"A million dollars and I get first right of refusal on the new app." Liam Kincaid holds out his hand. We’re in the main room of the 7A Club.Myclub, which counts amongst its members, the most influential people in the world, and where I’m witnessing the first big transaction I’ve brokered. An arrangement that’s going to show the zeitgeist just how powerful this organization is going to be.
The man opposite Liam blinks. "That’s it? You’re going to invest in my start up?"
"You do come ratified by JJ here" —Liam jerks his chin in my direction— "and believe you me, that doesn’t come easily. He’s done the hard work of vetting your financial plans. If he says it’s poised to multiply my money by a factor of ten, then I take him at his word." Liam bares his teeth. "Of course, if you don’t deliver, then I sell your company and all your assets and you work your ass off to pay off your debts."
The start-up guy swallows noisily.
"That won’t happen." Liam’s grin widens. He seems more like the shark he’d have to be to get where he is than the suave, Saville Row-suited gentleman he resembles.
"It… it won’t?" The man’s voice shakes. He has the brains to invent revolutionary concepts that will change the way we communicate, but when it comes to business transactions, he’s a novice. Ergo, my club is the perfect platform for talent like his. He gets the investment, and someone like Liam, who’s hungry for his next big success, gets first dibs when it comes to being an angel investor.
"Nope, you’re far too smart, too strategic, too brilliant to let that happen."
"I am?"
Liam leans over and adjusts the young man's tie. The poor guy dressed up in his Sunday best—an ill-fitting suit bought off the rack from the high street, no doubt—for this meeting.
"Indeed, you are. You can’t afford to fail your investors. If you do, you’re done for. Your reputation is shot. And while some people have come back from it, I’ll make it my personal mission that you won’t." Liam pats his shoulder.
Nervous tension leaps off the younger guy. "If that’s the case, why… should I let you invest?”
Liam smirks. “Given only zero-point-zero-five percent of start-ups ever achieve funding, you’re in that infinitesimally tiny range, one you can’t afford to walk away from. So, you’ll take the deal and you’ll make this a success. Now go, before I change my mind."
The younger man hesitates.
Liam glares at him. "Now," he barks.
The other man jumps up to his feet. He makes a grab for his papers, then turns and leaves. One of the sheets escapes and floats to the ground in his wake.
I pick it up and place it on the table between us.
"A bit harsh, even for you, Kincaid."
Liam raises a shoulder. "He’s an adult, he knows what he’s doing."
"But do you?"
"The fuck you mean?" He picks up one of the cigars from the holder and lights it.
"Heard you’re getting married?"
"Pot, kettle," he says mildly.
"I love Lena."
"I love my inheritance." He smirks.
I bark out a laugh. "I used to think like you. Thought money and power were what’s important in life."
"Is there anything else? And don’t insult my intelligence by talking about love and the like, and—"
"Be careful before you say anything else. You don’t want to have to take back your words."
"I never take back what I say." He places the cigar between his lips.
I pick up my own, survey its unlit tip.
“He’s that proud, it eats up himself: pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle.”