Marcus sat slouched in his leather chair, fingers steepled before his face. Behind him, electronic screens flickered with market telemetry. On the other side of a vast desk sat Sebastian, who'd been waiting in silence for over ten minutes now. Marcus was lost in one of his trances.
"We are going to have to play this one very carefully, my boy," Marcus said gently.
Sebastian nodded. "Do you know why he's interested in us?"
"Dansden is underexposed in the digital wallet space. He totally missed out on the bull run in the 2070s and got chewed out during the depression. I know he's looking to roll up a number of funds into Cryptopix to create some kind of digital money super fund. We're the lowest hanging fruit."
"OK, sounds plausible I guess," Sebastian said.
"Look, I get it, old boy. You're right to be sceptical of Dansden. He's a first class cunt, but when he wants something he is a fucking pit bull about it. Wants things done quick."
"Sure, but you know what happened to Jacobs over at Westferry?" offered Sebastian.
"Everyone knows what happened to Jacobs," responded Marcus, dismantling his steeple, "When does he get out?"
"Something crazy like 2095 or something."
"Shit," replied Marcus solemnly, "He was a nice guy." Sebastian nodded in agreement. Both men contemplated silently until Marcus once again broke the silence.
"Anyway, I think we need to capitalise on the leverage all this buy-out buzz around us has gotten us. Dansden is either going to step over his own children to buy us, which would be great, but I think more likely he's going to try to fuck us over somehow or use us to bag a bigger prize, so let's play along all nicey-nicey but not put all our eggs in his basket. Make sense?" Sebastian nodded intently. He'd come to the same conclusion on the drive over to the office.
"So you want me to hit the road and see if I can drum up some other buyers?"
"Bingo, my boy. Bingo! You read my mind."
"I'll get right on it," Sebastian said, motioning to get up.
"Erm, one more thing," Marcus said. Sebastian halted and lowered himself back into his chair. "This could be the biggest deal of our careers." Marcus leaned forward, his expression earnest and paternal, and Sebastian felt the weight of the moment settle over him. He basked in it, absorbing every second.
"I want you to have help on this one, okay? It's far too important. I want you to work with Yohan," Marcus said.
Sebastian visibly bristled.
"What? Yohan? Fuck no," Sebastian struggled to contain himself.
Marcus softened slightly. "Now I know you think it's shit, but trust me, it's for your own good."
"Look, I know you and Yohan don't always see eye to eye, but he's a good guy, sharp, solid operator, he'll help you." Marcus paused as Sebastian composed himself. "You'll still be the principal on this, so don't worry about that," Marcus added, trying to sweeten the pill.
"Look Marcus, thanks really, but you know me; I work quicker alone, and I know Yohan is a good guy, but he's very inexperienced and quite frankly he'll slow me down, and you need speed to bring this one in for you Marcus, you really do," Sebastian paused as his brain went into overdrive over how to best kill this, "Look, you're right, some extra resource would be good on this, but why don't you let me have some more suitable candidates," he racked his brain for a name, "What about that kid in Ed's team, Craig is it?"
"Craig quit," informed Marcus, "Look, I hear your reservations, but my mind is made up, okay? Yohan is going to be working with you on this,"
"I don't need a babysitter, Marcus. Come on."
"Listen, old boy, a babysitter is exactly what you need. Now you did well with Avanti but you came within a cunt's hair of fucking it up. If we'd been an inch to the left, it would've been curtains, and don't think twice about it. You got lucky. Now I've worked too long and too hard, and screwed over too many people to get to where I am today to let some hotshot with an ego fuck this up for me. This is my way out of this God-forsaken business, and it could be yours too if you play this right. Now I don't want to hear any more about it. You and Yohan will work together on this, you and him will make it work or so help me God, protégé or no protégé you'll be out that fucking door so quick your feet won't touch the ground. Do I make myself clear?"
"Fine." Sebastian nodded. "Fine, I'll work with Yohan,"
"Good man, now get out." With a wave, Marcus dismissed him. Sebastian got up silently and left.
Before Sebastian could catch his breath, Yohan bounded over from across the room with a huge grin, patting Sebastian on the back and nearly blindsiding him.
"Hey partner, the big man told you then?" Sebastian glared over his shoulder and nodded slowly, "Look, I know we give each other shit, but I'm looking forward to working with you on this. You're sharp. I'll learn from you." He extended his hand, Sebastian looked at it and shook it firmly.
"I'm glad to be working with you too Yohan, we'll make a good team." Yohan walked off, clearly satisfied, "Clear your calendar, okay? We're going to be out of the office for the next couple of weeks." Yohan turned and gave a thumbs up.
Sebastian went back to his desk and let the last few minutes sink in for a while. He then fished around in his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. He scrolled to the nameless app again and booked an appointment for later that evening.