Money is the root of all evil
The phone rang three times and was automatically picked up. A recorded voice stated, “The number had been recognised, please state your name clearly,” as the voice was matched to the caller’s number.
Marvin received a prompt from his PA Henry that Max was on the line and mused that Mary-Anne’s voice had been much sweeter but he knew he was a hopeless philanderer and Martha had insisted on employing Henry as his new PA. He was very efficient but also quite a hunk noted Marvin.
“Hey Marvin, how are you?”
“Never better Max and how’s yourself and family?”
“We are all great and off to Mustique to celebrate my big ‘four 0.’ Rang to see if you and family would join us in the big celebrations next week? It’s going to be a fab party. Got a few celebs flying in for the entertainment.”
“That’s mighty nice of you. Martha and I will join you but the girls, you know, much too involved with partying at Yale to join us. Who’s coming?”
“Oh, the usual suspects though Martin’s a bit off beat on you at the moment.”
“Good that’s what I meant to happen he’s a right cheapskate.”
“Yes, but he tells me he put a sealed bid of three million on that Ferrari. You must have upped him?”
“By a wide margin but if he’s coming next week then I’ll just piss him off even more by just giving the car to him.”
“I’ll await the explosion. Now how’s your jet configured? I need you to pick up the Maithers and Walters in Memphis on the way and I’m picking up Newmans and Threshers in New Orleans.”
“No probs on that score Max. It’s the marlin season down there. Have you a suitable boat for a spot of fishing?”
“Isn’t your yacht down there already?”
“No, it’s on its way back from Monte Carlo, Europe, with my fishing boat on it.”
“Oh of course, you follow the F1. We’ll source a boat even if I have to buy one. I spotted Martha in some society mag. She looked gorgeous and the house. More like a palace.”
“Hey not as big as yours Max.”
“I know. It’s getting an embarrassment to me. It needs a staff of ten excluding the chefs and personal maids just to upkeep it but its great for a party. You must come and stay, saves you from setting your place up. You can have the Royal Thai suite.”
“Thanks, we might just do that and Martha can spend more time with your Alice.”
“Before I forget Darcy asks if he could buy Yazzy Digital from you. It fits into his company.”
“Sorry, gone already at a handsome profit.”
“What, it was only announced yesterday? I thought you had a clutch of Dot.com companies in your portfolio?”
“No, I don’t keep them just sell them on. In fact, I have buyers in the wings.”
“Why don’t they go direct?”
“Well, the market knows that I pay silly money so they flock to me for my first offer. I pick the ones other people might want and pass them on.”
“What if they go viral? Won’t you lose out?”
“That’s business I suppose but as part of the deal I retain ten per cent so I’ve made a packet on the stars. I also hit them with a pile of debt which I take out of the business before I sell on.”
“We’ll talk more next week. We’ll have a great time as usual. I only asked about Darcy because he’s going through a rough time.”
“I know, I know and I’ll see him right. We have to stick together!”
