Interlude Two Page 9
Chicago, late 1980’s.
Applicant 1: Thank you so much for approving this, Ms. Walker! Being research is so niche and so expensive, I was starting to think I’d never find a grant.
Walker: None of the terms are going to be a problem?
Applicant 1: All your terms are fine! At this point I’d practically agree to give up my firstborn child if you asked, hahaha!
Walker: Hmm . . .
Applicant 1: . . . We both know that was a joke, right?
Chicago, early 1990’s.
Applicant 2: Ma’am, this is an extremely generous offer, and I would be honored to work with the Walker research team . . . but when I look at your terms, they’re a lot less accommodating than what the Cohen package is offering.
Walker: . . . Would you be so kind as to step outside for a moment? I need to make a phone call.
His offer is up to how much? What, exactly, are his assets these days? . . . Is that all? Pick one of my shell corporations and go buy him out. Yes, I know that broadcasting is not in our five-year plan!
Neither is my beach house in Barbados. Sometimes you have to treat yourself.
Hmm, I’m guessing the buy out didn’t go through.
Either that, or Cohen planned for Walker buying him out as part of his strategy.
Who’s on the other end of the phone? It sounds like they live an interesting life.
Cute little Tiger here! :3