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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.39


     EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of the 20th day of April 1990 between
WESTERN UNION CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("Corporation"), and ROBERT
J. AMMAN ("Executive").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Executive is one of the key executives of the Corporation and
the Corporation desires to assure the continued availability to it of
Executive's services, and Executive is willing to make his services available
to the Corporation, in both instances on the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the agreements hereinafter set
forth, it is agreed as follows:

         1.  TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.  The Corporation hereby employs Executive and
Executive hereby agrees to serve the Corporation on the terms and conditions
set out herein as President and Chief Executive Officer for the period
commencing on the date of this Agreement and terminating on the date specified
in Section 5 of this Agreement.

         2.  DUTIES.  Executive agrees to perform overall management and
supervision of all of the operations and activities of the Corporation and any
subsidiaries as may be established from time to time, and agrees to perform
such other services of a senior
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executive nature concomitant with his positions and offices described in
Section 1 hereof as shall from time to time be assigned to him by or pursuant
to authorization of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.  If requested by
the Corporation, Executive agrees to serve as an officer and/or a director of
the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries or Affiliates.  In consideration of
continued employment by the Corporation, Executive agrees to discharge
faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability, the responsibilities of
his position.  Executive will devote his full time and effort to his assigned
duties, will use his best efforts to promote the interest of the Corporation
and its subsidiaries and Affiliates and will not engage in any other business
or activity which, in the opinion of the Corporation, would hinder or interfere
with the performance of his duties.  Unless otherwise agreed, Executive's
principal place of employment shall be at or within a 100 mile radius of the
Corporation location at which he was principally employed on the date of this
Agreement, and he shall not be required to render any services under this
Agreement which would require him to change his residence to another
geographical region.

         3.  Salary.  (A)  As compensation for Executive's services during his
employment hereunder, the Corporation will pay (subject to the provisions of
Section 5 hereof) salary at a rate fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation but which shall not be less than his current
salary

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on the date hereof ("Minimum Salary").  If the Board increases the salary of
Executive after the date of this Agreement, such increased salary shall
thereafter be the Minimum Salary under this Agreement.  Executive's salary
shall be payable in installments at such regular intervals as the Corporation
uses for the payment of executive salaries.

             (B)  In the event of the Executive's death, in addition to any
other employee benefits payable to key executives of the Corporation, the
Corporation shall pay to the widow of the Executive, if she shall survive the
Executive, the Minimum Salary for a period of twelve (12) months, such amount
to be payable in installments at such regular intervals as the Corporation uses
for the payment of executive salaries.

         4.  Benefits.  Executive shall be eligible for all employee benefits
that key executives of the Corporation are eligible for, whether now in effect
or hereafter adopted.  Executive shall also be eligible under any stock option
plan, executive bonus plan, incentive compensation plan or other arrangements
available to key executives of the Corporation during the term of his
employment hereunder, and any other perquisites approved by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation.

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    5.  Termination of Employment.

        (A)  Executive's employment under this Agreement shall 
terminate as follows:

        (i)  Death.  Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
    terminate automatically if he should die.

        (ii)  Disability.  If executive becomes incapacitated as a result of
    physical or mental illness, the Corporation may terminate Executive's
    employment on a date specified in notice to Executive, which date shall not
    be less than 36 months after such notice is given to Executive.  During the
    period between the date such notice is given and the date of termination of
    employment, subject to the provisions of Section 5(B) hereof, (a)
    Executive's salary shall continue to be payable, subject to reduction by an
    amount equal to any long term disability benefits payable to Executive
    under any disability benefit plan maintained by the Corporation, and (b)
    Executive shall continue to be eligible for benefits on the applicable
    terms and conditions of the respective employee benefit plans.

        (iii)  Discharge by Corporation.  (a) The Corporation may terminate
    Executive's employment without cause at any time by giving notice of
    termination to Executive specifying



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    an outside termination date which is not less than 36 months after such
    notice is given to Executive.  Executive's employment shall thereafter
    terminate upon the earlier of the date specified in the notice of
    termination or the date on which Executive commences employment with
    another employer (such earlier date being sometimes referred to herein as
    the "Actual Termination Date").

                (b)  During the period between the date such notice of
         termination is given and the Actual Termination Date, subject to the
         provision of Sections 5(A)(i) and 5(B) hereof, Executive's salary
         shall continue to be payable and Executive shall continue to be
         eligible for benefits on the applicable terms and conditions of the
         respective employee benefits plans.

