Chapter 64

“No.”

“Flintkote International?”

“No ... wait ... International?”

“Do you gentlemen and lawyers realize I can’t spend the interest on my trust fund ... I’ve tried ... seriously tried. Bought 18 million dollar boats ... a month worth of interest. I’ll admit mom bought it but she used my trust fund ... educational use.

“Why on earth would an anonymous buyer want to buy my little shop? Now that I’m production I can build one a day ... start to out the door. Fifteen thousand a day. I’ve been paying my crew out of my own pocket. The longer they work at it, the better they get.

“I have the customers ... you bought 7 between you three. And I’m getting orders based on word of mouth. Your mouths.”

The head lawyer said, “It’s been a long, cold day and I, for one, am worn out. It gets cold in Chicago ... but not like this. This is brutal. Miss Flintkote ... you have my heartfelt admiration. That you’ve kept your crew happy and working in such adversity is nothing short of miraculous. Perhaps ... but a nights’ repose and reflection isn’t going to change your mind ... is it?”

“No ... but now you know why a 12 foot sailboat costs fifteen thousand dollars. Hand built ... made in America ... even if the crew is Mexican...”

“Yes, I see. This isn’t something that can be mass produced.”

I said, “There is a company in New Zealand that builds them in foam and fiberglass. They don’t win as often ... they do win ... and they’re cheaper. You might suggest that to your principal.”

“I’m for bed ... I’ll call him in the morning.”

In the morning I was already at work when they left town.

At noon, during lunch at the Antler, Maria said, “Patrón, Your visitors? They ordered twenty five boats. Paid half down, too. I’ll deposit the check when the bank opens.”

“What?”

“I believe you have your first dealer,” she said.

“What?”

“All 25 boats ... and trailers are going to the same address,” she consulted a paper, “Ohio Street Beach and Racing, Chicago, Illinois.”

“There’s more,” she said. “Want to Sail? We teach. Want to Race? Come see Us. Equal Competition One Design Hulls.”

“And ... they’ll pick up the boats. I promised them possession by May 15th. You better get your ass in gear Missy.”

And she wasn’t done. “Your sister in law called. Tyche will be here Tuesday.”

“What?”

“You have to pick her up at the M31 Convention Center.”

“What? I don’t have a car.”

“Edgar will fetch her.”