LEARNING CO INC
10-Q, 1998-08-18
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>   1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

               QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                  For the quarterly period ended July 4, 1998


                         Commission File Number 1-12375

                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



              DELAWARE                                 94-2562108
   (State or Other Jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
    Incorporation or Organization)



                              ONE ATHENAEUM STREET
                         CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02142
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)


                                 (617) 494-1200
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)




     Indicate by check whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

               Yes [X]                           No [ ]

     As of August 3, 1998, there were 65,522,758 outstanding shares of the
issuer's common stock, par value $.01 per share.


<PAGE>   2

                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS



                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION




                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
ITEM 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
         June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997..............................  3

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of
         Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended
         June 30, 1998 and 1997...........................................  4

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of
         Cash Flows for the Three and Six Months
         Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.....................................  5

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.............  7

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations.............................. 11


                  PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings................................................ 15

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities............................................ 15

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............. 15

ITEM 5.  Other Information ............................................... 15

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................. 17




                                       2

<PAGE>   3

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                       June 30,     December 31,
                                                         1998          1997
                                                     -----------    ------------
                                                     (unaudited)
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>      
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents                              $101,998     $  95,137
Accounts receivable (less allowances for returns
  of $25,972 and $29,226, respectively)                 105,226        99,677
Inventories                                              38,178        29,600
Other current assets                                     45,535        32,590
                                                       --------     ---------
                                                        290,937       257,004

Intangible assets, net                                  157,098       127,481
Other long-term assets                                   44,143        32,306
                                                       --------     ---------
                                                       $492,178     $ 416,791
                                                       ========     =========

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Current liabilities                                    $175,948     $ 160,356
                                                       --------     ---------
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS:
Long-term debt                                          190,955       294,356
Accrued and deferred income taxes                        56,600        59,746
Other long-term obligations                               3,798         6,119
                                                       --------     ---------
                                                        251,353       360,221
                                                       --------     ---------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)                           64,877      (103,786)
                                                       --------     ---------
                                                       $492,178     $ 416,791
                                                       ========     =========
</TABLE>


         THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.



                                       3

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
                                                       (UNAUDITED)


                                                         Three Months Ended                   Six Months Ended
                                                              June 30,                             June 30,
                                                  ------------------------------        ------------------------------
                                                      1998               1997              1998               1997
                                                  -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------
<S>                                               <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>        
REVENUES                                          $   129,251        $    89,305        $   242,853        $   176,186

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
     Costs of production                               38,515             25,819             72,479             49,839
     Sales and marketing                               31,147             20,366             59,292             41,225
     General and administrative                        10,795              8,368             18,369             16,945
     Development and software costs                    13,367             10,094             24,360             20,845
     Amortization, merger and other charges            58,063            122,468            214,883            247,189
                                                  -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------
                                                      151,887            187,115            389,383            376,043
                                                  -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

OPERATING LOSS                                        (22,636)           (97,810)          (146,530)          (199,857)

INTEREST EXPENSE, net                                   2,105              4,995              7,619             10,516
                                                  -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

LOSS BEFORE TAXES                                     (24,741)          (102,805)          (154,149)          (210,373)

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:                                --               (250)                --               (500)
                                                  -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

NET LOSS                                          $   (24,741)       $  (102,555)       $  (154,149)       $  (209,873)
                                                  ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========

NET LOSS PER SHARE - Basic and  diluted           $     (0.42)       $     (2.09)       $     (2.74)       $     (4.30)
                                                  ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER
OF BASIC AND DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING            59,210,000         48,982,000         56,252,000         48,864,000
</TABLE>


         THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONDENSED
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
                                             (UNAUDITED)

                                                                               Six Months Ended
                                                                                   June 30,
                                                                          ---------------------------
                                                                             1998            1997
                                                                          ----------       ----------
<S>                                                                       <C>              <C>       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net loss                                                             $(154,149)       $(209,873)
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided
       by operating activities:
          Depreciation, amortization and other                               97,992          250,050
          Provisions for returns and doubtful accounts                       33,825           19,020
          Charge for incomplete technology                                  119,924               --
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
          Accounts receivable                                               (30,775)          (2,085)
          Accounts payable and accruals                                     (19,536)         (13,123)
          Other                                                              (6,500)         (19,691)
                                                                          ---------        ---------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                    40,781           24,298
                                                                          ---------        ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
         Purchases of fixed assets and other                                (18,430)          (3,244)
         Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired                         (117,242)              --
         Acquisition related items                                          (56,113)         (25,790)
                                                                          ---------        ---------
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                     (191,785)         (29,034)
                                                                          ---------        ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
        Principal payments under capital leases and other 
          long-term debt                                                       (993)            (395)
        Borrowings under line of credit                                       5,000               --
        Repurchase of Senior Convertible Notes                               (6,000)         (12,000)
        Proceeds from issuance of common stock                               28,064              464
        Proceeds from the issuance of special warrants, net                 134,346               --
        Other                                                                (2,200)            (474)
                                                                          ---------        ---------
NET CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                        158,217          (12,405)
                                                                          ---------        ---------

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                                        (352)            (443)
                                                                          ---------        ---------

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                       6,861          (17,584)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                               95,137          110,120
                                                                          ---------        ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD                                  $ 101,998        $  92,536
                                                                          =========        =========
</TABLE>



              THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                                       5

<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                                                                              Six Months Ended
                                                                                  June 30,
                                                                            --------------------
                                                                             1998          1997
                                                                            -------       ------
<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>  
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Common stock issued to acquire Mindscape                               $30,000       $  --
     Common stock issued to acquire SofSource                                45,000          --
     Common stock issued to settle earn-out agreements                        5,573          --
     Common stock issued in exchange for Senior Notes                        96,695          --
     Common stock issued to settle note payable to related party                 --       3,053
</TABLE>



              THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7


                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated financial statements of The Learning Company, Inc.
("TLC" or the "Company") for the Three Months and Six Months ended June 30, 1998
and 1997 are unaudited and reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a
fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. These condensed
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended for the year ended January 3, 1998. The
results of operations for the Three Months and Six Months ended June 30, 1998
are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending
December 31, 1998.

The second quarter reporting period for 1998 ended on July 4, 1998, and the
second quarter reporting period for 1997 ended on July 6, 1997. The periods from
April 5, 1998 to July 4, 1998 and from April 6, 1997 to July 6, 1997 are
referred to as the "Second Quarter 1998" and the "Second Quarter 1997" or the
"Three Months Ended June 30, 1998" and the "Three Months Ended June 30, 1997",
respectively. The periods from January 4, 1998 to July 4, 1998 and from January
7, 1997 to July 6, 1997 are referred to as the "Six Months Ended June 30, 1998"
and the "Six Months Ended June 30, 1997," respectively, throughout these
financial statements and Form 10-Q.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make assumptions regarding items
such as return reserves and allowances, net realizable value of intangible
assets and valuation allowances for deferred tax assets that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in
these financial statements include: return reserves, inventory reserves,
valuation of deferred tax assets and valuation and useful lives of intangible
assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

2.   BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

MINDSCAPE

On March 5, 1998, the Company acquired control of Mindscape, Inc., a consumer
software company, and certain affiliated companies ("Mindscape") for a total
purchase price of $152,557 payable in cash of $122,557 and the remainder through
the issuance of 1,366,743 shares of common stock. Under the terms of the stock
purchase agreement, the sellers have the right to require the Company to
repurchase any shares of common stock issued to satisfy the purchase price that
are not sold by the sellers by September 30, 1998. In the event that the sellers
receive less than $30,000 of proceeds from the sale of such common stock, the
Company is obligated to pay to the sellers the shortfall in cash. In the event
that the sellers receive more than $30,000 of proceeds from the sale of such
common stock, the sellers are obligated to pay the Company such excess amount
received. As at August 7, 1998, the Company would not be obligated for any
shortfall if such shares were sold. Any such payment in the future would be
recorded as an adjustment to stockholders' equity. This acquisition was
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.



                                       7
<PAGE>   8


The purchase price for Mindscape was allocated as follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                  <C>     
Purchase price                                       $152,557
Plus: fair value of net liabilities assumed             3,297
                                                     --------
Excess to allocate                                    155,854
Less: excess allocated to
   Incomplete technology                              103,000
   Completed technology and products                   13,000
   Brands and trade names                              30,000
                                                     --------
                                                      146,000
                                                     --------
Goodwill                                             $  9,854
                                                     ========
</TABLE>

The Company primarily used the income approach to determine the fair value of
the identified intangible assets acquired. The debt-free cash flows, net of
provision for operating expenses, were discounted to a net present value. The
Company believes that the incomplete products under development had not reached
technical feasibility at the date of the acquisition, had no alternative future
use and additional development is required to ensure their commercial viability.
In order to develop the acquired incomplete technology into commercially viable
products the Company will be required to complete development of proprietary
code, development of the artistic and graphic works and design of the remaining
storyboards. Complete technology is being amortized using the straight-line
method over its estimated useful life of two years and goodwill and brands and
trade names are being amortized using the straight-line method over its
estimated useful life of ten years.

Summarized pro forma combined results of operations for the Six Months Ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997 are shown as if the transaction had occurred at the
beginning of the period presented. Pro forma adjustments relate primarily to
amortization of goodwill and complete technology. These pro forma combined
results of operations include the historical results from Mindscape and do not
reflect any reductions in operating costs derived from consolidation of
functional departments. In addition, the pro forma combined operating loss
includes pro forma amortization of acquired intangible assets resulting from the
acquisition of Mindscape for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 of
$2,621 and 5,242, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Mindscape
Six Months Ended June              The Learning              Including Pro Forma             Pro Forma
       30, 1998                    Company, Inc.                 Adjustments                  Combined
- ---------------------              ------------              -------------------             ---------
<S>                                 <C>                           <C>                       <C>      
Revenues                            $ 242,853                     $  9,090                  $ 251,943
Operating loss                       (146,530)                     (44,270)                  (190,800)
Net loss                             (154,149)                     (45,330)                  (199,479)
Net loss per share                  $  ( 2.74)                                              $   (3.09)

<CAPTION>
                                                                  Mindscape
Six Months Ended June              The Learning              Including Pro Forma             Pro Forma
      30, 1997                     Company, Inc.                  Adjustments                 Combined
- ---------------------              ------------              -------------------             ---------
Revenues                            $ 176,186                     $ 19,169                  $ 195,355
Operating loss                       (199,857)                     (21,016)                  (220,873)
Net loss                             (209,873)                     (16,615)                  (226,488)
Net loss per share                  $   (4.30)                                              $   (3.91)
</TABLE>



                                       8
<PAGE>   9


SOFSOURCE, INC.

On June 2, 1998, the Company acquired control of Sofsource, Inc. ("Sofsource"),
an educational software publisher, for a total purchase price of $45,000 through
the issuance of 1,641,138 shares of common stock. Under the terms of the stock
purchase agreement, the seller has the right to require the Company to
repurchase any shares of common stock issued to satisfy the purchase price that
are not sold by December 31, 1998. In the event that the seller receives less
than $45,000 of proceeds from the sale of such common stock, the Company is
obligated to pay to the sellers the shortfall in cash. In the event that the
seller receives more than $45,000 of proceeds from the sale of such common
stock, the seller is obligated to pay the Company such excess amount received.
As at August 7, 1998, the Company would not be obligated for any shortfall if
such shares were sold. Any such payment in the future would be recorded as an
adjustment to stockholders' equity. This acquisition was accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting. The purchase price for Sofsource was allocated as
follows:


<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>    

Purchase price                                        $45,000
Plus: fair value of net liabilities assumed             2,287
                                                      -------
Excess to allocate                                     47,287
Less: excess allocated to
   Incomplete technology                               14,924
   Brands and trade names                               3,322
                                                      -------
                                                       18,246
                                                      -------
Goodwill                                              $29,041
                                                      =======
</TABLE>

The Company primarily used the income approach to determine the fair value of
the identified intangible assets acquired. The debt-free cash flows, net of
provision for operating expenses, were discounted to a net present value. The
Company believes that the incomplete products under development had not reached
technical feasibility at the date of the acquisition, had no alternative future
use and additional development is required to ensure their commercial viability.
In order to develop the acquired incomplete technology into commercially viable
products the Company will be required to complete development of proprietary
code, development of the artistic and graphic works and design of the remaining
storyboards. Goodwill and brands and trade names are being amortized using the
straight-line method over its estimated useful life of ten years.

PF. MAGIC, INC.

On April 30, 1998, the Company acquired PF. Magic, Inc. ("PF.Magic"), a virtual
life software company, in exchange for the issuance of 521,021 shares of common
stock. This transaction was accounted for using the pooling-of-interests method
of accounting. The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the
periods prior to consumation do not include the results and balances of PF.Magic
as it was deemed to be immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

BRODERBUND SOFTWARE, INC.

On June 21, 1998, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement with
Broderbund Software, Inc. ("Broderbund"), a consumer software company. Pursuant
to the agreement, subject to certain conditions described below, the Company
will issue 0.80 shares of its common stock for each outstanding share of
Broderbund's common stock. The closing of the transaction is subject to the
approval of stockholders of both companies. The Boards of Directors of both
companies have approved the transaction. The transaction is anticipated to be
accounted for using the pooling-of-interests method.




                                       9
<PAGE>   10


3.   ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL WARRANTS

On March 12, 1998, the Company's Canadian subsidiary, SoftKey Software Products
Inc. ("SoftKey"), issued in a private placement in Canada 8,687,500 special
warrants for net proceeds of approximately $134,000. On July 9, 1998 each
special warrant was exchanged into one exchangeable non-voting share of SoftKey
(an "Exchangeable Share") without additional payment. The Exchangeable Shares
are exchangeable at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis for common
stock of the Company without additional payment.

4.   BORROWINGS

On July 1, 1998, the Company amended its revolving line of credit (the "Line")
to provide a maximum availability of $123,000, of which $40,000 is outstanding
at June 30, 1998. Borrowings under the line are due July 1, 2000 and bears
interest at variable rates. The Line is subject to certain financial covenants,
is secured by a general security interest in certain operating subsidiaries of
the Company and by a pledge of the stock of certain of its subsidiaries. The
outstanding balance of $40,000 was repaid subsequent to June 30, 1998.

5.   COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Effective January 4, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." The Company's comprehensive
loss was as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    Three Months Ended June 30,        Six Months Ended June 30,
                                    ---------------------------        -------------------------
                                      1998               1997            1998              1997
                                    --------            -------        --------           ------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>              <C>                <C>       
Net loss                            $(24,741)       $(102,555)       $(154,149)         $(209,873)
Other comprehensive loss              (3,457)          (2,520)          (6,217)            (3,968)
                                    --------        ---------        ---------          --------- 
     Total comprehensive loss       $(28,198)       $(105,075)       $(160,366)         $(213,841)
                                    ========        =========        =========          ========= 
</TABLE>

Other comprehensive loss includes losses on foreign currency translation.

6.   INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable
value and include third-party assembly costs, CD-ROM discs, manuals and an
allocation of fixed overhead.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                      June 30,    December 31,
                       1998          1997
                      -------     -----------
<S>                  <C>           <C>    
Components           $ 2,031       $ 4,243
Finished goods        36,147        25,357
                     -------       -------
                     $38,178       $29,600
                     =======       =======
</TABLE>


7.   COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of
Accounting Standard No. 128 ("FAS 128"), which requires the presentation of
Basic and Dilutive earnings per share, which replaces primary and fully diluted
earnings per share. Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive net loss
per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period, plus the dilutive effect of common stock
equivalents. Common stock equivalents consist of convertible debentures,
preferred stock, stock options and warrants. The dilutive computations do not
included common stock equivalents for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
1998 and 1997 as their inclusion would be antidilutive. Dilutive elements would
include the 750,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (which is ultimately
convertible into 15,000,000 shares of common stock) issued on December 5, 1997,
8,687,500 special warrants to acquire Exchangeable Shares and employee stock
options totaling 12,191,686 and 10,508,048 at June 30, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

8.   CONVERSION OF DEBT TO COMMON STOCK


                                       10

<PAGE>   11


On May 29, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement to issue 3,434,995 shares
of its common stock in exchange for an aggregate principal amount of $96,695 of
its 5-1/2% Senior Convertible Notes due 2000, which were then cancelled. The
holders have agreed to hold substantially all of the common stock received as a
result of the exchange for a period of at least six months from issue date.

9.   EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." This statement establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. The statement requires companies to
recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities, with the instruments
measured at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value, gains or
losses, depends on the intended use of the derivative and its resulting
designation. The statement is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 1999. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 133 by January 1,
2000 and does not expect SFAS No. 133 to have a material impact on its financial
statements.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information" which changes the way public companies
report information about operating segments. SFAS No. 131 which is based on the
management approach to segment reporting establishes requirements to report
selected segment information quarterly and to report entity wide disclosures
about products and services major customers and the material countries in which
the entity holds assets and reports revenue. Management is currently evaluating
the effects of this change on its reporting of segment information. The Company
will adopt SFAS No. 131 for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.

10.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On July 13, 1998, the Company sold its Canadian income tax software for
approximately $45 million in cash.


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto and in conjunction with Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended January 3,
1998. All dollar amounts presented in this Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are presented in thousands,
except per share amounts. Certain of the information contained in this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may include "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Company's actual results may differ
materially from those set forth in such forward-looking statements. Certain
risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those discussed below in
"Factors Affecting Future Operating Results," as well as in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the 1997 fiscal year as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as well as other factors, may
also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The Company
assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect
actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such
forward-looking statements. The information contained in this Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is
provided pursuant to applicable regulations of the SEC and is not intended to
serve as a basis for projections of future events.

INTRODUCTION

The Learning Company, Inc. ("TLC" or the "Company") develops and publishes a
broad range of high quality branded consumer software for personal computers
("PCs") that educate and entertain across every age category, from young
children to adults. The Company's primary emphasis is in educational,
productivity and reference software, but it also offers a selection of lifestyle
and entertainment products, both in North America and internationally.


                                       11

<PAGE>   12


The Company has a history of acquiring companies in order to broaden its product
lines and sales channels. During the first six months of 1998, the Company
acquired Mindscape, Inc. and certain affiliated companies ("Mindscape"),
Sofsource, Inc. ("Sofsource") and PF.Magic, Inc. ("PF.Magic"). On June 21, 1998,
the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Broderbund Software,
Inc. ("Broderbund").

The Company distributes its products through retail channels, including direct
sales to computer electronics stores, office superstores, mass merchandisers,
discount warehouse stores and software specialty stores which control over
23,000 North American storefronts. The Company also sells its products directly
to consumers through the mail, telemarketing and the Internet, and directly to
schools. The Company's international sales are conducted from subsidiaries in
Germany, France, Holland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan. The
Company also derives revenue from licensing its products to original equipment
manufacturers ("OEMs"), which bundle the Company's products for sale with
computer systems or components and through on-line offerings.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     NET LOSS. The Company incurred a net loss of $24,741 ($0.42 per share) and
$154,149 ($2.74 per share) on revenues of $129,251 and $242,853 in the Second
Quarter 1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to a net loss of
$102,555 ($2.09 per share) and $209,873 ($4.30 per share) on revenues of $89,305
and $176,186 in the Second Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997.
The net loss in the Second Quarter 1998, the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998, the
Second Quarter 1997, and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 is a result of the
effect of the amortization, merger and other charges of $58,063, $214,883,
$122,468, $247,189, respectively.




                                       12
<PAGE>   13

     REVENUES. Revenues by distribution channel for the Second Quarter 1998 as
compared to the Second Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as
compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 Three Months Ended June 30,                   Six Months Ended June 30,
                            -------------------------------------       ---------------------------------------
                              1998       %         1997       %           1998        %         1997         %
                            --------    ---      -------     ---        --------     ---      --------      --- 
<S>                         <C>          <C>     <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>     <C>            <C>
Retail                      $ 63,315     49%     $37,496      42%       $119,173      49%     $ 73,809       42%
OEM                            8,493      7%       7,525       8%         17,037       7%       13,960        8%
School                        17,051     13%      14,136      16%         28,679      12%       24,298       14%
Direct response               11,707      9%       8,746      10%         24,105      10%       19,721       11%
On-Line                        1,990      2%          --      --           1,990       1%           --       --
International                 23,297     18%      17,883      20%         43,125      18%       34,517       20%
Tax software and services      3,398      2%       3,519       4%          8,744       3%        9,881        5%
                            ========    ===      =======     ===        ========     ===      ========      === 
                            $129,251    100%     $89,305     100%       $242,853     100%     $176,186      100%
                            ========    ===      =======     ===        ========     ===      ========      === 
</TABLE>


Sales increased in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue for the Three
and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the Three and Six Months Ended
June 30, 1997 primarily due to growth in the demand for consumer software.
Retail revenues also were higher than the prior year due to the acquisitions of
Mindscape and SofSource and the launch of several new and upgraded products,
which included: Reader Rabbit's Toddler, Reader Rabbit's Preschool, Reader
Rabbit's Kindergarten, The ClueFinders' 4th Grade Adventures, The Princeton
Review products: Bob Vila's Home Design, Elmo's Reading: Preschool and
Kindergarten, Elmo's Preschool, and Madeline Thinking Games. OEM sales increased
in dollars for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 primarily due to additional demand from
PC manufacturers across the industry. International sales increased in dollars
for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the Three and
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 primarily as a result of the higher PC sales in
Europe and revenues from the acquisition of Mindscape. Direct response revenues
increased in dollars for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as
compared to the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 due to growth in the
Company's catalog based sales to end users and due to revenues from Mindscape.
School sales increased in dollars for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
1998 as compared to the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 due to the
increasing demand for software in American schools. Revenues from the Tax
Division decreased in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue for the Three
and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the Three and Six Months Ended
June 30, 1997 due to greater competition in the Canadian home tax software
market and lower Canadian dollar exchange rates. The tax software business was
sold on July 9, 1998 for $45,000 in cash.


     COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Company's costs and expenses and the respective
percentages of revenues for the Second Quarter 1998 as compared to the Second
Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the Six
Months Ended June 30, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Three Months ended June 30,                    Six Months Ended June 30,
                     ----------------------------------------    --------------------------------------------
                      1998         %        1997         %         1998          %          1997         %
                     --------    ------    --------    ------    ----------    -------    ---------    ------
<S>                  <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>      <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>
Costs of production  $38,515      30%      $25,819      29%      $  72,479      30%        $49,839      28%
Sales and             31,147      24%       20,366      23%         59,292      24%         41,225      23%
marketing
Research and
    development       13,367      10%       10,094      11%         24,360      10%         20,845      12%
General and
    administrative    10,795       8%        8,368       9%         18,369       8%         16,945      10%
                     =======    ======     =======    ======      ========     =====      ========     =====
                     $93,824      72%      $64,647      72%       $174,500      72%       $128,854      73%
                     =======    ======     =======    ======      ========     =====      ========     =====
</TABLE>


Costs of production includes the cost of manuals, packaging, diskettes,
duplication, assembly and fulfillment charges. In addition, costs of production
includes royalties paid to third-party developers and inventory obsolescence
reserves. Costs of production as a percentage of revenues increased in the
Second Quarter 1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the
Second Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 from 29% and 28% to
30% and 30%, respectively. The increase in costs of production as a percentage
of revenues in Second Quarter 1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 from
Second Quarter 1997 and the Six 


                                       13

<PAGE>   14


Months Ended June 30, 1997 was caused by sale of products from the acquisitions
of Mindscape, SofSource, and Creative Wonders that have higher production costs
and royalty rates.

Sales and marketing expenses increased to 24% of revenues in the Second Quarter
1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to 23% of revenues in
the Second Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997. The increase
relates to higher spending on coupon rebate promotions, retail channel marketing
and trade promotion programs.

Development and software costs decreased to 10% of revenues in the Second
Quarter 1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to 11% and 12%
of revenues in the Second Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
due to the timing of product introduction and the ability of the Company to
leverage its development costs across broader distribution channels.

General and administrative expenses decreased to 8% of revenues in the Second
Quarter 1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to 9% and 10% of
revenues in the Second Quarter 1997 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 due
to continued efforts to reduce both fixed costs and employee headcount related
to the combinations of the Company's acquisitions. In terms of absolute dollars
general and administrative expenses increased in the Second Quarter 1998 and the
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the Second Quarter 1997 and the
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 due to the costs from the Mindscape and SofSource
operations.

The Company reported merger, amortization and other charges in the Second
Quarter 1998 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 and the Second Quarter 1997
and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 of $58,063, $214,883, $122,468, and
$247,189, resulting primarily from the acquisitions. The charges in the Three
and Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 include $16,924 and $119,924, related to
incomplete technology write-offs, with the remainder relating to amortization of
goodwill, amortization of acquired technology related assets and other expenses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents increased from $95,137 at December 31, 1997 to
$101,998 at June 30, 1998. This increase was attributable to the Company's
Canadian subsidiary, SoftKey Software Products Inc. ("SoftKey"), issuing
8,687,500 special warrants in a private placement for proceeds of approximately
$134,000 offset by the cash paid for the acquisition of Mindscape of
approximately $120,000. Other financing activities generated a further $24,217
and investing activities used a further $71,785 offset by cash generated from
operations of approximately $40,781.

As of July 27, 1998, the Company has outstanding $200,955 principal amount
Senior Convertible Notes ($10,000 is included as current). The Senior
Convertible Notes will be redeemable by the Company on or after November 2, 1998
at declining redemption prices. Should the Senior Convertible Notes not convert
under their terms into common stock, there can be no assurances that the Company
will have sufficient cash flows from future operations to meet payment
requirements under the debt or be able to re-finance the notes under favorable
terms or at all.

On July 1, 1998, the Company amended its revolving line of credit (the "Line")
to provide a maximum availability of $123,000, of which $40,000 is outstanding
at June 30, 1998. Borrowings under the line are due July 1, 2000 and bear
interest at variable rates. The Line is subject to certain financial covenants,
is secured by a general security interest in certain operating subsidiaries of
the Company and by a pledge of the stock of certain of its subsidiaries. The
outstanding balance of $40,000 was repaid subsequent to June 30, 1998.

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Learning Company Funding,
Inc. (a separate special purpose corporation), is party to a receivables
purchase agreement whereby it can sell without recourse undivided interests in
eligible pools of trade accounts receivable on a revolving basis during a five
year period ending September 30, 2002 of up to $75,000. The Company acts as
servicing agent for the sold receivables in the collection and administration of
the accounts. In addition, the Company has a European accounts receivable
factoring facility where it can sell up to $25,000 of European accounts
receivable on a recourse basis to its banks. Each of these facilities were fully
utilized at June 30, 1998.


                                       14

<PAGE>   15


Income generated by the Company's subsidiaries in certain foreign countries
cannot be repatriated to the Company in the United States without payment of
additional taxes since the Company does not currently receive a U.S. tax credit
with respect to income taxes paid by the Company (including its subsidiaries) in
those foreign countries.

At the present time, the Company expects that its cash flows from operations
will be sufficient to finance the Company's operations for at least the next
twelve months. Longer-term cash requirements are dictated by a number of
external factors, which include the Company's ability to launch new and
competitive products, the strength of competition in the consumer software
industry and the growth of the home computer and software markets. In addition,
the Company's Senior Convertible Notes mature November 1, 2000. If not converted
to common stock, the Company may be required to secure alternative financing
sources. There can be no assurance that alternative financing sources will be
available on terms acceptable to the Company in the future or at all. The
Company continuously evaluates products and technologies for acquisitions,
however no estimation of short-term or long-term cash requirements for such
acquisitions can be made at this time.


FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

The Company operates in a rapidly changing environment that is subject to many
risks and uncertainties. Some of the important risks and uncertainties which may
cause the Company's operating results to differ materially or adversely are
discussed below and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for
the 1997 fiscal year on file with the SEC.

The Company's future operating results are subject to a number of uncertainties,
including its ability to develop and introduce new products, the introduction of
competitive products and general economic conditions. In addition, the Company
competes for retail shelf space and general consumer awareness with a number of
companies that market consumer software, including competitors and potential
competitors that possess significantly greater capital, marketing resources and
brand recognition than the Company. Furthermore, the rapid changes in the market
and the increasing number of new products available to consumers have increased,
and are expected to continue to increase, the degree of consumer acceptance risk
with respect to any specific title that the Company may publish.





                                       15
<PAGE>   16


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Company is subject to various pending claims. Management, after review and
consultation with counsel, considers that any liability from the disposition of
such lawsuits in the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect upon the
consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.


ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES.

On May 14, 1998, the Company issued 521,021 shares of the Company's common stock
to the former stockholders of PF.Magic, in connection with the Company's
acquisition of PF.Magic.

On May 11, 1998, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,434,995 shares of its
common stock to certain accounts managed by Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P. in
exchange for certain senior notes of the Company held by such accounts.

On June 8, 1998, the Company issued 40,940 shares of its common stock to Rainer
Rossipaul, a former stockholder of Rossipaul Medien GmbH, as the final
consideration for the Company's purchase of Rossipaul Medien GmbH pursuant to
the earn-out provisions of the Share Purchase Agreement dated as of April 5,
1997 among the Company, Mr. Rossipaul and Rossipaul Kommunikation GmbH.

On July 4, 1998, the Company issued 1,641,138 shares of the Company's common
stock to North Coast Entertainment, Inc., the former stockholder of Sofsource,
in connection with the Company's acquisition of Sofsource.

For each issuance described above the Company has relied upon the exemption from
registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The basis for this
exemption is satisfaction of the conditions of Rule 506 under the Securities Act
in that the offers and sales satisfied all the terms and conditions of Rules 501
and 502 under the Securities Act, there were no more than 35 purchasers of
securities from the Company, other than accredited investors, and each
purchaser, either alone or with his purchaser representative, had such knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters that he was capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment.


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

(a)  The Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 21, 1998.

(b)  The following directors were elected at the meeting, and no other
     director's term of office continued after the meeting: Lamar Alexander,
     Michael A. Bell, Anthony J. DiNovi, James C. Dowdle, Robert Gagnon, Mark E.
     Nunnelly, Kevin O'Leary, Michael J. Perik, Carolynn Reid-Wallace, Robert A.
     Rubinoff, Scott M. Sperling and Paul J. Zepf.



                                       16
<PAGE>   17


(c)  The first matter voted upon at the meeting was the election of directors.
     Each of the nominees was elected as a director to serve until the Company's
     1999 Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is elected and
     qualified. The votes for each of the nominees were reported as follows:

<TABLE>

     <S>                             <C>                        <C>
      Lamar Alexander                For:                       54,837,974
                                     Withheld:                   3,523,794

      Michael A. Bell                For:                       54,854,808
                                     Withheld:                   3,506,960

      Anthony J. DiNovi              For:                       57,309,100
                                     Withheld:                   1,052,668

      James C. Dowdle                For:                       54,901,904
                                     Withheld:                   3,459,864

      Robert Gagnon                  For:                       57,308,201
                                     Withheld                    1,053,567

      Mark E. Nunnelly               For:                       57,309,902
                                     Withheld:                   1,051,866

      Kevin O'Leary                  For:                       57,310,100
                                     Withheld:                   1,051,668

      Michael J. Perik               For:                       57,310,326
                                     Withheld:                   1,051,442

      Carolynn Reid-Wallace          For:                       54,843,653
                                     Withheld:                   3,518,115

      Robert A. Rubinoff             For:                       57,305,941
                                     Withheld:                   1,055,827

      Scott M. Sperling              For:                       57,274,990
                                     Withheld:                   1,086,778

      Paul J. Zepf                   For:                       57,308,319
                                     Withheld:                   1,053,449

</TABLE>

     The second matter voted upon at the meeting was the ratification of the
     appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (formerly Coopers & Lybrand
     L.L.P.) as the independent public accountants of the Company for the fiscal
     year ending January 2, 1999. Such appointment was approved. The votes were
     reported as follows:


     For:                                      58,271,117
     Against:                                      36,018
     Abstain:                                      54,774







                                      17
<PAGE>   18


     The third matter voted upon at the meeting was a proposal to approve an
     amendment to the Company's Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (i) to eliminate
     the restriction on the number of shares of restricted stock that the
     Company may grant to any named executive officer in any year and (ii) to
     expand the types of performance goals that may be used for
     performance-based awards made to named executive officers. Such proposal
     was approved. The votes were reported as follows:


     For:                                     47,152,342
     Against:                                 10,936,195
     Abstain:                                    273,336


     The fourth matter voted upon at the meeting was a proposal to approve an
     amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
     increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock from
     120,000,000 to 200,000,000. Such proposal was approved. The votes were
     reported as follows:


     For:                                     55,312,385
     Against:                                  2,983,293
     Abstain:                                     66,195

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

As set forth in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for its 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Secretary of the Company at the
Company's principal offices no later than December 3, 1998.

