Luck of the Draw

Chapter 25 - Good Outcomes

This was the perfect storm for her. One where she wouldn't have to lay out a dime or take on any exhaustive startup headaches. She calculated the advantage of helping him out and felt a guilty pleasure over the proposal she was about to make.

"Harry, you realize that I don't do anything for nothing."

"I know but in this case—"

In this case," she turned from the window and stood with her arms folded, "I want something substantial in return. I've already spent a lot of time, money and credit on your problem, Harry."

"You told me the money didn't matter."

"Money always matters, Harry. It's the degree. And in this case that has just notched up considerably."

"What are we talking about?"

"I want controlling interest in the Oasis."

He bolted upright. "Are you nuts!"

"If you want my cooperation any further in your problems, as you seem to insist you need, I think you'd be wise to accept, Harry."

Her face grew hard and she watched as the threat took form and revealed the full meaning to him.

"You wouldn't...?"

"Business is business, Harry. You've had a pretty good free ride so far, don't you think?"

"If you think humping you is worth my restaurant you've got another think coming, Sal."

"I'll give you that one for free because I know you are upset, and my offer is a surprise. But make no mistake, I've decided now that that's what I want, and since you've so eloquently revealed your true colours, I think it would be worth it for you to agree before I find less appealing ways to gain control. I know I'm easy in the romance department, but I don't carry the same view into business. I play hard ball, Harry."

He sank back down and stared at the floor.

"I didn't mean it, Sal. I was upset."

She smiled cynically and picked up her purse. "I did."

"Would you really throw me to those wolves at NaturGro?"

"For sixty percent of this place? In a heartbeat, Harry. And remember the fact that you were one of those wolves yourself a short time ago."

His face was ashen, and his hand trembled on the glass. "Will you still do the favour?"

"With your aide? I'll see what I can find out. After all, sixty percent should buy you something." She patted his cheek on the way to the door. "Chin up, Harry, I'm not an ogre."

He dropped the glass on the rug and watched uncaring, as the liquor soaked into the carpet. How the hell had it all come to this?

!!!!!

The image on the screen flickered off, and the screen saver appeared. The closed sign hung in front of the closed door blind, and the ceiling lights were off allowing the room to be illuminated only by several large candles.

Carly turned her back to Mickey and pushed her rump into his stomach. There was a sharp series of pops and cracks.

"I must be out of my mind."

"I know I am."

"Yeah, you are. This is all your fault, Schafer."

"We didn't have to lie on all this bubble pack from your move; we could have gone to my place or yours."

"I came here to work, remember? Mac's flyers?" More pops as her bare bottom bumped him for emphasis.

"You did your share... admirably."

"You are a pig, Schafer."

"Oink, oink." He snuffled his nose against her back and pulled her tighter to his chest.

"No more. I promised Katherine."

"Gee, I didn't even know you discussed this with her at all let alone the quantity."

She straightened her legs and Mickey gave a small groan.

"You heard me," she warned.

"I'll bet you more than you just heard me." He moved against her and the bubble pack went off like fireworks.

Half an hour later the lights were on, the candles out and the open sign swinging on its string in front of the open blinds. Mickey dragged the remainder of their love pad into the back of the shop and finished it off before jamming it in the waste barrel.

He couldn't stop grinning, and it was getting on Carly's nerves. She kept up a demeanour of mock annoyance all the time she was printing the flyers out, giving him sharp commands for small duties she invented for him to do.

"They look really good, Carly." He was holding one up and reading it when the door opened and a customer entered.

"Are you open for business?"

"Of course, come right in."

"Oh, I was by several times and everything was closed up."

Carly turned the colour of a Caribbean sunset and pinched her lips at Mickey's grin.

"I had some computer work that needed doing. How can I help you?"

"I'd like some fresh sage, dear and a small bag of dill, please."

Carly quickly made up the order and accepted the money, thanking the woman and waving her out.

"It's so nice to do business in a place where the employees seem so happy. Merry Christmas." She threw Mickey a grin to match his own and left.

"And to you." Mickey called. "Boy no wonder the employees are happy, perks like those are not found everywhere."

"You have to the count of five to leave, Schafer, and take a bundle of those flyers with you."

"So I'm to be tossed away like an old shoe?"

"If that's what getting the boot means... yes."

"Alas, doomed to wander the streets of Glen Springs... a lost sole."

"Get out of here, Schafer." She wadded up a spoiled sheet and winged it at him. Her face still flushed and looking so beautiful, he just stood there and let the paper hit him in the face.

"I will be back."

How could I have met such a super woman? Me, the champion klutz of Glen Springs? Luck of the draw, Schafer, just luck of the draw.

!!!!!

Barclay Hanover sat in the dining room of the Manor Hotel, which was really a glorified coffee shop serving fast food and prefabricated sandwiches. He chewed his way through a cardboard, cheese and lettuce on a dry bun, and a large diet soda while he studied a street map of the town. The address he wanted was only a few blocks away, and it should contain an order of five thousand NaturGro Christmas trees.

He folded up the map and tried bravely to finish the sandwich, achieving the job with great mouthfuls of soda to soften the bread. He dropped some money on the table for a tip and made his way to the lobby.