{"id":34636,"date":"2023-07-14T13:05:03","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T18:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=34636"},"modified":"2023-07-14T13:05:03","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T18:05:03","slug":"chapter-8-acquisitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/07\/14\/chapter-8-acquisitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 8: Acquisitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

After dropping his things off at the hotel in Misty Hollow, Alan headed back to the lobby to grab a bite at the food cart. His meeting with Strawberry was the next day. As he passed by the check-in desk, he saw a familiar face. \u201cLydia!\u201d he said, greeting the lavender mare with a cheeky grin. \u201cAm I to presume you’re here on the same business as I am?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it,\u201d said Lydia, face brightening. \u201cI’m going to win that contract, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ll see about that,\u201d Alan said good-naturedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it’s safe to say that Fairfax Publishing has a more attractive offer,\u201d Lydia continued, taking her key card from the clerk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s not just about the money,\u201d Alan argued as they walked away from the desk. \u201cThe right personal relationship can make up for financial shortcomings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s just another way of saying you’re cheap,\u201d Lydia said with a sidelong look. \u201cI’d expect nothing more from Monk Publishing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust you wait and see,\u201d Alan pestered her. \u201cMy bargaining skills are second to none.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me drop off my bag, and I\u2019ll buy you a drink,\u201d Lydia invited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure. That sounds good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c…as you can see in this chart, we offer very generous royalty rates; you\u2019re not going to find anything better in the industry,\u201d said Lydia during her lunch meeting the following day with Strawberry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d said Strawberry, trying to keep her face expressionless as she mulled over her options. It <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> a generous contract that was offered; but if the founders could throw off their own family members so easily, what might they do to their business associates? Aloud Strawberry said, \u201cApparently my boss is connected to the owners of your company?\u201d and immediately regretted it–what would Thomas think of her inserting herself into his family affairs?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, is that so?\u201d Lydia asked with a pinched smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome sort of family feud, a real shame,\u201d Strawberry remarked, sipping her coffee to strengthen her resolve. \u201cHe’s never even met his grandparents.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow dreadful,\u201d said Lydia without any great emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Strawberry coolly as she pushed the folio back toward Lydia. \u201cWell, your offer certainly is generous; but seeing how the company owners treat family, I’m disinclined to accept.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI assure you,\u201d Lydia insisted, \u201cyou will be treated equitably–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Strawberry, with unusual force.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I respect your decision,\u201d Lydia murmured. \u201cMight I walk back with you to the clinic? I\u2019d like to introduce myself to Dr. Fairfax. Family connections and all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, um\u2026 sure,\u201d said Strawberry, not sure how Thomas would take the intrusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time they’ve thought to reach out to us, when we have a connection to their business?\u201d Thomas scoffed at Lydia\u2019s greeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won’t deny it,\u201d Lydia said plainly. \u201cHowever, I do not dictate family policy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut that’s why you’re here, talking to me, so you can report back,\u201d Thomas said sharply. \u201cYour business is with Strawberry. Keep it that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome now, I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong hoof unnecessarily,\u201d said Lydia in a more cajoling tone, even as she studied the room and absorbed every detail. \u201cI haven’t done anything personally to harm you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m afraid I’m very busy and don’t have time to chat. So if that\u2019s all\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and your sister?\u201d Lydia queried, her darting gaze landing on a recent photo of the siblings from Elaine’s graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026\u201d Frowning, Thomas stood in front of the picture and blocked her line of vision. \u201cGood day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re being very cross today,\u201d Tabby said, herself feeling quite cross after he had snapped at her for leaving dirty dishes in the break room sink.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas looked at her as if coming out of a trance. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said apologetically. \u201cI guess I\u2019m just on edge. Apparently someone at Fairfax Publishing made the connection. Their agent came to say hello.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would they notice you now after nothing all these years?\u201d Tabby asked, relaxing her attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know, maybe it was just convenient, lining up with their business interests.\u201d Thomas shrugged. \u201cIn any case, they\u2019re not going to get any intel out of me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry. It\u2019s Alan Morrow with Monk Publishing,\u201d said Alan upon entering the clinic later that day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 I wasn\u2019t expecting you so soon,\u201d said Strawberry, looking up from her computer screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo worry, I\u2019ll just wait here,\u201d said Alan cheerfully. \u201cEr\u2026 the owner, Dr. Fairfax, wouldn\u2019t happen to be available, would he? He has family ties to the company, you know. I\u2019d like to introduce myself.\u201d Despite what Cecil had said, the crotchety old stallion would be curious, and Alan wanted to return with ample intel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check,\u201d Strawberry said with a wan look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alan rose with alacrity at the entrance of the veterinarian and held out a hoof. \u201cDr. Fairfax, it\u2019s a pleasure to meet you–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can cut the formalities, I know what they think and you\u2019re just talking to me to appease your curiosity,\u201d said Thomas with a grim smile, ignoring the proffered hoof. \u201cYou can let your boss know that we got along just fine without their support. Now you can get on with your business with Strawberry, but leave Elaine and me out of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d said Alan, backing down. Full of stubborn pride! The family resemblance was striking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a sensitive topic,\u201d Strawberry said by way of explanation as Thomas stalked off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Alan assured her, and settled into a chair to wait until Strawberry was available for their dinner meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