In addition, in accordance with recent amendments to Rules 14a-4, 14a-5 and
14a-8 under the Exchange Act, written notice of stockholder proposals submitted
outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 for consideration at the 1999 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders must be received by the Company on or before February 17, 1999
in order to be considered timely for purposes of Rule 14a-4. The persons
designated in the Company's proxy statement and management proxy card will be
granted discretionary authority with respect to any stockholder proposal for
which the Company does not receive timely notice.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a)      EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER         DESCRIPTION

    2.1        Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 21, 1998 among the
               Company, TLC Merger Corp. and Broderbund Software, Inc.(1)

    3.1        Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

    3.2        Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Participating
               Preferred Stock Setting Forth the Powers, Preferences, Rights,
               Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions of such Series of
               Preferred Stock(2)

    3.3        Bylaws of the Company, as amended(3)



                                       18
<PAGE>   19
    4.1        Indenture dated as of October 16, 1995 between the Company and
               State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for 5 1/2%
               Senior Convertible Notes due 2000 (the "Indenture")(4)

    4.2        First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture, dated as of
               November 22, 1995, by and between the Company and State Street
               Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee(5)

    4.3        Note Resale Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 23,
               1995 by and between the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial
               Purchasers set forth therein, on the other hand (the
               "Registration Rights Agreement")(5)

    4.4        Letter Agreement dated November 22, 1995 amending the
               Registration Rights Agreement(5)

    4.5        Form of Securities Resale Registration Rights Agreement by and
               among the Company and Tribune Company(6)

    4.6        Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement dated as of February 4, 1994
               among the Company and SoftKey Software Products Inc. and R-M
               Trust Company, as Trustee(7)

    4.7        Plan of Arrangement of SoftKey Software Products Inc. under
               Section 182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario)(7)

    4.8        Special Warrant Indenture dated March 12, 1998 between SoftKey
               Software Products Inc. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company(8)

    4.9        Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 26, 1997 among
               the Company and Thomas H. Lee Company, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund
               III, L.P., Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund III, L.P., Bain Capital
               Fund V, L.P., Bain Capital V-B. L.P., BCIP Associates, L.P., BCIP
               Trust Associates, L.P., Centre Capital Investors II, L.P., Centre
               Capital Tax-Exempt Investors II, L.P., Centre Capital Offshore
               Investors II, L.P. , State Board of Administration of Florida,
               Centre Parallel Management Partners, L.P. and Centre Partners
               Coinvestment, L.P.(3)

   10.1        Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, restated as of May 21, 1998*

   10.2        1996 Stock Option Plan, restated as of March 5, 1998*

   10.3        Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 6, 1998
               among Fleet National Bank, as agent, Goldman Sachs Credit
               Partners L.P., as syndication agent, the lenders named therein,
               TLC Multimedia Inc., Learning Company Properties Inc., TEC
               Direct, Inc., Learning Services, Inc., Skills Bank Corporation,
               Microsystems Software, Inc. and Mindscape, Inc. (the "Credit
               Agreement")

   10.4        First Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 1, 1998

   10.5        Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 24,
               1998

   10.6        First Amendment dated as of May 6, 1998 to the Receivables
               Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1997, among The Learning
               Company Funding, Inc., Lexington Parker Capital Company, LLC,
               Fleet National Bank, as agent, TLC Multimedia Inc. and the
               Company

   27.1        Financial Data Schedule

- -------------------------

*    Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


                                       19
<PAGE>   20

(1)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Current
     Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 1998.

(2)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Definitive
     Proxy Statement filed October 24, 1997.

(3)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 1998.

(4)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995.

(5)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Registration
     Statement on Form S-3 (Reg . No. 333-145) filed January 26, 1996.

(6)  Filed as exhibits to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 30,
     1995 by and among the Company, Cubsco I, Inc., Cubsco II, Inc., Tribune
     Company, Compton's NewMedia, Inc. and Compton's Learning Company,
     incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Current
     Report on Form 8-K dated December 11, 1995.

(7)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Registration
     Statement on Form S-3 (Reg . No. 333-40549) filed December 3, 1997.

(8)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 4, 1998.


(b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     On May 5, 1998, May 20, 1998 and May 29, 1998, respectively, the Company
filed Amendment No. 2, Amendment No. 3 and Amendment No. 4 to its Current Report
on Form 8-K dated March 27, 1998 reporting the completion of its acquisition of
Mindscape pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and
Mindscape Holding Company, Pearson Overseas Holdings Ltd. and Pearson
Netherlands, BV.

     The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 1998
reporting that the Company and Broderbund Software, Inc. had reached a
definitive agreement for the Company to acquire Broderbund Software, Inc. in a
merger.





                                       20
<PAGE>   21


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                   THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.


                                   /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   R. Scott Murray
                                   Executive Vice President and 
                                   Chief Financial Officer
                                   (principal financial and accounting officer)



August 14, 1998






                                       21
<PAGE>   22



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION

   2.1      Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 21, 1998 among the
            Company, TLC Merger Corp. and Broderbund Software, Inc.(1)

   3.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

   3.2      Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Participating
            Preferred Stock Setting Forth the Powers, Preferences, Rights,
            Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions of such Series of
            Preferred Stock(2)

   3.3      Bylaws of the Company, as amended()3

   4.1      Indenture dated as of October 16, 1995 between the Company and State
            Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, for 5 1/2% Senior
            Convertible Notes due 2000 (the "Indenture")(4)

   4.2      First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture, dated as of November
            22, 1995, by and between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust
            Company, as Trustee(5)

   4.3      Note Resale Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 23,
            1995 by and between the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial
            Purchasers set forth therein, on the other hand (the "Registration
            Rights Agreement")(5)

   4.4      Letter Agreement dated November 22, 1995 amending the Registration
            Rights Agreement(5)

   4.5      Form of Securities Resale Registration Rights Agreement by and among
            the Company and Tribune Company(6)

   4.6      Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement dated as of February 4, 1994
            among the Company and SoftKey Software Products Inc. and R-M Trust
            Company, as Trustee(7)

   4.7      Plan of Arrangement of SoftKey Software Products Inc. under Section
            182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario)(7)
     
   4.8      Special Warrant Indenture dated March 12, 1998 between SoftKey
            Software Products Inc. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company(8)

   4.9      Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 26, 1997 among the
            Company and Thomas H. Lee Company, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III,
            L.P., Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund III, L.P., Bain Capital Fund V,
            L.P., Bain Capital V-B. L.P., BCIP Associates, L.P., BCIP Trust
            Associates, L.P., Centre Capital Investors II, L.P., Centre Capital
            Tax-Exempt Investors II, L.P., Centre Capital Offshore Investors II,
            L.P. , State Board of Administration of Florida, Centre Parallel
            Management Partners, L.P. and Centre Partners Coinvestment, L.P.(3)

   10.1     Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, restated as of May 21, 1998*

   10.2     1996 Stock Option Plan, restated as of March 5, 1998*

   10.3     Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 6, 1998 among
            Fleet National Bank, as agent, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.,
            as syndication agent, the lenders named therein, TLC Multimedia
            Inc., Learning Company Properties Inc., TEC Direct, Inc., Learning
            Services, Inc., Skills Bank Corporation, Microsystems Software, Inc.
            and Mindscape, Inc. (the "Credit Agreement")



                                       22
<PAGE>   23
   10.4     First Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 1, 1998

   10.5     Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 24, 1998

   10.6     First Amendment dated as of May 6, 1998 to the Receivables Purchase
            Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1997, among The Learning Company
            Funding, Inc., Lexington Parker Capital Company, LLC, Fleet National
            Bank, as agent, TLC Multimedia Inc. and the Company

   27.1     Financial Data Schedule

- -------------------------

*    Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(1)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Current
     Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 1998.

(2)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Definitive
     Proxy Statement filed October 24, 1997.

(3)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 1998.

(4)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995.

(5)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Registration
     Statement on Form S-3 (Reg . No. 333-145) filed January 26, 1996.

(6)  Filed as exhibits to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 30,
     1995 by and among the Company, Cubsco I, Inc., Cubsco II, Inc., Tribune
     Company, Compton's NewMedia, Inc. and Compton's Learning Company,
     incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Current
     Report on Form 8-K dated December 11, 1995.

(7)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Registration
     Statement on Form S-3 (Reg . No. 333-40549) filed December 3, 1997.

(8)  Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company's Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 4, 1998.







                                       23

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1

     [NOTE: THE FOLLOWING RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION HAS BEEN FURTHER
     RESTATED, FOR PURPOSES OF FILING THE SAME WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
     COMMISSION ONLY, TO GIVE EFFECT TO (I) THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF THE
     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF SOFTKEY INTERNATIONAL INC. FILED
     WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE ON MAY 30, 1996, (II)
     THE CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP OF SOFTKEY INTERNATIONAL INC. CHANGING ITS
     NAME TO THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC. FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE
     STATE OF DELAWARE ON OCTOBER 24, 1996 AND (III) THE CERTIFICATE OF
     AMENDMENT OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE LEARNING
     COMPANY, INC. FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE ON
     JUNE 26, 1998.]

                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.

               The Learning Company, Inc. (formerly known as "SoftKey 
International Inc.), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), the original Certificate of Incorporation
of which was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
October 1, 1986 under the name Orporcim Corporation, HEREBY CERTIFIES that this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation restating, integrating and amending its
Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by its Board of Directors in
accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the general Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware.

1.   NAME. The name of the Corporation is "The Learning Company, Inc."

2.   REGISTERED OFFICE. The address of the registered office of the Corporation 
in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington,
County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The
Corporation Trust Company.

3.   PURPOSES. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation 
Law of the State of Delaware.

4.   CAPITAL STOCK

          4.1 AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK. The total number of shares of all 
classes of capital stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is
205,000,001, of which 200,000,000 shares are to be designated shares of "Common
Stock", each such share of Common Stock to have a par value of $0.01, 5,000,000
shares are to be

<PAGE>   2


designated shares of "Preferred Stock", each such share of Preferred Stock to
have a par value of $0.01, and one share is to be designated the share of
"Special Voting Stock," such share of Special Voting Stock to have a par value
of $1.00.

          4.2 RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS.

               4.2.1 COMMON STOCK AND SPECIAL VOTING STOCK. The rights, 
privileges and restrictions of the Common Stock and the Special Voting Stock
shall be set forth in this Section 4.

               4.2.2 PREFERRED STOCK. The Board of Directors is expressly 
authorized to provide for the issuance of all or any shares of the Preferred
Stock in one or more classes or series, and to fix for each such class or series
such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such distinctive
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be
stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors providing for the issuance of such class or series and as may be
permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including,
without limitation, the authority to provide that any such class or series may
be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices;
(ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative)
at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference
to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes
of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of
stock, of the Corporation; (iii) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution
of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; or (iv)
convertible into, or ex-changeable for, shares of any other class or classes of
stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of
stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange
and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or
resolutions.

          4.3 VOTING RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK AND SPECIAL VOTING STOCK.

               4.3.1 GENERAL. Except as otherwise required by law or this 
Restated Certificate, (i) each holder of record of Common Stock shall have one
vote in respect of each share of stock held by the holder on the books of the
Corporation, and (ii) the holder of record of the share of Special Voting Stock
shall have a number of votes equal to the number of outstanding Exchangeable
Non-Voting Shares ("Exchangeable Shares") of SoftKey Software Products Inc. from
time to time which are not owned by the Corporation, any of its subsidiaries or
any person directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control of the
Corporation, in each case for the election of directors and on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation. Any vacancy in the Board
of Directors occurring because of the death, resignation or removal of a
director elected by the holders of Common Stock and Special Voting Stock shall
be filled by the vote or written consent of the holders of such Common Stock and
Special Voting Stock or, in the absence of action by such



                                       2
<PAGE>   3


holders, such vacancy shall be filled by action of the remaining directors. A
director elected by the holders of Common Stock and Special Voting Stock may be
removed from the Board of Directors with or without cause by the vote or consent
of the holders of such Common Stock and Special Voting Stock, as provided by the
Delaware General Corporation Law. For the purposes hereof, "control" (including
the correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control
of") as applied to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
that person through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

               4.3.2 COMMON STOCK AND SPECIAL VOTING STOCK IDENTICAL IN VOTING. 
In respect of all matters concerning the voting of shares, the Common Stock and
the Special Voting Stock shall vote as a single class and such voting rights
shall be identical in all respects.

          4.4 LIQUIDATION. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or 
winding up of the Corporation, and subject to any prior rights of holders of
shares of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to
receive, pro rata, all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for
distribution to its stockholders and the holders of Special Voting Stock shall
not be entitled to receive any such assets.

          4.5 DIVIDENDS. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled
to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of the
assets of the Corporation which are by law available therefor, dividends payable
either in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock and the holders of
Special Voting Stock shall not be entitled to receive any such dividends.

          4.6 SPECIAL VOTING STOCK. (a) Pursuant to the terms of that certain
Combination Agreement, dated as of August 17, 1993, as amended and restated, by
and among the Corporation, SoftKey Software Products Inc., an Ontario
corporation, Spinnaker Software Corporation, a Minnesota corporation and SSC
Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, one share of Special Voting
Stock is being issued to the trustee (the "Trustee") under the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement, dated as of February 4, 1994, by and between the
Corporation, SoftKey Software Products Inc. and the Trustee.

               (b) The holder of the share of Special Voting Stock is entitled 
to exercise the voting rights attendant thereto in such manner as such holder
desires.


                                       3
<PAGE>   4


               (c) At such time as the Special Voting Stock has no votes 
attached to it because there are no Exchangeable Shares of SoftKey outstanding
which are not owned by the Corporation, any of its subsidiaries or any person
directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control of the Corporation,
and there are no shares of stock, debt, options or other agreements of SoftKey
Software Products Inc. which could give rise to the issuance of any Exchangeable
Shares of SoftKey Software Products Inc. to any person (other than the
Corporation, any of its sub-sidiaries or any person directly or indirectly
controlled by or under common control of the Corporation), the Special Voting
Stock shall be cancelled.

5.   MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall 
be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, and the
directors need not be elected by ballot unless required by the Bylaws of the
Corporation.

6.   BY-LAWS. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
statute, the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Corporation are each
expressly authorized to adopt, amend, or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

7.   ARRANGEMENT WITH CREDITORS. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is 
proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or
between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of
equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a
summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on
the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation
under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the
application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed
for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the
Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of
the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may
be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in
number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of
creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or
arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization
shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,
be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this Corporation.

8.   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS.



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

          8.1 ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES OF DIRECTORS. A director of the
Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware
General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this
Section to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by
the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended. Any repeal or modification
of this Section by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely
affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the
time of such repeal or modification.

          8.2 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.

               8.2.1 RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person
of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer,
of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation, as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with
respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is
alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, or
agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or
agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to its fullest
extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or
may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the
extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior
to such amendment), against all expense, liability, and loss (including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connec-tion therewith, and
such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or
her heirs, executors, and administrators; provided, however, that the
Corporation shall



                                       5
<PAGE>   6
6 indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a
proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding
(or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right
and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred
in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided,
however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, the payment of
such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a
director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is
rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final
disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation
of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all
amounts so advance if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or
officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise. The
Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to
employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the
foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

               8.2.2 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and
the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its
final disposition conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other
right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of this Restated Certificate, Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders,
or disinterested directors or otherwise.

               8.2.3 INSURANCE. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its 
expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee, or agent of the
Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other
enter-prise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense,
liability, or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

9.   AMENDMENTS. The Corporation reserves the right to amend and repeal any
provision contained in this Restated Certificate, and to take other corporate
action to the extent and in the manner now or hereafter permitted or prescribed
by the laws of the State of Delaware. All rights herein conferred are granted
subject to this reservation.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Learning Company, Inc. (formerly known as "SoftKey
International Inc.") has caused this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be
signed in its name and on its behalf and attested on this 4th day of February,
1994.


                                        THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.


                                        By /S/ Michael J. Perik
                                           ----------------------------------
                                           Name: Michael J. Perik
                                           Title: Chairman



ATTEST:

By  /S/ David L. Lewis
    ------------------------------
    Name: David L. Lewis
    Title: Secretary


                                       7

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1



                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                         LONG TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

                           RESTATED AS OF MAY 21, 1998

1.      PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

        A. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to provide selected eligible
employees of, and consultants to, The Learning Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, its Subsidiaries (as defined herein) and Affiliates (as defined
herein) an opportunity to participate in The Learning Company, Inc.'s future by
offering them long-term, performance-based and other incentives and equity
interests in The Learning Company, Inc. so as to retain, attract and motivate
management personnel.

        B. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms have the
following meanings:

           1. "AFFILIATE" means a parent or subsidiary corporation, as defined
in the applicable provisions (currently Section 425) of the Code.

           2. "ANNUAL BASE SALARY" with respect to a participant who is a
Covered Employee as of the end of the year shall mean the annual rate of base
salary of such participant as in effect as of the first day of any year, without
regard to any optional or mandatory deferral of base salary pursuant to a salary
deferral arrangement.

           3. "AWARD" means any award under the Plan, including any Option,
Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Stock Purchase Right, or Performance
Share Award.

           4. "AWARD AGREEMENT" means, with respect to each Award, the signed
written agreement between the Company and the Plan participant setting forth the
terms and conditions of the Award.

           5. "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

           6. "CHANGE IN CONTROL" has the meaning set forth in Section 10A.

           7. "CHANGE IN CONTROL PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section
10C.

           8. "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time, and any successor.

           9. "COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
successor agency.

           10. "COMMITTEE" means the Committee referred to in Section 2, or the
Board in its capacity as administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 2.



<PAGE>   2


           11. "COMPANY" means The Learning Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

           12. "COVERED EMPLOYEE" has the meaning set forth in Section 162(m)(3)
of the Code.

           13. [Intentionally Omitted]

           14. "DISABILITY" means permanent and total disability as determined
by the Committee for purposes of the Plan.

           15. "DISINTERESTED PERSON" has the meaning set forth in Rule
16b-3(d)(3) under the Exchange Act and any successor definition adopted by the
Commission.

           16. "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, and any successor.

           17. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means as of any given date:

               (a) If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a
national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market,
the closing sale price for the Stock or the closing bid, if no sales are
reported, as quoted on such system or exchange (or the largest such exchange)
for the date the value is to be determined (or if there are no sales for such
date, then for the last preceding business day on which there were sales), as
reported in the WALL STREET JOURNAL or similar publication.

               (b) If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities
dealer but selling prices are not reported, the mean between the high bid and
low asked prices for the Stock on the date the value is to be determined (or if
there are no quoted prices for the date of grant, then for the last preceding
business day on which there were quoted prices).

               (c) In the absence of an established market for the Stock, as
determined in good faith by the Committee, with reference to the Company's net
worth, prospective earning power, dividend-paying capacity, and other relevant
factors, including the goodwill of the Company, the economic outlook in the
Company's industry, the Company's position in the industry and its management
and the values of stock of other corporations in the same or a similar line of
business.

           18. "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means any Option intended to be and
designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Code.

           18A. "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" has the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act and any successor definition adopted by the Commission.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3


           19. "NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION" means any Option that is not an
Incentive Stock Option.

           20. "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" has the meaning set forth in Section 162(m).

           21. "OPTION" means an Option granted under Section 5.

           22. "PERFORMANCE SHARE" means the equivalent, as of any time such
assessment is made, of the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock.

           23. "PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD" means an Award under Section 9.

           24. "PLAN" means this Learning Company, Inc. Long Term Equity
Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

           25. "PRE-TAX PROFIT" shall mean the net profit before income taxes of
the Company for each year determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and reported upon by the Company's independent
accountants.

           26. "RESTRICTED STOCK" means an Award of Stock subject to
restrictions, as more fully described in Section 7.

           27. "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor rule.

           28. "SECTION 162(M)" means Section 162(m) of the Code, as amended
from time to time, and any successor provision.

           29. "STOCK" means the Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company,
and any successor security.

           30. "STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT" means an Award granted under 
Section 6.

           31. "STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT" means an Award granted under Section 8.

           32. "SUBSIDIARY" has the meaning set forth in Section 425 of the
Code.

           33. "TERMINATION" means, for purposes of the Plan, with respect to a
participant, that the participant has ceased to be, for any reason, with or
without cause, an employee of, or a consultant to, the Company, or a Subsidiary
or Affiliate of the Company, such that such participant is neither an employee
of, or a consultant to, the Company, a Subsidiary, or any Affiliate.



                                       3

<PAGE>   4

2.      ADMINISTRATION.

        A. COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or, upon
delegation by the Board, by a committee of the Board comprised of not less than
two members (i) each member of which shall be, to the extent required to comply
with Rule 16b-3 and unless the Committee determines that Rule 16b-3 is not
applicable to the Plan, a Non-Employee Director, and (ii) each member of which
shall be, to the extent required to comply with Section 162(m) and unless the
Committee determines that Rule 162(m) is not applicable to the Plan, an Outside
Director. In connection with the administration of the Plan, the Committee shall
have the powers possessed by the Board. The Committee may act only by a majority
of its members, except that the Committee (i) may authorize any one or more of
its members or any officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents on
behalf of the Committee and (ii) so long as not otherwise required for the Plan
to comply with Rule 16b-3 (unless the Committee determines that Rule 16b-3 is
not applicable to the Plan) and so long as not otherwise required for the Plan
to comply with Section 162(m) (unless the Committee determines that Section
162(m) is not applicable to the Plan), may delegate to one or more officers or
directors of the Company authority to grant Awards to persons who are not
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Stock and who are not
Covered Employees. The Board at any time may abolish the Committee and revest in
the Board the administration of the Plan.

        B. AUTHORITY. The Committee shall grant Awards to eligible employees and
consultants. In particular and without limitation, the Committee, subject to the
terms of the Plan, shall:

           1. Select the officers, other employees and consultants to whom
Awards may be granted;

           2. Determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted
under the Plan;

           3. Determine the number of shares to be covered by each Award granted
under the Plan;

              (a) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under
the Plan and any related loans to be made by the Company, based upon factors
determined by the Committee;

              (b) determine to what extent and under what circumstances any
Award payments may be deferred by a Plan participant; and

           4. Make adjustments in the Performance Goals (as hereinafter defined)
in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or the
financial statements of the Company, or in response to changes in applicable
laws, regulations, or accounting principles.

                                       4

<PAGE>   5

        C. COMMITTEE DETERMINATIONS BINDING. The Committee may adopt, alter and
repeal administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it
from time to time shall deem advisable, interpret the terms and provisions of
the Plan, any Award, any Award Agreement and otherwise supervise the
administration of the Plan. Any determination made by the Committee pursuant to
the provisions of the Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in its sole
discretion at the time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of
any express term of the Plan or Award, at any later time. All decisions made by
the Committee under the Plan shall be binding on all persons, including the
Company and Plan participants.

3.      STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

        A. NUMBER OF SHARES. The total number of shares of Stock reserved and
available for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 9,000,000
shares. Such shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued
shares or shares reacquired in private transactions or open market purchases,
but all shares issued under the Plan regardless of source shall be counted
against the 9,000,000 share limitation. If any Option terminates or expires
without being exercised in full or if any shares of Stock subject to an Award
are forfeited or if an Award otherwise terminates without a payment being made
to the participant in the form of Stock, the shares issuable under such Option
or Award shall again be available for issuance in connection with Awards;
provided that, to the extent required for the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3, in
the case of forfeiture, cancellation, exchange or surrender of shares of
Restricted Stock, the number of shares with respect to such Awards shall not be
available for Awards hereunder unless dividends paid on such shares are also
forfeited, canceled, exchanged or surrendered. If any shares of Stock subject to
an Award are repurchased by the Company, the shares issuable under such Award
shall again be available for issuance in connection with Awards other than
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. To the extent an Award is paid in cash,
the number of shares of Stock representing, at Fair Market Value on the date of
the payment, the value of the cash payment shall not be available for later
grant under the Plan.

        B. INDIVIDUAL LIMITS. In any year during the term of this Plan
(commencing January 1, 1995), no Plan participant can receive stock-based Awards
including Options, Stock Appreciation Rights which are granted without reference
to an Option, Restricted Stock, Stock Purchase Rights and Performance Shares,
relating to shares of Stock which in the aggregate exceed 20% of the total
number of shares of Stock authorized pursuant to the Plan, as adjusted pursuant
to the terms hereof.

        C. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of any merger, reorganization,
consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, sale of
substantial assets or other change in corporate structure affecting the Stock,
such substitution or adjustments shall be made in the aggregate number and kind
of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, in the number, kind and
exercise price of shares subject to outstanding Options, in the number, kind and
purchase price of shares subject to outstanding Stock Purchase Rights and in the
number 

                                       5

<PAGE>   6

and kind of shares subject to other outstanding Awards, as may be determined to
be appropriate by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that the number
and kind of shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to the
nearest whole number; and provided further that with respect to Incentive Stock
Options, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the
Code. Such adjusted exercise price shall also be used to determine the amount
payable by the Company upon the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right
associated with any Option.

4.      ELIGIBILITY.

        Awards may be granted to officers and other employees of, and
consultants to, the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates (excluding any
person who serves only as a director).

5.      STOCK OPTIONS.

        A. TYPES. Any Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the
Committee may from time to time approve. The Committee shall have the authority
to grant to any Plan participant Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock
Options, or any type of Option (in each case with or without Stock Appreciation
Rights). Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the
Company, its parent (within the meaning of Section 425 of the Code) or its
Subsidiaries. Any portion of an Option that does not qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

        B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject
to the following terms and conditions:

           1. OPTION TERM. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the
Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten
years after the date the Option is granted, and no Non-Qualified Stock Option
shall be exercisable more than 11 years after the date the Option is granted.
If, at the time the Company grants an Incentive Stock Option, the optionee owns
directly or by attribution stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company, the Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable more than five
years after the date of grant.

           2. GRANT DATE. The Company may grant Options under the Plan at any
time and from time to time before the Plan terminates. The Committee shall
specify the date of grant or, if it fails to do so, the date of grant shall be
the date of action taken by the Committee to grant the Option; provided that no
Option may be exercised prior to execution of the applicable Award Agreement.
However, if an Option is approved in anticipation of employment, the date of
grant shall be the date the intended optionee is first treated as an employee
for payroll purposes.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7

           3. EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable
under a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be equal to at least 50%, and not more
than 100%, of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, provided that no
Option granted to an employee whom the Committee determines is likely to be a
Covered Employee at the end of the year shall have an exercise price below 100%
of Fair Market Value on the date of grant. The exercise price per share of Stock
purchasable under an Incentive Stock Option shall be equal to at least the Fair
Market Value on the date of grant; provided that if at the time the Company
grants an Incentive Stock Option, the optionee owns directly or by attribution
stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company the exercise price shall
be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Stock
Option is granted.

           4. EXERCISABILITY. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, an
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety at the time of grant or at such
times and in such amounts as are specified in the Award Agreement evidencing the
Option. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, at any time may waive any
limitations respecting the time at which an Option first becomes exercisable in
whole or in part.

           5. METHOD OF EXERCISE; PAYMENT. To the extent the right to purchase
shares has accrued, Options may be exercised, in whole or in part, from time to
time, by written notice from the optionee to the Company stating the number of
Shares being purchased, accompanied by payment of the exercise price for the
shares. The Committee, in its discretion, may elect at the time of Option
exercise that any Non-Qualified Stock Option be settled in cash rather than
Stock.

           6. NO DISQUALIFICATION. Notwithstanding any other provision in the
Plan, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be
interpreted, amended or altered nor shall any discretion or authority granted
under the Plan be exercised so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of
the Code or, without the consent of the optionee affected, to disqualify any
Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.

6.      STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

           A. RELATIONSHIP TO OPTIONS; NO PAYMENT BY PARTICIPANT. A Stock
Appreciation Right may be awarded either (i) with respect to Stock subject to an
Option held by a participant or (ii) without reference to an Option. If an
Option is an Incentive Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right granted with
respect to such Option may be granted only at the time of grant of the related
Incentive Stock Option, but if the Option is a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the
Stock Appreciation Right may be granted either simultaneously with the grant of
the related Non-Qualified Stock Option or at any time during the term of such
related Non-Qualified Stock Option. No consideration shall be paid by a
participant with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right.

           B. WHEN EXERCISABLE. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable
at such 

                                       7

<PAGE>   8

times and in whole or in part, each as determined by the Committee, subject,
with respect to Plan participants subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,
to Rule 16b-3. Any exercise by the participant of a Stock Appreciation Right for
cash shall be made only during the window period specified in Rule
16b-3(e)(3)(iii) and any successor rule (the "Window Period"), unless the
Committee determines that Rule 16b-3 is not applicable to the Plan. If a Stock
Appreciation Right is granted with respect to an Option, unless the Award
Agreement otherwise provides, the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised only
to the extent to which shares covered by the Option are not at the time of
exercise subject to repurchase by the Company.

           C. EFFECT ON RELATED RIGHT; TERMINATION OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT.
If a Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to an Option is exercised,
the Option shall cease to be exercisable and shall be canceled to the extent of
the number of shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right was
exercised. Upon the exercise or termination of an Option, related Stock
Appreciation Rights shall terminate to the extent of the number of shares as to
which the Option was exercised or terminated, except that, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee at the time of grant, a Stock Appreciation Right
granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by a related
Option shall not be reduced until the number of shares covered by exercise or
termination of the related Option exceeds the number of shares not covered by
the Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right granted independently
from an Option shall terminate and shall be no longer exercisable at the time
determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but not later than 10 years
from the date of grant. Upon the Termination of the participant, a Stock
Appreciation Right granted with respect to an Option shall be exercisable only
to the extent to which the Option is then exercisable.

           D. FORM OF PAYMENT UPON EXERCISE. Despite any attempt by a Plan
participant to elect payment in a particular form upon exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right, the Committee, in its discretion, may elect to cause the
Company to pay cash, Stock, or a combination of cash and Stock upon exercise of
the Stock Appreciation Right.

           E. AMOUNT OF PAYMENT UPON EXERCISE. Upon the exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right, the Plan participant shall be entitled to receive one of the
following payments, as determined by the Committee under Section 6D. hereof:

              1. STOCK. That number of whole shares of Stock equal to the number
computed by dividing (A) an amount (the "Stock Appreciation Right Spread"),
rounded to the nearest whole dollar, equal to the product computed by
multiplying (x) the excess of (1) if the Stock Appreciation Right may only be
exercised during the Window Period, the highest Fair Market Value on any day
during the Window Period, and otherwise, the Fair Market Value on the date the
Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, over (2) the exercise price per share of
Stock of the related Option, or in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right
granted without reference to an Option, such other price as the Committee
establishes at the time the Stock Appreciation Right is granted, by (y) the
number of shares of Stock with respect to 

                                       8
<PAGE>   9


which a Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised by (B) (1) if the Stock
Appreciation Right may only be exercised during the Window Period, the highest
Fair Market Value during the Window Period in which the Stock Appreciation Right
was exercised, and (2) otherwise, the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock
Appreciation Right is exercised; plus, if the foregoing calculation yields a
fractional share, an amount of cash equal to the applicable Fair Market Value
multiplied by such fraction (such payment to be the difference of the fractional
share); or

              2. CASH. An amount in cash equal to the Stock Appreciation Right
Spread; or

              3. CASH AND STOCK. A combination of cash and Stock, the combined
value of which shall equal the Stock Appreciation Right Spread.

7.      RESTRICTED STOCK.

        Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:

        A. PRICE. Plan participants awarded Restricted Stock, within 45 days of
receipt of the applicable Award Agreement, which in no event shall be later than
ten (10) days after the Award grant date, shall pay to the Company, if required
by applicable law, an amount equal to the par value of the Stock subject to the
Award. If such payment is not made and received by the Company by such date, the
Award of Restricted Stock shall lapse.

        B. RESTRICTIONS. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Award
Agreement, during a period set by the Committee, commencing with, and not
exceeding 10 years from, the date of such award (the "Restriction Period"), the
Plan participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or
otherwise encumber shares of Restricted Stock. Within these limits, the
Committee may in its discretion provide for the lapse of such restrictions in
installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in part,
based on service, performance or such other factors or criteria as the Committee
may determine.

        C. DIVIDENDS. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, cash
dividends with respect to shares of Restricted Stock shall be automatically
reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, and dividends payable in Stock shall
be paid in the form of Restricted Stock.

        D. TERMINATION. Except to the extent otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement and pursuant to Section 7B., upon termination of a Plan participant's
employment for any reason during the Restriction Period, all shares still
subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the participant.

        E. SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING AWARDS. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Section 7, all awards of Restricted Stock granted
pursuant to this Section 7 to participants who are employees whom the Committee
determines are likely to 

                                       9
<PAGE>   10


be Covered Employees at the end of the year shall have restrictions which will
lapse contingent on the attainment of such performance goals as may be
established by the Committee which may be based on earnings, earnings growth,
revenues, gross margin, expenses, market share, improvement of financial ratings
or achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives and may be
absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to other
companies comparably or similarly situated. Such performance goals may be
particular to a participant or the division, department, line of business,
subsidiary or other unit in which the participant works, or may be based on the
performance of the Company generally, and may cover such period as may be
specified by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all performance
objectives shall comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.

        F. TIME AND FORM OF PAYMENT. In the case of Plan participants who are
Covered Employees as of the end of the year, unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, shares of Restricted Stock shall be released from restrictions only
after achievement of the applicable performance goals has been certified by the
Committee.

