Chapter 47: Don't You Have Work to Do?

September 4, 1984, Chicago, Illinois

On Tuesday morning, CeCi and I showered together, and she joined me for breakfast, which was a rare occurrence, given she usually stayed in bed.

"I have my meeting with my advisor this afternoon to discuss the movie shorts. I decided I'd make a pair of complementary films that show the same events from both the guy's and the girl's points of view, though all the filming would be done simultaneously. I'm pretty sure my advisor will approve the concept."

"Do I dare ask the events?" I inquired with a grin.

CeCi laughed, "R-rated, obviously, both because of the rubric and your preference!"

"I know that! I meant the story!"

"A girl seduces her older sister's boyfriend."

"You know I don't condone cheating," I countered.

"That's why they call it acting!" CeCi declared.

"Who will play the girls?"

"A pair of girls from my filmography class. There will be three others – one friend for each girl, and your best guy friend. I'll ask Rick to play your friend, if that's cool."

"Sure. He'll love it!"

"Not as much as if HE was the one you cheated with!"

"Hard pass on that one," I replied with a grin. "Not even acting!"

"Once I have approval, I'll arrange for you to meet the girls."

"Sounds good."

"If it turns out you aren't comfortable with love scenes with either of the girls or they with you, I can find alternates."

"Given it's rated R, I can't imagine I'll have any concerns."

"Right, but directors have to ensure their couples are comfortable with each other and at least have a bit of screen chemistry."

"That makes sense. What's the premise for cheating?"

"Given where you work, that should be obvious!"

I chuckled, "The 'because I can get away with it' theory most traders have?"

"Exactly. His girlfriend is out of town; he runs into her younger sister. Younger sister offers her cherry, and he is more than happy to oblige. Younger sister then proceeds to brag to older sister about being able to take anything she has anytime she wants. Sparks fly."

"How long is your movie short?"

"About twenty minutes from each person's perspective. They can be up to forty minutes, and depending on editing, I might go longer than twenty. I'll film a lot more, but the final edits will take it down, and I'll mostly include dialogue, rather than action, especially given the limitations. Speaking of acting, did you consider the Streeterville Theatre?"

"I simply don't have time for something like that at this point, but it's not completely off my radar."

Chelsea arrived a few minutes later and greeted us, then went upstairs to check on Sofía. She hadn't called the agency, which I hoped meant she would keep her moralizing and proselytizing to herself. Chelsea's past behavior indicated Erin was correct in her assessment that Chelsea was infected with a virus that she wanted to spread and infect all those around her, so I was skeptical.

After breakfast, I dressed and then headed to the office via my usual three-elevator commute. After checking in with Rich, I made a pot of coffee, then caught up on the events from the long weekend. The Australian government was debating responses to the gun battle between the rival motorcycle gangs, but nothing had been decided. The only other major news of note was the Canadian elections.

Our analysis was a landslide victory for the Progressive Conservatives, who would oust the Liberals from power they'd held for twenty of the previous twenty-one years. Not only would the Progressive Conservatives win big, but they would win the first outright majority since the 1958 elections. In my estimation, a conservative government in Canada would bode well for US/Canadian relations as well as UK/Canadian relations, given Reagan was likely to win in a landslide in November and Thatcher had won a landslide the previous year.

After a few minutes of thought, I decided to move the global risk factors higher, as now there would be a completely united front against the Soviet Union — the UK, Canada, and the US, who, together with the Pope, would likely support Lech Wałęsa and his underground Solidarity movement in Poland. With martial law having been lifted in July 1983, I felt they were likely to re-emerge, especially given the series of landslide victories by anti-Communists in the US, UK, and Canada, and the support of Pope John Paul II, who was Polish.

I also felt that the outcome of the Canadian elections made a strike by GM workers in Canada far more likely. Labor unrest had been brewing, and it wouldn't surprise me if it came to a head within a month. In line with everything I'd read and our own internal analysis, I didn't see it having much effect on GM's stock price, as it, along with the rest of the market, was treading water, despite improving sales.

That said, those improving sales numbers likely wouldn't hold, and our analysis showed them dropping by as much as 10% in 1985, so a short might be in order. I made a note to have Tony assign someone to complete an analysis on the automotive sector, as there were indications Ford would have a very good year. The same was true for Chrysler, which continued to make an amazing recovery. I smiled, recalling my bet on them, which had resulted in Murray Matheson giving me a car, despite what ultimately happened to it.

I was interrupted when Violet came into the office just before 8:00am.

"Hi!" she exclaimed. "How was your trip?"

"Productive," I replied. "Both for Deanna and me. Let me complete my part of the report and speak to Jack; then we can catch up.

"OK!" Violet agreed.

I finished my part of the report and sent it to her so she could assemble the complete report for my review, then called Julie to see if there was anything Noel Spurgeon needed me to do. There wasn't, so once the Daily Analyst report was issued, I reviewed my portfolio holdings.

At 9:30am, Jack came to see me so we could discuss his progress with prospecting, and I handed him the business cards I'd collected in San Francisco.

"Send each of them a prospectus with our standard cover letter," I instructed. "Then follow up with calls next week."

"Will do," Jack replied. "How did Deanna do?"

"She sold all her paintings," I replied. "She also made some good contacts in the Bay Area, which has a much more vibrant art scene than Chicago, by a long shot."

"Cool. I'll get the documents out today. I made adjustments on Friday for our cash position; I'm sure you saw the trade confirmations."

"I did, thanks. Remember, next Monday I have jury duty, which could last a week."

"I have it on my calendar. How do we handle something big with regard to the Cincinnatus Fund?"

"Given what the markets are doing at the moment, I doubt we'll see big movement unless there is some major global event. If I understand how it works, if I'm not chosen for a jury by noon, I'll be released for the day, and I'll come in. If I am selected for a major criminal trial, it's tricky because the jury might be sequestered, and I most likely wouldn't have any chance to communicate with you. Matheson will be back from his trip, so go to him if something earth-shattering happens."

"What about a client who wants to speak to you?"

"First, try to handle it. If you can't, see if you can arrange an after-hours or early-morning call. In a worst-case scenario, call Julie and arrange for Noel Spurgeon to speak with them."

"Got it. Let me get to work!"

He left, and Violet came in.

"Did Dee sell her paintings?"

"Yes, and made some good contacts in the art scene. I just gave Jack some prospects from the high-net-worth individuals I met. I also have an investment opportunity with a livery company."

"Wow! It's like you have the Midas touch!"

"If you were to turn to gold, I'd be very unhappy!" I teased.

"Look, Mr. Literal," Violet said mirthfully, "you don't blow on it, you suck it! I could switch, and we'll see how happy you are with being literal!"

I laughed, "Don't you have work to do, Miss Clemmons!"

"Oh, there's a job to do, alright!" she smirked as she scooted from my office.

I returned to my usual analysis work, and Bianca brought in Bo Yang when he finished his orientation. We spoke for a few minutes, then he and Bianca left so he could get started. At lunchtime, Bianca, Jack, Violet, and I ate together in the break room, then returned to work. I placed calls I had promised, including to Marlena Volkmer to arrange lunch, Krissy Eubanks to confirm our date for later in the day, Alexa to agree to see her on Thursday, and Beth to arrange lunch. My final call was to Erin Laning to arrange a meeting with her and her dad to discuss her desktop publishing business.

At 5:00pm, I went upstairs to change into casual clothes, then retrieved my Saab to pick up Krissy for our date. At her request, we were going to Steak and Ale in Oak Brook.

"May I make a few observations?" Krissy asked when we were on the Ike heading for the Western Suburbs.