Saturday, May 23, 2020

Questions on Operations Management - 1661 Words

Chapter 1: Introduction to Operations Management Overview This chapter provides a definition of operations management. The role and importance of operations in an organization are described, along with operations decisions that are made. The differences between manufacturing and services are described. The history and current trends of operations management are discussed, including the impact of information systems. Finally, the interaction between operations and other business functions are described. Answers to Discussion Questions in Textbook 1. Define the term operations management. Operations management manages the resources needed to produce the company’s products and services. It involves managing people,†¦show more content†¦Customers go directly to the restaurant where they are served quickly by the staff. 9. What are the three historical milestones in operations management? How have they influenced management? Three historical milestones are the industrial revolution, total quality management (TQM) and global competition. The industrial revolution changed production processes from a labor focus to a machine focus. TQM caused managers to be more focused on quality and preventing defects. Finally, global competition caused managers to further increase their focus on quality, realizing that to not improve was to â€Å"lose the race.† 10. Identify three current trends in operations management and describe them. How do you think they will change the future of OM? The lean systems concept is a current trend in operations management. This involves taking a total system approach to creating an efficient operation. This includes concepts such as just-in-time (JIT), total quality management (TQM), continuous improvement, resource planning, and supply chain management (SCM). Companies are using the Internet to reach out to customers, and suppliers directly. Amazon.com has been able to sell books and many other items directly from its warehouse to people like you and me. The Internet is changing how the supply chains work since we can now eliminate the â€Å"middle man† or distributor by selling directly from the factory to the final or end customer. Companies can also easeShow MoreRelatedOperations Management Question1146 Words   |  5 PagesFALL 2011 2011 Deadline: October 26, Middle East Technical University – Northern Cyprus Campus BUS 361 Operations Management Homework 1 - Solutions 1. Fruit Computer Company manufactures memory chips in lots of ten chips. From past experience, Fruit knows that 80% of all lots contain 10% (1 out of 10) defective chips, 20% of all lots contain 50% (5 out of 10) defective chips. If a good batch (that is, 10% defective) of chips is sent on to the next stage of production, processing costsRead MoreA Question Paper on Operations Management1801 Words   |  8 PagesMGS 4700 Operations Management Exam 1 (Sample) Name__________________________________ Exam Instructions: Do not open the exam until you are told to do so. ï‚ · ï‚ · Calculators are allowed (and encouraged) One â€Å"cheat sheet† per person is allowed o Must be 8.5† by 11† or smaller o Must only have writing on one side Academic Integrity: Cheating on examinations involves giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during or after an examination. Also includes allowing another student to viewRead MoreOperations Management Week 1 Discussion Questions Essay586 Words   |  3 Pages8FINA 301 Capital Budgeting Exercises Nicholas Bush Capital Budgeting Exercise 1 You are considering the purchase of one of two machines used in your manufacturing plant. Machine A has a life of two years, costs $1500 initially, and then $400 per year in maintenance costs. Machine B costs $2000 initially, has a life of three years, and requires $300 in annual maintenance costs. Either machine mustRead MoreQuestions On The Research Process Essay1184 Words   |  5 Pagesselecting research questions. Sauro (2013) discussion of the research process provides further details on the factors that contribute to the successful research question selection. In selecting a successful research question, the research must be able to identify the researcher must see the need for this particular study, define the issue, and to find solution or solutions to resolve it. The research should provide a clear picture for the researcher to discover if the research question can be solvedRead Moreproduction and operation management1377 Words   |  6 Pagesof Production and Operations Management IIBM Institute of Business Management Examination Paper Production and Operations Management Subject Code-B107 ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · MM.100 Section A: Objective Type Short Questions (30 marks) This section consists of multiple choice Short Notes type questions. Answer all the questions. Part one questions carry 1 mark each Part two questions carry 5 marks each. Part One: Multiple choices: 1. Production and Operations Management concerns itselfRead MoreIibm Emba Production and Operation Management1513 Words   |  7 PagesSemester II Examination Papers IIBM Institute of Business Management Semester-II Examination Paper MM.100 Production and Operation Management Section A: Objective Type (30 marks) †¢ †¢ †¢ This section