by Barney Broom
“May I recommend the sea bass? The gilt-head bream in beurre blanc is a specialty, and the gurnard Bercy, award winning. You’re probably more a snapper man, though!”
Monty chuckled at what he considered his witticism. The waiter returned and Monty ordered an expensive bottle of Pouilly-Fumé. For his meal he chose caviar followed by gurnard. Kaliska and Archie both went for oysters, then Kaliska opted for the brill as her main and Archie, monkfish.
“Feeling in need of monastic flagellation? Surely things aren’t that bad.”
Kaliska and Archie ignored Limmerson’s comment.
“So, Doctor Light, you have issues with Secorni.”
Kaliska Monroe’s voice was deeper than Archie imagined –huskier, with a slight lilt. The wine arrived. Monty approved it, and glasses were poured.
“Good health. Archie’s got issues with everyone, haven’t you Archie?”
Monty turned to Kaliska.
“Briefly, writing computer games he made a fortune for Secorni – and himself, but they passed on his latest effort and now wish to discontinue their links with the great creator.”
“I know.”
Kaliska looked Archie straight in the face and smiled.
“That’s what you’ve been doing, staying at the office late.”
Devouring a spoonful of caviar, Monty seemed mildly disgruntled. Archie sampled his wine.
“Presumably, Zaentz wishing to terminate my contract, I’m now free to go where I like.”
“Hmm. I’ve only scanned the papers. They’ll maintain rights to previous work, though we’ll laugh at the five years they want. My advice is two, tops.”
“But new material?”
“They’ll try and inhibit. Sort of ‘we don’t want him, you can’t have him’ stuff. You made some powerful enemies, Archie.”
“How come you upset them so much?”
Sitting back, Kaliska toyed with an oyster.
“Because I haven’t written a good game in three years and they think I’m an arrogant son of a bitch.”
“Are you?”
Monty laughed.
“When I last looked.”
Archie smiled.
“Probably some. It’s to hide my inadequacies.”
Monty spluttered.
“This is a good lunch. I’m almost glad we bumped into you.”
Having some more wine, Archie looked at Kaliska.
“I don’t like anything second rate. And… in the last few years, my stuff hasn’t been what I wanted it to be. Somehow, I couldn’t create. They said I’d lost touch, but it wasn’t that. The ideas just weren’t there.”
He turned to Monty.
“I was going to talk to you about another matter – albeit related. I may need your assistance in drawing up a contract with a developing partner.”
“You do or you don’t need my assistance? ‘May’ doesn’t come into it.”
“I’d forgotten what it’s like talking to you. The thing is, it’s – he’s – the partner’s still a minor.”
“Got a parent?”
“Yup. Mother.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem then. What’s his name?”
“Podric. Podric Moon.”
“Podric Moon? What sort of a name is that?”
“It’s a great name – wow.”
Kaliska seemed animated.
With the arrival of the main course, the diners began eating. Archie drank more and the waiter refilled his glass.
“We’ve worked on this game. The kid’s a computer champion. Won awards all over.”
“And you’re going into business with him. Surely you don’t want a partnership with a kid?”
“Why not? Sounds like a smart move.” Kaliska sipped her wine.
“The doctor’s hit a dip and this young man Podric is a games maven. His finger’s going to be on the pulse – or rather ‘Play’ button – he’ll know what the markets want.”
Monty was thoughtful.
“Well, I don’t know – I suppose he must have some talent.”
“He does.”
Archie sat back.
“If his mother and I had a company, the game could be launched via that association and not me personally – yuh?”
“Tricky. If you plan to do anything with it – could have other ramifications.”
“Such as?”
“What I said earlier about your contract. You take the game elsewhere and your name is on it…”
“What if we were represented?”
Noting his client’s concerns, Monty looked at Kaliska.
“The only really safe way is to have a holding company, but not in any way be part of the operating one.”
Archie had some more Pouilly-Fumé.
“I presume you’d like another bottle.”
It wasn’t really a question.
“Not driving anywhere in one of your exotic cars, I trust.”
Masticating a mouthful of food, Archie didn’t reply.
“What do you drive?”
“Some funny French-sounding name. He’s got several of them.”
“Facel Vega.”
“Wow – they are beautiful.”
“Interested in cars, are you?”
“Kind of, but Facel Vegas are something else.”
The second bottle of Pouilly-Fumé arrived and Archie was poured a glass. Picking it up aggressively, the look on his face wasn’t one of pleasure.
“Don’t see many of them around, I’ll give you that.”
Archie drank before continuing.
“What about a name?”
“For your partnership? I’ve been thinking about that. There’s only one – MoonLight.”
Monty laughed at Kaliska’s suggestion.
“Very good – Moonlighting it is, then!”
Forty-five minutes later, they parted. Amicable enough, Archie appeared preoccupied. Standing on the pavement, Kaliska proffered her hand.
