Chapter 45

U-Corp

Fr, Oct 9, 1970

Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr & Johnny Paycheck, Day 4 of 6 @ Radio City Music
Hall, NYC, 8pm.

If you haven’t noticed, Janis Joplin didn’t Die in LA, CA, Oct 4, 1970. She & Jimi were alive & kicking, enjoying each other at GoldenEye in Jamaica. I was changing Reality.

Reality is Overrated.

“What’d you do when you get lonely
And no one is waiting by your side?
You’ve been running and hiding much too long.
You know it’s just your foolish pride.

Layla, you’ve got me on my knees.
Layla, I’m begging, darling, please.
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

Tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool I fell in love with you
You turned my whole world up-side-down.

Layla, you’ve got me on my knees.
Layla, I’m begging, darling, please.
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

Let’s make the best of this situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don’t say “We’ll never find the way”
And tell me that all my love’s in vain.

Layla, you’ve got me on my knees.
Layla, I’m begging, darling, please.
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

Layla, you’ve got me on my knees.
Layla, I’m begging, darling, please.
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?”

Layla
By Eric Clapton & Jim Gordon

All my Partners were Flying into Nassau, The Bahamas, as we were combining forces & Companies. We were Registering a new Conglomerate in the Bahamas, for Tax & Logistical reasons. It was called: U-Corp.

We would be Registered in the Bahamas, but we would keep our Operations based in NYC. We were moving our HQ though, from D-Rock’s RKO Building, into Harry Helmsley’s Empire State Building. The NY Yankees, ESPN, MTV, HBO & CableVision would still be HQ in the RKO Building, attached to Radio City Music Hall, but all other Operations would move to ESB.

The ESB Opened in 1931, with 102 Floors, with 2,248,355 Sq Ft of Space inside. It has 73 Elevators & Cost 40 Million to Build, in 1931. I think we’ll be happy there, never maxing it out.

Top-5 was merging into U-Corp, plus all my Partner’s & Friend’s were doing the same thing. All of us were retaining 50% Ownership in our Individual Companies, with 50% of each Company now Owned by U-Corp.

We were loosely joining forces, kind of like the British Commonwealth is organized, a grouping of the old British Colonies, now some Independent, but some still Colonies. Combined, they could share Resources & Management.

U-Corp would eventually take most of our Companies Private, Buying Back any Shares of Stock we didn’t Own yet. We would just Reinvest our Profits in each Company, to Buy-Back its Stock.

All our Companies would be Covered by Kaiser Permanente too, with all Health Care Costs free to our Employees, as part of their Benefits. We wouldn’t even have Co-Pays. This would be even better when the Gerald Ford Universal Health Care Plan went into effect, Jan 1, 1974. All USA Citizens would then be Covered from Birth. We would still use Kaiser Permanente then as our HBO.

These are those who were becoming U-Corp Founding Partners: Besides Retaining 50% of their Companies, all would now share equally in the Dividends that U-Corp would churn out, from its 50% Ownership in each Company.

1. Pug- me, The String-Puller, the Idea Guy, the Visionary
2. D-Rock, 55yo-CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank & Rockefeller Center
3. Harry Helmsley, 61yo-CEO of H&M Investments
4. Bill Paley, 68yo-CEO of CBS
5. Warren Buffett, 39yo-CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
6. Sam Walton, 52yo-CEO of Wal-Mart
7. Juan Trippe, 71yo-CEO of Pan Am World Airways
8. Mr Wrigley, 75yo-CEO of Wrigley’s Gum
9. Bill Graham, 39yo-CEO of PastTimesRadio & MTV
10. Lee MacPhail, 52yo-CEO of NY Yankees
11. Tom Crowley, 55yo-CEO of Crowley Maritime
12. Edgar Kaiser, 62yo-CEO of Kaiser Steel & Aluminum
13. Bill Keeler, 62yo-CEO of Phillips 66
14. Bill Harrah, 58yo-CEO of Harrah’s Casinos & Hotels
15. Wallace Groves, 70yo-CEO of Freeport Casinos & Resort
16. David Geffen, 27yo-CEO of T-SqFilm&TV & Time, Inc
17. Adolph Zukor, 97yo-Chairman of Paramount Pictures Studios
18. Barry Diller, 28yo-CEO of Paramount Pictures Studios & HBO
19. Jack Welch, 34yo-CEO of U-Corp
20. Stephen Degenhardt, 39yo-Control of Mercedes Benz
21. Ferry Porsche, 60yo-CEO of Porsche
22. Gianni Agnelli, 49yo-CEO of Fiat
23. Enzo Ferrari, 72yo-CEO of Ferrari
24. Gavin Astor, 52yo-CEO of EMI
25. Ralph Lauren, 30yo-CEO of Polo Ralph Lauren
26. Chuck Dolan, 43yo-CEO of CableVision
27. Roone Arledge, 39yo-CEO of ESPN
28. Roy Chapin, 55yo-CEO of AMC, our USA Operations for C-4.

