A young man disembarked from a train in Paris. Around him lovers and families reunited, commuters and porters scurried about, and the sounds of steam locomotives and train announcements fill the air. Being the boat train arriving from Le Harve with the passengers of the world famous SS Île de France, naturally a large crowd waited to meet the train. The young man himself expected to meet someone. It seemed he would be easy to spot for his outfit makes him stand out. He was adorned with a three-piece blue suit with red tie and matching overcoat and fedora. Adding to the unique ensemble was a pair of round sunglasses. To top it all off, he took out of his pocket a red, white, and blue campaign button that read "SMITH FOR PRESIDENT" and pinned it on his lapel. He starts walking towards the concourse, to the station's café. As he left the platforms a voice speaks to him.

"Strange seeing support for Smith here of all places, I think you came to the wrong place to cast a vote for Al," says a man behind him.

"But nothing's as strange a seeing your mug here," the young man snarkly replies as turns to face the other man. The other man's thin mustache offsets the young man's pale face. Both of them are wearing matching sunglasses. They both take them off. "Benjamin."

"Oliver." Both grab each other in a big hug. "How's my baby brother doing, I see you're trying to pass yourself off as a man Ollie."

"Well I am, and I model myself after you, though I don't need a worm on my lip. And don't call me that please Ben." They step apart and start walking side by side, with a porter with a baggage trolley following.

"How was your trip?"

"Fine, relatively. Was in my cabin most of the time, dealing with files and dossiers. The times I was out of my cabin, I saw half-drunks, irresponsible heirs and heiresses. Sometimes I do really dislike our peers," Oliver said with no remorse. "I wished I came over on one of our liners, but I had to keep a low profile."

"And the Île de France is low profile?"

"On that ship, I'm just another wealthy young man, not the owner." By this time, there were more porters following the pair.

"Did you bring the ocean liner with you?" asks Ben nodding towards the trunks in line behind them with the initials O.C. on them.

"It's just the necessary materials for our tasks. Speaking of which, do we have investors lined up?"

"We have a few for the railroad, as usual, same for the shipping company. Our zeppelin plan is attracting attraction, but not the way we planned." Oliver turns with a cocked eyebrow. "Well, some French aren't too keen in vesting in an enterprise that has a majority of Germans." Oliver nods in understanding. Benjamin continues. "We are attracting investors in for McIlntyre's Manufacturing and Machine Works; the engines and automobiles we're developing are attractive to Europe, as are our steel works. O'Toole's holdings are getting investors; Marathon Air Transport is growing, as is Great Eastern Steamship. Many French are keen on our Hollywood holdings. And the Zeppelin venture, it will work, Father wants it to work. There's an embassy ball coming up, there we will snare more investors."

"What's the ball for?" Oliver asks as Benjamin hands him an invitation. It reads

You are cordially invited to the embassy of the United States of America to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. In addition to celebration the expansion of America, making the modern world as it is today possible, it is also a celebration of friendship between the great republics of America and France that began with Washington and Lafayette. This celebration of Liberty torchbearers will be held:

April 30, 1928

OLIVER C. CROSS

We encourage you to attend this ball, and the following events to occur for the next year.

Oliver stopped reading at that point. "Thanks for getting me an invitation, I take it this is the one from the American embassy and the not the French?" Ben nods. "Seems like a good idea, everyone will be seeking to benefit themselves, seems like a good time as any to do it ourselves. Now, this is all fine and dandy in regards to finances, but what about our other task?" By this time, the brothers and the few porters behind them had reached the street and the trunks were being loaded into limousines. Oliver pulls Ben in close, "What about the assignment Father personally gave us?"

"We're already working on it. The agency is keeping ears on the embassies. We have full cooperation from the French and British. We just need her."

"Well, where is she?"

"Her grandmother said she won't be arriving until tomorrow, and she won't let us see her because the ball is coming up."

"And we're letting her do that?"

"Do we have a choice, Ollie? The Dowager Empress knows what's going on, she just wants to do it her way. We'll get involved don't worry. Now get in the car." Oliver gets in with Benjamin following.

"Benji, I told you I don't like Ollie."

"And I don't like Benji, so let's call it even."

"I still don't why our nanny used to call us that."

"Probably to keep us in line." Ben signals the driver, and the car roars off.

"We're staying at the Hotel Lafayette, correct?" Oliver inquires as he looks out the car window.

"Correct," Ben says, "makes sense, we own it."

"Good, it'll make things easier."