consists of Multiple choice questions Short Notes type questions. Answer all the questions. Part One questions carry 1 mark each Part Two questions carry 5 marks each. Part One: Multiple choices: 1. If the number of restrictions on sources be ‘a’ and the number of restrictionsRead MoreSAW assignment Essay1076 Words   |  5 PagesThis is accomplished through effective communication, among other things. At some point, management must convert these goals into getting things done. Management encompasses four principle elements; to plan, organize, lead, and control the limited resources of an organization, to achieve the stated goals. The first of those elements is to plan. That is the focus of this week’s lecture. Think of the management cycle of plan, organize, lead, and control, as a circle. At the top of the circle isRead MoreThree Concepts Of Operations Management877 Words   |  4 PagesConcepts of Operations Management Business Models â€Å"Operations and project managers must be attuned to the characteristics of the organization and the demands placed on them to increase efficiencies and effectiveness† (Satterlee, 2013, p. 237). It is within these characteristics and demands that you will find the three most important concepts of operations management and business models, total quality management (TQM), project management and operations management. Operations Management Read MoreOperations Management Schroeder Chapters 1-31594 Words   |  7 PagesCHAPTER 1 Question #2 What is the difference between the terms production management and operations management? Production management deals primarily with the manufacture of goods, whereas operations management encompasses the production of not only goods, but services as well. Question #3 How does the function of an operations manager differ from the function of a marketing manager or a finance manager? The operations managers function is to create the supply of goods, whereas the marketingRead MoreOperations Management Metrics Essays916 Words   |  4 PagesOperations Management Metrics Operations Management Process is the central arteries within the organization because it produces the planning process for goods and services, which are its reason for existent. Operations management is linked to all organizations as every organization is producing either a product or a service. However, it cannot be said to be the most important function since there are other functional areas and boundaries within an organization. In todays fast changing

Monday, May 11, 2020

Marketing Analysis Marketing Brands Essay - 987 Words

Marketing Brands As I’m driving down veterans Blvd in my small hometown, all I see are billboards to my right and left covered in ads. The windows to businesses are covered with ads in large print. While listening to the radio I hear advertising. When I walk in to the local grocery store there are salesmen with brochures who greet you and want a brief moment of your time. Ads are in my email. Businesses are constantly finding new ways to advertise their brand. Even marketers are advertising at the neurological level. Advertising persuades consumers to purchase their products. The product is labeled with a brand. We live in a world where consumers fall prey to buying a brand and not the product. A brand is a logo that represents a product. Companies use brands to make their business known and successful. According to Naomi Klein, â€Å"The astronomical growth in the wealth and cultural influence of multinational corporations over the last fifteen ears can arguably b e traced back to a single, seemingly innocuous idea developed by management theorists in the mid-1990’s: that successful corporations must primarily produce brands, as opposed to products.† (pg. 777) Once you get to know a brand you will notice other products that are marked with the same brand. For example, I like drinking Sprite. When I walked into the store to grab a sprite in the fridge there was an ad on the glass door. It said that only Coca-Cola products were on special. As I was looking to seeShow MoreRelatedMarketing Analysis : Brand And Brand992 Words   |  4 Pagesknows the brand value and familiar with the unique associations of the brand then that customer holds the position of resonance with the brand in terms of brand loyalty (keller, 2016). Brand Salience There are certain questions to be imposed in order to build and identify brand salience. These questions are used for the development of the brand by depicting the brands value and identity. The manager or the negotiator will be able to identify the brand and ensure that the particular brand meets theRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Product And Brand Strategy1316 Words   |  6 Pages Using marketing analysis tools this paper aims to give a view into a product and brand strategy. With the use of marketing tools we gain insight into what a product is, and what a brand’s position and strengths are. Which directly and indirectly shapes and offers a view into product and brand strategies likely to be successful moving forward. We aim to give an introductory look at product and brand strategy through the lens of a specific product class in terms of the product, key brand characteristicsRead MoreMarketing Analysis : 3m Brand1058 Words   |  5 Pagesquality, relevance and constant i mprovement within their products and segments. The 3M brand promises â€Å"practical and ingenious solutions that help customers succeed.