Not a bad list, eh? As a whole, we can change the world for the better now.

“I got the key to the highway
And I’m billed out and bound to go
I’m gonna leave here runnin’
‘Cause walkin’ is most too slow

I’m goin’ down on the border
Now, where I’m better known
‘Cause, woman, you don’t do nothin’
But drive a good man ‘way from home

Now, when the moon peeps over the mountain
I’ll be on my way
Now, I’m gonna walk this old highway
Until the break of day

Run here, sweet mama
Now, and help me with this heavy load
I am due in West Texas
And I’ve got to get on the road

I’m goin’ to West Texas
I’m goin’ down behind the sun
I’m gonna ask the Good Lord
“What evil have I done?”

Key To The Highway
By Big Bill Broonzy

Jet Aviation had Bought the only FBO at Nassau A/P, in The Bahamas. I’m going with its Airport Code of NAS, not MYNN, as it makes better sense.

Our new FBO was going to be busy this week, as we were Flying in from all over the USA & Europe. We had taken some Pan Am Charters from Gatwick A/P, London; TEB, NYC; & BUR, LA, CA. The rest Flew in on NetJets G2’s.

The folks from Europe were Flying in on another Pan Am Boeing 747, that had been Tricked Out by Jet Aviation’s Basel Build-Out Center.

The German contingent met the 747 at BSL, then it Flew to GAT, South of London, to pick up the UK & Italian Groups.

Prince Charles was with the Astor Family, as their special Guest.

The kids had a great time, running all over the Huge Jet, going up & down the Spiral Staircase, going between 1st Class, & the Cocktail Lounge in the Hump of the Plane.

We were also Hosting some big-shots. The Prime Minister of the Bahamas was staying with us, as was Britain’s Prince Charles, of course.

The Bahamas, were in the process of becoming Independent from Britain. They began the process in 1967, finishing it in 1972 or 1973.

Lynden Pindling, was the Prime Minister that whole time, & he was a healing & steady force for change. They would Rename their Airport, the Lynden Pindling A/P, because they loved him so much.

We were 1st staying at Highborne Cay, which was at the Northern End of the Exumas Chain of Islands. We had gotten it a few months before. It was South Of Nassau.

Just South of Highborne, was Norman’s Cay. We had Bought it too. We were extending & improving its Airstrip, to 4,711’ Long. When completed, we should be able to Land Light Jets there, as well as all our King Airs. Until then, it was dangerous to use it, as the Crushed Coral Runway had eroded in a couple places.

Until Norman’s Airstrip was ready, we were using a couple old De Havilland Twin Otters, with P&W Turboprops s/o, adding Power & Safety. We could Haul about 15 People at a time, so they were great for us. They were on Amphib Floats, allowing us to Land on Wheels at NAS A/P, then Landing in the Water at Highborne. Water Landings added a thrill to the journey.

We were Partnering with The Bahamas on Norman’s Cay. 1st would be the Airstrip. Jet Aviation would Operate it, but we would offer it Free to the Bahamas Government, to Base their Search & Rescue Planes there. We would Sponsor them 100%, as well as their Fleet of Shore Patrol Boats. We would help develop Rescue Boats, capable of going out in the Roughest Seas. We would have Plane, Choppers & Boats, Based at Norman’s. We were also offering Homesites on Norman’s to any needy Families Lynden Pindling personally chose. Many would work for us, helping to Run our Island Resorts.

At Highborne Cay, we had added a Row of funky new, but using old Rusty Corrugated Panels, with Bright Colors to make some Fishing Shacks, facing the 20 Slips along Highborne’s Marina. They were 1/2 built into the Hillside, & 1/2 on Stilts over the Shallow area along the Shore. This allowed the Tides & Surf to flow under the Shacks. All were 2-Floors, with 2-Bedrooms, & 1-Bath, as well as a Kitchenette & Sitting Room. There were 10 of them in all. All had Decks facing the Water, so they were relaxing, as well as part of the action too. They also had Rooftop Widow Walks, offering great views.

