financial resources. The British government will help with
that to some degree, but we’d very much like GAT assisting.”
“You’re looking for investment capital?” Gold asked.
“We do want your money,” Luddy began, “but we also want your expertise.” He paused to strike a match and get his pipe going.
“Virtually all of Stoat-Black’s design experience has been in building military aircraft. We’ve learned a great deal during
the time we spent assembling your Monarchs, but we don’t pretend to have GAT’s experience in constructing commercial airliners,”
he finished, exhaling smoke.
Gold nodded, trying hard not to let it show that he was smarting over the fact that Luddy was lauding GAT’s talent at
constructing
, not
designing
airliners. “I need some time to go over these specs before I can give you an answer about whether GAT wants to buy in. And
I’ll need to bring other people into the decision-making process. Teddy Quinn, for example.”
“Of course, Herman,” Luddy said. He closed the manila folder, removed a large brown clasp envelope from a desk drawer, and
slipped the folder inside. “This set of plans is yours to take home with you to California.” He handed it to Herman. “Study
it at your leisure. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you. I only ask that you, and any of your staff you may consult
with, respect our secrecy concerning the Starstreak project.”
“I understand,” Gold said. “Thank you for offering GAT the opportunity to consider coming into a partnership with you,” Gold
said.
“No thanks are necessary, Herman. GAT helped put Stoat-Black on the map, and now it’s time for us to return the favor.”
Meaning you think GAT is a has-been
, Gold thought. Luddy, wreathed in an aromatic, blue pipe smoke, was grinning like a Cheshire cat. “I’ll think very seriously
about this,” Gold told him.
“You do that, lad. But just so there’s no misunderstanding, let me say one last thing.” Luddy grew very serious. “It would
be grand to have your experts—and funding—but we mean to proceed with the Starstreak, with or without your help.”
“I understand the situation.”
“Do you?” Luddy persisted, looking quizzical. “We’re old friends, so I know you won’t take it amiss when I say that it’s no
secret that GAT has fallen flat with its own jet fighter project,” Luddy confided as he walked Gold to the door.
“Hugh, it’s a temporary setback—” Gold started to protest.
“Herman! You don’t need to trot out the excuses for me!” Luddy patronized. “It’s a natural law, you see! What comes up must
come down! GAT has been enjoying grand success for many years now, but no one can forever remain king of the mountain. Now
it looks as if it’s going to be Stoat-Black’s turn to enjoy the view,” Luddy said smugly, patting Gold’s shoulder. “Lad, you
grab on to our coattails while you can.”
(Two)
On his way back to London Gold stopped at a roadside pub for a bite to eat. Inside, the pub was all dark mahogany and polished
brass. Gold found a small table near the roaring fire and ordered a plowman’s lunch and a pint of ale.
He watched a dart game in progress between the locals while he ate. He tried to put it out of his mind, but he couldn’t help
thinking about what Luddy had intimated.
“
You’ve fallen flat on your face…. Your day has passed…. GAT had better grab on to Stoat-Black’s coat-tails while it can
….”
At one time in the not very distant past, Luddy’s condescension would have infuriated him, but not these days. Truth was,
Gold found himself agreeing with Luddy. GAT
was
falling fast. His organization seemed to have run out of creativity, and ideas were the lifeblood of flourishing business.
How long had it been since he’d felt the enthusiasm—the
fire
—that had been in Luddy’s eyes when he’d been talking about the Starstreak?
Gold couldn’t help thinking
that to some degree, but we’d very much like GAT assisting.”
“You’re looking for investment capital?” Gold asked.
“We do want your money,” Luddy began, “but we also want your expertise.” He paused to strike a match and get his pipe going.
“Virtually all of Stoat-Black’s design experience has been in building military aircraft. We’ve learned a great deal during
the time we spent assembling your Monarchs, but we don’t pretend to have GAT’s experience in constructing commercial airliners,”
he finished, exhaling smoke.
Gold nodded, trying hard not to let it show that he was smarting over the fact that Luddy was lauding GAT’s talent at
constructing
, not
designing
airliners. “I need some time to go over these specs before I can give you an answer about whether GAT wants to buy in. And
I’ll need to bring other people into the decision-making process. Teddy Quinn, for example.”
“Of course, Herman,” Luddy said. He closed the manila folder, removed a large brown clasp envelope from a desk drawer, and
slipped the folder inside. “This set of plans is yours to take home with you to California.” He handed it to Herman. “Study
it at your leisure. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you. I only ask that you, and any of your staff you may consult
with, respect our secrecy concerning the Starstreak project.”
“I understand,” Gold said. “Thank you for offering GAT the opportunity to consider coming into a partnership with you,” Gold
said.
“No thanks are necessary, Herman. GAT helped put Stoat-Black on the map, and now it’s time for us to return the favor.”
Meaning you think GAT is a has-been
, Gold thought. Luddy, wreathed in an aromatic, blue pipe smoke, was grinning like a Cheshire cat. “I’ll think very seriously
about this,” Gold told him.
“You do that, lad. But just so there’s no misunderstanding, let me say one last thing.” Luddy grew very serious. “It would
be grand to have your experts—and funding—but we mean to proceed with the Starstreak, with or without your help.”
“I understand the situation.”
“Do you?” Luddy persisted, looking quizzical. “We’re old friends, so I know you won’t take it amiss when I say that it’s no
secret that GAT has fallen flat with its own jet fighter project,” Luddy confided as he walked Gold to the door.
“Hugh, it’s a temporary setback—” Gold started to protest.
“Herman! You don’t need to trot out the excuses for me!” Luddy patronized. “It’s a natural law, you see! What comes up must
come down! GAT has been enjoying grand success for many years now, but no one can forever remain king of the mountain. Now
it looks as if it’s going to be Stoat-Black’s turn to enjoy the view,” Luddy said smugly, patting Gold’s shoulder. “Lad, you
grab on to our coattails while you can.”
(Two)
On his way back to London Gold stopped at a roadside pub for a bite to eat. Inside, the pub was all dark mahogany and polished
brass. Gold found a small table near the roaring fire and ordered a plowman’s lunch and a pint of ale.
He watched a dart game in progress between the locals while he ate. He tried to put it out of his mind, but he couldn’t help
thinking about what Luddy had intimated.
“
You’ve fallen flat on your face…. Your day has passed…. GAT had better grab on to Stoat-Black’s coat-tails while it can
….”
At one time in the not very distant past, Luddy’s condescension would have infuriated him, but not these days. Truth was,
Gold found himself agreeing with Luddy. GAT
was
falling fast. His organization seemed to have run out of creativity, and ideas were the lifeblood of flourishing business.
How long had it been since he’d felt the enthusiasm—the
fire
—that had been in Luddy’s eyes when he’d been talking about the Starstreak?
Gold couldn’t help thinking
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