Chapter 15: Merchant—an Interlude

Three-Martini Lunch

“Here’s to our joint venture in Thailand,” Fergie said, raising his martini. The other three raised their glasses.

“It’s a sweet deal. Fergie, you and Thomas must have negotiated the kimonos off them.”

“We got them to open the kimono a bit. I think we’ll get it off them soon, though. In the meantime, we have cheap labor, an existing factory, and a first order for our clothing before we’ve even opened the doors!” Thomas Cyning was as happy as the rest of them. Partly, that Fergie had cut him in on the deal. Between the two of them, even with a translator between them, they had brought about an agreement that would profit the partners upward of a hundred million a year. In ten years, Thomas could see that number soaring to the billion mark.

“Labor is so cheap there, I could see us moving the shoe factory over there, lock stock and barrel. That would teach a lesson to those strikers.”

“Would the quality be maintained if you moved the factory? I grant you that labor is being a pain in the neck right now, but everyone knows the standard of quality they get when they buy Covington Shoes.” The speaker was a banker who had fronted a great deal of cash to be in on this deal. Beside him was the lawyer who drew up all the papers and made sure they said what the translators in Thailand told them.

“That’s true. While I’d like to dump the whole lot of them, I realize that ‘Made in the USA’ trumps ‘Made in Thailand’ hands down. But don’t forget that we have talked a long time about the new fads for canvas and rubber shoes. I’ve had enough time to consider that they will continue to grow. I even foresee a time when young people wear nothing else.” Fergie was a keen visionary when it came to his market. Thomas had followed his lead because he could see the reasoning Fergie had. If he said there would be a time when the youth of America abandoned leather shoes for canvas ones, then it was worth noting. It still made Thomas shiver a bit. What was the world coming to?

“Putting a canvas shoe factory in Thailand sounds like a good idea. Count me in if you need a partner.” Thomas was stretched to the limit on his capital with the new Thailand deal, but it would take Fergie a while to get his plan for this new fashion ready to roll. By then, the clothing company they were opening now would have supplied enough return to replenish his coffers.

“Of course you are in, dear Thomas. You did a magnificent job in negotiating this deal. We make an excellent team.”