Chapter 1

When he opened his restaurant and bar in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of thirty Duffy Manahan was quite young to be an entrepreneur in the hospitality business. It happened in March of 1990. Because of regulatory issues, city planning tie-ups, and inspection delays he was at the end of his financial rope. If his business didn’t pop within a month after his grand opening, he was facing the fastest bankruptcy in New Mexico’s small business history. But to his surprise and satisfaction by following Stanley Marcus’s blueprint for success, “Location, Location, Location,” he started repaying his debts within a week and a half.

He’d been tending bar at O’Doul’s since the age of twenty-one, just three years after graduating high school. O’Doul’s was a typical Irish pub with grill food and darts, having been in business for twenty years. In a fantastic location, the pub was positioned at the city line on the outbound side of the first main intersection toward the growing, western suburbs. There was a gas station on one corner, a convenience store on another, and an adult store on the other. O’Doul’s occupied the most advantageous spot on the intersection.

Sean was a first-generation Irishman, a wily businessman, and a good host with an appropriate, thick Irish brogue. Quick to recognize the young man’s dedicated work ethic and innate intelligence, Sean took an immediate liking to him. Methodically teaching Duffy the fine points of mixology plus giving him pointers on how to run a pub, within eight months Sean told him, “I have no heirs Son and I’m thinking that someday when I retire, I’ll offer you the opportunity to buy the place.”

Always bragging to Duffy about the secrets of O’Doul’s success he told him about how he found the best location in town for his pub. He kept drilling into Duffy that the excellent location that he picked came from a book written by Stanley Marcus, co-founder of Neiman Marcus and that the three important key ingredients for a good retail business were “Location, location, location.”

Sean once said, “The only way it could have been better would have been if a Catholic Church were nearby and a motel was across the street.”

When he asked why, Sean said, “As you know Duffy there is a lot of boy-and-girlin going on here—both legal and illegal. What would be better for two lovers under the influence of the grape—or a professional woman plying her trade—to be able to cross the street and scratch their itches in a convenient motel?” He added, “Being a good Mick Duffy, you know that Catholic churches are open all hours of the day and night. Since active sin takes place in joints like O’Doul’s and motels and the like, the best place for guilty sinners to confess the mischief they fell into at the pub and motel would be at a church within walking distance.

In 1988 Sean drew up a plan to sell the pub to Duffy. The young man was thrilled with the opportunity to take over the business and become the owner of O’Doul’s. He calculated that if he started making payments in six months fifty-percent ownership would be transferred to him in two years. If the business held up, he could make accelerated payments for eight years and become the sole owner of the business. Sean’s offer seemed extremely generous which to Duffy seemed like a no-brainer.

As the evening bartender and manager of O’Doul’s Duffy became friendly with several steady patrons. Craig Firestone, Cary Middleditch, and Ralph Edmondson were regulars who often came in for lunch during the day and many evenings for drinks after work. Craig, who lived closer to the pub than the other two men, would also come frequently for dinner with his wife Ellen. Ellen, though ten years older than Duffy, was not only extremely pretty she had fun innocently flirting with him. Though he knew she wasn’t serious he quickly developed a crush on her. As far as he was concerned Ellen Firestone was the classiest woman in the world.

One evening when the Firestones came in Ellen asked Duffy why he was smiling so broadly. “Sean O’Doul made an offer to sell me the pub,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me. Within ten years I can be the sole owner of O’Doul’s. But when Ellen was unable to mask the troubled look she gave her husband Duffy got an ominous feeling in his gut. Craig simply shrugged as if whatever was on her mind wasn’t their concern. But when Duffy went back to the bar, he noticed that while Ellen was talking harshly to Craig, he looked like he was trying to ignore her.

The next Monday night Craig came in by himself for a drink. The usually affable man seemed troubled and stopped after just one drink. As he got up to leave, he handed Duffy his card and said, “I need to talk with you about something Duffy. Why don’t give me a call at the office before you come in tomorrow? It’s quite confidential so I suggest you call from home.”

Duffy said, “Confidential in what way Craig?

It was as if he was looking over his shoulder to see if anyone might be listening. Lowering his voice he said, “Whatever you do, say nothing about our meeting to Sean.”

Duffy almost melted when he remembered the look that Ellen had given to Craig when he told them about buying O’Doul’s and the argument they got into when he left them at their table.

Before going to work the next day, he dialed Firestone’s office number. He was due to sign the papers to buy O’Doul’s on the fifteenth of the month; the next day would be the tenth. After a few pleasantries, Firestone began the following litany: “As you know Duffy, I’m a member of the city council. Over the past two years, we have been having meetings with the Interstate Commerce Commission about building a superhighway through town. It’ll connect to the road going all the way to California and the coast. The ICC has signed a letter of intent to go forward. But because of the ICC’s need to negotiate with other cities down the line, our section of the road will not start for ten years.”

Clearing his throat Firestone went on, “Prior to the work starting on the highway the City has agreed to go along with Eminent Domain which would involve tearing down all of the business in the intersection where O’Doul’s is located.”

Duffy was having trouble following what Craig was saying but it sounded ominous.