8.      STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.

        A. PRICE. The Committee may grant Stock Purchase Rights which shall
enable the recipients to purchase Stock at a price equal to not less than 50%,
and not more than 100%, of Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

        B. EXERCISABILITY. Stock Purchase Rights shall be exercisable for a
period determined by the Committee not exceeding 30 days from the date of grant.
The Committee, however, may provide that, if required under Rule 16b-3, Stock
Purchase Rights granted to persons subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act
shall not become exercisable until six months and one day after the grant date
and shall then be exercisable for 10 trading days at the purchase price
specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 8A.

        C. SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING AWARDS. In no event shall any awards be
granted under this Section 8 to an employee who the Committee determines is
likely to be a Covered Employee at the end of the year.

9.      PERFORMANCE SHARES.

        A. AWARDS. The Committee shall determine the nature, length (which shall
in no event be greater than 10 years) and starting date of the performance (the
"Performance Period") for each Performance Share Award. The consideration
payable to a participant with respect to a Performance Share Award shall be an
amount determined by the Committee in the exercise of the Committee's discretion
at the time of the Award; provided that the amount of consideration may be zero
and may in no event exceed 50% of a Plan participant's Annual Base Salary at the
time of grant. The Committee shall determine the performance objectives to be
used in awarding Performance Shares (the "Performance Goals") and the extent to


                                       10

<PAGE>   11

which such Performance Shares have been earned. Performance Periods may overlap
and participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance
Share Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and different
performance factors and criteria. At the beginning of each Performance Period,
the Committee shall determine for each Performance Share Award subject to such
Performance Period the number of shares of Stock (which may constitute
Restricted Stock) to be awarded to the participant at the end of the Performance
Period if and to the extent that the relevant measures of performance for such
Performance Share Award are met. Such number of shares of Stock may be fixed or
may vary in accordance with such performance or other criteria as may be
determined by the Committee. The Committee may provide that amounts equivalent
to interest at such rates as the Committee may determine or amounts equivalent
to dividends paid shall be payable with respect to Performance Share Awards. In
addition to the provisions set forth in Section 11J., the Committee, in its
discretion, may modify the terms of any Performance Share Award (except for
those Participants who are Covered Employees), including the specification and
measurement of performance goals.

        B. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Except as otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement or determined by the Committee, in the event of Termination during a
Performance Period for any reason, then the Plan participant shall not be
entitled to any payment with respect to the Performance Shares subject to the
Performance Period.

        C. FORM OF PAYMENT. Payment shall be made in the form of cash or whole
shares of Stock as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine.

        D. SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING AWARDS. In no event shall any awards be
granted under this Section 9 to an employee whom the Committee determines is
likely to be a Covered Employee at the end of the year.

10.     CHANGE IN CONTROL.

        A. DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL". For purposes of Section 1B., a
"Change in Control" means the occurrence of either of the following:

           1. Any "person", as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act (other than the Company, a Company Subsidiary, a Company
Affiliate, or a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such
plan acting as trustee) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company (or a successor to the Company) representing 35% or more of the combined
voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company or such
successor; or

           2. At any time that the Company has registered shares under the
Exchange Act, at least 40% of the directors of the Company constitute persons
who were not at the time of their first election to the Board, candidates
proposed by a majority of the Board in office prior to the time of such first
election; or


                                       11
<PAGE>   12

               3. The dissolution of the Company or liquidation of more than 50%
in value of the Company or a sale of assets involving 50% or more in value of
the assets of the Company, (x) any merger or reorganization of the Company
whether or not another entity is the survivor, (y) a transaction pursuant to
which the holders, as a group, of all of the shares of the Company outstanding
prior to the transaction hold, as a group, less than 50% of the combined voting
power of the Company or any successor company outstanding after the transaction,
or (z) any other event which the Board determines, in its discretion, would
materially alter the structure of the Company or its ownership.

           B. IMPACT OF EVENT. Except as expressly provided in any Award
agreement, in the event of a "Change in Control" as defined in Section 10A, the
following provisions shall apply:

              1. Any Stock Appreciation Rights and Options outstanding as of the
date such Change in Control is determined to have occurred and not then
exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested; provided, that
in the case of the holder of Stock Appreciation Rights who is actually subject
to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, such Stock Appreciation Rights shall have
been outstanding for at least six months at the date such Change in Control is
determined to have occurred;

              2. The restrictions and limitations applicable to any Restricted
Stock and Stock Purchase Rights shall lapse and such Restricted Stock shall
become fully vested;

              3. The value (net of any exercise price and required tax
withholdings) of all outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock, and Stock Purchase Rights, unless otherwise determined by the Committee
at or after grant and subject to Rule 16b-3, shall be cashed out on the basis of
the "Change in Control Price," as defined in Section 11C., as of the date such
Change in Control is determined to have occurred or such other date as the Board
may determine prior to the Change in Control;

              4. Any outstanding Performance Share Awards shall be vested and
paid in full as if all performance criteria had been met; provided, however,
that the foregoing provision shall only apply, with respect to the events
described in Section 10A.1, 10A.3(x), 10A.3(z), and 10A.4, if and to the extent
so specifically determined by the Committee in the exercise of the Committee's
discretion, which determination may be amended or reversed only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the persons who were directors at the time
such determination was made.

           C. CHANGE IN CONTROL PRICE. For purposes of this Section 10, "Change
in Control Price" means the highest price per share paid in any transaction
reported on any established stock exchange, national market system or other
established market for the Stock, or paid or offered in any bona fide
transaction related to a potential or actual Change in Control of the Company at
any time during the preceding 60-day period as determined by the Committee,
except that in the case of Incentive Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
relating to 

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

Incentive Stock Options, such price shall be based only on transactions reported
for the date on which the Board decides to cash out such Options.

 11.    GENERAL PROVISIONS.

        A. AWARD GRANTS. Any Award may be granted either alone or in addition to
other Awards granted under the Plan. Subject to the terms and restrictions set
forth elsewhere in the Plan, the Committee shall determine the consideration, if
any, payable by the participant for any Award and, in addition to those set
forth in the Plan, any other terms and conditions of the Awards. The Committee
may condition the grant or payment of any Award upon the attainment of
Performance Goals or such other factors or criteria, including vesting based on
continued employment or consulting, as the Committee shall determine.
Performance Goals may vary from Plan participant to Plan participant and among
groups of Plan participants and shall be based upon such Company, subsidiary,
group or division factors or criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate,
including, but not limited to, earnings per share or return on equity (except as
otherwise required for Plan participants who are Covered Employees as of the end
of the year in order to comply with Section 162(m)). The other provisions of
Awards also need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Unless
otherwise specified in the Plan or by the Committee, the date of grant of an
Award shall be the date of action by the Committee to grant the Award. The
Committee may also substitute new Options for previously granted Options,
including previously granted Options having higher exercise prices.

        B. TYPES OF SHARES. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine at
the time of an Award that in lieu of Stock there shall be issuable under, or
applicable to the measurement of, any Award any of the following: (i) Restricted
Stock; (ii) shares of any series of common stock of the Company other than Stock
and shares of any series of common stock of any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Company ("Common Shares"); or (iii) shares of any series of preferred stock of
the Company ("Preferred Shares"); provided that (A) with respect to shares
issuable upon exercise of Incentive Stock Options, Common Shares and Preferred
Shares shall be limited to shares of any Subsidiary authorized as of the date
the Plan is approved by the Board and (B) with respect to shares issuable upon
exercise of Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, Common
Shares and Preferred Shares shall be limited to shares of any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company. In such event, the Committee shall determine the
number of shares of Stock equivalent to such Restricted Stock, Common Shares or
Preferred Shares for the purpose of calculating the shares of Stock issued under
the Plan; provided that a Common Share or a Preferred Share in no event shall be
deemed equal to less than one share of Stock.

        C. AWARD AGREEMENT. As soon as practicable after the date of an Award
grant, the Company and the participant shall enter into a written Award
Agreement specifying the date of grant and the terms and conditions of the
Award.

        D. CERTIFICATES. All certificates for shares of Stock or other
securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer
orders, legends and other restrictions as


                                       13
<PAGE>   14

the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other
requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then
listed, any national market system over which the Stock is then quoted and any
applicable federal, state or foreign securities law.

        E. TERMINATION. With respect to Awards (other than Options), in the
event of Termination for any reason other than death or Disability, Awards held
at the date of Termination (and only to the extent then exercisable or payable,
as the case may be) may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within 90
days after the date of Termination, or such lesser period specified in the Award
Agreement (but in no event after the expiration date of the Award), but not
thereafter. With respect to Options, in the event of Termination for any reason
other than death or Disability, Options held at the date of Termination (to the
extent then exercisable) may be exercised in whole or in part within 90 days
after the date of Termination, or such other period (which may be longer or
shorter than 90 days) which shall be specified in the Award Agreement (but in no
event shall any Option remain exercisable after the expiration date of such
Option). If Termination is due to death or Disability, or a participant dies or
becomes disabled within the period that the Award remains exercisable or
payable, as the case may be, after Termination, only Awards (including Options)
held at the date of death or Disability (and only to the extent then exercisable
or payable, as the case may be) may be exercised in whole or in part by the
participant in the case of Disability, by the participant's personal
representative or by the person to whom the Award is transferred by will or the
laws of descent and distribution, at any time within 18 months after the death
or one year after the Disability, as the case may be, of the participant (or
such other period which shall be specified in the Award Agreement, but in no
event shall any Award remain exercisable after the expiration of such Award). In
the event of Termination by reason of the participant's retirement (as
determined in the exercise of the Committee's sole discretion), Awards
(including Options) may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within two
years after the date of Termination (or such other period which shall be
specified in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall any Award remain
exercisable after the expiration date of such Award).

        F. DELIVERY OF PURCHASE PRICE. Plan participants shall make all or any
portion of any payment due to the Company with respect to the consideration
payable for, upon exercise of, or for federal, state, local or foreign tax
payable in connection with, an Award by delivery of cash; and if and only to the
extent authorized by the Committee, all or any portion of such payment may be
made by delivery of any property (including without limitation a promissory note
of the participant or shares of Stock or other securities and, in the case of an
Option, surrender of shares issuable upon exercise of that Option) other than
cash, so long as, if applicable, such property constitutes valid consideration
for the Stock under applicable law. To the extent participants may make payments
due to the Company upon grant or exercise of Awards by the delivery of shares of
Stock or other securities, the Committee, in its discretion, may permit
participants constructively to deliver for any such payment securities of the
Company held by the participant for at least three months. Constructive delivery
shall be effected by (i) identification by the participant of shares intended to
be delivered constructively, (ii) confirmation by the Company of participant's
ownership of such shares 

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

(for example, by reference to the Company's stock records, or by some other
means of verification) and (iii) if applicable, upon exercise, delivery to the
participant of a certificate for that number of shares equal to the number of
shares for which the Award is exercised less the number of shares constructively
delivered.

        G. TAX WITHHOLDING. If and to the extent authorized by the Committee in
its discretion, a person who has received an Award or payment under an Award may
make an election to deliver to the Company a promissory note of the Plan
participant on the terms set forth in Section 11F or to have shares of Stock or
other securities of the Company withheld by the Company or to tender any such
securities to the Company to pay the amount of tax that the Committee in its
discretion determines to be required to be withheld by the Company.

           1. Such election shall be irrevocable;

           2. Such election shall be subject to the disapproval of the
Committee;

           3. In the case of participants subject to Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act, the election and the exercise of the Award may not be made within
six months after the grant of the Award (and in the case of a Stock Appreciation
Right, any related Award) to be exercised (except that this limitation shall not
apply in the event of death or Disability of such person before the six-month
period expires); and

           4. In the case of participants subject to Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act, such election may be made either (A) at least six months before
the date that the amount of tax to be withheld in connection with such exercise
is determined or (B) in any ten-day period beginning on the third business day
following the date of release for publication of quarterly or annual summary
statements of sales and earnings.

Any shares or other securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the
Committee as of the date they are withheld or tendered; provided, that Stock
shall be valued at the Fair Market Value on such date. The value of the shares
withheld or tendered may not exceed the required federal, state, local and
foreign withholding tax obligations as computed by the Company. Unless the
Committee permits otherwise, the Plan participant shall pay to the Company in
cash, promptly when the amount of such obligations becomes determinable, all
applicable federal, state, local and foreign withholding taxes that the
Committee in its discretion determines to result from the lapse of restrictions
imposed upon an Award or upon exercise of an Award or from a transfer or other
disposition of shares acquired upon exercise or payment of an Award or otherwise
related to the Award or the shares acquired in connection with an Award.

        H. TRANSFERABILITY. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, no
Award shall be assignable or otherwise transferable by the participant other
than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of
the participant, an Award shall be exercisable, and any elections with respect
to an Award shall be made, only by the Plan 

                                       15

<PAGE>   16


participant or such participant's guardian or legal representative.

        I. RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL. At the time of grant, the Committee may
provide in connection with any Award that the shares of Stock received as a
result of such Award shall be subject to a right of first refusal pursuant to
which the participant shall be required to offer to the Company any shares that
the participant wishes to sell at the then Fair Market Value subject to such
other terms and conditions as the Committee may specify at the time of grant

        J. ADJUSTMENT OF AWARDS; WAIVERS. The Committee may adjust the
Performance Goals and measurements applicable to Awards (i) to take into account
changes in law and accounting and tax rules, (ii) to make such adjustments as
the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the inclusion or
exclusion of the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events, or
circumstances in order to avoid windfalls or hardships, (iii) to make such
adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect any
material changes in business conditions and (iv) in any other manner determined
in its discretion. In the event of hardship or other special circumstances of a
participant and otherwise in its discretion, the Committee may waive in whole or
in part any or all restrictions, conditions, vesting, or forfeiture with respect
to any Award granted to such Plan participant.

        K. ELECTION TO DEFER PAYMENT. To the extent, if any, permitted by the
Committee, a Plan participant may elect, at such time as the Committee may in
its discretion specify, to defer payment of all or a portion of an Award.

        L. NON-COMPETITION. The Committee may condition the Committee's
discretionary waiver of a forfeiture or vesting acceleration at the time of
Termination of a Plan participant holding any unexercised or unearned Award or
the waiver of restrictions upon any Award upon a requirement that such
participant agree to and actually (i) not engage in any business or activity
competitive with any business or activity conducted by the Company and (ii) be
available, unless such participant shall have died, for consultations at the
request of the Company's management, all on such terms and conditions (including
conditions in addition to (i) and (ii)) as the Committee may determine.

        M. DIVIDENDS. The reinvestment of dividends in additional Stock or
Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment shall only be permissible
if sufficient shares of Stock are available under Section 3 for such
reinvestment (taking into account then outstanding Awards).

        N. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to
the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the
listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Stock upon any
securities exchange or under any state or federal law, (ii) the consent or
approval of any government or regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement or
representations by the participant with respect thereto, is necessary or
desirable, then such Award shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless
such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval, agreement or
representations shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Committee.

                                       16

<PAGE>   17

        O. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. Unless the Plan or the Committee expressly
specifies otherwise, a Plan participant shall have no rights as a stockholder
with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the participant is
entitled, under the terms of the Award, to receive such shares. Subject to
Sections 3B. and 7C., no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights
for which the record date is prior to the date the certificates are delivered.

        P. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION. The Committee, in its discretion, may
establish procedures for a participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any
amounts payable in the event of the participant's death are to be paid.

        Q. ADDITIONAL PLANS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the
Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company from adopting other or
additional compensation arrangements for its employees.

        R. NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon
any employee any right to continued employment nor shall it interfere in any way
with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to
terminate the employment of any employee at any time.

        S. INTERPRETATION. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, the Plan
shall always be administered, and Awards shall always be granted and exercised,
in such a manner as to conform to the provisions of Rule 16b-3 and Section
162(m), unless the Committee determines that Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) are
not applicable to the Plan. The Plan is designed and intended to comply with
Rule 16b-3 and, to the extent applicable, with Section 162(m), and all
provisions hereof shall be construed in a manner to so comply.

        T. GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and all Awards shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

        U. USE OF PROCEEDS. All cash proceeds to the Company under the Plan
shall constitute general funds of the Company.

        V. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN. The Plan shall constitute an "unfunded" plan
for incentive and deferred compensation. The Committee may authorize the
creation of trusts or arrangements to meet the obligations created under the
Plan to deliver Stock or make payments; provided, that unless the Committee
otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements shall
be consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan.

        W. ASSUMPTION BY SUCCESSOR. The obligations of the Company under the
Plan and under any outstanding Award may be assumed by any successor
corporation, which for purposes of the Plan shall be included within the meaning
of "Company".

        X. PLAN DESIGNATION AND STATUS. Notwithstanding the designation of this

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

document as a plan for convenience of reference and to standardize certain
provisions applicable to all types of Awards, each type of Award shall be deemed
to be a separate "plan" for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and any
applicable state securities laws.

12.     AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.

        The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment,
alteration or discontinuance shall be made which would impair the rights of a
participant under an outstanding Award without the Plan participant's consent.
In addition, to the extent required for the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3 or
Section 162(m) or, with respect to provisions solely as they relate to Incentive
Stock Options, to the extent required for the Plan to comply with Section 422A
of the Code, the Board may not amend or alter the Plan without the approval of a
majority of the votes cast at a duly held stockholders' meeting at which a
quorum of the voting power of the Company is represented in person or by proxy,
where such amendment or alteration would:

        A. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, increase the total number
of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan;

        B. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, change the minimum price
terms of Section 5B.3 or Section 8A;

        C. Change the class of employees and consultants eligible to participate
in the Plan;

        D. Extend the maximum Option term under Section 5B. or the maximum
exercise period under Section 8B.; or

        E. Materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the
Plan.

        The Board of Directors may, at any time without stockholder approval,
amend the Plan and the terms of any Award outstanding under the Plan, provided
that such amendment is designed to maximize federal income tax benefits accorded
to Awards or, if the Committee determines that Rule 16b-3 is applicable to the
Plan, to comply with Rule 16b-3 and provided further that with respect to
outstanding Awards, the Plan participant consents to such amendment.

13.     EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

        The Plan, and any amendments thereto, shall be effective on the date the
same is adopted by the Board, but all Awards shall be conditioned upon approval
of the Plan, and any amendment thereto requiring such approval, at a duly held
stockholders' meeting by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares
representing a majority of the voting power of the Company represented in person
or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting.


                                       18
<PAGE>   19

14.     TERM OF PLAN.

        No Award shall be granted on or after July 1, 2000, but Awards granted
prior to July 1, 2000 (including, without limitation, Performance Share Awards
for Performance Periods commencing prior to July 1, 2000) may extend beyond that
date.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                           THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                          RESTATED AS OF MARCH 5, 1998


SECTION 1.    PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

      A. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Plan is to enhance the ability of the
Company and its Affiliates (as such terms are defined herein) to retain, attract
and motivate their personnel. Accordingly, this Plan will provide selected
eligible employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates
an opportunity to participate in the Company's future by offering them equity
interests in the Company. All employees and directors of the Company and its
Affiliates are eligible to participate in and to receive Awards (as defined
herein) under this Plan. Awards under the Plan will be made by the Committee (as
defined herein).

      B. DEFINITIONs For purposes of this Plan, the following terms have the
following meanings:

         1. "AFFILIATE" means a parent or subsidiary corporation, each as
defined in Section 424 of the Code, and their successors.

         2. "AWARD" means any award of an Option under this Plan.

         3. "AWARD AGREEMENT" means, with respect to each Award, the signed
written agreement between the Company and the Plan Participant setting forth the
terms and conditions of the Award.

         4. "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         5. "CHANGE IN CONTROL" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.A of this
Plan.

         6. "CHANGE IN CONTROL PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.C
of this Plan.

         7. "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time, and any successor.

         8. "COMMITTEE" means the Committee referred to in Section 2 of this
Plan, or the Board in its capacity as administrator of this Plan in accordance
with Section 2 of this Plan.

         9. "COMPANY" means The Learning Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


<PAGE>   2



         10. "COVERED EMPLOYEE" means a covered employee as such term is defined
in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

         11. "DISABILITY" means permanent and total disability as determined by
the Committee.

         12. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means as of any given date:

             (a) If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a
      national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National
      Market, the closing sale price for a share of the Stock or the closing
      bid, if no sales are reported, as quoted on such exchange (or the largest
      such exchange) or system for the date the value is to be determined (or if
      there are no sales for such date, then for the last preceding business day
      on which there were sales), as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or a
      similar publication; or

             (b) If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities
      dealer but selling prices are not reported, the mean between the high bid
      and low asked prices for a share of the Stock on the date the value is to
      be determined (or if there are no quoted prices for the date of grant,
      then for the last preceding business day on which there were quoted
      prices); or

             (c) In the absence of an established market for the Stock, the per
      share value of the Stock, as determined in good faith by the Committee,
      with reference to the Company's net worth, prospective earning power,
      dividend-paying capacity and other relevant factors, including the
      goodwill of the Company, the economic outlook in the Company's industry,
      the Company's position in its industry and its management and the values
      of stock of other corporations in the same or a similar line of business.

         13. "OPTION" means an Option granted under Section 5 of this Plan.

         14. "PLAN" means this The Learning Company, Inc. 1996 Stock Option
Plan, as amended from time to time.

         15. "PLAN PARTICIPANT" means any recipient of an Award under this Plan.

         16. "STOCK" means the Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company,
and any successor security.

         17. "SUBSIDIARY" as the meaning set forth in Section 424(f) of the
Code, and its successors.

         18. "TERMINATION" means, for purposes of this Plan, with respect to a
Plan Participant, that the Plan Participant has ceased to be, for any reason,
with or without cause, 

                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3


an employee, director or consultant as the case may be, of the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company, such that such Plan Participant is neither an
employee, director or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

SECTION 2.    ADMINISTRATION.

      A. COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or, upon
delegation by the Board, a committee of the Board comprised of not less than two
members (i) each member of which shall be, to the extent required under Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and unless the
Committee determines that Rule 16b-3 is not applicable to the Plan, a
"non-employee director" (as defined in Rule 16b-3), and (ii) each member of
which shall be, to the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code and
unless the committee determines that Section 162(m) is not applicable to the
Plan, an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m). The Committee
may act only by a majority of its members, except that the Committee may
authorize any one or more of its members or any officer of the Company to
execute and deliver documents on behalf of the Committee.

      B. AUTHORITY. The Committee shall grant Awards to any person eligible
under Section 4 of this Plan. In particular and without limitation, the
Committee, subject to the terms of this Plan, shall:

         1. Select the persons to whom Awards may be granted;

         2. Determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted under
this Plan;

         3. Determine the number of shares to be covered by each Award granted
under this Plan; and

         4. Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under this
Plan, based upon factors determined by the Committee.

      C. COMMITTEE DETERMINATIONS BINDING. The Committee may adopt, alter and
repeal administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing this Plan as it
from time to time shall deem advisable, interpret the terms and provisions of
this Plan, any Award, any Award Agreement and otherwise supervise the
administration of this Plan. Any determination made by the Committee pursuant to
the provisions of this Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in its sole
discretion at the time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of
any express term of this Plan or the Award, at any later time. All decisions
made by the Committee under this Plan shall be binding on all persons, including
the Company and Plan Participants and the Plan Participant's guardian, estate
and heirs.

SECTION 3.    STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

      A. ISSUABLE SHARES. The aggregate number of shares of Stock which may be
issued under this Plan shall be 7,000,000 shares of Stock; provided that the
shares of Stock issuable pursuant to Awards made to all Covered Employees and
directors shall not exceed 2,000,000 shares of Stock. Shares of Stock issuable
pursuant to Awards under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of
authorized and unissued shares or reacquired shares in the Company's treasury.
The determination of whether a person is a Covered Employee or a director for
purposes of the 2,000,000 share limitation shall be made at the time the Award
is made.

      B. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, sale of substantial
assets or other change in corporate structure affecting the Stock, such
substitution or adjustments shall be made in the number, kind and exercise price
of shares subject to outstanding Awards, as may be determined by the Committee
as appropriate or as necessary in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of
the rights of Plan Participants; provided that the adjusted number of shares
subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

SECTION 4.    ELIGIBILITY.

Awards may be granted to any employee, director or consultant of the Company or
an Affiliate (including without limitation employees or consultants of
corporations acquired by the Company) as designated by the Committee.

SECTION 5.    STOCK OPTIONS.

      A.   TYPES.  Any Option granted under this Plan shall be in
such form as the Committee may from time to time approve.  Options
which qualify under Section 422 of the Code may not be granted under
this Plan.

      B.   TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  Options granted under this Plan
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

           1. OPTION TERM. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the
Committee and will be stated in the Award Agreement.

           2. GRANT DATE. The Company may grant Options under this Plan at any
time and from time to time before this Plan terminates. The Committee shall
specify the date of grant or, if it fails to do so, the date of grant shall be
the date of action taken by the Committee to grant the Option; provided that no
Option may be exercised prior to execution of the applicable Award Agreement.
However, if an Option is approved in anticipation of employment or engagement as
a consultant, the date of grant shall be the date the intended optionee is first
treated as an employee or consultant for payroll purposes.

           3. EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable
under any Option shall be at least equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value on the
date of grant.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

           4. EXERCISABILITY. Subject to the other provisions of this Plan, an
Option shall be exercisable at such times and in such amounts as are specified
in the Award Agreement evidencing the Option. The Committee, in its absolute
discretion, at any time may waive any limitations respecting the time at which
an Option first becomes exercisable in whole or in part.

           5. METHOD OF EXERCISE; PAYMENT. To the extent the right to purchase
shares of Stock has accrued, Options may be exercised, in whole or in part, from
time to time, by written notice from the optionee to the Company stating the
number of shares of Stock being purchased, accompanied by payment of the
exercise price for the shares of Stock.

SECTION 6.    CHANGE IN CONTROL.

      A. DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL". A "Change in Control" means the
occurrence of either of the following:

         1. Any "person", as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), other than
the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any Affiliate of the Company or a Company
employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee, is
or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (or a successor to
the Company) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities of the Company or such successor; or

         2. At any time that the Company has registered shares under the
Exchange Act, at least 40% of the directors of the Company constitute persons
who were not at the time of their first election to the Board, candidates
proposed by a majority of the Board in office prior to the time of such first
election; or

         3. Any one of the following events: (w) the dissolution of the Company
or liquidation of more than 50% in value of the Company or a sale of assets
involving 50% or more in value of the assets of the Company; (x) any merger or
reorganization of the Company whether or not another entity is the survivor; (y)
a transaction pursuant to which the holders, as a group, of all of the shares of
capital stock of the Company outstanding prior to the transaction hold, as a
group, less than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company or any
successor company outstanding after the transaction; or (z) any other event
which the Committee determines, in its discretion, would materially alter the
structure of the Company or its ownership.

      B. IMPACT OF EVENT. Except as expressly provided in any Award Agreement,
in the event of a Change in Control, the following provisions shall apply:

         1. Any Options outstanding as of the date such Change in Control is
determined to have occurred and not then exercisable and vested shall become
fully exercisable and vested; and

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

         2. At the sole discretion of the Committee either (i) the value (net of
any exercise price and required tax withholdings) of all outstanding Options,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, shall be paid in
cash to Plan Participants holding the same on the basis of the Change in Control
Price as of the date such Change in Control is determined to have occurred or
such other date as the Board may determine prior to the Change in Control, or
(ii) in the event that the Company shall not be the surviving company, the
Options shall be converted into options to purchase shares of the surviving
company or other entity that such Plan Participant could have acquired upon such
Change of Control had all of the Options been exercised prior to the Change of
Control, and the exercise price of such Options shall be equal to the quotient
determined by dividing the exercise price per share of the Options in effect
immediately prior to the Change of Control by the number of shares of the
surviving company or other entity that one share of Stock was converted into in
connection with the Change of Control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that anything in this Section 6.B is
determined to prevent any transaction referred to in Section 6.A.3 from being
accounted for as a pooling of interests, then the value of outstanding Options
shall not be cashed out in accordance with paragraph 2(i) of this Section 6.B
and provisions shall be made to treat outstanding Options as provided for in
paragraph 2(ii) of this Section 6.B.

      C. CHANGE IN CONTROL PRICE. "Change in Control Price" means the highest
price per share paid in any transaction reported on any established stock
exchange, national market system or other established market for the Stock, or
paid or offered in any bona fide transaction related to a Change in Control of
the Company at any time during the preceding 60-day period as determined by the
Committee.

SECTION 7.    GENERAL PROVISIONS.

      A. AWARD GRANTS. Any Award may be granted either alone or in addition to
other Awards granted under this Plan. Subject to the terms and restrictions set
forth elsewhere in this Plan, the Committee shall determine the consideration,
if any, payable by the Plan Participant for any Award and, in addition to those
set forth in this Plan, any other terms and conditions of the Awards. The
Committee may condition the grant or payment of any Award upon the attainment of
performance goals or such other factors or criteria, including vesting based on
continued employment or consulting, as the Committee shall determine.
Performance goals may vary from Plan Participant to Plan Participant and among
groups of Plan Participants and shall be based upon such Company, subsidiary,
group or division factors or criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate. The
other provisions of Awards also need not be the same with respect to each
recipient. Unless otherwise specified in this Plan or by the Committee, the date
of grant of an Award shall be the date of action by the Committee to grant the
Award.

      B. AWARD AGREEMENT. As soon as practicable after the date of an Award
grant, the Company and the Plan Participant shall enter into a written Award
Agreement specifying the 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7


date of grant and the terms and conditions of the Award. In the case of a
conflict between this Plan and an Award Agreement, this Plan will control.

      C. CERTIFICATES. All certificates for shares of Stock or other securities
delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders,
legends and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the
rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, any national
market system over which the Stock is then quoted and any applicable federal,
state or foreign securities law.

      D. TERMINATION. In the event of Termination for any reason other than
death or Disability or retirement, Options held at the date of Termination (to
the extent then exercisable) may be exercised in whole or in part within 90 days
after the date of Termination, or such other period (which may be longer or
shorter than 90 days) which shall be specified in the Award Agreement (but in no
event shall any Option remain exercisable after the expiration date of such
Option as specified under the Award Agreement). If Termination is due to death
or Disability, or a Plan Participant dies or becomes disabled within the period
that the Award remains exercisable or payable, as the case may be, after
Termination, only Awards (including Options) held at the date of death or
Disability (and only to the extent then exercisable or payable, as the case may
be) may be exercised in whole or in part by the Plan Participant in the case of
Disability, by the Plan Participant's personal representative or executor or by
the person to whom the Award is transferred by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, at any time within 18 months after the death or one year after the
Disability, as the case may be, of the Plan Participant (or such other period
which shall be specified in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall any Award
remain exercisable after the expiration of such Award as specified under the
Award Agreement). In the event of Termination by reason of the Plan
Participant's retirement (as determined in the exercise of the Committee's sole
discretion), Awards (including Options) may be exercised in whole or in part at
any time within two years after the date of Termination (or such other period
which shall be specified in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall any Award
remain exercisable after the expiration date of such Award as specified under
the Award Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Committee
shall have the discretion to accelerate the vesting of or to waive any
forfeiture of any Awards upon termination or otherwise.

      E. DELIVERY OF PURCHASE PRICE. Plan Participants shall make all or any
portion of any payment due to the Company with respect to the consideration
payable for, upon exercise of, or for federal, state, local or foreign tax
payable in connection with, an Award by delivery of cash; and if and only to the
extent authorized by the Committee, all or any portion of such payment may be
made by delivery of any property (including without limitation a promissory note
of the Plan Participant or shares of Stock or other securities and surrender of
shares issuable upon exercise of that Option) other than cash, so long as, if
applicable, such property constitutes valid consideration for the Stock under
applicable law.

      F. TAX WITHHOLDING. To the extent authorized by the Committee in its
discretion, a person who has received an Award may make an election to deliver
to the Company a 

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

promissory note of the Plan Participant on the terms set forth
in Section 7.E of this Plan, or to have shares of Stock or other securities of
the Company withheld by the Company or to tender any such securities to the
Company to pay the amount of tax that the Committee in its discretion determines
to be required to be withheld by the Company; provided that (i) such election
shall be irrevocable and (ii) such election shall be subject to the disapproval
of the Committee.

Any shares or other securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the
Committee as of the date they are withheld or tendered; provided that Stock
shall be valued at the Fair Market Value on such date. The value of the shares
withheld or tendered may not exceed the required federal, state, local and
foreign withholding tax obligations as computed by the Company. Unless the
Committee permits otherwise, the Plan Participant shall pay to the Company in
cash, promptly when the amount of such obligations becomes determinable, all
applicable federal, state, local and foreign withholding taxes that the
Committee in its discretion determines to result from the lapse of restrictions
imposed upon an Award or upon exercise of an Award or from a transfer or other
disposition of shares of Stock acquired upon exercise or payment of an Award or
otherwise related to the Award or the shares acquired in connection with an
Award.

      G. NO TRANSFERABILITY. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, no
Award shall be assignable or otherwise transferable by the Plan Participant
other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, during the
life of a Plan Participant, an Award shall be exercisable, and any elections
with respect to an Award may be made, only by the Plan Participant or such Plan
Participant's guardian or legal representative.

