I awoke with a sense of purpose that I had been missing for several years. I knew I was good enough to manage the project and get everything Gina, Yoni and I wanted in Albai. We filled the entire day with hard work. Then the night with good sleep. I was relaxed and ready for Prince Tulan, at nine a.m. sharp. Yoni and Gina could each recite what I was going to say, word for word, but they were basket cases. I did not envy them sitting it out, not knowing what was happening. Their discomfort would have been cute, except I knew the quality of their lives was at stake.
"Your Highness, I want to thank you for all your unrestricted support over the last few days in helping me consider your offer. The complete office support, Internet access and the two women you provided have been invaluable. While preparing for this meeting, I have become more and more sure that we can successfully complete your plan in five years. There is no way for us to predict all that might arise during implementation but at this point I ask that you consider the following ten requests:
1.The project needs a convenient, well-equipped headquarters. Additionally, I personally need suitable housing for the duration. I can build both from scratch but that would be a significant delay in starting the project. I beg that you are not offended at my presumption of pointing out that your villa outside the capital, forty miles from the airport plus the adjacent, vacant office complex, would perfectly meet all needs. If I have not offended you, I would like to continue to use this facility as an example in the rest of my presentation." I paused and the Prince nodded that I could continue.
2."I would like to use Siemens as the major primary parts contractor.
3.I definitely would like to use Albain personnel in all aspects of the project; they will transition into ongoing operations after development. Albai already has educated and available people who could jump-start your project. However, those people are women.
I understand and respect the Sultan's band on women working in professional positions within Albai. Possibly, the Sultan would consider enclosing a compound and considering it non-Albian. I believe there are many acceptable solutions to this problem, if they can be considered.
4.I humbly request that the Sultan consider allowing his former head of household and protocol to work in that same capacity in support of the project. I need guidance to assure there are no accidental offenses to Albai's culture and tradition.
5.I ask that all communication on the project be without front-end or backend delay for review and approval. Of course, all communication will be sent to your offices upon transmission and receipt for any reviews you desire. I strongly feel that bureaucratic review of the thousands of plans, designs and computer transmissions prior to transmission and prior to receipt would be a death knell to the project.
6.Project personnel and I will need transportation and access to all facilities and infrastructure.
7.I will need easy and frequent access in and out of Albai. Required visits of foreign technical personnel will need to be cleared quickly.
8.I request that my compensation be in two parts: (1.) Ten million, tax paid, US dollars per year, paid yearly to a Swiss account, upon your approval of my performance against agreed written goals. (2.) A bonus of seventy-five million tax paid US dollars upon project completion, paid to a Swiss account.
9.I need the companionship of women. I request that Your Highness let me keep the two women he has graciously lent me and that he consider allowing me to select other companions and servants, all subject to his approval.
Your Highness, I want to do this job for you. I am willing to use my own funds for my personal living and housing expenses, if that will help convince you of my sincerity. You see by the tone of my points that I am most concerned about possible start up delays, bureaucratic delays and doing something out of ignorance to offend you or your country. I welcome your guidance, comments and suggestions on all my points. Thank you for allowing me this time."
Prince Rutan responded quickly, "I personally, do not find any of your requests out of negotiable ranges. I will discuss your ideas with my Father. You may expect trouble there. I'm sure he will approve of you using his former household manager. My Father always liked her. In the meantime, tour the facilities you mentioned, make sure they are what you think. I will tell Tinba to talk with you openly, be your guide and make your visit successful. Begin to document the changes you want to make to both the villa and the office building. Albai does not need your money, Mr. Carter. Keep the women. You should beat the old one. Be here waiting for me in seven days. I will make a car and driver available to you."
He looked stern, almost angry. I figured, he was not too happy about having to talk to his Father. He stood; I stood and bowed to express my thanks. As he left, my astounding early success was hitting me. I couldn't wait to tell Yoni and Gina. The key to getting everything was now Prince Rulan selling the Sultan.
I walked back into the suite, long faced and looking drained. Both women noticeably sunk down. I couldn't stand to hurt them. "If we have some juice for my throat, I'll tell you what happened." I walked onto the patio and sat down heavily. Gina and Yoni set down expecting the worst. Gina handed me some white grape juice.
With my best deadpan expression I gave a rapid-fire list of presentation results, "You both can stay with me. Prince Tulan has given us a car and driver. We leave in the morning to review the old villa and the office building. What ever happens, we will have plenty of money. We will probably get Tulan's old household manager. The big possible problem is getting the Sultan to let us use the women; Prince Tulan is going to talk with him. Everything else is generally agreed."
Slowly Gina and Yoni let smiles creep across their faces. They realized they had been set up and what I had said was sinking in. They bounced and twirled like six year olds. Re-asking questions, just to make sure they had heard correctly.
Finally, I tried to restate the big weakness still hanging out there, "Pray, the Sultan agrees that we can use the women. That will make everything much easier and we can help some of them. By the way who is Tinba?"
Yoni was not winding down. She was more animated than I had ever seen her. She was daring to play, be happy and dream. She was also taking liberties with me. "She's the household manager, dummy."
I grabbed for her to get even but she easily eluded me. "Well she is meeting us Tomorrow, is to be open with us, be our guide and take care of us." Surely this was the girls' best Christmas, and in a non-Christian country yet.
