections suggested by the
Acquiror Contingent Letter. If the parties reach agreement, the final Contingent
Release Request Statement shall be deemed final subject to modifications to
reflect the agreements reached.

              (vi)    If the parties do not resolve to their mutual satisfaction
all disputes relating to the Contingent Release Request Statement described in
the Acquiror Letter and TS Contingent Letter within 30 days following the
delivery of the TS Contingent Letter, (1) any Contingent Shares not subject to
dispute shall be promptly issued and delivered to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) and (2) any remaining disputes will be
referred to for final binding resolution, in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American

                                       7
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Arbitration Association ("AAA"), to an independent disinterested arbiter
knowledgeable with respect to watch sales and authorized dealership of watches
("INDEPENDENT ARBITER") mutually acceptable to the Stockholders' Agent, on the
one hand (the "SOLE ARBITER", and the Acquiror, on the other hand. In the event
that the Stockholders' Agent and the Acquiror are unable to select the Sole
Arbiter within five (5) business days following the expiration of the thirty
(30) day period referred to immediately above, then each of the Stockholders'
Agent and the Acquiror shall have five (5) business days (following the
expiration of such five (5) business day period) to select (and provide written
notice of such selection to the other) an Independent Arbiter. Each such
Independent Arbiter shall be referred to, respectively, as the "FIRST ARBITER"
(selected by Acquiror) and the "SECOND ARBITER" (selected by Stockholders' Agent
(on behalf of the Target Stockholders)). Within five (5) business days following
the selection of the First Arbiter and the Second Arbiter, the First Arbiter and
the Second Arbiter shall select (and provide written notice to the Acquiror and
the Stockholders' Agent of such selection) a third independent Arbiter (the
"THIRD ARBITER"). For purposes of this Agreement, the "ARBITER" shall mean (A)
the Sole Arbiter or, (B) in the case that the Acquiror and the Stockholders'
Agent cannot agree upon the Sole Arbiter, the First Arbiter, Second Arbiter and
Third Arbiter collectively; provided that if either the Acquiror or
Stockholders' Agent fails to select the First Arbiter or the Second Arbiter,
respectively, then the Sole Arbiter (and thus the "ARBITER") shall be deemed to
be the First Arbiter in the case where Stockholders' Agent failed to make the
selection and the Second Arbiter in the case where the Acquiror failed to make
the selection. In the case where the Arbiter consists of a First Arbiter, Second
Arbiter and Third Arbiter, the decision of a majority of the First Arbiter,
Second Arbiter and Third Arbiter shall constitute the decision of the Arbiter
hereunder.

                                       8
<PAGE>

              (vii)   The arbitration shall be conducted in Houston, Texas if
commenced by Acquiror or in New York, New York if commenced by the Stockholders'
Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders. The fees and expenses of the
Arbiter shall be borne by the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target
Stockholders on a joint and several basis), on the one hand, and the Acquiror,
on the other hand, based on the percentage which the portion of the contested
amount of Contingent Shares not awarded to each party bears to the amount
actually contested by such party. In the event of such a dispute, the Contingent
Release Request Statement resulting therefrom shall be deemed to be as
determined by the Arbiter based solely on presentations by Acquiror and
Stockholders' Agent to the Arbiter and not by independent review. In making such
determination (the "ARBITER'S DETERMINATION"), the Arbiter shall determine only
those items in dispute and may not assign a value to any disputed item greater
than the greatest value for such sum claimed by either party or less than the
lowest value for such item claimed by either party. The Arbiter's Determination
shall be (1) in writing, (2) furnished to the Stockholders' Agent and the
Acquiror as soon as practicable after the items in dispute have been referred to
the Arbiter (but in no event later than five (5) business days after such
referral), (3) nonappealable and uncontestable by the Stockholders' Agent (or
any Target Stockholders), the Acquiror, or any of their respective Affiliates
and not subject to collateral attack for any reason, and (4) state and deliver
the final Contingent Release Request Statement derived therefrom. Promptly after
the Arbiter's Determination is issued, the Acquiror shall issue and deliver to
the Stockholders' Agent the number of Contingent Shares (if any) based on the
final Contingent Release Request Statement.

         (d) EARN-OUT.

                                       9
<PAGE>

              (i)     EARN-OUT SHARES. Up to 3,300,000 shares of Acquiror Common
Stock (the "EARN-OUT SHARES") shall be issued by Acquiror to the Stockholders'
Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders) as follows:

                   (A) The Acquiror shall issue to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) 0.50 Earn-out Shares for each $1.00 of Gross
Profit for the three-month period ending on the three-month anniversary of the
Closing Date ("FIRST QUARTER") (provided that 10% of such shares shall be added
to a pool of shares (such shares together with any shares not earned pursuant to
this Section 1.6(d)(i) are hereinafter referred to as the "RETAINED SHARE POOL")
and shall be issued in accordance with and subject to Section 1.6(d)(ii) below).

                   (B) The Acquiror shall issue to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) 0.50 Earn-out Shares for each $1.00 of Gross
Profit for the three-month period ending on the six-month anniversary of the
Closing Date ("SECOND QUARTER") (provided that 10% of such shares shall be added
to the Retained Share Pool and shall be issued in accordance with and subject to
Section 1.6(d)(ii) below).

                   (C) The Acquiror shall issue to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) 0.50 Earn-out Shares for each $1.00 of Gross
Profit for the three-month period ending on the nine-month anniversary of the
Closing Date ("THIRD QUARTER") (provided that 10% of such shares shall be added
to the Retained Share Pool and shall be issued in accordance with and subject to
Section 1.6(d)(ii) below).

                   (D) The Acquiror shall issue to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) 0.50 Earn-out Shares for each $1.00 of Gross
Profit for the three-month period ending on the 12-month anniversary of the
Closing Date (the "FOURTH QUARTER" and together

                                       10
<PAGE>

with the First Quarter, the Second Quarter and the Third Quarter, collectively,
the "QUARTERS" or individually, each a "QUARTER") (provided that 10% of such
shares shall be added to the Retained Share Pool and shall be issued in
accordance with and subject to Section 1.6(d)(ii) below).

              (ii)    Following the end of the Fourth Quarter, Gross Profits on
an aggregate basis for the 12-month period ending on the first anniversary of
the Closing Date shall be calculated ("12-MONTH GROSS PROFIT") and the Acquiror
shall issue to the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders)
0.50 Earn-out Shares for each $1.00 of 12-Month Gross Profit (as long as such
12-Month Gross Profits exceeds $500,000) (the aggregate amount of such shares,
the "FULL ENTITLEMENT"); provided that Earn-out Shares issued and delivered at
the end of each three month anniversary in Sections 1(d)(A), (B), (C) and (D) to
the Stockholders' Agent pursuant to Section 1.6(d)(i) ("PREVIOUSLY ISSUED
EARN-OUT SHARES") shall be credited against such Full Entitlement obligation. To
the extent that the Full Entitlement exceeds the Previously Issued Earn-out
Shares, such excess shall promptly be issued to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders) by the Acquiror. In the event that the
Previously Issued Earn-out Shares exceeds the Full Entitlement (such excess, the
"SHORTFALL") and the Shortfall exceeds the number of shares in the Retained
Share Pool after final determination of the Full Entitlement (such further
excess, the "OVERPAYMENT AMOUNT"), then the Principal Stockholders (on a joint
and several basis) shall cause the Target Stockholders to promptly return the
Overpayment Amount to the Acquiror. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event
shall the Full Entitlement or the number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock
issued to the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders)
pursuant to Section 1.6(d)(i) and this Section 1.6(d)(ii) be greater than
3,300,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock in the aggregate.

                                       11
<PAGE>

              (iii)   CALCULATION OF GROSS PROFIT. The term "GROSS PROFIT" shall
mean the gross profit (pretax total invoice value of (x) sales ("SALES") minus
(y) the sum of customer discounts, returns, cost of goods sold and five percent
(5%) of Sales for Acquiror's overhead) of the Acquiror's New Business (as such
term is defined on EXHIBIT 1.6(d)(III)) for the periods set forth in Sections
1.6(d)(i) and (ii); provided, however that with respect to item 6 of the New
Business definition set forth on EXHIBIT 1.6(d)(III), the Gross Profit shall
mean ninety-five percent (95%) of Sales.

              (iv)    DETERMINATION PROCESS.

                   (A) Within 45 days after the expiration of each Quarter the
Acquiror's Chief Financial Officer shall prepare and deliver to the
Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders): (i) a statement in
reasonable detail setting forth the calculation of Gross Profit and the number
of Earn-out Shares to be issued (the "GROSS PROFIT STATEMENT"). In connection
with preparing the Gross Profit Statement, and any disputes relating thereto,
each party will give the other party and its representatives access to the
relevant books and records of the Acquiror and Surviving Corporation during
normal business hours.

                   (B) The Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target
Stockholders) will have 30 days following receipt to review and respond to the
Gross Profit Statement. If, within such 30-day period, the Stockholders' Agent
(on behalf of the Target Stockholders) has not delivered to Acquiror a written
letter (the "TS EARN-OUT LETTER") setting forth in reasonable detail any
proposed changes or objections to the Gross Profit Statement and the basis for
such proposed changes, the Gross Profit Statement shall be determined to be the
final Gross

                                       12
<PAGE>

Profit Statement. Any statements in the Gross Profit Statement as to which the
Stockholders' Agent has not commented on will be deemed to be accepted and will
become final.

                   (C) Acquiror will have 30 days following receipt to review
and respond to the TS Earn-Out Letter. If, within such 30-day period, the
Acquiror has not delivered to the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target
Stockholders) a written letter ("ACQUIRORS' EARN-OUT LETTER") setting forth in
reasonable detail its objection to the TS Earn-Out Letter, the proposed changes
or objections to the TS Earn-Out Letter shall be deemed accepted by the
Acquiror. Any changes or objections set forth in the TS Earn-Out Letter as to
which Acquiror has not commented on will be deemed to be accepted and will
become final.

                   (D) As soon as reasonably practicable following the periods
provided in Section 1.6(d)(iv)(B) and (C) but in any event no later than 15 days
after Acquiror's delivery of the Acquirors' Earn-Out Letter, the parties will
meet and endeavor to resolve the changes and objections suggested by the TS
Earn-Out Letter. If the parties reach agreement, the final Gross Profit
Statement shall be deemed final subject to modifications to reflect the
agreements reached.

                   (E) If the parties do not resolve to their mutual
satisfaction all disputes relating to the Gross Profit Statement described in
the TS Earn-Out Letter and Acquirors' Earn-Out Letter within 30 days following
the delivery of the Acquiror's Earn-Out Letter, (1) any Earn-Out Shares not
subject to dispute shall be promptly issued and delivered to the Stockholders'
Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders) and (2) any remaining disputes will
be referred to for final binding resolution to an independent nationally
recognized firm of certified public accountants (the "SOLE CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANT") mutually acceptable to the Stockholders' Agent, on the one hand,
and the Acquiror, on the other hand. In the event that the Stockholders' Agent
and the

                                       13
<PAGE>

Acquiror are unable to select the Sole Certified Public Accountant within five
(5) business days following the expiration of the thirty (30) day period
referred to immediately above, then each of the Stockholders' Agent and the
Acquiror shall have five (5) business days (following the expiration of such
five (5) business day period) to select (and provide written notice of such
selection to the other) an independent nationally recognized firm of certified
public accountants. Each such firm shall be referred to, respectively, as the
"FIRST CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT" (selected by Acquiror) and the "SECOND
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT" (selected by Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the
Target Stockholders). Within five (5) business days following the selection of
the First Certified Public Accountant and the Second Certified Public
Accountant, the First Certified Public Accountant and the Second Certified
Public Accountant shall select (and provide written notice to the Acquiror and
the Stockholders' Agent of such selection) a third independent nationally
recognized firm of certified public accountants (the "THIRD CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANT"). For purposes of this Agreement, the "CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT"
shall mean (A) the Sole Certified Public Accountant or, (B) in the case that the
Acquiror and the Stockholders' Agent cannot agree upon the Sole Certified Public
Accountant, the First Certified Public Accountant, Second Certified Public
Accountant and Third Certified Public Accountant collectively; provided that if
either the Acquiror or Stockholders' Agent fails to select the First Certified
Public Accountant or the Second Certified Public Accountant, respectively, then
the Sole Certified Public Accountant (and thus the "CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANT") shall be deemed to be the First Certified Public Accountant in the
case where Stockholders' Agent failed to make the selection and the Second
Arbiter in the case where the Acquiror failed to make the selection. In the case
where the Certified Public Accountant consists of a First Certified Public
Accountant, Second Certified Public Accountant and Third Certified Public
Accountant, the decision of a majority of the First Certified Public Accountant,
Second

                                       14
<PAGE>

Certified Public Accountant and Third Certified Public Accountant shall
constitute the decision of the Certified Public Accountant hereunder. The fees
and expenses of the Certified Public Accountant shall be borne by the
Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Target Stockholders on a joint and several
basis), on the one hand, and the Acquiror, on the other hand, based on the
percentage which the portion of the contested amount not awarded to each party
bears to the amount actually contested by such party. In the event of such a
dispute, the Gross Profit Statement resulting therefrom shall be deemed to be as
determined by the Certified Public Accountant based solely on presentations by
Acquiror and Stockholders' Agent to the Certified Public Accountant and not by
independent review. In making such determination (the "CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANT'S DETERMINATION"), the Certified Public Accountant shall determine
only those items in dispute and may not assign a value to any disputed item
greater than the greatest value for such sum claimed by either party or less
than the lowest value for such item claimed by either party. The Certified
Public Accountant's Determination shall be (1) in writing, (2) furnished to the
Stockholders' Agent and the Acquiror as soon as practicable after the items in
dispute have been referred to the Certified Public Accountant (but in no event
later than ten (10) business days after such referral), (3) nonappealable and
uncontestable by the Stockholders' Agent (or any Target Stockholders), any
Acquiror, or any of their respective Affiliates and not subject to collateral
attack for any reason, and (4) state and deliver the final Gross Profit
Statement derived therefrom. Promptly after the Certified Public Accountants'
Determination is issued, the Acquiror shall issue and deliver to the
Stockholders' Agent the number of Earn-Out Shares (if any) based on the final
Gross Profit Statement.

         (e) EXCHANGE FOR TARGET COMMON STOCK. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement as of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Reverse
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of Target
Common Stock:

                                       15
<PAGE>

              (i)     At the Effective Time, each share of Target Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.6(f) below and shares, if any, held
by persons who have not voted such shares for approval of the Reverse Merger and
with respect to which such persons shall become entitled to exercise dissenters'
rights in accordance with Delaware Law ("DISSENTING SHARES")) shall be converted
and exchanged for Closing Date Shares in accordance with and pursuant to a ratio
equal to the Closing Date Shares divided by the number of shares of Target
Common Stock outstanding as of the Closing ("COMMON EXCHANGE RATIO").

              (ii)    At the Effective Time the holders of the Target Common
Stock shall have full rights of ownership with respect to the Closing Date
Shares, the Contingent Shares and the Earn-Out Shares (including voting rights
and rights arising from any stock splits, dividends, recapitalizations or the
like; it being understood that, in the case of the Contingent Shares and the
Earn-Out Shares, only to the extent the applicable restrictions set forth in the
Contingent Share Exhibit and Section 1.6(d) lapse and the applicable milestones
set forth on such exhibit and in such Section 1.6(d) are achieved). To the
extent Contingent Shares and/or Earn-out Shares, if any, are issued pursuant to
this Agreement, such shares shall be issued to the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Target Stockholders whose entitlement thereto shall be pro rata
based on each Target Stockholder's percentage ownership of Target's outstanding
shares of Common Stock immediately prior to Closing).

         (f) CANCELLATION OF TARGET COMMON STOCK OWNED BY ACQUIROR OR TARGET. At
the Effective Time, all shares of Target Common Stock that are owned by Target
as treasury stock, each share of Target Common Stock owned by Acquiror or any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary

                                       16
<PAGE>

of Acquiror immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and
extinguished without any conversion thereof.

         (g) CANCELLATION OF TARGET OPTIONS. At the Effective Time, each of the
Target's then outstanding options (as set forth on Section 1.6(g) of the Target
Disclosure Schedule attached hereto, "Target Options") (whether or not
exercisable at the Effective Time), by virtue of the Merger and without any
further action on the part of the holder thereof or any other Person, shall be
automatically cancelled and cease to exist from and after the Effective Time to
the extent not exercised prior to the Effective Time; it being understood that
(i) the Target has advised Acquiror that all currently outstanding Target
Options have been canceled in accordance with the Target's stock option plan and
in exchange for the issuance to such holders of Target Options of either (A)
options to purchase shares of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to Section 5.20 or
(B) shares of Target Common Stock as a bonus following any such option
cancellation (1.6(g)(i)(A) and (B)), collectively, the "TARGET OPTION SHARE
ISSUANCE") and (ii) any and all liabilities or obligations of the Target with
respect to the amount of tax withholding paid or payable by the Target in
connection with the Target Option Share Issuance may not be satisfied and shall
not be deemed to be an Existing Target Liability.

         (h) CAPITAL STOCK OF MERGER SUB. Each issued and outstanding share of
Merger Sub Common Stock shall be converted into and become one fully paid and
nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation and, as
converted, shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Surviving Corporation.

         (i) ADJUSTMENTS. The Common Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any stock split, reverse split, stock
dividend (including any dividend or

                                       17
<PAGE>

distribution on outstanding Acquiror Common Stock of securities convertible into
Acquiror Common Stock), reorganization, recapitalization or other like change
with respect to Acquiror Common Stock occurring after the date hereof and prior
to the Effective Time. The Contingent Shares and Earn-out Shares shall be
appropriately adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any stock split, reverse
split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution on outstanding
Acquiror Common Stock of securities convertible into Acquiror Common Stock),
reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to Acquiror
Common Stock occurring after the date hereof and prior to the respective date of
issuance and distribution of the Contingent Shares and Earn-Out Shares.

         (j) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fraction of a share of Acquiror Common Stock
will be issued, but in lieu thereof each holder of shares of Target Common Stock
who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Acquiror Common
Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be
received by such holder) shall receive from Acquiror an amount of cash (rounded
to the nearest whole cent) equal to the product of (i) such fraction, multiplied
by (ii) the closing price of a share of Acquiror Common Stock as reported on the
NASDAQ on the date prior to the Closing Date, or, if such a date is not a
trading day, the first date prior to the Closing Date on which there is a
closing price of the Acquiror Common Stock reported on the NASDAQ.