They were behind the Long Dock-way, with short Planks over the Water between the Shacks & the Dock. Really cool looking, & a great way to utilize the space.

Highborne’s vegetation was mostly scrub, so I wasn’t worried about messing up the Ecology. We would be careful of any Runoff, especially Oils. We were Planting a bunch of Colorful Plants & Vines, especially Bougainvillea & Hibiscus too. It should brighten things up immensely. All would be Drought tolerant, but we made our Water via Desalination Units.

We had Cisterns too, that funneled any Rain Runoff into underground Water Tanks. There were Wells that produced somewhat Brackish Water, which was ok to Water any Plants with.

We had Wind Generators set up. We would constantly improve Generator Technology, for any Power Source, Wind, Wave, Propane, etc. I especially wanted to experiment with Wave Power Generation, as every time a Wave came In & Out, it would turn the Generator, creating Energy, that we stored in old WW2 Submarine Deep-Cell Batteries.

I had seen a cool Wave Generator, I think it was called an Oyster. It was developed by Aquamarine Power, a Scottish Company, in the 2000’s. I’d have B-G work on it.

We had already converted all our Diesel Generators to use Propane too, so we were pretty Clean Burning.

There were over 20 Boats of all kinds in the Marina, when we Landed in the Water, taxiing up to the Float. It was Offshore a few feet, safely out of the way. We then used a big Pontoon Boat, with an Outboard Motor to Shuttle us to Shore. It worked out.

All our Boats had been s/o to propane too, so they were much better, as no Diesel Fumes were belched out.

The Flight South from NAS, was about 30 Minutes of pure Bliss & a myriad Colors of Blue & Green Waters. The Bahamas water was so clear, as it was almost devoid of Plankton, which clouded up the water.

There were so many of us this week at Highborne, some were Sleeping Onboard some of the Boats Tied-Up to the Marina’s Pilings. More were Moored on Floats out in the Harbour.

Everyone had brought their Families, so we had Folks from 97yo, to 3yo. It was Fun & Loud & Crazy & Musical & Heartwarming to see & be a part of it all. Ryder & Pug Red were a hit with all the kids. We had Kids from the USA, UK, Germany & the Bahamas. Our 10 Little Indians were still with us too, along with their Families.

The Shore Homes, were OK, but would soon be Rebuilt, using only Natural Woods. I was basing them on the Main House on Richard Branson’s Necker Island, in the BVI. At least the one he Built before it was wiped out by a Hurricane. I loved its Balinese Style. The Current Homes on Highborne, were traditional Cement Block Homes, that didn’t allow for Air Flow like the old Bahamian Style had, before Air Conditioning.

If Damaged in the Future, we would just keep Rebuilding, as sometimes Shit Happens, even in Paradise. We would design in as many Hurricane Proof features as we could. All Windows would have Roll-Down Metal Storm Shutters, keeping any water from entering there. We would also have Flow-Through Storm Surge Channels, that would protect the Walls & Foundation from Erosion.

All Day & Night, we were being Serenaded by Derek & the Dominos, as well as Bob Marley & the Wailers. They were Bonding big time. The Wailers were going On Tour with the Dominos next week too.

This week though, they were embarking on a Tour of The Bahamas, putting on Free Shows at some of our Islands.

After spending Day 1 on Highborne, some were going to go Deep Sea Fishing tomorrow. Others were exploring the Exumas Land & Sea Park, which begins just South of Highborne & Norman’s Cays. Some would Play Beach Volleyball on Highborne. Others would just Waste Away In Margaritaville.

We had Sailboats on hand, but we used Power Boats between the Islands, with Shallow Drafts. Some were Glass-Bottomed, giving us great shots underwater too. Sunday, we would weave our way through the Exumas Land & Sea Park. Each Boat would have Local Captains & Crews, being our Tour Guides, telling us the History of the Bahamas & especially the Exumas. They would describe any Fish or Corals we saw, as well as the History of each Island or Cay.

There were Sound Recording Equipment Onboard, so any any Jams could be Recorded too, as who knew what gems may be created between stops.

From now on, U-Corp was Partnering with The Bahamas Government 100%, Sponsoring the Exumas Land & Sea Park. The Park, started just South of Norman’s Cay. We were putting the Sea Park in one of our Flatiron Parks Conservancy Funds.

