CHAPTER 11
A PUBLIC CORPORATION
The drive down to Nirvana for its opening was something that Sergotoff did not relish. He knew the area and he was aware that it was hot and dry down in that region, not that far different from the city it was to copy, Las Vegas. He had wanted to get a charter from Aeroflot but was advised that Alexi had requested that since it was still operated by the state that the aircraft be used to transport dignitaries, especially private investors.
The Foreign Minister was glad to some extent that Sophia bought the new clothing while in Monte Carlo so that now she would not feel out of place. In his mind he believed that he could recoup the eleven thousand he spent his next time at the tables. He even planned to do a little gambling this time at Nirvana if he had the time.
“Sophia, are you ready?”
“Just a minute.”
“The Medanskys are waiting.” Maybe it was the thought of traveling with the Medanskys that was the reason Sophia was procrastinating. When the KGB was in its heyday, Medansky made certain to keep tabs on all the Communist hot shots and their spouses. Nobody could do anything on the sly and he certainly killed everyone’s sense of adventure. Finally, Sophia made her appearance dressed very casually in slacks, her youthful figure fitting it perfectly and accented nicely in high heels. It was something she felt uncomfortable in but it made her look sexy. In just a few moments she would be sitting down in a car and able to remove the shoes.
“Well, I’m ready. My bags are in the bedroom.” Serge moved toward the door and summoned the chauffeur to enter and remove the baggage. Entering the house and then the bedroom, the chauffeur returned carrying two suitcases, a make up case and a suit bag that he carried out to the car.
“We are only going for a few days.”
“Yes, Serge, but I heard who was going to be there and I want to be ready for everything."
“How did you find out, Medansky heads the KGB and he could not find out anything?”
“Volitov. I used a thousand dollars of what we brought back from Monte Carlo to buy a list.”
“Well, let me see it.”
“Half.”
“Sophia, I’m your husband.”
“You are not trying to push the price up, are you?”
Knowing that he had to see that list so that he could be best prepared, he found that getting the list at least was easier than getting sex from Sophia. Here he could just pay for the list. Quickly, Serge went into his pocket where he stored a wad of money, hoping that he had enough to cover his wife’s asking price. Peeling off the amount he needed, he handed it to his spouse reluctantly, the feelings he was suffering inside showing themselves in his eyes. Having trouble getting it into her pant's pocket in the slacks that made the glove in the O.J. Simpson case look like a tent, she finally managed to put the money away. Entering the bedroom, she came out with a list that was a small computer printout and handed it to her husband.
Moving toward the window so that he could maximize the light, he began opening it. He was impressed with what he saw as his eyes seemed to grow in size. Sophia knew that larger print was not the explanation for this.
"Amazing! Every chief executive officer and president of every major manufacturing company in Europe seems to be invited. There are plenty of American businesspeople, also.”
“Brandon Margaux is going to be there, what a man!”
“He’s old enough to be your son.” The sentence came to a close when the sound of a car horn was heard. They knew the Medanskys had arrived and it was time to begin the journey.
It would be a boring trip since the Medanskys did not like each other. The only reason they were married was that Betruda Medansky was an information junkie and if that was your personality type then being married to the head of an intelligence agency would do just fine. The only reason she got him to marry her was because of the information she had on him.
The two new hotels that were the keystone of Nirvana stood out in the barren lands like pyramids. Both complexes had over five thousand rooms in each with the best of amenities. Both had multiple pools, day care facilities, fine restaurants and a gallery of shops offering the finest of everything from boutiques to salons.
The week had been spent by Alexi and company going over everything, double checking the furnishings in the rooms, testing various employees for service and just making certain that everything was just right. It appeared to be so.
B. Czar showed why he had been so successful on the black market. On his initiative, he swung a deal for cut roses at a cut rate to be delivered to all the females that would be attending the gala event. He even was able to get his hands on several hundred bottles of 1956, 1957 and 1958 Rothchild Cabernet Sauvignon. Mikhail wanted to know if maybe B. Czar could also get a deal on a 1956, 1957 or 1958 Ford Thunderbird. On that score, Mikhail found that his friend came up with nothing.
Russo was impressed, almost ecstatic. He had seen the area when it was nothing but barren land. In just slightly over four months he had seen flat land turn into a little resort. He was equally amazed at how well the Russian workers performed and he was now convinced about the truth to getting people who were hungry, these people really were. Not only did they work, the ones that were learning trades seemed to be catching on quick. The ones that brought a craft into the job provided quality as good as he had seen. Nirvana was nothing compared to the other resort cities of the world, but it was a start. He knew how fortunate he was that Mikhail had been able to keep the other reporters excluded from the event. Now he would have the exclusive byline, the title of the feature clear in his mind, “City from Nowhere.”