A white unicorn mare entered the room, with gently curling sapphire blue hair. Alan was struck by something in her appearance, and felt unusually tongue-tied. He stood up and introduced himself. \u201cAlan. Alan Morrow,\u201d he said, feeling dreadfully awkward as he extended his hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cElaine Fairfax,\u201d she said, bestowing on him a smile. And what a smile it was!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cF-Fairfax?\u201d It took Alan a moment for the name to register. He hadn\u2019t realized the granddaughter was here, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re here for an appointment?\u201d Elaine asked, looking around–for a patient, Alan realized.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I-I’m here to see Strawberry, actually,\u201d Alan stammered. That accursed stutter! He thought he\u2019d left that behind him years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, certainly,\u201d said Elaine cheerfully, making to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI represent Monk Publishing,\u201d Alan hastened on to explain that it was not a meeting of a personal nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

A change came over Elaine\u2019s countenance. \u201cMonk Publishing?\u201d she asked huskily, as if holding back tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY-yes,\u201d said Alan, cursing his lack of tact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaine broke down in tears. Alan helped her to a seat and hovered about solicitously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sorry, I’m a veritable water pot,\u201d she said, taking great heaving breaths. \u201cYou must think I’m a silly fool.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not at all,\u201d Alan assured her, offering her a tissue from a nearby box.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaine gratefully accepted it. \u201cIt’s just that my mother’s father was head of Monk Publishing–she was cut off from the family, you see–and it just occurred to me that you are the closest contact I’ve ever had with her family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s deplorable,\u201d Alan murmured, holding her hoof. Stories of the feud and the runaway lovers were the stuff of legend back home in Forest Brook, but had never seemed real until this very instant, with this mare, the product of that union\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s not your fault,\u201d Elaine said, sniffling and making a great effort to collect herself. \u201cIt’s not like anyone even knew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour grandfather knew,\u201d Alan said, frowning as he began to compose the conversation he would have with that stallion regarding his treatment of this mare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know him personally?\u201d Elaine perked up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Alan said, wanting only to take her in his forelegs and kiss away her tears. \u201cAnd I’ll tell him he’s a fool for not owning you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’ll do nothing of the sort,\u201d Elaine said with a hiccupy giggle. \u201cDon’t jeopardize your position on my account. It’s sweet of you to say, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cElaine, I need you!\u201d A wild-eyed pink unicorn appeared in the doorway. \u201cQuick!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaine jumped to her hooves. \u201cIt was nice meeting you, Mr. Morrow,\u201d she called behind her, already moving toward the other unicorn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlan. Call me Alan,\u201d the stallion said, dazzled.<\/span><\/p>\n

But she was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to keep you waiting,\u201d said Strawberry apologetically some time later to Alan. \u201cYou never know what will come up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo trouble,\u201d Alan assured her. He had waited patiently, hoping to catch another glance of Elaine, but she had remained out of sight. \u201cIf you have more to do–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s all,\u201d Strawberry said cheerfully, jangling her keychain. \u201cI\u2019m free to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d said Alan. Seeing that she was heading to the door, he jumped up to open it for her. He cast a final longing look at the doorway through which Elaine had disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

They arrived at the restaurant–this Estate Manor place. At least Alan had the more posh setting for his meeting, despite jibes over being cheap. The best lunch venue for Lydia\u2019s meeting had been a sandwich shop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m very happy where I am,\u201d Strawberry said demurely at the end of Alan\u2019s pitch. \u201cAs I told you over the phone, I’m not inclined to change publishers at this time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do to change your mind?\u201d Alan asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it certainly would be nice for your boss to recognize his grandchildren,\u201d Strawberry offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThough I don\u2019t directly control that,\u201d Alan said, \u201cI will certainly include that in my report. Are you sure you won\u2019t reconsider?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuite sure,\u201d Strawberry said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to order dessert?\u201d Alan asked, not missing a beat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, thank you. I\u2019m meeting friends later for ice cream,\u201d Strawberry declined, giving him a careful look. \u201cIn fact\u2026 I believe some of my co-workers will be there,\u201d she innocently added. \u201cYou could stop by. It\u2019s the ice cream shop on Second Avenue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll certainly take that under consideration,\u201d Alan said fervently.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can’t believe this! It should have been so easy!\u201d Lydia ranted when she met Alan later at the hotel bar. \u201cNeither of us got the contract–it\u2019s preposterous!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like our bosses will need to rethink their values if they want Strawberry,\u201d Alan observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs if that’ll happen.\u201d Lydia snorted. \u201cThe feud is their life blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut they like money, too,\u201d Alan said, contemplatively tapping his hoof, \u201cand when Strawberry is approached for movie rights\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lydia shook her head as if that could erase the memory of this disaster. \u201cI need something to take my mind off this. First round\u2019s on me.\u201d She gestured for the bartender.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot tonight, Lydia,\u201d Alan said, crying off. \u201cI\u2019m going for a walk\u2026 clear my head, you understand.\u201d He did not invite her to join him.<\/span><\/p>\n

He departed, leaving Lydia quite vexed. What was going on with him? He was far too upbeat, given the negative outcome of his mission. Frowning, Lydia settled in to her drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t you think you might be overreacting a little?\u201d Tabby asked, for once being the voice of reason in the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas scowled. \u201cThey have no right to intrude on our lives in this impersonal manner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf they were solely literary agents, you wouldn’t mind them,\u201d Tabby pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf they were <\/span>just<\/span><\/i> literary agents, they wouldn’t be trying to ingratiate themselves with me and Elaine,\u201d said Thomas stormily. \u201cIf the Fairfaxes and Monks really want to know how we’re doing, they can d-n well come see for themselves instead of leaving it to their flunkies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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