Twenty- Eight Years Ago - Klempner
292 Words
Twenty- Eight Years Ago - Klempner
Bech marks out an area on the top storey of the main building…. “…. And if we build internal walls here and here, we’ll be able to separate the men from the women and keep the minors in their own area.” He grinds to a halt, looking up to see my reaction.
“You’ve thought this through, Bech. You’ll be trying to take the lead yourself next….”
His laugh is desert-dry, devoid of humour. “I'm a tactician, sir. It needs a strategist at the head of an organisation. My talents are best fitted to back-room support. You provide the…. vision…. I’ll move the pieces around the board. Or see that they are moved.”
All true….
“Talking of strategy,” I say, “It seems to me that the unrest around East Africa and Somalia ought to provide some opportunities. Do we have anyone over there?”
“Nooo... Not as such.” Bech rubs his chin, his eyes unfocusing. “But the authorities over there are all corrupt as hell. It shouldn't take me long to find someone helpful.”
“Someone who will remain helpful if governments change?”
Bech waves a dismissive hand. “If we set it up, it’ll stick. They all want to see western currency flowing their way. If there was a coup or a revolution, all that’d happen is the money would end up in a different Swiss bank account. Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do. Who were you thinking of sending over there to set it up?”
“I’ll go myself, at least to begin with.”
Bech pulls a long face. “That’s a dangerous part of the world….”
“I’ll be careful. But meanwhile, see who you might recruit that would be willing to handle the work long-term.”
“There’s always someone who’s finding staying here too dangerous. I’ll find someone.”
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- Writer