         (k) DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. Any Dissenting Shares shall not be converted
into Acquiror Common Stock but shall instead be converted into the right to
receive such consideration as may be determined to be due with respect to such
Dissenting Shares pursuant to Delaware Law. Target agrees that, except with the
prior written consent of Acquiror, or as required under Delaware Law, it will
not voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle,
any such purchase demand. Each holder of Dissenting Shares ("DISSENTING
STOCKHOLDER") who, pursuant to

                                       18
<PAGE>

the provisions of Delaware Law, becomes entitled to payment of the fair value
for shares of Target Common Stock shall receive payment therefor (but only after
the value therefor shall have been agreed upon or finally determined pursuant to
such provisions). If, after the Effective Time, any Dissenting Shares shall lose
their status as Dissenting Shares, Acquiror shall issue and deliver, upon
surrender by such stockholder of certificate or certificates representing shares
of Target Common Stock, the number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock to which
such stockholder would otherwise be entitled under this Section 1.6 and the
Certificate of Merger less the number of shares allocable to such stockholder
that have been or will be retained by the Acquiror in respect of such shares of
Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.6(c), 1.6(d) and Article VIII
hereof.

     1.7  SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES.

         (a) EXCHANGE AGENT. To the extent deemed necessary by the Acquiror,
Chase Mellon Stockholder Services, LLP shall act as exchange agent (the
"EXCHANGE AGENT") in the Reverse Merger.

         (b) ACQUIROR TO PROVIDE ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK AND CASH. Promptly after
the Effective Time, Acquiror shall either (x) issue Acquiror Common Stock
directly and/or (y) make available to the Exchange Agent for exchange in
accordance with this Article I, through such reasonable procedures as Acquiror
may adopt, in exchange for shares of Target Common Stock immediately prior to
the Effective Time, (i) the Closing Date Shares and (ii) cash in an amount
sufficient to permit payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to
Section 1.6(j) ((i) and (ii), collectively the "EXCHANGE FUND").

         (c) EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. Promptly after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates (the

                                       19
<PAGE>

"CERTIFICATES") which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
outstanding shares of Target Common Stock, whose shares were converted into the
right to receive shares of Acquiror Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional
shares), (i) a letter of transmittal, if necessary (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall
pass, only upon receipt of the Certificates by the Exchange Agent, and shall be
in such form and have such other provisions as Acquiror may reasonably specify)
and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
exchange for certificates representing shares of Acquiror Common Stock (and cash
in lieu of fractional shares). Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation
to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by
Acquiror, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly
executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder of such
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (A) a certificate
representing the number of whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock comprising such
holder's share of the Closing Date Shares and (B) cash in an amount equal to
payment in lieu of fractional shares which such holder has the right to receive
pursuant to Section 1.6(j); and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith
be canceled. Until so surrendered, each outstanding Certificate that, prior to
the Effective Time, represented shares of Target Common Stock will be deemed
from and after the Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, other than the
payment of dividends, to evidence the ownership of the number of full shares of
Acquiror Common Stock into which such shares of Target Common Stock shall have
been so converted (and, in amplification of the foregoing, in the case of
Contingent Shares or Earn-Out Shares, are convertible for) and the right to
receive an amount in cash in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares in
accordance with Section 1.6(j).

                                       20
<PAGE>

         (d) DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNEXCHANGED SHARES. No dividends or
other distributions with respect to Acquiror Common Stock with a record date
after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
Certificate with respect to the shares of Acquiror Common Stock represented
thereby until the holder of record of such Certificate surrenders such
Certificate; and in no event shall interest or lost opportunity cost be paid on
any portion of the cash in lieu of fractional shares. Subject to applicable law,
following surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be paid to the record
holder of the certificates representing whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock
issued in exchange therefor, without interest, at the time of such surrender,
the amount of any such dividends or other distributions with a record date after
the Effective Time which would have been previously paid (but for the provisions
of this Section 1.7(d)) with respect to such shares of Acquiror Common Stock.

         (e) TRANSFERS OF OWNERSHIP. If any certificate for shares of Acquiror
Common Stock is to be issued to any individual, firm, corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Entity or other
entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of
such entity (each, a "PERSON") other than that in which the Certificate
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered is properly endorsed and
otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the Person requesting such
exchange will have paid to Acquiror or any agent designated by it any transfer
or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for shares of
Acquiror Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered holder of
the Certificate surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of Acquiror or
any agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

                                       21
<PAGE>

         (f) NO LIABILITY. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Section 1.7, none of the Exchange Agent, the Surviving Corporation or any party
hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid to a public
official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

         (g) DISSENTING SHARES. The provisions of this Section 1.7 shall also
apply to Dissenting Shares that lose their status as such, except that the
obligations of Acquiror under this Section 1.7 shall commence on the date of
loss of such status and the holder of such shares shall be entitled to receive
in exchange for such shares the number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock to
which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 1.6 hereof.

     1.8  NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN TARGET COMMON STOCK. All shares of
Acquiror Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares of Target
Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof (including any cash paid in
lieu of fractional shares) shall be deemed to have been issued in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Target Common Stock, and
there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the
Surviving Corporation of shares of Target Common Stock which were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they
shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article I.

     1.9  LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. In the event any Certificates
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such shares of Acquiror Common
Stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares as may be required pursuant to
Section 1.6(j); provided, however, that Acquiror may, in its discretion and as a
condition precedent

                                       22
<PAGE>

to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against Acquiror, the Surviving
Corporation or the Exchange Agent with respect to the Certificates alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

     1.10 TAX CONSEQUENCES. It is desired by the parties hereto that the Reverse
Merger shall constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of
the Code. Each party to this Agreement shall report the Reverse Merger as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code on such party's
income tax returns; provided that such party shall have no responsibility or
liability to any other party or their respective counsel if the Reverse Merger
ultimately fails to so qualify.

     1.11 EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. The Total Acquiror Shares to be issued in
connection with the Reverse Merger will be issued in a transaction exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Securities Act"), by reason of Section
4(2) thereof.

     1.12 TAKING OF NECESSARY ACTION; FURTHER ACTION. If, at any time after the
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full
right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers
and franchises of Target, the officers and directors of Target, Merger Sub and
the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in the name of their respective
corporations or otherwise to take, and shall take, all such lawful and necessary
action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

                                       23
<PAGE>

     1.13 TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which
remains undistributed to the shareholders of Target six (6) months after the
Effective Time shall be delivered by Exchange Agent to Acquiror, and thereafter
upon demand from any former holders of Target Common Stock as at the Effective
Time ("FORMER TARGET STOCKHOLDERS") who have not theretofore complied with this
Article I, the appropriate amount of such portion(s) of the Exchange Fund shall
be distributed to the Former Target Stockholders only upon the receipt of proper
Certificates or evidence reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Acquiror.

     1.14 NO LIABILITY. Neither the Exchange Agent, Acquiror, Merger Sub nor the
Target shall be liable to any holder of shares of Target Common Stock or
Acquiror Common Stock, as the case may be, for shares (or dividends or
distributions with respect thereto) of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued in
exchange for Target Common Stock pursuant to this Article I, if, on or after the
expiration of twelve (12) months following the Effective Date (or, in the case
of (A) the Contingent Shares (if any), 24 months after the Contingent Shares
have first been issued in accordance with this Agreement and the Contingent
Share Exhibit or (B) the Earn-Out Shares (if any), 24 months after the Closing
Date), such shares are delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

                                   ARTICLE II
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                    OF TARGET AND THE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     Each of the Target and each of the Principal Stockholders hereby jointly
and severally represents and warrants to Acquiror and Merger Sub that the
statements contained in this Article II with respect to Target, the Principal
Stockholders and the Target Stockholders are true and correct, except as set
forth in the disclosure schedule delivered (except to the extent specifically
set forth

                                       24
<PAGE>

below) by Target to Acquiror prior to the execution and delivery of (and
attached to) this Agreement (the "TARGET DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"). Each of the
Principal Stockholders hereby severally represents and warrants to Acquiror and
Merger Sub with respect to himself only that the statements contained in this
Article II solely with respect to such Principal Stockholder are true and
correct except as set forth in the Target Disclosure Schedule. The Target
Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the
numbered and lettered Sections and subsections and subclauses contained in this
Article II, and (absent a specific cross reference in the Target Disclosure
Schedule to another Section or subsection or subclause in this Article II) the
disclosure in any paragraph in the Target Disclosure Schedule shall qualify only
the specific Section or subsection or subclause under which such paragraph
appears in this Article II.

     2.1  ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER. Target is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization. Target has the corporate power to own its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as currently
proposed to be conducted and, is duly qualified to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and in
good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect on Target. In this Agreement,
any reference to a "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" with respect to any Person means
any event, change or effect (i) that is materially adverse to the condition
(financial or otherwise), properties, assets (including intangible assets),
liabilities, business, operations, prospects or results of operations of such
entity and its subsidiaries (if any), taken as a whole or (ii) which could
prevent, materially alter or delay or in any way impair the ability of such
Person to execute, deliver and consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents. Section 2.1 to the Target Disclosure Schedule sets forth
each jurisdiction in which the Target is incorporated and is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation. Target has delivered to

                                       25
<PAGE>

Acquiror a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
or other charter documents, as applicable, of Target, each as amended to date.
Target is not in violation of any of the provisions of its Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws or equivalent organizational documents. Target has no
subsidiaries and owns no economic interest or controls any voting power in any
controlled affiliate (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, collectively, the
"1934 Act") or any joint venture entity. Target does not directly or indirectly
own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest convertible or
exchangeable or exercisable for, any equity or similar interest in, any other
Person. The Target owns no "margin stock" as such term is defined in Regulation
U, as amended (12 C.F.R. Part 221) of the Federal Reserve Board.

     2.2  CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of Target consists of
50,000 shares of Common Stock, of which there were issued and outstanding as of
the date of this Agreement, 19,452 shares of Common Stock. There are no other
outstanding shares of capital stock or voting securities and no outstanding
commitments to issue any shares of capital stock or voting securities as of and
after the date of this Agreement. Except as set forth in Section 2.2 of the
Target Disclosure Schedule, all outstanding shares of Target Common Stock are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are free of
any liens or encumbrances, are not subject to preemptive rights, rights of first
refusal, rights of first offer or similar rights created by statute, the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Target or any agreement to which
Target is a party or by which it is bound. As of the date of this Agreement,
Target has no stock option plan and no outstanding options to purchase shares of
Common Stock. Section 1.6(g) of the Target Disclosure Schedule accurately sets
forth all outstanding options that were cancelled as of January 31, 2001. Except
(i) as set forth on Section 2.2 of the Target Disclosure Schedule, (ii) the
rights created pursuant to this Agreement

                                       26
<PAGE>

and (iii) Target's right to repurchase any unvested shares under the Target's
employment and restricted stock agreements, there are no other options,
warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which
Target is a party or by which it is bound obligating Target to issue, deliver,
sell, repurchase or redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased
or redeemed, any shares of Target Common Stock or obligating Target to grant,
extend, accelerate the vesting of, change the price of, or otherwise amend or
enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement. There
are no contracts, commitments or agreements relating to the voting, purchase or
sale of Target Common Stock (i) between or among Target and any of its
stockholders and (ii) to the Target's Knowledge, among any Target Stockholder or
between any of Target Stockholders and any third party, except for the
provisions of Section 5.9. All outstanding shares of Target Common Stock and or
options (when outstanding) were issued in compliance with all applicable federal
and state securities laws.

     2.3  AUTHORITY.

         (a) Target has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and all of the documents,
instruments and agreements contemplated hereby and thereby (collectively, the
"TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS"), and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of Target subject only to the approval of the Reverse Merger by
Target Stockholders as contemplated by Section 6.1(a). This Agreement and other
Transaction Documents to the extent executed and delivered on the date hereof
have been (and to the extent executed and delivered after the date hereof will
have been) duly executed and delivered by Target and upon execution and delivery
shall

                                       27
<PAGE>

constitute the valid and binding obligations of Target enforceable against
Target in accordance with their respective terms.

         (b) Except as set forth in Section 2.3(b) of the Target Disclosure
Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents by Target do (and will) not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with, or result in any
violation of, or default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or loss of any benefit or result in the creation of any lien or
encumbrance against any of the Target's assets, properties, contract rights or
business under (i) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Target, as amended, or (ii) any Material Contract, permit, concession,
franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation applicable to Target or any of its properties or assets.

         (c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign
("GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY") is required by or with respect to a Principal
Stockholder or the Target in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for (i) the filing of the
Certificate of Merger, together with the required officers' certificates, as
provided in Section 1.2; (ii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable
state securities laws and the securities laws of any foreign country; and (iii)
such other consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which,
if not obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on a Principal
Stockholder or the Target.

                                       28
<PAGE>

         (d) Each Principal Stockholder has the requisite capacity and authority
to enter into the Transaction Documents to which he is a party and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and other
Transaction Documents to the extent executed and delivered on the date hereof
have been (and to the extent executed and delivered after the date hereof will
have been) duly executed and delivered by each Principal Stockholder and upon
execution and delivery shall constitute the valid and binding obligations of
such Principal Stockholder enforceable against each of them in accordance with
their respective terms.

         (e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents by the Principal Stockholders do (and will) not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, (i)
have a Material Adverse Effect on any Principal Stockholder or the Transaction
Documents and (ii) will not result in the creation of any lien or encumbrance
against any share of the Target Common Stock.

         (f) Each Target Stockholder has duly executed one of the Target
Stockholders' Agreements (as defined in Section 6.3(m)).

     2.4  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Target has delivered to Acquiror its unaudited
financial statements (balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of
stockholders' equity and statement of cash flows) as at September 30, 2000
(collectively, the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"). The Financial Statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated and with each other ("GAAP")
(except, in the case of the Unaudited Financial Statements, for the absence of
footnotes and normal year-end adjustments consistent with Target's past
practices which would not be material in the aggregate). The Financial
Statements fairly present the financial condition and operating results of
Target as of

                                       29
<PAGE>

the dates thereof, and for the periods, indicated therein. Target maintains a
standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with
GAAP.

     2.5  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as set forth in Section 2.5 of the
Target Disclosure Schedule, since September 30, 2000 (the "TARGET BALANCE SHEET
DATE"), Target has conducted its business in the ordinary course consistent with
past practice and there has not occurred: (i) any change, event or condition
(whether or not covered by insurance) that has resulted in, or would result in,
a Material Adverse Effect on Target; (ii) any acquisition, sale or transfer of
any material asset of Target; (iii) any change in accounting methods or
practices (including, without limitations, any change in depreciation or
amortization policies or rates) by Target or any revaluation by Target of any of
its assets; (iv) any declaration, setting aside, or payment of a dividend or
other distribution with respect to the shares of Target Common Stock, or any
direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition by Target of any of
its shares of capital stock; (v) any Material Contract entered into by Target,
other than as provided to Acquiror, or any material amendment or termination of,
or default under, any Material Contract to which Target is a party or by which
it or any of its property or assets is bound; (vi) any amendment or change to
the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Target; (vii) any increase in or
modification of the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable by
Target to any of its directors, employees or consultants (viii) incurrence by
Target of professional fees (including, without limitation, legal and accounting
fees) in connection with this Agreement; and (ix) any negotiation or agreement
by Target to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (i) through
(viii) (other than negotiations with Acquiror and its representatives regarding
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).

     2.6 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Target has no obligations or
liabilities of any nature (matured or unmatured; known or unknown; or fixed or
contingent) other than (i) those set

                                       30
<PAGE>

forth or adequately provided for in detail on the Target's Balance Sheet dated
September 30, 2000, (the "TARGET BALANCE SHEET"), (ii) those incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice prior to the Target
Balance Sheet Date and not required to be set forth on the Target Balance Sheet
under GAAP, and (iii) those incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice since the Target Balance Sheet Date in amounts
consistent with prior periods. Target's obligations or liabilities of any nature
(matured or unmatured; known or unknown; or fixed or contingent) as of the date
hereof are collectively referred to herein as the "EXISTING TARGET LIABILITIES".
As of the date hereof, Existing Target Liabilities (excluding Permitted Legal
Fees) do not exceed $350,000 in the aggregate.

     2.7  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. The accounts receivable shown on the Target
Balance Sheet arose in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and have been collected or are collectible in the book amounts thereof,
less the allowance for doubtful accounts and returns provided for in such
balance sheet. Allowances for doubtful accounts and returns are adequate and
have been prepared in accordance with the past practices of Target. The accounts
receivable of Target arising after the date of the Target Balance Sheet and
prior to the date hereof arose, and the accounts receivable arising prior to the
Effective Time will arise, in the ordinary course of business and have been
collected or are collectible for cash within ninety (90) days from the date such
receivable was or is created in the book amounts thereof, less allowances for
doubtful accounts and returns determined in accordance with the past practices
of Target. Except as set forth in Section 2.7 of the Target Disclosure Schedule,
none of the accounts receivable are subject to any material claim of offset or
recoupment, or counterclaim and, to Targets Knowledge, any specific facts that
would be reasonably likely to give rise to any such claim. Except as set forth
in Section 2.7 of the Target Disclosure Schedule, no material amount of accounts
receivable are contingent upon the

                                       31
<PAGE>

performance by Target of any obligation. No agreement for deduction or discount
has been made with respect to any accounts receivable. Credits, returns and
rebates shall not constitute payment of accounts receivable. In determining
whether there has been any nonpayment of any account receivable, all payments
received from any account debtor shall, unless otherwise specified by such
account debtor, be first applied to the oldest outstanding account receivable of
such account debtor until all accounts receivable of such account debtor have
been paid in full in cash.

     2.8  LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Section 2.8 of the Target
Disclosure Schedule, there is no private or governmental action, suit,
proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation pending before any Governmental
Entity, or, to Target's Knowledge, threatened (including allegations that could
form the basis for future action) against Target or any of its properties or
officers or directors (in their capacities as such), nor, to Target's Knowledge,
is there any reason to expect that any such activity, threat or allegation will
be forthcoming. There is no judgment, decree or order against Target, or, to
Target's Knowledge, any of its directors or officers (in their capacities as
such), that would result in a Material Adverse Effect on Target. All litigation
and proceedings to which Target is a party (or, to Target's Knowledge,
threatened to become a party) is disclosed in Section 2.8 of the Target
Disclosure Schedule. Target does not have any plans to initiate any litigation,
arbitration or other proceeding against any third party.

     2.9  RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. There is no agreement, judgment,
injunction, order or decree binding upon Target that has or could reasonably be
expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any current or future
business practice of Target, any acquisition of property by Target or the
conduct of business by Target as currently conducted or as currently proposed to
be conducted by Target.

                                       32
<PAGE>

     2.10 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION. Target has obtained each federal, state,
county, local or foreign governmental consent, license, permit, grant, or other
authorization of a Governmental Entity (i) pursuant to which Target currently
operates or holds any interest in any of its properties or (ii) that is required
for the operation of Target's business or the holding of any such interest ((i)
and (ii) herein collectively called "TARGET AUTHORIZATIONS"), and all of such
Target Authorizations are in full force and effect, except where the failure to
obtain or have any such Target Authorizations would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on Target.