                (c)  Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section
         5(A)(iii), during the period, if any, between the Actual Termination
         Date and the termination date specified in the notice of termination,
         the Corporation shall pay to Executive, at such regular intervals as
         the Corporation pays executive salaries, an amount equal the salary to
         which Executive would have been entitled for such interval had his
         employment continued hereunder, but Executive shall not be deemed to
         be an employee of the Corporation nor entitled to benefits during such
         period.  The Corporation may, in its




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         sole and absolute discretion, pay to executive in a lump sum at
         any time the total amount to which Executive could become entitled
         under the preceding sentence.  As a condition to receiving such
         payments, Executive shall notify the Corporation no less than ten (10)
         days after Executive commences employment with another employer. 
         Executive specifically affirms and agrees that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
         in giving this notice to the Corporation and that failure to do so by
         the deadline will result in forfeiture of any and all payments
         thereafter.  Such payments to Executive shall terminate in any event
         upon Executive's death.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the
         contrary, the payment provided pursuant to the provisions of Section
         3(B) hereof shall continue to be made to the widow of Executive for a
         period of twelve (12) months.

         
        (iv) Resignation by Executive.  Executive may resign on a date
    specified on notice to the Corporation and, unless the provisions of
    Section 5(C) hereof shall be applicable, the Corporation shall have no
    severance payment or salary or benefit continuation obligations to
    Executive hereunder.

        (v) Discharge for Cause.  The Corporation may terminate Executive's
    employment under this Agreement forthwith by giving notice to him stating
    that such determination has been made for cause, in which event the



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    Corporation shall have no severance payment or salary continuation
    obligations to Executive hereunder.  As used herein, "cause" shall mean
    only the following:

                 (1) theft or embezzlement by Executive from, or common law
         fraud committed by Executive against, the Corporation;

                 (2) conviction by Executive of any crime under state or
         federal law involving moral turpitude (for the purpose hereof, traffic
         violations and other offenses and misdemeanors shall not be deemed to
         be a crime);

                 (3) material breach by Executive of any of his obligations
         under Section 6; or

                 (4) material breach by Executive of any other obligation as an
         executive of the Corporation not cured within ten (10) days after
         written notice thereof from the Corporation to Executive.

    The Corporation shall give Executive prompt written notice of the
    reasons or cause for termination.  If Executive does not notify the
    Corporation in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt of said notice
    that Executive disputes the Corporation's determination of such reason or
    cause, the

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    Corporation's determination shall be final and binding on Executive.

        (B) Salary Continuation.  The salary continuation provided 
for in Sections 5(A)(ii) and 5(A)(iii) above shall be in lieu of (i)
any and all other severance payments to which the Executive may otherwise have
been entitled whether under the corporation's salary continuation or severance
pay plan then in effect or otherwise and (ii) any and all rights to receive
vacation pay whether or not accrued at the time such notice is given or
thereafter.

        (C) Change in Control.  If Executive shall resign following 
a "Change in Control" (as defined in Section 5(C)(v) below), the Corporation 
shall:

        (i) pay to Executive, in one installment on the date of termination
    (the "Termination Date"), an amount equal to his accrued and unpaid Minimum
    Salary and accrued vacation, if any, through the Termination Date;

        (ii) pay to Executive, in one installment on the Termination Date, as a
    severance or termination payment and not as a penalty and in lieu of all
    other rights, remedies and claims against the Corporation, except as
    otherwise provided herein, an amount (less appropriate payroll

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    deductions, if any) equal to thirty-six (36) months salary at the
    Minimum Salary rate.

        (iii)  if the payment provided in Section 5(C)(ii) shall give rise to a
    tax (an "Excise Tax") upon the Executive pursuant to Section 4999(a) of the
    Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any similar provision of state or local
    tax law, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive
    from and against all such Excise Taxes so imposed, including any taxes
    arising from such indemnification payment, it being intended that the
    Executive be held harmless on an after-tax basis from the amount of the
    Excise Taxes imposed upon payments made pursuant to Section 5(C)(ii) and
    all taxes (including Excise Taxes) imposed upon payments made pursuant to
    this Section 5(C)(iii).

        (iv)  continue to provide to Executive all benefits referred to in
    Section 4 above (a) at no cost to Executive until the earlier of thirty-six
    (36) months after the Termination Date or until Executive obtains
    comparable benefits and (b) if at the end of such thirty-six (36) month
    period Executive has not obtained comparable benefits thereafter, at a cost
    to Executive (or his spouse) equal to the Corporations's actual cost until
    the earlier of the death



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    of Executive or until Executive obtains comparable benefits from a
    future employer.