† Through their brand identity system, 3M has been able to and continues to strive to dominate global industries. 3M’s brand identity objectives include the management of 3M globally, increasing familiarity through consistent reinforcement of brand experience, and lastly the provision of consistent and efficient service. 3M executesRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Brand Community1487 Words   |  6 Pagesparticular brand or product is termed as brand community. In the past people were categorised by their occupation, religion, language and ethnic backgrounds, whereas at present people are distinguished by what they buy and what they are capable of buying. The market must be analysed to strategic brand management due to the dynamics of consumption, individualization as well satisfy collective identity of brand community. Ethnography no longer differentiates people who have a predilection for a brand in commonRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Brand Equity1893 Words   |  8 Pageswhat is meant by brand equity and discuss what a company can do to maintain brand equity According to Kotler and Keller â€Å"brand equity† is defined as the additional worth enriched on items and administrations. It might be reflected in the way customers think, feel, and act as for the brand, and in addition in the costs, piece of the overall industry, and benefit the brand charges (Kotler Keller, 2012, p. 243, para. 5). Essentially â€Å"brand equity† is the strength of a brand which evolves fromRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Brand Community1488 Words   |  6 Pagesparticular brand or product is termed as brand community. In the past people were categorised by their occupation, religion, language and ethnic backgrounds, whereas at present people are distinguished by what they buy and what they are capable of buying. The market must be analysed to strategic brand management due to the dynamics of consumption, individualization as well satisfy collective identity of brand community. Ethnography no longer differentiates people who have a predilectio n for a brand in commonRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Brand Loyalty1718 Words   |  7 PagesBrand loyalty is one of the hottest subjects in marketing today. Customer’s brand loyalty play an significant role in company’s development. There are a range of definitions of this term, but in this essay ‘brand loyalty’ refers to people being willing to buy products from the same manufacturer repeatedly rather than from other suppliers. More and more companies are tried to investing in optimizing the benefits of their brand externally and internally. Various researchers (Ballester and Aleman, 1999)Read MoreMarketing Analysis : Yum ! Brands Inc.3538 Words   |  15 Pagesand Industry/Strategy Analysis Introduction Yum! Brands Inc. is the world’s largest restaurant company. From the worldwide it is has more than 37,000 restaurant units in 110 countries and regions based in Louisville, Kentucky. â€Å"In 2009, the company pulled in almost $11 billion in revenue. The brands owned by Yum! Brands Inc. are KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.† These four brands are global leaders in the categories of chicken, pizza, and Mexican-style food. â€Å"Also Yum! Brands have three divisions:Read MoreMarketing Analysis : Starbucks Brand Equity1427 Words   |  6 Pagescold and hot beverages it presents to its patrons; though, the product is accessible and valuable to practically all, it is essential to construct the exploration on a specific bracket of individuals while attempting to quantify the corporation’s brand equity. The soundest target population will be the male and females ages alternating from 25 to 44 years since it encompasses the larger amount of the target market. These peopl e are distinguished by moderately elevated earnings, professional occupationsRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Price And Brand Image1572 Words   |  7 PagesIn these modern days, consumers are bombarded with brands and advertising from different companies and they have a lot more options when it comes to purchasing a product. They usually rely on both intrinsic and extrinsic cues to solve their problem regarding to the quality of products. Consumers have to make their purchasing decision under various uncertainties and circumstances regarding to the product itself and its attributes as Cox (1962, p. 413) stated that ‘consumer s task in evaluating a

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Night World Soulmate Chapter 14 Free Essays

