"006 The Mutant Corps" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

However, some of the office personnel in the neighbouring similarly ugly looking building noticed one sunny Monday morning that a crew of workers had busied themselves on the outside wall between the seventh and ninth stories. The neon signs for a toothpaste, a hair tonic and an automobile tire were hauled down within a few hours. In their place a huge flashing neon sign was installed that very same evening with just three giant yellow letters, outlined in bright blue: G.C.C. The speed with which the installation of the sign proceeded seemed remarkable and led the attentive observers to make some conclusions about the business mentality of the firm whose huge initials boldly adorned the drab building facade.

What these three giant letters G.C.C. stood for, could be learned the next day from a full page ad in The New York Times in which the General Cosmic Co. announced that it had opened its doors for business. They described themselves as consultants and efficiency experts and offered expert advice to any interested parties regardless of field of business. New sensational manufacturing processes and additional machinery were offered at prices that were really sensationally low, considering the fantastic potential increase in profit.

Homer G. Adams, business manager of the new firm, three young ladies as office help. He was acting of the firmТs proprietor, Benjamin Wilder. He welcomed his help with a pep talk."Еthe proprietor of our firm has placed me in full charge of these offices. We are a new enterprise without any tradition or predecessors. With your support I hope to gain worldwide recognition for the letters СG.C.C.Т I demand promptness and utmost reliability from you. Whatever special knowledge is required for this type of work you will acquire in, a short time, if you apply yourselves. It is to your advantage to be just as young as our firm. We will all grow together, and you have splendid chances for advancement."

"You have here all kinds of business machines for your office work. For the more complicated tasks involving calculation and statistics you see here this tiny electronic instrument. I will shortly instruct you in how it works. Finally, I naturally insist that you make our clients feel welcome in this office. Thank you."

The office hours were from nine to five. At nine-fifteen sharp the first caller arrived. It was a floristТs delivery boy with a beautiful bouquet of twenty-four red gladiolus. The attached card. was signed by Benjamin Wilder, the proprietor of G.C.C. Homer G. Adams smiled pleasantly and made some charming remark to his secretary, Miss Lawrence, about the thoughtfulness of their absent boss. The delivery boy received a generous tip.As he was leaving he held open the entrance door to a new arrival, who, was almost as wide as he was high. He introduced. himself as Abraham Weiss to the receptionist, who ushered him in to Homer G. AdamТs office."Good morning, Mr. Adams. I have read your ad in the New York Times.Е"

"WonТt you have a seat, Mr. Weiss!"Weiss fell heavily, back into the wide chair next to AdamsТs desk and spoke again. "I read your ad, and I decided to find out a bit more about what you have to offer. It seems that you promise quite a lot, you must admit!"

"It all depends on what kind of terms you are used to. What specifically brings you to us?"

"Well, I donТt quite know how to begin. My visit here is mainly to obtain information. You know what I mean, of course. I have a fine business, and my motto is live and let live. But I am always curious about any potential improvements, any kind of progress. Could be I might miss some important chance otherwise. That is why I have come to see you."

"Yes, of course. Anyone who fails to take advantage of what G.C.C. has to offer is definitely missing out on a tremendous opportunity."

"ThatТs a wonderful slogan, Mr. Adams. You are so right!"Although Adams was rather irritated by the way his visitor seemed to beat around the bush, he inquired politely, "How can we be of service to you, Mr. Weiss?"

"Well, my dear Mr. Adams, I have, some interests in Colorado. Something that might interest you, too. Do you understand anything about power stations?"

"You mean nuclear power plants?"

"No, hydraulic power. Electricity from a dammed up river. Does that sound too conservative for you?"

"Not at all. So you are constructing a hydraulic power plant?"

"Yes, at the upper Arkansas River, not far from Cripple Creek. But we are not yet, constructing it. My firm would be most interested in obtaining that contract, though."

"You are looking for ways of cutting. your costs. so you may compete in bidding for the contract. Is that it, Mr. Weiss?"

"Not exactly, Mr. Adams. We have already submitted our bid, and I might add that I think we have excellent chances for beating out the other competitors After, all, we are leaders in our field. But just as a matter of principle I would like to know if you have anything up your sleeve that could put us into an even more advantageous position. I just, want to get acquainted with you as a future contact. I would like to know what G.C.C. could eventually do for us. On the other hand, I am sure you must be eager to make new, contacts, seeing that you are brand new in this field. Any business connections should be valuable to you, particularly with such a reputable house as ours."

Homer G. Adams felt he could do very well without such gratuitous advice. But he did not let on, especially since he had learned by experience that the braggarts of Mr. WeissТs type were those who needed help most."You expressed my own thoughts, Mr. Weiss," he said with a smile, and offered him a cigar. "Please help yourself. I am sure you will enjoy my own private brand."

He waited until his visitor had lit his cigar and was puffing contentedly before he continued, "It would be nonsense to deny that we are trying to get established and therefore appreciate any connections. I am particularly pleased to welcome someone of your stature as my very first customer. But letТs go on talking about your project. I admit that hydroelectric power plants are rather on the conservative side, but they are still not out of date. Nuclear Power is an important competitor, but in the last analysis it is all a question of finances. Which is cheaper? And there I would have some tempting suggestions to make to you."Adams had been observing his visitor intently while he made his long speech. And he had noticed a suspicious twitching in the manТs fleshy face. Abraham Weiss slowly abandoned his attitude of feigned indifference, for he definitely wanted more than just to get acquainted with Homer G. Adams."Pardon my asking a personal question, Mr. Adams. Judging by the way you talk you must be, quite an expert in this special field."

"The construction of power plants is just one of the many fields in which we have specialized knowledge. That is our strong point. You see, people who make claims in newspaper ads, as we did, must be able to back them up with facts. Otherwise, our firm would be doomed right from the start."

"But to come back to your special project, Mr. Weiss. According to my information you have every reason to be concerned about your competitors who made their bids on the basis of nuclear power. The, construction of power plants, especially in mountainous areas, is so expensive these days that your chances are none too good. On the other hand, the upkeep of hydraulic power stations is still cheaper today than that of atomic plants. You will win out on your bid if you can manage to build your hydraulic works for approximately the same price as your nuclear competitors."

Abraham Weiss was all eyes and ears. "You are very well informed indeed. But letТs go further. "You have stated the problem I face. Now let me hear what suggestions you have for a solution!"Homer G. Adams smiled sweetly. "Such advice is usually not given without charge. Since you are my first visitor and potential client, however, I will throw this much for free. But In case you should accept my solution, you would need more than just advice. You would also need my machines. First of all I want you to quote me the overall price for the hydroelectric works at Cripple Creek. Then break it down and tell me the cost of the necessary earth movements and getting the terrain ready for construction. Then I will give you my counterproposals."

The fat man sucked on his cigar, obviously deliberating whether he dared quote any actual figures. Then he explained,, "I can quote you only proportionate figures. Not real costs. I am not authorized to do so. You see my point, I am sure."

"Why, certainly. just give me, for example, what proportion of the total cost the earth construction work would comprise."

"Well, letТs assume the total cost amounts to 1.3 billion dollars Then the foundation plus the earthwork would be about 550 million dollars."