The Exumas L&SP was formed in 1958, with 176,000 Sq Miles of territory, stretching 22 Miles, from Shroud Cay to the North, to Bell Cay in the South. It is famous to Boaters & Divers alike for its diversity & beauty. Check out the Water Pigs.

We were also putting parts of Highborne Cay into a Conversancy Trust too. The North 1/2 was never developed, & we were keeping it in its Natural state. Offshore, on the East, or Atlantic Ocean Side, there are Active Eukaryotes in Microbialites, tiny organosedimentary structures, found in the Sand, Offshore of the Marina. Some are 538 Million Years old.

In 1970, they hadn’t been discovered yet, so I was going to get our Rice Sports Science Research Institute on it, as well as the University of Miami, Florida. Either way, we would Rope-Off the area, to avoid disturbing them. There were plenty of other Beach Areas on Highborne, that we didn’t need to f/u Organisms that were 538 Million Years Old!

We had a Daylong Feast, along the Beach that was in front of the Marina, We had Fresh Shucked Oysters, Stone Crab Claws, Bahamas Lobster, Thick Slabs of Fresh Grouper Steaks, Watermelon, Corn on the Cob, Spinach Salads & French Silk Pie. We had Beer from Carlsberg Bier, Strongbow Hard Cider, as well as many other Spirits.

After Dinner, we had our Signing Party, creating U-Corp, which was huge for all of us. We also created our Partnership with The Bahamas for the Exumas Land & Sea Park Conservancy Fund.

Late into the Night, Derek & The Dominos, as well as Bob Marley & the Wailers wailed away. They had set up on the Raised Platform, to one end of The Born High Restaurant. Duane Allman had gotten his Group to join us, Playing a few Sets too. Duane was a Full Member of both Derek & the Dominos, as well as the Allman Brothers Band.

Eric Clapton had just Written Layla, with Jim Gordon. It was the 1st time anyone had ever heard it Performed. Eric 1st played it Electric, with the Dominos, but ended the Night, Serenading us with his “Un-Plugged” Version, as a Lullaby, putting us to Sleep. My Nighttime Doozies were assisting with that.

There were 28 Founding Partners of U-Corp, & most had their Families with us, including Kids. It was Packed, Fun & Wild.

Sat, Oct 10, 1970

Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr & Johnny Paycheck, Day 5 of 6 @ Radio City Music
Hall, NYC, 8pm.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show, CBS-TV, 9:30-10pm, Episode #4, Divorce Isn’t Everything.

In detail, here is the breakdown on my U-Corp Partners:

*1- Pug- me, The String-Puller, the Idea Guy, the Visionary.

*2- D-Rock, 55yo, David Rockefeller-CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank & Rockefeller Center

D-Rock ran Chase Manhattan Bank, which always competed with CitiBank for dominance in the NYC Market. D-Rock ran it the right way too, w/o wild speculation, or overreaching Loans.

D-Rock & his brother Nelson, also owned Rockefeller Center. D-Rock ran things, while Nelson was off saving humanity.

*3- Harry Helmsley, 61yo-CEO of H&M Investments. Harry & I were Partners in H&M, that had all of Harrys’s Buildings, Hotels & any other interests included in it.

*4- Bill Paley, 68yo-CEO of CBS

*5- Warren Buffett, 39yo-CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire Hathaway had recently gone Public, but we were taking it Private again, ASAP.

Warren has said, the worst thing he ever did, was to take Berkshire Public.

*6- Sam Walton, 52yo-CEO of Wal-Mart. We would keep Wal-Mart Private, reinvesting our Profits, for new Growth.

*7- Juan Trippe, 71yo-CEO of Pan Am World Airways. Pan Am was still a vibrant Airline in 1970, but by 1980 it would be on the Ropes. With my memories as Ralf, I was hoping to position Pan Am to survive the Mergers. We would always be well funded, never having to scrounge for new Capitol. We would use Pan Am when we could.

*8- Mr Wrigley, 75yo-CEO of Wrigley’s Gum. Mr Wrigley would eventually sell his Chicago Cubs to the Tribune Company, who Published the Chicago Tribune, as well as Owning WGN, which stood for the World’s Greatest Newspaper. They already Broadcast the Cubs’ Games, as well as our NY Yankees, via the Tribune’s WPIX Station in NYC.