[Chapter 68: The Political Party]
"Is that how Wall Street folks talk, all full of themselves?" Orlando glared at the conference room door that had just closed, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table. "Throwing out demands for seven-figure salaries and equity stakes. If they were really worth it, money wouldn't be an issue. So what kind of candidates did you bring me?"
He turned to Sarah, the senior account manager from Russell Reynolds who was handling the liaison, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction.
Sarah forced a professional smile. "Mr. Keller, this candidate specializes in global equity markets, skilled at stealth accumulation and debt structuring -- the exact expertise your private investment firm head needs..."
"Stop," Orlando interrupted. "I want a seasoned captain who can keep things steady and manage the money well. I don't need any flashy financial gimmicks!"
Leaning forward, he fixed Sarah with a sharp look. "Stop digging around those small-time Wall Street shops. The real pros are at the big firms -- Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley. Just pry them over!"
Sarah gently tapped the resumes spread on the table. "Mr. Keller, your net worth at eighteen is truly impressive," she said measuredly, "but honestly -- top-tier talent is bound by ironclad noncompete agreements. Once they leave, they are stuck for three to ten years. If they think of breaking the contract, the penalties start at ten times their annual salary."
She paused, then added, "Of course, you could have candidates hold nominal roles at charitable foundations to skirt those clauses. But their 'loyalty'," Sarah emphasized, "is cemented by cold hard cash and solid promises."
She opened the folder to reveal several resumes marked with red Xs. "The assistant to the Goldman Sachs CEO earns half a million a year, but that mansion on Long Island? That's their 'loyalty bonus' from Goldman. The Lehman Brothers' market director is two years shy of full retirement benefits. Moving him now would be like torching his wife's Maserati and his daughter's Ivy League tuition. That kind of loyalty, your cash checks can't buy."
Orlando frowned. "So you're telling me you can't get the job done? There are tons of headhunters in New York -- I'll just switch firms."
He stood up, ready to walk out. Better to go find some inspiration elsewhere than waste time here.
"Wait, Mr. Keller, you misunderstand!" Sarah quickly stopped him, pulling out her ace. "If you give us concrete targets -- names, companies -- we can tailor a custom plan for you. We can create internal conflicts within the employer, make the candidate feel neglected to encourage voluntary resignation, or even orchestrate a 'perfectly timed' scandal to get them fired. No matter how tricky, you give us the name, and we can handle it!"
"Really?" Orlando paused mid-step, settling back into his chair with a hint of appraisal in his eyes. "Robert Rubin, Abby Joseph Cohen... what about people of that level? Not to mention the scary ones like Peter Lynch. Tell me, who can you get?"
He leaned back, relaxed, as if asking, "Is this apple sweet?"
Sarah's smile stiffened instantly. The folder in her hands creased slightly.
"Uh... Mr. Keller, your vision... is quite impressive. These people aren't completely out of reach..." She swallowed hard, trying to sound hopeful yet professional, "But it takes time, building trust over the long haul, waiting for the right window..."
"Stop." Orlando cut in again, counting off points in the air with his finger. "I said plug-and-play! If I need to wait for the right moment, why am I paying your high consulting fees?" His tone grew cold, and he began to rise again.
Sarah steeled herself. "Mr. Keller! We can negotiate fees! Top talent requires strategic planning, but potential rising stars? We can introduce you to them immediately!"
"One last chance."
Orlando halted as if making a magnanimous decision. "Oh, and I still need a top PR manager, someone with deep media background and strong capabilities," he stressed. "Same deal -- ready to hit the ground running!"
Sarah breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "As you wish."
---
Stepping out of Russell Reynolds's office, Orlando's expression showed little, but inside, a trace of satisfaction rippled through him.
Telepathy wasn't just for romancing or sniffing out disloyalty among his people.
At the negotiation table, it was a cheat code--
He only had to gauge the subtle shifts in Sarah's baseline emotions, then play the part of about to walk out.
That million-dollar expected consulting contract was squeezed down by thirty percent flat.
No way to push it further.
Because that was already Russell Reynolds's rock bottom.
And this was just one clever application of his telepathy in business dealings.
---
Later, stuck in Manhattan traffic, Orlando got a call.
"...I'll come to your party, but I already told you -- no crazy wild stuff. You know I'm not into that."
It was Madonna calling, who was back in New York to rest after her latest tour.
Besides telling him where to "pay his dues" that evening, she invited him to a party the next day.
"Damn, ever since I met you, I know you don't like those things. I haven't thrown or attended a wild party since!" Madonna sounded annoyed.
"The party tomorrow is public, at my Long Island estate. I'm fronting the bill, inviting some guests, but it's not officially under my name."
Before Orlando could snark, Madonna dropped a surprise name that caught his attention.
"...Hillary Clinton?"
"Yeah, the wife of the young governor of Arkansas!"
"She's the First Lady of Arkansas, so her parties should be in Arkansas, right? Why New York?"
Orlando was curious.
"Midterm elections are coming up soon," Madonna explained.
"Oh, right -- that makes sense." Orlando nodded.
Madonna went on, saying Hillary had been speaking at many Democratic fundraisers and was frequently in Manhattan meeting New York donors.
Thanks to having performed concerts in Arkansas, Madonna and Hillary had become good friends.
The party tomorrow afternoon was Madonna's way of stepping in to host on behalf of her "good friend."
"The political atmosphere is thick. I'm inviting you, but you should check with your political advisors first," Madonna said on the call.
*****
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