Free Suite Embrace by Anita Bunkley Page A

idea.”
    â€œRight. Skiing is fast becoming a very popular sport for African-Americans and ski resorts have finally awakened to the fact that their future is tied to luring a more diverse crowd onto their powdery slopes. Black ski clubs are popping up everywhere and the members are usually sophisticated folk with quite a lot of disposable income. I want to do a short film, an entertaining and educational piece that would inspire more minority athletes to take up the sport professionally, as well as to entice more families to head to the snow-covered mountains for vacations.”
    â€œHow do you plan to finance it? That’s the bottom line, isn’t it?” Virina pressed, knowing she had his ear.
    â€œExactly. I’m looking for private investors. All of the details of my proposal are outlined in the Acquisition Distribution Agreement I brought along for you to read.” He reached into the open briefcase on the seat beside him, pulled out a multipage document with a blue cover, and handed it to Virina.
    She flipped through the sheets of paper, glancing quickly at the headings before she spoke. “And this means, if you can get the film in the can, BES will make sure it airs?” Virina clarified.
    â€œAnd make sure it makes money,” Richard added. “I had been thinking of profiling either your son, Mark, or Sonja Bendry, a black female national ski champion from Lansing, Michigan. She overcame an amputation of her left leg to go on to win all of the national titles last year.”
    â€œSounds impressive, but of course, you must feature Mark,” Virina injected in a haughty voice.
    â€œHaven’t actually decided, yet. I haven’t spoken to Mark and I need to fly out to Michigan to speak with Sonja. I’ll decide on which one would be the best to profile after I visit with both candidates.”
    Leaning over the table, Virina twirled her glass between her slender fingers and stared into the deep red wine, a solemn stillness on her face. “Richard, let’s get real. Didn’t you just say that you’re looking for investors?” Virina reminded him.
    â€œYep, and that’s the hardest part of any deal. I’ve gotta raise all the money, produce the product, and take all of the financial risk. But once the film is finished, I’m home free since BES will take care of distribution, publicity and promotion.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought.” Virina paused. “This girl in Michigan…what kind of a family does she come from?”
    â€œModest, I would guess. I think her parents are both college professors. Why?”
    Cradling her chin in one hand, Virina focused on Richard and shifted even closer. “I have a proposition. If you agree to make my son, Mark, the subject of your documentary, I will get you the money that you need,” she tossed out, as easily as if she were agreeing to pick up the check for a meal.
    Once the deal was set, she could pitch it to her wealthy friends, who would jump at the chance to own a piece of the project. If done correctly, the film would serve as the catalyst for spin-off deals that could make everyone a lot of money.
    â€œSure you can raise the kind of money I’ll need?” Richard asked, taking the project folder from Virina. He flipped to the page that outlined production costs and tapped the columns of numbers with his index finger. “Look this over.”
    Now Virina slid a pair of slim reading glasses onto her nose and quickly reviewed the numbers.
    â€œSo you can see, it’s not going to be cheap,” Richard commented. “Plus, I’ll need to talk to Mark before I agree to anything with you. He has to be on board.”
    â€œDon’t worry about him. He’ll agree. In fact, I’d prefer that you don’t tell Mark about it before I have a chance to talk to him first. He’s become so touchy lately about my interest in his affairs, though I will