Mercury Rises Read Online Free PDF Page B

Nyx," and he smiled and shook the hands of the representatives of the various aspects of the Charlie Nyx franchise. There was a representative from the movie studio, someone who handled the Charlie Nyx action figures and other merchandising, a woman from the Beacon who was doing a feature on the Charlie Nyx phenomenon, a small, roundish man whom Wanda introduced as the marketing director for the Charlie's Grill chain of restaurants, and several others.
    "Horace Finch sends his regrets," Wanda said. "He's out of the country right now, but he asked me to personally thank you for coming to Los Angeles, Eddie. I'll be his acting representative during this meeting, and if there is anything you would like to communicate to Mr. Finch, I'll be happy to relay it for you."
    Eddie nodded understandingly.
    "So," said Wanda to Eddie, "I think the big question on everyone's mind is, how's the book coming?"
    Eddie affected a smile, trying to appear confident. In fact, although he couldn't explain why, this syndicate of Charlie Nyx-related interests was making him profoundly uneasy. It was ridiculous that he, a six-thousand-year-old angel, could be made to feel uneasy by this gaggle of money-grubbing bureaucrats, but here he was, fidgeting nervously under the table. He took a deep breath.
    "Well," he said, "The book is fantastic. I mean, I really think it's the best one yet."
    Nods and appreciative murmurs went around the table.
    "Here's the thing, though," Eddie went on. "Given the recent, ah, events in Anaheim, there are certain elements of the story that need to be, well, massaged , so as to not appear insensitive to those aggrieved by this terrible tragedy."
    The syndicate nodded and murmured in respectful agreement. No one wanted to be insensitive to those aggrieved by a tragedy, especially if being insensitive in any way tarnished the Charlie Nyx brand or the Finch Corporation's public image, thereby adversely affecting the beloved shareholders.
    Thank God, thought Eddie. If they think I have to rewrite a significant part of the book, it might give me enough time to locate a copy of the actual manuscript.
    "We completely understand," said Wanda. "In fact, I believe Tim has an idea in that regard." She motioned to the dwarfish man that had been introduced as Tim Scalzo, the marketing director of Charlie's Grill.
    "Yes," Tim piped up. "As you know, sales at most Charlie's Grill stores have been down for the past several weeks. In addition to the weak economy, which has affected all of our respective interests, Charlie's Grill has had to face a number of unique challenges lately. First, there's the bad press that has resulted from the class action lawsuit regarding Charlie's Triple Bacon Sausage Burger. Despite the fact that all four meats used in the burger were of the finest quality, six highly publicized deaths have turned this into an expensive and embarrassing public relations nightmare for us. Then there are the religious extremists who are boycotting Charlie's Grill because they didn't see the humor in our 'Be the Antichrist' promotion. I mean, come on, people, don't take things so seriously. It's not like Karl Grissom was the actual Antichrist!"
    The syndicate laughed. Eddie shifted nervously in his chair.
    Tim went on, "And frankly it's a bit unfair that they're refusing to call off the boycott even though Karl was shot in the head and was then absconded with, never to be seen again. I mean, how badly wrong does a marketing campaign have to go before we're forgiven?"
    Murmurs of sympathetic understanding arose from the syndicate.
    "And on top of all that," Tim continued, "our research indicates that seventeen percent of our frequent patrons have stopped eating at Charlie's Grill because they're afraid they might get shot at. Because of one shooting at one restaurant. I mean, how do you combat that kind of thinking? It's completely irrational. You're probably twice as likely to be struck by lightning as you are to be shot in the