Luck of the Draw

Chapter 43 - Santa's On His Way

George sat forward and overtook the conversation with a brief but concise outline of everything that led to this meeting. When he finished, Silus slumped darkly and buried his nose in his drink, sighed, and nodded a reluctant agreement to everything revealed.

"My goodness, boys, how could you have let control slip away like that. Serious business requires serious attention. That was your responsibility to your shareholders."

"So you can't help us?" George asked.

"I didn't say that, Georgie." She picked up a pen and twiddled it between her fingers. "I'm going to make a proposition. You won't like it, but when I play at business I play hard ball. No amount of whining or protest will change it so let's get that straight-up front. Do you want to hear it?"

Thirty minutes later the group left the office with Sal consoling the dejected looking pair by patting each on the back and cooing comforting words. They slumped out of the club and Dwarf gave her a quizzical look.

"Our first official members of the new dinner club... paid up in full for the first year." She waved a cheque in front of her twinkling eyes.

"Pardon me for saying, but they didn't look like - excited or anything."

"Oh they were excited alright - not about joining - about why they had to."

"Sal, do you have something on everyone?"

"Not you, baby. Not you." She leaned on the bar and asked where Richard was.

"Hiding and trembling in the back."

"Bring him out. All is well, he has nothing to worry about." She gave the young bartender an approving smile as she waited and nodded again at the work he had done, bringing a burst of light from his pleased countenance.

A moment later Dwarf steered Richard by the back of the neck out to the bar and over in front of Sal.

"It's okay, Dickie. I've removed the board of NaturGro as a threat to you and Barclay."

"Huh? How?" I'll be sued or thrown in jail!"

"Tut, tut. I just said the threat is gone. The board members are our first official club members, and they have a complete understanding of what that entails."

"So if they see me nothing will happen?"

"They may comment, but all you have to do is serve them a drink... nothing else. Dwarf will give you a crash course on the various cocktails, but I have another great idea for the club Christmas official opening tonight. I want you to create custom drinks for members with our new recipe."

"That's not possible. At least not with any degree of originality for each one."

"Okay then, right now we just do Christmas cocktails - for a substantial charge. After the season we'll promote it as a status symbol. Those who care to pay the required fee get an exclusive cocktail named after them. Don't worry; the price will cull the field very quickly."

"You really think people will do that?" Richard made a doubtful face.

"Trust me, Dickie. When just one has an exclusively named drink the others will be falling over themselves to get their own." Sal smiled brightly and said she was going to deliver the cheque to Barclay.

"This place is gonna be a gold mine, and we're gonna be the miners, pal." The slap on the back from Dwarf almost dislocated a series of Richard's disks.

!!!!!

Barclay stared at the cheque and then back at his employer "Jesus, Sally, twenty-four thousand dollars!"

"One year membership for each of them. Believe me, it's cheap compared to their other option."

"What could you have on those guys? Where did you know them from?"

"Let's just say that Glen Springs had a reputation a long time ago and plenty of 'those guys' took advantage."

She hummed happily and sat on the edge of his desk. "I want you to start a list of paying members... lifetime, preferred, and regular. That group goes under lifetime. That means, all meals are free for the member, drinks are not." She grinned. "They can bring guests any time - full price.

The preferred group will be those who take advantage of the custom services we'll be providing - menus, drinks, etcetera. Free first drinks only. Regular will be the water testers, the ones who purchase a one-month membership. They may change status at some point but for now they will be our huddled masses."

Barclay chuckled and slipped the cheque into the desk. "Huddled masses. You really think a membership will fall into the category of masses?"

"In a heartbeat, Barclay. Trust me. And Merry Christmas." She pecked him on the cheek and left for her own office.

Christmas Eve

Katherine led Mickey down the hall to the bedroom where Mac was ensconced, watching TV.

"Merry Christmas, boss." Mickey stepped forward and placed the wrapped gift on the side of the bed.

"What's this?" Mac picked it up.

"A roadside bomb. What'dya think, it's a Christmas present."

"What for?"

"Christmas?" Mickey gave Katherine a shrug. She patted his arm.

"Try and be a little more receptive, dear. Mickey made a special trip here to see that you got this."

"Did he hurt himself?"

They were about to respond when they saw the birth of a grin starting on Mac's lips.

"I'll leave you two alone. Come and see me before you go, Mickey."

"I want to say thanks for looking after the business, those extra trees you sold made a huge difference in our bottom line."

"I had a lot of help, Mac. Katherine. The other women, and Carly. Everybody chipped in."

"Well... so am I supposed to open this now?"

"Not unless you want to. Save it for tomorrow with Katherine."

"So, what are you doing for Christmas? Celebrating with Carly?"

"I hope to. I guess it's no secret how I feel about her." He put his hands in his pockets and swayed indecisively. "Mac... you and uhm... Sal..."

"None of your business, son. And if you want good advice, keep it that way between the two of you as well."

"Me! Nothing happened—"

"Just keep tellin' yourself that. It'll save you a world of worry."

"But..."

"Merry Christmas, Mickey. Don't fall into your tree or any of those cactus plants." Mac rested his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes.

"Did he give you a hard time?" Katherine asked when Mickey entered the kitchen.

"You know Mac."

"Indeed. Better than he thinks."

"How is he... really?"

"Pretty good but the business is going to have to take a back seat for some time. The doctor wants him to be stress-free until he checks him out next month."

"Well he didn't fire me, so I guess it'll be up to me to keep things humming."

Katherine picked up a shopping bag from behind the table. "This is a little something for you and Carly and I don't want any arguments. Merry Christmas."

"And to you, Katherine." He kissed her cheek and left with the bag.