"In Brooklyn, you don't get baptized. They just blow cigarette smoke in your face."
✎ word count: 5.2k words
| VR121/849JE/R499S | |
|---|---|
| Status | In Reserve |
| Demand | High |
| Value | 1,200,000 USD / 888,048 GBP |
| Availability | Current Inventory 1, Potentially Unique |
| Identifier | High-Interest Ledger |
| Description | Item is a ledger used for recording purchases and debt accrued by clients. When recorded in this ledger, the amount of money owed by a client will steadily increase — equivalent to the interest acquired by a 350%-600% Annual Percentage Rate loan. This will be reflected in all written records of the transaction, as well as the client's memory thereof. |
| Marshall, Carter and Darke, Ltd. | |
| Initial Writeup | |
|---|---|
| Penned by: | Warren Harvester |
| Date | July 28th, 1986 |
| Interest | Medium-High |
| Identifier | High-Interest Ledger |
| Seldom do I find myself in Brooklyn these days — I'd rather not surround myself by men in sweaty wifebeaters who think they're someone just because their daddy sold drugs and had the basic sense not to do them himself. Their profit margins are usually nothing but pocket change, to boot. At least that's true for the vast majority — not all, I've come to find. I was introduced to a man running auctions in the city. Typical Little Italy type, albeit somewhat better dressed. People I spoke to referred to him as "LJV," or by the more ostentatious moniker, "Ledger Larry". Despite owning an auction house, he was apparently known for selling items directly to 'special clients'. I spoke to some of these individuals and soon learned that 'special client' was apparently a euphemism for 'sucker'. They claimed to have purchased items from him, been offered a loan, then paid him back much more than the original purchase price — the equivalent of an interest rate of several hundred percent, once all was said and done. Apparently, according to them, they'd actually agreed to pay such ridiculous rates. I asked them why, and they paused with a bewildered look in their eye and stated that they did not remember. One even showed me a receipt with his signature. Upon speaking to the man — who introduced himself formally as Mr. Lorenzo Violanti Jr. — I learned that his ledger was the source of his ability to compel clients to pay more than they originally agreed to. At first, I was skeptical; fearing that these clients were simply ashamed of how much they'd paid, but after taking a closer look, I discerned that the ledger was the real deal. I need not explain why this item is of great interest to us. |
|
| File Opened Under: | VR121/849JE/R499S |
| Marshall, Carter & Darke Ltd. | |
| Acquisition | ||
|---|---|---|
| VR121/849JE/R499S | ||
| Date | Seller | Amount Owed |
| 07/30/1986 | Lorenzo Violanti Jr. | 200,000 USD |
| Marshall, Carter and Darke, Ltd. | ||
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39024
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-01
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
PENNED BY: WARREN HARVESTER
Allegedly, we've been lied to. From what I've heard, we've tried out this thing four separate times on four separate transactions, and nothing that we were told has happened yet. I even tried it myself, and every number written on that damn book has not gone up by a penny. Maybe it's because I was writing it and not using a stamp? I have no clue — he should be the one telling us.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39029
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-02
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: WARREN HARVESTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
That is quite concerning.
Bring him to me. If he was deceptive, I'll be selling his ledger back to him at his markup.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39033
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-03
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
PENNED BY: WARREN HARVESTER
I tried to contact him, but I don't know where he is. I had someone go by the auction house, but it was closed. He wasn't at home either.
Just give me some time and I'll figure this out.
| Acquisition | ||
|---|---|---|
| VR121/849JE/R499S | ||
| Date | Seller | Amount Paid |
| 07/30/1986 | Lorenzo Violanti Jr. | 300,000 USD |
| Marshall, Carter and Darke, Ltd. | ||
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39204
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-04
DATE: 09/30/1986
TO: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
PENNED BY: WARREN HARVESTER
I can't believe what I just heard.