      H. ADJUSTMENT OF AWARDS; WAIVERS. The Committee may adjust the performance
goals and measurements applicable to Awards (i) to take into account changes in
law and accounting and tax rules, (ii) to make such adjustments as the Committee
deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the inclusion or exclusion of the
impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances in order to
avoid windfalls or hardships, (iii) to make such adjustments as the Committee
deems necessary or appropriate to reflect any material changes in business
conditions and (iv) in any other manner determined in its discretion. In the
event of hardship or other special circumstances of a Plan Participant and
otherwise in its discretion, the Committee may waive in whole or in part any or
all restrictions, conditions, vesting or forfeiture with respect to any Award
granted to such Plan Participant.

      I. ELECTION TO DEFER PAYMENT. To the extent, if any, permitted by the
Committee, a Plan Participant may elect, at such time as the Committee may in
its discretion specify, to defer payment of all or a portion of an Award.

      J. NON-COMPETITION. The Committee may condition the Committee's
discretionary waiver of a forfeiture or vesting acceleration at the time of
Termination of a Plan Participant holding any unexercised or unearned Award or
the waiver of restrictions upon any Award upon a requirement that such Plan
Participant agree to and actually (i) not engage in any business or activity
competitive with any business or activity conducted by the Company 

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

and (ii) be available, unless such Plan Participant shall have died, for
consultations at the request of the Company's management, all on such terms and
conditions (including conditions in addition to (i) and (ii)) as the Committee
may determine.

      K. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. Each Award under this Plan shall be subject to
the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the
listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Stock upon any
securities exchange or under any state or federal law, (ii) the consent or
approval of any government or regulatory body or (iii) an agreement or
representations by the Plan Participant with respect thereto, is necessary or
desirable, then the exercise of such Award shall not be consummated in whole or
in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval,
agreement or representations shall have been effected or obtained free of any
conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

      L. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. Unless this Plan or the Committee expressly
specifies otherwise, a Plan Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder
with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the Plan Participant
receives such shares. Subject to Section 3.B of this Plan, no adjustment shall
be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the
date the certificates are delivered.

      M. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION. The Committee, in its discretion, may
establish procedures for a Plan Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom
any amounts payable in the event of the Plan Participant's death are to be paid.

      N. ADDITIONAL PLANS. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements for its employees.

      O. NO EMPLOYMENT/ENGAGEMENT RIGHTS. The adoption of this Plan shall not
confer upon any Plan Participant any right to continued employment or engagement
as a consultant nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company
or an Affiliate of the Company to terminate the employment of any employee or
the engagement of any consultant at any time.

      P. GOVERNING LAW. This Plan and all Awards shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

      Q. USE OF PROCEEDS. All cash proceeds to the Company under this Plan shall
constitute general funds of the Company.

      R. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN. This Plan shall constitute an "unfunded" plan
for incentive deferred compensation. The Committee may authorize the creation of
trusts or arrangements to meet the obligations created under this Plan to
deliver Stock or make payments; provided, that unless the Committee otherwise
determines, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements shall be
consistent with the "unfunded" status of this Plan.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10


      S. ASSUMPTION BY SUCCESSOR. The obligations of the Company under this Plan
and under any outstanding Award may be assumed by any successor corporation,
which for purposes of this Plan, shall be included within the meaning of
"Company."

SECTION 8.    AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue this Plan, but no amendment,
alteration or discontinuance shall be made which would impair the rights of a
Plan Participant under an outstanding Award without the Plan Participant's
consent.

SECTION 9.    EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

This Plan, and any amendments thereto, shall be effective on the date the same
is or are adopted by the Board.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3









                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                          FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Agent

            GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P., as Syndication Agent

                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN

                               TLC MULTIMEDIA INC.

                        LEARNING COMPANY PROPERTIES INC.

                                TEC DIRECT, INC.

                             LEARNING SERVICES INC.

                             SKILLS BANK CORPORATION

                           MICROSYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC.

                                       AND

                                 MINDSCAPE, INC.




                                     Dated:
                                as of May 6, 1998

<PAGE>   2



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

     SECTION I.  DEFINITIONS...........................................1
          1.1    Definitions...........................................1
          1.2    Rules of Interpretation..............................13

     SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT................................14
          2.1    Loans................................................14
          2.2    The Revolving Credit Notes.  ........................16
          2.3    Notice and Manner of Borrowing or Conversion
                 of Loans.............................................16
          2.4    Funding of Loans.....................................17
          2.5    Interest Rates and Payments of Interest..............18
          2.6    Fees.................................................19
          2.7    Payments and Prepayments of the Loans................20
          2.8    Method and Allocation of Payments....................20
          2.9    Eurodollar Indemnity. ...............................22
          2.10   Computation of Interest and Fees.....................22
          2.11   Changed Circumstances; Illegality....................23
          2.12   Increased Costs.  ...................................24
          2.13   Capital Requirements.................................24
          2.14   Removal of Lender....................................25

     SECTION IIA LETTERS OF CREDIT....................................26
          2A.1   Issuance.............................................26
          2A.2   Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers............27
          2A.3   Letter of Credit Payments............................27
          2A.4   Obligations Absolute.................................28
          2A.5   Reliance by the Issuing Bank and the Agent...........29

     SECTION III CONDITIONS OF LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT............29

          3.1    Conditions Precedent to Initial Revolving
                 Credit Loans. .......................................29
          3.2    Conditions Precedent to all Loans and Letters
                 of Credit............................................31

     SECTION IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................32
          4.1    Organization; Qualification; Business................32
          4.2    Corporate Authority..................................32
          4.3    Valid Obligations....................................33
          4.4    Consents or Approvals................................33
          4.5    Title to Properties; Absence of Encumbrances.........33
          4.6    Financial Statements.................................33
          4.7    Changes..............................................34
          4.8    Solvency.............................................34
          4.9    Defaults.............................................34
                     
                                        i
<PAGE>   3


          
          4.10   Taxes................................................34
          4.11   Litigation...........................................34
          4.12   Subsidiaries.........................................35
          4.13   Investment Company Act...............................35
          4.14   Compliance...........................................35
          4.15   ERISA................................................35
          4.16   Environmental Matters................................36
          4.17   Restrictions on the Borrowers........................37
          4.18   Labor Relations......................................38
          4.19   Margin Rules.........................................38
          4.20   Disclosure...........................................38
          4.21   Intellectual Property.  .............................38
          4.22   Fiscal Year..........................................39

     SECTION V   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................39
          5.1    Financial Statements.  ..............................39
          5.2    Conduct of Business..................................40
          5.3    Maintenance and Insurance............................40
          5.4    Taxes................................................41
          5.5    Inspection...........................................41
          5.6    Maintenance of Books and Records.....................42
          5.7    Use of Proceeds......................................42
          5.8    Further Assurances...................................42
          5.9    Notification Requirements............................42
          5.10   ERISA Reports........................................43
          5.11   Environmental Compliance.  ..........................43
          5.12   Subsidiaries.........................................44
          5.13   Intellectual Property Updates and
     Hypothecation....................................................45

     SECTION VI  FINANCIAL COVENANTS..................................46
          6.1    Leverage Ratio.  ....................................46
          6.2    Interest Coverage Ratio..............................47
          6.3    Minimum EBITDA.......................................47
          6.4    Quick Ratio..........................................47
          6.5    Capital Expenditures.................................47

     SECTION VI  NEGATIVE COVENANTS...................................47
          7.1    Indebtedness.  ......................................47
          7.2    Contingent Liabilities.  ............................48
          7.3    Encumbrances. .......................................48
          7.4    Consolidation, Merger or Acquisition.................50
          7.5    Disposition of Assets................................50
          7.6    Subsidiary Stock.  ..................................51
          7.7    Restricted Payments.  ...............................51

                                       ii
<PAGE>   4

          7.8    Investments; Purchases of Assets.....................52
          7.9    ERISA Compliance.....................................53
          7.10   Transactions with Affiliates.........................54
          7.11   Fiscal Year.  .......................................54
          7.12   Additional Negative Pledges..........................54

     SECTION VIII DEFAULTS............................................55

          8.1    Events of Default....................................55
          8.2    Remedies.............................................57

     SECTION IX  ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.........................58
          9.1    Assignment...........................................58
          9.2    Participations.  ....................................59

     SECTION X   THE AGENT............................................60
          10.1   Appointment of Agent; Powers and Immunities..........60
          10.2   Actions by Agent.....................................61
          10.3   Indemnification.  ...................................61
          10.4   Reimbursement.  .....................................62
          10.5   Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. ............62
          10.6   Resignation of Agent. ...............................63

     SECTION XI  MISCELLANEOUS........................................63
          11.1   Notices..............................................63
          11.2   Expenses.............................................64
          11.3   Indemnification......................................65
          11.4   Survival of Covenants, Etc...........................66
          11.5   Set-Off..............................................66
          11.6   No Waivers...........................................66
          11.7   Amendments, Waivers, etc.............................67
          11.8   Binding Effect of Agreement..........................67
          11.9   Captions; Counterparts...............................68
          11.10  Entire Agreement; Conflicts..........................68
          11.11  Waiver of Jury Trial.................................68
          11.12  Governing Law........................................69
          11.13  Severability.........................................69
          11.14  Joint and Several Obligations........................69
          11.15  TLC as Agent for the Borrowers.  ....................70
          11.16  Release of MECC from its Obligations.................70
          11.17  Confidentiality......................................70

                                      iii

<PAGE>   5

SCHEDULES

     SCHEDULE 1 - Commitments of the Lenders
     SCHEDULE 2 - Significant Subsidiaries
     SCHEDULE 3 - Disclosure Schedule

                                    EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A - Form of Revolving Credit Note 
EXHIBIT B - Form of Notice of Borrowing or Conversion 
EXHIBIT C - Form of Report of Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT D - Form of Assignment and Joinder Agreement 
EXHIBIT E - Parent Guaranty
EXHIBIT F - MECC Release 
EXHIBIT G - Instrument of Joinder




                                       iv
<PAGE>   6

              AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is made as of May 6, 1998 by and
among TLC MULTIMEDIA INC., a Minnesota corporation ("TLC"), LEARNING COMPANY
PROPERTIES INC., a Delaware corporation ("Properties"), TEC DIRECT, INC., a
Colorado corporation ("Direct"), LEARNING SERVICES INC., an Oregon corporation
("Services"), SKILLS BANK CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation ("Skills Bank"),
MICROSYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("Microsystems"),
MINDSCAPE, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Mindscape", together with TLC,
Properties, Direct, Services, Skills Bank, Microsystems and Mindscape, each a
"Borrower", and collectively, the "Borrowers"), each with its chief executive
office located at One Athenaeum Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142; FLEET
NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, with an office at One Federal
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2917 (together with its successors,
"Fleet"); GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P. ("Goldman Sachs"), the other
financial institutions listed on SCHEDULE 1 attached hereto (together with Fleet
and Goldman Sachs, each a "Lender", collectively, the "Lenders"); and Fleet, as
agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent").

     WHEREAS, Fleet, TLC (f/k/a SoftKey Inc.), Minnesota Educational Computing
Corporation (MECC) ("MECC") and Properties (successor to TLC Properties Inc.
(f/k/a SoftKey Multimedia Inc.)) are parties to a certain Credit Agreement,
dated as of September 30, 1994, as amended (the "Original Credit Agreement");

     WHEREAS, Fleet and the Borrowers wish to amend and restate in its entirety
the Original Credit Agreement by the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested the Lenders to extend credit in the
form of loans and letters of credit, and the Lenders are willing to make loans
to the Borrowers and the Issuing Bank is willing to issue Letters of Credit, in
each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   SECTION I.

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------
     1.1  DEFINITIONS.


     All capitalized terms used in this Agreement or in the Revolving Credit
Notes or in any agreement, certificate, report or other document made or
delivered pursuant to this 


<PAGE>   7



Agreement (unless otherwise defined therein) shall have the meanings assigned to
them below:

     ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FINANCING FACILITY. With respect to any Person (the
"first Person"), the facility or facilities, as amended, extended, supplemented,
modified or renewed from time to time, providing for the sale, encumbrance or
other disposition to a Person or Persons other than such first Person and its
Subsidiaries, at any time or from time to time, of all or a portion of the
accounts receivable of such first Person and/or its Subsidiaries, whether now
existing or hereafter created.

     AFFECTED LOANS. See Section 2.11(a).

     AFFILIATE. With reference to any Person, (i) any director, officer or
employee of that Person, (ii) any other Person controlling, controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control of that Person, (iii) any other Person
directly or indirectly holding 5% or more of any class of the capital stock or
other equity interests (including options, warrants, convertible securities and
similar rights) of that Person and (iv) any other Person 5% or more of any class
of whose capital stock or other equity interests (including options, warrants,
convertible securities and similar rights) is held directly or indirectly by
that Person. For purposes of Sections 4.15, 5.10 and 7.9 hereof, "Affiliate"
shall mean, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code,
(i) any member of a controlled group of corporations which includes any of the
Borrowers or any Subsidiary of a Borrower, (ii) any trade or business, whether
or not incorporated, under common control with any of the Borrowers or any
Subsidiary of a Borrower, (iii) any member of an affiliated service group which
includes any of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of a Borrower, and (iv) any
member of a group treated as a single employer by regulation.

     AGREEMENT. This Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including the
Exhibits and Schedules hereto, as the same may be supplemented or amended from
time to time.

     APPLICABLE MARGIN. As of any date, with respect to Revolving Credit Loans
which are Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, the applicable percentage set
forth below opposite the applicable Leverage Ratio in effect at such date,
PROVIDED however that during the period from the Closing Date through and
including the date on which quarterly financial statements are delivered for the
fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1998, the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans
and Base Rate Loans shall be 1.25% and 0%, respectively.

     LEVERAGE RATIO           EURODOLLAR LOANS         BASE RATE LOANS
     --------------           ----------------         ---------------
     greater than                   1.50%                     0%
     or equal to 3.00:1.00

     less than 3.00:1.00            1.25%                     0%


                                      -2-

<PAGE>   8

     and greater than or
     equal to 2.50:1.00

     less than 2.50:1.00            1.00%                     0%
     and greater than or
     equal to 2.00:1.00

     less than 2.00:1.00            0.75%                     0%


     ASSIGNEE.  See Section 9.1.

     ATTORNEYS' FEES.  See Section 11.2.

     BASE RATE. The rate of interest announced from time to time by the Agent at
its head office as its "Base Rate".

     BASE RATE LOAN. Any Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest determined with
reference to the Base Rate.

     BORROWER AND BORROWERS. See Preamble.

     BORROWERS' ACCOUNTANTS. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. or such other independent
certified public accountants as are selected by the Borrowers and reasonably
acceptable to the Agent.

     BUSINESS DAY. (i) For all purposes other than as covered by clause (ii)
below, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks in
Boston, Massachusetts are open for the conduct of a substantial part of their
commercial banking business; and (ii) with respect to all notices and
determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on,
Eurodollar Loans, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (i) and
that is also a day for trading by and between banks in U.S. Dollar deposits in
the interbank Eurodollar market.

     CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Without duplication, any expenditure for fixed or
capital assets, leasehold improvements, capital leases, installment purchases of
machinery and equipment, acquisitions of real estate and other similar
expenditures including (i) in the case of a purchase, the entire purchase price,
whether or not paid during the fiscal period in question, (ii) in the case of a
capital lease, the discounted present value of the future rental payment
obligation as determined under GAAP, but excluding, in the case of a
sale/leaseback transaction, the portion of the construction costs to be
reimbursed to the seller/lessee upon completion of construction, and (iii)
expenditures in any construction in progress account of any of the Parent, the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   9

     CLOSING DATE. The first date on which the conditions set forth in Sections
3.1 and 3.2 have been satisfied and any Revolving Credit Loans are to be made
hereunder.

     CODE. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations
thereunder, collectively, as the same may from time to time be supplemented or
amended and remain in effect.

     COLLATERAL. The real and personal property, rights and interests of the
Borrowers of every kind and description, tangible and intangible, whether now
owned or existing or hereafter arising or acquired, as specifically provided
herein and in the Security Documents; and all of the currently issued and
outstanding and hereafter issued and outstanding capital stock of TLC,
Properties and the Significant Subsidiaries, as specifically provided herein and
in the Security Documents.

     COMMITMENT. With respect to any Lender, the maximum dollar amount which
such Lender has agreed to loan to the Borrowers as Revolving Credit Loans or to
make available to the Borrowers pursuant to Letter of Credit Participations upon
the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, initially as set
forth on SCHEDULE 1 attached hereto and as such Lender's Commitment may be
modified pursuant hereto from time to time.

     COMMITMENT FEE. See Section 2.6.

     COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE. As of any date, the applicable percentage set
forth below opposite the applicable Leverage Ratio in effect at such date,
PROVIDED however that during the period from the Closing Date through and
including the date on which quarterly financial statements are delivered for the
fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1998, the Commitment Fee Percentage shall be
0.300%.

     LEVERAGE RATIO               COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE
     --------------               -------------------------

     greater than                       0.375%
     or equal to 3.00:1.00

     less than 3.00:1.00                0.300%
     and greater than or
     equal to 2.50:1.00

     less than 2.50:1.00                0.250%
     and greater than or
     equal to 2.00:1.00

     less than 2.00:1.00                0.200%


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   10

     COMMITMENT PERCENTAGE. In relation to any particular Lender, the percentage
which such Lender's Commitment represents of the aggregate Commitments of all
the Lenders, initially as set forth on SCHEDULE 1 attached hereto, as such
Lender's Commitment Percentage may be modified pursuant hereto and in effect
from time to time. SCHEDULE 1 shall be amended from time to time to reflect any
changes in the Commitment Percentages of the Lenders.

     CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME. For any fiscal period, the consolidated net income
(or net loss) after taxes for such period of the Parent and its Subsidiaries
(including the Borrowers and any entity acquired by any of the Borrowers in a
Permitted Acquisition during such period, whose net income shall be calculated
on a pro-forma basis for such fiscal period), determined in accordance with
GAAP.

     DEEMED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT. At any time, with respect to any Accounts
Receivable Financing Facility of any Person (the "first Person"), the aggregate
outstanding dollar amount of the interests in accounts receivable and related
assets of such Person at such time sold, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of
thereunder to a Person or Persons other than such first Person and its
Subsidiaries.

     DEFAULT. An Event of Default or event or condition that, but for the
requirement that time elapse or notice be given, or both, would constitute an
Event of Default.

     DESIGNATED FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES. SoftKey Canada, each of the European TLCs
and TLC (Bermuda) Ltd.

     DESIGNATED SOFTWARE PRODUCTS. See Section 5.13.

     DRAWDOWN DATE. The Business Day on which any Revolving Credit Loan is made
or is to be made.

     EBITDA. For any fiscal period, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income
for such period (A) PLUS the following (without duplication), to the extent
deducted from gross revenues in computing such Consolidated Net Income: (i)
Interest Expense, (ii) tax expense for such period, (iii) amortization of
goodwill, software development expenses, financing costs and other intangibles,
(iv) depreciation, and (v) post closing restructuring charges taken in
conjunction with, and within 12 months following the closing of, any acquisition
permitted hereunder (B) MINUS software development expenses capitalized during
such period; and (C) after appropriate adjustments for non-cash charges,
including, without limitation, any equity-based compensation charges.

     ENCUMBRANCES. See Section 7.3.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>   11

     ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules
and regulations thereunder, collectively, as the same may from time to time be
supplemented or amended and remain in effect.

     ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Any and all applicable federal, state and local
environmental, health or safety statutes, laws, regulations, rules and
ordinances (whether now existing or hereafter enacted or promulgated), and all
applicable judicial, administrative and regulatory decrees, judgments and
orders, including common law rulings and determinations, relating to injury to,
or the protection of, real or personal property or human health or the
environment, including, without limitation, all requirements pertaining to
reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation, remediation and removal of
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Materials
into the environment or relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of such Hazardous
Materials.

     EURODOLLAR LOAN. Any Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at a rate
determined with reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

     EURODOLLAR RATE. With respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest
Period, the rate of interest determined by the Agent to be the prevailing rate
per annum at which deposits in U.S. Dollars are offered to the Agent by
first-class banks in the interbank Eurodollar market in which it regularly
participates on or about 10:00 a.m. (Boston time) two Business Days before the
first day of such Interest Period in an amount approximately equal to the
principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan to which such Interest Period is to
apply for a period of time approximately equal to such Interest Period.

     EURODOLLAR RESERVE PERCENTAGE. For any Interest Period, the aggregate of
the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or
supplemental reserves), expressed as a decimal, established by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any other banking authority,
domestic or foreign, to which any Lender is subject with respect to
"Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as defined in regulations issued from time to time
by such Board of Governors). The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any such reserve
percentage.

     EUROPEAN TLCS. See definition of "Receivables Purchase Transactions".

     EVENT OF DEFAULT. Any event described in Section 8.1.

     FUNDED INDEBTEDNESS. As applied to any Person, without duplication, (i) all
funded recourse obligations for borrowed money or other extensions of credit
whether secured or unsecured (including, without limitation or duplication, the
Deemed Principal Amount of any Accounts Receivable Financing Facility of such
Person; specifically in the case of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, including the Deemed Principal Amount under


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   12

the Securitization, but excluding the Deemed Principal Amount under the other
Receivables Purchase Transactions) absolute or contingent, including, without
limitation, unmatured reimbursement obligations with respect to guarantees
issued on behalf of such Person or its Subsidiaries and all obligations
representing the deferred purchase price of property, other than (x) accounts
payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business and
payable in accordance with customary practices, and (y) in the case of the
Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, earnouts in connection with any
acquisitions occurring prior to the date of this Agreement or in connection with
Permitted Acquisitions hereafter, provided that (A) the rights to receive such
earnout payments are not secured, and (B) such earnouts are payable at the
option of the Parent or the acquiring Subsidiary (as applicable) solely in
capital stock of the Parent or such earnouts are payable within twelve (12)
months of the closing date of the relevant acquisition, (ii) all obligations of
such Person or its Subsidiaries, including without limitation, unmatured
reimbursement obligations, with respect to letters of credit issued for the
account of such Person or its Subsidiaries but only to the extent of the maximum
amount available to be drawn thereunder, and excluding those letters of credit
which are fully secured by cash or issued as security for indebtedness described
elsewhere in this definition of Funded Indebtedness, (iii) all obligations
evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar debt instruments, (iv)
all obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest or other lien
on property owned or acquired by such Person or its Subsidiaries whether or not
the obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed, (v) that portion of all
obligations arising under leases that is required to be capitalized on the
consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries and (vi) all
Guarantees.

     GAAP. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States.

     GUARANTEES. As applied to any Person, all guarantees, endorsements or other
contingent or surety obligations with respect to obligations of others whether
or not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its
Subsidiaries, including any obligation to furnish funds, directly or indirectly
(whether by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep-well or
otherwise), through the purchase of goods, supplies or services, or by way of
stock purchase, capital contribution, advance or loan, or to enter into a
contract for any of the foregoing, for the purpose of payment of obligations of
any other Person.

     HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. Any substance (i) the presence of which requires or may
hereafter require notification, investigation, removal or remediation under any
Environmental Law; (ii) which is or becomes defined as a "hazardous waste",
"hazardous material" or "hazardous substance" or "pollutant" or "contaminant"
under any present or future Environmental Law or amendments thereto including,
without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 ET SEQ.) and any applicable local statutes
and the regulations promulgated thereunder; (iii) which is toxic, explosive,
corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or
otherwise hazardous and which is or becomes regulated 

                                       7
<PAGE>   13

pursuant to any Environmental Law by any governmental authority, agency,
department, commission, board, agency or instrumentality of the United States,
any state of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof; or (iv)
without limitation, which contains gasoline, diesel fuel or other petroleum
products, asbestos or polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB's").

     INDEBTEDNESS. As applied to any Person, without duplication, (i) all Funded
Indebtedness of such Person, and (ii) all other obligations which, in accordance
with GAAP, would be included as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of
such Person and its Subsidiaries, but excluding anything in the nature of
capital stock, capital surplus and retained earnings.

     INITIAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT. See Section 4.6.

     INSTRUMENT OF JOINDER. See Exhibit G.

     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. See Section 4.21.

     INTEREST EXPENSE. For any fiscal period, the consolidated interest expense
(including imputed interest on capitalized lease obligations) and amortized debt
discount on Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for
such period.

     INTEREST PERIOD. With respect to each Eurodollar Loan, the period
commencing on the date of the making or continuation of or conversion to such
Eurodollar Loan and ending one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months
thereafter, as the Borrowers may elect in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or
Conversion; PROVIDED that:

          (i) any Interest Period (other than an Interest Period determined
     pursuant to clause (iii) below) that would otherwise end on a day that is
     not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
     unless such Business Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case
     such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

          (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
     calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
     day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall,
     subject to clause (iii) below, end on the last Business Day of a calendar
     month;

          (iii) any Interest Period that would otherwise end after the Maturity
     Date shall end on the Maturity Date; and

          (iv) notwithstanding clause (iii) above, no Interest Period shall have
     a duration of less than one month, and if any Interest Period applicable to
     a Loan would be for a shorter period, such Interest Period shall not be
     available hereunder.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   14

     INVESTMENT. As applied to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, the
purchase or acquisition of any share of capital stock, partnership interest,
evidence of indebtedness or other equity security of any other Person (including
any Subsidiary), any loan, advance or extension of credit (excluding accounts
receivable arising in the ordinary course of business) to, or contribution to
the capital of, any other Person (including any Subsidiary), any real estate
held for sale or investment, any securities or commodities futures contracts
held for investment purposes, any other investment in any other Person
(including any Subsidiary), and the making of any commitment or acquisition of
any option to make an Investment.

     ISSUING BANK. Fleet.

     LENDERS. See Preamble.

     LETTERS OF CREDIT. See Section 2A.l.

     LETTER OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS. Applications for Letters of Credit in such
form as may be required by the Issuing Bank from time to time which are executed
and delivered by TLC, as agent for the Borrowers, to the Issuing Bank pursuant
to Section 2A, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

     LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. See Section 2.6.

     LETTER OF CREDIT PARTICIPATION. See Section 2A.1.

     LETTER OF CREDIT SUBLIMIT. $25,000,000.

     LEVERAGE RATIO. As of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrowers the
ratio of (i) total Funded Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries
(including the Borrowers), less the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents
(including those items set forth in subsections 7.8(c) through (h) hereof) on
hand of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrowers) in excess of
$30,000,000, as of the end of such fiscal quarter to (ii) EBITDA for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters then ended.

     LIQUIDITY AGREEMENT. That certain Liquidity Agreement dated as of June 30,
1997, as amended, between Lexington Parker Capital Company, LLC, the Agent and
the financial institutions named therein entered into in connection with the
Securitization.

     LOAN DOCUMENTS. This Agreement, the Revolving Credit Notes, the Letter of
Credit Applications and the Security Documents.

     LOANS. The loans made or to be made by the Lenders to the Borrowers
pursuant to Section II of this Agreement, including Revolving Credit Loans and
unpaid Reimbursement Obligations.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   15

     MAJORITY LENDERS. As of any date, the holders of fifty-one percent (51%) of
the outstanding principal amount of the Loans on such date; and if no such
principal is outstanding, the holders of fifty-one percent (51%) of the total
Commitments.

     MATERIAL LICENSE AGREEMENTS. Collectively, the licenses disclosed on
SCHEDULE 3 hereto and identified as such, as each may hereafter be amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time in the ordinary course of business.

     MATURITY DATE. June 30, 2000.

     MAXIMUM DRAWING AMOUNT. The maximum aggregate amount from time to time that
beneficiaries may draw under outstanding Letters of Credit.

     NOTE RECORD.  Any internal record, including a computer
record, maintained by any Lender with respect to any Loan.

     NOTICE OF BORROWING OR CONVERSION. The notice, substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT B hereto, to be given by TLC, as agent for the Borrowers, to the Agent
to request a Revolving Credit Loan or to convert an outstanding Revolving Credit
Loan of one Type into a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type, in accordance
with Section 2.3.

     OBLIGATIONS. Any and all obligations of the Borrowers to the Agent, the
Issuing Bank and the Lenders of every kind and description pursuant to or in
connection with the Loan Documents, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
primary or secondary, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising,
regardless of how they arise or by what agreement or instrument, if any, and
including obligations to perform acts and refrain from taking action as well as
obligations to pay money.

     ORIGINAL CREDIT AGREEMENT. See the first recital hereto.

     PARENT. The Learning Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     PARENT GUARANTY. The unconditional guaranty of the Parent in favor of the
Lenders in the form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

     PARTICIPANT. See Section 9.2.

     PAYMENT DEFAULT. A Default described in Section 8.1(a).

     PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to
any or all of its functions under ERISA.

     PENSION PLAN. Any Plan which is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as
defined in ERISA).

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   16

     PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS. See Section 7.4.

     PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES. See Section 7.3.

     PERSON. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
association, business or other legal entity, and any government or governmental
agency or political subdivision thereof.

     PLAN. Any "employee pension benefit plan" or "employee welfare benefit
plan" (each as defined in ERISA) maintained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

     PROHIBITED TRANSACTION. Any "prohibited transaction" as defined in ERISA
and the Code.

     PURCHASE MONEY INDEBTEDNESS. Indebtedness incurred to finance the
acquisition of assets or the cost of improvements on real property or
leaseholds, in each case in an amount not in excess of the lesser of (a) the
purchase price or acquisition cost of said assets or the cost of said
improvements and (b) the fair market value of said assets or said improvements
on the date of the acquisition of said assets or contract for said improvements.

     QUICK RATIO. At any time, the ratio of (i) all cash and cash equivalents
(including those items set forth in subsections 7.8(c) through (h) hereof) and
accounts receivable of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrowers)
at such time net of all reserves, as reflected on the consolidated financial
statements furnished to the Agent pursuant to Section 5.1, calculated on a
consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, to (ii) all current liabilities
of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrowers) at such time, as
reflected on the consolidated financial statements furnished to the Agent
pursuant to Section 5.1, calculated on a consolidated basis and in accordance
with GAAP, EXCLUDING, however, the amount (i) of the then outstanding
Obligations hereunder and (ii) the current portion of the Senior Convertible
Notes.

     REPLACED LENDER. See Section 2.14.

     REPLACEMENT LENDER. See Section 2.14.

     RECEIVABLES PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS. The transactions contemplated by (i)
four Master Purchase Terms and Conditions, each dated as of October 3, 1997,
between Royal Bank of Canada Europe Limited ("ROYAL BANK") and The Learning
Company (UK) Limited ("TLC UK"), The Learning Company (Ireland) Limited ("TLC
Ireland"), TLC Tewi Verlag GmbH ("TLC Germany") and The Learning Company Holland
B.V. ("TLC Holland"), respectively, (ii) the Master Purchase Terms and
Conditions, dated as of December 30, 1997, between Royal Bank and TLC Edusoft
S.A. ("TLC France", together with TLC UK, TLC Ireland, TLC Germany, TLC Holland,
collectively, the "European 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   17

TLCs"), (iii) the Master Purchase Terms and Conditions and Conditions, dated
January 2, 1998, between Royal Bank and European TLCs, (iv) a certain Purchase
Agreement, effective as of October 4, 1996, between Sanwa Business Credit
Corporation and SoftKey Inc., and the documents related to the foregoing,
provided that only Accounts (a) where the account debtor is an original
equipment manufacturer or (b) arising from license-based contracts, shall be
sold under this facility, (v) any Accounts Receivable Financing Facility of any
Subsidiary of the Parent whose jurisdiction of organization is not a political
subdivision of the United States, provided that such Accounts Receivable
Financing Facility is a non-recourse facility under GAAP as confirmed to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Agent and (iv) any amendments, substitutions or
replacements thereof.

     REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION. The Obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the
Issuing Bank and the Lenders on account of any drawing under any Letter of
Credit as provided in Section 2A.2.

     RESPONSIBLE OFFICER. The chief financial officer of TLC or any other
officer of TLC designated by the chief financial officer to sign Notices of
Borrowing or Conversion.

     RESTRICTED PAYMENT. Any dividend, distribution, loan, advance, guaranty or
extension of credit, whether in cash or property to or for the benefit of any
Person who holds an equity interest in any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
whether or not such interest is evidenced by a security, and any purchase,
redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of any capital stock of
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now or hereafter outstanding,
or of any options, warrants or similar rights to purchase such capital stock or
any security convertible into or exchangeable for such capital stock.

     REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. See Section 2.1(a) hereof.

     REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. See Section 2.2 hereof.

     SECURITIZATION. Transactions contemplated by a certain Receivables Purchase
Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1997, as amended, among The Learning Company
Funding, Inc., Lexington Parker Capital Company, LLC, Fleet, TLC and the Parent,
and related documents, and any replacements or substitutions thereof.

     SECURITY DOCUMENTS. A security agreement executed by the Borrowers, a
security agreement executed by the Parent, the Parent Guaranty, a copyright
security agreement, a trademark security agreement, and pledge agreements
pledging all the outstanding shares of capital stock of TLC, Properties, Direct,
Services, Skills Bank, Microsystems, Mindscape, The Learning Company Funding,
Inc., and the Significant Subsidiaries set forth in Schedule 2, and pledging
approximately 65% (but in any event less than 66%) of the outstanding Shares of
the Designated Foreign Subsidiaries, each dated as of the date hereof (or, in
the case of the pledge agreements pledging shares in the Designated Foreign

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   18

Subsidiaries, a date within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date), in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent and in each case as amended and in effect
from time to time, and any additional documents evidencing or perfecting the
Agent's lien on the Collateral.