     2.11 TITLE TO PROPERTY. Except as set forth in Section 2.11 of the Target
Disclosure Schedule Target has good and marketable title to all of its
properties, interests in properties and assets, real and personal, necessary for
the conduct of its business as presently conducted or which are reflected in the
Target Balance Sheet or acquired after the Target Balance Sheet Date (except
properties, interests in properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the Target
Balance Sheet Date), or with respect to leased properties and assets, valid
leasehold interests therein, in each case free and clear of all mortgages,
liens, pledges, charges or encumbrances of any kind or character whatsoever,
except (i) the lien of current taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) liens
securing debt that are reflected on the Target Balance Sheet, and (iii) minor
imperfections of title, if any, which do not substantially or materially detract
from the value or impair the use of the property subject thereto, or which do
not substantially impair the operation of Target's business. The plant, property
and equipment of Target that are used in the operations of its business are in
good operating condition and repair, ordinary and reasonable wear and tear and
obsolescence excepted. All properties used in the operations of Target are
reflected in the Target Balance Sheet to the extent GAAP requires the same to be
reflected. Section 2.11 of the Target Disclosure Schedule identifies each parcel
of real property owned or leased by Target.

                                       33
<PAGE>

     2.12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

         (a) Target is the sole and exclusive owner of all Target Intellectual
Property free of all contingent and noncontingent liens, restrictions,
interests, rights of reversion or termination, and all other encumbrances of any
nature whatsoever. The conduct of Target's business as currently conducted and
as currently proposed to be conducted will not infringe, misappropriate or
violate any Intellectual Property of others.

         (b) All Target Intellectual Property that is the subject of any
application, registration or issuance with or from any Governmental Entity is
identified in Section 2.12(b) of the Target Disclosure Schedule. All such
registered or issued Target Intellectual Property is valid and subsisting and is
free from any challenge (or, to Target's Knowledge, threat thereof) and, to
Target's Knowledge, Target is not aware of any specific basis therefor. All such
applications, registrations and issuances have been properly maintained. Target
has adequately protected all other Target Intellectual Property through the use
of confidentiality agreements and otherwise and Target is not aware of any use,
exercise or exploitation of any Target Intellectual Property, except as
authorized by Target in writing.

         (c) "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means patent rights; trade name, trademark,
service mark and similar rights ("MARK" rights); copyrights; mask work rights;
sui generis database rights; trade secret rights; moral rights; and all other
intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world,
and all applications, registrations, issuances and the like with respect
thereto. "TARGET INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all Intellectual Property that has
been, is, or is proposed to be owned by Target, or used, exercised, or
exploited, or otherwise necessary for, Target's business as currently conducted
or as currently proposed to be conducted.

                                       34
<PAGE>

     2.13 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Target is and has at all times operated its
business in material compliance with all Environmental Laws and, to Target's
Knowledge, no material expenditures are or will be required in order to comply
with such Environmental Laws. "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all applicable
statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, permits,
licenses, consents, approvals, authorizations, and governmental requirements or
directives or other obligations lawfully imposed by governmental authority under
federal, state or local law pertaining to the protection of the environment,
protection of public health, protection of worker health and safety, the
treatment, emission and/or discharge of gaseous, particulate and/or effluent
pollutants, and/or the handling of hazardous materials, including without
limitation, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.ss. 7401, et seq., the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), 42
U.S.C.ss. 9601, et seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C.ss.
1321, et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.ss. 1801, et
seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.ss. 6901, et seq.
("RCRA"), and the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C.ss. 2601, et seq.

     2.14 TAXES.

         (a) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the
following meanings: "TAX" (and, with correlative meaning,"TAXES" and "TAXABLE")
means any and all taxes including, without limitation, (i) any net income,
alternative or add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad
valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, value added, net worth, license,
withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium,
property, environmental or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax
governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever,
together with any interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount
imposed by any Governmental Entity (a "TAX AUTHORITY") responsible for

                                       35
<PAGE>

the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign), (ii) any liability for the
payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) as a result of being a
member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Taxable
period or as the result of being a transferee or successor thereof and (iii) any
liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) as
a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person. As
used in this Section 2.14, the term "TARGET" means Target and any entity
included in, or required under GAAP to be included in, any of the Target
Financial Statements.

         (b) All Tax returns, statements, reports, declarations and other forms
and documents (including without limitation estimated Tax returns and reports
and material information statements, schedules, returns and reports) required to
be filed with any Tax authority (collectively, "TAX RETURNS" and individually a
"TAX RETURN"), with respect to any Taxable period ending on or before the
Effective Time, by or on behalf of Target have been or will be completed and
filed when due (including any extensions of such due date) and are (or will be)
complete and correct. All Taxes payable by Target prior to the Effective Time,
whether or not shown as due on such Tax Returns have been or will be paid on or
before such date. The Target Balance Sheet included in the Target Financial
Statements (i) fully accrues all actual and contingent liabilities for unpaid
Taxes with respect to all periods through the Target Balance Sheet Date and
Target has not and will not incur any Tax liability in excess of the amount
reflected on such Target Balance Sheet with respect to such periods (excluding
any amount thereof that reflects timing differences between the recognition of
income for purposes of GAAP and for Tax purposes), and (ii) properly accrues in
accordance with GAAP all material liabilities for Taxes payable after the Target
Balance Sheet Date with respect to all transactions and events occurring on or
prior to such date. All information set forth in the notes to the Target
Financial Statements relating to Tax matters is true, complete and

                                       36
<PAGE>

accurate in all material respects. No material Tax liability since the Target
Balance Sheet Date has been or will be incurred by Target other than in the
ordinary course of business, and adequate provision has been made by Target for
all Taxes since that date in accordance with GAAP on at least a quarterly basis.

         (c) Target has previously provided or made available to Acquiror true
and correct copies of all Tax Returns.

         (d) Target has withheld and paid to the applicable financial
institution or Tax authority all amounts required to be withheld or paid prior
to the Effective Time.

         (e) To Target' Knowledge, Tax Returns filed with respect to the two (2)
taxable years of Target through the Taxable years ended December 31, 1998 and
December 31, 1999 in the case of the United States, have been examined and
closed. Target has not extended or waived any statute of limitations on
assessment or collection of any Tax. There is no claim, audit, action, suit,
proceeding, or (to Target's Knowledge) investigation now pending or (to Target's
Knowledge) threatened against or with respect to Target in respect of any Tax or
assessment. No notice of deficiency or similar document of any Tax authority has
been received by Target, and there are no liabilities for Taxes (including
liabilities for interest, additions to Tax and penalties thereon and related
expenses) with respect to the issues that have been raised (and are currently
pending) by any Tax authority that could, if determined adversely to Target,
substantially and adversely affect the liability of Target for Taxes. There are
no liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable) upon
the assets of Target.

         (f) Target has never been a member of an affiliated group of
corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code, filing a
consolidated Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which is
Target). Target has no liability for Taxes of any other person or entity

                                       37
<PAGE>

under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign law), as a Transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

         (g) Neither Target nor any Person on behalf of Target has entered into
or will enter into any agreement or consent pursuant to the collapsible
corporation provisions of Section 341(f) of the Code (or any corresponding
provision of state, local or foreign income Tax law) or agreed to have Section
341(f)(2) of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign
income Tax law) apply to any disposition of any asset owned by Target. None of
the assets of Target is property that Target is required to treat as being owned
by any other Person pursuant to the so-called "safe harbor lease" provisions of
former Section 168(f)(8) of the Code. None of the assets of Target directly or
indirectly secures any debt the interest on which is tax-exempt under Section
103(a) of the Code. None of the assets of Target is "tax-exempt use property"
within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code. Target has not made and will
not make a deemed dividend election under Treas. Reg. (S).1.1502-32(f)(2) or a
consent dividend election under Section 565 of the Code. Target has never been a
party (either as a distributing corporation as a corporation that has been
distributed) to any transaction intended to qualify under Section 355 of the
Code or any corresponding provision of state law. Target has not participated in
(and will not participate in) an international boycott within the meaning of
Section 999 of the Code. No Target Stockholder is other than a United States
Person within the meaning of the Code. Target does not have and has not had a
permanent establishment in any foreign country, as defined in any applicable tax
treaty or convention between the United States of America and such foreign
country and Target has not engaged in a trade or business within any foreign
country.

         (h) In 1999, Target intended, but never elected to be treated as an
S-corporation under Section 1362 of the Code or any corresponding provision of
federal or state law. All material

                                       38
<PAGE>

elections with respect to Target's Taxes made during the fiscal years ending,
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 are reflected on the Target Tax Returns for
such periods, copies of which have been provided or made available to Acquiror.
After the date of this Agreement, no material election with respect to Taxes
will be made without the prior written consent of Acquiror, which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

         (i) Target is not party to any joint venture, partnership, or other
arrangement or contract which could be treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes. Target is not currently and never has been subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 6038A of the Code. There is no agreement,
contract or arrangement to which Target is a party that could, individually or
collectively, result in the payment of any amount that would not be deductible
by reason of Sections 280G (as determined without regard to Section 280G(b)(4)),
162(a) (by reason of being unreasonable in amount), 162 (b) through (p) or 404
of the Code. Target is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing
or Tax allocation agreement (whether written or unwritten or arising under
operation of federal law as a result of being a member of a group filing
consolidated Tax returns, under operation of certain state laws as a result of
being a member of a unitary group, or under comparable laws of other states or
foreign jurisdictions) which includes a party other than Target nor does Target
owe any amount under any such Agreement. Target is not, and has not been, a
United States real property holding corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2)
of the Code) during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii)
of the Code. Other than by reason of the Reverse Merger, Target has not been and
will not be required to include any material adjustment in Taxable income for
any Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 or 263A of the Code
or any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax laws as a result of
transactions, events or accounting methods employed prior to the Reverse Merger.

                                       39
<PAGE>

         (j) Target will not be required to include any item of income in, or
exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period after
the Effective Date as a result of any (A) "closing agreement" described in Code
Section 7121; (B) deferred intercompany gain or excess loss account described in
Treasury Regulations under Code Section 1502; (C) installment sale or open
transaction disposition made on or before the Effective Date; or (D) prepaid
amount received on or prior to the Effective Date.

     2.15 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

         (a) For all purposes under this Section 2.15 "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall
mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that, together with
Target, is treated as a single employer or required to be aggregated with Target
under Section 4001(b) of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code. Except for the plans
and agreements listed in Section 2.15 to the Target Disclosure Schedules
(collectively, the "PLANS"), Target and its ERISA Affiliates for the last five
(5) years have not maintained, are not parties to, have not contributed to and
are not obligated to contribute to, and employees or former employees of Target
and its ERISA Affiliates and their dependents or survivors are not entitled to
receive benefits under, any of the following (whether or not set forth in a
written document):

              (i)     Any employee benefit plan, as defined in section 3(3) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA");

              (ii)    Any bonus, deferred compensation, incentive, restricted
stock, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation right, phantom stock,
supplemental pension, executive compensation, cafeteria benefit, dependent care,
director or employee loan, fringe benefit, sabbatical, severance, termination
pay or similar plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement; or

                                       40
<PAGE>

              (iii)   Any plan, program, agreement, policy, commitment or other
arrangement relating to the provision of any benefit described in section 3(1)
of ERISA to former employees or directors or to their survivors, other than
procedures intended to comply with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA").

         (b) Neither Target nor any ERISA Affiliate has, since January 1, 1994,
terminated, suspended, discontinued contributions to or withdrawn from any
employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, including
(without limitation) any multiemployer plan, as defined in section 3(37) of
ERISA.

         (c) Target has provided to Acquiror complete, accurate and current
copies of each of the following:

              (i)     The text (including amendments) of each of the Plans and
related trust agreements, to the extent reduced to writing;

              (ii)    A summary of each of the Plans, to the extent not
previously reduced to writing;

              (iii)   With respect to each Plan that is an employee benefit plan
(as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA), the following:

                   (1) The most recent summary plan description, as described in
section 102 of ERISA;

                   (2) Any summary of material modifications that has been
distributed to participants but has not been incorporated in an updated summary
plan description furnished under Subparagraph (1) above;

                                       41
<PAGE>

                   (3) The annual report, as described in section 103 of ERISA,
and (where applicable) actuarial reports, for the three most recent plan years
for which an annual report or actuarial report has been prepared;

                   (4) The most recent actuarial report prepaid for each Plan;
and

              (iv)    With respect to each Plan that is intended to qualify
under section 401(a) of the Code the most recent determination letter concerning
the plan's qualification under section 401(a) of the Code, as issued by the
Internal Revenue Service, and any subsequent determination letter application.

         (d) With respect to each Plan that is an employee benefit plan (as
defined in section 3(3) of ERISA), the requirements of ERISA applicable to such
Plan have been satisfied.

         (e) With respect to each Plan that is subject to COBRA, the
requirements of COBRA applicable to such Plan have been satisfied.

         (f) With respect to each Plan that is subject to the Family Medical
Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the requirements of such Act applicable to such
Plan have been satisfied.

         (g) Each Plan that is intended to qualify under section 401(a) of the
Code meets the requirements for qualification under section 401(a) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder, except to the extent that such requirements may
be satisfied by adopting retroactive amendments under section 401(b) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder. Each such Plan has been administered in
accordance with its terms (or, if applicable, such terms as will be adopted
pursuant to a retroactive amendment under section 401(b) of the Code) and the
applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations thereunder.

                                       42
<PAGE>

         (h) Neither Target nor any ERISA Affiliate has any accumulated funding
deficiency under section 412 of the Code (whether or not waived) nor any
termination or withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA, nor has any waiver
been received or requested.

         (i) All contributions, premiums or other payments due from the Target
to (or under) any Plan have been fully paid or adequately provided for on the
books and financial statements of Target. All accruals (including, where
appropriate, proportional accruals for partial periods) have been made in
accordance with prior practices.

         (j) There are no pending or threatened claims, lawsuits or actions
(other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course) asserted or instituted
against the assets of any Plan or trust or fiduciary of the Plan with respect to
the operation of any Plan.

     2.16 EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS.

         (a) Target has provided Acquiror with a true and complete list of all
Persons employed by or rendering consulting services to Target as of the date
hereof and the position and base compensation (and bonus/incentive amounts)
payable to each such Person. Section 2.16 of the Target Disclosure Schedule
contains a description of any written or oral employment agreements, consulting
agreements or termination or severance agreements to which Target is a party. As
of the date hereof Target has terminated any and all employment and/or
consulting agreements with each Principal Stockholder and Target has consented
to the Principal Stockholders entering into the Employment Agreements pursuant
to Section 6.1(d) below.

         (b) Target is not a party to or subject to a labor union or a
collective bargaining agreement or arrangement and is not a party to any labor
or employment dispute.

         (c) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
result in (i) any amount becoming payable to any employee, director or
independent contractor of Target, (ii)

                                       43
<PAGE>

except as set forth in Section 2.16 of the Target Disclosure Schedule, the
acceleration of payment or vesting of any benefit, option or right to which any
employee, director or independent contractor of Target may be entitled, (iii)
the forgiveness of any indebtedness of any employee, director or independent
contractor of Target or (iv) any cost becoming due or accruing to Target or the
Acquiror with respect to any employee, director or independent contractor of
Target.

         (d) Target is not obligated and upon consummation of the Reverse Merger
will not be obligated to make any payment or transfer any property that would be
considered a "parachute payment" under section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

         (e) To Target's Knowledge, no employee of Target has been injured in
the work place or in the course of his or her employment except for injuries
which are covered by insurance or for which a claim has been made under workers'
compensation or similar laws.

         (f) Target has complied in all material respects with the verification
requirements and the record-keeping requirements of the Immigration Reform and
Control Act of 1986 ("IRCA"); to Target's Knowledge, the information and
documents on which Target relied to comply with IRCA are true and correct; and
there have not been any discrimination complaints filed against Target pursuant
to IRCA, and to the knowledge of Target, there is no basis for the filing of
such a complaint.

         (g) Target has not received or been notified of any complaint by any
employee, applicant, union or other party of any discrimination or other conduct
forbidden by law or contract, nor to Target's Knowledge, is there a basis for
any complaint.

         (h) Target's action in complying with the terms of this Agreement will
not violate any agreements with any of Target's employees.

                                       44
<PAGE>

         (i) Target has filed all required reports and information with respect
to its employees that are due prior to the Closing Date and otherwise has
complied in its hiring, employment, promotion, termination and other labor
practices with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations,
including without limitation, those within the jurisdiction of the United States
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Labor and
state and local human rights or civil rights agencies. Target has filed and
shall file any such reports and information that are required to be filed prior
to the Closing Date.

         (j) Except as set forth in Section 2.16 of the Target Disclosure
Schedule, to Target's Knowledge, none of Target's employees or contractors is
obligated under any agreement, commitments, judgment, decree, order or otherwise
(an "EMPLOYEE OBLIGATION") that could reasonably be expected to interfere with
the use of his or her best efforts to promote the interests of Target or that
could reasonably be expected to conflict with any of Target's business as
conducted or currently proposed to be conducted. Neither the execution nor
delivery of this Agreement nor the conduct of Target's business as conducted or
currently proposed, will, to Target's Knowledge, conflict with or result in a
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any Employee Obligation.

     2.17 RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS. No employee, officer, consultant or
director of Target or member of his or her immediate family is indebted to
Target, nor is Target indebted (or committed to make loans or extend or
guarantee credit) to any of them. To the Target's Knowledge, none of such
persons has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any Person with which
Target is affiliated or with which Target has a business relationship, or any
Person that competes with Target, except to the extent that employees, officers,
or directors of Target and members of their immediate families own stock in
publicly traded companies that may compete with the Company. No member

                                       45
<PAGE>

of the immediate family of any officer or director of Target is directly or
indirectly interested in any Material Contract with Target.

     2.18 INSURANCE. Target has policies of insurance and bonds of the type and
in amounts customarily carried by persons conducting businesses or owning assets
similar to those of Target. There is no material claim pending under any of such
policies or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed
by the underwriters of such policies or bonds. All premiums due and payable
under all such policies and bonds have been paid and Target is otherwise in
material compliance with the terms of such policies and bonds. To Target's
Knowledge, there is no threatened termination of, or material premium increase
with respect to, any of such policies.

     2.19 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Target has complied with, is not in violation
of, and has not received any notices of violation with respect to, any federal,
state, local or foreign statute, law or regulation with respect to the conduct
of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business, except for such
violations or failures to comply as would not result in a Material Adverse
Effect on Target.

     2.20 BROKERS' AND FINDERS' FEES. Except as set forth in Section 2.20 of the
Target Disclosure Schedule, Target has not incurred, nor will it incur, directly
or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or investment bankers' fees or any similar charges ("BROKER FEES")
in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

     2.21 TARGET STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

         (a) All of the Target Stockholders have (i) consented in writing to and
approved the Reverse Merger, (ii) appointed Scott Hockler as the agent for and
on behalf of the Target Stockholders under this Agreement (the "STOCKHOLDERS'
AGENT") and (iii) had an opportunity to review all of Acquiror's filings and
reports with the Commission ("ACQUIROR MATERIALS").

