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entirely wasted, he thought; it could act as a rehearsal for the approaches he would later make to the banks. He went on: “Into that costing will have to be built commission money. That’s always going to remain an uncertain figure, but it’s essential that some provision is made. We’ll need to spread some money around to maintain schedules.”
    â€œBribes?” said Dukes, determined to understand.
    â€œBribes,” confirmed Franks. “That’s the way it is.”
    The sightless Pascara smiled, and said, “Allowing for that there still seems to be an additional expenditure of 3.1 million.”
    â€œThe 6.5 million dollars is specifically assigned to the actual construction. The furnishings, fittings … everything … are planned to the highest specification. The theme is luxury. I’m not interested in hamburgers, and beer served in plastic beakers.”
    Flamini smiled, an expression without humor, and said, “I’m sure none of us here are either, Mr. Franks.”
    â€œSo that means budgeting to expensive standards,” said Franks. “There also has to be an anticipated operational cost, until there’s a cash turnaround.…” Franks paused, enjoying himself. It wasn’t just a useful rehearsal: it was an opportunity to show Nicky how professional he was. He went on, “This isn’t a high-yield investment. This is something that is going to start slowly—maybe with some setbacks—but then come good.” The statement might also act as a deterrent if their interest was in a quick-buck return; it might be better for the Scargo family if it were one or more of the financiers who refused to go ahead rather than himself.
    â€œWhat about the bribes?” persisted Dukes. “It won’t stop with the construction. There’ll be sweeteners for laundry and garbage collection and for market men—things like that.”
    â€œIt’s a way of life we’ll have to go along with,” agreed Franks. “The important thing is to let everyone know we will work within the system but that we’re not stupid. We’ll make a deal and we’ll stick to it.”
    â€œDon’t you object to the system?” asked Pascara unexpectedly.
    Franks looked toward the man, wondering if the son ever spoke or merely acted always as his father’s eyes. “Of course I object to it,” he said. “But it is the system.” Franks felt a burst of impatience for the meeting to end. He’d indulged himself by meeting these investors and letting Nicky see what sort of negotiator he was. But he’d stay alone; there was little point in extending the playacting any longer.
    â€œWe’ve already heard from Nicky of your considerable success in Europe,” said Flamini.
    Franks looked up the table toward the man with whom he had been brought up, realizing Nicky had taken the discussion with these men further than he had indicated at lunch. He said pointedly, “All my other companies are strictly limited and private.”
    â€œMeaning total independence?” said Flamini.
    â€œJust that,” said Franks. He was conscious of the looks that went between Dukes and Flamini and decided that the declaration, coupled with his earlier remark about the slowness of initial profit, would go a long way toward deterring them. Luigi Pascara was hunched over his pad, scribbling hard, the scratch of the pen audible in the silence of the room. Nicky stirred, searching for a way to move the meeting on, but before he could do so the elder Pascara said, “You’re telling us that you would expect to retain that independence? Absolute control, in fact?”
    â€œYes,” said Franks. “If whatever company I formed included private investors rather than banks, then of course a board would be correctly constructed and hold proper board meetings. But I would expect the running and administration to