"Yes, yes. I need an appointment. I would like a quote to insure a portion of my business," Finn said into the phone.
"Yes, sir. What sort of business needs insuring?" the administrative assistant asked.
"What sort of business? Oh, um... hotels. I have three hotels in the area and I would like a quote for a policy please."
Finn gave his name, phone number and set an appointment to meet at Richard Gilmore's office the following week.
"Yes, I would like to order brochures and business cards for all 20 businesses." "Um, 100 of each? Yes, 100 of each sounds good. And can you mix up the paper and fonts and colors and stuff? Make them all different. None of them should look like the others. Try out different designs, whatever you want." "Thank you so much!" "Oh, one more thing. If you can get them done by the end of the week, I will pay you double for the rush job." "Thank you so much!"
Colin arrived at Finn's office just in time to hear Finn's side of the conversation. Colin served himself a scotch from the bar cart while Finn finished the call then arranged himself in an armchair across from the desk. Once the call was over, he had to ask, "What the hell was that about?"
"Weeelllllll, since you can't conjure up a plan, I decided to derive my own," Finn said with a flourish.
Colin sipped his drink. "Would you care to share?"
"Nah, this sort of subterfuge is over your head," Finn shook his head while searching for something in a drawer. Once he found what he was after, he tossed it on the desk. "THIS is the key to my plan."
"That flash drive?" Colin asked.
"Yep."
"What are you doing with it?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?!"
"Yeah, that's why I asked," Colin deadpanned.
"Well, the other night I might have borrowed the marketing material from Logan's incubator businesses while I was at his apartment," Finn grinned.
"He just gave that to you?"
"Of course not, Mate."
"Then how are you going to slip it back without him knowing?"
"I'm not. I'm getting a whole bunch of marketing materials printed for his new businesses, as a gift to the people. Marketing stuff is expensive. He's going to love this!"
"Huntz could easily get all this stuff done himself. He doesn't need you to do it. He's going to be suspicious."
"Ehhh, I'll think of something. Let it go. Besides, its better than whatever you could come up with."
Colin nodded, "I guess so. But this isn't going to end well."
Richard Gilmore's office was big and dark and rich, just like him. Finn looked around as he was seated at a conference table. He fidgeted while he waited for Richard. Exactly thirty seconds, he wasn't alone anymore.
"Mr. Morgan!" boomed Richard Gilmore into the room. "Hello! What can I do for you?"
"Mr. Gilmore, its a pleasure. How are you?" Finn asked in a business-y voice.
"I'm great. I played a round on Sunday and it was my best in six months. I'm still jazzed!" Richard said with a chuckle.
"Terrific. My father, Normal sends his regards, Sir."
"Wonderful. Such a good man. Is retirement treating him well?"
"Yes, yes, of course. And Mrs. Gilmore, is she well?"
"Oh, that's right! You knew my wife when Rory was at Yale. Emily is great. She stays busy and is always the champion for a good cause. She's lovely."
"Yes, I know Rory. We had lunch recently actually. She's remarkable. I've known her since our days in the Life and Death Brigade."
Richard let out a hearty laugh. "You know, I never discussed the LDB with Rory but it was some of the best times of my life. It was great fun!"
Finn pressed on with his plan. "Yes, my best mates were always there with me. Colin McCrae and Logan Huntz..."
Richard cut him off, "Oh my! How is Logan? Emily and I always loved him. I hope he's well."
Finn nodded, "Oh yes, very well Sir. He's in venture capital now, lots of investing in startups, projects he finds worthy. Logan always wanted to make a difference, you know."
Richard nodded, "Yes, yes. Logan is going to change the world if we give him a chance."
Finn nodded again. "Not to change the subject but do you have anything to do with the the planetarium board at Yale? I know you and Emily started the fund. My girlfriend has a fascination with the solar system and begged me to take her, but its sold out. Do you know where I could make a donation for a pair of tickets?"
Richard chuckled, "Oh yes, I might know of a place. I'll send a few pairs to your office. Thank you for your donation. That's very kind of you."
"Anything for a building emblazoned with Rory's name on it, of course!"
They talked about the insurance quote for 20 minutes or so and made plans to have the hotels inspected later in the month to have a firm quote. Once they were done, Finn opened his portfolio to store the papers he had been given. Knowing full well what he was doing, he said "Oh! I totally forgot I had this in here! I was going to use them for a new home theatre, but this might be more useful to you." He handed Richard a pamphlet for the projector company in Logan's stable.
"Thank you!" Richard accepted the leaflet and perused the information in his hand. "This looks fantastic! I will call them today for a quote. This looks exactly like what we've been wanting to spiff up the planetarium!"
"Um, Mr. Gilmore. Would it be too much trouble to say you found them online if anyone asks? I wouldn't want anyone to think that you chose them because of me or Logan..."
"No, of course not. Thank you so much for the information!" They shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and Richard was on the phone with Emily about the wonderful tech company before Finn hit the lobby.
As soon as Finn was on the street walking to his car, he was on the phone to Colin. "The crow flies at midnight!" he said as soon as Colin answered.
"WHAT?!" Colin shouted.
""The bloody plan is in motion, no thanks to you."