It was about when we bought that allegedly 'anomalous' ledger off that auction house guy in NYC. He received his payment about a month after we agreed on a price — right before I started suspecting that it might be bullshit. Well, I guess I was wrong about that, because I just spoke on the phone with the London office. The manager there swears up and down that I told him we made the deal for $100,000 less than what we ended up paying. The worst part is that I truly can't recall if he's correct.
Here's the thing, though — nobody wrote anything down in that ledger at the time of purchase, nor did they stamp it. Why would they? The auction guy had to get a new one after he sold it, so this shouldn't be possible?
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39212
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-05
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: WARREN HARVESTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
If this "gentleman" thinks he can conduct business with us in that manner, tell your guys to retrieve him and bring him in tomorrow. No later. What they have to do to make it happen does not concern me, so long as I am able to speak to him myself.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39221
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-06
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
PENNED BY: WARREN HARVESTER
I gave them the details this morning.
P. S. I'll verbally establish any deals I make with a few people in London, just to be safe.
AUDIO FILE VR121/849JE/R499S-01
DATE: 09/12/1986
TIME BEGIN: 03:26PM UTC -41
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[PERCIVAL DARKE sits across the desk from LORENZO VIOLANTI JR.]
PERCIVAL: I assume you had a lovely trip here, did you?
LORENZO: You know, I won't act like it was my first time getting cuffed and thrown into someone's car.
PERCIVAL: Believe me, I'm quite aware of your history. You've been arrested how many times?
LORENZO: You said you knew, why ask me?
PERCIVAL: Seven times.
LORENZO: So what? Come on, Darke, you're telling me you never got caught up on the wrong side of a deal?
PERCIVAL: I won't lie and tell you I haven't, but you would be a fool to believe for a second that I would ever find myself in the back of a police car.
LORENZO: Right… Wish I was rich enough to have it easy like that.
PERCIVAL: Thus you settle for allowing yourself to be thrown in a cage? Are you not ashamed?
LORENZO: Fuck no. I didn't let them keep me there — who cares about the rest?
[LORENZO folds his arms.]
PERCIVAL: Well, as far as I am concerned, your luck has run out.
LORENZO: I don't know about that…
PERCIVAL: You don't? Despite how I take pride in not being an imbecile who would let a blatant scam skate by. You truly think that I would give that up?
LORENZO: I mean, you already gave up not being a fool who'd forget how much they agreed to buy something for.
[PERCIVAL puts both hands on the desk, leaning forward.]
PERCIVAL: You act like that pocket change you tacked on means anything to me. That's nowhere near what I'd ever view as a concern.
LORENZO: Yeah, I know it doesn't. That's why I took that risk.
PERCIVAL: Did you also believe that about what we paid to purchase your phony duplicate ledger?
LORENZO: Hold on… duplicate ledger?
PERCIVAL: Don't you play dumb with me.
LORENZO: Jeez, I'm not.
PERCIVAL: Quite a few people tested the ledger and waited over a month's time. Not a modicum of change, not even a single cent.
LORENZO: User error, maybe?
[PERCIVAL laughs.]
PERCIVAL: One of our employees was confronted about the proposed rate when given a receipt, after we were foolish to believe that it would be accepted in accordance with what we'd written. Not only that, we lost a client — one who trusted us enough to believe the whole 'special client' spiel. As for the employee, he had never once in his life been cussed at by a client. At least not until you came along.
LORENZO: Listen, that's on you.
PERCIVAL: Why don't you admit your fault and provide us the genuine item? Then, perhaps I'll feel kind enough to charge you for no more than your gluttony.
LORENZO: No can do, that was the only one I had.
PERCIVAL: Why do you think I should believe you?
LORENZO: You think I'm blowing smoke up your ass? How could I have even screwed with your receipts and your ledger?
PERCIVAL: My theory is that you wrote the details down in the real ledger that day, after taking your leave. We didn't agree on a loan, but the price changed as if we did.
LORENZO: Oh?