Cities as small as Nirvana did not normally have two runways at their airport as this one did. Mikhail had figured that the city would succeed and grow; it was a prediction that he counted on. If Nirvana grew the way he hoped, Russia would be prepared if he was correct. If the city failed, big deal, B. Czar could always get more cement from Myanmar at a good price if they decided to build another one. The way B. Czar made it sound, the country of Myanmar was sinking in cement.
The weather was beautiful and Mikhail had Russo double check all the preparations for the president’s arrival. As they watched Air Force One move down the runway, they knew how important it was that they succeeded with president Garland Smith. Russia was seeking a sizable loan from America and everyone was aware that if the president could not arrange the loan with Congress, he might still be able to swing one with Grand Rapids National Bank.
Coming to a complete stop, the moving staircase was rolled out to the plane and was followed by the rolling out of the red carpet. The Soviet Army Band began playing “God Bless America”, that had Russo in stitches knowing that Stalin was probably turning over in his grave. The door opened and out stepped the president and first lady, who began waving to the small crowd of dignitaries and servants from the top of the stairs.
As the first couple descended the moving stairs, Alexi and his entourage moved toward the craft. Orlina, wearing her size seven dress, attracted the attention of almost everyone since she went out of her way to pick a flower pattern with very lively colors. As close as he now was to her, Garland Smith still did not recognize her even though she had slept in the Lincoln Bedroom. That really was not unusual since so many people had slept there that it would be almost impossible for anyone to remember all the guests save for Jerry Lucas and Harry Lorrayne.
After the president and the first lady descended the stairs, the entourage began to follow. To Alexi, and the others around, Garland Smith looked like the Pied Piper. Alexi was certain that all of these people were not media. His suspicions were confirmed to him when he recognized Abraham Moloch, president and chief operating officer of Northwest Telephone. Alexi leaned over toward Mikhail so that what he had to say would remain between the two.
“If Nirvana could make as much money this first weekend as the president made with this trip, it would help. I figure maybe half a million dollars at twenty-five tho
usand a person.”
“Alexi, for twenty-five thousand a person on Air Force One you get the Washington D. C. to Providence, Rhode Island shuttle.”
“Really?”
“Honest, Alexi. He has got to be charging a hundred thousand a seat. You have to remember, they served meals on this flight,” reminded Mikhail, knowing what the going rate was.
“Maybe we should get an Air Force One, too? I think it could be a big money maker.”
“Not in Russia, Alexi, you need to have people with money first.”
The president moved down the red carpet and Mikhail, Orlina and Alexi moved toward the first couple. When they met, they exchanged salutations, each having learned a little something in the other’s language.
“So, Alexi, everything in Nirvana ready to roll?”
“There will be card games, too, Mister President.” Garland Smith had to chuckle at Alexi’s attempt at humor playing on the game of dice.
“I heard you have some top notch entertainment planned?”
“Yes, Mister President…”
“We’d like to surprise you with that if you don’t mind, Mister President,” interjected Mikhail, who was more familiar with the scheduled festivities than his uncle. The entertainment was meant to be a surprise from the beginning; obviously nobody mentioned that fact to Alexi. Everyday, Mikhail thought, Russia was looking more like the United States. Now it was a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing.
“Would you not like to rest, Mister President, after your very long flight?” asked Alexi, knowing that when he had returned from America that was the first thing he wanted to do. Orlina wanted to life cycle.
“Yes, we would like that.”
“You will have the entire top four floors at the Hotel Nirvana, Mister President. Your security people have been here for a few days checking everything out,” commented Mikhail who, when he first heard the arrangements, was surprised that a U.S. President in a foreign country would be willing to spend a few days in a hotel. Then he remembered some of the stories he had heard about the president and his knowledge of hotels and the surprise passed.
“Good.”
The convention room at the Hotel Nirvana was packed to the hilt with the formal attire that the dinner called for. The busboys were busy cleaning the plates off the table as the president concluded his speech.
He had spent the better part of an hour proclaiming his support for the development of Russia and told everyone what he planned to do. Mikhail started to think that Garland Smith was having enough trouble in America, why make campaign promises in another country?
Completing his speech, Alexi moved to the podium and suggested that the real festivities were about to begin. To be part of the event, he requested that everyone move into the casino. Alexi’s request was actually something that many of the patrons had been waiting for. It was the real reason that they came to Nirvana.
Walking up to be with the president were the first couple of Russia, Alexi and Orlina.
“Orlina, I understand that you have started a business?”
“Oh, yes, Mister President,” the excitement in her voice apparent to all within earshot.
“What kind of business?”
“It is a workout gym, Mister President.”
“How are you doing so far?”
“It is doing, Mister President. I have one in Moscow and I want to open another.”
“That’s the American spirit, Orlina. You would not need a loan to help you, will you?”
The question, with its implied offer, caught Orlina off guard. It was a question she could not possibly have anticipated.
“Well, yes.”
“Think I might be able to help you. First we’ll try for one under the foreign aide package. If that doesn’t work, we’ll try the Small Business Administration. If that doesn’t work, we’ll try getting you a subsidy. Somewhere, Orlina, in the American government there is money there for you.”
