The Moneychangers Read Online Free PDF Page B

from there if the bank loan was approved. About a third of the intended loan was for p repayment of vault storage rent for the capsule, and replacement of th e liquid nitrogen every four months.
    Castleman asked Edwina, "You've heard of cryonics societies?" "Vaguely. It's pseudo-scientific. Not very reputable."
    "Not very. And pseudo indeed. But the fact is, cryonics groups have a big following and they've convinced Gosburne and his wife that when medical science is more advanced say fifty or a hundred years from now Andrea can be thawed out, brought back to life and cured. Incidentally, the cryonics people have a motto: Freeze wait reanimate." "Horrible," Edwina said.
    The loan of ficer conceded, "Mostly I agree with you. But look at it their way. They believe. Also they're adult, reasonably intelligent people, deeply religious. So who are we, as bankers, to be judge and jury? As I see it, the only question is: Can Gosburne repay the loan? I've gone over the figures, and I say he can and will. The guy may be a nut. But the record shows he's a nut who pays his bills."
    Reluctantly Edwina studied the income and expenses figures. "It will be a terrible financial strain."
    "The man knows that but insists he can handle it. He's taking on some spare time work. And his wife is looking for a job." Eldwina said, "They have four younger children." "Yes."
    "Has anyone pointed out that the other children the living will need money soon for college, other things, and that twenty-five thousand dollars could be put to better use for them?"
    "I did`" Castleman said. "I've had two long interviews with Gosburne. But according to him, the whole family talked that over and they made their decision. They believe the sacrifices they'll have to make will be worth the chance of bringing Andrea back to life some day. The children also say that when they're older they'll take over responsibility for her body."
    "Oh Godl" Again E dwina?s thoughts went back to yesterday. Ben Rosselli's death, whenever it ca me, would be dignified. This mad e death ugly and a mockery. Should the bank's money in part, Ben's be used for such a purpose?
    "Mrs. D'Orsey," the loan officer said, "I've had this on my desk for two days. My first feeling was the same as yours the whole thing's sick. But I've thought about it and I've come around. In my opinion, it's an acceptable risk."
    Acceptable risk. Essentially, Edwina realized, Cliff Castleman was right because acceptable risks were what banking was all about. He was also right in asserting that in most personal matters a bank should not be judge and j ury.
    Of course, this particular risk might not work out, though even if it failed to, Castleman would not be blamed. His record was good, his "wins" far greater than his losses. In fact, a perfect win record was frowned on, a busy retail loan officer expected, almost obligated, to have a few of his loans turn sou r. If he didn't, he could be in trouble in reverse when a computer printout warned management he was losing business through excessive caution.
    "All right," Edwina said. "The idea appalls me but I'll back your judgment." She scribbled an initial. Castleman returned to his desk.
    Thus apart from a loan for a frozen daughter this day had begun like any other. It stayed that way until early afternoon.
    On days when she lunched alone, Edwina used the basement cafeteria over at FMA Headquarters. The cafeteria was noisy, the food only so-so, but service was brisk and she could be in and out in fifteen minutes.
    Today, however, she had a client as a guest and exercised her vice-president's privilege by taking him to the senior officers' private dining room, high in the executive tower. He was the treasurer of the city's largest department store and needed a three million dollar short-term loan to cover a cash deficit resulting from light fall sales plus costlier-than-usual purchases of Christmas merchandise.
    "This goddamned inflation!" the treasurer complained over a