string(23) " somebody to guard me\." Stay here,† Rashel said sharply, but Hannah ran with the rest of them toward the front of the house. She could hear a ferocious snarling and barking outside-a very familiar sort of sound. Nilsson and the other CIA guys were running around. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Soulmate Chapter 14 or any similar topic only for you Order Now They looked grim and efficient, moving fast but not frantically. Hannah realized that they knew how to do this sort of thing. She didn’t see Lupe. The snarling outside got louder, building to a volley of short barks. There was a yelp-and then a scrambling noise. After a moment of silence there came a sound that lifted the hair on Hannah’s forearms-a wild and eerie and beautiful sound. A wolf howling. Two other wolf voices joined the first, chording, rising and falling, interweaving with each other. Hannah found herself gasping, her entire skin shivering. Then there was one long sustained note and it was over. â€Å"Wow,† the tiny blond called Gillian whispered. Hannah rubbed her bare arms hard. The front door opened. Hannah felt herself looking toward the ground, but nothing four-legged came in. Instead it was Lupe and two guys, all disheveled, flushed, and grinning. â€Å"It was just some scouts,† Lupe said. â€Å"We ran them off.† â€Å"Scouts from Maya?† Hannah said, feeling a tightness in her stomach. It really was true, then. Maya was trying to storm the house to get to her. Lupe nodded. â€Å"It’ll be okay,† she said almost gently. â€Å"But I think all of you better stay inside today. You can watch movies or play games in the game room.† Hannah spent the day talking with the Circle Daybreak members. The more she found out about them, the more she liked them. Only one thing made her uncomfortable. They all seemed to defer to her-as if, somehow, they expected her to be wiser or better because of her former lifetimes. It was embarrassing, because she knew she wasn’t. She tried to keep her mind off Thierry†¦ and Maya. But it wasn’t easy. That night she found herself walking restlessly through the house. She wound up in a little anteroom on the second floor that looked down on the enormous living room. â€Å"Can’t relax?† The lazy murmur came from behind her. Hannah turned to see Ash, his lanky elegant body propped against a wall. His eyes looked silver in the dimly lit room. â€Å"Not really,† Hannah admitted. â€Å"I just wish they’d find Thierry. I’ve got a bad feeling about it.† They stood for a moment in silence. Then Ash said, â€Å"Yeah, it’s hard to be without your soulmate. Once you’ve found them, I mean.† Hannah looked at him, intrigued. The way he said that†¦ She spoke hesitantly. â€Å"This morning Thea said you were all here because you had human soulmates.† He looked across the room at French doors that led to a balcony. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"And-well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Maybe she’s dead, Hannah thought suddenly. Maybe I shouldn’t ask. â€Å"And you want to know where mine is,† Ash said. â€Å"I didn’t mean to pry.† â€Å"No. It’s okay.† Ash looked out at the darkness beyond the French doors again. â€Å"She’s waiting-I hope. I’ve got some things to put right before I see her.† He didn’t seem scary anymore, no matter how his eyes changed. He seemed-vulnerable. â€Å"I’m sure she is waiting,† Hannah said. â€Å"And I’ll bet she’ll be glad to see you when you’ve put things right.† She added quietly, â€Å"I know I’ll be glad to see Thierry.† He glanced at her, startled, then smiled. He had a very nice smile. â€Å"That’s true, you’ve been in her shoes, haven’t you? And Thierry’s certainly tried to make up for his past. I mean, he’s been doing good works for centuries. So maybe there’s hope for me after all.† He said it almost mockingly, but Hannah caught an odd glistening in his eyes. â€Å"You’re like her, you know,† he added abruptly. â€Å"Like my-like Mary-Lynnette. You’re both†¦ wise.† Before Hannah could think of something to say to that, he nodded to her, straightened up, and went back into the hallway, whistling softly through his teeth. Hannah stood alone in the dim room. For some reason, she felt better suddenly. More optimistic about the future. I think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. And tomorrow, maybe Thierry will be here. She clamped down hard on the rush of hope that filled her at the thought. Hope†¦ and concern. After all she’d said to him, she couldn’t be absolutely sure how Thierry would receive her. What if he doesn’t want me after all? Don’t be silly. Don’t think about it. Go outside and get a breath of air, and then go to bed. Later, of course, she realized just how stupid she had been. She should have known that getting a breath of fresh air only led to one thing in her life. But at the moment it seemed like a good idea. Lupe had warned her not to open any outside doors-but the French doors only led to a second-floor balcony overlooking the backyard. Hannah opened them and stepped out. Nice, she thought. The air was just cool enough to be pleasant. From here she could look across dark stretches of grass to flood-lit palm trees and softly splashing fountains. Although she couldn’t see Thierry’s people, she knew they were out there, stationed around the grounds, watching and waiting. Guarding her. It made her feel safe. Nothing can get to the house with them around it, she thought. I can sleep just fine. She was about to turn and go back inside when she heard the scratching. It came from above her. From the roof. She glanced up and got the shock of this particular lifetime. There was a bat hanging from the roof. A bat. A bat. A huge bat. Upside down. Its leathery black wings were wrapped around it and its small red eyes shone at her with reflected light. Wild thoughts tumbled through Hannah’s mind, all in a fraction of an instant. Maybe