PERCIVAL: Hm. The only potential issue with such an idea arises if the copy you made would have been treated as a separate transaction — one that we did not agree to, thus rendering it unable to affect the one that we did agree to. Yet, our office in London confirmed a change on our documentation that you had no hand in.
LORENZO: Naturally.
PERCIVAL: So, if it was recorded from your side, in a ledger that had only ever used for funds owed to you, and the ledger thus accepted the record as an entirely separate exchange…
[PERCIVAL pauses.]
PERCIVAL: Then, it could not be caused by the ledger at all.
[LORENZO remains silent and runs his hand through his slicked back hair.]
PERCIVAL: What might it be instead, pray tell?
LORENZO: Why would I tell you? If you make me pay back the money, aren't you concerned that I could just use whatever you think I have to make the balance owed turn to straight zeros?
PERCIVAL: Oh, is that how it works — what you have?
LORENZO: I dunno, is it? Double it and I'll tell you everything.
PERCIVAL: You're really planning to do that? I don't think that would be very wise…
LORENZO: Shit, you're right. Triple it — I know you low-balled me the first time.
PERCIVAL: You know, you really do have some gall, don't you? That, or you're just an imbecile. Who's to say I won't threaten your life?
LORENZO: I'd imagine you'd say that. I mean, I know I'm nothing special, but if you kill me, all you have is blood on your hands and a bunch of debt. What else?
[PERCIVAL inhales sharply, then pauses.]
PERCIVAL: Fine.
LORENZO: Fine?
PERCIVAL: Fine, I'll pay, but only if you close your mouth and shake my hand before I change my mind.
[PERCIVAL DARKE and LORENZO VIOLANTI JR. shake hands.]
[END STENOGRAPHER’S STONE TRANSCRIPTION.]
TIME CONCLUDED: 04:03PM UTC-4
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39226
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-07
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: WARREN HARVESTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
I feel embarrassed even telling you this.
We were just schemed and scammed out of three hundred thousand United States Dollars by the man from Brooklyn…
The ledger was utterly valueless, but he got us to pay regardless. Then, he somehow managed to smuggle in an additional 50% markup. I confronted him a few moments ago, but he still convinced me to agree to pay triple this figure so I may learn how he truly carried out his manipulations of price.
I feel as though I've finally gone mad — the sole occurrence of myself falling victim to such tricks in the last two centuries, and it's at the hands of a man boasting nothing but minor mafia affiliation and ownership of a pitiful place of auction. If I were not so utterly humiliated, I would likely be impressed by his abilities.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39230
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-08
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
PENNED BY: WARREN HARVESTER
We all make mistakes, Percival. At least it wasn't more.
My only concern is that, while it's really not much to us, I'm sure you don't want to set that precedent. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if what he got out of us was more than he'd seen in the last decade — his usual schemes are worthless in comparison. If this is another trick, I can try to recover as much as possible, just give me the go ahead.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39238
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-09
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: WARREN HARVESTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
Please remain on standby. I'd like to hear from him first.
I should know within a few hours.
AUDIO FILE VR121/849JE/R499S-02
DATE: 09/12/1986
TIME BEGIN: 10:19PM UTC -4
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[PERCIVAL DARKE sits across the desk from LORENZO VIOLANTI JR.]
PERCIVAL: Mr. Porter showed you the cash before you came in here, correct?
LORENZO: You guys really have a thing for drama, huh.
PERCIVAL: Of course, we can't neglect presentation. However, you must see the utility in a cash payment, given your particular brand of chicanery.
LORENZO: Assuming that's why your guys gave me a range for how much I'd really be getting, had me count the cash by hand, and insisted on watching me take a piss? Either that, or you're running a real different kind of operation here…
[LORENZO laughs.]
PERCIVAL: Our "kind of operation" is one of crossing Ts and dotting Is, Mr. Violanti. You've made it clear that we must take into account your lack of deference.
LORENZO: You know, I almost feel like I should be flattered.