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<PAGE>

         (b) The Principal Stockholders have agreed in writing to vote for the
approval of the Reverse Merger pursuant to voting agreements contained in
Section 5.9 below.

     2.22 VOTE REQUIRED. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
each class of the shares of Target Common Stock outstanding on the record date
set for the meeting of Target Stockholders entitled to vote on the approval of
this Agreement and the Reverse Merger or the date of the written consent of such
stockholders with respect to the approval of this Agreement and the Reverse
Merger is the only vote of the holders of any of Target's Capital Stock
necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     2.23 INVENTORY. The inventories shown on the Target Balance Sheet or
thereafter acquired by Target, consisted of items of a quantity and quality
usable or salable in the ordinary course of business. Since Target's inception,
Target has continued to replenish inventories in a normal and customary manner
consistent with Target's past practices. The values at which inventories are
carried reflect the inventory valuation policy of Target, which is the method of
valuing the cost of goods sold that uses the cost of the oldest items in
inventory first, and such method is consistent with its past practice and in
accordance with GAAP. Since Target's inception, due provision was made on the
books of Target in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices to provide for all slow-moving, obsolete, or unusable inventories to
their estimated useful or scrap values and such inventory reserves are adequate
to provide for such slow-moving, obsolete or unusable inventory and inventory
shrinkage.

     2.24 TRADE RELATIONS. All of the prices charged by Target in connection
with the marketing or sale of any products or services have been in compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations. No claims have been communicated or,
to Target's Knowledge, threatened against Target with respect to wrongful
termination of any dealer, distributor or any other marketing entity,

                                       47
<PAGE>

discriminatory pricing, price fixing, unfair competition, false advertising, or
any other material violation of any laws or regulations relating to
anti-competitive practices or unfair trade practices of any kind, and, to
Target's Knowledge, no specific situation, set of facts, or occurrence provides
any valid basis for any such claim.

     2.25 SUPPLIERS. As of the date hereof, no supplier of Target, has canceled
or otherwise terminated, or made any threat to Target to cancel or otherwise
terminate its relationship with Target for any reason including, without
limitation the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or has at
any time since Target's inception, decreased materially its services or supplies
to Target in the case of any such supplier and to Target's Knowledge, no such
supplier intends to cancel or otherwise terminate its relationship with Target
or to decrease materially its services or supplies to Target or has sought, or
is seeking, to materially increase the price it will charge for products, goods
or services. Target has not knowingly breached, so as to provide a benefit to
Target that was not intended by the parties, any agreement with, or engaged in
any fraudulent conduct with respect to any supplier of Target.

     2.26 MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Except for the material contracts described on
Section 2.26 of the Target Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "MATERIAL
CONTRACTS"), Target is not a party to or bound by any material contract,
including without limitation:

         (a) any distributor, sales, advertising, agency or manufacturer's
representative contract;

         (b) any continuing contract for the purchase of materials, supplies,
equipment or services involving in the case of any such contact more than
$50,000 over the life of the contract;

         (c) any contract that expires or may be renewed at the option of any
person other than the Target so as to expire more than one year after the date
of this Agreement;

                                       48
<PAGE>

         (d) any trust indenture, mortgage, promissory note, loan agreement or
other contract for the borrowing of money, any currency exchange, commodities or
other hedging arrangement or any leasing transaction of the type required to be
capitalized in accordance with GAAP;

         (e) any contract for capital expenditures in excess of $50,000 in the
aggregate;

         (f) any contract limiting the freedom of the Target to engage in any
line of business or to compete with any other Person as that term is defined in
the 1934 Act, or any confidentiality, secrecy or non-disclosure contract;

         (g) any contract pursuant to which Target leases any real property;

         (h) any contract pursuant to which the Target is a lessor of any
machinery, equipment, motor vehicles, office furniture, fixtures or other
personal property;

         (i) any contract with any person with whom the Target does not deal at
arm's length within the meaning of the Code;

         (j) any agreement of guarantee, support, indemnification, assumption or
endorsement of, or any similar commitment with respect to, the obligations,
liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) or indebtedness
of any other Person;

         (k) any license, sublicense or other agreement to which Target is a
party (or by which it or any Target Intellectual Property is bound or subject)
and pursuant to which any person has been or may be assigned, authorized to use,
or given access to any Target Intellectual Property other than (A) access to or
use of standard object code product pursuant to a customary non-exclusive
end-user, object code, internal-use software license and support/maintenance
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business or (B) access
provided in the ordinary course of business under a customary
nondisclosure/nonuse agreement;

                                       49
<PAGE>

         (l) any license, sublicense or other agreement pursuant to which Target
has been or may be assigned or authorized to use, or has or may incurred any
obligation in connection with, (i) any third party Intellectual Property that is
incorporated in or form a part of any current or proposed product, service or
Intellectual Property offering of Target or (ii) any Target Intellectual
Property;

         (m) any agreement pursuant to which Target has deposited or is required
to deposit with an escrow holder or any other person or entity, all or part of
the source code (or any algorithm or documentation contained in or relating to
any source code) of any Target Intellectual Property ("SOURCE MATERIALS");

         (n) any agreement to indemnify, hold harmless or defend any other
person with respect to any assertion of personal injury, damage to property or
Intellectual Property infringement, misappropriation or violation or warranting
the lack thereof;

         (o) any orders/purchase agreements/product licenses end user licenses
arising in the ordinary course of business;

         (p) any watch orders (or purchase orders) (for vintage watches or
otherwise) including a single watch with a sale price greater than $10,000 which
has either not yet been shipped or has been shipped but not paid for by the
subject customer in full; and

         (q) any other agreement, contract, lease, license, or royalty
agreement, commitment or instrument (or a related group of any of the foregoing)
to which Target is a party or by or to which the assets or business of Target is
bound or subject (other than purchase contracts and orders for inventory in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) under which, in any
case, Target has an aggregate liability after the Closing Date in excess of
$50,000.

                                       50
<PAGE>

     2.27 NO BREACH OF MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Except as set forth in Section 2.27
of the Target Disclosure Schedule, the Target has performed all of the
obligations required to be performed by it and is entitled to all benefits
under, and, to Target's Knowledge, is not alleged to be in default in respect of
any Material Contract. Except as set forth in Section 2.27 of the Target
Disclosure Schedule, each of the Material Contracts is in full force and effect,
unamended, and there exists no default or event of default or event, occurrence,
condition or act, with respect to Target or to Target's Knowledge with respect
to the other contracting party, or otherwise that, with or without the giving of
notice, the lapse of the time or the happening of any other event or conditions,
would (i) become a default or event of default under any Material Contract,
which default would result in a Material Adverse Effect on Target or (ii) result
in the loss or expiration of any right or option by Target (or the gain thereof
by any third party) under any Material Contract or (iii) the release, disclosure
or delivery to any third party of any part of the Source Materials. True,
correct and complete copies of all Material Contracts have been delivered to the
Acquiror.

     2.28 THIRD-PARTY CONSENTS. Section 2.28(a) of the Target Disclosure
Schedule lists all watch brand contracts ("WATCH BRAND CONTRACTS") that require
a novation or consent to assignment, as the case may be, prior to the Effective
Time so that Acquiror shall be made a party in place of Target or as assignee
(or so that the Surviving Corporation will not be in default thereunder as a
result of the Reverse Merger). Section 2.28(b) of the Target Disclosure Schedule
lists all contracts (other than Watch Brand Contracts) that require a novation
or consent to assignment, as the case may be, prior to the Effective Time so
that Acquiror shall be made a party in place of Target or as assignee (or so
that the Surviving Corporation will not be in default thereunder as a result of
the Reverse Merger). Such list in Section 2.28(a) and (b) of the Target
Disclosure Schedule is complete and accurate.

                                       51
<PAGE>

     2.29 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].

     2.30 MINUTE BOOKS. The copies of the portions of the minute books of Target
furnished to Acquiror contain a complete and accurate summary of all meetings of
directors and stockholders or actions by written consent since the time of
incorporation of Target through the date of this Agreement, and reflect all
transactions referred to in such minutes accurately in all material respects.

     2.31 COMPLETE COPIES OF MATERIALS. Target has delivered or made available
true and complete copies of each document which has been requested by Acquiror
or its counsel in connection with their legal and accounting review of Target.

     2.32 BANK ACCOUNTS; CREDIT AND CHARGE CARDS. Section 2.32 of the Target
Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list as of the date hereof (a)
of all banks, trust companies and savings and loan associations in which the
Target maintains an account (and the account number thereof) or safe deposit
vault and the names of all Persons authorized to draw thereon and the balances
on such accounts as of February 14, 2001; and (b) of all credit and charge cards
issued in the name of the Target or any of its employees, officers or directors
and for which the Target has any liability and the outstanding balances on each
such card as of February 14, 2001.

     2.33 PRIVACY GUIDELINES. Attached as EXHIBIT 2.33 is a true, correct and
complete copy of the Target's website privacy policy and guidelines and terms of
use ("WEBSITE GUIDELINES"), including any and all prior versions of the Website
Guidelines as such Website Guidelines have appeared on the Target's website
during the duration of its operation.

     2.34 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by the Target or any Target Stockholder (the "STOCKHOLDER MATERIALS")
for inclusion in any materials provided to Target Stockholders or the Acquiror
will, at the dates mailed to the Target Stockholders or the Acquiror and at the
effective date of the stockholder action, contain any untrue statement of

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<PAGE>

a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading. The Stockholder Materials will comply as to
form with the provisions of all applicable laws, rules and regulations of all
Governmental Entities. The Target acknowledges that the Acquiror decision to
enter into this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and the Reverse Merger is
based on the due diligence investigation with respect to the Stockholder
Materials. The Stockholder Materials contain all the material information with
respect to the Target and there are no other material terms or information with
respect to the Target other than the information and terms which are evidenced
by the Stockholder Materials.

     2.35 REPRESENTATIONS COMPLETE. No financial statement, Exhibit, Target
Disclosure Schedule section or document required by this Agreement to be
prepared or furnished by or on behalf of the Target or any Target Stockholder to
the Acquiror and/or Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement or any
agreement contemplated hereby or delivered pursuant hereto, contained or
contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The Principal Stockholders, and each
of them, shall notify the Surviving Corporation promptly of the occurrence of
any event or the discovery of any fact to the contrary. The representations and
warranties set forth in this Article II in the aggregate (a) are true and
correct even without the materiality exceptions or qualifications contained
therein except for such exceptions and qualifications which, in the aggregate,
for all such representations and warranties, are not and could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Target and (b) do not
contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

                                       53
<PAGE>

     2.36 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. All material requested by each of the
Target Stockholders regarding Acquiror (including the Acquiror Materials) has
been furnished to each Target Stockholder prior to the date of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and has been carefully reviewed by each of Target
Stockholders. Each of the Target Stockholders has had an opportunity to review
carefully all of the Acquiror's SEC Documents and has been granted the
opportunity (i) to ask questions of, and receive answers from, representatives
and management of Acquiror concerning the affairs and business of Acquiror, and
(ii) to obtain additional information which the Acquiror possesses or can
acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary or desirable to
verify the accuracy of the material furnished to each such stockholder regarding
Acquiror. The Target and the Target Stockholders are familiar with the affairs,
business and prospects of Acquiror. Each of the Target Stockholders understands
that the Total Acquiror Shares will not have been registered under the
Securities Act, or any Blue Sky Laws, and are being offered and sold under an
exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and
exemptions for private offerings under Blue Sky Laws. Such shares are being
acquired by the Target Stockholders solely for their own account, for investment
purposes only, and are not being purchased with a view to, or in connection
with, any resale, distribution, subdivision or fractionalization. Each of the
Target Stockholders shall bear the economic risk of the investment in the shares
of Acquiror Common Stock for an indefinite period of time because of the
limitations on transfer under applicable securities laws (including, without
limitation, Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act). Each of the Target
Stockholders is an "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" as the term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. Each of the Target
Stockholders is able to bear the economic risk of the purchase of the Acquiror
Common Stock acquired pursuant to the

                                       54
<PAGE>

terms of this Agreement, including a complete loss of such stockholder's
investment in the Acquiror Common Stock.

     2.37 KNOWLEDGE DEFINITION. As used in this Agreement, "TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE TARGET," "TARGET'S KNOWLEDGE" and like phrases shall mean and include:

         (a) actual knowledge; and

         (b) that knowledge which a prudent businessperson (including, the
officers, directors, other key employees, and/or Principal Stockholders of
Target) would have obtained in the management of his or her business affairs
after reviewing the Article II in detail and making due inquiry and exercising
reasonable diligence with respect thereto. In connection therewith, the
knowledge (both actual and constructive) of any of the (i) the Principal
Stockholders and (ii) officers, directors or other key employees or consultants
of the Target shall be imputed to be the knowledge of the Target.

                                   ARTICLE III
            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB

     Acquiror and Merger Sub represent and warrant to Target and the Principal
Stockholders that the statements contained in this Article III are true and
correct, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by Acquiror to
Target prior to the execution and delivery of (and attached to) this Agreement
(the "ACQUIROR DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"). The Acquiror Disclosure Schedule shall be
arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered Sections and
subsections and subclauses contained in this Article III, and (absent a specific
cross reference in the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule to another Section or
subsection or subclause in this Article III) the disclosure

                                       55
<PAGE>

in any paragraph in the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule shall qualify only the
specific Section or subsection or subclause under which such paragraph appears.

     3.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER. Each of Acquiror and its subsidiaries
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each of Acquiror and its subsidiaries
has the corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as
now being conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted and is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would have a Material
Adverse Effect on Acquiror. Acquiror has delivered a true and correct copy of
the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or other charter documents, as
applicable, of Acquiror and Merger Sub, each as amended to date, to Target.
Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub (or any other subsidiary) is in violation of any
of the provisions of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or equivalent
organizational documents. Acquiror is the owner of all outstanding shares of
capital stock of each of its subsidiaries and all such shares are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary are owned by Acquiror free and
clear of all liens, charges, claims or encumbrances or rights of others. There
are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts, calls, rights,
exchangeable or convertible securities or other commitments or agreements of any
character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other securities
of any such subsidiary, or otherwise obligating Acquiror or any such subsidiary
to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such
securities.

     3.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of Acquiror consists of
100,000,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock, $.001 par value, of which
46,644,246 were issued and outstanding as of the close of business on January
3, 2001, 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,

                                       56
<PAGE>

$.001 par value, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of the close
of business on January 3, 2001, and no shares of convertible Preferred Shares
authorized, $.001 par value, of which no shares were outstanding as of the close
of business on January 3, 2001. As of February 8, 2001, the portion of Acquiror
Common Stock outstanding that is in the hands of public investors and not held
by officers, directors or other controlled-interest investors of the Acquiror
was approximately 8,800,000. There are no other outstanding shares of capital
stock or voting securities of Acquiror other than 6,900,000 shares of Acquiror
Common Stock reserved for issuance upon (i) the exercise of options issued under
the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, and the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively,
the "ACQUIROR STOCK OPTION PLANS") or (ii) the exercise of subscription rights
outstanding as of such date under the Acquiror Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
"ACQUIROR ESPP"). The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 100
shares of Acquiror Common Stock, $.001 par value, all of which are issued and
outstanding and are held by Acquiror. All outstanding shares of Acquiror have
been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are nonassessable and free
of any liens or encumbrances other than any liens or encumbrances created by or
imposed upon the holders thereof and are not subject to preemptive rights,
rights of first refusal or other similar rights created by statute, the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Acquiror or Merger Sub or any
agreement to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which it is bound. As
of December 31, 2000, Acquiror had reserved (i) 17,267,250 shares of Common
Stock for issuance to employees, directors and independent contractors pursuant
to the Acquiror Stock Option Plans, of which approximately 2,493,138 shares have
been issued pursuant to option exercises, and approximately 8,970,992 shares are
subject to outstanding, unexercised options, and (ii) 950,000 shares of Acquiror
Common Stock for issuance to employees pursuant to the Acquiror ESPP, of which
79,415 shares have been issued. Other than (i) as set forth above, (ii) the
commitment to issue

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shares of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and (iii) as set
forth on Section 3.1 of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, there are no other
options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to
which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which either of them is bound
obligating Acquiror or Merger Sub to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or redeem,
or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any shares of
the capital stock of Acquiror or Merger Sub or obligating Acquiror or Merger Sub
to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment
or agreement. The shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the
Reverse Merger will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-
assessable, will not be subject to any preemptive or other statutory right of
stockholders, will be issued in compliance with applicable U.S. Federal and
state securities laws and will be free of any liens or encumbrances other than
any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders thereof. There
are no contracts, commitments or agreements relating to voting, registration,
purchase or sale of Acquiror's capital stock (i) between or among Acquiror and
any of its stockholders or (ii) to Acquiror's knowledge, between or among any of
Acquiror's stockholders or between any of Acquiror's stockholders and any third
party.

     3.3 AUTHORITY.

         (a) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of each of
Acquiror and Merger Sub. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to
the extent executed and delivered on the date hereof have been (and to the
extent executed and delivered after the date hereof

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<PAGE>

will have been) duly executed and delivered by each of Acquiror and Merger Sub
and upon execution and delivery shall constitute the valid and binding
obligations of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub enforceable against such Person
in accordance with their respective terms.

         (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents do (and will) not, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with, or result
in any violation of, or default under (with or without notice or lapse of time,
or both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration
of any obligation or loss of a benefit or result in the creation of any lien or
encumbrance against any of the Acquiror's assets, properties, contract rights or
business under (i) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries, as amended, or (ii) any agreement
required to be filed as an exhibit to Acquiror's Form 10-K pursuant to
Regulation S-K, Item 601, applicable to Acquiror and its subsidiaries the
violation of which would result in Material Adverse Effect on the Acquiror.

         (c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity, is required by or with
respect to Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents by Acquiror or
the consummation by Acquiror of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
except for (i) the filing of the Agreement of Merger, together with the required
officers' certificates, as provided in Section 1.2, (ii) the filing of a Form
8-K with the Commission and National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD")
within 15 days after the Closing Date, (iii) any filings as may be required
under applicable state securities laws and the securities laws of any foreign
country, (iv) the filing with the Nasdaq National Market of a Notification Form
for Listing of Additional Shares with respect to the shares of Acquiror Common
Stock issuable upon

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<PAGE>

conversion of the Target Common Stock in the Reverse Merger and (v) such other
consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which, if not
obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.