it’s a decoration†¦ no, idiot, it’s alive. Maybe it’s somebody to guard me. You read "Night World : Soulmate Chapter 14" in category "Essay examples" God, maybe it’s Thierry†¦. But all the while, she knew. And when the instant of paralysis passed and she could command her body again, she sucked in a deep breath to scream an alarm. She never got the chance to make a sound. With a noise like an umbrella opening, the bat unfolded its wings suddenly, displaying an amazingly large span of black membrane. At the same moment something like sheet lightning seemed to hit Hannah, a blinding surge of pure mental energy. She saw stars, and then everything faded to darkness. Something hurt. My head, Hannah thought slowly. And my back. In fact, she hurt all over. And she was blind-or she had her eyes shut. She tried to open them and nothing changed. She could feel herself blinking, but she could only see one thing. Blackness. Utter, complete blackness. She realized then that she’d never seen real darkness before. In her bedroom at night there was always some diffused light showing at the top of her curtains. Even outdoors there was always moonlight or starlight, or if it were cloudy, the reflection of human lights, however faint. This was different. This was solid darkness. Hannah imagined she could feel it pressing against her face, weighing down on her body. And no matter how wide she opened her eyes or how fixedly she stared, she couldn’t see even the slightest glimmer breaking it. I will not panic, she told herself. But it was hard. She was fighting an instinctive fear, hardwired into the brain since before the Stone Age. All humans panicked in complete blackness. Just breathe, she told herself firmly. Breathe. Okay. Now. You’ve got to get out of here. First things first. Are you hurt? She couldn’t tell. She had to shut her eyes in order to sense her own body. As she did, she realized that she was sitting up, instinctively huddling into herself to keep safe from the darkness. Okay. I don’t think you’re hurt. Let’s try standing up. Very slowly. That was when the real shock came. She couldn’t stand up. She couldn’t. She could move her arms and even her legs. But when she tried to lift her body, even to shift position slightly, something bit into her waist, keeping her immobile. With a crawling feeling of horror, Hannah put her hands to her waist and felt the rough texture of rope. I’m tied. I’m tied†¦. There was something hard against her back. A tree? Her hands flew to feel it. No, not a tree-too regular. Tall, but squarish. A post of some kind. The rope seemed to be wound many times around her waist, tightly enough that it constricted her breathing a little. It bound her securely to the post. And then it fastened above or far behind her somewhere-she couldn’t find any knots with her fingers. It felt like very strong, very sturdy rope. Hannah knew without question that she wasn’t going to be able to wiggle out of it or untie it. The post seemed very sturdy, too. The ground under Hannah was dirt and rock. I’m alone, she thought slowly. She could hear her own gasping breath. I’m all alone†¦ and I’m tied here in the dark. I can’t move. I can’t get away. Maya put me here. She left me to die all alone in the dark. For a while, then, Hannah simply lost control. She screamed for help and heard her voice echo oddly. She pulled and twisted at the rope with her fingers until her fingertips were raw. She threw her whole body from one side to the other, trying to loosen the rope or the post, until the pain in her waist made her stop. And finally she gave in to the galloping fear inside her and sobbed out loud. She had never, ever, felt so desolate and alone. In the end, though, she cried herself out. And when she’d gasped to a stop, she found that she could think a little. Listen, girl. You’ve got to get a grip. You’ve got to help yourself, because there’s nobody else to do it. It wasn’t the cool wind voice or even the crystal voice-because they were both just part of her now. It was Hannah’s own mental voice. She had accepted all her past selves and their experiences, and in return she felt she could call on at least some of their wisdom. Okay, she thought grimly. No more crying. Think. What can you tell about your situation? I’m not out in the open. I know because there’s no light at all and because of the way my voice echoed. I’m in a big†¦ room or something. It’s got a high ceiling. And the floor is rock. Good. Okay, do you hear anything else? Hannah listened. It was hard to concentrate on the silence around her-it made her own breathing and heartbeat seem terrifyingly loud. She could feel her nerves stretch and fray†¦ but she held on, ignoring her own noises and trying to reach out into the darkness with her ears. Then she heard it. Very far away, a sound like a faucet dripping slowly. What the hell? I’m in a big black room with a rock floor and a leaky faucet. Shut up. Keep concentrating. What do you smell? Hannah sniffed. That didn’t work, so she took long breaths through her nose, ignoring the pain as her midsection pressed against the rope. It’s musty in here. Dank. It smells damp and cold. In fact, it was very cold. Her panic had kept her warm before, but now she realized that her fingers were icy and her arms and legs were stiff. Okay, so what have