once ocean going ferry.
Carla got up and joined them and Char reluctantly did the same. Tommy remained at the table—content to sit and drink a glass filled to the top with high-end bourbon.
Block finished his presentation with a plea not to leave until he had a chance to “thank each and every one of you for gracing me with your presence.” Char took this to mean give him a chance to sink the hook a little further.
Block arrived at the table a short time later and introduced himself. Char introduced Carla and himself, stating that the Commodore had sent him as his personal representative. Block nodded in recognition, but barely glanced at him—preferring instead to look right into Carla’s eyes while smiling and almost imperceptivity taking a downward glance into the recesses of her cleavage. Carla smiled broadly in return.
“Mind if I join you for a drink?” Char nodded slightly and Block sat down at the table. A waiter quickly approached. “Champagne, the Grand Cuvée Krug ‘47 if you have it, the ‘61 will do if you don’t,” he ordered.
Block smiled at Carla. “Krug is actually the single greatest champagne in the world, well known for its pronounced aromas of gingerbread and tropical fruit that develop into a complex yeasty bouquet of near infinite complexity.” She smiled and Char looked at Tommy, who rolled his eyes.
Block inquired about the Commodore, shared a short anecdote with everyone about the crazy Yanks that were stationed in Sydney during the war and Char responded with his own tale of taking R & R leave in Sydney during his own war in Viet Nam. He spared them the details about his female conquests while on leave, both because Carla was present but also because he felt that Block was the kind of guy who would not find such behavior to be either shocking or particularly noteworthy.
The waiter arrived with the champagne and he poured them all drinks in crystal flutes.
“What should we toast to?” asked Block.
“To the success of the Star of Tampa,” offered Carla.
“From one star to another,” said Block with a broad smile as he clinked her flute with his own.
They sipped their drinks and Block sighed, “Ah, that’s bottler, that is!” He smiled, took out a pack of Peter Jackson cigarettes and offered them around.
“Bloody fags are better in America, he explained, but I’ve been smoking these since I was thirteen and can’t seem to quit the habit.”
Block produced a gold antique lighter, ignited the butt, and inhaled deeply.
“Ah, it’s aces to finally sit down! I’m knackered—this fundraising isn’t my cup of tea, but I have to ask you, he said, looking pointedly at Char. What’s your boss think about investing in my venture?”
Char was as diplomatic as his background allowed him to be and spoke the line that he and his boss had developed .
“ The Commodore says it presents an exciting, but he would be interested in seeing how you do over the long term before he is willing to consider investing.”
Block persisted, “Fair enough, but I just need another half million to finish the refurbishment and anyone investing with me before we launch, gets in on the bleeding ground floor and is sure to garner a huge pay day!”
Char smiled in satisfaction, but not recognition, figuring that since he had delivered the boss’s message, the meal was paid for.
Block looked at Char with a slight smile and said, “Listen yank, I like you, you’re a no bullshit type of guy and so is Kip. Tell you what; I have got one million dollars in gold specie that I am going to put on display in the casino that will be guarantee of the ability of the casino to pay any wager.”
At that moment, Char looked over and noticed Tommy ever so slightly perk up and pay attention.
“That’s right, Block continued. One million dollars in gold that will be on display as of the first night we take the ship out for a shakeout cruise— which should be within the month. That
Carla got up and joined them and Char reluctantly did the same. Tommy remained at the table—content to sit and drink a glass filled to the top with high-end bourbon.
Block finished his presentation with a plea not to leave until he had a chance to “thank each and every one of you for gracing me with your presence.” Char took this to mean give him a chance to sink the hook a little further.
Block arrived at the table a short time later and introduced himself. Char introduced Carla and himself, stating that the Commodore had sent him as his personal representative. Block nodded in recognition, but barely glanced at him—preferring instead to look right into Carla’s eyes while smiling and almost imperceptivity taking a downward glance into the recesses of her cleavage. Carla smiled broadly in return.
“Mind if I join you for a drink?” Char nodded slightly and Block sat down at the table. A waiter quickly approached. “Champagne, the Grand Cuvée Krug ‘47 if you have it, the ‘61 will do if you don’t,” he ordered.
Block smiled at Carla. “Krug is actually the single greatest champagne in the world, well known for its pronounced aromas of gingerbread and tropical fruit that develop into a complex yeasty bouquet of near infinite complexity.” She smiled and Char looked at Tommy, who rolled his eyes.
Block inquired about the Commodore, shared a short anecdote with everyone about the crazy Yanks that were stationed in Sydney during the war and Char responded with his own tale of taking R & R leave in Sydney during his own war in Viet Nam. He spared them the details about his female conquests while on leave, both because Carla was present but also because he felt that Block was the kind of guy who would not find such behavior to be either shocking or particularly noteworthy.
The waiter arrived with the champagne and he poured them all drinks in crystal flutes.
“What should we toast to?” asked Block.
“To the success of the Star of Tampa,” offered Carla.
“From one star to another,” said Block with a broad smile as he clinked her flute with his own.
They sipped their drinks and Block sighed, “Ah, that’s bottler, that is!” He smiled, took out a pack of Peter Jackson cigarettes and offered them around.
“Bloody fags are better in America, he explained, but I’ve been smoking these since I was thirteen and can’t seem to quit the habit.”
Block produced a gold antique lighter, ignited the butt, and inhaled deeply.
“Ah, it’s aces to finally sit down! I’m knackered—this fundraising isn’t my cup of tea, but I have to ask you, he said, looking pointedly at Char. What’s your boss think about investing in my venture?”
Char was as diplomatic as his background allowed him to be and spoke the line that he and his boss had developed .
“ The Commodore says it presents an exciting, but he would be interested in seeing how you do over the long term before he is willing to consider investing.”
Block persisted, “Fair enough, but I just need another half million to finish the refurbishment and anyone investing with me before we launch, gets in on the bleeding ground floor and is sure to garner a huge pay day!”
Char smiled in satisfaction, but not recognition, figuring that since he had delivered the boss’s message, the meal was paid for.
Block looked at Char with a slight smile and said, “Listen yank, I like you, you’re a no bullshit type of guy and so is Kip. Tell you what; I have got one million dollars in gold specie that I am going to put on display in the casino that will be guarantee of the ability of the casino to pay any wager.”
At that moment, Char looked over and noticed Tommy ever so slightly perk up and pay attention.
“That’s right, Block continued. One million dollars in gold that will be on display as of the first night we take the ship out for a shakeout cruise— which should be within the month. That
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