Order Only: Negotiations Part Two

[alt_sirius]

Well, it's not as interesting, perhaps, as the time you are all having, but I thought I should report some progress on the negotiations with Mr Sabola.

I suspected since our last meeting that I knew why he was so keen to work with us, but Monday I confirmed it. Advantage: Order.

Unfortunately, I somewhat overestimated his tolerance for haggling. As a result, I wasn't able to drop him quite as low as I'd have liked, but I was able to get him to agree to assume a level of risk relative to his 'commission' on the sales of whatever we order through him. Advantage: Sabola, I think, on the whole.

Whatever. We've come to an accord at 10-1/2%, of which 2-1/2% is his 'investment' in the product (which amounts to a share in the profit as well).

We've also agreed on unit prices for the basic staples: sugar, flour, cooking oil, etc., and arranged for the first loads to come under the Laszlo banner for transport to the Protectorate. Again, not as low as I'd like, but not as high as it could have been owing to his own interest in maintaining his profit-share.

That means the first shipments of sugar, flour, oil, pepper, cinnamon and curry should reach Dover in about a week--sooner than I anticipated, since we were 'done' negotiating that much ahead of schedule. I've not forgot your requests, Poppy: your mace will take an additional week to acquire. Something about their harvest process, I think; I'm not sure I heard correctly. But it's on its way, along with turmeric, nutmeg, cayenne, cloves and cumin.

I haven't heard from Nymphadora since before she started working for Mr Ponds, but if she tells me anything interesting about you, Moony, I'll be sure to pass it along. (Incidentally, have you seen my ghost lately? Everything back to normal there?) I did get an owl from Harry, but nothing of note there. Except to tell Hermione that he does feel awkward having to treat you worse in front of other people. So that's encouraging, I hope.

I've been thinking about the infants in the camps. Arthur, are those camps they were born into anywhere on the sick lists? If they aren't, perhaps Frank's right and the thing to do is move *before* anything spreads into the immediate area. As for how to get in - what about these inspections Malfoy discussed? Perhaps you could make up some sort of story that you're conducting investigations in advance of Bonfire Night on behalf of the Minister, or Voldemort himself. When in doubt, the bigger the name you drop, the more likely people are to let their fear guide them.

I'm on the move again at the weekend, to Athens for the Old World Quidditch Invitational. I'll see if I can find olives and olive oil while I'm there. Keep your wits about you, you lot!

Comments

[alt_frank]

all sounds good to me, mate.

we're just waiting for the go-ahead from Poppy and Arthur at this point, but I'm with you. the sooner the better.

[alt_arthur]

I think you're right, Sirius. We should move to get Charles Kass out of Hertfordshire, first. Fortunately, I've pinpointed him at the East Hertfordshire camp, which is NOT one of the ones on the affected list, although, as I said, about half the other camps in that district are. Bill, do you have the forgery packets ready?

[alt_bill]

Yeah, Dad, all the parchments and identity cards are ready. The forgers did a great job, very convincing. Given the medical news in the region, I'm not running the Healer-accompanied-by-Administrator scam. Afraid that might get you TOO much attention. Identity two will be a census worker trying to reconcile some population reports. Okay? How soon are you ready to grab your broom for this? And do you still have enough polyjuice?

[alt_alice]

Frank's ready to move as soon as you are, Arthur. We've got enough Polyjuice to last for two people for five hours. Frank can go as Danny and Arthur can go as Victor.