LEVERAGE AU - volume one

Chapter Seven

The next day in Dubernich's office, his secretary caught him as he started in to his office, "Your 9 o'clock is here, sir."
"My...?" He asked as he opened the door to see Spike sitting in chair opposite of his desk, looking very professional.
"Mr. Dubenich, Andrew Gunschtot, African Commercial Transport and Trade Initiative," Spike said in a French-African accent, extending a hand for Dubernich to shake.
Meanwhile, in Pidge's loft, she sat down at her computer while Jack watched over her shoulder as she typed, "Here comes the mountain of suck."
~
Dubernich raised an eyebrow, "You government?"
"No, no. Private business consortium. We are looking to encourage infrastructure development and economic renewal," Spike answered.
"I have no idea what that means in English. What does it mean?"
"We create jobs and trade in Africa. Keep the graft and the stealing manageable."
~
Pidge shrugged as she listened to the conversation, "I mean, he's doing better than last night."
Jack nodded, "This is his stage. Spike Devereaux is the finest actor you've ever seen... that is, when he's breaking the law."
~
"Keep graft and stealing manageable in Africa, good luck but I don't think I can help," Dubernich said as he sat down. "I don't think any human being on Earth can help you with that."
"Come on. Let's go and talk somewhere a little less formal, yeah?" Spike said with a grin and pulled him out of his office.
"Uh, no, no, no. Look, I, Mister, ah..."
His secretary raised an eyebrow as he watched Spike pull her boss down the hallway in a rather seductive manner.
~
"Alright," Jack said as he pat Pidge's shoulder, "Do it."
After a few keys were tapped on Pidge's computer, the secretary's desktop crashed.
~
She saw her screen go to all blue screens, "Oh nononononono! Please! Damn it!"
Alice snorted as the secretary called the IT department which she had conviently had the line to, "Hello, IT."
"Yeah, this is Victor Dubenich's office, my computer just completely crashed."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Did you try turning it on and off again?"
"Yes, nothing seems to be working."
Pidge giggled at Jack, "That's a computer thing, I told her to do that."
Jack smiled like a proud father, "Nicely done, Pigeon."
"We've got someone on your floor already," Alice continued and the secretary hung up to see Boomer.
"Did somebody call IT?" Boomer asked.
The secretary raised her hand anxiously to wave him over.
~
Meanwhile, Spike had gotten Dubernich out of the building, "I represent a group of investors who are looking to start an airline for short tour flights in Africa."
"Oh! Of Johannesburg?"
Jack nodded and spoke in to his microphone, "He's testing you, you want Bloemfontein."
Spike heard him and worked it in to his mental script easily, "No! Keep away from the hubs. Revitalize the regional airports. In South Africa, Bloemfontein for example. But really, it's Nigeria we're focused on."
Jack grinned, "Perfect, Spike."
Dubernich answered Spike's inquiry of course, "Most of their airport runways are a mess."
"I believe new airplanes will make people more comfortable while we renew old runways," Spike answered.
"Uh huh. I don't recall saying anything about new airplanes."
"Victor. Both you and your chief engineer are scheduled to speak at your shareholder's meeting."
"And I think you know more about my business than I do."
"I've done my homework, I find you fascinating."
~
Later, inside the building, Boomer was flirting with the secretary to distract her from Alice and Pidge looked up at Jack. "Shouldn't I be the IT guy?"
Jack snorted, "No, I want you to actually be the computer guy."
Alice moved to Dubenich's computer and turned it on. She plugged in a flash drive, and hit some keys before planting a bug under the desk. She nodded to Boomer who got the signal and looked back at the secretary,
"Alright..." he said as the secretary put her hand on the mouse to which he put is hand on hers to guide it, "Voila."
The secretary kind of felt his arm, "You are strong for a computer guy!"
"Why thank you. I like to work out and try to stay big 'cause I love dressing up like a Klingon and going to all the conventions, you know. Bacla! Sorry," he smiled and was clearly trying his best to do two things, come off as believable and to make fun of Pidge a little bit.
"Oh its okay! Bacla!"
"Oh now don't you tease me!"
Pidge raised an eyebrow, "Oh, hold up man, that is not ... that is not cool. That is not cool. We're gonna have a strong talk when you get back."
And to keep giving Pidge a hard time, he continued, "You've got incredibly blue eyes."
"Why thank you!" The secretary responded.
"They remind me of the T.A.R.D.I.S."
Pidge rolled her eyed and turned the audio back to Spike and Dubernich, who had made it to walking along the wharf.
"Im sorry, you said your name was Gunshot?"
"No, no, Gunschtot. Andrew Gunschtot."
"Andrew, thank you. How's this? If we announce a new product then you can order as many as your little heart desires."
Jack nodded, "You know what to do, Spike."
Spike seemed to ponder Dubernich's offer, "We'd also like to build the planes. More jobs. Build them in Africa, fly them in Africa, sell the rest around the world."
"Well, that's very ambitious. You have the manufacturing facilities to do all that?" Dubernich asked.
Spike waved off the idea, "Ah! We can easily raise the money to build the facilities if we know for certain we're going to get the contracts."
Jack grinned, "Atta boy."
Dubernich shook his head, "Im sorry, Andrew, I really cannot help you."
Pidge sighed, "It was a nice try, Jack."
Jack shook his head, "Just wait..."
Spike nodded, "I understand, Mr. Dubernich."
"And I really do have..."
"I'll just take it to Pierson," Spike said as he shrugged and started to walk away, but not too fast.
"Pierson? Uh, sure, go ahead, Pierson's a great company, I don't think they can help you, but..."
"Oh, they have a reputation for long-term investment, you don't. They're innovators. Yeah, it's probably a better fit."
"You're trying to manipulate me."
"Well I should hope so. Hundreds of millions of dollars in new contracts, a lot of good press, all at your door."
"...Okay, I give up, I'll take the meeting."
Spike smiled and shook Dubernich's hand. "I'll have my company call you."