Rouge ~ Newt Scamander

II

         As Jacob and Lupus wait for their turn, the strange British lad takes a seat next to them. Jacob, being the kind man he is, nervously asks him "Hi. What brings you here?"   Newt, preoccupied, replies "Same as you..."   Lupus rolls his eyes, quite fed up with this man, who appears to be following them around. Jacob, as nervous as he is, asks in a perplexed tone, "You're here to get a loan to open a bakery?"  Lupus scoffs, causing both Jacob and the British man to look at him. "He isn't paying attention Jacob, just drop it." 

       Jacob looks quite embarrassed, but never the less turns to the English man and says, "Well, may the best man win, I guess." He holds out his hand, but Mr English guy had already left, leaving behind a large silver egg.  Lupus turns to Jacob, asking "Have you thought about what you are going to say?"

        "One second Lupus. Hey Mister, Hey Fella!" "He's not going to hear you, he's a pompous gi-" Lupus is once again interrupted, but this time it was by the secretary, who says, "Mr Kowalski, Mr Nigelius," she nods at both, "Mr Bingley will see you now."

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             Jacob and Lupus sit facing the imposing and impeccably suited Mr Bingley. Bingley is examining their business proposal for the bakery. While he does this, an uncomfortable and tense silence blankets the room, but a rattling sound interrupts it. Lupus turns to Jacob, giving him an incredulous looks, as if asking him, "What are you doing?"  Jacob shrugs, looking down at his pocket, where the egg lays.

                Mr Bingley breaks the tension, but only increases it when he says, "You two are currently working... in a canning factory?" Jacob nervously answered, "That's the best I could do, I only got back in '24." "Got back?" Questioned Bingley.

               "From Europe, sir. Yeah- I was part of the Expeditionary Forces there-" Jacob is clearly still nervous, miming a digging action to the words 'Expeditionary Forces' in the vain hope that it would help their cause, "I met Lupus there and I brought him back with me. He helped me perfect these recipes," he opens his case with great pride, showing a wide variety of homemade pastries. "Mr Kowalski-"

                "You got to try the paczki, okay, its my grandmothers recipe. The orange zest- just- really brings it all together. Lupus made a few of these too."  The man in question could tell exactly what Bingley was going to say before he said the words. He turned to Jacob, but before he could say anything Bingley said, "Mr Kowalski, Mr Nigelious, what do you propose to offer the bank in collateral?"

                  The short man gulped, glancing the man beside him before turning to Bingley once more, and questioned, "Collateral?"  "Collateral," repeated the banker.  Jacob hopefully gestures to the pastries, but Bingley shut him down with a few words. "There are machines now that can produce hundreds of donuts an hour-"

                 "We both know that, sir, but they're nothing like what we can do-" It seemed like it was interrupt Lupus day, as it happened for a third time.  "The bank must be protected, Mr Kowalski, Mr Nigelious. Good day to you both." Bingley says as he dismisses them with a bell on his desk.

                  Lupus glares at the man angrily, enough so that Bingley gulps. "Don't bother," mutters Jacob, already exiting the office, "Let's go." Lupus does as he says, but before he exits, he turns to Bingley and says. "This isn't over yet. We will get the loan."