Sat
As the sun crested the eastern mountain tops, the frozen dew lay across a smooth field of grass, coating it in tiny white crystals. Birds began their morning hunt for food in the chill early winter air. Thankfully for Conor, while it could get excessively cold at night in the winter months, a strong sea breeze had blown a hint of salty air into the area, keeping it just at freezing this night. The sun's rays would quickly begin to warm the world. He stiffly sat up from under a pile of leaves, and a blanket a kind stranger had left him.
Through the mental fog that has become his reality, Conor heard a phone ringing. As he numbly answered, an over-excited voice yells at him over the noise of a crowd, "Conor! You are not going to believe this!!! Someone actually wants to pick up my game! Conor?! You there? Can you hear me?"
The words seemed distant and inconsequential to Conor as he tried to process the confusing melodrama that had become his life. "Yea, buddy. I am here. That's great. I am proud of you... be sure to talk to Mr. Nuri. He understands contracts and such and will protect you. Listen, I have to go..."
"Conor! It's going to be huge!" the noise from the crowd was a bit overpowering and Conor had a hard time hearing some of what Yuri was saying, "Will call... Nuri! ...... Have to come see...... ! will introduce you to.... !"
"Ok Yuri, you have fun. Congrats man. You earned it." Conor hung up, staring off in a mental haze, not really seeing the people walking in front of him. Conor stood, and began walking through the park along the broken and cracked path. The early morning mist slowly lifted around him to reveal pairs of elderly men seated at crumbling stone tables playing games with game pieces as old as they were. Their simple joy at the companionship found here in this rundown park was mesmerizing.
His phone rang again. "Yuri, I am not really in the mood."
"Mr. Brantley? Is this a bad time?"
"Umm. Hello?"
"Mr. Brantley, this is Abby Weiss, your financial manager with Mr. Nuri's office. We have a very promising offer from a gaming company for your controlling interest in the game the young man Yuri Lockman created. Would you be able to come by for a meeting at our office?"
Conor tried to wrench his thoughts out of the stupor he had been in and finally said, "Yes, yes of course. I am not at home.... I am..." he looked around for a landmark and realized he had wandered to a run-down city park on the far side of town. "I seem to be at the Jinstain city park on the north end of the park."
"Is that the old park that has been abandoned by the city?"
"I would say so..." Conor awkwardly acknowledged looking around him.
"Ok, I can send Anna Brooks to pick you up. She can be there in fifteen minutes."
Conor spent the time trying to collect his thoughts and mentally prepare himself to deal with people. A sleek red sports car revved its way up through the park and stopped in front of Conor, the passenger window slowly rolling down. "Mr. Brantley? If you are ready, I can take you back to the office."
Conor had forgotten that behind Ana's very professional attire was a rather attractive young woman with shoulder-length sandy brown hair. As he opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, a light scent of orange blossom began to clear his mental fog. "Yes, thank you, Anna." Conor leaned his head against the window as they drove back to Dreadnaught Law Firm.
"You didn't sleep outside did you, Mr. Brantley? I don't mean to pry, it's just... you have a leaf..." as they slowed to a stop at a red light, she gently reached over and plucked a moist leaf from his hair.
"It was a rough day yesterday. Some things were said... anyway. Sometimes I really wish a day could be redone. Perhaps different choices would have allowed her to see the real possibilities, not the tainted stories."
Anna Brooks glanced at Conor again, but he had slumped back against the window. She opted for silence. While the rest of the ride was quiet, it was companionable, and by the time they arrived, Conor felt more alert and ready to deal with business. "Thank you, Miss. Brooks. Shall we?" he gestured to the door, holding it open for her, and then following her up to the conference room they had used on previous occasions.
When they arrived, Anna held the door open for him, "I will be just down the hall. This is not a real estate negotiation so I am not needed for this one."
In the room, Mr. Nuri awaited with Jarad, Abby Wiess, and another well-dressed gentleman Conor did not recognize.
The gentleman said with a cruel smile, "I apologize, but this is a private negotiation."
"Peace, Marcus, this is Mr. Brantley. Forgive his attire, he had experienced an emotional distress, and overall, prefers to remain low key." Replied Mr. Nuri, addressing the newcomer. "Mr. Brantley, this is Mr. Marcus Hartland, the legal representation from NewAge Gaming. They are eager to talk to us about acquiring young Mr. Yuri Lockman's game. They were surprised to learn that you have a controlling interest in the game."
"I also helped beta test it," Conor said absently.
"Really?" sneered Mr. Hartland "We are prepared to buy out your share for cash."
Conor's mind sharpened, as a strange force swelled in his chest. He knew this feeling, and knew to trust it. "I am interested in money, as I have immediate needs for other investments. However, I am more interested in long-term partnerships. I intend to see that young Yuri is well looked after."
Mr. Hardland squirmed hesitantly under Conor's intensified gaze. "Of course. We have every intention of cultivating Mr. Lockman's potential. We have even offered him a job as a lead programmer. But we are here to discuss our buyout of your interests."
A predatory glimmer lit Conor's eye and he glanced to Mr. Nuri, "My interests are long term, and dependent on Yuri being an intricate part of future production." Conor nodded and continued, "Mr. Nuri, I will leave you for a time. Please see what you can negotiate. I need a sum for short-term investments, but I expect a long-term stake in NewAge. I will return in an hour."
Mr. Nuri and Jarad both stood, nodded, and saw Conor out. Mr. Hardland's eyes followed them with shock and consternation. Conor leaned over to Jarad and whispered, "You wouldn't happen to have showers here, would you? I would love to clean up."
Jarad suppressed a grin and said, "Yes of course, down the hall to the left, we have a staff bathroom with a shower, I will have someone drop off a suit for you shortly. and don't worry, when you return, we will have a good deal ready."
"Good, thank you."