Mommy Was a Whore Ch. 06

"Oh, that will earn you plaudits. We get many people coming in and wanting to buy property but we never see them again. That is the difficult transaction out of the way. Now what is the other query?"

"I wish to by the council-owned property called the Gaynor Building on the corner of Central Avenue and River Road."

"Oh lordy, just a moment while I pull up that property. I go often to the coffee house in that building. I'd hate to see it go."

"It will be retained with the balcony glassed in with opening windows."

"Oh wonderful."

Gina continued. "I am aware this building is required to be set-back. That's why I want to offer the council its purchase price back. That should leave me with sufficient money to have the building setback at ground level, the new balcony raised to a safe height and cantilevered and I will then have the entire building renovated. My purchase means the council is relieved of the setback costs and I will be left with what should be an excellent investment. My offer is subject to satisfactory engineering and architectural reports and the council's preparedness to accept my terms."

"This proposal is even more complicated that the Pilcher St proposed purchase."

"I know but think of the money the sale will release back to the council's treasury. My information is the council paid $2 million for that building."

"Well yes, but that is a matter of public record. We were forced to spend on improvements."

"Cheap and nasty in the main from what I can see. But the council isn't in the business of making fancy improvements to commercial property, is it Mrs Howell? And I imagine the proposal to buy the building and on-sell it to recover a huge amount of taxes owing came unstuck because potential buyers didn't like the set-back requisition?"

"You could well be correct Miss Lott but of course in my position I'm unable to confirm or deny council business that is not in the public domain."

"I would appreciate it Mrs Howell if you present my proposals to the council together, as the Pilcher St proposal could show I do have a heart. Here is my check for $100,000 for the council to hold pending discussions to indicate my genuine interest in acquiring the Gaynor Building. That check is refundable of course if no transaction proceeds."

Mrs Howell said she had noted the requests and the conditions of the deposit and pointed out their conversation had been recorded. "I shall pursue these matters with similar enthusiasm that you have displayed in representing them, she smiled. "Good luck."

At 3:30 Gina rose from her chilly corner seat at the coffee house balcony as the CEO of the Post, Mrs Ramirez arrived.

"Hell's bells Gina, do you want me to freeze my butt off? This coat is not very warm."

"Just for a couple of minutes Charlotte. I want to show you something."

"Please make it quick. Inside looks so inviting."

"Okay, over here to the edge of the balcony. See how the Fellows' Building over there is set-back at ground level from the line of other buildings, and over here the United Trust Building has been set-back similarly and Small's Building over there."

"Yes, but not this one. And?"

"Imagine a monument in the center of this intersection, the traffic lights gone and traffic slowing to observe the give-way rule?"

"Yes, but what sort of monument?"

"A memorial to our founder, Sergeant Tom."

"Oh god, not you."

"Bear with me Charlotte while I fill you up with coffee and cream cakes."

Charlotte listened how Gina and her helpers were filling in some of the missing pieces about Sergeant Tom.

"This is amazing Gina, truly amazing. Why aren't we publishing this information as it's found?"

"It's a big like sex Charlotte if you can remember back that far. You remember the times when you got off with a big bang."

"You cheeky young bitch," Charlotte laughed. "No one has ever spoken to me like that, ever."

"Oh, and you resent that?"

"No, definitely not. You have a way with you that...that...well you make it seem acceptable. I keep my sex life, well the little bit I have these days, very private."

"Well, back to the less erotic things. You will see a double-page spread in the Post about Sergeant Tom and this monument very soon but the kick-off with be on TV."

"You're dreaming Gina. TV is not interested in this town outside of mayhem and murder or a good old-fashion sex scandal and those are rare."

"I'm thinking to launch on TV on Sunday week. If I'm to honor Sergeant Tom I'll need to swing a big chunk of people behind this project. Can you imagine a monument out there?"

"Yes I can and it ought to gave this pivotal intersection a more interesting center to our city."

"But that's City Hall isn't it?"

"Tubby and Co like to think so. But a decent monument and this building being setback with a new balcony as you described would leave City Hall and its miserable garden strips in its wake aesthetically."

"Oh Charlotte. Thank you. That's an aspect I hadn't considered. TV is waiting for me to indicate when I'm ready to launch."

"But nobody dictates TV news – they are even worse than our editorial people."

"I know, but news is news and the people I'm in contact with have long news noses. This story has state-wide appeal and they say it probably will go on national network, being one of those cute stories used to finish off the evening's main news bulletin."

"Are you sure TV is that interested?"

Charlotte listened in astonishment when she learned of the doco with TV researchers already underway and securing old footage. "Local filming starts here Monday week which is why I'm picking to launch on the evening prior. Now Charlotte, this is why I have involved you by buttering you up. How big is our fund on the Post for supporting community projects."

"Quite substantial...oh, you wish to raid it."

"Yes but even more than that. I need you to seek board agreement to underwrite half the cost of the doco. It will be small, just forty-five minutes on screen – the rest will be taken up by ad breaks. The TV studio will underwrite the other half and we will apply for state funding."

"How much Gina?"

"Good value really – with the majority of filming being straight interviews and the research not being too onerous because there's not too much to research, the director of programming and the film director have told me they could bring it in for under $800,00 with luck."

"Oh, is that all?" Charlotte sighed sarcastically.

"The Post only has to guarantee half and the State Government is bound to cough up; it has funds for projects like this."

"Oh Gina."

"Oh Charlotte...please."

Charlotte sighed deeply and said okay.

"Oh great, thank you. Kiss-kiss. We won't have to raise much money because I aim to show successive council's failed Sergeant Tom. Tubby and Co are going to be astonished to learn that Sergeant Tom was chairman of the inaugural Town Board. That makes him one of them. This project will take off like a rocket. There will be opposition but they will be outnumbered by the overwhelming guilt of others acknowledging this town has given Sergeant Tom a very raw deal."

"Goodness Gina, you have me convinced. You should be in politics."

"Enough bullshit Charlotte. Please indicate you are one of us."

"Yes of course, I'm a committed trooper."

"Oh god, what a name for campaign buttons: 'I'm a Committed Trooper.' Charlotte, you are a genius."

"That's enough bullshit young lady. I suppose funding for the buttons is to come out of my slush fund?"

"Yes, what a great offer! Thank you Charlotte. With people like you behind this campaign, how can it not succeed? But wait, there is more: we'll sell the buttons for two bucks each at the Post, news stands and book stores with the proceeds going towards the bronze plinth on the memorial. I'll make up any shortfall."

Gina agreed it was a good idea to add 'Back the Tom Palin Campaign' to the wording.

Gina stood and said that completed their business.

"Thank god for that," smiled Charlotte. "I'm close to being shell-shocked.

To be Continued