“Money Talks”

by Jo and Stacey

Sid went into the bedroom, closed the door, and called Alex Ross. From what he'd observed of the man, they just might be
able to work out a mutual agreement, something that would be of benefit to them both. Alex wanted to start a shit-rag of a
newspaper and needed money. Sid had all the money in the world and liked the idea of some favorable articles about himself and his wife in print.

"Mr. Ross," he began, "I understand you might be in the market for someone to back your new newspaper. Ever since I've been here, I've thought The Glen Times could use a bit of competition. Bit of favoritism going on toward a certain sea captain who wants to be town mayor. You interested in some of the vast amount of funding I just happen to have at my disposal?"

"Could be," Alex told him, leaning back in his chair. He'd heard a lot about Sid Harbor... and none of it really good, but money talks and Alex was more than willing to listen. "Can we meet somewhere to discuss the particulars? Say, in an hour, if that fits into your busy schedule?"

"What if you come to my house? Be more private that way. I'll be here."

Into the spider's lair, Alex mused, then answered, "Sounds good. I'll be there in about an hour." He hung up the phone, and smiled to himself, "Well, well, well... things seem to be lookin' up for you, Ross... so don't blow this."

He'd been trying to get his paper off the ground for a while now. Even had a place picked out for an office. Unfortunately, it was a lack of funds that had kept Alex from getting any further than just the planning stages.

He'd done a few jobs on the side, but nothing that paid well enough to start up a business. This was the big break he'd been hoping for. If Sid Harbor was indeed willing to fund his business, well, he figured he could write a few nice things about the man in return. So what if he had to fudge a little on some of the facts here and there, it'd be worth it. All this ran through his mind as Alex drove over to Sid's unique house on the edge of town.

When he arrived, Alex parked his car and lit up a cigarette, "Now where the fuck is the door?" he wondered to himself as he stood staring at the large glass structure. Finally, after a moment, he figured it out and rang the doorbell.

Sid answered the door, eyeing the cigarette. "Not inside," he said instead of a greeting. His house was immaculate, his wife pregnant.

Alex tilted his head, grinned, then put out his cigarette. "Nice digs," he told Sid, as he walked into the house.

There was something...sloppy...about the man, like he'd slept in his clothes or maybe been mugged on his way over. His choice of tie was atrocious. Sid stared at him a moment, trying to decide if he needed to spread a towel over the couch before the man sat. He sighed and led him into the living room, indicating a chrome chair with modern curves and swirls and no upholstery.

"Tell me what you need," he said without preamble. "If I like the sound of it, you've got it."

Alex squirmed in the chair a bit, trying to get comfortable. Damn hard chair. "Well, in a nutshell," he said, rubbing his hand across his chin, "I need enough to cover  rent on an office space, a printing press and everything else that goes into running a paper. I've found a space in town that's willing to rent to me on the cheap, and I found a top-notch press in Coff's that's only slightly used. Here's the figures we're lookin' out to get the business off the ground." Alex pulled a folded slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Sid. "So, what do ya think? You willing to shell out the dough?"

"It's not very much," Sid commented. "What kind of operation can you run with this paltry sum?"

Alex cleared his throat. He'd just handed Sid a slip of paper with the amount of $200, 000 on it and the man just reacted like it was nothing to him. "I think I can run quite a lucrative business, actually. With the shit that happens in this town... I'd never be at a loss for stories, that's for certain. And of course, with your backing, I'd make sure that I'd put in a good word for you with the voters. Least I could do."

Sid smiled, a closed-lip smile with hidden things behind it. "The very least," he purred. "And what about staff? The Times has a whole stable of young fillies out collecting news. How will you complete with that, Mr. Ross?"

"Don't think it'd take much to compete with the Times. Heck, the boss-man is never even in and they were so short-handed the other day that they even had me fill in for them," Alex chuckled. "Besides, I've already got an office girl lined up, as well as several insiders that are willing to keep me informed on the goings on here in town. As soon as the money starts comin' in, though, I'd be lookin' to expand the staff a bit... hire on a reporter or two and a couple of photogs. Those paps over in Coffs that caught McGee foolin' around with that dame on his boat last week? Friends of mine. Said they'd be willing to hire on here if the money was steady."

"There is no problem with the money being steady. The only problem might be with the product. It needs to be... different... than the Times, more interesting."

Just then Kate came down the steps. "Darling," Sid said, extending a hand in her direction, "we may just have financed a newspaper. Are you interested?"

Kate's eyes darted from her husband to the man sitting across from him and her brow furrowed. She'd seen this man with Colin the day of the barbeque and now here he was sitting in her living room with her husband. What was he up to? she wondered. Quickly recovering herself, Kate smiled brightly and answered, "Quite...interested." She turned to Ross and added, "I assume as investors in your little paper that we will no doubt have only...favorable...articles written about us then? With my husband running for mayor, as you know, this is a concern... certain opponents might be tempted to make up unfair stories about us."

Alex grinned. He knew what kind of stories she wanted covered up and in this case he was more than happy to do so. Though Colin would no doubt question his friendship because of this little business deal of his, he'd also be pleased to know that Alex could never print anything about the fact that he may in fact be the father of Kate's baby.  He sat back in his chair, arms folded, "Oh, I'd never print anything... unflattering... about either of you, you can rest assure, Mrs. Harbor."

"This is very true," Sid said, his voice low, his fingers steepled under his chin. "You wouldn't." Then he lifted his chin and smiled, his eyes locked on Alex's.

"Heh... I got no death-wish," Alex chuckled. "Anything you want put in... or kept out... of the paper that is pertaining to you and your lovely bride here is fine by me. Just as long as you're flippin'the bill, that is."

"You get me the paperwork and I'll sign it," Sid continued, fairly well assured the man understood his message, at least to a certain extent. For his sake, he'd better understand it completely, though. Sid had no interest in the man as a person. Hardly anyone actually interested him that way. "How soon do you think you can get this up and running? The sooner the better. If it takes more money to do that, then do it. Whatever you need."

"That's very generous of you, Mr. Harbor... or, should I call you, Sid?" Alex cocked an eyebrow at him, then added, "To answer your question, if all goes as planned, I could have the paper up and running in a matter of weeks. Less, if I can get a crew to work right away settin' up the place... the space I'm lookin' to rent needs a bit of work on the inside, but as long as the press arrives in a timely manner I can get our first edition out and in your hands before the end of next week."

"Then hire as many people as you need for your crew and give me the information on where the press is located now. I'll make sure it gets to you safely and quickly. You get the place for it in shape, get all the computers, furnishings, whatever you need. And...make it nice. I like nice." He smiled enigmatically again, then stood, heading toward the front door, obviously meaning for Alex to follow him and that the meeting was at an end.

Alex watched the man walk to the door realized their meeting must be over now.

"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Harbor," he said to Kate, as he stood and made his way to the door.

Kate smiled and nodded at him.

"Mr. Harbor, good to do business with you. I'll give you a ring later this afternoon with the location of the printing press then have my lawyer draw up the paperwork."

Sid didn't offer to shake hands. He hadn't wanted to soil his person with contact with the man. Nodding in some sort of vague affirmation, he closed the door almost before Alex was all the way through it. Sometimes unpleasant associations were necessary due to the results they might engender. He hoped this would be the case with this simplistic local venture. Turning back to the room, he eyed Katherine, his tongue moving slowly across his lower lip. He needed a pleasant diversion right now.

Alex found himself standing on the front porch, “Well, that was easy... strange, but easy,” he said to himself, as he lit up a cigarette and walked to his car.