CHAPTER 1
PACEY'S OFFICE - MONDAY MORNING
Pacey was on the phone with a client when Rich opened his office door and stepped in.
"Yes, Mr. Johnson, the order will be approved by the end of the day, I'll have my assistant fill you with further details - Pacey stated while Rich was eagerly trying to have his attention - It was a pleasure doing business with you, have a nice day."
Pacey hung up.
"Hey Rich, what's up?"
"Pacey we need to talk."
"Okay...", Pacey agreed while Rich quickly closed the door and approached his desk.
"I have to warn you, what I'm about to say must not leave this room for any reason at all, am I clear?"
"Sure...", Pacey replied, more confused about what seemed to be a serious matter.
"All right, look, I can't tell you all the details, but I've been tipped by a reliable source in the FDA commission that the Stepatech vaccine has serious long-term side effects and he's confident that it will not be approved on Wednesday."
"Woah, this is a real bomb."
"Yes, it is. We need to close the position now and sell everything we can before Wednesday when their share price will drop. And trust me, it will drop so low that even a turd in the toilet will be worth more."
"I...I don't know, Rich, but how can we be sure that this is a trustworthy source? I mean, right now their value is flying and everyone is confident that the vaccine will be approved and selling two days before the announcement could be-
"Pacey, have I ever dragged you into a wrong deal? This is not a rumor heard at the vending machine, trust me. I've invested a lot of time and money creating this connection and now I need you to make it profitable."
"No, I know that you don't do wrong business and I trust you completely, it's just that...this is really huge and it doesn't seem fair. I mean, even if your source is right, how can we liquidate the position so fast without attracting suspicion, we're talking about millions of dollars, I don't know if I can..."
Rich was getting angrier every minute.
"Pacey, listen up. I know that we have to be really careful with this and the consequences could be severe if something went wrong, but that's why I'm telling you among all people. You're one of the smartest agents in here and I need the best to do this - Rich glanced at Pacey to see if he was starting to get through - This could really be the deal of a lifetime, do you understand me? Are you really willing to let it slide without catching it?"
Pacey stood silent, still not sure it could be a good idea.
"Just sell it, Pacey, sell it like there's no tomorrow if you don't wanna lose everything and fall back on the rock bottom where you belonged. If there was ever a moment for you to shine, this is it. So the question is, do you wanna keep on finding excuses and be a worthless loser as you've always been in your life or do you wanna shine and go grab your place in the world?"
"Rich..."
"Just fucking do it! - Rich yelled very mad - And do it fast."
Saying so, Rich left the room.
Pacey stared at the door, thinking about what to do. Then, he picked up his phone.
OFFICE OPEN SPACE - WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
All the brokers in the office were looking at the TV on the wall before their desks, waiting for the announcement on the Stepatech vaccine.
A few moments later, the news began and the anchorwoman started to read the FDA declaration. Noticing that the moment had come, Rich and Pacey joined the others in the room and started to stare at the TV eagerly.
"...side effects like inflammatory cardiomyopathy, thrombosis, neurologic problems have been experienced up to the 34% of the cases analyzed while death may occur in a 2-5 years span up to the 1.85% of the subjects. 'The well-being of our patients is our absolute priority - continues Dr. Wilson - and this makes the Stepatech vaccine not ready to be distributed to the public..."
Hearing so, the whole office fell into complete chaos, despairing over the unexpected decision.
Rich glanced at Pacey with a hint of a smile, trying hard to contain his joy among all that resentment.
Pacey smiled back.
CAPESIDE - A FEW DAYS LATER
Pacey arrived at Dawson's house and parked his BMW in the driveway. He got out and crossed the garden, then entered the porch and knocked on the door.
A few moments later, Dawson showed up and opened it.
"Hi Dawson", Pacey greeted with a smile.
"Hey...Pace? - he said, surprised - What are you doing here? I thought you were in Boston."
"Yeah, but I've finished early at work and I've made a little deviation here. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh, no, not at all, come in."
"Thanks."
Pacey stepped in, while Dawson closed the door.
"So, how is the writing of your script going?", Pacey initiated the small talk.
"Well, it's going pretty good. I mean, there are days when I can write no more than a few sentences, but most of the time it's going better than I expected. Maybe it's because I've kept these ideas bottled up for so long that now it's almost cathartic to be able to write it out."
"I'm glad to hear it. This has always been your dream and I'm happy that you can finally make it real."
"Yeah...I'm also working on the set, you wanna see it? It's not done yet, but I can show you a preview."
"Sure!"
"Follow me."
Dawson started walking up the stairs, followed by Pacey.
Upstairs, he opened the door of his bedroom.
"Here we are", Dawson stated with pride.
Around them, everything was now decorated like it was many years ago when they both were 15.
Pacey took a look at the posters on the walls and all the stuff on the shelves.
"Wow - he said amazed - This is like crossing a wormhole and stepping back in time. The care you put into the details is almost insane."
Dawson laughed.
"Yeah, it took me a while to remember how it used to be, but I'm pretty satisfied with the result. It's easy to feel 15 again in here."
"Yeah, you can say it, man. You can really forget the real world in here."
Dawson nodded.
"I have to show you something too", Pacey said before handing him a folded paper note.
Dawson took the note and read it, confused.
"What is it?", he asked, puzzled.
Pacey smiled.
"This is your money, Dawson."
Dawson looked at him, shocked.
"What?"
Pacey chuckled.
"Yeah, I know, I can be good at my job sometimes..."
"Good? Pacey I gave 18k$, this is almost 46k$! How is it even possible?"
"That's the magic of finance", Pacey continued, satisfied.
"I...I don't know what to say - Dawson sighed in joy - This is way beyond what I could imagine, I can't believe it..."
"It's the least I could've done. I hope this can give a real burst up at the production of your movie. I've always believed in you, Dawson, and I'm glad to be able to help you make your dream come true."
"Yeah, you can say it loud. You've definitely earned a spot in the credits for this! - Dawson joked and then he became earnest again - Seriously, I don't know how to thank you, Pace, I'm so proud of you. I knew that in the end, you would have found your way."
"Thanks. This means a lot coming from you."
"Wow, 46k$...- Dawson remarked, still not believing it - Well, I think that tonight we have to go out and celebrate. And dinner is on me."
"Okay - Pacey chuckled again - I think it's fair enough."