     3.4 SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; NASD LISTING. Acquiror has made
available to Target and to Principal Stockholders a true and complete copy of
each statement, report, registration statement (with the prospectus in the form
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act), and other filings filed
with the Commission by Acquiror since June 1, 2000 and, prior to the Effective
Time, Acquiror will have furnished Target with true and complete copies of any
additional documents filed with the Commission by Acquiror prior to the
Effective Time (collectively, the "ACQUIROR SEC DOCUMENTS"). In addition,
Acquiror has made available to Target all exhibits to the Acquiror SEC Documents
filed prior to the date hereof, and will promptly make available to Target all
exhibits to any additional Acquiror SEC Documents filed prior to the Effective
Time. All documents required to be filed as exhibits to the Acquiror SEC
Documents have been so filed, and all material contracts so filed as exhibits
are in full force and effect, except those which have expired in accordance with
their terms, and neither Acquiror nor any of its subsidiaries is in default
thereunder. As of their respective filing dates, the Acquiror SEC Documents
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the
Securities Act, and none of the Acquiror SEC Documents contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent
corrected by a subsequently filed Acquiror SEC Document. The financial
statements of Acquiror, including the notes thereto, included in the Acquiror
SEC Documents (the "ACQUIROR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS") were complete and correct in
all material respects as of their respective dates, complied as to form

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<PAGE>

in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the
published rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as of
their respective dates, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied
on a basis consistent throughout the periods indicated and consistent with each
other (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of
unaudited statements included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as permitted by
Form 10-Q of the Commission). The Acquiror Financial Statements fairly present
the consolidated financial condition and operating results of Acquiror and its
subsidiaries at the dates and during the periods indicated therein (subject, in
the case of unaudited statements, for the absence of footnotes and year- end
adjustments in accordance with Target's past practices which would not be
material in the aggregate). As of the date hereof, Acquiror's Common Stock is
listed for trading on the NASDAQ/NMS Market, and (excluding the general
application of the NASDAQ's and NASD's continued listing requirements) the
Acquiror has no actual knowledge of any notification from the NASD that the NASD
intends to delist the Acquiror Common Stock from such Market.

     3.5 BROKERS' AND FINDERS' FEES. Neither the Acquiror nor Merger Sub has
incurred, nor will either incur Broker Fees in connection with the Agreement or
any transaction contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                       CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME

     4.1 GENERAL CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF TARGET. During the period from the date
of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement and the Effective Time, Target agrees and Principal Stockholders agree
to cause Target (except to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement
or as consented to in writing by the Acquiror) to carry on its

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<PAGE>

business in the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the same
manner as heretofore conducted. Target further agrees to (i) pay debts and Taxes
when due subject to good faith disputes over such debts or Taxes, (ii) subject
to Acquiror's consent to the filing of material Tax Returns if applicable, pay
or perform other obligations when due, and (iii) use all commercially reasonable
efforts consistent with past practice and policies to preserve intact its
present business organizations, keep available the services of its present
officers, key employees and contractors and preserve its relationships with
customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees, and others having
business dealings with it to the end that its goodwill and ongoing businesses
shall be unimpaired at the Effective Time. Target agrees to promptly notify
Acquiror of any event or occurrence not in the ordinary course of its business,
and of any event which could have a Material Adverse Effect on Target. Without
limiting the foregoing, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement,
Target shall not cause or permit any of the following without the prior written
consent of the Acquiror:

         (a) CHARTER DOCUMENTS. Cause or permit any amendments to its
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;

         (b) DIVIDENDS; CHANGES IN CAPITAL STOCK. Declare or pay any dividends
on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in
respect of any of its capital stock, or split, combine or reclassify any of its
capital stock or (other than the Target Option Share Issuance) issue or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for shares of its capital stock, or repurchase or otherwise
acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock except from
former employees, directors and consultants in accordance with agreements
providing for the repurchase of shares in connection with any termination of
service to it;

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<PAGE>

         (c) OTHER. Take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the
actions described in Sections 4.1(a) and (b) above, or any action which would
make any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement untrue
or incorrect or prevent it from performing or cause it not to perform its
covenants hereunder.

     4.2 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF TARGET. During the period from the date of this
Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement
and the Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement,
Target shall not (and the Principal Stockholders agree to cause Target not to)
do, cause or permit any of the following without the prior written consent of
Acquiror:

         (a) MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Enter into any material contract, agreement,
license or commitment, or violate, amend or otherwise modify or waive any of the
terms of any of its Material Contracts other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;

         (b) STOCK OPTION PLANS, ETC. Accelerate, amend or change the period of
exercisability or vesting of options or other rights granted under its stock
plans or authorize cash payments in exchange for any options or other rights
granted under any of such plans;

         (c) ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES. Issue, deliver or sell or authorize or
propose the issuance, delivery or sale of, or purchase or propose the purchase
of, any shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into, or
subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire, or other agreements or
commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares or other
convertible securities, other than the issuance of shares of its Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of stock options, warrants or other rights therefor
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement;

         (d) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Transfer to or license any person or entity
or otherwise extend, amend or modify any rights to Target's Intellectual
Property;

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<PAGE>

         (e) EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS. Enter into or amend any agreements pursuant to
which any other party is granted exclusive marketing, manufacturing,
distribution, or other exclusive rights of any type or scope with respect to any
of its products or technology;

         (f) DISPOSITIONS. Sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of or
encumber any of its properties or assets which are material, individually or in
the aggregate, to its business;

         (g) INDEBTEDNESS. Incur or commit to incur any indebtedness for
borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt
securities or guarantee any debt securities of others;

         (h) LEASES. Enter into any operating lease requiring payments in excess
of $10,000;

         (i) PAYMENT/INSURANCE OF OBLIGATIONS. Pay, discharge or satisfy in an
amount in excess of $10,000 in any one case or $25,000 in the aggregate, any
claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise) arising other than in the ordinary course of business,
other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction of liabilities reflected or
reserved against in the Target Financial Statements;

         (j) CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Incur or commit to incur any capital
expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate;

         (k) INSURANCE. Materially reduce the amount of any insurance coverage
provided by existing insurance policies;

         (l) TERMINATION OR WAIVER. Terminate or waive any right of substantial
value, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;

         (m) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS; SEVERANCE. Take any of the following actions:
(i) increase or agree to increase the compensation payable or to become payable
to its officers,

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<PAGE>

employees or consultants, except for increases in salary or wages of non-officer
employees in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with past
practice, (ii) grant any additional severance or termination pay to, or enter
into any employment or severance agreements with, any officer, consultant or
employee, (iii) enter into any collective bargaining agreement, or (iv)
establish, adopt, enter into or amend in any material respect any bonus, profit
sharing, thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension,
retirement, deferred compensation, employment, termination, severance or other
plan, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit of any directors,
officers, employees or consultants;

         (n) LAWSUITS. Commence a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding other than
(i) for the routine collection of bills, (ii) in such cases where it in good
faith determines that failure to commence suit would result in the material
impairment of a valuable asset of its business, provided that it consults with
Acquiror prior to the filing of such a suit, or (iii) for a breach of this
Agreement;

         (o) ACQUISITIONS. Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets or
stock of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise
acquire or agree to acquire any assets which are substantial, individually or in
the aggregate, to its business;

         (p) TAXES. Make any material Tax election other than in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice, change any material Tax
election, adopt any Tax accounting method other than in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice, change any Tax accounting method,
file any Tax return (other than any estimated tax returns, immaterial
information returns, payroll tax returns or sales tax returns) or any amendment
to a Tax return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax claim or
assessment or consent to any Tax

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<PAGE>

claim or assessment provided that Acquiror shall not unreasonably withhold or
delay approval of any of the foregoing actions;

         (q) REVALUATION. Revalue any of its assets, including, without
limitation, writing down the value of inventory or writing off notes or accounts
receivable other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;

         (r) TRANSACTION FEES. Except for legal fees not in excess of $30,000
("PERMITTED LEGAL FEES") incur any legal, financial advisor and accounting fees
in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Transaction Documents and the Reverse Merger (the "TRANSACTION
FEES"); or

         (s) OTHER. Take or agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the
actions described in Sections 4.2(a) through (r) above, or any action which
would make any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement
untrue or incorrect or prevent it from performing or cause it not to perform its
covenants hereunder.

     4.3 NOTICES. Target shall give all notices and other information required
to be given to the employees of Target, any collective bargaining unit
representing any group of employees of Target, and any applicable government
authority under the National Labor Relations Act, the Code, the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, and other applicable law in connection with
the transactions provided for in this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE V
                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     5.1 NO SOLICITATION; NON-COMPETITION.

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<PAGE>

         (a) From and after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time,
Target shall not, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director,
employee, representative or agent, (i) solicit, initiate, or encourage any
inquiries or proposals that constitute, or could reasonably be expected to lead
to, a proposal or offer for a merger, consolidation, business combination, sale
of all or a substantial portion of the assets, sale of shares of capital stock
(including without limitation by way of a tender offer) or similar transactions
involving Target, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(any of the foregoing inquiries or proposals being referred to in this Agreement
as a "TAKEOVER PROPOSAL"), (ii) engage in negotiations or discussions
concerning, or provide any non-public information to any Person relating to, any
Takeover Proposal, or (iii) agree to, approve or recommend any Takeover
Proposal.

         (b) Target shall notify Acquiror immediately (and no later than 24
hours) after receipt by Target (or its advisors or agents) of any Takeover
Proposal or any request for information in connection with a Takeover Proposal
or for access to the properties, books or records of Target by any Person that
informs Target that it is considering making, or has made, a Takeover Proposal.
Such notice shall be made orally and in writing and shall indicate in reasonable
detail the identity of the offeror and the terms and conditions of such
proposal, inquiry or contact.

         (c) From and after the date of this Agreement until the second
anniversary of the Closing Date, Target and Principal Stockholders shall not (i)
induce or attempt to induce, directly or indirectly, any then current customer
or client of the Target, Acquiror or the Surviving Corporation to cease doing
business, in whole or in part, with the Target or solicit or divert, directly or
indirectly, the business of any such customer or client, or any identified
potential customer or client, for Principal Stockholders own account or for the
account of any other Person (other than for the accounts of Target or Acquiror)
or (ii) solicit or induce, directly or indirectly, any person or

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<PAGE>

entity, including any third-party service provider, distributor or supplier of
the Target, to terminate its relationship with the Target, Acquiror or the
Surviving Corporation or otherwise interfere with such relationship; it being
understood that the following actions by the Principal Stockholders shall not be
a breach of this Agreement under this Section 5.1(c): (i) the Principal
Stockholders' solicitation of consents or approvals required in connection with
the Reverse Merger under the contracts of Target set forth in Section 2.28 of
the Target Disclosure Schedule and (ii) subject to the terms of each Principal
Stockholder's Employment Agreement, after the Closing Date, the direct or
indirect contact or communication by any Principal Stockholder, on or after the
expiration of the Initial Term (as defined in each Principal Stockholder's
Employment Agreement), with any supplier of the Target if the relationship with
such supplier existed as of the date of execution of this Agreement ("EXISTING
RELATIONSHIP").

     5.2 PREPARATION OF INFORMATION STATEMENT. Prior to the Closing, Target
shall have prepared an Information Statement and delivered the Acquiror
Materials (the "TARGET STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION MATERIALS") for the Target
Stockholders to approve this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Target Stockholder Information
Materials shall constitute a disclosure document for the offer and issuance of
the shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be received by the holders of Target
Common Stock in the Reverse Merger. The Target Stockholder Information Materials
shall contain the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Target that the
Target Stockholders approve the Reverse Merger and this Agreement and the
conclusion of the Board of Directors that the terms and conditions of the
Reverse Merger are fair and reasonable to the Target Stockholders. Anything to
the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, Target shall not include in the
Target Stockholder Information Materials any

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<PAGE>

information with respect to Acquiror or its affiliates or associates, the form
and content of which information shall not have been approved by Acquiror prior
to such inclusion.

     5.3 STOCKHOLDERS MEETING OR CONSENT SOLICITATION. Prior to the Closing,
Target shall have taken all actions necessary to either (i) call a meeting of
its stockholders to be held for the purpose of voting upon this Agreement and
the Reverse Merger or (ii) commence a consent solicitation to obtain such
approvals on or prior to the Closing Date. Target will, through its Board of
Directors, recommend to its stockholders approval of the Reverse Merger as
contemplated by the Agreement. Target shall use all reasonable efforts to
solicit from its stockholders proxies or consents in favor of such matters as
soon as practicable after the date hereof.

     5.4 ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

         (a) Target shall afford Acquiror and its accountants, counsel and other
representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours during the
period commencing with the date hereof and ending at the Effective Time to (i)
all of Target's properties, books, contracts, commitments and records, and (ii)
all other information concerning the business, properties and personnel of
Target as Acquiror or its representatives may reasonably request. Target agrees
to provide to Acquiror and its accountants, counsel and other representatives
copies of internal financial statements promptly upon request.

         (b) Subject to compliance with applicable law, from the date hereof
until the Effective Time, each of Acquiror and Target shall confer on a regular
and frequent basis with one or more representatives of the other party to report
operational matters of materiality and the general status of ongoing operations.

         (c) No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation pursuant
to this Section 5.4 shall affect or be deemed to modify, amend or waive any
representation or warranty

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<PAGE>

contained herein, any indemnification obligation hereunder, or any condition to
the obligations of the parties to consummate the Reverse Merger.

     5.5 CONFIDENTIALITY. For five years from and after the date hereof, each
Principal Stockholder shall treat and hold as confidential any information
concerning the business and affairs of Target that is not already generally
available to the public (other than the Existing Relationships, the
"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"), refrain from using any of the Confidential
Information except in connection with this Agreement, and deliver promptly to
Acquiror, at the request and option of Acquiror, all tangible embodiments (and
all copies) of the Confidential Information which are in such Principal
Stockholder's possession or under such Principal Stockholder's control. In the
event that any Principal Stockholder is requested or required (by oral question
or request for information or documents in any legal proceeding, interrogatory,
subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar process) to disclose any
Confidential Information, such Principal Stockholder shall notify Acquiror
promptly of the request or requirement so that Acquiror may seek an appropriate
protective order or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.5.

     5.6 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. Unless otherwise permitted by this Agreement,
Acquiror, Merger Sub and Target shall consult with each other before issuing any
press release or otherwise making any public statement or making any other
public (or non-confidential) disclosure (whether or not in response to an
inquiry) regarding the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, and neither shall issue any such press release or make any such
statement or disclosure without the prior approval of the others (which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as may be required by
Acquiror to comply with the rules and regulations of the Commission or any
obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities
exchange or with the NASD.

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<PAGE>

     5.7 CONSENTS.

         (a) Target shall promptly apply for or otherwise seek, and use its best
efforts to obtain, all consents and approvals required to be obtained by it for
the consummation of the Reverse Merger and shall use its best efforts to obtain
all necessary consents, waivers and approvals under the Material Contracts in
connection with the Reverse Merger for the assignment thereof or otherwise.

         (b) Each of Acquiror and Target shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by any
Governmental Entity with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement under the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the
Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, and any other Federal, state or
foreign statutes, rules, regulations, orders or decrees that are designed to
prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of
monopolization or restraint of trade (collectively, "ANTITRUST LAWS" and the
resolution of any such objections "APPROVALS"). In connection therewith, if any
administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened to
be instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this Agreement as
violative of any Antitrust Law, each of Acquiror and Target shall cooperate and
use all commercially reasonable efforts vigorously to contest and resist any
such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed, or overturned
any decree, judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary, preliminary
or permanent (each an "ORDER"), that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents,
or restricts consummation of the Reverse Merger or any such other transactions,
unless by mutual agreement Acquiror and Target decide that litigation is not in
their respective best interests. Notwithstanding the provisions of the
immediately preceding sentence, it is expressly understood and agreed that
Acquiror shall have no obligation to litigate or contest any administrative or
judicial action or proceeding or any Order beyond the earlier

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<PAGE>

of (i) March 5, 2001 and (ii) the date of a ruling preliminarily enjoining the
Reverse Merger issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Each of Acquiror and
Target shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as may
be required to cause the expiration of the notice periods under the Antitrust
Laws with respect to such transactions as promptly as possible after the
execution of this Agreement.

         (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Acquiror nor Target shall be
required to agree, as a condition to any Approval, to divest itself of or hold
separate any subsidiary, division or business unit which is material to the
business of such party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the
divestiture or holding separate of which would be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on (i) of such party or (ii) the benefits intended to be
derived as a result of the Reverse Merger.

     5.8 UPDATE TARGET DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE; BREACHES. From and after the date of
this Agreement until the Effective Time, Target shall promptly notify the
Acquiror, by written update to the Target Disclosure Schedule of (i) the
occurrence or non-occurrence of any event which would be likely to cause any
condition to the obligations of Target to affect the Reverse Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement not to be satisfied, or (ii)
the failure of Target to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it pursuant to this Agreement
which would be likely to result in any condition to the obligations of any party
to effect the Reverse Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement not to be satisfied. The delivery of any notice pursuant to this
Section 5.8 shall not cure any breach of any representation, warranty or
covenant requiring disclosure of such matter prior to the date of this Agreement
or otherwise limit or affect the remedies available hereunder to the party
receiving such notice.

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     5.9 STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENTS.

         (a) Each Principal Stockholder hereby agrees that at any meeting of the
Target Stockholders, however called, or in any action by written consent of the
Target's stockholders, such Principal Stockholder shall: (i) vote all of the
Target Common Stock owned or controlled by such stockholder in favor of this
Agreement, the Certificate of Merger, the other Transaction Documents and the
Reverse Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
provided that the Board of Directors of the Target shall have approved such
Reverse Merger on or prior to the date hereof; and (ii) until the termination of
this Agreement pursuant to Article VII, vote such Target Common Stock against
any (A) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or other
similar transaction pursuant to which control of the Target would be transferred
to any Person other than Acquiror or Merger Sub, or (B) sale, lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of twenty percent (20)% or more
of the assets or business of the Target in a single transaction or in a series
of transactions.

         (b) The Principal Stockholders hereby constitute, appoint and instruct
Kenneth Kurtzman, Chief Executive Officer of Acquiror, (the "PROXY HOLDER") as
the Principal Stockholders' true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, to: (a) vote at any meeting of the Principal
Stockholders, all Target Common Stock which the Principal Stockholders owned as
of the record date for such meeting (or to execute any consent of the Principal
Stockholders in lieu of such meeting for the number of shares of the Target
Common Stock that the Principal Stockholders owned as of the date of or record
date for such consent) in favor of the approval of this Agreement, the
Certificate of Merger, the other Transaction Documents and the Reverse Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, provided that the
Board of Directors of the Target shall have approved such Reverse Merger on or
prior to the date hereof;

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and (b) until the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VII, to vote
at any meeting of the Target Stockholders, however called, all Target Common
Stock which the Principal Stockholders owned as of the record date for such
meeting (or to execute any consent of the Target Stockholders in lieu of such
meeting for the number of shares of Target Common Stock that the Principal
Stockholders owned as of the date of or record date for such consent) against
any matter referred to in Section 5.9(a)(ii)(A) and/or Section 5.9(a)(ii)(B)
hereof. Such proxy shall be limited strictly to the power to vote Target Common
Stock in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence and shall not extend to
any other matters presented for vote at such meeting, and the Principal
Stockholders shall have the right to vote the Target Common Stock on any other
matter whatsoever in the Principal Stockholders' sole discretion. The Principal
Stockholders acknowledge that the proxy granted hereby is coupled with an
interest and is irrevocable to the full extent permitted by Delaware Law. In the
event that the Principal Stockholders fail for any reason to vote the Principal
Stockholders' Target Common Stock in accordance with the requirements of this
Section 5.9, then the Proxy Holder shall have the right to vote the Target
Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.9. The vote of
the Proxy Holder shall control in any conflict between the vote by the Proxy
Holder of Target Common Stock and a vote by the Principal Stockholders of Target
Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.9(b) shall be null
and void and not binding on the Principal Stockholders unless the Principal
Stockholders will receive in the Reverse Merger shares of Acquiror Common Stock
in the same proportion or ratio as all other holders of the Target Common Stock.