“It was good to meet you. I’ll send over some draft papers – the sort of contract where a parent or guardian is involved.”
Archie muttered acknowledgment and managed to thank Monty for lunch. The legal people heading up South Audley Street, Limmerson said, “So, the problem child.”
“He didn’t say that.”
Monty laughed.
“I don’t mean Podmoon or whatever he’s called – I’m talking about our client. There’s always been a dark side to Archie Light. He’s got the most beautiful wife. Titled, she’s treated him badly and he can’t really handle it.”
“Any family?”
Kaliska’s voice was neutral.
“A daughter – Cosima. An exotic creature, stunning and spoilt, I believe she’s also known to be contemptuous of her father. Such is the human condition. Clever, possibly brilliant, but demons torture that man or my name isn’t Montgomery Limmerson.”
Walking away in the opposite direction, Archie experienced conflicting emotions. Angry at the treatment he’d received at Secorni and irritated at his solicitor’s attitude, he was attracted to Monty’s new Head of Business Development.
Striding into his club, Archie went straight to the bar, where Alannah and Barbara found him an hour later.
“Ah, the Witches of Eastwick.”
Leaning heavily against the counter, all thoughts of sensitivity had left Light.
“Potions and brews a-bubbling…”
Brodie studied her boss with a cold eye.
“What are you looking at me like that for?”
“You’ve obviously had a good day.”
Alannah was hard.
“Where did this piece of inaccurate perception come from?”
“Doctor, presuming things haven’t gone well, drowning your
sorrows won’t help.”
Barbara’s voice was polite.
“Oh, thank you for the homespun advice. What, pray, gives you the right to comment on my behaviour?”
“Every, if you’re to do business with my son.”
“Oh yes? Is that so? Well, I have news for you. I’ve decided not to go ahead with his little game, so he can go and stuff it!”
“Very well, Doctor Light, that is your decision.”
Bright-faced, Barbara looked at Alannah.
“I guess I’d better make other plans for getting home.”
“What do you mean?” Light cut in.
“Well, you’re in no fit state to get behind the wheel.”
“Really? I’ll decide that.”
“I don’t think so.”
“What are you going to do, report me?”
“I could drive you back if you like?”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Well, it’s either that or Barbara and I take a train.”
Alannah was firm.
“I don’t let anyone drive my FVs. Anyway, I bet you couldn’t.”
“You’re on. What are the stakes?”
Archie laughed.
“Dr. Light, you might be surprised what some of us women can do these days. Having helped my husband with his pilot’s exams, I can recite the exact rate of climb for a Typhoon T3 variant aircraft as per the RAF manual chapter and verse. Like to hear it? ‘With full throttle and ailerons at inverted position… ’”
“Oh God, you’ll be telling me about the double wishbone suspension on my cars next.”
Archie quaffed the last of his whisky. Barbara shrugged.
“Well, engine-wise it’s a good job that Chrysler V8 replaced the troublesome DeSoto.”
She picked up a club mint from the counter and popped it in her mouth.
“I’m an advanced motorist, Doctor Light, and driving an Excellence or Faciella doesn’t pose any particular challenge.” Forty minutes later, seeing her swing the Facel Vega through London’s streets and out into the country, Archie had to confess, even if only to himself, that it clearly didn’t.
9
Alternative Reality
Arriving back at the Lighthouse that evening, Archie had sobered up sufficiently during the drive home and was able to acknowledge what an excellent driver Barbara Moon was. Having enjoyed herself behind the wheel, Barbara was in high spirits as she guided the car through the gates, bringing the Facel Vega to a stop outside the house.
“That was fantastic, Barbara – you’re a born Michael Schumacher.”
“I hope not, Brodie.”
Archie was subdued.
“Ha. A light on in the Tower.”
“Didn’t you say Podric could use it?”
“He hasn’t been.”
“Well, maybe he is now.”
They got out of the car.
“You’ll want to be getting the key back from him if you’re not running with the game.”
Archie, taking the garden path to his citadel, didn’t reply. The housekeeper and Podric’s mother eyed each other briefly. Alannah unlocked the front door of the house and switched off the alarm. Dog leaped up to greet them.
Finding the Tower door locked, Archie was puzzled. There were no signs of a break-in; he speed-dialled Podric’s number and half a minute later, the boy appeared.
“So, you decided to avail yourself of my facilities.”
“You mean use your lab? You offered.”
Walking to the lift, they climbed in. Neither spoke. Approaching the top, Archie said, “You didn’t ask how my meeting went.”
The games creator and champion looked at each other. The lift came to a stop.
“Well, how did it go?”
Not replying, Archie pushed open the glass door and entered his den. Heading for the drinks cabinet, he poured himself a large scotch.
“Bastards.”
“Ah. Want me to call Pasaro?”
