The 16mm Caper

Chapter 32

Dylan delivered the original film to Harv, grasped hands for good luck and left to await his call. When it came Freddy was in a deli across the street from Harv's business watching for the arrival of the buyers.

Dylan got his notice that they had arrived and were on their way up and that there was another guy outside in a limo. The women took up their positions out of sight and Harv and Peter waited by the door.

Harry led the way in, looking around and giving Harv a hard look. "We alone?"

"Are you?" Harv answered.

"Let's all assume a mutual trust shall we?" Austin suggested. "Is the film ready to run?"

"Grab a chair and we'll start." Harv went to the projector on the table while Peter hit the lights. "Showtime, folks." Harv said as the company's logo flashed on the screen and then the title of the film.

An hour later, Peter put the lights back on and Harv rewound the film. "Well?" Peter asked.

"Not John Ford is it?" Austin smiled. "But definitely a worthy collectible."

"So then, you agree to our price?"

"A worthy collectible, Mister Rabb but not worth a million."

Peter raised his shoulders. "I already told you about Kodak and the others." He opened a file folder and handed Austin a hard copy of an e-mail.

"Impressive. But Kodak is only expressing an interest based on documented age and authenticity. They could take months, maybe years researching that. And Hollywood? Well we all know how notorious Hollywood is at making deals; you could wind up with nothing."

"That's your opinion. We haven't even discussed anything with them yet."

"I'm prepared to write you a cheque right here and now for three hundred thousand dollars. Final offer I might add."

"That's hardly a negotiation," Harv said, packaging the film back in the can and deliberately slipping it into his wall vault so that they could see it wouldn't be an easy grab if that were considered at all.

"It's as far as we're willing to go." Austin said comfortably. He watched Peter and waited.

Three hundred thousand dollars! He recalled the abuse he'd taken for not accepting twenty-five thousand. The women would slaughter him! Still, the big companies were suggesting a million or more and Austin didn't know for sure how they'd react any more than he did. Three hundred thousand though. Peter looked at Harv who remained stone-faced. That had to mean no, he thought. Oh God. Just don't tell Mary. "I'm afraid that's not close enough, sir."

Austin pursed his lips and frowned. "I'm sorry then. Come Harry, our business is finished."

"That's it? One offer and you quit?" Peter walked with them to the door.

"We haven't actually quit," Harry said ominously, letting the door close in Peter's face.

"What did he say?" Harv asked.

"That they haven't actually quit."

Harv nodded. "I think we can expect more trouble, Peter."

"I should have taken the money. If you hadn't said no--"

"What! When did I say anything?"

"Well I looked at you and you didn't say yes."

"It was your deal to make, pal, don't start blaming me."

"Would you have taken it?" Peter started to feel very uncomfortable.

Harv shuffled his feet. "Well not right away . . ."