     5.10 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. Each of Acquiror and Target will, and will cause
their respective subsidiaries to, take all reasonable actions necessary to
comply promptly with all legal requirements which may be imposed on them with
respect to the consummation of the transactions

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contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly cooperate with and furnish
information to any party hereto necessary in connection with any such
requirements imposed upon such other party in connection with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will take all reasonable
actions necessary to obtain (and will cooperate with the other parties hereto in
obtaining) any consent, approval, order or authorization of, or any
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or other
person, required to be obtained or made in connection with the taking of any
action contemplated by this Agreement.

     5.11 TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION. Neither Target, Acquiror nor Merger Sub will,
either before or after consummation of the Reverse Merger, take any action not
contemplated by the provisions of this Agreement which, to the knowledge of such
party, would cause the Reverse Merger to fail to constitute a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Code Section 368.

     5.12 BLUE SKY LAWS. Acquiror shall take such steps as may be necessary to
comply with the securities and blue sky laws ("BLUE SKY LAWS") of all
jurisdictions which are applicable to the issuance of the Acquiror Common Stock
in connection with the Reverse Merger. Target shall use its best efforts to
assist Acquiror as may be necessary to comply with the securities and Blue Sky
Laws of all jurisdictions which are applicable in connection with the issuance
of Acquiror Common Stock in connection with the Reverse Merger.

     5.13 [Intentionally Omitted]

     5.14 [Intentionally Omitted]

     5.15 LISTING OF ADDITIONAL SHARES. Prior to the Effective Time, Acquiror
shall file with Nasdaq a Notification Form for Listing of Additional Shares with
respect to the Total Acquiror Shares.

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     5.16 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS; BEST EFFORTS. Each of the parties agrees to use
their commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to the appropriate vote of
Target Stockholders described in Section 5.3, including cooperating fully with
the other party and by provision of any additional information. In case at any
time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Corporation
with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and
franchises, the proper officers and directors of each party to this Agreement
shall take all such necessary action.

     5.17 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. All Target employees shall be entitled to
participate in all employee benefit plans and programs of Acquiror that are
available to other similarly situated employees of Acquiror or its subsidiaries
in comparable positions. In the case of medical and health insurance coverage,
Acquiror shall cause the Surviving Corporation to either continue to insure
Target employees under Target's existing insurance plans or provide medical and
health insurance to Target employees under Acquiror's current employee benefit
plans and programs that are available to similarly situated employees of
Acquiror.

     5.18 WATCH STRAPS BUSINESS. Effective the Effective Time, each of the
Principal Stockholders hereby transfer and assigns any and all ownership, title
and interest in and to the business of licensing and/or selling watch straps and
any and all Intellectual Property held individually by such Person in connection
with or relating to such business. The Acquiror agrees that on or after the
Effective Time, Acquiror shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to launch
and develop a business of licensing and/or selling watch straps through both the
retail and wholesale marketplace via the Internet ("WATCH STRAP BUSINESS").

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     5.19 REPAIR AND VINTAGE WATCH BUSINESS. Each of the Principal Stockholders
hereby transfers and assigns any and all ownership, title and interest in and to
the business of watch servicing and any and all Intellectual Property held
individually by such Person in connection with or relating to such business.
Acquiror agrees that it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to develop
a business of watch servicing (the "SERVICE BUSINESS") and to develop and
integrate with the Acquiror's current operations Target's existing business of
pre-owned and vintage watches (the "PRE-OWNED AND VINTAGE WATCH BUSINESS").

     5.20 ACQUIROR OPTIONS. Subject to any limitations set forth in Acquiror's
stock option plan, immediately after the Effective Time, Acquiror shall grant to
Julie Shearer, 9,000 options to purchase shares of Acquiror Common Stock, at an
exercise price not to exceed the closing price of Acquiror Common Stock on the
NASDAQ on the date of grant; provided, that, in no event shall Acquiror be
obligated to grant or enter into an agreement to grant options to purchase more
than 9,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock.

     5.21 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. Target and each Principal
Stockholder hereby agree that the Employment Agreements, each dated January 12,
1999, between the Target and each Principal Stockholder, respectively, are
terminated as of the date hereof. A copy of each terminated Employment Agreement
is attached hereto as Exhibit 5.21.

     5.22 RELATIONSHIPS. On or immediately after the Effective Time, but in no
event later than five (5) days after the Effective Time, the Principal
Stockholders shall deliver to the Acquiror a list of all of the Target's and/or
Principal Stockholders' direct relationships with brand manufacturers whereby
Target purchased inventory directly.

     5.23 ICON OFFICE SOLUTIONS LITIGATION. As identified in item 3 to Section
2.8 of the Target Disclosure Schedule, Target is in litigation with Icon Office
Solutions, Inc. ("LEASE LITIGATION").

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Target shall be permitted, after approval and consent from Acquiror which shall
not be unreasonably withheld, to settle the Lease Litigation and apply in
connection with any settlement of the Lease Litigation the security deposit of
$100,000 held pursuant to the lease by Icon Office Solutions, Inc. As used in
this Agreement, the term Existing Target Liabilities shall include any
liabilities, obligations, settlement amounts or other amounts paid with respect
to the Lease Litigation in excess of $100,000.

     5.24 WATCH BRAND CONTRACTS. Immediately after the Effective Time, the
Principal Stockholders shall use their best efforts to obtain novation or
consent to assignment, as the case may be, at the Acquiror's option, to all
watch brand contracts identified on Section 5.24 to the Target Disclosure
Schedule, so that Acquiror shall be made a party in place of the Target or the
Surviving Corporation, as assignee to such contracts as soon as practicable
after the Effective Time.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                            CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

     6.1 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY TO AFFECT THE MERGER. The
respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to consummate and affect
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by agreement of all the
parties hereto:

         (a) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. This Agreement and the Reverse Merger shall
have been approved and adopted by the holders of all of the shares of Target
Common Stock outstanding as of the record date set for the Target Stockholders
Meeting or solicitation of stockholder consents. Any agreements or arrangements
that may result in the payment of any amount that would not be

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deductible by reason of Section 280G of the Code shall also have been approved
by such number of Target Stockholders as is required by the terms of Code
Section 280G(b)(5)(B).

         (b) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS; ILLEGALITY. No temporary restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
Governmental Entity preventing the consummation of the Reverse Merger shall be
in effect, nor shall any proceeding brought by any Governmental Entity seeking
any of the foregoing be pending; nor shall there be any action taken, or any
statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed
applicable to the Reverse Merger which makes the consummation of the Reverse
Merger illegal. In the event an injunction or other order shall have been
issued, each party agrees to use its reasonable diligent efforts to have such
injunction or other order lifted.

         (c) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL. Acquiror and Target and their respective
subsidiaries shall have timely obtained from each Governmental Entity all
approvals, waivers and consents, if any, necessary for consummation of or in
connection with the Reverse Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including such approvals, waivers and consents as may be required under the
Securities Act, and under state Blue Sky Laws.

         (d) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. The Acquiror (or Surviving Corporation)
shall have entered into Employment Agreements with the employees of Target
identified on Section 6.1(d) of the Target Disclosure Schedule in the form
attached hereto as EXHIBIT 6.1(d) (the "EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS")

     6.2 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF TARGET. The obligations of
Target to consummate and affect this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of
each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by
Target:

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         (a) REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The representations and
warranties of Acquiror made in this Agreement which are not qualified by
"materiality" or "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON ACQUIROR" shall be true and correct
in all material respects and the representations and warranties which are
qualified by "materiality" or "Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror" shall be
true and correct, in each case when made and on and as of the Effective Time,
with the same effect as though made on and as of the Effective Time, other than
representations and warranties that speak of a specific date or time (which need
to be true and correct as of such date or time). All covenants, obligations and
conditions of this Agreement required to be performed by Acquiror as of the
Effective Time shall have been performed or complied with, or shall have been
caused to be performed or complied with, in all material respects. Target shall
have received from Acquiror a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by
an authorized officer of Acquiror reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to Target confirming the foregoing set forth in this Section 6.2(a).

         (b) LEGAL OPINION. Target shall have received a legal opinion from
Acquiror's legal counsel, Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP ("MCS&W, LLP")
substantially in the form attached as EXHIBIT 6.2(b) hereto.

         (c) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES. There shall not have occurred any
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties,
assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, business, operations, or
results of operations of Acquiror and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole since
the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that for purposes of determining
whether there shall have been any such material adverse change, (i) any adverse
change resulting from or relating to general business or economic conditions
shall be disregarded, (ii) any adverse change resulting from or relating to
conditions generally affecting the industry in which

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Acquiror competes shall be disregarded, (iii) any adverse change resulting from
or relating to the announcement or pendency of the Reverse Merger or any of the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be disregarded, (iv) any
adverse change resulting from or relating to the taking of any action
contemplated by this Agreement shall be disregarded, and (v) any fluctuation in
trading prices, listing and/or trading volumes of Acquiror Common Stock shall be
disregarded. For purposes of this Agreement, the conditions identified in
Section 6.2(c)(i) through 6.2(c)(v) inclusive shall be referred to as the
"GENERAL MARKET AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS".

         (d) SECRETARY CERTIFICATE.

              (i) Target shall have received a certificate from Acquiror dated
the Closing Date and signed by the secretary or assistant secretary of Acquiror,
as applicable, certifying that the attached copies of its certificate of
incorporation and consents or resolutions of its Board of Directors, as
applicable, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance and approving
this Agreement are true, complete and correct and remain unamended and in full
force and effect.

              (ii) Target shall have received a certificate from Merger Sub
dated the Closing Date and signed by the secretary or assistant secretary of
Merger Sub, as applicable, certifying that the attached copies of its
certificate of incorporation and consents or resolutions of its Board of
Directors, as applicable, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance
and approving this Agreement are true, complete and correct and remain unamended
and in full force and effect.

     6.3 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR. The obligations
of Acquiror to consummate and effect this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
Effective Time of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived,
in writing, by Acquiror; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any waiver of a condition shall
not

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be deemed a waiver of any breach of any representation, warranty, agreement,
term or covenant or of any misrepresentation by the Target or any Target
Stockholder:

         (a) REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The representations and
warranties of each of Target and each Principal Stockholder made in this
Agreement (without taking into account any updates made to the Target Disclosure
Schedule pursuant to Section 5.8) which are not qualified by "materiality" or
"Material Adverse Effect on Target" shall be true and correct in all material
respects and the representations and warranties which are qualified by
"materiality" or "Material Adverse Effect on Target" shall be true and correct,
in each case when made and on and as of the Effective Time, with the same effect
as though made on and as of the Effective Time, other than representations and
warranties that speak of a specific date or time (which need to be true and
correct as of such date or time); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for purposes of this
Section 6.3(a) "Material Adverse Effect on Target" shall be determined
separately and in the aggregate for each such representation or warranty, and
without reference to any other representation or warranty. Target and the
Principal Stockholders shall have performed or complied with, or shall have
caused to be performed or complied with, in all material respects all
obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with by each such Person by the Effective Time. Acquiror shall have received
from each of Target and each Principal Stockholder a certificate dated the
Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of Target and each Principal
Stockholder, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiror
confirming the foregoing set forth in this Section 6.3(a).

         (b) CERTIFICATE OF TARGET AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS. Acquiror shall
have been provided with a certificate executed on behalf of Target by its
President and Chief Financial Officer and by each of the Principal Stockholders
to the effect that, as of the Effective Time:

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              (i) all action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of the Transaction Documents by the Target and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall have been duly and
validly taken by the Board of Directors and the Target Stockholders, and the
Acquiror shall have received copies of all resolutions evidencing same certified
by the Secretary of the Target. The Target has the full power and right to
affect the Reverse Merger on the terms provided herein; and

              (ii) As of Effective Time, Existing Target Liabilities do not
exceed $350,000.

         (c) INVENTORY. On or prior to Closing, Target shall have shipped to the
Acquiror all of its inventory for inspection and Acquiror shall have established
that the value of Target's inventory as of the Closing is at least $800,000. The
amount by which the value of Target's inventory after inspection pursuant to
this Section 6.3(c) is less than $800,000 shall be deemed to be a liability and
obligation of the Target under Section 2.6 and shall be included within the
definition of Existing Target Liabilities. Target will bear the risk of loss
with respect to such inventory prior to the Effective Time.

         (d) INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS ON REVERSE MERGER AND CONDUCT OF
BUSINESS. No proceeding brought by any Governmental Entity seeking to prevent
the consummation of the Reverse Merger shall be pending. In addition, no
temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order
issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory
restraint provision limiting or restricting Acquiror's conduct or operation of
the business of Target following the Reverse Merger shall be in effect, nor
shall any proceeding brought by any Governmental Entity.

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<PAGE>

         (e) LEGAL OPINION. Acquiror shall have received legal opinion(s) from
Target's legal counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson and/or Lester
Morse, P.C., in substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT 6.3(e).

         (f) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES. There shall not have occurred any
Material Adverse Effect on Target since the date of this Agreement.

         (g) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].

         (h) GOODSTANDING CERTIFICATES. Target shall have furnished Acquiror
with a certificate of the appropriate officials of the due organization and good
standing to do business and tax standing of the Target in Delaware and in each
jurisdiction wherein the conduct of its business or the ownership of operation
of assets requires the Target to maintain qualification as a foreign
corporation; in each case dated the Closing Date or such other date as may be
mutually agreed to by the parties.

         (i) TERMINATION OF TARGET 401(k) PLAN. If requested by Acquiror, Target
shall have terminated its 401(k) Plan, if any.

         (j) SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE. The Acquiror shall have received a
certificate from the Target, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Acquirors, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Target, certifying as to the incumbency of the
Target's officers and that the copies of the Certificate of Incorporation,
By-laws and resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Target Stockholders
approving this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which
the Target is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and
attached thereto, are all true, complete and correct and remain unamended and in
full force and effect.

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<PAGE>

         (k) OTHER DOCUMENTS. The Acquiror shall have received true, complete
and correct copies of such agreements, schedules, exhibits, certificates,
documents, financial information and filings (executed by the Target, its
officers or otherwise) as it may request in connection with or relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby, all in form and substance satisfactory to
Acquiror and its counsel.

         (l) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].

         (m) TARGET STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENTS. Acquiror shall have been furnished
with a document or series of documents duly executed by each of the Target
Stockholders (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 6.3(m), the "TARGET
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENTS") evidencing the following:

              (i) Target Stockholders' appropriate waivers and cancellation
documents with respect to the Target's Stockholders Agreement dated as of
January 13, 1999 by and among all the Target Stockholders and the Target
Stockholders' Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 13, 1999 by and
among all the Target Stockholders;

              (ii) Target Stockholders' executed Accredited Investor
questionnaires;

              (iii) Target Stockholders' approval of the Reverse Merger;

              (iv) Target Stockholders' consent, approval and appointment of the
Stockholders' Agent (Scott Hockler); and

              (v) Target Stockholders' acknowledgment that each of the Target
Stockholders has been furnished with the Target Stockholders Information
Materials and have had the opportunity to review such documents and materials.

         (n) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Acquiror shall have received Repurchase
Agreements executed by the Principal Stockholders (with respect to Acquiror
Common Stock

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issuable to them in the Reverse Merger) in form and substance satisfactory to
Acquiror in its sole discretion.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                   TERMINATION, EXPENSES, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     7.1 TERMINATION. At any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or
after approval of the matters presented in connection with the Reverse Merger by
the Target Stockholders, this Agreement may be terminated:

         (a) by mutual consent duly authorized by the Board of Directors of
Acquiror and Target;

         (b) by either Acquiror or Target, if, without fault of the terminating
party, the Closing shall not have occurred on or before March 5, 2001 (provided,
a later date may be agreed upon in writing by the Acquiror and Target, and
provided further that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section
7.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose action or failure to act has
been the cause or resulted in the failure of the Reverse Merger to occur on or
before such date where such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of
this Agreement);

         (c) by Acquiror, if (i) Target or any Principal Stockholder shall
breach any representation, warranty, obligation or agreement hereunder and such
breach shall not have been cured within five (5) business days of receipt by
Target and the Stockholders' Agent of written notice of such breach, provided
that the right to terminate this Agreement by Acquiror under this Section
7.1(c)(i) shall not be available to Acquiror where Acquiror is at that time in
material breach of this Agreement, (ii) if at any time, prior to the Effective
Time the then Existing Target Liabilities exceed $350,000, (iii) if during the
period commencing with the date hereof and ending five (5)

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business days immediately after the Target has delivered to the Acquiror its
final Target Disclosure Schedule, Acquiror shall have determined in its sole
discretion, exercised in good faith, that the observations of Acquiror made
during its due diligence investigation of Target disclosed information regarding
the Target unsatisfactory to Acquiror or (iv) if the Target has not delivered
the complete Target Disclosure Schedule on or prior to the February 28, 2001 (it
being understood that to the extent that the Target Disclosure Schedule is not
finalized by the Target and the Principal Stockholders as at the date hereof,
such Persons shall have until the February 28, 2001 to finalize and deliver to
Acquiror any portion of the Target Disclosure Schedule not delivered to Acquiror
on the date hereof). Acquiror's right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 7.1(c) is referred to in the Transaction Documents as the "Walkaway
Right"); or

         (d) by Target, if Acquiror shall breach any representation, warranty,
obligation or agreement hereunder, such breach shall have resulted in (or
evidence) a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror (provided that for purposes of
this Section 7.1(d), the definition of the term Material Adverse Effect shall
not include the word "prospects" and shall exclude an effect as a result of any
of the General Market and Economic Conditions), and such breach shall not have
been cured within five (5) days following receipt by Acquiror of written notice
of such breach, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement by Target
under this Section 7.1(d) shall not be available to Target where Target is at
that time in material breach of this Agreement;

         (e) by either Target or Acquiror if (i) any permanent injunction or
other order of a Governmental Entity preventing the consummation of the Reverse
Merger shall have become final and nonappealable; or

         (f) by Acquiror if events occur which render impossible compliance with
one or more of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 or 6.3 hereof and such
conditions are not waived by

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the Acquiror, provided that such events did not result from any action or
omission by the Acquiror which was within its control and which the Acquiror was
not expressly permitted to take or omit by the terms of this Agreement.

