Free Fahrenheit 1600 (Victor Kozol) by Jerry Weber Page B

could think of was to appeal to the one
guy who got him into all of this Sam, he would have an answer.
    “Sam is that you, it’s your buddy Vic, I need to
talk to you.”
    “Anything for an old friend and client, what’s
bothering you Vic?”
    “I think I may need more working capital to get the
crematory going. Maybe another $20,000 would see me through until the crematory
starts pulling its own weight.”
    “Well Vic, I didn’t expect this news, this is most
disappointing and a serious setback in our relationship.”
    “Okay, then just $5,000 to hold me over, Sam.”
    “Look Vic, you don’t seem to have this situation
under control and even your cash needs are wildly off the mark, I think you
should come to my office in New York so that we could hammer out an agreement.”
    “Okay Sam, I can be there tomorrow, nothing to do
around here, how about 11:00 a.m.?”
    Sam couldn’t have been more delighted, Vic is
running out of cash about a week before Sam projected it to happen. Sam will
certainly be ready with a hammer to bludgeon out a deal with Victor when he
arrives tomorrow.

Chapter 18
    The Hammer

    Vic starts out early the next morning. It’s a
beautiful fall day. The leaves are just beginning to turn and as he approaches
the granite cliffs of the Delaware Water Gap heading east into New Jersey on
Route 80, the scenery is even more magnificent. There are golds, reds, and
yellow all blending into what could be a beautiful painting. But, Vic is not
paying much attention to nature around him.
    For the first time he has a certain foreboding about
the upcoming meeting in Brooklyn. He knows he was in a real mess on his own
accord, but listening to Sam and his crematory advice only seems to have made
it worse. Well, Sam got me into this part of my problems, so I will let him get
me out. Just a little more working capital would smooth everything over.
    At 11:10 a.m. Vic walks into Sam’s sumptuous
offices. The building is an old brick five story affair that could be over one
hundred years old. But once inside, things were very different. The lobby,
halls and elevators are sleek stainless steel trimmed with wood accents. The
floors are marble and silver chandeliers dot the ceilings. Expensively dressed
fine looking ladies with their high heels clicking on the Italian marble
saunter through the halls with the other visitors. Victor thought these must be
the secretaries and paralegals, at any rate he was duly impressed.
    Stepping off the elevator at the fifth floor, the
decor was even more luxurious with Sam’s office suite in the north corner of
the building. Upon entering, a receptionist who could be considered a “ten”
greeted Vic and said Sam would be out in a minute. The office suite is done in
cherry wood with dark green accents on the walls and a woolen Berber carpet
graces the floor. Vic thought what a far cry from his lawyer Steve Lamont’s
spartan quarters back in Duryea. Sam is no $100 an hour lawyer like Steve.
    “Victor my friend, it’s so good to see you in New
York.” He guides Vic into his palatial corner office with the great view of the
Brooklyn Bridge.
    Sam gestures for Vic to take a leather arm chair in
front of his teak, gold inlaid desk, and then takes his place facing Vic.
    “This is like out of the movies Sam.”
    “I guess I don’t appreciate it as much as I see it
every day; by the way how was the trip?”
    “I enjoyed the ride and traffic was light, I can’t
get over your beautiful digs here, but all of that being said, I can’t feel
good about my position as to why I’m here.”
    “Perhaps we can solve some of your pressing problems
today then go out and celebrate.”
    “I appreciate the thought Sam, but after my episode
earlier in the year down in Bucks County, I won’t be doing any drinking today.”
    “Okay, but we can still do some great food later.”
    Vic opens the conversation and gets right to the
point. “Look Sam, I missed the monthly payment for the retort