1st Opportunity :: Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[The feed clicks on, first showing Meyer's shoes, then panning up, showing a sensible brown suit, a crisp tie, and a far too serious expression for someone as young as this man appears to be.]

The way I see it, I've been kidnapped.

[He doesn't sound particularly perturbed about it.]

Perhaps this is something that is better discussed in person. I'm certainly willing and able to make a generous offer in exchange for my freedom, if my captors are reasonable men. If not, I'm afraid we'll have to go about this a different way.

[There's a long pause.]

I would appreciate a quick response to my inquiry. I think it'll be better for all of us if this goes as painlessly as possible.

Comments

[horseish]

Alright.

What is your generous offer going to be? To stop being kidnapped?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Money is generally part of this type of negotiation.

[horseish]

Do you have a lot of money?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I have enough. And I have associates who have more.

[horseish]

How much is enough?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Well, everyone has their own price.

[He's not deliberately trying to be cagey. That's just how he is.]

[horseish]

If you do talk to them you should let me know how much money they wanted.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I will, but I don't know if you'd have that kind of money.

[horseish]

I can worry about that.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Sure. And you can get a job around here, I bet.

[horseish]

I work at home sometimes. But they don't pay me as much as the grown-ups.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

What do you do at home?

[horseish]

I do magic with my father, but then when the Depression started that doesn't make very much money anymore. Mister Boots and I work with horses sometime but they only pay me a nickle because they say I'm to small to be an effective worker.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Magic? Do you know any good tricks?

[horseish]

Yes but I can't tell you how they work, secrecy is the most important.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Of course. A professional never reveals the tricks of the trade.

[horseish]

[Good because now she's going to pull a quarter out of her nose.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He nods and smiles, impressed.]

Hey, that's pretty good.

[horseish]

I can do more stuff when I have the right supplies.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Maybe if we find the right supplies, you can make some money doing that here.

[horseish]

Maybe I can.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

When you get your magic show up and running, let me know. I'll be your first customer.

[horseish]

Good. You'll like it. Everyone does.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'm sure I will.