by Drew Lindsay
Chin Chian Qian, like Joy Mackay, was also not happy at all. He sat behind a huge steel and chrome desk and stared out through ceiling to floor panoramic glass windows at the hundreds of coconut trees lining the white sandy shore of Skull Island; his island and to the crystal clear blue waters of the lagoon beyond. This should have been a view to take one’s breath away. Chin Qian was instead, seething with rage.
Mr. Do Tu Du stood uncertainly before him. His name in Chinese meant ‘preventer – eradicator’. He apparently had not lived up to his name.
Chin Qian drummed the fat fingers of his right hand on the desktop. He was a very large man in girth but stood less than 5’5 in his bare feet. This had motivated him to have 2 inch heels added to his very expensive leather shoes, but made attempts at walking somewhat awkward and still did not give him the height he desired. He wanted to be taller so he could exercise more intimidating, physical power over those around him. Having failed in the height department and moved into the gross obese, he resorted to fostering his other main character trait as a total psychopath. This made him even more dangerous than being tall and power hungry. This made him totally uncaring of anyone around him, other than himself.
Qian was an extremely powerful Chinese business man. He was also obscenely wealthy and therefore wanted more. He was well respected in Mainland China for his business acumen and had spearheaded the Chinese ‘Go Abroad Policy’ which had returned billions of dollars in revenue from major investors outside China in a relatively short time. He had spent years living and working in Australia, America and Europe and spoke English fluently.
He turned his gaze to Mr. Du. ‘I set you an agenda with a very strict time line.’
‘Yes, I agree, but…’
Qian’s look silenced the other. ‘I will not accept ‘buts’ Mr. Du. I accept only results. This project is time critical and now I am informed that we may not be ready to move ten days from today because certain people are not cooperating.’ Qian’s voice was rising in pitch and volume. ‘Do you know what this project is worth to us personally when completed Mr. Du?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘We’re not talking millions of US and Australian dollars here Mr. Du. We’re talking more than the Chinese State Bank holds so there is some motivation here to get things right, would you agree?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘So what’s the problem?’
‘The tunnelling is completed and from a physical perspective we’re ready to go. It’s a lack of cooperation from a technical perspective that is slowing us up.’
‘Who?’
‘The Australian.’
‘Then kill him get someone else.’
‘We’re running out of time Mr. Qian.’
Qian jumped to his feet and screamed at the top of his quite capable lungs. ‘THEN MOTIVATE HIM TO GET THIS PROJECT BACK ON TRACK. ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME MR. DU?’
Du took a step back and bowed. ‘I understand.’
Qian slumped back in his padded chair. ‘You are being paid a lot of money to manage all risks associated with this project, am I right Mr. Du?’
‘Yes sir.
‘You have a degree in risk management so I understand?’
‘I do.’
‘And lots of experience?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ve worked in lots of corporations and companies in my time Mr. Du and I’ve formed an opinion about most risk managers generally. Would you like me to share that opinion with you?’
Du nodded reluctantly.
‘Many should be burnt at the stake for continuing to play guessing games instead of actually identifying and nailing problems before they get out of hand!’
Du said nothing.
Qian pointed out the window at the white sandy beach beyond the house. ‘See that beach there Mr. Du?’
Du turned. ‘Yes sir.’
‘It’s full of dead people. Did you know that?’
‘No.’
‘That’s why it’s called Skull Island.’
‘I didn’t know.’
‘I promise you, that if this project does not successfully conclude ten days from today, I will have you tied to a stake on that beach; petrol will be poured over you and you will be set on fire. The dead people out there will welcome you. Is there any part of what I have said that you don’t understand Mr. Du?’
‘No sir, said Du quietly.
‘Then get out of my sight.’
Mr. Du turned and fled.
“****”
Chapter Sixteen