“If you sign the contract with Sean O’Doul by the time you’ve paid off your debt to him—because of Imminent Domain—you will have to find an entirely new location to move into. The problem lies with the money you will receive from the Government for the Eminent Domain move. Because of the demolition of the area, the value of the property will be far less than it is now. In addition to that, you can’t be guaranteed that you will find a location as good as where O’Doul’s is now.” He looked sternly into Duffy’s eyes. “So, if you sign the deal with Sean O’Doul, you will be buying a business that, in the worst case may fail well before the building has been torn down. People will be made aware that O’Doul’s is being demolished and will be moving to another location, which will be further away from them. So, they’ll be looking for a watering hole that is closer to them.”

Firestone stopped to allow what he was saying to sink in. The young bartender’s face had turned red, and his Adam’s apple was actively moving up and down.

“The best case you can hope for Duffy, thanks to ‘Urban Ecology,’ is that you will have to open a new business while losing customers at your current location. This will put an unbelievable strain on your finances.”

Duffy felt like he was going to faint.

“So, my advice to you my friend is don’t sign that contract with Sean.”

By this time Duffy’s Irish was over the brim. He was boiling mad at how Sean O’Doul was using him to get out of the business before the shit hit the fan. “I’m gonna tear that son of a bitch a new asshole,” he said “I...”

“Settle down Duffy,” Craig said, “you have better options than you might think.”

He was having trouble thinking. Sean, who had known what would happen for over a year, was stabbing him in the back. Why should I think that this Firestone, who would have never told me this had his wife not held his feet to the fire? He’s got something going with Sean.

“I know I’m probably blindsiding you with this Duffy, but I can’t emphasize how important it is for you not to go further in your deal with O’Doul.”

What he said next seemed to Duffy like he was reading his mind.

“And you’re leery of talking with ANYBODY who is not family about any kind of deal. But I’ve talked about this with Middleditch and Edmonson (Craig Firestone was a real estate broker, Cary Middleditch a lawyer, and Frank Edmondson a banker. Each was a member of the city council). “We all believe that Sean has created the business but, in our minds, the reason for the growth he has experienced over the last few years is because of you, Duffy. We all think you’re a breath of fresh air. I think most of O’Doul’s patrons feel the same way.”

When Duffy didn’t answer he said, “Are you still with me Duffy?”

His response was taut, “I’m listening but I don’t know why I should be.”

“I didn’t have to intervene Duffy,” Craig said. “You can thank Ellen for that. She really pinned my ears back after you left the table last night.”

The mention of Ellen Firestone pulled the pin that had activated the explosion. Duffy slammed his hand on the desk and yelled, “That COCKSUCKER, I could KILL him!”

Feeling relieved that Duffy’s seething had come to the surface Firestone said, “I realize how pissed you must be Duffy. Frankly, my partners, Cary Middleditch, Frank Edmonson, and I are really shocked that Sean would try to use you in such a dishonest way. I’m glad you told Ellen and me about it last night. We—my partners and you and me must get together. The important thing for you to do is NOT sign any papers with Sean. Can you come in and meet with us tomorrow morning? There’s got to be a way to capitalize on a talented guy like you and brighten all our future a bit in the process.”

He was trying to figure out what the hell Firestone was talking about. He had been counting his blessings and looking forward to becoming a rich man. Now the plan was turning into shit. He was having a tough time grasping the meaning of it all. But at least Firestone was talking about a deal that would benefit him. But he couldn’t help opening his mouth to whine. “It’s just...”

With a loud voice, Craig said, “Get a grip on yourself Duffy GODDAMMIT. You’ve done the perfect job of spilling the beans to Ellen and me about the deal O’Doul was making with you. My partners and I have been working on a plan that we originally intended to bring Sean O’Doul in on. But since he’s turned out to be such a heartless asshole to you, we’re gonna run it by you instead. It could be good for all of us. You need to meet Cary Middleditch, Frank Edmonson, and me at the Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan Building ... nine o’clock in the morning.”

Duffy was pissed at Firestone for yelling at him and was confused about the whole thing.

“You’re not a kid anymore Duffy. So, get OVER it. We might be talking about making a fixture of you in this community. If it pans out, you just might make more money than you could have ever imagined.” Craig sat back in his chair and smiled. “But if you say anything to O’Doul about this conversation you might queer the deal and you’ll end up getting nothing. Young man, do you think you can bite your fucking tongue until you meet with us?”

Duffy was silent for a moment. “I-I don’t know who I can trust Craig. But I-I’ll be there.”

“And you’ll say nothing to O’Doul?”

“I’ll keep it all to myself ... sons-a- bitches!”

“I suggest that you get a good grip on your anger my friend ... spend a little time in front of the mirror tonight and practice being nice to Sean ... AND to us. Keep cool. We’ll see you in the morning.”

In the morning he went to Santa Fe Federal and met with Firestone the real estate developer, Edmonson the banker, and Middleditch the lawyer. They were in the conference room waiting for him. The banker started out by saying, “Had you signed with Sean O’Doul you would have made more money than you are making today but it would have only been temporary. When the highway project is announced the bank will renegotiate your contract and you would have to pay the much higher interest due to the increased risk the bank would be taking because your business would fall off. Are you with me?”

Duffy wasn’t sure that he was, but he nodded his head.

“You will have to relocate when demolition starts. At that time, when you are looking for the kind of real estate that O’Doul’s has always enjoyed, the prime real estate will already have been gobbled up by large companies with seasoned real estate divisions. You’ll be extremely lucky to find a location that will be as well situated as the pub is now. So, you’ll probably be looking at a location that won’t support your business. By signing with Sean now you will be lucky to support yourself when the shit hits the fan.”