we got? I’m in a big black refrigerated room with a high ceiling and a stone floor. And it’s musty and damp. A cellar? A cellar without windows? But she was just fooling herself. She knew. The skin of her face seemed to sense the pressure of tons of rock above her. Her ears told her that that musical dripping was water on rock, very far away. Her nose told her that she wasn’t in any building. And her fingers could feel the natural irregularity of the ground underneath her. She didn’t want to believe it. But the knowledge crowded in on her, inescapable. I’m in a cave. A cave or a cavern. Anyway, I’m inside the earth. God knows how deep inside. Deep enough and far enough that I can’t see any light from an entrance or vent hole. Very deep inside, her heart told her. She was in the loneliest place in the world. And she was going to die here. Hannah had never had claustrophobia before. But now she couldn’t help feeling that the mass of rock around and above her was trying to crush her. It could fall in at any minute, she thought. She felt a physical pressure, as if she were at the bottom of the ocean. She began to have trouble breathing. She had to get her mind off it. She refused to turn into that screaming, gibbering thing in the darkness again. Worse than the thought of dying was the thought of going insane down here. Think about Thierry. When he finds out you’re missing he’ll start looking for you. You know that. And he won’t give up until he finds you. But I’ll be dead by then, she thought involuntarily. This time, instead of fear, the idea of her death brought a strange poignant loneliness. Another life where I missed him, she thought. She blinked against tears suddenly. Oh, God. Great. It’s so hard. So hard to keep hoping that someday it’s going to work out. But I’ll meet him again in my next life. And maybe I won’t be so stupid then; I won’t fall for Maya’s tricks. It’ll be harder for him, I guess. He’ll have to wait and get through the years day by day. I’ll just go to sleep and eventually wake up somewhere else. And then someday he’ll come for me and I’ll remember . . . and then we’ll start all over. I really did try this time, Thierry. I did my best. I didn’t mean to mess things up. Promise me you’ll look for me again. Promise you’ll find me. I promise I’ll wait for you. No matter how long it takes. Hannah shut her eyes, leaning back against the post and almost unconsciously touching the ring he’d given her. Maybe next time she’d remember it. Suddenly she didn’t feel sad or afraid anymore. Just very tired. Eyes still shut, she grinned weakly. I feel old. Like Mom’s always complaining she feels. Ready to turn this old body in and get a new†¦ The thought broke off and disappeared. Was that a noise? Hannah found herself sitting up, leaning forward as far as the rope would allow, straining her ears. She thought she’d heard†¦ yes. There it was again. A solid echoing sound out in the darkness. It sounded like footsteps. And it was coming closer. Yes, yes. I’m rescued, I’m saved. Hannah’s heart was pounding so hard that she could hardly breathe to yell. But at last, just as she saw a bobbing point of light in the blackness, she managed to get out a hoarse squawk. â€Å"Thierry? Hello? I’m over here!† The light kept coming toward her. She could hear the footsteps coming closer. And there was no answer. â€Å"Thierry†¦ ?† Her voice trailed off. Footsteps. The light was big now. It was a beam, a flashlight. Hannah blinked at it. Her heart was slowly sinking, until it seemed to reach stone. And then the flashlight was right in front of her. It shone in her face, dazzling her eyes. Another light snapped on, a small camping lantern. Vision rushed back to Hannah, sending information surging to her brain. But there was no happiness in it. Hannah’s entire body was ice cold now, shivering. Because of course it wasn’t Thierry. It was Maya. I hope I didn’t disturb you,† Maya said. She put down the lantern and what looked like a black backpack. Then she stood with her hands on her hips and looked at Hannah. I will not cry. I won’t give her the satisfaction, Hannah thought. â€Å"I didn’t know vampires could really change into bats,† she said. Maya laughed. She looked beautiful in the pool of lantern light. Her long black hair fell in waves around her, hanging down her back to her hips. Her skin was milky-pale and her eyes looked dark and mysterious. Her laughing mouth was red. She was wearing designer jeans and high-heeled snakeskin boots. Funny, Hannah had never noticed any of Maya’s clothes before. Usually the woman herself was so striking that it was impossible to focus on how she was dressed. â€Å"Not all vampires can shapeshift,† Maya said. â€Å"But, then, I’m not like other vampires. I’m the first, my darling. I’m the original. And I have to say I’m getting really sick of you.† The feeling is mutual, Hannah thought. She said, â€Å"Then why don’t you leave me alone? Why don’t you leave me and Thierry alone?† â€Å"Because, then, my sweetpea, I wouldn’t win. And I have to win.† She looked at Hannah directly, her face oddly serious. â€Å"Don’t you understand that yet?† she said softly. â€Å"I have to win-because I’ve given up too much to lose. It can’t all be for nothing. So winning is all there is.† How to cite Night World : Soulmate Chapter 14, Essay examples