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" What he told me was, I was not thinking outside the box and there was no reason I should not be seeing a return on my investment." Now Eddie saw concern cross a couple of faces.” I met Eddie a few weeks ago when he performed nothing short of a miracle. In three weeks’ time, he was able to provide a return on a group’ s capital investment of one thousand percent. You heard me correctly. For every one hundred dollars invested he made over one thousand dollars. Needless to say, this caught my attention and I asked him for his opinion of the Center at Golden Estates.“
The group searched their memories. One of the three women seated around the table asked,” You’ re referring to the strip center that has been empty for two years? The place with no houses for miles around?“, she said, as a smile formed on her red lips.” Exactly, Sam,“ Frank answered. Eddie felt the tension leave the room.” Yesterday, Eddie made me an offer I could not refuse. He said he would be willing to invest half of his six-figure salary for fifty percent of the profit. But as you know I cannot accept any offer without asking all of you if you want to offer a better deal.“ The people seated at the huge conference room table looked at each other for a moment. " Have they started building homes in Golden Estates?" one of the men asked. " No. All the acreage is still tied up in court," Frank answered and waited through at least ten seconds of uncomfortable silence.” No takers. OK. Good. Then, I hope all of you take a moment today, before you leave, to introduce yourselves,“ he strongly encouraged. Frank turned toward Eddie.” Let me show you to your office. Welcome aboard,“ Frank mused, standing and offering Eddie his hand. Eddie stood and shook his hand. Rodney stepped forward between Eddie and Frank.” Rodney Williamson! I am the district manager for the property you hope to resurrect. I am at your service.“ Eddie shook his hand and placed the proffered card in his pocket. Rodney gave a wink that no one but Eddie could see. This entire meeting had been orchestrated by Frank and Rodney.
The three of them walked down the hall and up the open stairway. In the center of the formidable space, at the top of the stairs, was a large circular, professionally decorated open office. Two young women were working behind the curved granite counter top.” Tracy. This is Eddie Dodge. Eddie, I’ d like you to meet your secretary, Tracy.“ The other lovely lady is Beverly.“ Beverly looked up, waved and went back to her phone.
Extending her right hand, Tracy said,” Nice to meet you, Mr. Dodge. I am here to assist you. Please, let me know how I can help.” Eddie noticed she had a warm, firm grip.” Please, call me Eddie,“ he urged.” As you wish Eddie,“ she avowed. Rodney led the way to Eddie’ s office.
The polished brass nameplate on the ebony door said,” Eddie Dodge, Associate Manager.” The door’ s finish reminded Eddie of a grand piano as he reached for the heavy handle that matched the nameplate. The wall behind the mahogany desk, in the twelve by fifteen-foot space, was a row of windows that faced a manicured terrace. Two black leather chairs sat facing the desk, topped with a computer monitor, green banker’ s lamp and a phone.
Frank closed the heavy door behind them.” Great job. Take your chair for a spin,“ Frank said, with his hand on Eddie’ s back, urging him forward. Eddie sat behind his desk. Rodney and Frank took the chairs facing him.“ Eddie, you surprised me and I like that. I was not sure how you would look to this group of barracudas. I anticipated a lot more questions but you walked in looking like a million bucks,” Frank marveled.
“ My wife helped considerably. Last night,” Eddie admitted.“ That’ s off the rack?” Rodney asked.“ I guess I’ m the right body type.”“ I hope you bought a couple,” Frank said, Eddie nodded.“ Let’ s get down to business. What do you think of the property?”