     SENIOR CONVERTIBLE NOTES. See Section 7.7.

     SETTLEMENT DATE. See Section 2.4(b).

     SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES. Those Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 2 hereto
and any future Subsidiary of the Parent or any Borrower which, on any date of
determination, (i) had gross revenues equivalent to or in excess of $10,000,000
or 5% of the consolidated net revenues during the four (4) consecutive fiscal
quarters of the Subsidiary then most recently completed or (ii) had total assets
equivalent to or in excess of $10,000,000 or 5% of the book value of the assets
of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated
basis.

     SOFTKEY CANADA. SoftKey Software Products, Inc., a Canadian corporation.

     SUBSIDIARY. With reference to any Person, any corporation, association,
joint stock company, business trust, limited liability company or other similar
organization of which 50% or more of the ordinary voting power for the election
of a majority of the members of the board of directors or other governing body
of such entity is held or controlled directly or indirectly through one or more
Subsidiaries by such Person; or any other such organization the management of
which is directly or indirectly controlled by such Person through the exercise
of voting power or otherwise; or any joint venture, whether incorporated or not,
in which such Person has a 50% or greater ownership interest.

     TOTAL COMMITMENT. The sum of the Commitments of the Lenders as in effect
from time to time, which as of the Closing Date shall be $148,500,000 and which
may be any lesser amount, including zero, resulting from a termination or
reduction of such amount in accordance with Sections 2.1 or 8.2 hereof.

     TOTAL OUTSTANDINGS. At any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of the Loans at the time and (ii) the Maximum Drawing Amount
at the time.

     TYPE. A Eurodollar Loan or a Base Rate Loan.

     YEAR 2000 PROBLEM. Any significant risk that computer hardware or software
used in the businesses or operations of the Parent, the Borrowers or their
Subsidiaries will not, in the case of dates or time periods occurring after
December 31, 1999, function at least as effectively as in the case of dates or
time periods occurring prior to January 1, 2000.

     1.2  RULES OF INTERPRETATION.

                                       13
<PAGE>   19

               (a) All terms of an accounting character used herein but not
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto by GAAP applied on a
consistent basis. All calculations for the purposes of Section VI hereof shall
be made in accordance with GAAP.

               (b) A reference to any document or agreement shall include such
document or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented and in effect from
time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Agreement.

               (c) The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the
singular. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the
corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

               (d) A reference to any Person includes its permitted successors
and permitted assigns.

               (e) The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not
limiting.

               (f) The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of like
import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
section or subdivision of this Agreement.

               (g) All terms not specifically defined herein or by GAAP that are
defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, have the meanings assigned to them in such Uniform Commercial
Code.

                                   SECTION II.

                             DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT
                             ---------------------

     2.1  LOANS.

               (a) REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations,
warranties and covenants of the Borrowers herein, each of the Lenders agrees,
severally and not jointly, to make revolving credit loans (the "REVOLVING CREDIT
LOANS") to the Borrowers and to acquire Letter of Credit Participations at the
Borrowers' request, from time to time, from and after the Closing Date and prior
to the Maturity Date, PROVIDED that the Total Outstandings (after giving effect
to all requested Revolving Credit Loans and Letters of Credit) shall not at any
time exceed the Total Commitment, and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the sum of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans made by each
Lender and all outstanding Letter of Credit Participations of such Lender shall
not at any time (after giving effect to all requested Revolving Credit Loans and
Letters of Credit) exceed such Lender's 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   20

Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrowers
may borrow, repay, prepay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans, up to the limits
imposed by this Section 2.1, from time to time between the Closing Date and the
Maturity Date upon request given to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.3. Each
request for a Revolving Credit Loan or Letter of Credit hereunder, shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions
set forth in Section 3.2 (and, in the case of a request for an initial Loan,
Section 3.1) have been satisfied as of the date of such request.

               (b) LIMITATIONS. Each Eurodollar Loan shall be in a minimum
principal amount of $1,000,000 or in integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of
such minimum amount, and each Base Rate Loan shall be in a minimum principal
amount of $1,000,000 or in integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of such
minimum amount. No more than five (5) Eurodollar Loans may be outstanding at any
time.

               (c) CONVERSIONS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Borrowers may convert all or
any part (subject to the limitations of subsection (b) above) of any outstanding
Revolving Credit Loan into a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type on any
Business Day (which, in the case of a conversion of an outstanding Eurodollar
Loan shall be the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar
Loan). The Borrowers shall give the Agent prior notice of each such conversion
(which notice shall be effective upon receipt) in accordance with Section 2.3.

               (d) TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS.

               (i) The Total Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. Boston time
     on the Maturity Date.

               (ii) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7 regarding mandatory
     payments, the Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to
     time upon five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the Agent given
     by TLC as the agent for the Borrowers to reduce by $10,000,000, and in
     integral multiples of $1,000,000 if in excess thereof, the Total Commitment
     or to terminate entirely the Lenders' Commitments to make Loans hereunder,
     whereupon the Commitments of the Lenders shall be reduced PRO RATA by the
     aggregate amount specified in such notice or shall, as the case may be, be
     terminated entirely. No such reduction or termination of any Commitment may
     be reinstated.

               (iii) If, as a result of any such reduction of any Commitment as
     described in clause (ii) above, the Maximum Drawing Amount at the time
     would exceed the Total Commitment or the amount of Letters of Credit
     permitted to be outstanding under Sections 2.1(a) and 2A.1(a) hereof, the
     Borrowers shall, as a condition precedent to any such reduction, deposit
     with and pledge to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing
     Bank cash in an amount equal to 105% of such 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   21

     excess. If any Letters of Credit would remain outstanding after the
     effective date of any such termination as described in clauses (i) and (ii)
     above, in addition to satisfaction of all other applicable terms and
     conditions of this Agreement, the Borrowers shall deposit with and pledge
     to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank cash in an
     amount equal to 105% of the Maximum Drawing Amount at the effective date of
     such termination.

     2.2 THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES.

         (a) The Revolving Credit Loans shall be evidenced by separate
promissory notes for each Lender, each such note to be in substantially the form
of EXHIBIT A hereto, dated as of the Closing Date and completed with appropriate
insertions (each such note being referred to herein as a "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE"
and collectively as the "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES"). One Revolving Credit Note
shall be payable to the order of each Lender in a principal amount equal to such
Lender's Commitment.

         (b) The Borrowers irrevocably authorize each of the Lenders to make or
cause to be made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Loan or at
the time of receipt of any payment of principal on any Revolving Credit Note, an
appropriate notation on its Note Record reflecting (as the case may be) the
making of such Loan or the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of
the Loans set forth on the Note Records shall be PRIMA FACIE evidence of the
principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Lenders, but the failure to
record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on any Lender's Note
Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrowers
hereunder or under any Revolving Credit Note to make payments of principal of or
interest on any Revolving Credit Note when due.

     2.3  NOTICE AND MANNER OF BORROWING OR CONVERSION OF LOANS.

         (a) Whenever the Borrowers desire to obtain or continue a Revolving
Credit Loan hereunder or convert an outstanding Revolving Credit Loan into a
Revolving Credit Loan of another Type, the Borrowers shall give the Agent a
written Notice of Borrowing or Conversion (or a telephonic notice promptly
confirmed by a written Notice of Borrowing or Conversion), which Notice shall be
irrevocable and which must be received (i) no later than 10:00 a.m. Boston time
on the date on which the requested Revolving Credit Loan is to be made as or
converted to a Base Rate Loan, and (ii) no later than 2:00 p.m. Boston time on
the date three (3) Business Days before the day on which the requested Revolving
Credit Loan is to be made or continued as or converted to a Eurodollar Loan.
Such Notice of Borrowing or Conversion shall specify (i) the effective date and
amount of each Revolving Credit Loan or portion thereof requested to be made,
continued or converted, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.1,
(ii) the interest rate option requested to be applicable thereto, and (iii) the
duration of the applicable Interest Period, if any (subject to the provisions of
the definition of the term "Interest Period"). If such Notice fails to specify
the interest rate option to be applicable to the requested Revolving 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   22


Credit Loan, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Base Rate
Loan. If the written confirmation of any telephonic notification differs in any
material respect from the action taken by the Agent, the records of the Agent
shall control absent manifest error.

         (b) Subject to the provisions of the definition of the term "Interest
Period" herein, the duration of each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan shall
be as specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Conversion. If no
Interest Period is specified in a Notice of Borrowing or Conversion with respect
to a requested Eurodollar Loan, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to have
selected an Interest Period of one month's duration. If the Agent receives a
Notice of Borrowing or Conversion after the time specified in subsection (a)
above, such Notice shall not be effective. If the Agent does not receive an
effective Notice of Borrowing or Conversion with respect to an outstanding
Eurodollar Loan, or if, when such Notice must be given prior to the end of the
Interest Period applicable to such outstanding Eurodollar Loan, the Borrowers
shall have failed to satisfy any of the conditions hereof, the Borrowers shall
be deemed to have elected to convert such outstanding Eurodollar Loan in whole
into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period with
respect thereto.

     2.4 FUNDING OF LOANS.

         (a) Revolving Credit Loans shall be made by the Lenders PRO RATA in
accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages, PROVIDED, HOWEVER that
the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not relieve any other Lender of
its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender
shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan
required to be made by such other Lender).

         (b) The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of each Notice of
Borrowing or Conversion received pursuant to Section 2.3 and of each Lender's
portion of the requested Loan. Not later than 1:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the
proposed Drawdown Date of any Loan, each Lender will make available to the
Agent, at its head office, in immediately available funds, the amount of such
Lender's Commitment Percentage of the amount of any requested Loans. Upon
receipt by the Agent of such amount, and upon receipt of the documents required
by Section 3 and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth therein, to
the extent applicable, the Agent will make available to the Borrowers the
aggregate amount of such Loan. The failure or refusal of any Lender to make
available to the Agent at the aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the
amount of its Commitment Percentage of any requested Loans shall not relieve any
other Lender from its several obligation hereunder to make available to the
Agent the amount of such other Lender's Commitment Percentage of any requested
Loans.

         (c) The Agent may, unless notified to the contrary by any Lender prior
to a Drawdown Date, assume that each Lender has made available to the Agent on
such Drawdown Date the amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the
Loans to be made on such Drawdown Date, and the Agent may (but it shall not be
required to), in 

                                      -17-

<PAGE>   23

reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers
a corresponding amount. If any Lender makes available to the Agent such amount
on a date after such Drawdown Date, such Lender shall pay to the Agent on demand
an amount equal to the product of (i) the average, computed for the period
referred to in clause (iii) below, of the weighted average interest rate paid by
the Agent for federal funds acquired by the Agent during each day included in
such period, TIMES (ii) the amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of any
such Loans TIMES (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
that elapse from and including such Drawdown Date to the date on which the
amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Loans shall become
immediately available to the Agent, and the denominator of which is 360. A
statement of the Agent submitted to such Lender with respect to any amounts
owing under this paragraph shall be PRIMA FACIE evidence of the amount due and
owing to the Agent by such Lender. If the amount of such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of such Loans is not made available to the Agent by such Lender with
three (3) Business Days following such Drawdown Date, the Agent shall be
entitled to recover the corresponding principal amount of the Loans from the
Borrowers on demand, with accrued interest thereon at the rate per annum
applicable to the Loans made on such Drawdown Date.

     2.5 INTEREST RATES AND PAYMENTS OF INTEREST.

         (a) Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Base Rate Loan shall bear
interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof at a rate per annum equal
to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, which rate shall change
contemporaneously with any change in the Base Rate or the Applicable Margin, as
provided below. Such interest shall be payable monthly in arrears on the
fifteenth day of each calendar month, commencing May 15, 1998.

         (b) Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Eurodollar Loan shall bear
interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each Interest Period
applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus the
Applicable Margin, which rate shall change with any change in the Applicable
Margin, as provided below. Such interest shall be payable for such Interest
Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is longer than three
months, at intervals of three months after the first day thereof.

         (c) The Applicable Margin and the Leverage Ratio shall be determined as
of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrowers based upon the quarterly
financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b) and any change
in the Applicable Margin shall not be effective until the delivery of such
financial statements, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that during any period when the
Borrowers have failed to deliver such financial statements as required by
Section 5.1(b), the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be greater than 3.00:1.00
for purposes of determining the Applicable Margin until delivery to the Agent of
such financial statements at which time the appropriate Applicable Margin will
become effective.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   24

          (d)  If an Event of Default shall occur, then at the option of the 
Agent or the direction of the Majority Lenders (i) the unpaid balance of Loans
shall bear interest, compounded daily, at an interest rate equal to 2% per annum
above the then otherwise applicable interest rates on the outstanding Loans.

          (e)  So long as any Lender shall be required under regulations of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any other banking
authority, domestic or foreign, to which such Lender is subject) to maintain
reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including
"Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as defined in regulations issued from time to time
by such Board of Governors), the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the
account of each such Lender additional interest on the unpaid principal amount
of each Eurodollar Loan made by such Lender from the date of such Loan until
such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum equal at
all times to the remainder (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher
1/100 of 1%) obtained by subtracting (i) the Eurodollar Rate for the Interest
Period for such Eurodollar Loan from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing such
Eurodollar Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Reserve
Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period. Such Lender shall determine
such additional interest and notify the Borrowers, through the Agent, and such
additional interest shall be payable on each date on which interest is payable
on such Eurodollar Loan.

     2.6  FEES.

          (a)  The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the benefit of the
Lenders a commitment fee (the "COMMITMENT FEE"), computed on a daily basis and
payable quarterly in arrears on the fifteenth calendar day of the first month of
each calendar quarter, commencing July 15, 1998, equal to the Commitment Fee
Percentage per annum of the excess of (i) the Total Commitment on each day
during such just completed calendar quarter over (ii) the Total Outstandings on
each day during such just completed calendar quarter. The Leverage Ratio and the
Commitment Fee Percentage shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal
quarter of the Borrowers based upon the quarterly financial statements to be
delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b) and any change in the Commitment Fee
Percentage shall not be effective until delivery of such financial statements,
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that during any period when the Borrowers have failed to
deliver such financial statements as required by Section 5.1(b), the Leverage
Ratio shall be deemed to be greater than 3.00:1.00 for purposes of determining
the Commitment Fee Percentage until delivery to the Agent of such financial
statements at which time the appropriate Commitment Fee Percentage will become
effective.

          (b)  The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (i) for the benefit of the
Issuing Bank and the Lenders a fee (the "LETTER OF CREDIT FEE") at a rate per
annum equal to (y) the Maximum Drawing Amount of each Letter of Credit
multiplied by (z) the then Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans, provided that
at the option of the Agent or the direction of the Majority Lenders, the Letter
of Credit Fees payable during the continuance of an Event 


                                      -19-

<PAGE>   25


of Default shall be equal to (y) the Maximum Drawing Amount of each Letter of
Credit multiplied by (z) the sum of the then Applicable Margin for Eurodollar
Loans plus 2% per annum, and (ii) for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, any
applicable fronting, issuance, amendment, transfer and similar fees in
accordance with the Issuing Bank's customary charges. The Agent shall, based on
the Commitment Percentage of each Lender, ratably distribute the Letter of
Credit Fee to the Lenders. The Letter of Credit Fees shall be paid quarterly in
arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter.

          (c)  The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent, solely for the account of 
the Agent, such other fees as the Borrowers and the Agent shall have agreed in
writing.

     2.7  PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS OF THE LOANS.

          (a)  Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurodollar Loans may be prepaid 
at any time, subject to the provisions of Section 2.9, upon three (3) Business
Days' notice. Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans may be prepaid at
any time, without premium or penalty, on the same day that notice is given,
provided that such notice is given prior to 10:00 a.m. Boston time. Any such
notice of prepayment shall be irrevocable. Prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans
may be reborrowed to the extent provided in Section 2.1.

          (b)  On the Maturity Date, the Borrowers shall pay in full the unpaid
principal balance of the Revolving Credit Loans, together with all unpaid
interest thereon and all fees and other amounts due with respect thereto. If at
any time the Total Outstandings exceed the Total Commitment, the Borrower shall
immediately pay the amount of any such excess to the Agent for application to
the Revolving Credit Loans.

          (c)  The Borrowers authorize the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the
Lenders to charge to their Note Records or to any deposit account which any of
the Borrowers may maintain with any of them the interest, fees, charges, taxes
and expenses provided for in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any
other document executed or delivered in connection herewith or therewith. The
party making such charge will use reasonable efforts to notify the Borrowers
thereof, but the failure to give such a notice shall not create a cause of
action against such party or create any claim or right on behalf of the
Borrowers.

     2.8  METHOD AND ALLOCATION OF PAYMENTS.

          (a)  All payments by the Borrowers hereunder and under any of the 
other Loan Documents shall be made without set-off or counterclaim and free and
clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges,
fees, deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of
any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any
political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the
Borrowers are compelled by law to make such deduction or withholding. If any
such obligation is imposed upon the Borrowers with respect to any 


                                      -20-

<PAGE>   26


amount payable by them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
subject to compliance by the Lenders or their Assignees with the provisions of
Section 9.1(b) hereof, the Borrowers will pay to each Lender or Assignee such
additional amount in U.S. Dollars as shall be necessary to enable such party to
receive the same net amount which such party would have received on such due
date had no such obligation been imposed upon the Borrowers. The Borrowers will
deliver promptly to each Lender certificates or other valid vouchers or other
evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent for all taxes or other
charges deducted from or paid with respect to payments made by the Borrowers
hereunder or under such other Loan Document. The Lenders may, and each Borrower
hereby authorizes the Lenders to, debit the amount of any payment not made by
such time to the demand deposit accounts of such Borrower with the Lenders or to
their Note Records; each Lender that makes such a debit shall use reasonable
efforts to notify the Borrowers thereof, but the failure to give such a notice
shall not create a cause of action against such Lender or create any claim or
right on behalf of any Borrower.

          (b)  All payments of principal of and interest in respect of Loans and
payments of Commitment Fees shall be made to the Agent for the benefit of the
Lenders, PRO RATA in accordance with their Commitments, and payments of any
other amounts due hereunder shall be made to the Agent to be allocated among the
Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their respective interests appear.
All such payments shall be made at the Agent's head office or at such other
location that the Agent may from time to time designate, in each case in
immediately available funds.

          (c)  If the Commitments shall have been terminated or the Obligations
shall have been declared immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 8.2,
all funds received from or on behalf of any Borrower (including as proceeds of
Collateral) by any Lender or the Issuing Bank in respect of Obligations (except
funds received by any Lender as a result of a purchase of a participant interest
pursuant to Section 2.8(d) below) shall be remitted to the Agent, and all such
funds, together with all other funds received by the Agent from or on behalf of
the Borrower (including proceeds of Collateral) in respect of Obligations, shall
be applied by the Agent in the following manner and order: (i) first, to
reimburse the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, in that order, for any
amounts payable pursuant to Sections 11.2 and 11.3 hereof; (ii) second, to the
payment of Commitment Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and any other fees payable
hereunder; (iii) third, to the payment of interest due on the Revolving Credit
Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations; (iv) fourth, to the payment of the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Loans and the
Reimbursement Obligations; (v) fifth, to the payment of any other Obligations
payable by the Borrowers; and (vi) any remaining funds shall be paid to whoever
shall be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

          (d)  Each of the Lenders and the Agent hereby agrees that if it should
receive any amount (whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security,
by the exercise of the right of set-off or banker's lien, by counterclaim or
cross action, by the enforcement of any right under the Loan Documents, or
otherwise) in respect of principal 


                                      -21-

<PAGE>   27


of, or interest on, the Loans or any fees which are to be shared PRO RATA among
the Lenders, which, as compared to the amounts theretofore received by the other
Lenders with respect to such principal, interest or fees, is in excess of such
Lender's PRO RATA share of such principal, interest or fees, such Lender shall
share such excess, less the costs and expenses (including, reasonable Attorneys'
Fees and disbursements) incurred by such Lender in connection with such
realization, exercise, claim or action, PRO RATA with all other Lenders in
proportion to their respective Commitments for such Loans, and such sharing
shall be deemed a purchase (without recourse) by such sharing party of
participant interests in the Loans or such fees, as the case may be, owed to the
recipients of such shared payments to the extent of such shared payments;
provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess amount is
thereafter recovered from such Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded and the
purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

     2.9  EURODOLLAR INDEMNITY. If the Borrowers for any reason (including,
without limitation, pursuant to Sections 2.7, 2.11, 2.12 and 8.2 hereof) make
any payment of principal with respect to any Eurodollar Loan on any day other
than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, or
fail to borrow or continue or convert to a Eurodollar Loan after giving a Notice
of Borrowing or Conversion thereof pursuant to Section 2.3, or fail to prepay a
Eurodollar Loan after having given notice thereof, the Borrowers shall pay to
the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders any amount required to compensate the
Lenders for any additional losses, costs or expenses which they may reasonably
incur as a result of such payment or failure, including, without limitation, any
loss (including any loss arising from any difference in the applicable
Eurodollar Rate in effect at the commencement of the Interest Period in question
and the date upon which the event giving rise to indemnity under this Section
2.9 occurs), costs or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or
re-employment of deposits or other funds required by the Lenders to fund or
maintain such Eurodollar Loan. The Borrower shall pay such amount upon
presentation by the Agent of a statement setting forth the amount and the
Agent's (or the affected Lenders') calculation thereof pursuant hereto, which
statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error.

     2.10 COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES. Interest and all fees payable
hereunder shall be computed daily on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid
for the actual number of days for which due. If the due date for any payment of
principal is extended by operation of law, interest shall be payable for such
extended time. If any payment required by this Agreement becomes due on a day
that is not a Business Day such payment may be made on the next succeeding
Business Day (subject to the definition of the term "Interest Period"), and such
extension shall be included in computing interest in connection with such
payment.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   28


     2.11 CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES; ILLEGALITY.

          (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the 
event that:

          (i)  on any date on which the Eurodollar Rate would otherwise be set
     the Agent shall have determined in good faith (which determination shall be
     final and conclusive) that adequate and fair means do not exist for
     ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate, or

          (ii) at any time the Agent or any Lender shall have determined in good
     faith (which determination shall be final and conclusive and, if made by
     any Lender, shall have been communicated to the Agent in writing) that:

          (A)  the making or continuation of or conversion of any Loan to a
     Eurodollar Loan has been made impracticable or unlawful by (1) the
     occurrence of a contingency that materially and adversely affects the
     interbank Eurodollar market or (2) compliance by the Agent or such Lender
     in good faith with any applicable law or governmental regulation, guideline
     or order or interpretation or change thereof by any governmental authority
     charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or with any
     request or directive of any such governmental authority (whether or not
     having the force of law); or

          (B)  the Eurodollar Rate shall no longer represent the effective cost
     to the Agent or such Lender for U.S. dollar deposits in the interbank
     market for deposits in which it regularly participates;

then, and in any such event, the Agent shall forthwith so notify the Borrowers
thereof. Until the Agent notifies TLC that the circumstances giving rise to such
notice no longer apply, the obligation of the Lenders to allow selection by the
Borrowers of the Type of Revolving Credit Loan affected by the contingencies
described in this Section (herein called "AFFECTED LOANS") shall be suspended.
If, at the time the Agent so notifies the Borrowers, the Borrowers have
previously given the Agent a Notice of Borrowing or Conversion with respect to
one or more Affected Loans but such Revolving Credit Loans have not yet gone
into effect, such notification shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate
Loans.

          (b)  In the event of a determination of illegality pursuant to
subsection (a)(ii)(A) above, the Borrowers shall, with respect to the
outstanding Affected Loans, prepay the same, together with interest thereon and
any amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.9, on such date as shall
be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such
notice is given) and may, subject to the conditions of this Agreement, borrow
Base Rate Loans in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof by giving a Notice of
Borrowing or Conversion pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof.



                                      -23-

<PAGE>   29


     2.12 INCREASED COSTS. In case after the date hereof any change in law,
regulation, treaty or official directive or the interpretation or application
thereof by any court or by any governmental authority charged with the
administration thereof or the compliance with any guideline or request of any
central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the force of
law):

          (i)  subjects any Lender to any tax with respect to payments of
     principal or interest or any other amounts payable hereunder by the
     Borrowers or otherwise with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby
     (except for taxes on the overall net income of such Lender imposed by the
     United States of America or any political subdivision thereof), or

          (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any deposit insurance,
     reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets held by, or
     deposits in or for the account of, or loans by, any Lender (other than as
     provided in Section 2.5(e) and other than such requirements as are already
     included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate).

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Lender,
reduce the income receivable by such Lender or impose any expense upon such
Lender with respect to any Loans or its obligations under this Agreement or in
respect of any Letter of Credit, such Lender may notify the Borrowers, and the
Agent thereof. Each Lender agrees that it will, if requested by the Borrowers
and to the extent permitted by law or by the relevant government authority, for
a period of thirty (30) days endeavor in good faith to avoid or minimize such
increase in cost or reduction in income, PROVIDED, that such Lender can do so in
such a manner that such Lender, in its sole determination, suffers no economic,
legal, regulatory or other disadvantage. Any reasonable expense incurred by such
Lender in so doing shall be paid by the Borrowers (on a PRO RATA basis with all
of such Lender's other borrowers obligated to contribute to such expense). Upon
demand by such Lender, the Borrowers agree to pay to such Lender the amount of
such increase in cost, reduction in income or additional expense (together with
the Borrowers' PRO RATA share of such Lender's expense in attempting to minimize
such increase or reduction) as and when such cost, reduction or expense is
incurred or determined, upon presentation by such Lender of a statement in the
amount and setting forth in reasonable detail such Lender's calculation thereof
and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based, which statement shall
be deemed true and correct absent manifest error.

     2.13 CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. If any Lender determines that (i) the adoption
of or change, after the date hereof, in any law, rule, regulation or guideline
regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or any
change, after the date hereof, in the interpretation or application thereof by
any governmental authority charged with the administration thereof, or (ii)
compliance by such Lender or its parent bank holding company with any guideline,
request or directive of any such entity regarding capital adequacy (whether or
not having the force of law), has the effect of reducing the return on 



                                      -24-

<PAGE>   30


such Lender's or such holding company's capital as a consequence of such
Lender's Commitment to make Loans hereunder or its obligations in respect of any
Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such holding company
could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's or such holding company's then existing policies
with respect to capital adequacy and assuming the full utilization of such
entity's capital) by any amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then such
Lender may notify the Borrowers and the Agent thereof. The Borrowers agree to
pay to such Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of return on capital
as and when such reduction is determined PROVIDED HOWEVER the date of the event
which gave rise to such reduction of return on capital may not be more than 120
days prior to the date of notice from the affected Lender to the Borrowers. Such
amounts shall be payable within 90 days after presentation by such Lender of a
statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable detail such Lender's
calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based
(which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error) unless
within such 90 day period the Borrowers shall have prepaid in full all
Obligations to such Lender, in which event no amount shall be payable to such
Lender under this Section 2.13. In determining such amount, such Lender may use
any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

     2.14 REMOVAL OF LENDER. In the event that any Lender (i) fails to make a
Loan as required under Section 2.4, (ii) notifies the Borrowers, pursuant to
Sections 2.11(a)(ii)(A) or 2.11(a)(ii)(B), respectively, that it is
impracticable or unlawful for such Lender to make or to continue a Eurodollar
Loan or that the Eurodollar Rate no longer represents the effective cost of a
Eurodollar Loan to such Lender (subject to such Lender's right to rescind such
demand or assertion within 7 days after the notice from the Borrowers referred
to below), or (iii) demands payment of costs and additional amounts pursuant to
Sections 2.11(b), 2.12 or 2.13, the Borrowers may, provided that no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon 15 days' prior
written notice to such Lender and the Agent, elect to cause such Lender (the
"Replaced Lender") to assign its Loans and Commitment in full to an assignee
financial institution selected by the Borrowers and acceptable to the Agent (a "
Replacement Lender"), so long as at the time of such replacement (A) such
Replacement Lender shall enter into one or more joinder agreements as required
by Section 9.1(a) (with all fees required pursuant to Section 9.1(a) to be paid
by either the Borrowers or the Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the
Replacement Lender shall acquire all the Commitments and all outstanding Loans
of, and in each case participations in Letters of Credit by, the Replaced
Lender, and (B) such Replaced Lender (w) receives payment in full in cash of the
outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by it and
accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (x) receives an amount equal to all unpaid
drawings that have been funded by (and not reimbursed to) the Replaced Lender,
together with all then unpaid interest thereon, (y) is relieved of its
obligations as a participant under the then outstanding Letters of Credit, and
(z) receives payment in full in cash of all accrued and unpaid fees and other
amounts due and payable to such Replaced Lender as of the date of such
assignment (including without limitation, amounts owing pursuant to Sections
2.11(b), 2.12 and, if applicable, 2.13). Upon payment of the amounts 


                                      -25-

<PAGE>   31


required above, the Replaced Lender shall make such assignment in accordance
with the requirements of Section 9.1(a) and upon execution of the respective
joinder agreement by the Replacement Lender, recordation of the assignment by
the Agent and delivery to the Replacement Lender of the appropriate Note or
Notes executed by the Borrowers, the Replacement Lender shall become a Lender
hereunder and the Replaced Lender shall cease to be a Lender hereunder, except
with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement (including
without limitation, pursuant to Section 11.3), which shall survive as to such
Replaced Lender.

                                   SECTION IIA

                                LETTERS OF CREDIT
                                -----------------

     2A.1 ISSUANCE.

          (a)  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, the Issuing
Bank, in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Borrowers
contained herein, agrees to issue standby letters of credit (the "LETTERS OF
CREDIT") for the account of the Borrowers in such form as may be requested from
time to time by the Borrowers and agreed to by the Issuing Bank, PROVIDED that
the Maximum Drawing Amount (after giving effect to all requested Letters of
Credit) shall not at any time exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, PROVIDED,
FURTHER that the Total Outstandings (after giving effect to all requested
Revolving Credit Loans and Letters of Credit) shall not at any time exceed the
Total Commitment, and provided further that no Letter of Credit shall have an
expiration date later than 60 days after the Maturity Date. At least three (3)
Business Days prior to the proposed issuance date of any Letter of Credit, the
Borrowers shall deliver to the Issuing Bank a Letter of Credit Application
setting forth the Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit (including the
requested Letter of Credit), the requested language of the requested Letter of
Credit and such other information as the Issuing Bank shall require. Each
request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions set forth in
Section 3.2 (and, in the case of a request for an initial Letter of Credit,
Section 3.1) have been satisfied as of the date of such request. To the extent
there is a conflict between the provisions of any such Letter of Credit
Application and/or related documents and this Agreement, the terms of this
Agreement shall be controlling.

          (b)  Effective upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit and without
any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders in respect
thereof, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each such Lender
hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participating interest in such Letter
of Credit in proportion to such Lender's Commitment Percentage (the "LETTER OF
CREDIT PARTICIPATION"), and each Lender severally agrees that it shall be
absolutely liable, without regard to the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default, to the extent of such Lender's Commitment Percentage, to reimburse the


                                      -26-

<PAGE>   32


Issuing Bank on demand for the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Bank
under each Letter of Credit to the extent that such amount is not reimbursed by
the Borrowers.

          (c)  All letters of credit issued under the Original Credit Agreement
and outstanding as of the Closing Date shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit
issued and outstanding under this Agreement.

     2A.2 REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWERS. In order to induce the
Issuing Bank to issue, extend and renew each Letter of Credit, the Borrowers
hereby agree to jointly and severally reimburse or pay to the Issuing Bank, for
the account of the Issuing Bank or (as the case may be) the Lenders, with
respect to each Letter of Credit issued, extended or renewed by the Issuing Bank
hereunder as follows:

          (a)  on each date that any draft presented under any Letter of Credit
is honored by the Issuing Bank or the Issuing Bank otherwise makes payment with
respect thereto, (i) the amount paid by the Issuing Bank under or with respect
to such Letter of Credit, and (ii) the amount of any taxes, fees, charges or
other necessary or reasonable costs and expenses whatsoever incurred by the
Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with any payment made by the Issuing
Bank under, or with respect to, such Letter of Credit; and

          (b)  on the Maturity Date or the acceleration of the Reimbursement
Obligations pursuant to Section 8, an amount equal to 105% of the then Maximum
Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit, which amount shall be held by the
Issuing Bank as cash collateral for all Reimbursement Obligations.

Each such payment shall be made to the Issuing Bank at its head office in
immediately available funds. Interest on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by
the Borrowers under this Section 2A.2 at any time from the date such amounts
become due and payable (whether as stated in this Section 2A.2, by acceleration
or otherwise) until payment in full (whether before or after judgment) shall be
payable to the Agent, for the account of Issuing Bank or (as the case may be)
the Lenders, on demand at a rate per annum equal to 2% above the Interest Rate
applicable to Base Rate Loans at the time in the absence of an Event of Default.