“No, I do not want you to call Pasaro.”
“Who then?”
“I don’t want to pursue the game.”
Podric appeared to accept Archie’s decision with sangfroid.
“You won’t mind if I continue with it?”
“Do what you like.”
As Podric returned to the lab to collect his things, the lift began to descend. A few seconds later it came back up carrying Barbara Moon. Stepping into the den, she found Archie slouched in a reclining chair.
“Podric not here?”
Flicking through a magazine, Archie grunted and nodded towards the stair door. Seeing the glass of whisky beside him, Barbara’s expression was surprisingly sympathetic.
“Doctor Light, I want to thank you again for organising my consultation today. It was very considerate, though whether it was quite so beneficial as driving your fabulous car is perhaps open to debate.”
His mood dark, Archie grimaced.
“I’m also sorry you had issues with your games company. I’m sure the project you and Podric are developing will clean up. As I’ve said, he’s been contacted by several other organisations and one of them is certain to take it.”
“You obviously didn’t hear me earlier, Mrs. Moon. I’m not interested in this game and I’m not pursuing it.”
“Oh, but you are, doctor, and you will be.”
Hearing his mother talking to Archie, Podric appeared. His backpack was on his shoulder.
“It’s alright Mum – really.”
Ignoring her son, Barbara continued.
“You know you don’t mean what you’ve just said and besides, you need the success.”
“Oh really? You certainly are creative in your theories.”
Archie leaped up, angry.
“For your information, I do not need to write any new game. I do not need to do anything, so you and your oh so clever son can get out of my house now! Is that clear enough for you?!”
“We’ll be making a move in a moment.”
Barbara eyed the doctor coolly.
“Complicated man that you are, your saving grace is you’re highly intelligent and when you calm down, you’ll realise how stupidly you’re behaving.”
At this point, Archie looked apoplectic.
“My son is gifted but he needs you to help him. He needs your brilliance and he needs you as a man – more than ever now. Together, I think there are few boundaries you can’t overcome so on Saturday, Podric will come back here and you can get on with the work and develop what needs to be done.”
She turned to her son.
“I believe he’s told you he’s been recommended a lawyer who will be needed to draw up any contracts.”
Barbara took Podric’s hand.
“Thank you again for your kindness and please don’t let me down – or yourself.”
With that, the Moons left. Doctor Light appeared to struggle with the reality of what he’d just heard.
The remarkable thing was that Podric Moon did return to Archie Light’s laboratory the following Saturday afternoon, creator and champion working side by side as if nothing had happened. Both were sitting in front of large computer screens when Podric hit the return button and got up from his stool to stretch.
“Problems?”
Not taking his eyes off his screen, Archie was absorbed.
“I’m happy about the story structure, but the overall gameplay needs improving. Gamers like to be challenged – make it winnable, but difficult.”
“These graphics packages are amazing. When I think back…”
“Still a lot to do; apart from being fun to play, a section needs to be pretty much done, so Fred gets the feel of how the whole thing’s going to look.”
“When are you seeing your best friend?”
“After school? Are they sending a car?”
Podric nodded. Archie sat back. He’d had a lot to deal with internally since nearly blowing their deal apart and even now experienced some difficulty accepting Podric’s intimacy with the head of the largest computer games company in the world.
After his disastrous time in London and subsequent problematic behaviour, Archie finally made up his mind that if he was to proceed and get his barely started new business venture back on track, the first person he should visit was Podric’s mother. Still at home on sick leave, he’d called her and she had agreed to meet him.
Arriving at Briony Close, the two had a full and frank discussion. Given Secorni’s rejection of anything to do with him, the one stipulation Light made was that he and Podric should be represented by the same legal firm and he suggested Monty Limmerson. Archie also explained that given Podric’s age and the controversy surrounding himself, it would make sense if Barbara and Alannah were the directors of Agrolution. In addition, a holding company involving Archie and Barbara could be set up, being a private arrangement far removed from prying eyes. Barbara accepted this.
During the intervening few days, Archie was busy sorting out paperwork and working on the business end of the arrangement. His mind more balanced now, the inherent respect he had for Podric had begun to return.
“They were going to come and see me, but I’d prefer it was there. They’ll want to run checks.”
“Obviously they hold you in high esteem.”
“Huh. Just so long as they take the game.”
Podric sat down in one of the leather reclining chairs.
“I’ve been doing some more work on alternative reality.”
“Uhuh. Interesting what you were saying about reversing the imaginary process.”
Saving his work, Archie got up and headed for the fridge.
“Still planning on developing it from your O-in R mechanism?”
“As you said, it was partly there but looking at the programmed microchip – I don’t think it should be taken, but inserted – a tag in the wrist synced to the game via the eyes.”
“Woah – that’s getting surgical.”
The games creator took out a couple of beers and handed one to Podric.