You interview Britney Spears first. You find that she's a home-grown woman of working-class roots. She impresses you with a matter-of-fact autobiography that describes her rise from humble beginnings, and she points out that although she did get many lucky breaks along the way, she has worked incredibly hard for what she has earned. Behind her eyes seems to linger the visage of a corn-fed, bible belt, girl next door whose beauty is founded on strength of character far more than it relies upon the magic of any makeup technician's camel-hair brushes. Britney is frank, honest, and cuts to the chase. You waste no time wondering what she's really telling you.

As the 25-year-old pop music phenomenon ladles her amazing history upon you, including such feats as being once ranked as the world's most powerful performer by Forbes and successfully navigating through a failed marriage to a world-class jerk, you are given cause to wonder if Britney is not so much a woman of the world as she is a still-struggling adolescent girl. All of the former strength, excitement, and life still reside inside that outwardly imposed diva persona, which has been increasingly assaulted by inane tabloid type thinking and tactics. Britney still retains her beauty in defiance of those who gain validation by pointing out the difficulties of others, and regardless of the sources of stress (including a recent performance at MTV's Video Music Awards that was widely ridiculed), Britney still mightily clings to the confidence that carried her to the top.

When looking toward the future, Britney still provides great expectations rather than cause for dread. Britney is just now coming of age in an emotional sense and she still exudes a very powerful presence. Britney Spears is not a woman to be trifled with and if taken to battle, then to battle she shall go. It seems obvious that although the "details" have been handled for Britney through these past 20 years, she has been watching closely and she has been learning all the while. Everything that Britney Spears has ever been, she still is, and she tends to directly reflect the treatment she receives. Those individuals who would attempt to take advantage of Britney Spears, thinking that she's naive and ill tempered, had best think twice before trying. Britney Spears is a woman who is learning the ropes ... and she's a very fast learner. [Update: Even now it seems she has standards; Britney famously has insisted she wouldn't pose for Playboy for less than a million dollars.]

Lindsay Lohan is your second interview appointment and she immediately fills the room with a feeling of dynamic action. You may sense that the woman feels very much in control of herself, yet you're given cause to wonder if that's actually the case. It becomes apparent after a very short time that you are in the presence of a polished professional actress. You may find cause to shudder at that realization. Lindsay provides you with a detailed account of her rise to stardom, beginning with the multiple contacts and opportunities arranged by her parents. She describes how she began tuning her career at a very young age to more closely align it with her own desires. The entire time you are talking with Lindsay, she makes very clear that she knows who she is and who she wants to be, but you might find reason to wonder if she can accomplish much without being chauffeured upon the direction of others.

While exuding drive, ambition, and a self-centered focus, Lindsay Lohan takes a back seat to no one. She expresses the desire to expand her horizons and attacks projects full force, which was why she received such attention from the likes of Disney. Ambition however, is a lot of noise and flash if it lacks adherence to a clearly defined plan. Lindsay might make you take a deeper look at whether she has any administrative skills at all. Lindsay seems to be very much engrossed with "the moment," while the bigger picture passes her by, and executives within her field have begun to take notice of that. Yes, high intensity can be a valuable asset in a person, but the patterns of light created by fireworks can be very intense also before fading into obscurity. It might sometimes seem like Lindsay Lohan could accomplish very little beyond the pages of FHM and Maxim without someone there to hold her hand.

It remains to be seen if Lindsay Lohan really does take her life seriously. Many are the Hollywood stars who have fallen prey to the party life; few are those who have risen from their own ashes. You need to decide if Lindsay's charisma, presence, and flexibility are worth the gamble on her uncertain ability to right herself. Straight, sober, and in control of herself, Lindsay Lohan could quite possibly regain a position of stardom, but she needs to prove unquestionably that she's not a just a toy of her environment. Lindsay Lohan has expressed a desire to emulate the multitalented success of Ann Margret, a pipe dream at best, and a class of human being that Lohan is yet to approach. Yet, there is still much untapped potential in Lindsay Lohan, buried somewhere between faux resentments and her live-for-the-moment attitude. The question is, are you willing to risk your business venture on a pretty face that could soon be poking out from between the sheets in a morgue? We must remember that it was Lindsay herself who stated, "It's so weird that I went to rehab. I always said I would die before I went to rehab."

There are your choices for business partner. Deciding will not be an easy task. Many people find it too easy to dislike both of these women, but much of that distaste is rooted in envy and an unrealistic view of the human condition. Just about the time you decide that the decision is impossible and that you should just give up and resign your position, the phone rings at the reception desk and your secretary buzzes you on the intercom from the outer office:

"It's Jessica Simpson on line three calling to confirm your dinner date ...." Ah yes, life is good again.

Vote in our poll for Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears, and let us know in the comments why your choice has the financial edge in this match-up. Also be sure to check out our other Money Face-Offs.