        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if following a Change
    in Control Executive wishes to resign from the Corporation with effect
    prior to one (1) year after the date on which the Change in Control occurs,
    Executive shall first ask the then Board of Directors of the Corporation
    whether it wishes Executive to remain employed by the Corporation in his
    current position. If the Corporation responds affirmatively to Executive's
    question and the Corporation responds affirmatively to Executive's question
    and the Corporation fulfills all of its obligations under this Agreement,
    Executive shall continue as an executive of the Corporation and dutifully
    execute his responsibilities for at least one (1) year after the date on
    which the Change in Control occurred and shall be entitled, upon (A) the
    release of Executive by the Corporation prior to the expiration of such one
    (1) year period, (B) the effectiveness of his resignation after such one
    (1) year period, (B) the effectiveness of his resignation after such one
    (1) year period or (C) the termination of his employment by the Corporation
    for a reason or cause not mentioned in Section 5(A)(v), to receive the
    payments and benefits contemplated by Sections 5(C)(i), (ii), (iii) and
    (iv); provided, however, if Executive fails to continue to execute his
    responsibilities for such one (1) year period, then the thirty-six (36)
    month periods referred to in Sections

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    5(C)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall be reduced to twelve (12) months.

        (v)  a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur upon (x) the
    election of one or more individuals to the Corporation's Board of Directors
    which election results in a majority of the directors of the Corporation
    consisting of individuals (I) who have not been directors of the
    Corporation for at least two years and/or (II) who have not been employed
    by Brooke Partners L.P. or its Affiliates prior to such election, or (y)
    the sale by the Corporation of all or substantially all of its assets to
    any Person, the consolidation of the Corporation with any Person, the
    merger of the Corporation with any Person as a result of which merger the
    Corporation is not the surviving entity, or the sale or transfer of shares
    of the Corporation by the Corporation and/or one or more of its
    shareholders, in one or more transactions, related or unrelated, to one or
    more Persons under circumstances whereby any Person and its Affiliates
    shall own, after such sales and transfers, more than one-fourth of the
    shares of the Corporation with the effect that Bennett S. LeBow and/or his
    Affiliates are no longer in control of the Corporation.  (Nothing contained
    in this definition shall limit or restrict the right of any director from
    participating in any discussions or voting on



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    any matter referred to in this definition at any meeting of the Board.)

        (vi)  a "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, trust,
    corporation or other similar entity.  When two or more Persons act as a
    partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose
    of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of the Corporation, such
    syndicate or group shall be deemed a "Person" for the purposes of this
    Agreement.

        (vii)  "Affiliate" shall mean any person that directly, or indirectly
    through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is
    under common control with, any other Person.

         6.  Confidentiality.  All confidential information relating to the
business, products and services of the Corporation or any subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Corporation, whether developed prior or subsequent to the date
hereof (the "Information"), shall be and remain the sole property and
confidential business information of the Corporation or any such subsidiary or
Affiliate, free of any rights of Executive, and Executive agrees not to make
any use of the Information except in the performance of his duties hereunder,
nor to disclose the Information to third parties, without the written consent
of the Corporation.

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This Section 6 shall survive the termination of Executive's employment under
this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the terms of any
agreement containing provisions similar to this Section 6 and entered into by
Executive prior or subsequent to the date hereof.

         7.  Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested).  Any such notice shall be deemed received when
so delivered or, if mailed, two business days after the date of deposit in the
United States mails addressed to the parties at the following address (or at
such other address as shall be specified by like notice):

                 (A)  If to the Corporation, at One Lake Street, Upper Saddle
River, New Jersey 07458, Attention:  Secretary; and

                 (B)  If to Executive, either at the address of the Corporation
location at which he is employed or his current home address as reflected on
the Corporation's records.

         8.  Arbitration.  The parties will use their best efforts to resolve
by negotiation any dispute, controversy or claim which may arise in connection
with, or relate to, this Agreement.  If the parties cannot resolve directly any
such dispute, then any such dispute, controversy or claim will be finally
settled by

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arbitration to be held in the City of New York, State of New York, in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.  The
arbitration decision will be final and binding on the parties and judgment on
any arbitration award may be entered and enforced in any court of competent
jurisdiction.  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, no party will
institute any legal or equitable action against any other party in any court
with respect to any dispute, controversy or claim arising in connection with,
or relating to, this Agreement, except to obtain or enforce judgment on an
arbitration award.  Each party shall pay its own costs and expenses in
connection with the arbitration, except that (a) the Corporation shall pay the
costs of the arbitrator and the arbitration forum and (b) if the executive
shall prevail in whole or in part, the Corporation shall reimburse the
Executive for all costs and expenses incurred by him, including reasonable
attorney's fees and disbursements.