[LORENZO sits up straighter in his chair.]
PERCIVAL: Oh, please. Lest we forget, you're not quite out of the woods yet.
LORENZO: Until I know that cash wasn't just funny money, I'm fine right where I am, woods and all. You don't trust me, I don't trust you.
PERCIVAL: That reminds me, Porter needs your banking details to send his runner out to deposit the cash.
[PERCIVAL stands up and looks toward the door.]
LORENZO: And what if I'm more of an "under the mattress" kinda guy?
PERCIVAL: That would make you a moron, unworthy of my time.
LORENZO: Just a joke, for the record.
[LORENZO turns his head to face the stenographer.]
PERCIVAL: Only the poorest, richest, and dumbest act so cavalier about that much cash.
LORENZO: You're 100% right. And I'm the guy who apparently schemed you out of hundreds of thousands, sitting in your office in a polyester suit. So, is your guy gonna come in here and have me give him the info verbally, just in case?
PERCIVAL: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, yes?
LORENZO: I won't disagree.
[URIEL PORTER enters the room, spending roughly seven minutes exchanging pleasantries and confirming LORENZO's bank account information.]
PERCIVAL: Now that we have that business handled, why don't we get on with your side of the bargain?
LORENZO: Not until I got the deposit slip in my hand, sorry.
PERCIVAL: Excuse me? You are aware that it has been almost six hours since the banks have closed, correct?
LORENZO: Yup.
[LORENZO gestures at a clock on the wall behind PERCIVAL.]
PERCIVAL: That won't do — I must mention that the deal is off if you leave the premises.
LORENZO: Fine by me. House2 is closed tomorrow. I have nowhere to be tomorrow morning.
PERCIVAL: The bank you use opens when, exactly?
LORENZO: Eight o'clock sharp, so just over nine hours. You have people here overnight, don't you? Heard one of the guys in the lobby complaining about it.
PERCIVAL: You plan to remain here until tomorrow morning, wait for Porter's runner to deposit the cash, then return from the bank — and only then will you tell me the method by which you stole money from my company.
[PERCIVAL pauses.]
PERCIVAL: Is that what you are legitimately proposing?
LORENZO: I've played ball with you this whole time, have I not?
PERCIVAL: That's immaterial to the fact that we do not permit employees nor visitors to sleep in our offices.
LORENZO: I slept in this morning, I don't mind reading the paper.
Maybe a little self reflection? Meditation, even?
PERCIVAL: This is all that matters to you? Do you not have children at home to care for?
LORENZO: My son Octavio, but he's fourteen now — more than old enough to be home alone.
[PERCIVAL exhales.]
PERCIVAL: If that's what you want, fine. Just know that I will be forced to call someone in to supervise you.
LORENZO: Your people seem loyal, shouldn't be too big a deal.
[LORENZO smiles, then stands up to reach across the desk and shake PERCIVAL's hand. He then asks to be excused before walking to the lobby.]
[END STENOGRAPHER’S STONE TRANSCRIPTION.]
TIME CONCLUDED: 10:48PM UTC-4
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39241
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-10
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: RUPRECHT S. CARTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
If I had not been in business for so long, I'd likely say with full confidence that this Violanti character has something legitimately wrong with him. He counted the cash himself and we ensured that he could not manipulate the transaction. Then, Porter received the information necessary to deposit the cash into his bank account. Somehow that still wasn't good enough for him. Now, he demands to see the deposit slip before he'll utter a word.
Seldom have I met a man this stubborn. Would you believe that he offered to remain at the office until his bank reopens tomorrow morning, even after I insisted that he be both continuously supervised and prohibited from sleeping?
I suppose he will be deprived of sleep when we speak tomorrow morning. What this means is not yet clear to me — it may be a blessing, or it may be a curse.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39245
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-11
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
PENNED BY: RUPRECHT S. CARTER
Weirdly disciplined for someone who relies upon theft and scheming as a way to gain wealth. But, I suppose if he were normal, he wouldn't have gotten one past you like he did. I wouldn't trust him, though.
