government, inconsistent though I’m sure you think it is right now, Consul Woodford.’
Leslie dropped his head momentarily under the breeze of the rebuke.
‘And let me remind you, consul, that the only thing that makes you a scientist, considering there are no such degrees or even universities to award them, is the fact that you obviously have a propensity for invention. Coupled with the fact that I am the serving president and will administer my government as I see fit, I think that it is, to say the least, ungracious of you to tell me that I’m trying to squeeze you out, as you put it, when in fact quite the opposite is the case. I’m offering you the greatest opportunity ever granted to a consul in the last century. I’m offering you unfettered access to government and industrial stores. I’m offering you a chance to put into practice some of those ideas of yours. Word of you has reached me, consul, and also of you, Mr Hill. It is my fervent wish that this city shall rise from its current mire and I have become convinced that you two are the way to achieve that. Nicholas and I can handle the day to day machinations. I am freeing you two to forge our city into the future. So please, both of you - do me the courtesy of at least realising when you’re being paid a great compliment and granted a great boon.’
Having completed her speech several decibels higher than she had begun it, Elizabeth sat back in her chair and looked back at the others, her head turning swiftly this way and that, awaiting some response. She was wilder than Leslie had ever seen her.
‘What do you think, Nick?’ Leslie asked, rather bravely, Damien thought, considering the current cloud hanging over the meeting.
Nicholas looked tired and withdrawn. In fact, he didn’t look at all well. He was slumped in his chair and he had listened to the exchange with his eyes downcast and doleful.
‘I think you should do what President Dawson says,’ he replied slowly. ‘We can handle things this end. We won’t leave you out of any important decisions, Les. Don’t worry.’
‘Are you alright?’ asked Leslie with some concern. This was not the same vital, hearty man he had met on several occasions before.
‘Yes, I’m fine . . . well no actually, I’m not fine really. Everyone always says that don’t they, whether they’re fine or not?’ He coughed. ‘I’m not really feeling very well at all,’ he said. ‘My son, Edgar’s had this thing. Perhaps I’m getting it too.’ He coughed again.
‘Very well,’ concluded Elizabeth. ‘Obviously Nicholas is unwell, so there’s no point carrying on today. But I’d like you two men to at least have some preliminary discussions today. Leslie? Damien? What do you say?’
They both agreed and soon Elizabeth was gone. Leslie stopped Nicholas on the way out.
‘Nick, are you sure you’re alright?’
‘To be honest, I feel like shit,’ he replied. ‘I’m afraid I’m coming down with something. His big brown eyes were watery and his podgy face was ruddy, in an unhealthy way.
‘Well go and lie down,’ said Leslie.
‘Right you are, doctor Les,’ Nicholas replied with an attempted smile and he moved stiffly towards the door. But just before he reached it, he turned and said, ‘When doors open, walk through ‘em, but always take a good look around as you enter the room.’
And he left.
‘What did he mean by that?’ asked Leslie to himself. But Damien answered.
‘I think he means to watch out for me, mate.’ Damien slapped Leslie on the back like an old friend. ‘Come on, I’ll shout you a beer.’
*
The view from Scraper 3 was stunning. The rain had abated and left the sky crisp, clean and clear. Damien and Leslie looked out of the window admiring the surrounding scrapers as a small Asian man with beautifully elegant hands played upon a Steinway in the corner. It was middle afternoon and no one else was about.
‘So we’re gonna change the world, I hear?’ Damien
Leslie dropped his head momentarily under the breeze of the rebuke.
‘And let me remind you, consul, that the only thing that makes you a scientist, considering there are no such degrees or even universities to award them, is the fact that you obviously have a propensity for invention. Coupled with the fact that I am the serving president and will administer my government as I see fit, I think that it is, to say the least, ungracious of you to tell me that I’m trying to squeeze you out, as you put it, when in fact quite the opposite is the case. I’m offering you the greatest opportunity ever granted to a consul in the last century. I’m offering you unfettered access to government and industrial stores. I’m offering you a chance to put into practice some of those ideas of yours. Word of you has reached me, consul, and also of you, Mr Hill. It is my fervent wish that this city shall rise from its current mire and I have become convinced that you two are the way to achieve that. Nicholas and I can handle the day to day machinations. I am freeing you two to forge our city into the future. So please, both of you - do me the courtesy of at least realising when you’re being paid a great compliment and granted a great boon.’
Having completed her speech several decibels higher than she had begun it, Elizabeth sat back in her chair and looked back at the others, her head turning swiftly this way and that, awaiting some response. She was wilder than Leslie had ever seen her.
‘What do you think, Nick?’ Leslie asked, rather bravely, Damien thought, considering the current cloud hanging over the meeting.
Nicholas looked tired and withdrawn. In fact, he didn’t look at all well. He was slumped in his chair and he had listened to the exchange with his eyes downcast and doleful.
‘I think you should do what President Dawson says,’ he replied slowly. ‘We can handle things this end. We won’t leave you out of any important decisions, Les. Don’t worry.’
‘Are you alright?’ asked Leslie with some concern. This was not the same vital, hearty man he had met on several occasions before.
‘Yes, I’m fine . . . well no actually, I’m not fine really. Everyone always says that don’t they, whether they’re fine or not?’ He coughed. ‘I’m not really feeling very well at all,’ he said. ‘My son, Edgar’s had this thing. Perhaps I’m getting it too.’ He coughed again.
‘Very well,’ concluded Elizabeth. ‘Obviously Nicholas is unwell, so there’s no point carrying on today. But I’d like you two men to at least have some preliminary discussions today. Leslie? Damien? What do you say?’
They both agreed and soon Elizabeth was gone. Leslie stopped Nicholas on the way out.
‘Nick, are you sure you’re alright?’
‘To be honest, I feel like shit,’ he replied. ‘I’m afraid I’m coming down with something. His big brown eyes were watery and his podgy face was ruddy, in an unhealthy way.
‘Well go and lie down,’ said Leslie.
‘Right you are, doctor Les,’ Nicholas replied with an attempted smile and he moved stiffly towards the door. But just before he reached it, he turned and said, ‘When doors open, walk through ‘em, but always take a good look around as you enter the room.’
And he left.
‘What did he mean by that?’ asked Leslie to himself. But Damien answered.
‘I think he means to watch out for me, mate.’ Damien slapped Leslie on the back like an old friend. ‘Come on, I’ll shout you a beer.’
*
The view from Scraper 3 was stunning. The rain had abated and left the sky crisp, clean and clear. Damien and Leslie looked out of the window admiring the surrounding scrapers as a small Asian man with beautifully elegant hands played upon a Steinway in the corner. It was middle afternoon and no one else was about.
‘So we’re gonna change the world, I hear?’ Damien
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