     2A.3 LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS. If any draft shall be presented or other
demand for payment shall be made under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank
shall notify the Borrowers of the date and amount of the draft presented or
demand for payment and of the date and time when it expects to pay such draft or
honor such demand for payment. The responsibility of the Issuing Bank to the
Borrowers shall be only to determine that the documents (including each draft)
delivered under each Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment shall
be in conformity in all material respects with such Letter of Credit. If on the
date that such draft is paid or other payment is made by the Issuing Bank the
Borrowers shall not have promptly satisfied in full their Reimbursement
Obligations in 



                                      -27-
<PAGE>   33


connection therewith, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Lenders of the
amount of any unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. All such unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Revolving
Credit Loans. No later than 1:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the Business Day next
following the receipt of such notice, each Lender shall make available to the
Agent, at the Agent's head office, in immediately available funds, such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of such unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, together with an
amount equal to the product of (i) the average, computed for the period referred
to in clause (iii) below, of the weighted average interest rate paid by the
Agent for federal funds acquired by the Agent during each day included in such
period, TIMES (ii) the amount equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of
such unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, TIMES (iii) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days that have elapsed from and including the date the
Issuing Bank paid the draft presented for honor or otherwise made payment until
the date on which such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation shall become immediately available to the Agent, and
the denominator of which is 360.

     2A.4 OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.

          (a)  The Borrowers' Reimbursement Obligations shall be absolute and
unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of the occurrence
of any Default or Event of Default or any condition precedent whatsoever or any
set off, counterclaim or defense to payment which any Borrower may have or have
had against the Issuing Bank, the Agent, the Lenders or any beneficiary of a
Letter of Credit. Each Borrower further agrees that the Issuing Bank, the Agent
and the Lenders, as long as they have acted in good faith and absent gross
negligence or willful misconduct on their part, shall not be responsible for,
and the Borrowers' Reimbursement Obligations shall not be affected by, among
other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements
thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among any of
the Borrowers, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any financing
institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit may be transferred or
any claims or defenses whatsoever of any of the Borrowers, against the
beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee.

          (b)  The Issuing Bank, the Agent and the Lenders shall not be liable 
for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or
delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any
Letter of Credit. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the
Issuing Bank, the Agent or the Lenders under or in connection with each Letter
of Credit and the related drafts and documents, if done in good faith and absent
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank, the Agent, or
the Lenders, shall be binding upon such Borrower and shall not result in any
liability on the part of the Issuing Bank, the Agent or the Lenders to any
Borrower.


                                      -28-

<PAGE>   34


     2A.5 RELIANCE BY THE ISSUING BANK AND THE AGENT. To the extent not
inconsistent with Section 2A.4, the Issuing Bank and the Agent shall be entitled
to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any Letter of Credit,
draft writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter,
cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or
other document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed,
sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of
legal counsel and other experts selected by the Issuing Bank or the Agent.

                                  SECTION III.

                    CONDITIONS OF LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
                    -----------------------------------------

     3.1  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. The obligation
of the Lenders to make the initial Revolving Credit Loans and of the Issuing
Bank to issue the initial Letter(s) of Credit is subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by the Agent of the following conditions precedent on or prior to the
Closing Date:


          (a)   The Agent shall have received the following agreements, 
documents, certificates and opinions in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent and duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto:

          (i)   This Agreement;

          (ii)  The Revolving Credit Notes, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
     A hereto;

          (iii) The Security Documents;

          (iv)  UCC-1 Financing Statements and UCC-3 Amendments to the extent
     applicable;

          (v)   Compliance Report of the chief financial officer of TLC as of 
     the Closing Date;

          (vi)  Certificates of insurance or insurance binders evidencing
     compliance with Section 5.3 hereof and the applicable provisions of the
     Security Documents;

          (vii) Notice of Borrowing or Conversion as of the Closing Date;

          (viii) A certificate from the chief financial officer of each of the
     Borrowers with respect to solvency and other matters;


                                      -29-
<PAGE>   35


          (xi)   A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
     Parent and each Borrower with respect to resolutions of the Board of
     Directors of such entity authorizing the execution and delivery of the Loan
     Documents to which it is a party and identifying the officer(s) authorized
     to execute, deliver and take all other actions required under this
     Agreement, and providing specimen signatures of such officers;

          (x)    The corporate charter of the Parent and each Borrower and all
     amendments and supplements thereto, as filed in the office of the Secretary
     of State of its jurisdiction of incorporation, certified by said Secretary
     of State as being a true and correct copy thereof;

          (xi)   The Bylaws of the Parent and each Borrower and all amendments 
     and supplements thereto, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
     Secretary of such entity as being a true and correct copy thereof;

          (xii)  A certificate of the Secretary of State of the state of
     incorporation of the Parent and each Borrower as to legal existence of such
     entity;

          (xiii) A certificate of the Secretary of State of each jurisdiction in
     which the Parent and each Borrower is required to be qualified to do
     business as to the due qualification and good standing of such entity in
     such state;

          (xiv)  Favorable legal opinions addressed to the Lenders from counsel
     to the Borrowers; and

          (xv)   Such other documents, instruments, opinions and certificates 
     and completion of such other matters, as the Agent may reasonably deem
     necessary or appropriate.

          (b)    Amendment(s) to the Liquidity Agreement, in form and substance
acceptable to the Agent, shall have been duly executed and delivered by each of
the parties thereto;

          (c)    No litigation, arbitration, proceeding or investigation shall 
be pending or threatened which questions the validity or legality of the
transactions contemplated by any Loan Document or seeks a restraining order,
injunction or damages in connection therewith, or which, might have a material
adverse effect on the transactions contemplated hereby or might have a material
adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations, or prospects of
the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (d)    All necessary filings and recordings against the Collateral 
shall have been completed and the Agent's liens on the Collateral shall have
been perfected, as contemplated by the Security Documents. (1)


                                      -30-
<PAGE>   36


          (e)  The Borrower shall have paid to the Agent all fees to be paid 
hereunder (including pursuant to Section 2.6(c) hereof) on or prior to the
Closing Date.

          In addition, within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date hereof (but 
not as a condition to the initial Revolving Credit Loans and the initial Letters
of Credit), the Borrowers shall cause to be pledged to the Agent approximately
65% (but in any event less than 66_%) of the outstanding shares of each of the
Designated Foreign Subsidiaries or, to the extent such pledge of shares of any
Designated Foreign Subsidiary would result in adverse tax consequences or is
prohibited under applicable law, cause to pledge to the Agent approximately 65%
(but in any event less than 66_%) of the outstanding shares of the entity or
entities which directly or indirectly own 100% of the outstanding shares of such
Designated Foreign Subsidiary, pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable
to the Agent.

     3.2  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT. The 
obligation of the Lenders to make any Revolving Credit Loan, including the
initial Revolving Credit Loans, or continue or convert Revolving Credit Loans to
Revolving Credit Loans of another Type, and of the Issuing Bank to issue any
Letter of Credit is further subject to the following conditions:


          (a)  timely receipt by the Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or 
Conversion with respect to any Revolving Credit Loan, or by the Issuing Bank of
a Letter of Credit Application with respect to any Letter of Credit;

          (b)  the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Letters of Credit do 
not and, after giving effect to any requested Revolving Credit Loan or Letter of
Credit, will not exceed the limitations set forth in Sections 2.1 and 2A.1
hereof;

          (c)  the representations and warranties contained in Section IV shall
be true and accurate in all material respects on and as of the date of such
Notice of Borrowing or Conversion or Letter of Credit Application and on the
effective date of the making, continuation or conversion of each Revolving
Credit Loan or issuance of each Letter of Credit as though made at and as of
each such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties
expressly relate to an earlier date or are inaccurate as a result of changes or
transactions expressly permitted hereunder);

          (d)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be 
continuing at the time of and immediately after the making of such requested
Revolving Credit Loan or the issuance of such requested Letter of Credit;

          (e)  the resolutions referred to in Section 3.1(a)(ix) shall remain in
full force and effect; and


                                      -31-

<PAGE>   37

          (f)  no change shall have occurred in any law or regulation or
interpretation thereof that, in the opinion of counsel for any Lender, would
make it illegal or against the policy of any governmental agency or authority
for such Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans hereunder or, in the opinion of
counsel for the Issuing Bank, for the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit
hereunder (as the case may be).

     The making, continuation or conversion of each Revolving Credit Loan and
the issuance of each Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation and
warranty by the Borrower on the date of the making, continuation or conversion
of such Revolving Credit Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit as to the
accuracy of the facts referred to in subsection (c) of this Section 3.2 and of
the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in this Section 3.2.


                                  SECTION IV.

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

     In order to induce the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make Revolving Credit Loans and to issue Letters of
Credit hereunder, the Borrowers represent and warrant to the Agent, the Issuing
Bank and the Lenders that except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3 attached hereto:

     4.1  ORGANIZATION; QUALIFICATION; BUSINESS.

          (a)  Each Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) is a
corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) has all requisite corporate power to own its
property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated
and (iii) is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation and is
duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction (all of which are listed on
SCHEDULE 3 attached hereto) where the nature of its properties or business
requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would
not have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business,
operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

          (b)  Since the date of the Initial Financial Statement, each Borrower
has continued to engage in a business substantially similar to that in which it
was then engaged and is engaged in no unrelated business.

     4.2  CORPORATE AUTHORITY. The execution, delivery and performance of the
Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby are within the corporate
power and authority of each Borrower and have been authorized by all necessary
corporate proceedings, and do not and will not (a) contravene any provision of
the charter documents or by-laws of any Borrower or any law, rule or regulation
applicable to any Borrower, (b) 


                                      -32-

<PAGE>   38

contravene any provision of, or constitute an event of default or event that,
but for the requirement that time elapse or notice be given, or both, would
constitute an event of default under, any other material agreement, instrument,
order or undertaking binding on any Borrower, or (c) result in or require the
imposition of any Encumbrance on any of the properties, assets or rights of any
Borrower, except in favor of the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders.

     4.3  VALID OBLIGATIONS. The Loan Documents and all of their respective 
terms and provisions are the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the
Borrowers, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and except as the
remedy of specific performance or of injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
Upon delivery of stock certificates to the Agent and filing of UCC financing
statements in appropriate filing offices, the Security Documents will create in
favor of the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders legal, valid and
enforceable security interests in the Collateral and such security interests
will be fully perfected first priority security interests subject to Permitted
Encumbrances.

     4.4  CONSENTS OR APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance of the
Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated herein do not require any
approval or consent of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or
other agency or authority, or any other Person, except (i) under or as
contemplated by the Security Documents, (ii) filings of the UCC financing
statements and (iii) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office
and the United States Copyright Office. 

     4.5  TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ABSENCE OF ENCUMBRANCES. Each Borrower and each 
of its Significant Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of the
properties, assets and rights of every name and nature now purported to be owned
by it, including, without limitation, such properties, assets and rights as are
reflected in the Initial Financial Statement (except such properties, assets or
rights as have been disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the
date thereof), free from all Encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances, and,
except as so disclosed, free from all defects of title that might materially
adversely affect such properties, assets or rights, taken as a whole. Each of
the Borrowers enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases
necessary in any material respect for the operation of its properties and assets
and no default exists under such leases which would give the landlord the right
to terminate such leases. All such leases are valid and subsisting and are in
full force and effect.

     4.6  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrowers have furnished to the Lenders
audited consolidated balance sheets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of
January 3, 1998 and related, statements of operations, income, stockholders'
equity (deficits) and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, and related
footnotes, audited and certified by the Borrower's Accountants (the "INITIAL
FINANCIAL STATEMENT"). The Initial Financial Statements were 


                                      -33-
<PAGE>   39


prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods specified and present fairly the consolidated financial position of the
Parent and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and the consolidated results of the
operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such periods.

     4.7  CHANGES. Since the date of the Initial Financial Statement, there have
been no changes in the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities,
business, operations or prospects of any Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries, other than changes in the ordinary course of business, the effect
of which has not, in the aggregate, been materially adverse to the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     4.8  SOLVENCY. The Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have and,
after giving effect to the Revolving Credit Loans, will have, assets (both
tangible and intangible) having a fair saleable value in excess of the amount
required to pay the probable liability on its then-existing debts (whether
matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or contingent); each
Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has and will have access to
adequate capital for the conduct of its business and the discharge of its debts
incurred in connection therewith as such debts mature; no Borrower and no
Significant Subsidiary of any Borrower was insolvent immediately prior to the
making of the Revolving Credit Loans and immediately after giving effect
thereto, no Borrower and no Significant Subsidiary of any Borrower will be
insolvent.

     4.9  DEFAULTS. As of the date of this Agreement, no Default exists.

     4.10 TAXES. The Parent, each Borrower, each of their Subsidiaries has filed
all U.S. Federal tax returns and all material other tax returns (state, local
and foreign) required to be filed, and has paid all taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges shown thereon to be due except in each case for (a)
delinquencies or payment of taxes that are not material and (b) such taxes,
assessments or charges that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been established
and are being maintained in accordance with GAAP. All such contests at the
Closing Date are described on SCHEDULE 3 hereto. Income tax returns of each
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have not been audited or otherwise
examined by any federal or state taxing authority except as disclosed to the
Agent. Each Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has established on its books
reserves adequate under GAAP for the payment of all federal, state, foreign and
other tax liabilities. No issues have been raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or other taxing authority that could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or
prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     4.11 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3, there is no litigation,
arbitration, proceeding or investigation pending, or, to the knowledge of any
Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' officers, threatened, against any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that, if adversely determined, may
reasonably be expected to result in a material judgment 



                                      -34-
<PAGE>   40


not fully covered by insurance, may reasonably be expected to result in a
forfeiture of all or any substantial part of any property of any Borrower or any
of its Significant Subsidiaries, or may reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business or prospects of the
Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     4.12 SUBSIDIARIES. All the Subsidiaries of each Borrower are listed on
SCHEDULE 3 hereto. Each Borrower is the owner, free and clear of all
Encumbrances other than those in favor of the Lenders and Permitted
Encumbrances, of all of the issued and outstanding stock of each of its
Subsidiaries. All shares of such stock have been validly issued and are fully
paid and nonassessable, and no rights to subscribe to any additional shares have
been granted, and no options, warrants or similar rights are outstanding.

     4.13 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. Neither any Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

     4.14 COMPLIANCE. Each Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has
all necessary permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses,
franchises, registrations and other rights and privileges (including
Intellectual Property) to allow it to own and operate its business without any
violation of law or the rights of others (including with respect to Intellectual
Property) except to the extent that any such violation would not have a material
adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of
the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and each
Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries are duly authorized, qualified
and licensed under and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations,
authorizations and orders of public authorities, including, without limitation,
Environmental Laws, except to the extent that any such failure to be so
authorized, qualified, licensed or in compliance would not have a material
adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations, or prospects of
the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Each
Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has performed all obligations
required to be performed by it under, and is not in default under or in
violation of, its corporate charter or by-laws, or any agreement, lease,
mortgage, note, bond, indenture, license or other instrument or undertaking to
which it is a party or by which any of it or any of its properties are bound,
except for violations none of which, either individually or in the aggregate,
would have any material adverse effect on the conditions, assets, business,
operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

     4.15 ERISA. Each Borrower and each of its Affiliates are in compliance in
all material respects with ERISA and the provisions of the Code applicable to
any Plans; no Borrower nor any Affiliate of a Borrower has engaged in a
Prohibited Transaction which would subject any Borrower, any Affiliate of a
Borrower or any Plan to a material tax or penalty imposed on a Prohibited
Transaction which may have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; no Plan has incurred any "accumulated funding
deficiency" (as defined in ERISA) which may have a material adverse effect on
the 


                                      -35-

<PAGE>   41


condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; except as set forth in the
Initial Financial Statement, the aggregate fair market value of all assets of
the Plans which are single-employer plans is at least equal to the aggregate
present value of all accrued benefits under such Plans, both as determined in
the most recent actuarial reports for such Plans using the actuarial assumptions
used for funding purposes therein; no Borrower nor any Affiliate of a Borrower
has incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation over and
above premiums required by law which may have a material adverse effect on the
condition, assets, business, operations, or prospects of the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and no Borrower nor any
Affiliate of a Borrower has terminated any Plan in a manner which could result
in the imposition of a lien on the property of any Borrower or any Affiliate of
a Borrower which may have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     4.16 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

          (a)  Each Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained all 
permits, licenses and other authorizations which are required under all
Environmental Laws, except to the extent failure to have any such permit,
license or authorization would not have a material adverse effect on the
condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Each Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such
permits, licenses and authorizations, and are also in compliance with all
applicable orders, decrees, judgments and injunctions, issued, entered,
promulgated or approved under any Environmental Law, except to the extent
failure to comply would not have a material adverse effect on the condition,
assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (b)  No written notice, notification, demand, request for information,
citation, summons or order has been received by any Borrower, and to the best of
each Borrower's knowledge, no complaint has been filed, and to the best of each
Borrower's knowledge, no penalty has been assessed and no investigation or
review is pending or, to the best of each Borrower's knowledge, threatened by
any governmental or other entity (i) with respect to any alleged failure by any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to have any permit, license or authorization
required in connection with the conduct of its business or to comply with any
Environmental Laws, or (ii) regarding the presence of any Hazardous Material at,
on or under any property now or previously owned, leased or used by any Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries or any other location to which Hazardous Materials
from such property had been transported or which they have been disposed of.

          (c)  To the best of each Borrower's knowledge, no material oral or
written notification of a release of a Hazardous Material has been filed by or
on behalf of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and no property now or
previously owned, leased or 


                                      -36-
<PAGE>   42


used by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for
listing on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or on any similar
state list of sites requiring investigation or clean-up.

          (d)  To the best of each Borrower's knowledge, there are no liens or
Encumbrances arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law on any of the
real property or properties owned, leased or used by any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries which constitutes a material part of the assets of the Borrowers
and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or which may have a material adverse
effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the
Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no
governmental actions have been taken or, to the best of each Borrower's
knowledge, are in process which could subject any of such properties to such
liens or Encumbrances or, as a result of which any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries would be required to place any notice or restriction relating to
the presence of Hazardous Materials at any property owned by it.

          (e)  No Borrower nor any Subsidiary of any Borrower nor, to the best
knowledge of each Borrower, any previous owner, tenant, occupant or user of any
property owned, leased or used by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has
(i) engaged in or permitted any operations or activities upon or any use or
occupancy of such property, or any portion thereof, for the handling,
manufacture, treatment, storage, use, generation, release, discharge, refining,
dumping or disposal of any Hazardous Materials on, under, in or about such
property, except to the extent (x) commonly used in day-to-day operations of
such property and in such case only in compliance in all material respects with
all Environmental Laws or (y) as would not have a material adverse effect on the
conditions, assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) transported any
Hazardous Materials to, from or across such property except to the extent (x)
commonly used in day-to-day operations of such property and, in such case, in
compliance in all material respects with, all Environmental Laws or (y) as would
not have a material adverse effect on the conditions, assets, business,
operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole; nor to the best knowledge of each Borrower have any Hazardous
Materials migrated from other properties upon, about or beneath such property,
nor, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, are any Hazardous Materials
presently constructed, deposited, stored or otherwise located on, under, in or
about such property except to the extent commonly used in day-to-day operations
of such property and, in such case, in compliance in all material respects with
all Environmental Laws.

     4.17 RESTRICTIONS ON THE BORROWERS. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3, no
Borrower nor any Significant Subsidiary of any Borrower is party to or bound by
any contract, agreement or instrument, nor subject to any charter or other
corporate restriction which will, under current or reasonably foreseeable
conditions, materially and adversely 


                                      -37-
<PAGE>   43


affect the business, property, assets, operations or conditions, financial or
otherwise of any Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries.

     4.18 LABOR RELATIONS. There is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint
pending against any Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or, to the
best knowledge of each Borrower, threatened, before the National Labor Relations
Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any
collective bargaining agreement is so pending against any Borrower or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of each Borrower, threatened,
except for such complaints, grievances and arbitration proceedings which, if
adversely decided, would not have a material adverse effect on the condition,
assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or
stoppage pending against any Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or,
to the best knowledge of each Borrower, threatened against any Borrower or any
of its Significant Subsidiaries, except for any such labor action as would not
have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or
prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole
and (iii) to the best knowledge of each Borrower, no union representation
question existing with respect to the employees of any Borrower or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries and, to the best knowledge of each Borrower, no union
organizing activities are taking place, except for any such question or
activities as would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     4.19 MARGIN RULES. No portion of any Revolving Credit Loan shall be used
for a "purpose loan" as such term is used in Regulations G, U or X of the Board
of Governor's of the Federal Reserve System.

     4.20 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

          (a)  All of the U.S. registered copyrights, patents, trademarks and 
similar rights ("Intellectual Property") owned by the Parent, any of the
Borrowers or their Subsidiaries are set forth in SCHEDULE 3 with respect to
products currently sold or licensed by the Parent, any Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary. To the best knowledge of each of the Borrowers, each
item of such Intellectual Property is valid, unexpired and in full force and
effect, has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and
has not, except in the reasonable business judgment of the Parent, a Borrower or
one of their Subsidiaries, been abandoned and, no holding, decision or judgment
has been rendered by any governmental authority which would be reasonably likely
to limit, cancel or question the validity of any such Intellectual Property. To
the best knowledge of each of the Borrowers, there is no infringement by others
of any right of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to such
Intellectual Property.


                                      -38-

<PAGE>   44

          (b)  As of the Closing Date, the Material License Agreements are in 
full force and effect and, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, are not
prohibited under applicable law, and no party thereto is in default thereunder.

     4.21 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of each Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries runs on the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Saturday on or
immediately after December 31 of each Calendar Year.

     4.22 ADDRESSING THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM. Except as disclosed to the Agent
from time to time in writing (including without limitation through the
furnishing of copies of the Parent's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission), the Borrowers have no reason to believe that there will be a
material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or
prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
resulting from a Year 2000 Problem.

     4.23 DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty made by any Borrower in any
Loan Document and no document or information furnished to the Lenders by or on
behalf of or at the request of any Borrower in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of
a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in
which they are made.


                                   SECTION V.

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
                              ---------------------

     Each Borrower covenants that so long as any Revolving Credit Loan, Letter
of Credit or other Obligation remains outstanding or the Lenders or the Issuing
Bank have any obligation to lend or to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder:

     5.1  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrowers shall furnish to the Lenders:

          (a)  as soon as available to the Borrowers, but in any event within 
120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrowers, the consolidated
and consolidating balance sheets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (including
the Borrowers) as of the end of such fiscal year and related consolidated and
consolidating statements of income, consolidated retained earnings and cash
flow, for such fiscal year, prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited and
certified by the Borrowers' Accountants in the case of such consolidated
statements, and certified by the chief financial officer of TLC, as agent for
the Borrowers, in the case of such consolidating statements;

          (b)  as soon as available to the Borrowers, but in any event within 
45 days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of the
Borrowers, a consolidated 


                                      -39-

<PAGE>   45

and consolidating balance sheet as of the end of, and related consolidated and
consolidating statements of income for, the fiscal quarters then ended and the
portion of the fiscal year then ended, prepared in accordance with GAAP and
certified by the chief financial officer of TLC, subject to normal, recurring
year-end adjustments (that shall not in the aggregate be material in amount) and
the absence of footnotes to such financial statements;

          (c)  concurrently with the delivery of each annual and quarterly 
financial statement pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 5.1, a
report in substantially the form of EXHIBIT C hereto signed by the chief
financial officer of TLC which report shall specifically point out any change in
the Leverage Ratio which would trigger an adjustment to the Applicable Margin or
Commitment Fee Percentage hereunder; 

          (d)  prior to the first day of each fiscal year of the Borrowers, the
Borrowers' and their Subsidiaries' combined operating budget for such fiscal
year including projections, prepared on a quarterly basis and including combined
balance sheets and statements of income;

          (e)  promptly after the receipt thereof by any of the Borrowers, 
copies of any reports (including any so-called internal control letters issued
in accordance with AICPA's Statement on Auditing Standards No. 60, Communication
of Internal Control Structure Related Matters Noted in an Audit) submitted to
the Parent or any of the Borrowers by independent public accountants in
connection with any annual review of the accounts of any of the Borrowers made
by such accountants;

          (f)  promptly after the same are delivered to its stockholders or the
Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of all proxy statements, financial
statements and reports as the Parent or any Borrower shall send to its
stockholders or as any Borrower may file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any governmental authority at any time having jurisdiction over
the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Borrowers), including,
without limitation, any reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on Forms 10-Q, 10-K, 8-K (or their equivalent if such forms no longer
exist); and

          (g)  from time to time, such other financial data and information 
about the Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (including the Borrowers) as the Agent
or the Lenders may reasonably request.

     5.2  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Each Borrower and each of its Significant
Subsidiaries shall:

          (a)  duly observe and comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws (including without limitation all Environmental Laws and ERISA),
regulations, decrees, orders, judgments and valid requirements of any
governmental authorities relative to its corporate existence, rights and
franchises, to the conduct of its business and to its 


                                      -40-
<PAGE>   46


property and assets (including the Collateral), and shall maintain and keep in
full force and effect and comply with all licenses and permits necessary in any
material respect to the proper conduct of its business;

          (b)  except to the extent permitted under Sections 7.4 or 7.5 hereof,
maintain its corporate existence and remain or engage substantially in a
business substantially similar to that in which it is now engaged.

     5.3  MAINTENANCE AND INSURANCE.

          (a)  Each Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries shall 
maintain its properties in good repair, working order and condition as required
for the normal conduct of its business.

          (b)  Each Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall at all times
maintain liability and property damage insurance on its properties (including
all Collateral) with financially sound and reputable insurers qualified to do
business in the states in which they are providing coverage, in such amounts and
with such coverages, endorsements, deductibles and expiration dates as the
officers of such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in the
exercise of their reasonable judgment deem to be adequate, as are customary in
the industry for companies of established reputation engaged in the same or
similar business and owning or operating similar properties. The Agent shall be
named as loss payee, additional insured and/or mortgagee, as applicable, under
such insurance as the Agent shall require from time to time, and the Borrowers
shall provide to the Agent lender's loss payable endorsements in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. All such insurance shall contain
a waiver of subrogation clause. In addition, the Agent shall be given fifteen
(15) days advance notice of any cancellation, material modification or
non-renewal of insurance. In the event of failure to provide and maintain
insurance as herein provided, the Agent may, at its option, provide such
insurance and charge the cost thereof to the Borrowers as a Revolving Credit
Loan. The Borrowers shall furnish to the Agent certificates or other evidence
satisfactory to the Agent in its sole discretion of compliance with the
foregoing insurance provisions. The Agent shall not, by the fact of approving,
disapproving or accepting any such insurance, incur any liability for the form
or legal sufficiency of insurance contracts, solvency of insurance companies or
payment of losses, and each Borrower jointly and severally hereby expressly
assumes full responsibility therefor and liability, if any, thereunder.

     5.4  TAXES. Each Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall pay or cause 
to be paid all taxes, assessments or governmental charges on or against it or 
any of its Subsidiaries or its or their properties (including Collateral) on or
prior to the time when they become due; except for any tax, assessment or charge
that is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which adequate reserves have been established and are being
maintained in accordance with GAAP.



                                      -41-

<PAGE>   47

     5.5  INSPECTION. Each Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall permit 
the Agent (and its designees), at any reasonable time and at reasonable
intervals of time, and upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours
(or if an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, at any time
and without prior notice), to (i) visit, enter and inspect the properties
(including all Collateral) of any Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
examine and make copies of and take abstracts from the books and records of any
Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) discuss the affairs, finances
and accounts of any Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries with their appropriate
officers and accountants, provided however, so long as an Event of Default will
not have occurred and be continuing, such inspections and examinations shall be
at the Lenders' expense and shall not exceed two (2) during any calendar year.
In the event that an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
such inspections and examinations shall be at the expense of the Borrowers and
there will be no limitation on the number of such inspections and examinations
during such period. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries will permit such periodic reviews (as
determined by the Agent) of the books and records of such Borrower and its
Subsidiaries to be carried out by the Agent's commercial finance examiners.

     5.6  MAINTENANCE OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. Each Borrower and each of its
Significant Subsidiaries shall keep adequate books and records of account, in
which true and complete entries will be made reflecting all of its business and
financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and applicable law.

     5.7  USE OF PROCEEDS.

          (a)  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans
for (i) working capital, including payment of the costs and expenses of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) financing of any Permitted Acquisitions
and related transaction costs, (iii) financing the purchase by any of the
Borrowers or the Parent of the Senior Convertible Notes subject to the
limitations set forth in Section 7.7 and (iv) Capital Expenditures.

          (b)  No portion of any Revolving Credit Loan shall be used for a 
"purpose loan" as such term is used in Regulations G, U and X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

     5.8  FURTHER ASSURANCES. At any time and from time to time each Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, execute and deliver such
further documents and take such further action as may reasonably be requested by
the Agent to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>   48

     5.9  NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The Borrowers shall furnish to the Agent:

          (a)  immediately upon any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries becoming
aware of the existence of any condition or event that constitutes an Event of
Default, written notice thereof specifying the nature and duration thereof and
the action being or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

          (b)  promptly upon becoming aware of any litigation or of any
investigative proceedings by a governmental agency or authority commenced or
threatened against any of the Parent, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries
of which they have notice, the outcome of which could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or
prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
written notice thereof and the action being or proposed to be taken with respect
thereto; and

          (c)  promptly after becoming aware of any occurrence or condition 
affecting any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business,
operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, written notice thereof.

     5.10 ERISA REPORTS. With respect to any Plan, the Borrowers shall, or shall
cause its Affiliates to, furnish to the Agent promptly (i) written notice of the
occurrence of a "reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA),
excluding any such event notice of which has been waived by regulation, (ii) a
copy of any request for a waiver of the funding standards or an extension of the
amortization periods required under Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of
ERISA, (iii) a copy of any notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan and
(iv) notice that any Borrower or any Affiliate will or may incur any liability
to or on account of a Plan under Sections 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of
ERISA. Any notice to be provided to the Agent under this Section shall include a
certificate of the chief financial officer of TLC setting forth details as to
such occurrence and the action, if any, which such Borrower or Affiliate, as the
case may be, is required or proposes to take, together with any notices required
or proposed to be filed with or by such Borrower, any Affiliate, the PBGC, the
IRS, the trustee or the plan administrator with respect thereto. Promptly after
the adoption of any Pension Plan, the Borrowers shall notify the Agent of such
adoption.

     5.11 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.

          (a)  Each Borrower and its Subsidiaries will comply in all material
respects with all applicable Environmental Laws in all jurisdictions in which
any of them operates now or in the future, and each Borrower and its
Subsidiaries will comply in all material respects with all such Environmental
Laws that may in the future be applicable to such Borrower's or any of its
Subsidiaries' business, properties and assets, except to the extent,
non-compliance with such Environmental Laws would not have a material adverse


                                      -43-
<PAGE>   49

effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the
Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (b)  If any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) receive
notice that any violation of any Environmental Law may have been committed or is
about to be committed by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) receive
notice that any administrative or judicial complaint or order has been filed or
is about to be filed against any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries alleging a
violation of any Environmental Law requiring such Borrower or such Subsidiary to
take any action in connection with the release of Hazardous Materials into the
environment, (iii) receive any notice from a federal, state or local government
agency or private party alleging that any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
may be liable or responsible for any costs associated with a response to or
cleanup of a release of Hazardous Materials into the environment or any damages
caused thereby, or (iv) become aware of any investigative proceedings by a
governmental agency or authority commenced or threatened against any Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries regarding any potential violation of Environmental Laws
or any spill, release, discharge or disposal of any Hazardous Material, the
Borrowers shall promptly notify the Agent thereof (together with a copy of any
such notice) and of any action being or proposed to be taken with respect
thereto.

     5.12 SUBSIDIARIES.

          (a)  The Borrowers shall provide to the Agent written notice of any
acquisition of any foreign or domestic Subsidiaries of any of the Borrowers or
the Parent. Such notice shall be given within ten (10) days of the closing of
such acquisition, except for any acquisition involving cash consideration equal
to or in excess of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) in which case such
notice shall be given at least ten (10) days prior to its closing and shall be
accompanied by PRO FORMA financials of the type required under Section 7.4, the
financial statements of such target entity as of the end of its most recent
fiscal year for which such financial statements are available, including its
balance sheets and statements of income.

          (b)  To the extent such target entity had net revenues in excess of
$50,000,000 during its most recently reported fiscal year, and in the event all
or substantially all of its assets have not been transferred to one or more of
the Borrowers, (i) to the extent such Subsidiary is a domestic Subsidiary, such
Subsidiary shall, within sixty (60) days following its becoming a Subsidiary of
the Parent, the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, execute an Instrument of
Joinder and any and all other documents necessary or desirable to become a
Borrower hereunder, and to grant to the Agent a security interest in all of its
assets, and (ii) to the extent such Subsidiary is an entity organized under the
laws of any jurisdiction other than any political sub-division of the United
States, the Borrowers shall cause to be pledged to the Agent approximately 65%
(but in any event less than 66_%) of the outstanding capital stock of such
foreign Subsidiary or, to the extent such pledge of stock of such foreign
subsidiary would result in adverse tax consequences or is 


                                      -44-

<PAGE>   50


prohibited under applicable law, cause to pledge to the Agent approximately 65%
(but in any event less than 66_%) of the outstanding stock of the entity or
entities which directly or indirectly own 100% of the outstanding stock of such
foreign Subsidiary.

