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Rebecca Ryan is the vice president and operations manager of the main branch of the First Mercantile American Bank, later referred to as Harding Trust.

Background[]

Rebecca's father was a wealthy[1] artist.[2] She was an only child.[3] She has loved money ever since she was a kid, when she would try to melt Barbie's hair into gold.[4] She went to a very exclusive boarding school where each girl got her own suite.[5]. All the girls there had nicknames, and Rebecca wanted to be called "Cookie" because that was what the cute girls were called.[6]

On the series[]

Mr. Heaney hires Alex P. Keaton to work at the bank. Alex tells Rebecca to get him coffee and a Danish before he learns that she's his boss. He continues to patronize her by writing a report that's written like a Dick and Jane book and that includes recipes, diet tips, and carpet swatches. Rebecca confronts him on his sexist behavior, tells him that she can outdo him at any physical or mental competition, and threatens to fire him if he can't write her a real report. Over the next few days, Alex tries to win Rebecca's approval by sending her candy, perfume, and flowers. However, he does rewrite the evaluation report for her, and does such a good job that she invites him to the bank on Tuesday evening to talk about his suggestions. Alex apologizes for his disrespectful behavior, but then kisses her. Rebecca angrily tells him that they have a business relationship. Alex leaves. Later that night, Rebecca goes to the Keaton family's house. Alex, thinking he's about to get fired, tells Rebecca that he quits. Rebecca tells him that she doesn't want him to quit. Alex admits that he has a hard time seeing women he isn't related to as anything other than a potential girlfriend. Rebecca points out that they have one important thing in common: their shared passion for money.

In A Tale of Two Cities: Part 1 and A Tale of Two Cities: Part 2, Rebecca and Alex go to the Annual Midwest Banking Seminar in Chicago, where they're forced to share a tiny hotel room. Rebecca hopes to get a promotion by impressing Charles Okun. Instead she gets drunk, spills his drink on him, calls him Chuckles, and howls at him. Alex helps her back to their room.

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