     7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this Agreement as
provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there
shall be no liability or obligation on the part of Acquiror, Target or Principal
Stockholders or their respective officers, directors, stockholders or
affiliates, (except to the extent that such termination results from the breach
by a party hereto of any of its representations, warranties or covenants set
forth in this Agreement); provided that, the provisions of this Section 7.2,
Section 5.5 (Confidentiality), Section 7.3 (Expenses and Termination Fees),
Article VIII (Indemnification) and Article IX (General Provisions) shall remain
in full force and effect and survive any termination of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.2 shall not relieve any party from
liability in connection with an intentional or willful material breach of this
Agreement prior to its termination and it is expressly agreed and understood
that the terminating party's right to pursue all legal remedies for breach of
contract or otherwise shall survive termination unimpaired.

     7.3 BROKER FEE; EXPENSES AND TERMINATION FEES.

         (a) Except as provided in Section 7.3(c), whether or not the Reverse
Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, the fees and expenses of advisers, accountants and legal counsel)
shall be paid by the party incurring such expense; provided, however, that in
the event that the Reverse Merger is consummated, all Transaction Fees shall
remain the obligation of the Target Stockholders (including the Principal
Stockholders). The Principal

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Stockholders agree to jointly and severally indemnify and hold Acquiror and
Surviving Corporation harmless from all Transaction Fees.

         (b) The Target shall pay any and all fees and/or liabilities incurred
for any Broker Fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents. Whether or not this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are actually consummated, the Target and each of Principal
Stockholders shall be jointly and severally liable for the Broker Fees incurred
by Target or the Target Stockholders; it being understood that any such
obligation may not be satisfied by being deemed to be an Existing Target
Liability.

         (c) The Acquiror shall pay all Permitted Legal Costs within seven (7)
business days after the Effective Time; it being understood that Transaction
Fees in excess of the Permitted Legal Costs may not be satisfied by being deemed
to be an Existing Target Liability.

     7.4 AMENDMENT. The Stockholders' Agent and the boards of directors of the
Target and the Acquiror may cause this Agreement to be amended at any time by
execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such parties hereto;
provided that an amendment made subsequent to adoption of the Agreement by the
Principal Stockholders shall not alter or change the amount or kind of
consideration to be received on conversion of the Target Common Stock.

     7.5 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time any party
hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto,
(ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such
party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of
such party contained herein (in each case, which waiver may, if designated by
the waiving party, be deemed to be a waiver solely for purposes of satisfaction
of the applicable closing conditions under this Agreement, but may

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nonetheless evidence or result in "DAMAGES" recoverable pursuant to Article VIII
below). Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

     8.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. Notwithstanding
any investigation conducted before or after the Closing Date, and
notwithstanding any actual or implied knowledge or notice of any facts or
circumstances which Acquiror or Target may have as a result of such
investigation or otherwise, Acquiror and Target will be entitled to rely upon
the other party's representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this
Agreement. The representations and warranties of Acquiror will terminate upon
the Closing. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all statements,
representations, warranties and covenants of the Target shall survive the
Closing until the second anniversary of the Closing Date (the "TERMINATION
DATE"), at which time, such respective representations, warranties and covenants
of Target set forth in this Agreement and any liability of the Principal
Stockholders with respect to those representations, warranties and covenants
will terminate; provided that the representations, warranties and covenants set
forth in (a) Sections 2.3 (Authority), 2.11 (Title) and 2.20 (Broker Fees) shall
survive indefinitely and remain in effect continuously after the Closing and (b)
Sections 2.14 (Taxes) and 2.15 (Employee Benefit Plans) shall survive and remain
in effect continuously after the Closing for the lesser of (i) seven (7) years
and (ii) the statute of limitations applicable to the subject representation,
warranty or covenant.

     8.2 INDEMNITY. From and after the first to occur of the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Article VII hereof and the Effective Time of the Reverse
Merger, Acquiror, Surviving

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<PAGE>

Corporation (on or after the Closing Date) and each such Person's shareholders,
directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents, successors and assigns
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Principal Stockholders (and, in
the case the Closing does not occur, the Target and the Principal Stockholders)
on a joint and several basis against, and reimbursed for, any liability, damage,
loss, obligation, demand, judgment, fine, penalty, tax, fee, cost or expense,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, and the
costs of investigation incurred in defending against or settling such liability,
damage, loss, cost or expense or claim therefor and any amounts paid in
settlement thereof) (collectively the "DAMAGES") imposed on or reasonably
incurred by Acquiror (or, if the Closing occurs, the Surviving Corporation) as a
result of;

         (a) any misrepresentation contained in or breach of or failure to
perform any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Target or a
Principal Stockholder contained in this Agreement or in any other Transaction
Document, certification, Schedule (including the Target Disclosure Schedule),
Exhibit or writing delivered pursuant hereto, or in connection herewith;

         (b) any Taxes of Target with respect to any Tax year or portion thereof
ending on or before the Effective Time to the extent such Taxes are not
reflected in a reserve for Tax liability (rather than any reserve for deferred
Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income)
shown on the face of the Target Balance Sheet plus Taxes in respect of the
operating earnings of the Target derived in the ordinary course of its business
between the Target Balance Sheet Date and the Closing less Taxes paid subsequent
to the Target Balance Sheet Date, as well as the unpaid Taxes of any Person
(other than Target) for which Target is liable under Treasury Regulation
ss.1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign law) as a
transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise;

                                       91
<PAGE>

         (c) the commencement and/or prosecution of any action brought against
the Acquiror by a Target Stockholder (or other former equity interest holder of
Target), or any predecessor or successor thereof, or any Person acquired
thereby, arising out of or relating to the purchase of all or a portion of such
Person's stock (or equity interests) or the acquisition of all or substantially
all the assets of the entity the capital stock of which was owned by such Person
or, in each case, any direct or indirect equityholder of any of the foregoing
(other than in respect of, and to the extent that such claims are based upon,
Acquiror's breach of its representations, warranties or agreements contained
herein);

         (d) the actual or threatened (in writing) commencement of any
proceeding, suit or action against Target, Acquiror or any Affiliate thereof, or
any director, officer or employee of any of them (specifically excluding normal
obligations to repair, replace or return products sold by Target in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, or which are subject to normal
warranty claims) arising out of actions taken, or omitted to be taken, or state
of facts existing, prior to the date hereof, which, if determined adversely
thereto (regardless of the actual determination thereof) would result in Damages
which would be indemnifiable under the provisions of this Section 8.2; and/or

         (e) any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims or demands incident
to any of the foregoing or such indemnifications; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, Damages
resulting from claims based on a breach which would have constituted a breach of
a representation or warranty contained in Article II, but for the fact that the
representation or warranty was qualified based upon materiality, Target's
Knowledge, or constituting a Material Adverse Effect, shall nevertheless
constitute Damages for which indemnification is required hereunder as if such
qualifying language was absent from this Agreement.

                                       92
<PAGE>

         (f) without duplication of the foregoing, Existing Target Liabilities
(excluding Permitted Legal Fees) as of the Closing Date in excess of $350,000.

     8.3 CLAIMS. In the event Acquiror, Surviving Corporation or either such
Person's shareholders, directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents,
successors and assigns (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") wishes to assert a claim
for indemnification under this Article VIII (a "CLAIM"), the Indemnified Party
shall give written notice to the Stockholders' Agent acting on behalf of the
Target Stockholders ("INDEMNIFYING PARTIES") as soon as practicable after the
Indemnified Party become aware of any matter, fact, condition or event which may
give rise to a Claim (an "INDEMNIFIED MATTER"). Upon receipt of such notice, if
the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Indemnifying Parties) shall
acknowledge in writing to the Indemnified Parties that the Indemnifying Parties
shall be obligated to indemnify under the terms of this Article VIII, then the
Indemnifying Parties shall be entitled, if they so elect, to take control of the
defense and investigation of such Indemnified Matter to the extent that the
Indemnified Matter involves the claim of a third party and to employ and engage
attorneys of their own choice to handle and defend the same, at the Indemnifying
Parties cost and expense. The Indemnified Parties shall cooperate in all
reasonable respects with the Indemnifying Parties and such attorneys in the
investigation, trial and defense of such Indemnified Matter and any appeal
arising therefrom. If the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Indemnifying
Parties) has acknowledged to the Indemnified Parties' the Indemnifying Parties
obligation to indemnify under this Article VIII, the Indemnified Parties shall
not settle any such Indemnified Matter without the prior written consent of the
Stockholders' Agent. If the Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Indemnifying
Parties) has assumed the defense of the Claim, the Stockholders' Agent shall not
be permitted to settle such claim of a third party without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Parties to the extent that the terms of such
settlement

                                       93
<PAGE>

provide for any non-monetary agreements or consideration which is reasonably
likely to adversely affect any Indemnified Party. If the Stockholders' Agent (on
behalf of the Indemnifying Parties) does not assume the defense of a claim of a
third party as set forth above, then, upon the giving of written notice to the
Stockholders' Agent (on behalf of the Indemnifying Parties), the Indemnified
Parties shall be free to engage attorneys of their own choice to handle, defend
and/or settle same, at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Parties. For
purposes of this Section 8.3, any notices, correspondence or other procedures
required to be given, received or taken by the Indemnified Party or the
Indemnifying Party, to the extent such party is a Principal Stockholder shall be
deemed given, received or taken when communicated or performed to or by the
Stockholders' Agent on behalf of each or any of the Principal Stockholders.

     8.4 RELIANCE ON STOCKHOLDERS' AGENT AUTHORITY. Scott Hockler shall be
constituted and appointed pursuant to the Target Stockholders' Agreements as the
agent ("STOCKHOLDERS' AGENT") for and on behalf of the Target Stockholders under
this Agreement and to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the
Target Stockholders, all documents, to take all actions required to be executed
or taken by the Target Stockholders, to give and receive notices and
communications, including any of the foregoing as may be required pursuant to
Section 8.3, to receive Contingent Shares and Earn-Out Shares issuable pursuant
to the Contingent Share Exhibit and Section 1.6(d) hereof, and to take all
actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the Stockholders' Agent for
the accomplishment of the foregoing. Such agency may be changed by the holders
of a majority in interest of the Target Stockholders (based upon the former
ownership of Target) from time to time upon not less than 10 days' prior written
notice to Acquiror.

     8.5 ACTIONS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS' AGENT. A decision, act, consent or
instruction of the Stockholders' Agent shall constitute a decision of all Target
Stockholders and shall be final, binding

                                       94
<PAGE>

and conclusive upon each such Target Stockholder and Acquiror may rely upon any
decision, act, consent or instruction of the Stockholders' Agent as being the
decision, act, consent or instruction of each and every such Target Stockholder.
The Acquiror is hereby relieved from any liability to any Person for any acts
done by them in accordance with such decision, act, consent or instruction of
the Stockholders' Agent.

     8.6 INDEMNIFICATION LIMITATIONS. If the Closing occurs, no amount shall be
paid in respect of Damages until the aggregate amount of all Damages exceeds
$25,000 (the "BASKET"), whereupon the Principal Stockholders shall pay Damages
in excess of the Basket; provided further; however, the Principal Stockholders
shall be obligated to pay all amounts of Non-Basket Losses (as defined below)
whether or not the aggregate of all Damages exceeds the Basket. "NON BASKET
LOSSES" means Damages arising from: (A) intentional and knowing breaches of any
of the representations and warranties, (B) intentional breaches of any covenant,
(C) Existing Target Liabilities exceeding $350,000, (D) any breach of any
representation or warranty contained in Section 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.11,
2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and/or 2.20, (E) Transaction Fees in excess of the Permitted
Legal Fees, and/or (F) the Target Option Share Issuance.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     9.1 NOTICES. All notices or other communications which are required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered personally
or sent by nationally-recognized overnight courier or by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or by telecopier, with
confirmation as provided above addressed as follows:

                                       95
<PAGE>

                  (a) if to Acquiror or Merger Sub, to:

                           Acquiror.com, Inc.
                           3800 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 400
                           Houston, Texas 77098
                           Attention:  Kenny Kurtzman, Chief Executive Officer
                                       and Ryan Maierson, Counsel
                           Facsimile No.: (713) 629-5631
                           Telephone No.: (713) 369-1300

                           with a copy to:

                           Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP
                           750 Lexington Avenue
                           New York, New York 10022
                           Attention: Robert Londin, Esq.
                           Facsimile No.: (212) 735-8708
                           Telephone No.: (212) 735-8600

                  (b) if to Target, to:

                           E.S.T., Inc.
                           435 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
                           New York, New York 10016
                           Attention: Scott Hockler
                           Facsimile No.: (212) 252-9282

                           with a copy to:

                           Lester Morse, P.C.
                           111 Great Neck Road
                           Great Neck, New York 11021
                           Attention: Steven A. Morse, Esq.
                           Facsimile No.: (516) 487-1452
                           Telephone No.: (516) 487-1446

                  (c) if to Principal Stockholder, to:

                           E.S.T., Inc.
                           435 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
                           New York, New York 10016
                           Attention: Scott Hockler
                           Facsimile No.: (212) 252-9282

                           with a copy to:

                                       96
<PAGE>

                           Lester Morse, P.C.
                           111 Great Neck Road
                           Great Neck, New York 10021
                           Attention: Steven A. Morse, Esq.
                           Facsimile No.: (516) 487-1452
                           Telephone No.: (516) 487-1446

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have
furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. All such notices
or communications shall be deemed to be received: (a) in the case of personal
delivery or telecopy, on the date of such delivery; (b) in the case of
nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date
when sent; and (c) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following
the date on which the piece of mail containing such communication was posted.

     9.2 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Exhibits,
such reference shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The words "include," "includes" and "including" when used herein
shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words "without limitation."
The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning, construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

     9.3 FACSIMILE SIGNATURES; COUNTERPARTS. Telefacsimile transmissions of any
executed original document and/or retransmission of any executed telefacsimile
transmission shall be deemed to be the same as the delivery of an executed
original. At the request of any party hereto, the other parties hereto shall
confirm telefacsimile transmissions by executing duplicate original documents
and delivering the same to the requesting party or parties. This Agreement may
be executed in any number of counterparts and by the Parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so

                                       97
<PAGE>

executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.

     9.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement, the
other Transaction Documents and the documents and instruments and other
agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto,
including the Exhibits, the Schedules (including the Target Disclosure Schedule
and the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule) constitute the entire agreement among the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, except for any Confidentiality Agreement
between Target Acquiror and/or any Principal Stockholder dated a date prior to
the date hereof, which shall continue in full force and effect, and shall
survive any termination of this Agreement or the Closing, in accordance with its
terms.

     9.5 SEVERABILITY. If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or
the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired, unless the provisions held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall substantially impair the benefits of the
remaining provisions hereof. The parties hereto further agree to replace such
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid,
legal and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the
economic, business and other purposes of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision.

     9.6 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all
remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with
and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon
such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the
exercise of any other remedy.

                                       98
<PAGE>

     9.7 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in and in all
respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York (as permitted by Section 5-1401 of the New
York General Obligations Law (or any similar successor provision)) without
giving effect to any choice or conflicts of law rule that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the
State of New York to the rights and duties of the parties, except that such
provisions of this Agreement which by their terms implicate the provisions of
Delaware Law, shall be interpreted, construed and governed in accordance with
the same.

     9.8 JURISDICTION. THE PARTIES HEREBY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY
STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF TRAVIS, STATE OF TEXAS OR
WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT, ALL
ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. THE PARTIES ACCEPT FOR EACH OF THEMSELVES/ITSELF AND
IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR/ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE
EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVE ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM
NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED
THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

     9.9 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by
operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other
parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

                                       99
<PAGE>

     9.10 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. The parties hereto agree that they have been
represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this
Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding
or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other
document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or
document.

     9.11 REMEDIES. In the event of a breach or threatened breach of Section 5.1
or 5.5, the Acquiror shall be entitled to an injunction restraining the parties
from such breach and/or from rendering any services to any Person receiving (or
to receive) the benefit of such breach, since the remedy at law would be
inadequate and insufficient. In addition, the Acquiror shall be entitled to such
Damages as it can show it has sustained by reason of such breach. As among
themselves, the parties agree that the breaching parties shall bear the
Acquiror's costs and expenses of enforcing the provisions of the Section 5.1 or
5.5, as the case may be. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as
prohibiting the Acquiror from pursuing any other remedies available for such
breach or threatened breach or any other breach of this Agreement at law or in
equity or otherwise. The breaching parties acknowledge that the agreements
contained in Sections 5.1 and 5.5 constitute a material inducement for the
Acquiror to enter into this Agreement.

                                       100
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Target, Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Principal
Stockholders have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written
above.

E.S.T., INC. (D/B/A THE WATCH NETWORK)

By: /s/ SCOTT HOCKLER
   ------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Scott Hockler
     ----------------------------------------------------------
Title:  President
      ---------------------------------------------------------

ASHFORD.COM, INC.

By: /s/ KENNY KURTZMAN
   ------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Kenny Kurtzman
     ----------------------------------------------------------
Title:  CEO
      ---------------------------------------------------------

ASHFORD-WATCHNETWORK COMPANY

By: /s/ DAVID GOW
   ------------------------------------------------------------
Name:   David Gow
     ----------------------------------------------------------
Title:  President
      ---------------------------------------------------------

/s/ SCOTT HOCKLER
---------------------------------------------------------------
SCOTT HOCKLER

/s/ DANIEL HIRSCH
---------------------------------------------------------------
DANIEL HIRSCH

                                      101<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                           STERLING BANCSHARES, INC.