          (c)  In the report required to be furnished by the Borrowers pursuant
to Section 5.1(c) in connection with the furnishing of quarterly financial
statements, the chief financial officer of TLC shall indicate whether the net
revenue, EBITDA and book value of the assets of the Borrowers for and as of the
end of such fiscal quarter each constitute at least ninety percent (90%) of the
net revenue, EBITDA and book value of assets of the Parent, the Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the same period. In the event
that the chief financial officer of TLC is not able to so certify in the
affirmative with respect to each of the three indicated financial criteria
(which shall not in and of itself constitute a Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the Borrowers are unable to achieve compliance with such
financial criteria by taking the actions specified in this Section 5.12(c)
within 60 days of the date of submission of such report), the Borrowers shall
promptly (but in any event within sixty (60) days of the submission of such
report) (i) first, cause one or more of their U.S. Subsidiaries to execute
Instruments of Joinder and any and all other documents necessary or desirable to
become Borrower(s) hereunder and to grant to the Agent a security interest in
all of its or their assets in order that the foregoing requirement might be met
and so confirmed in writing following the addition of such additional
Borrower(s) and (ii) second, only to the extent the Borrowers are unable to meet
the requirements of this Section 5.12(c) without including as Borrowers
hereunder Subsidiaries organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than
any political sub-division of the United States, the Borrowers may, in lieu of
causing such foreign Subsidiaries to become Borrowers hereunder, pledge
approximately 65% (but in any event less than 66_%) of the outstanding capital
stock of such foreign Subsidiaries or, to the extent such pledge of stock of
such foreign subsidiary would result in adverse tax consequences or is
prohibited under applicable law, cause to pledge to the Agent approximately 65%
(but in any event less than 66_%) of the outstanding stock of the entity or
entities which directly or indirectly own 100% of the outstanding stock of such
foreign Subsidiary. Upon the pledge of such stock, the net revenue, EBITDA, and
the book value of the assets attributable to such foreign Subsidiaries shall be
included in the calculation set forth in this Section 5.12(c) as being
attributable to the Borrowers. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent
stock of foreign Subsidiaries have been pledged to the Agent pursuant to Section
5.12(b), the net revenue, EBITDA, and the book value of the assets attributable
to such foreign Subsidiaries shall be included in the calculation set forth in
this Section 5.12(c) as being attributable to the Borrowers.

          (d)  Neither the Parent, the Borrowers nor any Subsidiary thereof may 
sell any of its accounts receivable under the Securitization unless it first
executes an Instrument of Joinder and any and all other documents necessary or
desirable to become a Borrower under this Agreement and grants a security
interest in substantially all its assets to the Agent.



                                      -45-

<PAGE>   51

     5.13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY UPDATES AND HYPOTHECATION.

          (a)  The Borrowers, shall provide to the Agent a then current
comprehensive list and description of all U.S. registered Intellectual Property
owned by the Parent, any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof with respect to (i)
products currently sold or licensed by the Parent, the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) material trade names and brand names utilized by the
Parent, any Borrower or Subsidiary thereof, (A) within forty-five (45) days
after the completion of each fiscal quarter of the Borrowers, and (B) more
frequently upon the request of the Agent if an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing.

          (b)  Following the delivery of the list referenced in 5.13(a), the
Parent, each Borrower and each U.S. Subsidiary thereof shall promptly take all
necessary action, including the execution and delivery of patent and trademark
security agreements, copyright security agreements and any other instruments
reasonably requested by the Agent to provide the Agent with, to the extent it
does not already have, a first priority security interest relating to each item
of U.S. registered Intellectual Property owned by the Parent, any Borrower or
any U.S. Subsidiary thereof with respect to products currently sold or licensed
by, the Parent, the Borrower or any U.S. Subsidiary. The Borrowers and their
U.S. Subsidiaries shall register with the appropriate U.S. governmental
authorities all Intellectual Property associated with software titles that they
sell or license and Intellectual Property that they otherwise utilize in
conducting their businesses and shall maintain such registrations, provided,
however, the foregoing requirements shall be subject to the exercise of the
Borrowers' reasonable business judgment as to when any such attempted
registration would not be cost effective or could reasonably be expected to be
rejected or relates to Intellectual Property that is immaterial; provided,
however, Borrowers and their U.S. Subsidiaries shall in any case with reasonable
diligence and promptness file and maintain the registration of copyright
registration of all computer sourcecode for all software titles owned by the
Parent, any Borrower or any U.S. Subsidiary that generate (or can reasonably be
expected to generate) annual sales in excess of $500,000.

          (c)  Properties shall within 180 days of the Closing Date, grant one 
or more licenses to TLC and any other Borrower or their Subsidiaries which sells
products utilizing Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to Properties, for
the use of such Intellectual Property which licenses shall be in writing and
shall be furnished to the Agent promptly on request and none of which licenses
shall impair or interfere in any material respect with the ability of the
Parent, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries to carry out their
obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are a party.

     5.14 MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE SEPARATENESS. The Parent and each Borrower
will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, maintain customary corporate
and/or partnership records.


                                      -46-
<PAGE>   52

                                  SECTION VI.

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS
                               -------------------

     Each Borrower covenants that so long as any Revolving Credit Loan, Letter
of Credit or other Obligation remains outstanding or the Lenders or the Issuing
Bank have any obligation to make any Loan or issue any Letter of Credit
hereunder:

     6.1  LEVERAGE RATIO. The Borrowers shall not permit the Leverage Ratio
(calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrowers) to exceed
3.75 to 1.00.

     6.2  INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. The Borrowers shall not permit the ratio of
(i) EBITDA to (ii) Interest Expense, each calculated as of the end of each
fiscal quarter of the Borrowers for the four fiscal quarters then ended, to be
less than 3.00 to 1.00.


     6.3  QUICK RATIO. The Borrowers shall not permit the Quick Ratio, 
calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrowers, to be less
than 1.15 to 1.00.

     6.4  CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. The Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
shall not make aggregate Capital Expenditures during (i) the 1998 fiscal year,
in excess of $15,000,000, (ii) the 1999 fiscal year, in excess of $20,000,000;
and (iii) the period from the beginning of the 2000 fiscal year through the
Maturity Date, in excess of $12,500,000; provided, however, to the extent that
the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries do not make Capital
Expenditures in an aggregate amount equal to the maximum sum permitted in either
of the periods described in clauses (i) or (ii) above, the maximum permissible
amount for the immediately succeeding period shall be increased (but in no event
by more than 25% of the maximum amount for such period as set forth above, prior
to such adjustment) by an amount equal to the maximum permitted Capital
Expenditure for the preceding period, prior to any adjustment, LESS the
aggregate amount of actual Capital Expenditures for such prior period.


                                  SECTION VII.

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS
                              -------------------

     Each Borrower covenants that so long as any Revolving Credit Loan, Letter
of Credit or other Obligation remains outstanding or the Lenders or the Issuing
Bank have any obligation to make any Revolving Credit Loan or to issue any
Letter of Credit hereunder:

     7.1  INDEBTEDNESS. Neither any Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable with respect to any
Indebtedness other than the following:



                                      -47-

<PAGE>   53

          (a)  Obligations;

          (b)  Indebtedness existing as of the date of this Agreement and 
disclosed on SCHEDULE 3 hereto and renewals and refinancings thereof, but not
any increase in the principal amounts thereof;

          (c)  Indebtedness for taxes, assessments or governmental charges to
the extent that payment therefor shall at the time not be required to be made in
accordance with Section 5.4;

          (d)  current liabilities on open account for the purchase price of
services, materials, supplies, royalties and product advances incurred by any
Borrower in the ordinary course of business (not as a result of borrowing), so
long as all of such open account Indebtedness shall be paid and discharged in
conformity with such Borrower's customary trade terms and practices, except for
any such open account Indebtedness which is being contested in good faith by any
Borrower, as to which adequate reserves required by GAAP have been established
and are being maintained and as to which no Encumbrance has been placed on any
property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

          (e)  Guarantees permitted under Section 7.2 hereof;

          (f)  Purchase Money Indebtedness and capital lease obligations of the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at
any time not to exceed $15,000,000;

          (g)  Open account intercompany Indebtedness by and between any 
Borrower and another Borrower, the Parent or any Subsidiary;

          (h)  Indebtedness relating to the Securitization;

          (i)  Indebtedness relating to the Receivables Purchase Transactions;

          (j)  Obligations with respect to mortgages not to exceed $5,000,000
outstanding at any date; and

          (k)  Indebtedness of the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries in addition to
Indebtedness of the types described above in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$20,000,000 at any time.

     7.2  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. Neither any Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable with
respect to any Guarantees other than (i) Guarantees existing on the date of this
Agreement and disclosed on SCHEDULE 3 hereto, (ii) Guarantees resulting from the
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit 


                                      -48-
<PAGE>   54


or collection in the ordinary course of business and (iii) Guarantees in
connection with the Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1.

     7.3  ENCUMBRANCES. Neither any Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, lien or other charge or encumbrance of any kind, including the lien or
retained security title of a conditional vendor upon or with respect to any of
its property or assets ("ENCUMBRANCES"), or assign or otherwise convey any right
to receive income, including the sale or discount of accounts receivable with or
without recourse, except the following ("PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES"):

          (a)  Encumbrances in favor of the Agent, the Issuing Bank or any of 
the Lenders to secure the Obligations;

          (b)  Encumbrances existing as of the date of this Agreement and 
disclosed in SCHEDULE 3 hereto (including, without limitation, those
Encumbrances relating to the Securitization and the Receivables Purchase
Transactions); 

          (c)  Encumbrances securing Indebtedness for Purchase Money 
Indebtedness to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 7.1(f),
PROVIDED that (i) each such Encumbrance is given solely to secure the purchase
price of the property which is the subject of such Purchase Money Indebtedness,
does not extend to any other property and is given at the time of acquisition of
the property, and (ii) the Purchase Money Indebtedness secured thereby does not
exceed the lesser of the cost of such property or its fair market value at the
time of acquisition;

          (d)  liens for taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges
to the extent that payment of the same may be postponed or is not required in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.4;

          (e)  landlords' and lessors' liens in respect of rent not in default 
or liens in respect of pledges or deposits under workmen's compensation,
unemployment insurance, social security laws, or similar legislation (other than
ERISA) or in connection with appeal and similar bonds incidental to litigation;
mechanics', warehouseman's, laborers' and materialmen's and similar liens, if
the obligations secured by such liens are not then delinquent; liens securing
the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of
money); and liens securing statutory obligations or surety, indemnity,
performance, or other similar bonds incidental to the conduct of any Borrower's
or its Subsidiary's business in the ordinary course and that do not in the
aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or materially impair
the use thereof in the operation of its business;

          (f)  judgment liens securing judgments that (i) are fully covered by
insurance, or (ii) shall not have been in existence for a period longer than 20
days after the 


                                      -49-
<PAGE>   55


creation thereof or, if a stay of execution shall have been obtained, for a
period longer than 20 days after the expiration of such stay;

          (g)  rights of lessors under capital leases to the extent such capital
leases are permitted hereunder;

          (h)  easements, rights of way, restrictions and other similar charges 
or Encumbrances relating to real property and not interfering in a material way
with the ordinary conduct of any of the Borrowers' business; and

          (i)  liens constituting a renewal, extension or replacement of any 
Permitted Encumbrance.

     7.4  CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR ACQUISITION. Except for "Permitted
Acquisitions" as defined below, neither any Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, or make any
acquisition of the business of any other Person unless it obtains the prior
written consent of the Majority Lenders; PROVIDED that any Subsidiary of a
Borrower may merge into any Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of any
Borrower, and any Borrower may merge into any other Borrower.

     For purposes hereof a "Permitted Acquisition" is an acquisition which
satisfies the following requirements:

          (a)  if it involves a merger or consolidation, a Borrower shall be the
surviving party;

          (b)  at the time of such acquisition no Default or Event of Default 
shall have occurred and be continuing;

          (c)  no Default or Event of Default or violation of any covenant under
this Agreement shall arise or be reasonably anticipated to arise as a result of
such acquisition, which the Borrowers shall confirm by furnishing to the Agent
at least ten (10) days prior to the closing date for such acquisition PRO FORMA
financial statements reasonably satisfactory to the Agent giving effect to such
acquisition; and 

          (d)  the target of such acquisition must be engaged in a line of 
business similar to the then current businesses of the Borrowers or their
Subsidiaries.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the prior
written consent of the Majority Lenders shall be required for any individual
acquisition involving cash consideration (including assumption of indebtedness
and any post-closing restructuring charges taken in conjunction with and to be
taken within 12 months following the closing of such acquisition to the extent
such charges have been included in the calculation of EBITDA) in excess of
$100,000,000, provided, however, the dollar limitation set forth 


                                      -50-

<PAGE>   56

above shall be increased in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds to the
Parent, of any offering of capital stock of the Parent or SoftKey Canada, from
and after the Closing Date but only to the extent such proceeds have not been
previously used to purchase Senior Convertible Notes or finance any acquisition.

     7.5  DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. Neither any Borrower nor any of its 
Subsidiaries shall convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of
its property, business or assets (including, without limitation, accounts
receivable), whether now owned or hereafter required, except for any of the
following, provided that, in the case of dispositions of the type described in
clauses (c) and (e) below no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or could be reasonably anticipated to arise as a result thereof:

          (a)  obsolete or worn out property disposed of in the ordinary course 
of business (with standard discounts) or leasehold assets not necessary for
operations;

          (b)  the sale or license of inventory or any technology or related 
rights or brands in the ordinary course of business;

          (c)  the sale of certain accounts receivable pursuant to the (i)
Securitization and (ii) the Receivables Purchase Transactions, provided that
with respect to any Receivables Purchase Transaction facility entered into after
the Closing Date, the Agent shall be given notice of any such transaction within
five (5) days of its being entered into which notice shall include a description
of the approximate amount and type of accounts receivable to be sold and the
purchasers thereof together with a copy of the transaction documents;

          (d)  transfer by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower of its
assets to a Borrower; and

          (e)  the sale or other disposition of any other property or assets, 
provided that the aggregate book value of all such property or assets (other
than inventory) so sold or disposed of in any period of twelve consecutive
months shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) in any one
instance or Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) in the aggregate.

     7.6  SUBSIDIARY STOCK. The Borrowers shall not permit any of their
Subsidiaries to issue any additional shares of its capital stock or other equity
securities, any options therefor or any securities convertible thereto other
than to the Borrowers and their wholly-owned Subsidiaries. Neither the Borrowers
nor any of their Subsidiaries shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
of the capital stock or other equity securities of a Subsidiary of a Borrower,
except to a Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower. For the
avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto agree that SoftKey Canada may issue and
sell its capital stock, from time to time, in public or private offerings.


                                      -51-

<PAGE>   57

     7.7  RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

          (a)  Neither any Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall pay, make,
declare or authorize any Restricted Payment other than:

          (i)   compensation (including incentive plans) paid to employees,
     officers and directors in the ordinary course of business and as approved
     by the Board of Directors of such Borrower or Subsidiary;

          (ii)  dividends payable solely in common stock;

          (iii) dividends paid by any Borrower or Subsidiary of a Borrower to
     any Borrower or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries; and

          (iv)  as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
     could reasonably be expected to arise therefrom:

               (A) cash dividends to the Parent in an amount sufficient to allow
     the Parent to make regularly scheduled cash payments of interest on the 
     Parent's 5 1/2% Senior Convertible Notes due 2000 (the "Senior Convertible 
     Notes");

               (B) cash dividends to the Parent in an amount sufficient to allow
     the Parent to purchase outstanding Senior Convertible Notes, provided,
     however, other than as permitted by the next sentence, in no event may
     Senior Convertible Notes in an aggregate face amount in excess of
     twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) be purchased in any six month
     period without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent may purchase Senior Convertible
     Notes in excess of the above limit to the extent such purchases are
     financed from the net cash proceeds received by the Parent from any
     offering of the capital stock of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from
     and after the Closing Date; and

               (C) cash dividends to the Parent in an amount sufficient to pay 
     the Parent's ordinary operating expenses.

     7.8  INVESTMENTS; PURCHASES OF ASSETS. Neither any Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall make or maintain any Investments or purchase or otherwise
acquire any material amount of assets other than:

          (a)  Investments in any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, PROVIDED
that the sum of Investments made after the date hereof by the Borrowers in their
Subsidiaries (other than as otherwise permitted hereunder) may not exceed
$25,000,000; 

          (b)  Investments made pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition;


                                      -52-
<PAGE>   58


          (c)  marketable obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States 
of America having a maturity of three (3) years or less from the date of
purchase;

          (d)  certificates of deposit, Eurodollar timed deposits, commercial 
paper or any other obligation of any of the Lenders or of any other bank or
trust company organized or licensed to conduct banking business under the laws
of the United States or any State thereof and which has (or which is a
Subsidiary of a bank holding company which has) publicly traded debt securities
rated A or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation or A-2 or higher by Moody's
Investors Services, Inc.;

          (e)  commercial paper with maturities of not more than 270 days having
the highest rating than given by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard &
Poor's Corporation;

          (f)  repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty (30) 
days for underlying securities of the types described in subparagraph (d) above
entered into with the institutions referred to in subparagraph (e) above;

          (g)  shares in money market mutual funds substantially all the assets 
which are comprised of securities and other obligations of the types described
in subparagraphs (d) through (f) above;

          (h)  depositary accounts at any of the Lenders or any other bank;

          (i)  stock or obligations issued to any Borrower or any of its 
Subsidiaries in settlement of claims against others by reason of an event of
bankruptcy or a composition or the readjustment of debt or reorganization of any
debtor of any one Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

          (j)  loans or advances not exceeding $2,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount at any one time outstanding to officers and employees of the Parent, the
Borrowers or their Subsidiaries;

          (k)  intercompany loans permitted under Section 7.1(g); and

          (l)  loans or advances to officers, directors or employees of the 
Parent, any Borrower or its Subsidiaries to exercise stock options or purchase
capital stock of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to plans
approved by the Boards of Directors of such entities.

     7.9  ERISA COMPLIANCE. Neither any Borrower nor any of its Affiliates nor
any Plan shall (i) engage in any Prohibited Transaction which would have a
material adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or
prospects of the Parent, 


                                      -53-

<PAGE>   59


the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) incur any
"accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 412(a) of the Code and
Section 302 of ERISA) whether or not waived which would have a material adverse
effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the
Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) fail to
satisfy any additional funding requirements set forth in Section 412 of the Code
and Section 302 of ERISA which would have a material adverse effect on the
condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iv) terminate any
Pension Plan in a manner which could result in the imposition of a lien on any
property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which would have a material
adverse effect on the condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of
the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Each Plan
shall comply in all material respects with ERISA, except to the extent failure
to comply in any instance would not have a material adverse effect on the
condition, assets, business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     7.10 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as otherwise expressly permitted
hereunder, the Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, enter into any purchase, sale, lease or other
transaction with any Affiliate except (i) transactions in the ordinary course of
business on terms that are no less favorable to the Borrowers than those which
might be obtained at the time in a comparable arm's-length transaction with any
Person who is not an Affiliate and (ii) employment contracts or arrangements and
incentive plans with senior management of Borrowers entered into in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with prudent business practices.

     7.11 FISCAL YEAR. Neither the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries shall
change their fiscal year without the prior written consent of the Agent.

     7.12 ADDITIONAL NEGATIVE PLEDGES. None of the Parent, any Borrower or any
of their Significant Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, create or
otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective, directly or indirectly,
(a) any prohibition or restriction (including any agreement to provide equal and
ratable security to any Person in the event an Encumbrance is granted to or for
the benefit of any other Person) on the creation or existence of any Encumbrance
upon its assets other than (i) prohibitions or restrictions in favor of the
Agent, the Issuing Bank or any of the Lenders to secure the Obligations; (ii)
prohibitions or restrictions existing as of the date of this Agreement; (iii)
prohibitions or restrictions in connection with any Purchase Money Indebtedness
or capital lease obligation permitted under Section 7.1(f); (iv) prohibitions or
restrictions in connection with any Guarantees permitted under Section 7.2; (v)
prohibitions or restrictions in connection with the Securitization; (vi)
prohibitions or restrictions in connection with any Receivables Purchase
Transactions; (vii) prohibitions or restrictions in connection with any
Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1(j); and (viii) prohibitions or
restrictions in connection with any right, title or interest of the Parent, the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries to any technology contract, license or
agreement to which they may be a party to the extent 



                                      -54-

<PAGE>   60


requested by a third party, or (b) any contractual obligation which may restrict
or inhibit Agent's rights or ability to sell or otherwise dispose of the
Collateral or any part thereof after the occurrence of an Event of Default other
than those described in Section 7.12(a).


                                  SECTION VIII.

                                    DEFAULTS
                                    --------

     8.1  EVENTS OF DEFAULT. There shall be an Event of Default hereunder if any
of the following events occurs:

          (a)  the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan, any
Reimbursement Obligation or any interest, fees or other amounts owing under any
Loan Document or in respect of any Obligation when the same shall become due and
payable, whether at maturity or at any accelerated date of maturity or at any
other date fixed for payment;

          (b)  any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to perform or 
comply with any term, covenant or agreement applicable to it contained in
Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(b), 5.1(c), 5.2(b), 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, VI and VII of this
Agreement; or

          (c)  any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to perform any
term, covenant or agreement applicable to it (other than as specified in
subsections 8.1(a) or (b) hereof), contained in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document and such default shall continue for 20 days; or

          (d)  any representation or warranty of the Parent or any Borrower made
in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, notice or
other writing delivered hereunder or thereunder shall prove to have been false
in any material respect upon the date when made deemed to have been made; or

          (e)  the Parent, any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall fail
to pay when due (after any applicable period of grace) any amount payable under
any of its Indebtedness exceeding $20,000,000 in principal amount, or fail to
observe or perform any term, covenant or agreement evidencing or securing such
Indebtedness, which, if uncured or unwaived, permits the acceleration of such
Indebtedness, or any default or event of default shall have been declared under
any agreement relating to such Indebtedness; or

          (f)  the Parent, any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries shall (i)
apply for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a
receiver, custodian, trustee, liquidator or similar official of itself or of all
or a substantial part of its property, (ii) be generally not paying its debts as
such debts become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under the United 



                                      -55-
<PAGE>   61


States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect), (v) take any action or
commence any case or proceeding under any law relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or composition or adjustment of debts, or
any other law providing for the relief of debtors, (vi) fail to contest in a
timely or appropriate manner, or acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed
against it in an involuntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code or
other law, (vii) take any action under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization similar to any of the foregoing, or (viii) take
any corporate action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

          (g)  a proceeding or case shall be commenced against the Parent, any
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, without the application or consent of
such Borrower or such Subsidiary in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking
(i) the liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up, or composition or
readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial part of its
assets, or (iii) similar relief in respect of it, under any law relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or composition or adjustment
of debts or any other law providing for the relief of debtors, and such
proceeding or case shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a
period of 90 days; or an order for relief shall be entered in an involuntary
case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, against the Parent, any Borrower or any
of their Subsidiaries; or action under the laws of the jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization of the Parent, any Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries similar to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to the
Parent, any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries and shall continue unstayed
and in effect for a period of 90 days; or

          (h)  a judgment or order for the payment of money shall be entered 
against the Parent, any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries by any court, or a
warrant of attachment or execution or similar process shall be issued or levied
against property of the Parent, any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, that
in the aggregate exceeds $10,000,000 (net of insurance proceeds), and such
judgment, order, warrant or process shall continue undischarged or unstayed for
30 days; or

          (i)  the Parent, any Borrower or any Affiliate shall fail to pay when
due any amount that it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan
under Title IV of ERISA, unless (i) such liability is being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, the Parent, such Borrower or such Affiliate,
as the case may be, has established and is maintaining adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP and no lien shall have been filed to secure such liability
or (ii) which would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Parent, the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under
Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to
administer any such Plan or Plans; or a condition shall exist by reason of which
the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any such Plan or
Plans must be terminated; or


                                      -56-

<PAGE>   62

          (j)  any of the Loan Documents shall be canceled, terminated, revoked,
rescinded otherwise then in accordance with the express terms thereof or with
the express prior written agreement, consent or approval of the Lenders, or any
action at law or in equity or other legal proceeding to cancel, revoke or
rescind any Loan Document shall be commenced by or on behalf of the Parent, any
Borrower, or any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency
of competent jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or shall issue a
judgment, order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more of the
Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance with the terms
thereof; or

          (k)  any Security Document shall cease for any reason to be in full 
force and effect or shall cease to be effective to grant a perfected security
interest in the collateral described in such Security Document with the priority
stated to be granted thereby; or

          (l)  an Event of Default (as defined therein) shall have occurred 
under the Guarantor Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, executed by
the Parent in favor of the Agent.

     8.2  REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
subsections 8.1(f) and (g), immediately and automatically, and upon the
occurrence of any other Event of Default, at any time thereafter while such
Event of Default is continuing, at the option of the Agent or the Majority
Lenders and upon the Agent's declaration:

          (a)  the obligation of the Lenders to make any further Revolving 
Credit Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letters of Credit hereunder
shall terminate;

          (b)  the unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans 
together with accrued interest, all Reimbursement Obligations and all other
Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived; and

          (c)  the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may exercise any and
all rights they have under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or at law or
in equity, and proceed to protect and enforce their respective rights by any
action at law or in equity or by any other appropriate proceeding.

No remedy conferred upon the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in the Loan
Documents is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every
remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given
hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or by
any other provision of law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or
of any of the terms and provisions of any of the Security Documents, if and when
the Agent exercises remedies under the Security Documents with respect to
Collateral, the Agent may, in its sole discretion, determine which items and
types of Collateral to dispose of and in what order and may 


                                      -57-

<PAGE>   63

dispose of Collateral in any order the Agent shall select in its sole
discretion, and the Borrower consents to the foregoing and waives all rights of
marshalling with respect to all Collateral.

                                   SECTION IX.

                          ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION
                          ----------------------------

     9.1  ASSIGNMENT.

          (a)  Each Lender shall have the right to assign at any time any 
portion of its Commitment hereunder and its interests in the risk relating to
any Revolving Credit Loans and Letter of Credit Participations in an amount
equal to or greater than $5,000,000 to other Lenders or to banks or financial
institutions acceptable to the Agent (each an "ASSIGNEE"), PROVIDED that any
Lender which proposes to assign less than its total Commitment must retain a
Commitment of at least $5,000,000, and PROVIDED, further, that if no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Assignee which is
not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Federal Reserve Bank or to whom an
assignment is not required by law shall be subject to prior approval by the
Borrowers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Each
Assignee shall execute and deliver to the Agent and the Borrower a counterpart
joinder in the form of EXHIBIT D hereto and shall pay to the Agent, solely for
the account of the Agent, an assignment fee of $3,500. Upon the execution and
delivery of such counterpart joinder, (a) such Assignee shall, on the date and
to the extent provided in such counterpart joinder, become a "Lender" party to
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents for all purposes of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and shall have all rights and obligations of a
"Lender" with a Commitment as set forth in such counterpart joinder, and the
transferor Lender shall, on the date and to the extent provided in such
counterpart joinder, be released prospectively from its obligations hereunder
and under the other Loan Documents to a corresponding extent (and, in the case
of an assignment covering all of the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement, such transferor shall cease to be a
party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.3
and to any fees accrued for its account hereunder and not yet paid); (b) the
assigning Lender shall promptly surrender its Revolving Credit Notes to the
Agent for cancellation and delivery to the Borrowers, provided that if the
assigning Lender has retained any Commitment, the Borrowers shall execute and
deliver to the Agent for delivery to such assigning Lender new Revolving Credit
Notes in the aggregate amount of the assigning Lender's retained Commitment; (c)
the Borrowers shall issue to such Assignee Revolving Credit Notes in the
aggregate amount of such Assignee's Commitment dated the Closing Date or such
other date as may be specified by such Assignee; (d) this Agreement shall be
deemed appropriately amended to reflect (i) the status of such Assignee as a
party hereto and (ii) the status and rights of the Lenders hereunder; and (e)
the Borrowers shall take such action as the Agent may reasonably request to
perfect any security interests or 


                                      -58-

<PAGE>   64

mortgages in favor of the Lenders, including any Assignee which becomes a party
to this Agreement.

          (b)  If the Assignee, or any Participant pursuant to Section 9.2
hereof, is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United
States or any state thereof, such Assignee shall execute and deliver to the
Borrowers, simultaneously with or prior to such Assignee's execution and
delivery of the counterpart joinder described above in Section 9.1(a), and such
Participant shall execute and deliver to the Lender granting the participation,
a United States Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or Form 1001 (or any
successor form), appropriately completed, wherein such Assignee or Participant
claims entitlement to complete exemption from United States Federal Withholding
Tax on all interest payments hereunder and all fees payable pursuant to any of
the Loan Documents. The Borrowers shall not be required to pay any increased
amount to any Assignee or other Lender on account of taxes to the extent such
taxes would not have been payable if the Assignee or Participant had furnished
the Forms referenced in this Section 9.1(b) unless the failure to furnish such a
Form results from (i) any act of or failure to act by any of the Borrowers or
(ii) the adoption of or change in any law, rule, regulation or guideline
affecting such Assignee or Participant occurring (y) after the date on which any
such Assignee executes and delivers the counterpart joinder and complies with
all other applicable provisions of Section 9.1(a) or (z) after the date a
Participant is granted its participation.

     9.2  PARTICIPATIONS. Each Lender shall have the right, with the consent of
the Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to
grant participations to one or more banks or other financial institutions (each
a "PARTICIPANT") in all or any part of any Loans and Letter of Credit
Participations owing to such Lender and the Revolving Credit Notes held by such
Lender. Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve, without the consent
of any Participant, any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of
the Loan Documents, PROVIDED that the documents evidencing any such
participation may provide that, except with the consent of such Participant,
such Lender will not consent to (a) the reduction in or forgiveness of the
stated principal of or rate of interest on or commitment fee with respect to the
portion of any Revolving Credit Loan subject to such participation, (b) the
extension or postponement of any stated date fixed for payment of principal or
interest or commitment fee with respect to the portion of any Revolving Credit
Loan subject to such participation, or (c) the waiver or reduction of any right
to indemnification of such Lender hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
participation shall operate to increase the Total Commitment hereunder or
otherwise alter the substantive terms of this Agreement. In the event of any
such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender's
obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall
remain solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender shall remain
the holder of such Revolving Credit Notes for all purposes under this Agreement
and the Borrowers and Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such
Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
Borrowers agree that 


                                      -59-
<PAGE>   65


provisions of Sections 2.8(a), 2.9, 2.11, 2.12 and 2.13 shall inure to the
benefit of each Participant, and each Lender may enforce such provisions on
behalf of any of its Participants; PROVIDED, however, in no event shall the
Borrowers be required to pay to the Participants of a Lender and such Lender, in
the aggregate, any amounts in excess of the total amount they would otherwise be
obligated to pay to such Lender under the applicable section referred above had
such Lender not granted participations pursuant to this Section 9.2.


                                   SECTION X.

                                   THE AGENT
                                   ---------

     10.1 APPOINTMENT OF AGENT; POWERS AND IMMUNITIES.

          (a)  Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints and
authorizes the Agent to act as its agent hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents and to execute the Loan Documents (other than this Agreement) and all
other instruments relating thereto. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to take such action on behalf of each of the Lenders and
the Issuing Bank and to exercise all such powers as are expressly delegated to
the Agent hereunder and in the other Loan Documents and all related documents,
together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The
obligations of the Agent hereunder are only those expressly set forth herein.
The Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities or any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender or the Issuing Bank except those expressly set
forth in this Agreement.

          (b)  Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees 
or agents shall be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by
any of them hereunder or in connection herewith, except for their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, neither the Agent nor any of its Affiliates shall be responsible to
the Lenders or the Issuing Bank for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into
or verify: (i) any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person whether contained
herein or otherwise; (ii) the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any
other document referred to or provided for herein or therein; (iii) any failure
by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person to perform its
obligations under any of the Loan Documents;(iv) the satisfaction of any
conditions specified in Section 3 hereof, other than receipt of the documents,
certificates and opinions specified in Section 3.1(a) hereof; (v) the existence,
value, collectibility or adequacy of the Collateral or any part thereof or the
validity, effectiveness, perfection or relative priority of the liens and
security interests of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank therein; or (vi) the
filing, recording, refiling, continuing or re-recording of any financing
statement or other document or instrument evidencing or 


                                      -60-
<PAGE>   66

relating to the security interests or liens of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank
in the Collateral.

          (c)  The Agent may employ agents, attorneys and other experts, shall
not be responsible to any Lender or the Issuing Bank for the negligence or
misconduct of any such agents, attorneys or experts selected by it with
reasonable care and shall not be liable to any Lender or the Issuing Bank for
any action taken, omitted to be taken or suffered in good faith by it in
accordance with the advice of such agents, attorneys and other experts. Fleet,
in its separate capacity as a Lender shall have the same rights and powers under
the Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from
exercising the same as though it were not the Agent, and Fleet and its
Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any
kind of business with the Borrowers as if it were not the Agent.

