Chapter 26:
On the drive over, Henry reviews his speech. It is a bitter pill he is being forced to swallow. He realizes that being wealthy at a time when most others are experiencing poverty is one strike on him, right out of the gate. Add to that the mogul's well-deserved reputation as a curmudgeon, and you have two strikes. And if the citizens were shown proof that Henry lent a heavy hand to the downfall of the town's resident angels... As the strains of an approaching marching band are heard, Henry extracts a handkerchief and wipes the sweat from his brow.
The wind had picked up a little as the marching band makes it way up Genesee. The unusual sound of brass and percussion had the desired effect. People who were outside stopped to watch and the people who were in the shops ventured outside. Hundreds of flyers made their way into the hands of curious citizens. And so, the good news began to spread.
In the lot outside the factory, a makeshift dais has been erected. Kraft stands on the dais with the City Council and watches his plan come together.
The marching band arrives, offering their best rendition of "The Stars and Stripes Forever". They pass behind the stage and form up to the left. Several of the students position themselves stage right, waiving small US flags. The larger contingent of students remain near the entrance to the lot, handing out flags to the citizens who quickly begin to fill the lot space.
Kraft holds the event flyer. He recalls the phrase he uttered to Thomas "a deal with the devil himself, if it meant the resurrection of Bedford Falls!" Kraft looks beyond the factory lot, out to the railroad tracks where the vehicle carrying Henry Potter has just moved into position. It is the last, and most critical, element of his plan.
Henry wonders what happened to that Blue fellow. "Meh!" thinks Henry, "Wasn't real. I made him up."
The limousine slows and stops as it approaches the train tracks. Henry sighs, resigned to the fact that there is no turning back. All that lies between him and his financial commitment to this Granville money pit the wave of a green flag. He extracts a clipboard from a seat pocket and a pen from his coat pocket. He uncaps the pen and smooths the check that is attached to the clipboard. Henry licks his lips and shakes his head as moves the pen in place to sign the check and seal the deal.
From August's perspective things are going well until he sees the man in the bowler standing next to Potter's car.
At that moment, a familiar face, peering from underneath a bowler hat appears at Henry's window. "Hey Henry!"
"You!"
"Me!"
"What are you, Harry Houdini junior?"
"Your request didn't leave me much time."
"So that's it then, you appear at the last possible moment to tell me you failed?"
August begins his prepared statement. "Citizens of Bedford Falls, thank you for attending this short announcement. I am August Kraft, your congressional representative and I have some news to share, which I believe will be welcomed by everyone!"
"Would you call this failure?" Blue produces Kraft's signed copy of the contact.
"How did you get this?"
"By doing my job. Some celebration. Too bad you will have to miss it."
"What are you talking about?"
"I suggest you leave here immediately. See this man and offer him this amount of money. You can see that it is only a fraction of what this factory venture might cost you over time."
The congressman raises the green flag. The band, on cue, plays a fanfare and the crowd murmurs in anticipation. August pauses, expecting the limo to roll forward. Instead, the limo remains still.
"How does that help me?"
"Once you complete this transaction, you might consider using your new acquisition to apply the same pressure August is using on you."
As Blue's words begin to sink in, Henry's face takes on a devious squint/grin. As Henry reviews the details of the document he queries Blue, "Are these plans firm?"
Blue responds, "I've arranged the meeting, he waits for you in his office."
Henry then looks at Blue and offers the closest thing to praise that a miserly mogul can offer, "This is satisfactory. Quite satisfactory."
Assuming the driver missed the signal, August raises the green flag once again. The band, again, plays a fanfare.
"Then we can agree than my part of the contract has been fulfilled."
"Agreed."
"As for your part," Blue reached down to his belt and unhitched the metal chain, "This is for you." Blue hands Henry the chain, which has the metal skull attached.
"What's this?"
"It's my marker. Your I.O.U. to me. I'll be back to claim it soon enough."
August's stomach begins to turn over as he watches the limo rolls forward on to the train tracks, execute a 180 degree turn and then speed away from the event.
The rear window of the vehicle opens and the hand and arm of the limo's passenger appears, sending a signal of his own: A very small shower of confetti, the shredded check.
The confetti is caught up in a breeze that quickly becomes a rush of a whistling wind. Within seconds the whistling becomes a howling as a mass of cloud appears to rush from one end of the track to the other. The howling mutates to an ear-splitting, plaintive screeching. This unearthly cacophony caused each citizen in the crowd to be immersed in fear and dread, as if they would be experiencing the end of the world that very day.
Then, at the depth of their shared sadness, the deafening noise began to relent. Dim sunlight began to cut through the cloud of darkness. The Hell on Wheels, carrying Blue back to the land of the damned, receded from Bedford Falls.
Kraft gathers himself as the spontaneous storm diminishes. As the haze begins to clear, Potter's limo disappears over a hill. Kraft realizes the betrayal. He is furious, but as he looks at the face of the citizens who have been led here under the pretense of receiving good news, August knows he must remain calm. "Ladies and Gentlemen! It appears our special guest will not be able to appear today. However, I will not delay the good news any longer! Our Tool and Machine Works has a new owner and will be reopened in the near future!"
A roar went up from the crowd as the band played a celebratory tune and balloons were released from behind the dais.
As August accepts the smiles and nods from the members of the city council, he knows that his announcement is a lie, but one that prevents a riot.
The cheer of the crowd quickly turns to groans and muttering, and the blaring band suddenly ceases playing. The rain which has held off until now comes pouring down, causing everyone to scatter for cover.