• SPOILERS -

Bill Coles is the unseen puppet-master making things happen.

He used his power as president to put the company in a prime takeover position, seeing that stodgy old Jorgy had fallen behind the times.

Note carefully how, when Garfield first meets Jorgy at New England Wire & Cable, when he Shakes Jorgy's hand his eyes are wide open as he looks at his, but when he shakes Bill Coles' hand, he gives him a knowing wink and then looks away - they have met or, at least, spoken to each other before.

Bill "bought a bunch of companies - an electrical, a plumbing, and some kind of adhesive company, didn't you, Bill? Boring! - But all making a decent profit. Carmen says they're worth another $60M." That was a slip - how would he have known who was making the deals unless it was presented to him that way in a prior, back office conversation?

And Bill did all this without going into debt?! AND has a fully funded pension?! Genius!

He gets Kate's mother to believe Kate could help defend against Garfield (Kate's mother said "WE want to call Kate" indicating clearly that "they" - she and Bill - had talked about it). Bill knew Kate'd be in over her head. And knew that Jorgy would not listen to her, leaving the company exposed.

When he confronts Jorgy to do something and Jorgy blows him off, he feels justified in "doing what he has to do." That's what assuaged any guilt he may have felt, the residue of which shows itself slightly when Kate asks him how he's voting and he gives dubious silence, not even bothering to answer her with lies.

And, what did he do? He sold his share vote rights... but keeps the shares themselves. So he makes money on that transaction, and still wins when Garfield's moves pay off the shareholders. And, then, at the shareholder's meeting, he introduces Garfield to the shareholders in a way that they ought to listen to him.

Bill Coles - mad genius puppet-master.

If you've seen this movie and never thought of Coles this way, watch it again and pay careful attention to how all the scenes with Bill Coles in it are shot, especially, how/when he is shown on screen. The screenplay itself, the camera itself, is telling a story about his part in how everything shakes down. It isn't to suggest that Garfield himself was played - no question, he is the protagonist...but given the script seems to paint Jorgy as the main bad guy, insofar as the notion that the buck stops with him and he's obstinately refusing to play ball or follow guidance from any of his cabinet (Bea, Bill and Kate), Bill is the lurker behind the scenes providing a deliciously layered, masterful film!