The Cold Cash War

"Originally, the plan was to build a similar operation for the Board's use. As it turned out, the more they looked into it, the more they realized the difficulties of duplicating your setup. Just building the network of agents you have would take time, and during that time, important things could happen."

He paused to light a cigarette. Mausier glanced at his equipment but said nothing.

"So anyway, they decided the most efficient way to approach the problem was. to simply acquire your setup and put it to work for them."

"There's one major drawback to that plan," Mausier interrupted. "I'm not interested in selling."

Again Stills held up his hand.

"Now, don't jump to conclusions, Mr. Mausier. I don't think you completely understand what we're proposing. You'd still be in control of the operation. You'd still be carried on the payroll at a hefty salary in addition, of course, to the acquisitions price, which I'll admit I feel is exorbitant. We wouldn't be taking anything away from you; in fact, we're anticipating-we're expecting the operation will expand. With proper pressure, all the corporations will deal through you for information. The way it's looking, you could end up as one of the most powerful men in the corporate world."

This time it was Mausier who interrupted, rising to his feet and leaning across his desk.

"And I don't think you understand, gentlemen. I don't want to be one of the most powerful men in the corporate world. I don't want to expand my operation. And I don't want to sell my business!"

He was getting excited and losing control, but for once he didn't care.

"I spent enough time in your corporate world to know the one thing I wanted from it was out. I don't like brown-nosing, I don't like operating plans, I don't like performance reviews, I don't like benefits packages, I don't like pointless meetings, I don't like employee newspapers, I don't like office gossip, and I don't like being expendable. In short, gentlemen, I don't like corporations. That's why I started this business. To run it, I work harder than both of you put together and probably make less. But there's one thing I am that I'll bet neither of you has the vaguest conception of-I'm happy. You can't tax it, but it means a lot to me. Do I make myself quite clear?"

The two men languished in their chairs, apparently unmoved by his tirade.

"I don't think you understand, Mausier," said Stills softly. "We weren't asking you!"

Mausier suddenly felt cold. He sank slowly back into his chair as Stills continued.

"Now, we're being nice and giving you an honest deal, but don't kid yourself about having a choice. In case you haven't been following the news, the corporations are ru

Mausier felt weak.

"And if I don't jump?" he asked quietly.

Stills grimaced.

"Now that would be unpleasant for everybody."

Mausier raised his eyes to look at them.

"Are you saying they'd actually kill me?"

Stills actually looked surprised.

"Kill you? Hell, man, you read too many spy novels!"

Weaver spoke for the first time.

"Look around you, Mr. Mausier. You're ru

Mausier sagged in his chair. The two corporate men waited in respectful silence for him to recover his composure.

"Where do we go from here?"

Stills stood up.

"I've got to report in. Weaver here will stay with you as your new assistant to start learning the ropes. Policy says that all key perso

He started for the door.

"Stills!"

Mausier's voice stopped him with his hand on the knob.

"Is this the way it's going to be?"

Stills shrugged and smiled and left without answering.

The room lapsed into silence as Mausier sat staring into space. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Weaver.

"Cheer up, Mr. Mausier." His voice was sympathetic. "It could be worse. You're a valuable man. Just play ball and they'll take care of you. You know, 'go along, get along.'"

Mausier didn't respond. He just kept thinking about the gun in his bedroom closet.