                           DATED AS OF MARCH 21, 2001
<PAGE>

                            CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*/

       Section of
  Trust Indenture Act                                        Section of
  of 1939, as amended                                   Guarantee Agreement
------------------------                                ------------------------
         310(a)         ................................       4.1(a)
         310(b)         ................................    4.1(c), 2.8
         310(c)         ................................    Inapplicable
         311(a)         ................................       2.2(b)
         311(b)         ................................       2.2(b)
         311(c)         ................................    Inapplicable
         312(a)         ................................       2.2(a)
         312(b)         ................................       2.2(b)
         313            ................................       2.3
         314(a)         ................................       2.4
         314(b)         ................................    Inapplicable
         314(c)         ................................       2.5
         314(d)         ................................    Inapplicable
         314(e)         ................................    1.1, 2.5, 3.2
         314(f)         ................................      2.1, 3.2
         315(a)         ................................       3.1(d)
         315(b)         ................................       2.7
         315(c)         ................................       3.1
         315(d)         ................................       3.1(d)
         316(a)         ................................    1.1, 2.6, 5.4
         316(b)         ................................       5.3
         316(c)         ................................    Inapplicable
         317(a)         ................................    Inapplicable
         317(b)         ................................    Inapplicable
         318(a)         ................................       2.1(b)

------------------------
*/  This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
its terms or provisions.
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION...................................  1

 Section 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation...............................  1

ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT.............................................  5

 Section 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application.............................  5
 Section 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities...............................  5
 Section 2.3  Reports by the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee........  5
 Section 2.4  Periodic Reports to Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee...  5
 Section 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.............  6
 Section 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver....................................  6
 Section 2.7  Event of Default; Notice.....................................  6
 Section 2.8  Conflicting Interests........................................  6

ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF  PREFERRED SECURITIES
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE..........................................................  7

 Section 3.1  Powers and Duties of the Preferred Securities
              Guarantee Trustee............................................  7
 Section 3.2  Certain Rights of Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.....  8
 Section 3.3  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of  Preferred
              Securities Guarantee......................................... 10

ARTICLE IV PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.......................... 11

 Section 4.1  Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.......... 11
 Section 4.2  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Securities
              Guarantee Trustee............................................ 12

ARTICLE V GUARANTEE........................................................ 12

 Section 5.1  Guarantee.................................................... 12
 Section 5.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................. 12
 Section 5.3  Obligations Not Affected..................................... 12
 Section 5.4  Rights of Holders............................................ 13
 Section 5.5  Guarantee of Payment......................................... 14
 Section 5.6  Subrogation.................................................. 14
 Section 5.7  Independent Obligations...................................... 14

ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION....................... 14

 Section 6.1  Limitation of Transactions................................... 14
 Section 6.2  Ranking...................................................... 15

ARTICLE VII TERMINATION.................................................... 15

                                       i
<PAGE>

 Section 7.1  Termination.................................................. 15

ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION............................................... 15

 Section 8.1  Exculpation.................................................. 16
 Section 8.2  Indemnification.............................................. 16

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS................................................... 16

 Section 9.1  Successors and Assigns....................................... 16
 Section 9.2  Amendments................................................... 16
 Section 9.3  Notices...................................................... 17
 Section 9.4  Benefit...................................................... 18
 Section 9.5  Governing Law................................................ 18

                                      ii
<PAGE>

                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

     This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated as
of March 21, 2001, is executed and delivered by STERLING BANCSHARES, INC., a
Texas corporation (the "Guarantor"), and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York
banking corporation, as trustee (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee"),
for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the
Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of STERLING BANCSHARES CAPITAL TRUST
II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer").

                                   RECITALS:

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of March 21, 2001, among the trustees of the Issuer,
the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the
date hereof 1,150,000 preferred securities, having an aggregate liquidation
amount of $28,750,000.00, such preferred securities being designated the 9.20%
Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"); and

     WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities,
the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent
set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders the
Guarantee Payments (as defined below), and the Guarantor agrees to make certain
other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor is executing and delivering a guarantee agreement
(the "Common Securities Guarantee"), with substantially identical terms to this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, for the benefit of the holders of the Common
Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined
in the Declaration) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the
Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities
Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the
Common Securities Guarantee, to the rights of holders of Preferred Securities to
receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities Guarantee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder, which
purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall benefit the Guarantor, the
Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the
benefit of the Holders.

                                   ARTICLE I

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation. In this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:
<PAGE>

         (a)  capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee but
     not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to
     them in this Section 1.1;

         (b)  terms defined in the Declaration as in effect at the date of
     execution of this Preferred Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when
     used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in
     this Preferred Securities Guarantee;

         (c)  a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee has
     the same meaning throughout;

         (d)  all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this
     Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee
     as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

         (e)  all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles
     and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

         (f)  a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below) has
     the same meaning when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless
     otherwise defined in this Preferred Securities Guarantee or unless the
     context otherwise requires; and

         (g)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

     "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

     "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on
which banking institutions in The City of New York or Houston, Texas are
authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

     "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located
at Four Albany Street, New York, New York 10006.

     "Covered Person" means any Holder of Preferred Securities.

     "Debentures" means the series of subordinated debt securities of the
Guarantor designated the 9.20% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due March 21, 2031 held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the
Declaration) of the Issuer.

     "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or
made by the Issuer:  (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions (as defined in
the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to
the extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time,
(ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to
the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price") to the extent the Issuer has
funds on hand legally available therefor at such time, with respect to any
Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary termination and liquidation of the Issuer (other than
in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for
Preferred Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the
aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions
on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer has
funds on hand legally available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the
Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the
Issuer.  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantee
Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee with respect to the Common
Securities or any guarantee payment under any Other Common Securities Guarantees
shall be made until the Holders shall be paid in full the Guarantee Payments to
which they are entitled under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

     "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have
given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not
include the Guarantor or any Person known to a Responsible Officer of the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee to be an Affiliate of the Guarantor.

     "Indemnified Person" means the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, any
Affiliate of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, or any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives,
nominees, custodians or agents of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of March 21, 2001, among the
Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the
"Indenture Trustee"), and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which
the Debentures are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer.

     "Indenture Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section 5.1
of the Indenture.

     "Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities" means, except
as provided by the Declaration or by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by
Holder(s) of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount of all Preferred
Securities.

     "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to the Guarantor, a certificate
signed by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, a Vice President, the Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Guarantor.  Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Preferred

                                       3
<PAGE>

Securities Guarantee (other than pursuant to Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act) shall include:

          (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
     has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

          (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in the
     Officers' Certificate are based;

          (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
     investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
     officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
     or condition has been complied with; and

          (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     "Other Common Securities Guarantees" shall have the same meaning as "Other
Guarantees" as defined in the Common Securities Guarantee.

     "Other Debentures" means all junior subordinated debentures issued by the
Guarantor from time to time and sold to trusts to be established by the
Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to the Issuer.

     "Other Guarantees" means all guarantees to be issued by the Guarantor with
respect to capital securities (if any) similar to the Preferred Securities
issued by other trusts to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case
similar to the Issuer.

     "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

     "Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee" means Bankers Trust Company, a New
York banking corporation, until a Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the
terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such
Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Securities
Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility for the
administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and also means, with
respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such
matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.

     "Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee" means a successor
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

     "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred
Securities.

                                  ARTICLE II

                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

     Section 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application.

        (a)  This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of
     the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by
     such provisions.

        (b)  If and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed
     by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed
     duties shall control.

     Section 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities.

        (a)  The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Securities Guarantee
     Trustee (unless the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee is otherwise the
     registrar of the Preferred Securities) with a list, in such form as the
     Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names
     and addresses of the Holders ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i)
     within one Business Day after January 15 and July 15 of each year, and (ii)
     at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written
     request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such
     List of Holders is given to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee,
     provided, that the Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of
     Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most
     recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee
     by the Guarantor. The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may destroy
     any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of
     Holders.

        (b)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
     obligations under Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

     Section 2.3  Reports by the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee. Within
60 days after September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2001, the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports
as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form
and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the other
requirements of Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.

     Section 2.4  Periodic Reports to Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee such
documents, reports and information, (if any) and the compliance certificate,
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner
and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust

                                       5
<PAGE>

Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee is for informational purposes only and
the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such shall not
constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Guarantor's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).

     Section 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.  The
Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee such
evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth
in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust
Indenture Act may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.

     Section 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver.  The Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of all
Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver,
any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.

     Section 2.7  Event of Default; Notice.

        (a)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days
     after the occurrence of a default with respect to this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee, mail by first class postage prepaid, to all Holders, notices of
     all defaults actually known to a Responsible Officer, unless such defaults
     have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, except in
     the case of default in the payment of any Guarantee Payment, the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice
     if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a
     trust committee of directors and/or a Responsible Officer in good faith
     determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
     Holders.

        (b)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to
     have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice from the Guarantor, or
     a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee shall have obtained actual knowledge, of such Event of
     Default.

     Section 2.8  Conflicting Interests.  The Declaration shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes
of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE III

                          POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF

                     PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     Section 3.1  Powers and Duties of the Preferred Securities Guarantee
                  Trustee.

        (a)  This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the
     Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her
     rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the
     Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any
     Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and
     succession of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing
     documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of
     such Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.

        (b)  If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer
     charged with the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee has
     occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee
     shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the
     Holders.

        (c)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence
     of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that
     may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are
     specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no
     implied covenants shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee
     against the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of
     Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section
     2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer, the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers
     vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and use the same
     degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would
     exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
     affairs.

       (d)  No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
     construed to relieve the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee from
     liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act,
     or its own willful misconduct, except that:

              (i)  prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
        curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

                   (A)  the duties and obligations of the Preferred Securities
              Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express
              provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the
              Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except
              for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
              specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities

                                       7
<PAGE>

              Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
              into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred
              Securities Guarantee Trustee; and

                   (B)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred
              Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Securities Guarantee
              Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements
              and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any
              certificates or opinions furnished to the Preferred Securities
              Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
              Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such
              certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are
              specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Securities
              Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee
              shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or
              not they conform to the requirements of this Preferred Securities
              Guarantee;

              (ii) the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
        liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible
        Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Securities
        Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon
        which such judgment was made;

              (iii)  the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
        liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in
        good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a Majority
        in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities relating to the time,
        method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
        to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust
        or power conferred upon the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee under
        this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and

              (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
        require the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its
        own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
        performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights
        or powers, if the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have
        reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
        liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this
        Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to
        the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or
        liability is not reasonably assured to it.

     Section 3.2  Certain Rights of Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.

        (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

              (i)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may conclusively
        rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting,
        upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
        report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
        note, other evidence of indebtedness or

                                       8
<PAGE>

        other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
        signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

              (ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
        Preferred Securities Guarantee may be sufficiently evidenced by an
        Officers' Certificate.

              (iii)  Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred
        Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
        deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking,
        suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Securities
        Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically
        prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and
        conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of
        such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

              (iv) The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty
        to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or
        any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof).

              (v)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may consult with
        counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with
        respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and
        protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
        hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.
        Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates
        and may include any of its employees. The Preferred Securities Guarantee
        Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning
        the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court
        of competent jurisdiction.

              (vi) The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
        obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this
        Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any
        Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred
        Securities Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably
        satisfactory to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, against the
        costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses
        of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or
        custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying
        with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as
        may be requested by the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee; provided
        that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to
        relieve the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence
        of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and
        powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

              (vii)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
        bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any
        resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
        request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other
        evidence of indebtedness or other

                                       9
<PAGE>

        paper or document, but the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, in
        its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such
        facts or matters as it may see fit.

              (viii)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any
        of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either
        directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and
        the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for
        any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney
        appointed with due care by it hereunder.

              (ix) Any action taken by the Preferred Securities Guarantee
        Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the
        signature of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee or its agents
        alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No
        third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the
        Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance
        with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred Securities
        Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the
        Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such
        action.

              (x)  Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities
        Guarantee the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
        desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy
        or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Securities
        Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a
        Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities, (ii) may
        refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action
        until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in
        conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions.

              (xi) The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
        liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in
        good faith, without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be
        authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon
        it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

        (b)  No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed
     to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred Securities Guarantee
     Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or
     obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall
     be illegal, or in which the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be
     unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform
     any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
     obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

     Section 3.3  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred
Securities Guarantee. The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their
correctness. The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee makes no representation
as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE IV

                     PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     Section 4.1  Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.

        (a)  There shall at all times be a Preferred Securities Guarantee
     Trustee which shall:

              (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

              (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws
        of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of
        the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
        Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee
        under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise
        corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
        least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision
        or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia
        authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
        annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or
        examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this
        Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation
        shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in
        its most recent report of condition so published.

        (b)  If at any time the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
     cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and
     with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

        (c)  If the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire
     any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the
     Trust Indenture Act, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee and
     Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section
     310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 4.2  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Securities
Guarantee Trustee.

        (a)  Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Securities Guarantee
     Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the
     Guarantor except during an Event of Default.

        (b)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
     accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
     written instrument executed by such Successor Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

        (c)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until
     a Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been
     appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee may resign from

                                       11
<PAGE>

     office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument
     in writing executed by the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee and
     delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a
     Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
     accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such
     Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
     Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.

        (d)  If no Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have
     been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2
     within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation,
     the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may
     petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor
     Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after
     prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor
     Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee.

        (e)  No Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the
     acts or omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Securities Guarantee
     Trustee.

        (f)  Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal
     or resignation of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee pursuant to
     this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee all amounts due to the Preferred Securities Guarantee
     Trustee accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   GUARANTEE

     Section 5.1  Guarantee.  The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees with the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time, to
pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of
amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any
defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert.
The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by
direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by
causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

     Section 5.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives
notice of acceptance of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and of any liability
to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to
require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before
proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

     Section 5.3  Obligations Not Affected. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the
Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected
or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the
following:

                                       12
<PAGE>

        (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
     performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
     agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities
     to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

        (b)  the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
     portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or
     any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the
     extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under,
     arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than
     an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price,
     Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the
     extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures permitted by the
     Indenture);

        (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
     the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
     remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred
     Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
     extension of any kind;

        (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
     collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the
     benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or
     readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer
     or any of the assets of the Issuer;

        (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
     Securities;

        (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
     hereby incurred; or

        (g)  any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
     legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent
     of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor with respect to
     the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute and unconditional under any and
     all circumstances.

     There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

     Section 5.4  Rights of Holders.

        (a)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred
     Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
     conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

        (b)  If the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
     Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder may institute a legal proceeding
     directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Preferred Securities Guarantee,
     without first instituting a legal proceeding against the

                                       13
<PAGE>

     Issuer, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
     entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action
     be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before
     proceeding directly against the Guarantor.

     Section 5.5  Guarantee of Payment. This Preferred Securities Guarantee
creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

     Section 5.6  Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any)
rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such
Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided,
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

     Section 5.7  Independent Obligations. To the fullest extent permitted by
law, the Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent
of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities, and
that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make
Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

     Section 6.1  Limitation of Transactions. So long as any Preferred
Securities remain outstanding, the Guarantor shall not (i) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor's capital stock (which
includes common and preferred stock) or (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or
purchase shares of, common stock of the Guarantor, (b) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan,
or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) as a result of a
reclassification of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock solely
into another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (d) the purchase
of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock resulting
from such a reclassification or pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or any security convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of the Guarantor's capital stock, and (e) purchases of
common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the
Guarantor's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans), (ii) make any payment of principal of,
or premium, if any, or interest on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Guarantor (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures or (iii) make any
guarantee payments with respect to

                                       14
<PAGE>

any guarantee (other than payments under the Preferred Securities Guarantee or
the Common Guarantee) by the Guarantor of the debt securities of any subsidiary
of the Guarantor (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu
with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures, if at such time (i) there
shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that
(a) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be an
Indenture Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Guarantor shall not
have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if such Debentures are held by the
Property Trustee, the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its payment
of any obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee or (iii) the
Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right
to extend the interest payment period pursuant to Article IV of the First
Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture and any such extension shall be
continuing.

     Section 6.2  Ranking. This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute
an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and
junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture),
to the same extent and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated
to Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, (ii) pari passu with the
Debentures, the Other Debentures, the Common Securities Guarantee, any Other
Common Securities Guarantee and any Other Guarantee, and (iii) senior to the
Guarantor's capital stock.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  TERMINATION

     Section 7.1  Termination. This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
terminate (i) upon full payment of the Redemption Price (as defined in the
Declaration) of all Preferred Securities or (ii) upon liquidation of the Issuer,
the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration or
the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders and the holders of the Common
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee
will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at
any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred
Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                INDEMNIFICATION

     Section 8.1  Exculpation.

        (a)  No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable
     in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any
     loss, expense, liability, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or
     omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in
     accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that
     such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the
     authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for
     any

                                       15
<PAGE>

     such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified
     Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or
     omissions.

        (b)  An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
     faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information,
     opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as
     to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other
     Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with
     reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information,
     opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets,
     liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence
     and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders might properly be
     paid.

        Section 8.2  Indemnification. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each
Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against,
any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without
negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the
costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending
itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the
exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation
to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

     Section 8.3 Fees and Expenses. The guarantor covenants and agrees to pay to
the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee from time to time, and the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be entitled to, the fees and expenses agreed
in writing between the Guarantor and the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee,
and will further pay or reimburse the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee
upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee in accordance
with any of the provisions hereof or any other documents executed in connection
herewith (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and
disbursements of its counsel and of all persons not regularly in its employ).
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Section 8.3 to compensate the
preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements
and advances shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee or the earlier resignation or removal of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee.

                                  ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 9.1  Successors and Assigns. All guarantees and agreements
contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors,
assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall
inure to the benefit of the Holders then outstanding.

     Section 9.2  Amendments. Except with respect to any changes that do not
materially adversely affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of
Holders will be required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be
amended with the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Preferred Securities (including the stated amount that would be
paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions to

                                       16
<PAGE>

the date upon which the voting percentages are determined).  The provisions of
the Declaration with respect to consents to amendments thereof (whether at a
meeting or otherwise) shall apply to the giving of such approval.  Prior to the
execution of any amendment to this Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be entitled to receive and conclusively rely
upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment is
authorized or permitted by this Preferred Securities Guarantee and that all
conditions precedent to such execution and delivery have been satisfied.  The
Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to enter
into any such amendment which affects the Preferred Securities Guarantee
Trustee's and the holders' rights, duties or immunities under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee.

     Section 9.3 Notices. All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and
shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

        (a)  If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at
     the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
     Issuer may give notice of to the Holders and the Preferred Securities
     Guarantee Trustee):

                    Sterling Bancshares Capital Trust II
                    15000 Northwest Freeway, Suite 200
                    Houston, Texas  77040
                    Attention: J. Downey Bridgwater
                    Administrative Trustee
                    Telecopy:  (713) 849-5498

        (b) If given to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the
     Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below
     (or such other address as the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee may
     give notice of to the Holders and the Issuer):

                    Bankers Trust Company
                    Four Albany Street
                    New York, New York 10006
                    Attention: Corporate Market Services
                    Administration Department
                    Telecopy:  (212) 250-6392, or
                               (212) 250-6961

                                       17
<PAGE>

        (c) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
     forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to
     the Holders and the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee):

                      Sterling Bancshares, Inc.
                      15000 Northwest Freeway, Suite 200
                      Houston, Texas 77040
                      Attention: George Martinez Chairman
                      Telecopy:  (713) 849-5498

        (d) If given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
     records of the Issuer.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person,
telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot
be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such
notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of
such refusal or inability to deliver.

     Section 9.4  Benefit. This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the
benefit of the Holders and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately
transferable from the Preferred Securities.

     Section 9.5   Governing Law. THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                       18
<PAGE>

     THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                              STERLING BANCSHARES, INC., as Guarantor

                              By: /s/ GEORGE MARTINEZ
                                 ----------------------------
                              Name: George Martinez
                                   --------------------------
                              Title: Chairman
                                    -------------------------

                              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Preferred Securities
                              Guarantee Trustee

                              By:  /s/  SUSAN JOHNSON
                                 ----------------------------
                              Name: Susan Johnson
                                   --------------------------
                              Title: Vice President
                                    -------------------------

                                       19

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