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39249
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-12
DATE: 09/12/1986
TO: RUPRECHT S. CARTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
You're aware that we trust such individuals every day. I truly, truly hate to inform you but quite a few exist within our ranks, but we keep them fat and happy so they maintain no will to oppose us. My principle concern is that, even with the extravagant funds we are providing in cash for no more than information on a singular item, he shows no loyalty to us or our desires.
Mr. Violanti is unusually oppositional, foolhardy, and far too confident, yet he has so far maintained a level of competence that cannot be fully overlooked. He leaves me without any semblance of decisiveness with regards to what we shall do with him.
At this point I will retire to my home, and return early tomorrow morning. Tonight, he will remain awake, but I will take no part in such masochism.
AUDIO FILE VR121/849JE/R499S-02
DATE: 09/13/1986
TIME BEGIN: 9:08AM UTC -4
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[PERCIVAL DARKE sits across the desk from LORENZO VIOLANTI JR.]
PERCIVAL: So, Lorenzo, how are you feeling this morning? I feel quite well rested, in fact.
[PERCIVAL smiles.]
LORENZO: I'd be better if you got that Porter guy back in here with my slip.
PERCIVAL: The runner departed in a timely manner — perhaps there was a line at the bank?
LORENZO: I'm good waiting until that guy decides he's stalled enough. You mind if I excuse myself for a minute or two?
PERCIVAL: So you can return to the facilities and do more cocaine, correct?
[LORENZO crosses his arms.]
LORENZO: What's it to you?
PERCIVAL: Perhaps I do not appreciate such conduct in my offices? Have you never been in a professional setting in your life?
LORENZO: Then you better take a closer look at everyone else here — some of these people are twitching like you wouldn't imagine.
[PERCIVAL sighs.]
PERCIVAL: Why don't we just sit and wait for Porter, alright?
LORENZO: Whatever works for you.
[PERCIVAL sorts through paperwork, while LORENZO sit in silence.]
PERCIVAL: You know, Mr. Violanti, I'm aware of why you — the second youngest of your siblings — were the one to inherit your father's 'business'.
LORENZO: Oh boy…
PERCIVAL: Are you aware of the existence of the SCP Foundation?
[LORENZO sighs.]
LORENZO: Me and my brother Carmine, we used to rip on our sister for running off to work for those snooty assholes. Then, two years ago, they took his ass too.
PERCIVAL: So you do know?
LORENZO: You know, the part that pisses me off is that I'm 99% sure that he didn't even deserve it. He probably just lifted enough information from his calls with Maria to write some business psych book. The Foundation freaked and took him in. Somehow, he got them to buy some bullshit about how him knowing so much about their operations was some kinda coincidence.
PERCIVAL: I would almost be concerned that you and your family are the anomalous ones. We have money hanging in the balance, but the Foundation could just take his memories and shove him out the door.
LORENZO: I wish. Truth is, they probably just let him stick around long enough for him to fix some shit they cared about.
PERCIVAL: Intriguing.
LORENZO: I guess?
PERCIVAL: Your family appears to view scheming as second nature.
LORENZO: That's called survival. You ever been poor?
PERCIVAL: If I informed you of the year in which I founded this company, I feel as though your head would spin.
LORENZO: Ah. You don't know what it's like to grow up sleeping on the living room floor and wearing your father's oversized suit for school pictures.
PERCIVAL: I understand your desire to improve your status, yet I fail to see how you didn't bother to attempt to do so within the framework of legitimate enterprise.
LORENZO: That wasn't the way we did things. You tried, and if you failed, there was always a backup under the table. I was just smart enough not to waste my time.
PERCIVAL: You truly have no integrity, I'm to believe?