         
       9.  General.  This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, with respect to the subject matter
hereof.  This Agreement may not be changed or terminated orally.  The headings
contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the personal representatives of Executive and the
successors and assigns of

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the Corporation.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.


                                   WESTERN UNION CORPORATION



                                   By:  John C. Walters 
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        John C. Walters,
                                        Senior Vice President


                                        Robert J. Amman 
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Robert J. Amman


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                 Amendment dated as of December 7, 1990 (the "Amendment") to
the Employment Agreement dated as of the 20th day of April, 1990 (the
"Agreement") between Western Union Corporation, a New York corporation (the
"Corporation"), and Robert J. Amman (the "Executive").

                 1.  Amendment of Section 5(A) of the Agreement.  Subsection
(iv) of Section 5(A) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the
reference to the provisions of Section 5(C) and shall read in its entirety as
follows:

                 "(iv) Resignation by Executive.  Executive may resign on a
         date specified on notice to the Corporation and the Corporation shall
         have no severance payment or salary or benefit continuation
         obligations to Executive hereunder."

                 2.  Amendment of Section 5(C) of the Agreement.  The Agreement
is hereby amended by eliminating Section 5(C) thereof in its entirety.

                 3.  The undersigned hereby agree that, so long as the
Corporation's 19 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due December 15, 1992 remain
outstanding, they will not enter into any arrangements providing for the
payment of severance to the Executive upon a change in control of the
Corporation.

                 This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this
Amendment as of the date first above written.

                                        WESTERN UNION CORPORATION



                                        By:           John C. Walters
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                      John C. Walters
                                                   Senior Vice President
         

                                                      Robert J. Amman
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                      Robert J. Amman
                                                    
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                       AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         Amendment, dated as of January 30, 1991, to the Employment Agreement
dated as of the 20th day of April, 1990, as previously amended (the
"Agreement"), between Western Union Corporation, a New York corporation (the
"Corporation"), and Robert J. Amman (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, as a result of the changes in, and reduction in the scope of,
the Corporation's business, the Corporation recognizes that it is no longer
necessary for Executive to devote his full time and efforts in order to perform
his services under the Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, Executive and the Corporation wish to modify the provisions
of the Agreement to permit Executive to engage in businesses and activities
outside of the Corporation; and

         WHEREAS, the Corporation desires that Executive remain as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, and that he devote such time as
is reasonable appropriate to serve in such position.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter set
forth, it is agreed as follows:

         1.  The fourth sentence of Section 2 of the Agreement is hereby
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

             "Executive will devote such time and effort as may be reasonable
             appropriate to enable him to perform his assigned duties and will
             use his best efforts to promote the interest of the Corporation
             and its subsidiaries and Affiliates; provided, however, that
             Executive may engage in other employment or business activities,
             as long as such employment or activities do not compete with the
             business currently conducted by the Corporation and its
             subsidiaries."
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         2.  Section 3(A) of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirely to
read as follows:

             "(A)  As compensation for Executive's services during his
             employment hereunder, the Corporation will pay (subject to the
             provisions of Section 5 hereof) salary at a rate fixed from time
             to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which may be
             more or less than his current salary on the date hereof ("Minimum
             Salary"), depending on the nature and magnitude of the services
             furnished by Executive hereunder.  If the Board modifies the
             salary of Executive after the date of this Agreement, such
             modified salary shall thereafter be the Minimum Salary under this
             Agreement; provided, however, that such modified Minimum Salary
             may not be reduced without Executive's written consent. 
             Executive's salary shall be payable in installments at such
             regular intervals as the Corporation uses for the payment of
             executive salaries."

         Except as set forth herein the Agreement, as previously amended, shall
continue in full force and effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date first above written.

                                           WESTERN UNION CORPORATION        
                                                                           
                                    By:         John C. Walters
                                        ----------------------------------  
                                             Senior Vice President         
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                Robert J. Amman            
                                        ----------------------------------   
                                                Robert J. Amman            

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