Page 72 of Fate in Motion
I launch into the list like I’ve rehearsed it a hundred times. “We need a down payment and security deposit for the rental, a few staff members, furniture, coffee, cleaning equipment, refrigeration, marketing, and a few other things.”
“Marketing is covered,” Mel cuts in. “Remember those two women from the Boom Lounge? They said they’d promote the cafe on Instagram, with their million followers. Done! Marketing is officially complete.”
“I doubt they’ll actually do it,” I say, “But sure, we can try.”
“This all sounds reasonable,” Carter nods. “I’m comfortable investing $250,000.”
“Same,” Mel echoes. Then, almost as if they had rehearsed it, they both say, “On one condition, you must pick the Christopher Street rental.”
“I told you,” I say. “We’re checking it out after Dilbert leaves.”
“No,” they both insist. “Promise us.”
I cross my fingers behind my back. “Fine, I promise.”
They don’t know I need to feel the space first. If it’s too big, I’m scared I could lose control or not handle the pressure.
Just as they’re about to question me more, there’s another knock on the door.
Carter laughs. “Henry, my front desk guy is definitely getting no tip next year.”
Mel and I burst out laughing as Carter opens the door. Standing there is a short, balding man with patchy brown hair and a crisp, button-down shirt. Very professional.
“You must be Mr. Murphy,” I say.
“Call me Dilbert,” he says.
Mel smiles, and I glare at her.
Dilbert wastes no time. He takes a seat on Carter’s couch, pulls out a thick wad of papers, and says, “Let’s get to it. I reviewed what you need for the cafe and compiled somenumbers. You didn’t tell me how much you have to invest, so I’m pulling numbers out of my ass.”
I look at Carter, who mouths, I like this guy. I nod back.
“We’re willing to invest $500,000 upfront,” I say, “Including first and last month’s rent. And the max we’d pay monthly is $50,000.”
Dilbert raises a finger. “You’re not in Times Square, son. It’ll be less around here.”
“We haven’t picked a place yet,” I add.
“If you pick something in Greenwich, you can open the cafe for $400,000,” he says. “Rentals are cheaper there.”
I look at Carter with wide eyes. “That’s…less than I expected.”
Dilbert flips through his papers. “Let’s get to work. I need to go over exactly where this money is going.”
I rush to the kitchen and grab a thick folder. When I open it, Carter and Mel exchange a look of surprise.
I mouth, “What can I say? I’m prepared.”
For the next forty-five minutes, the four of us hash out the numbers and lay out the path forward.
When Dilbert finally gets up to leave, he shakes our hands. “Get the rental locked in,” he says. “Once you know the rent, everything else will fall into place.”
“Thanks, Dilbert,” I say.
As soon as the door closes, I look at my two investors. “Let’s go check out the venue you two are obsessed with.”
They beam.
