Hooked [Complete]

43. High Stakes

Author's Note: Time for Hearne to handle some business!

Song for the Chapter: DNA by Kendrick Lamar

The Board of Trustees meeting went as Hearne expected for the first hour, in the sense that the business was tedious and had nothing whatsoever to do with his divine goals. Little was accomplished. When they reached the festival program on their agenda, Hearne rose to fulfill his obligation as the interim director of the festival organization.

He dutifully pulled up his presentation on the smart board. He fluidly ran the numbers—the pre-existing funds, the expenses and revenue from Ostara, the quotes on repairs to the stage, the expected insurance payout for the stage repair.

"The bottom line is we're still in the black. This was the most profitable festival ever. Yes, we have to cancel May Day due to the necessary repairs to the stage, but properly marketed, we could have a huge Litha--I mean Summer Start— Festival."

"Huge?" a familiar sneer speaks up from the back of the room. "What's huge? Enough revenue to pay for the next festival's expenses? In the corporate world, that's known as practical bankruptcy."

Mercury's legs were crossed and his expression fixed in boredom, but his eyes primed for battle.

"In non-profit, it's known as a healthy operating budget," Hearne countered, as he gripped the remote for advancing his slide presentation. He looked to John Bowie, the President of the Board and the closet pagan who had hired him. John was a tall, fair-haired man in his fifties with a leanness that was deceptive. His strength was more of the enduring, instead of forceful, kind. 

"John, is there a reason why the Director of Communications of the Olympus Corporation is attending our closed board meeting?"

John tapped a pen a little nervously and panned the board. "Oh, so you two know each other, do you?"

Max smiled a little. "You could say we have a history."

Hearne glared at Mercury. There was a distinct rustling of Board Members in their seats. Mortals were oblivious, but even the most inept could read the intense dislike between the two gods.

Neil Simmons, a rather unimaginative board member with a graying beard and ill-fitting trousers, cleared his throat. "Hearne, the Board is entertaining a motion to sell the festivals to the Olympus Corporation."

"We own an entertainment division that specializes in outdoor festivals and concerts, did you know?" Mercury eyes glittered at Hearne. "Under our direction, we've increased profitability of some of the country's largest outdoor festivals. We've standardized their quality, security, their branding. Our festivals make tens of millions of dollars annually."

Hearne put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. Leave it to the Romans to turn a profit on a party.

He ignored Minimus and addressed the Board. "This isn't Southern California. You're never going to have a Coachella, here—you don't have the community to support that kind of event. There is a reason an educational institution thrives in a small mountain community like this. Sabit is about tradition, not profit. These festivals mean something to this community. You bring in Olympus Corporation, and that all changes."

Wren Smalls, another closet pagan, nodded his understanding. "I'm in total agreement, Hearne...but there are other...considerations bearing on this deal." The was some grumbling of other board members.

"That's not public information. Hearne should not be involved in this," Neil objected.

"I disagree," Wren countered. "He's the interim director of one of our major endeavors at the school. You voted to bring him on board, he's entitled to understand the situation."