LORENZO: Integrity isn't free when you're in business. If you can afford it, it does you good to pay. The people written in that ledger can afford it, but just don't bother. I'd be a sucker to spend every dollar I have, when they won't even part with 1%.
[URIEL knocks on the door, then enters. The clock reads 9:34AM. He and PERCIVAL exchange pleasantries, after which, he presents LORENZO with the deposit slip he requested.]
PERCIVAL: Is it to your satisfaction? You're aware that we will be taking that back, and more, should this be another trick of yours.
LORENZO: Relax, I won't test my luck. Especially not for someone who's been so generous.
PERCIVAL: Don't attempt to flatter me. I suggest you give me what I just paid such an extravagant amount for.
LORENZO: Fine, fine.
[LORENZO pauses.]
PERCIVAL: And that is what, exactly?
LORENZO: A stamp.
PERCIVAL: Pardon me?
LORENZO: It's a stamp. You know, one of those rolling dial ones? With the belts on them for each number?
[PERCIVAL hums.]
PERCIVAL: Are you entirely certain that you are being honest?
LORENZO: See for yourself. It's been in my glove box this whole time.
PERCIVAL: You keep a high value anomalous object in your car's glove compartment?
LORENZO: Locked glove compartment… plus, I hide it under some paper and keep some cash on top. You know, if someone busts it open, odds are, they'll take the cash and run.
[PERCIVAL pauses.]
PERCIVAL: You're aware that what you just told me is undeniably irresponsible? I'd put it on par with keeping cash under your mattress if it didn't require rationale and forethought.
LORENZO: Why keep it on me if I don't have to? It's not like my pockets have a lock on them.
[PERCIVAL sighs.]
PERCIVAL: I suppose it's proven helpful, at least on this occasion.
LORENZO: I'd offer to go grab it, but you wouldn't take a risk like that, I know that much.
PERCIVAL: Of course not.
[PERCIVAL picks up the phone and uses it to call URIEL back to the office. He arrives about a minute later.]
PERCIVAL: Uriel, would you assist me in retrieving an item?
URIEL: Whatever you need.
[PERCIVAL gestures to LORENZO, who then looks over to URIEL and smiles.]
LORENZO: Gold rotary stamp. It's in my glove box, under the cash and the stack of papers.
[LORENZO reaches into his pocket and retrieves a set of car keys. He tosses them to URIEL, who nearly misses, but manages to catch them.
LORENZO: Dark green Caddy out front.
URIEL: Please be more specific?
LORENZO: Mia culpa. 76' DeVille — it's a sedan, parked against the building. Just walk out the door and turn right.
URIEL: Oh. Walked past it this morning, actually.
LORENZO: Appreciate it.
[URIEL addresses PERCIVAL.]
URIEL: And is there anything else you'd like me to do?
PERCIVAL: That will be it, thank you.
[END STENOGRAPHER’S STONE TRANSCRIPTION.]
