Videodrome: Days of O'Blivion Read Online Free PDF Page A

for
Continental Security. Our role is to spend government dollars on
the non-military projects. The end goal is the same. We would like
to see the world unified by non-conflicting ideologies. People
shouldn’t have to die just because one nation has a different
opinion to the next; and wherever possible, Consec invests in
private business that can achieve that end.”
    “Yes!” Barry said
firmly. He spoke with enough vigour that in a single word he
virtually pledged his allegiance to the cause.
    Consec Leader stood up.
Brian and Barry matched him. “I’ve reviewed the payment schedule,
Barry. I think our first offer was far too low and would like to
offer you one hundred and twenty five million dollars to develop
Veraceo, in partnership with Consec, over the next two years. Is
that a suitable amount?” He held out his hand waiting for Barry to
shake.
    Barry looked to Brian
and gave him a wink. He left Consec leader with his hand
outstretched in silence for a few more seconds just to appreciate
the man’s sales technique. The silent close. First person to speak
loses. On this occasion, Barry was happy to close. “I think we can
accept that.”
    Leader smiled and took
Barry’s hand. “Barry Convex, I welcome you in partnership to
Consec. May we change the world together.”
    “Thank you, Sir.”
    He offered his hand to
Brian who took it sheepishly, following Barry’s lead. “Brian
Spectrometer, I welcome you in partnership to Consec. May we change
the world together.”
    Brian didn’t respond.
He didn’t know how to. Somehow he knew that this handshake was
binding. It was final. It was absolute. There was no contract to
sign, no paperwork or notary to authenticate. They’d just taken
their joining drink from the Consec punch bowl.
     
    ----- X -----
     
    Brian sat with Paul
Ruth at a table for eight. On the opposite side Barry sat with
Bartok, shaking hands with those he was introduced to, networking
like a pro. Dinner was served. Roast duck breast with poached pear.
The food was divine and the service professional. Brian counted
tables. He estimated that there had to be at least three hundred
people in the room. “Is this all of Consec?” he asked Ruth.
    “Oh Goodness, no. This
is just one chapter. American North East. There are four chapters
in the USA and two in Canada. They have these little chapter
soirées twice a year and our local one is in Montreal.”
    With the desserts
served, the tables were cleared and coffees served as Consec Leader
took to the podium.
    “Good evening, Consec
Partners… You know me… And I know all of you.” The room burst into
rapturous applause. “I always enjoy these dinners. I always enjoy
meeting the people who are changing the world and there have been
some extraordinary changes even since we last met some six months
ago. In particular, the geopolitics of our fight against
totalitarian hegemony has entered a new phase with the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan.” The enjoyment from the applause
dissipated quickly. The atmosphere of the room went serious. “We
have watched for some time as the Soviets meddled in the affairs of
Afghanistan. Their motivation was to keep that part of the world
behind the curtain. We’ve watched for years as their involvement
deepened. Then we awoke on Christmas morning to hear that Brezhnev
had ordered his 40th Army into Kabul. In one stroke, the Soviet
Premier signalled to the world that he was prepared to abandon
detente and return to expansionism.”
    Brian noticed many nods
around the room. In particular he noticed, the ribboned ex-generals
making eye-contact amongst themselves.
    “I’ve got to tell you,”
Leader said. “That this looks like dangerous times. Only in July
did President Carter sign PD-59 in direct response to this
aggression. A change in strategic thinking. An escalation of our
nuclear capability giving us a look-shoot-look capability. We’re
suddenly in a world where we won’t be making less nuclear arms,
we’re