Style, you
either have it or you
don't. And if you have it, you have it
all the time.The Rogue's Quiet Weekend
by Tux Toledo
Page 7
"Oh,
we won't," Ansley said. "We have until two o'clock tomorrow afternoon
to make our decision."
"That's not much time."
"One must move fast in business," Ansley said. "The development plans
will be announced Monday. If we don't buy now it will be too late. Once
the plans have been made public the value of the land will skyrocket
and we will have missed out on the chance of a lifetime. Opportunities
are fleeting."
"Oh, Ansley," Mary laughed. "You sound like a TV commercial."
Ansley blushed and shrugged.
"Has anyone verified the market forecast?" I asked.
"Mr. Churchill," Ansley frowned. "I'm sure there's no need for
that. There's no reason to question Mr. Jepson's integrity.
We've read his newsletter for quite some time. When Mr. Jepson says
it's a good deal, I believe him. You aren't jealous are you?"
"Sorry, just my suspicious nature." It was time to change the
subject. "Where are you staying?" I asked.
"Here in the hotel," Mary said. "You know, it's the oldest continuously
operating hotel in California."
"I didn't know that."
"Where are you staying?" Ansley asked.
"In a private house." I tried to remain nonchalant. As usual, the house
belonged to someone else and I hadn't exactly been invited to stay
there.
"Oh, that must be nice," Mary said. She clasped her hands together and
smiled. "There are such beautiful homes here."
"Yes. We're going to buy one with the money we make off this real
estate deal," Ansley said.
"Yes, we've always wanted a Victorian," Mary added.
"I'm sure you'll be very happy with it," I said. I reached for the
check.
"Oh, we'll pay for that, Mr. Churchill," Ansley said, grabbing the
check. "We might as well get used to spending a little money."
"Thank you," I said. "I've enjoyed your company."
"It's been our pleasure." Ansley shook my hand.
"Goodbye, Mr. Churchill," Mary said.
I nodded and returned to the Rolls. James opened the rear door and I
slid into the back seat.
"Is something wrong, sir?" James asked.
"I'm not sure." I told him of Jepson's real estate deal.
"Very unusual, sir."
"Yes. Jepson's charity worries me. It's not that I don't
believe in the basic goodness of mankind or anything like that, it's
simply that basic goodness seldom has a place in business the way most
people conduct it."
"Indeed, sir."
"If this real estate deal is a scam, a lot of people will lose a lot of
money."
"Quite likely."
"Of course, I don't really care what happens to those folks with the
Jags and Mercedes."
"One should not."
"But the Duke's are nice people."
"I am sure they are, sir."
"Someone should look after their interests."
"Certainly, sir."
"I suppose if we don't do it no one will."
"Then I take it the quiet weekend is over?" James asked.
I leaned back and adjusted my ascot.
"To the hunt, James!"
© 2008 David Biagini