TIME CONCLUDED: 10:01AM UTC-4
| VR121/849JE/R499S — REVISED | |
|---|---|
| Status | In Reserve |
| Demand | Very High |
| Value | 100,800,000 USD / 80,083,908 GBP |
| Availability | Current Inventory 1, Potentially Unique |
| Identifier | Editor's Stamp |
| Description | Item is a gold rotary stamp, able to display a price of up to 9,999,999.99 USD in value. When used on top of any price on an existing stamped, typed, or handwritten document, the amount the stamp is dialed to will replace what was present before. This will be reflected in all written records of the transaction. So long as the document stamped is one signed by both parties involved in the transaction, the client's memory of the transaction will be one in which they agreed to the stamped price, although they may still question why they agreed to it. |
| Marshall, Carter and Darke, Ltd. | |
| Initial Writeup | |
|---|---|
| Penned by: | Percival Darke |
| Date | September 13th, 1986 |
| Interest | Very High |
| Identifier | Editor's Stamp |
| It has likely been upwards of a century since I've met someone like Mr. Lorenzo Violanti Jr. — seldom do I speak to someone as brash, pig-headed, and seemingly incapable of decorum or respect without hating them to the point of fantasizing about their head on a pike. This item was obtained, solely due to my patience and ability to withstand what I never thought I would. Even moreso when the man responsible is taken into consideration. In fact, the sole reason I do not feel far too humiliated to put the truth to pen and paper is the value of the acquisition, as well as its versatility. First and foremost, should we choose to sell the item, it is my belief that multiple clients of ours would pay upwards of eighty million pounds to possess such an item. Even at that price, the stamp could pay for itself in as few as eleven uses — nearly robbery, if one were to ask me. Should we choose to keep the item, we could use it to raise prices paid, that is certain, yet I see another method that may be of even greater value over the long term. A client's loyalty is everything, but there is only so much we may allow them to bargain, lest we cut a noticeable slice from our annual revenue. With the Editor's Stamp, we are able to offer long-time clients a special price, ensuring that they remain loyal. Once they leave satisfied, edits to the record will ensure that they pay a fair market value. Until a plan for the item's long term use is decided upon, I have made the decision that I will be keeping it in my personal possession. |
|
| File Opened Under: | VR121/849JE/R499S |
| Marshall, Carter & Darke Ltd. | |
INTERNAL MEMO No. 39389
ATTACHMENT CODE: VR121/849JE/R499S-13
DATE: 10/15/1986
TO: URIEL R. PORTER
PENNED BY: PERCIVAL A. DARKE
First and foremost, I appreciate your assistance in the acquisition of VR121/849JE/R499S. I believe it to have been essential for such a favourable outcome. For that I must offer recognition.
Secondarily, I find myself on the precipice of making a potentially foolish decision. I do not yet feel comfortable disclosing it, but if I decide in its favor, you will be the first person I tell. It involves you being given an additional task, so I thought it necessary to give you foreknowledge. I have made the choice to spend time in contemplation, lest I end up in a position I regret.
20 September, 1986
To Mr. Lorenzo John Violanti Jr.,
I hope this letter finds you well. I assume that you did not intend to hear from me, or anyone else at my company once you were provided the funds for your item and its associated instance of bribery. In fact, if you were not so clearly attached to your neighbourhood, I would fear that this letter might not reach you, should you have run off and purchased a house on a beach somewhere. To be truthful, I cannot discern whether you will still possess ninety-five percent of the funds you were paid ten years from now, or if you will be without the entirety by this time in 1987.
Your behaviour within my office was shameful, I must say. Your conduct was entirely improper, inappropriate, and frankly astounding to witness, as the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company. Despite this, I found myself incapable of having you removed. For a fraction of the money my company made during the time spent in my office, I endured your crass mannerisms and lack of respect. Are you aware that your suit reeks of cigarettes and dry cleaning chemicals?
But, after several days of contemplation, I realized that my fascination was borne of a desire to see us on the same side of things. I found myself considering the hypothetical effectiveness of your nature should you be set upon difficult clients or oppositional actors. Your confidence, while unwarranted, impudent, and frankly, somewhat unpleasant, is an asset — for those reasons. The fact that it had an effect, even against me, makes me quite curious about how a businessperson less seasoned and less shrewd than myself would react.
Mr. Violanti, I see a version of you that is not currently existent, but I believe can be created. It is an iteration of yourself with nicer attire, fewer curse words, respect for deserving authority, and less of a tendency to scowl. I am aware that it would not occur overnight, but I am willing to be patient, so long as you put in the effort required to become a better man, no offense intended.
I am extending to you a consideration that shall stand, so long as you are amicable to making these alterations. My ultimate purpose for sending this letter is to offer you employment, should you choose not to languish in mediocrity until you end up in prison. Take it as a compliment that I would believe that to be a waste of your talents.
I look forward to your prompt reply,
Percival Atherolis Darke, CEO
Marshall, Carter and Darke, Ltd.