“But, Mister President, what about the budget cuts I have heard so much about?”
“You only need to concern yourself about that if you work for a living in America, otherwise it’s no problem.”
The casino was packed full with most of the people that received an RSVP to the event not being permitted to attend the dinner. This group included all of the members of the communist party. As the president and Alexi arrived in the casino, Sergotoff arrived, his wife at his side.
“Hello, Mister President, I am Serge Sergotoff, Russia’s Foreign Minister.”
“Ah yes, the man who suggested that Russia take a stand against the expansion of NATO.”
“Ah, but Mister President, have you not heard of free speech?”
“Sure, I ran for president, did I not?” came the response, appearing to be the president’s standard answer to that question.
“Well of course. You are now the president so you must have run.”
“Let me tell you something about America, Mister Sergotoff, America still has freedom of speech. What you will not find in America anymore are free lunches. Nice meeting you, Mister Sergotoff.” President Garland Smith’s abrupt put off of him told Sergotoff just how America’s chief executive perceived him.
The president began to move between the rows of slot machines, which had been laid out in the same fashion as those in Las Vegas. Allison thought of a strange irony when she started thinking about Las Vegas having the nickname Lost Wages. Now here they were trying to create a city on the same order for the purpose of putting people to work. The president stopped the entourage and looked at his security people while standing in front of a Megabucks machine.
“Anybody got a dollar?” The security people could not ante up quick enough, each wanting to be the owner of one of the lucky silver coins. Garland Smith just wished that the American public would ante up their taxes as quickly. Taking several of the coins, he began pumping them in, three at a time. After four pulls of the handle he hit the Megabucks and the machine went crazy with lights and bells going off.
“Damn, with this kind of luck it’s a shame I couldn’t run for a third term.” Money began coming out of the machine and Russo was surprised.
“Hey, aren’t these big wins supposed to be paid off by the casino?” Mikhail looked at the winnings and the amount read “$147.75.”
“Look.” Mikhail pointed to the amount that flashed on the top.
“That’s right, this is a new hotel, the Megabucks just started.”
“I’ll never play at a new casino again,” swore the president as he collected his coins. The entourage continued on and they finally reached the Cossack Room where the Nirvana Hotel would have its featured entertainer. Moving toward the front where a special table had been set up for the presidential party, food was already arriving. Other dignitaries were placed at tables more toward the back with secret service agents placed at the tables between them and the presidential parties. With all the secret service agents wearing their earphones, Mikhail was not all that certain that maybe some of them were tuned in to the NBA finals.
The room went dark and then the spotlight shined at center stage. The female figure that occupied the center of the spotlight was considered to be America’s foremost female vocalist, Blossom Smith. She had been a big boost to the Democratic fund-raising campaigns, having performed several concerts around the country on behalf of the Democratic Party. She had been close friends with Garland Smith from the moment they met. Garland’s wife was one of the first to realize just how close and was just glad that some of the nations top female groups weren’t supporters of the president as well.
The president was glad the audience was dark because Blossom was one of the last people he wanted to see. According to his sources, particularly one Hollywood gossip columnist, Blossom was in the process of preparing a legal action against the president for sexual harassment. While they did have sex, it was something that she had sought. He knew this legal tactic was nothing more than a way to get even w
ith him because she had wanted to become ambassador to France and he had told her that the only ambassadorship he could offer her was to Viet Nam. Having been a baby boomer critic of the war that was the last place she wanted to go.
Blossom performed magnificently for the president and acted quite professional throughout, not once making any snide remarks about him or to him. She had performed several of her largest hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and was received so warmly with rousing applause at the finale that Mikhail was certain that they would clean up from the taping of the event when they sold it to cable.
Watching the ovation emanating from the audience, Sergotoff became livid. He now saw something that he hadn’t seen before and he began to sense the business enterprise here. He had seen how much the audience had enjoyed this woman's performance, and even though the concert was free, he was sure that most of the people in the room would have been willing to pay to see it. Okay, not everybody, there were always cheapskates no matter where you went.
While the presidential party moved toward the stage to make their customary visit with someone who had honored him with a performance, Sergotoff made his way out back to the casino. He had tried to locate his partner, Medansky, but apparently he had left the Cossack Room. Looking around the casino, he spotted Medansky at a blackjack table. Quickly, he made his way there, losing Sophia along the way to one of the slot machines that caught her attention with all it’s pretty reds and electric greens.
“Medansky, we’re going to have to do something quick, this capitalism thing might work.”
“I suppose so. Hit me.” The dealer turned over a card and Medansky broke into a smile. Slyly, he lifted his card that was faced down slightly so that Sergotoff would be able to see what he had. It was an eight that sat pretty with Medansky’s eight and four that were turned face up giving him a twenty. The card meant nothing to Sergotoff since he did not understand the game. His blank look left Medansky confused, since he did not understand why his friend did not understand his good fortune.
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