     10.2 ACTIONS BY AGENT.

          (a)  The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take
any action under this Agreement as it reasonably deems appropriate unless it
shall first have received such advice or concurrence of the Lenders and shall be
indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all
liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be fully
protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any
of the Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Lenders, and such
request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding
upon the Lenders and all future holders of the Revolving Credit Notes.

          (b)  Whether or not an Event of Default shall have occurred, the Agent
may from time to time exercise such rights of the Agent and the Lenders under
the Loan Documents as it determines may be necessary or desirable to protect the
Collateral and the interests of the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders
therein and under the Loan Documents. In addition, the Agent may, without the
consent of the Lenders, (i) in any Fiscal Year release Collateral having an
aggregate book value of not more than $5,000,000, (ii) release all Collateral
when all Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full and all Commitments
have been terminated and (iii) release Collateral with respect to sales or other
dispositions expressly permitted hereunder. The Agent will use reasonable
efforts to notify the Lenders of any release of Collateral pursuant to clause
(i) of the preceding sentence.

          (c)  Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees 
or agents shall incur any liability by acting in reliance on any notice,
consent, certificate, statement or other writing (which may be a bank wire,
telex, facsimile or similar writing) believed by any of them to be genuine or to
be signed by the proper party or parties.

     10.3 INDEMNIFICATION. Without limiting the obligations of the Borrowers
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the Lenders agree to indemnify the
Agent and the 


                                      -61-

<PAGE>   67


Issuing Bank, ratably in accordance with their respective Commitment
Percentages, for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Agent or the Issuing Bank in any way relating to or arising
out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any documents contemplated
by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby or the enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof or of any such
other documents; PROVIDED, THAT no Lender shall be liable for any of the
foregoing to the extent they result from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be.

     10.4 REIMBURSEMENT. Without limiting the provisions of Section 10.3, the
Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Agent hereby agree that the Agent shall not be
obliged to make available to any Person any sum which the Agent is expecting to
receive for the account of that Person until the Agent has determined that it
has received that sum. The Agent may, however, disburse funds prior to
determining that the sums which the Agent expects to receive have been finally
and unconditionally paid to the Agent if the Agent wishes to do so. If and to
the extent that the Agent does disburse funds and it later becomes apparent that
the Agent did not then receive a payment in an amount equal to the sum paid out,
then any Person to whom the Agent made the funds available shall, on demand from
the Agent refund to the Agent the sum paid to that Person. If the Agent in good
faith reasonably concludes that the distribution of any amount received by it in
such capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents might involve it in
liability, it may refrain from making distribution until its right to make
distribution shall have been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.
If a court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge that any amount received and
distributed by the Agent is to be repaid, each Person to whom any such
distribution shall have been made shall either repay to the Agent its
proportionate share of the amount so adjudged to be repaid or shall pay over the
same in such manner and to such Persons as shall be determined by such court.

     10.5 NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER LENDERS. Each Lender represents that
it has, independently and without reliance on the Agent or any other Lender, and
based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its
own appraisal of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrowers and
decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and agrees
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own appraisals and decision in taking or not
taking action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Agent shall
not be required to keep informed as to the performance or observance by the
Borrowers of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other document
referred to or provided for herein or therein or by any other Person of any
other agreement or to make inquiry of, or to inspect the properties or books of,
any Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information
expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent hereunder, the
Agent shall not have any duty or 


                                      -62-

<PAGE>   68


responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
concerning any Person which may come into the possession of the Agent or any of
its affiliates. Each Lender shall have access to all documents relating to the
Agent's performance of its duties hereunder at such Lender's request. Unless any
Lender shall promptly object to any action taken by the Agent hereunder (other
than actions to which the provisions of Section 11.7(b) are applicable and other
than actions which constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct by the
Agent), such Lender shall conclusively be presumed to have approved the same.

     10.6 RESIGNATION OF AGENT. The Agent may resign at any time by giving 30
days prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrowers. Upon any
such resignation, the Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent
which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrowers, and shall be a financial
institution having a combined capital and surplus in excess of $1,000,000,000.
If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Lenders and shall have
accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving of
notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders,
appoint a successor Agent which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrowers
and shall be a financial institution having a combined capital and surplus in
excess of $1,000,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent
hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to
and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
prospective obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent's resignation, the
provisions of this Agreement shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect
of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent.


                                  SECTION XI.

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     11.1 NOTICES. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices hereunder to
any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered by hand, or when sent by electronic facsimile transmission or by
telex, answer back received, or on the first Business Day after delivery to any
overnight delivery service, freight pre-paid, or three days after being sent by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage pre-paid, and
addressed to such party at its address indicated below:

     If to the Borrowers:

             TLC Multimedia, Inc.
             One Athenaeum Street
             Cambridge, MA 02142
             Attention: Mr. R. Scott Murray,


                                      -63-
<PAGE>   69


                        Chief Financial Officer
             Facsimile: (617) 494-5627

                    and

             TLC Multimedia, Inc.
             One Athenaeum Street
             Cambridge, MA  02142
             Attention: Neal Winneg, Esq.
                        General Counsel
             Facsimile:  (617) 494-5660

     with a copy  to:

             Hale and Dorr LLP
             60 State Street
             Boston, MA  02109
             Attention:  Mark G. Borden, Esq.
             Facsimile:  (617) 526-5000

     If to the Agent or Fleet, at

             One Federal Street
             Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2917
             Attention:  Mr. Thomas W. Davies, Senior Vice President
             Facsimile:  (617) 346-0151

     with a copy  to:

             Sullivan & Worcester LLP
             One Post Office Square
             Boston, MA  02109
             Attention:  Dennis J. White, Esq.
             Facsimile:  (617) 338-2880

     If to any other Lender, to its address set forth on Schedule 1 attached
hereto;

or at any other address specified by such party in writing.

     11.2 EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated herein shall be
consummated, the Borrowers, jointly and severally, promise to reimburse (a) the
Agent and the Issuing Bank for all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and
disbursements (including all Attorneys' Fees, consultants, appraisal and
collateral examination fees and costs, due diligence investigation expenses and
syndication expenses) in connection with the 



                                      -64-
<PAGE>   70


preparation, filing or recording, interpretation and administration of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and any amendment, modification, approval, consent or
waiver hereof or thereof, and (b) the Agent, the Issuing Bank and all of the
Lenders for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and disbursements
(including all Attorneys' Fees, consultants, appraisal and collateral
examination fees and costs (including the allocated costs of the Agent's own
internal commercial finance examiners) and collection expenses) incurred or
expended in connection with the enforcement of any Obligations, the perfection
and protection of rights and the exercise of any remedies under any Loan
Documents or applicable law or with respect to the Collateral or the
satisfaction of any indebtedness of any Borrower hereunder or thereunder, or in
connection with any litigation, proceeding or dispute in any way related to the
credit hereunder. The Borrowers will pay any stamp, document or similar taxes
(including any interest and penalties in respect thereof), payable on or with
respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (the Borrower
hereby agreeing to, jointly and severally, indemnify the Agent, the Issuing Bank
and the Lenders with respect thereto). For purposes of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, "ATTORNEYS' FEES" shall mean the reasonable fees and
disbursements of attorneys (including all paralegals and other staff employed by
such attorneys and the reasonably allocated costs of the Agent's or a Lender's
internal counsel) whether incurred at arbitration, trial, on appeal, in a
bankruptcy proceeding or in any other way relating to Obligations, the Loan
Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, including, without
limitation, as provided in Sections 11.2 and 11.3 hereof.

     11.3 INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrowers agree to, jointly and severally,
indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, as well
as their respective shareholders, directors, officers, agents, partners,
attorneys, subsidiaries and affiliates, from and against all damages, losses,
settlement payments, obligations, liabilities, claims, suits, penalties,
assessments, citations, directives, demands, judgments, actions or causes of
action, whether statutorily created or under the common law, all reasonable
costs and expenses (including, without limitation, Attorneys' Fees and
reasonable fees and disbursements of engineers and consultants) and all other
liabilities whatsoever (including, without limitation, liabilities under
Environmental Laws) which shall at any time or times be incurred, suffered,
sustained or required to be paid by any such indemnified Person (except any of
the foregoing which result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the indemnified Person) on account of or in relation to or any way in connection
with any of the arrangements or transactions contemplated by, associated with or
ancillary to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other documents
executed or delivered in connection herewith or therewith, all as the same may
be amended from time to time, or with respect to any Letters of Credit, whether
or not all or part of the transactions contemplated by, associated with or
ancillary to this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any such other
documents are ultimately consummated. In any investigation, proceeding or
litigation, or the preparation therefor, the Lenders shall select their own
counsel and, in addition to the foregoing indemnity, the Borrowers agree to,
jointly and severally, pay promptly the Attorneys' Fees and expenses of such
counsel. In the event of 



                                      -65-
<PAGE>   71


the commencement of any such proceeding or litigation, the Borrowers shall be
entitled to participate in such proceeding or litigation with counsel of their
choice at their expense, provided that such counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent. The Borrowers authorize the Agent, the Issuing Bank
and the Lenders to charge any deposit account or Note Record which they may
maintain with any of them for any of the foregoing; the party making any such
charge will use reasonable efforts to notify TLC, as agent for the Borrowers,
thereof, but the failure to give such a notice shall not create a cause of
action against such party or create any claim or right on behalf of the
Borrower. The covenants of this Section 11.3 shall survive payment or
satisfaction of payment of all amounts owing with respect to the Revolving
Credit Notes, any other Loan Document or any other Obligation.

     11.4 SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC. Unless otherwise stated herein, all
covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein, in the other
Loan Documents or in any documents or other papers delivered by or on behalf of
the Borrowers pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, notwithstanding any investigation
heretofore or hereafter made by any of them, and shall survive the making by the
Lenders of the Loans as herein contemplated, and shall continue in full force
and effect so long as any Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid or any
Lender has any obligation to make any Loans hereunder or the Issuing Bank has
any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit. All statements contained in any
certificate, report, notice and other document (including those attached hereto
as Exhibits) delivered by or on behalf of the Borrowers pursuant hereto or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute
representations and warranties by the Borrowers hereunder.

     11.5 SET-OFF. Regardless of the adequacy of any Collateral or other means
of obtaining repayment of the Obligations, any deposits, balances or other sums
credited by or due from the head office of any Lender or any of its branch
offices to any Borrower may, at any time and from time to time after the
occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, without prior notice to any
Borrower or compliance with any other condition precedent now or hereafter
imposed by statute, rule of law, or otherwise (all of which are hereby expressly
waived) be set off, appropriated, and applied by such Lender against any and all
Obligations of the Borrowers in such manner as the head office of such Lender or
any of its branch offices in its sole discretion may determine, and each
Borrower hereby grants each such Lender a continuing security interest in such
deposits, balances or other sums for the payment and performance of all such
Obligations.

     11.6 NO WAIVERS. No failure or delay by the Agent, the Issuing Bank or any
Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder, under the
Revolving Credit Notes or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. No waiver shall extend to or affect any Obligation not expressly
waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing or omission
on the part of the Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders in exercising 


                                      -66-

<PAGE>   72


any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial thereto.
No notice to or demand upon any Borrower shall entitle any Borrower to other or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. The rights and
remedies herein and in the Revolving Credit Notes and the other Loan Documents
are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies otherwise provided by
agreement or law.

     11.7 AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.

          (a)  Neither this Agreement nor the Revolving Credit Notes nor any 
other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be amended, waived,
discharged or terminated except by a written instrument signed by the number of
Lenders required under Section 11.7(b), or by the Agent on behalf of such
Lenders and, with respect to Letters of Credit, by the Issuing Bank, and, in the
case of amendments, by the Borrower.

          (b)  Except where this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
authorizes or permits the Agent to act alone and except as otherwise expressly
provided in this Section 11.7(b), any action to be taken (including the giving
of notice) by the Lenders may be taken, and any consent or approval required or
permitted by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be given by the
Lenders may be given, and any term of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or
any other instrument, document or agreement related to this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents or mentioned therein may be amended, and the performance or
observance by any Borrower or any other Person of any of the terms thereof and
any Default or Event of Default (as defined in any of the above-referenced
documents or instruments) may be waived (either generally or in a particular
instance and either retroactively or prospectively), in each case only with the
written consent of the Majority Lenders; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such consent
or amendment which alters the rights, duties or liabilities of the Agent or
Issuing Bank shall be effective without the written consent of the Agent or
Issuing Bank, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, waiver
or consent shall do any of the following unless in writing and signed by ALL of
the Lenders: (i) increase the Total Commitment (or subject the Lenders to any
additional obligations) (ii) reduce the principal of or interest on any of the
Revolving Credit Notes (including, without limitation, interest on overdue
amounts) or any fees payable hereunder, (iii) postpone any date fixed for any
payment in respect of principal of or interest (including, without limitation,
interest on overdue amounts) on the Revolving Credit Notes, or any fees payable
hereunder, (iv) change the definition of "Majority Lenders" or the number of
Lenders which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any
action under the Loan Documents; (v) change the definition of "Letter of Credit
Sublimit" set forth in Section 1.1, amend Sections 2.1(a) or 2A.1(a) or waive
the limitations set forth in Sections 2.1(a) or 2A.1(a); (vi) amend this Section
11.7(b); (vii) change the Commitment of any Lender, except as permitted under
Section IX hereof; (viii) release any Collateral except as permitted by Section
10.2(b) hereunder; or (ix) amend Sections 2.5 or 2.6 hereof.



                                      -67-

<PAGE>   73

     11.8  BINDING EFFECT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Borrowers, the Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders
and their respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED that no Borrower may
assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder.


     11.9  CAPTIONS; COUNTERPARTS. The captions in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions
hereof. This Agreement and any amendment hereof or document delivered pursuant
hereto may be executed in several counterparts and by each party on a separate
counterpart, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original,
but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. In proving this
Agreement it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such
counterpart signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

     11.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; CONFLICTS.

           (a) The Loan Documents and any other documents executed in connection
herewith or therewith express the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, except for the letter agreement
dated March __, 1998 between TLC and Fleet with respect to fees payable to
Fleet, which letter agreement shall continue in full force and effect and shall
not be superseded by any of the Loan Documents. This Agreement amends and
restates in its entirety that certain Credit Agreement among Fleet, TLC and
certain Affiliates of TLC.

           (b) In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement
and the terms of any of the other Loan Documents, the terms of this Agreement
shall control and govern in all respects.

     11.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH BORROWER AND EACH OF THE LENDERS HEREBY
WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT
OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES OR
ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR
THEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. EXCEPT AS
PROHIBITED BY LAW, EACH BORROWER AND EACH OF THE LENDERS HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT
IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY LITIGATION REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING
SENTENCE ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY
DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES. EACH BORROWER (a)
CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE LENDERS HAS
REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE LENDERS WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE
LENDERS HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS TO WHICH EACH IS A PARTY BECAUSE OF, AMONG 



                                      -68-
<PAGE>   74


OTHER THINGS, EACH BORROWER'S WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.

     11.12 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
ARE CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR
ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID
COMMONWEALTH (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). EACH
BORROWER CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OF THE FEDERAL OR STATE COURTS
LOCATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT TO
ENFORCE THE RIGHTS OF THE LENDERS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS. EACH BORROWER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION BROUGHT IN THE COURTS
REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO
PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH ACTION THAT SUCH ACTION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.

     11.13 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if
any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in
whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability
shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such
jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any
other jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Agreement in any
jurisdiction.

     11.14 JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. Each and every representation,
warranty, covenant and agreement made by any of the Borrowers, hereunder and
under the Loan Documents, shall be joint and several, whether or not so
expressed, and such obligations of the Borrowers shall not be subject to any
counterclaim, setoff, recoupment or defense based upon any claim any one of the
Borrowers may have against the other Borrowers or the Lenders or the Agent or
the Issuing Bank, and shall remain in full force and effect without regard to,
and shall not be released, discharged or in any way affected by any circumstance
or condition affecting the other Borrowers, including, without limitation (a)
any waiver, consent, extension, renewal, indulgence or other action or inaction
under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any
agreement or other document related thereto with respect to the other Borrowers,
or any exercise or nonexercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege under or
in respect to any such agreement or instrument with respect to the other
Borrowers, or the failure to give notice of any of the foregoing to the other
Borrowers; (b) any invalidity, unenforceability, in whole or in part, of any
such agreement or instrument with respect to the other Borrowers; (c) any
failure on the part of the other Borrowers for any reason to perform or comply
with any term or any such agreement or instrument; (d) any bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation
or similar proceeding with respect to the other 


                                      -69-
<PAGE>   75


Borrowers or their properties or creditors; or (e) any other occurrence
whatsoever whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing, with respect to the
other Borrowers. Each Borrower hereby waives any requirement of diligence or
promptness on the part of the Lender, Agent, Issuing Bank in the enforcement of
their rights under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document with respect
to the obligations of itself or of the other Borrowers. Without limiting the
foregoing, any failure to make any demand upon, or to pursue or exhaust any
rights or remedies against, a Borrower, or any delay with respect thereto, shall
not affect the obligations of the other Borrowers hereunder or under any other
Loan Document.

     11.15 TLC AS AGENT FOR THE BORROWERS. Each Borrower hereby appoints TLC as
its agent with respect to the receiving and giving of any notices, requests,
instructions, reports, schedules, revisions, financial statements or any other
written or oral communications hereunder. TLC shall keep complete, correct and
accurate records of all Revolving Credit Loans and the applications of proceeds
thereof, all Letters of Credit and all payments in respect of Revolving Credit
Loans and other amounts due hereunder. TLC shall determine the allocation of
proceeds of Loans among the Borrowers, subject to the other terms and conditions
hereof. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, the Lenders are hereby
entitled to rely on any communication given or transmitted by TLC as if such
communication were given or transmitted by each and every Borrower; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that any communication given or transmitted by any Borrower shall be
binding with respect to such Borrower. Any communication given or transmitted by
the Agent or any Lender or the Issuing Bank, to TLC shall be deemed given and
transmitted to each and every Borrower.

     11.16 RELEASE OF MECC FROM ITS OBLIGATIONS. The parties hereto agree that
upon the execution of the Release (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F) by
MECC and Fleet, which shall occur on the Closing Date, MECC shall be released
from its obligations under the Original Credit Agreement and related documents
and shall be deemed not to be a Borrower thereunder or hereunder.

     11.17 CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Lenders and the Agent will endeavor in
good faith to maintain the confidentiality of any non-public information
relating to the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries which has been
identified in writing as confidential on the information itself or otherwise
(the "Confidential Information") and, except as provided below, will exercise
the same degree of care that each such party exercises with respect to its own
proprietary information to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of the
Confidential Information to third parties. Confidential Information shall not
include information that either: (a) is in the public domain; or (b) is
disclosed to any of the Lenders or the Agent by a third party, provided any of
the Lenders or the Agent does not have actual knowledge that such third party is
prohibited from disclosing such information. The terms of this Section shall not
apply to disclosure of Confidential Information by any of the Lenders or the
Agent that is, in the good faith opinion of any of the Lenders or the Agent,
compelled by laws, regulations, rules, orders or legal process or proceedings or
is disclosed to: (a) 


                                      -70-
<PAGE>   76


any party, including a prospective participant, who has signed a confidentiality
agreement containing terms substantially similar to those contained herein; (b)
legal counsel, examiners, auditors and directors of any of the Lenders or the
Agent and examiners, auditors and investigators having regulatory authority over
any of the Lenders or the Agent; or (c) any party in connection with the
exercise of remedies by any of the Lenders or the Agent after default in the
performance of the Obligations. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall, without
the prior written consent of TLC, granted in its sole discretion, make any press
releases or other general advertising (including, public notices commonly
referred to as "tombstones") in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the Loan Documents.



                             [SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW]




                                      -71-
<PAGE>   77


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

                                          TLC MULTIMEDIA INC.


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                          LEARNING COMPANY PROPERTIES INC.


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                          TEC DIRECT, INC.


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                          LEARNING SERVICES, INC.


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                          SKILLS BANK CORPORATION


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>   78

                                          MICROSYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC.


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                          MINDSCAPE, INC.


                                          By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  R. Scott Murray
                                             Title:  Vice President


                                          FLEET NATIONAL BANK, individually
                                          and as Agent


                                          By: /s/ Thomas W. Davies
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Thomas W. Davies
                                             Title:  Senior Vice President


                                          GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P., 
                                          individually and as Syndication Agent


                                          By: /s/ Edward C. Forst
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Edward C. Forst
                                             Title:  Managing Director


<PAGE>   79



                                                                      SCHEDULE 1
                                                                      ----------

                           COMMITMENTS OF THE LENDERS
                           --------------------------


Lender                                                            Commitment
- ------                                                            ----------


Fleet National Bank                                              $123,500,000
One Federal Street
Boston, MA  02106-2917

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners                                    $ 25,000,000
85 Broad Street                                                 
New York, NY  10004
                                     TOTAL:                      $148,500,000
                                                                 ============



                                      -2-


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                FIRST AMENDMENT

     FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of July 1, 1998 (this "FIRST AMENDMENT"), to
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1998 (the "Agreement";
capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the Agreement) among TLC Multimedia Inc., Learning
Company Properties Inc., TEC Direct, Inc., Learning Services Inc., Skills Bank
Corporation, Microsystems Software, Inc., and Mindscape, Inc., as borrowers, the
financial institutions named therein as lender (the "LENDERS"), and Fleet
National Bank, as agent for the Lenders (the "AGENT").


                              W I T N E S S E T H


     WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent desire to amend the
Agreement to provide for temporary reduction in the commitment of Fleet National
Bank ("FLEET") thereunder;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
herein, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent agree as follows:

        1.    From the date hereof to July 28, 1998, both the Commitment of
Fleet and the Total Commitment shall be $25,500,000 less than such amounts would
otherwise have been absent this First Amendment, e.g., as of the date hereof,
the Commitment of Fleet shall be $98,000,000 and the Total Commitment shall be
$123,000,000. If the Commitments have not been terminated pursuant to the terms
of the Agreement, on July 28, 1998 both the Commitment of Fleet and the Total
Commitment shall be increased by $25,500,000.

        2.    The definition of "Receivables Purchase Transactions" in 
Section 1.1 is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following:
"PROVIDED, that the aggregate outstanding amount of the interests in receivables
purchased from the Parent and subsidiaries of the Parent under the facilities
described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) and under any amendments,
substitutions or replacements of the facilities described in clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) and (iv) at any one time shall not exceed $30,000,000, PROVIDED, FURTHER,
that the restrictions set forth in the preceding proviso shall not apply to the
Securitization."

        3.    Except as specifically amended by this First Amendment, the 
Agreement is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved. The Agreement, as
supplemented and amended by this First Amendment, shall be construed as one and
the same instrument. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which counterpart, when so executed, shall be deemed to be
an original and such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.

        4.    This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the
obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be determined in
accordance with such laws.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


<PAGE>   2


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

                                              TLC MULTIMEDIA INC.
                                              LEARNING COMPANY PROPERTIES INC.
                                              TEC DIRECT, INC.
                                              LEARNING SERVICES, INC.
                                              SKILLS BANK CORPORATION
                                              MICROSYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC.


                                              By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                                  ---------------------------- 
                                                  R. Scott Murray
                                                  Chief Financial Officer

                                              MINDSCAPE, INC.


                                              By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  R. Scott Murray
                                                  Vice President

                                              GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.


                                              By: /s/ Edward C. Forst
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Name: Edward C. Forst
                                                  Title: Managing Director


                                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK, INDIVIDUALLY
                                              AND AS AGENT


                                              By: /s/ Daniel G. Head, Jr.
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Name: Daniel G. Head, Jr.
                                                  Title : Senior Vice President


                                      -2-



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5


                               SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT


     SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of July 24, 1998 (this "SECOND AMENDMENT"), to
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1998, as amended (the
"AGREEMENT"; capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement), among TLC Multimedia Inc.,
Learning Company Properties Inc., TEC Direct, Inc., Learning Services Inc.,
Skills Bank Corporation, Microsystems Software, Inc., and Mindscape, Inc., as
borrowers, the financial institutions named therein as lender (the "LENDERS"),
and Fleet National Bank, as agent for the Lenders (the "AGENT").

                                W I T N E S E T H

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement dated as of July 1, 1998 (the "FIRST AMENDMENT"), the Borrowers, the
Lenders and the Agent have previously amended the Agreement to provide for a
temporary reduction in the Commitment of Fleet National Bank ("FLEET") and the
Total Commitment thereunder; and

     WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent desire to amend the
Agreement to extend the period of said temporary reduction by thirty (30) days.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises
and agreements set forth herein, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent agree
as follows:

      1.   From the date hereof to August 27, 1998, both the Commitment of Fleet
and the Total Commitment shall be $25,500,000 less than such amounts would
otherwise have been absent the First Amendment and this Second Amendment, e.g.,
as of the date hereof, the Commitment of Fleet shall be $98,000,000 and the
Total Commitment shall be $123,000,000. If the Commitments have not been
terminated pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, on August 27, 1998 the
Commitment of Fleet and the Total Commitment shall each be increased by
$25,500,000 and shall be $123,500,000 and $148,500,000, respectively.

      2.   The first sentence of Section 7.5 of the Agreement is
hereby amended by deleting the phrase "or hereafter required" and substituting
in lieu thereof the phrase "or hereafter acquired".

      3.   Except as specifically amended by this Second Amendment, the 
Agreement is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved. The Agreement, as
supplemented and amended by this Second Amendment, shall be construed as one and
the same instrument. This Second Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which counterpart, when so executed, shall be deemed to be
an original and such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.


<PAGE>   2

      4.   This Second Amendment shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the
obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be determined in
accordance with such laws.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Second
Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement under seal as of the date
first above written.


                                              TLC MULTIMEDIA INC.
                                              LEARNING COMPANY PROPERTIES INC.
                                              TEC DIRECT, INC.
                                              LEARNING SERVICES, INC.
                                              SKILLS BANK CORPORATION
                                              MICROSYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC.


                                              By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  R. Scott Murray
                                                  Chief Financial Officer

                                              MINDSCAPE, INC.


                                              By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  R. Scott Murray
                                                  Vice President

                                              GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.


                                              By: /s/ Stephen J. McGuinness
                                                  ----------------------------- 
                                                  Name: Stephen J. McGuinness
                                                  Title: Managing Director

                                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK, INDIVIDUALLY
                                              AND AS AGENT


                                              By: /s/ William E. Rurode, Jr. 
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Name: William E. Rurode, Jr.
                                                  Title: Senior Vice President


                                      -2-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT

     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (this "FIRST AMENDMENT"), is made as of May 6, 1998,
by and among THE LEARNING COMPANY FUNDING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"SELLER"), LEXINGTON PARKER CAPITAL COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, as purchaser (the "PURCHASER"), FLEET NATIONAL BANK, a national banking
association, as the agent (the "AGENT"), TLC MULTIMEDIA INC., a Minnesota
corporation, as servicer ("TLC MULTIMEDIA" or "SERVICER"), and THE LEARNING
COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation ("TLC").

                                   WITNESSETH:
                                   ----------

     WHEREAS, the Seller, the Purchaser, the Agent, the Servicer and TLC are
parties to a certain Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1997,
as amended (the "RECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"); and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to amend the Receivables Purchase
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.2(b) thereof.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   Clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.1(b) of the Receivables Purchase
Agreement are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read,
respectively, as follows:

          "(ii) JUDGMENT. The entry of any judgment or decree against the
          Seller, TLC or TLC Multimedia if the aggregate amount of all judgments
          and decrees then outstanding against the Seller, TLC or TLC Multimedia
          exceeds $10,000,000 (net of insurance proceeds)."

          "(iii) DEFAULTS. Copies of any written notice of a default or
          acceleration of any Indebtedness owed by Seller, TLC Multimedia or TLC
          in the amount of more than $20,000,000."

     2.   Section 6.1(a) of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

          "(a) Servicer shall fail (i) to make or remit any payment or deposit
          required hereunder, or (ii) to perform or observe any term, covenant
          or agreement hereunder (other than as referred 


<PAGE>   2


          to in clause (i) of this paragraph (a)) and any such failure under
          clause (i) or clause (ii) shall remain unremedied for 20 days."

     3.   Section 6.1(c) of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:

          "(c) [Intentionally Omitted.]"

     4.   Clause (ii) of Section 6.1(d) of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is
hereby amended by deleting the phrase "sixty (60)" appearing therein and
inserting in lieu thereof the phrase "ninety (90)".

     5.   Section 6.1(e) of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

          "(c) The Seller's, TLC or TLC Multimedia's receipt of written notice
          that, with respect to Indebtedness of more than $20,000,000 in
          principal amount, any such party has failed to pay when due any amount
          payable under such Indebtedness, or failed to observe or perform any
          term, covenant or agreement evidencing or securing such Indebtedness,
          which if uncured or unwaived, permits the acceleration of such
          Indebtedness, or declaration of any default or event of default under
          any agreement relating to such Indebtedness; provided, however, a
          Servicer Default shall not be deemed to have occurred if such
          Indebtedness is the subject of a bona fide dispute and diligent
          efforts are being made to resolve such dispute."

     6.   Section 6.2(e) of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

          "(e) TLC, TLC Multimedia, Properties, Direct, Services, Skills Bank,
          Microsystems or Mindscape shall be in default under any of the Deemed
          Collection Guarantees or any of the Deemed Collection Security
          Documents;"

     7.   Clause (B) of Section 6.2(f) of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is
hereby amended by deleting the phrase "sixty (60)" appearing therein and
inserting in lieu thereof the phrase "ninety (90)".

     8.   (a)  Exhibit I of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby amended
to add the following new definitions to be set forth in the appropriate places
in alphabetical order:


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3


          "`DIRECT' means TEC Direct, Inc., a Colorado corporation.

          `MICROSYSTEMS' means Microsystems Software, Inc., a Massachusetts
          corporation.

          `MINDSCAPE' means Mindscape, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

          `PROPERTIES' means Learning Company Properties Inc., a Delaware
          corporation.

          `SERVICES' means Learning Services Inc., an Oregon corporation.

          `SKILLS BANK' means Skills Bank Corporation, a Maryland corporation."

          (b)  Exhibit I of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby further
amended by amending and restating the terms "Deemed Collection Guarantee" and
"Liquidity Agreement" in their entirety to read, respectively, as follows:

          "`DEEMED COLLECTION GUARANTEE' means those certain guarantees of
          Seller's obligation to pay Deemed Collection Amounts issued by TLC,
          TLC Multimedia, Properties, Direct, Services, Skills Bank,
          Microsystems and Mindscape.

          `LIQUIDITY AGREEMENT' means the Liquidity Agreement of even date
          herewith, as amended and in effect from time to time, among Purchaser,
          the Liquidity Banks and Fleet as agent.

          (c)  Clause (xviii) of the term "ELIGIBLE RECEIVABLE" in Exhibit I of
the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase "two
percent (2%)" appearing therein and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase "five
percent (5%)".

     9.   Article IX of the Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by
adding the following at the end thereof:

          9.13 NON-PETITION. Each party hereto other than the Purchaser hereby
     covenants and agrees that, prior to the date which is one year and one day
     after the payment in full of all indebtedness for borrowed money of the
     Purchaser, such party will not institute against, or join any other Person
     in instituting against, the Purchaser any bankruptcy, reorganization,
     arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or similar proceeding
     under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4


     10.  Except as specifically amended by this First Amendment, the 
Receivables Purchase Agreement is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved. The
Receivables Purchase Agreement, as supplemented and amended by this First
Amendment shall be construed as one and the same instrument. This First
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
counterpart, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original and such
counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     11.  This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the obligations, rights
and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be determined in accordance with
such laws.


                           [Intentionally Left Blank]



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed and delivered as an instrument under seal by their duly authorized
officers as of the date first above written.

                                        SELLER:

                                        THE LEARNING COMPANY FUNDING, INC.

                                        By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: R. Scott Murray
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                        PURCHASER:

                                        LEXINGTON PARKER CAPITAL COMPANY, LLC

                                        By: /s/ Thomas J. Irvin
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Thomas F. Irvin
                                            Title: Manager

                                        AGENT:

                                        FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                        By: /s/ Thomas W. Davies
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Thomas W. Davies
                                            Title: Senior Vice President

                                        SERVICER:

                                        TLC MULTIMEDIA INC.

                                        By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: R. Scott Murray
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                        THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.

                                        By: /s/ R. Scott Murray
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: R. Scott Murray
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000719612
<NAME> THE LEARNING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-05-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         101,998
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  105,226
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,972
<INVENTORY>                                     38,178
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               290,937
<PP&E>                                          44,143
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 492,178
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          175,948
<BONDS>                                        190,955
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,877
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   492,178
<SALES>                                        129,251
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               129,251
<CGS>                                           38,515
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,372
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,105
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (24,741)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (24,741)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (24,741)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.42)
        

</TABLE>


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