The following story is gay fiction. If the subject matter is offensive to you or you are too young, please exit now. This story is the property of the author and may not be reproduced without permission. JETjt@aol.com
EMPIRE
Chapter Forty-three
Tuesday morning after Thanksgiving, Ron and Matt's "Rattsnest"
The weekend had come off as planned. The effect of the trip was all that Ron and Matt had hoped. The new scenery and varied activities kept the boys' mind off of their now deceased brother. The families' visit with Ron's college friend was an added bonus that they had not counted on. When they returned, they found that Parker had cleaned out Douglas' closets and had removed many of his personal items so that the room took on an `unoccupied' look. He had not given away Douglas' personal items except for clothing, but rather had stored them away in case Eddie wanted them or there was something dear to Ron and Matt.
Ron and Matt sat in the breakfast room sipping coffee as Carl came tearing by grabbing a quick snack and the `brown bag' (actually a cooler) that Mary had filled for his luncheon. He gave the surprised older guys a quick kiss on the cheek before hurrying off to his job at Turner Construction.
"He's quite a different boy than we first met," Matt observed.
"Yes, he's learned a lot about survival outside of the closed community where he was raised," agreed Ron.
"Do you think that he and David are getting close?" Matt asked his partner.
"That's a hard read. I'd say no if you're speaking of romance. I think that Carl is devoted to Nathan that way, but not to David. I think they're just the best of friends."
"I'm surprised that Nathan isn't jealous," Matt pondered. "He seems to take it all in stride."
"My suspicion is that Nathan and Carl's relationship is the most casual of all the `boyfriends' in the house. I have no doubt that they're having sex together, but of course that doesn't mean much by itself. I could be wrong, but of all the couples, I'd give them the least chance of being together five years from now."
"You're probably right," agreed Matt. "I have the feeling that they really like and care about each other but that their commitment to each other is not as strong as the other boys."
"Did you notice how well Eddie and Zack got along this weekend?" Ron asked.
"Yes. They really seemed to enjoy each other's company. It's way too early for anything to develop between them, but in a few months it could come to pass."
"I'm really proud of how Eddie handled Douglas' passing," Ron said, changing the subject.
"With his natural brother's suicide, he's had some deep experience with that kind of grief," Matt countered. "I just hope that he doesn't equate their deaths as being caused in any way by him.
"I hadn't thought of that," Ron admitted. "The two people he loved most in the world both died. I could see how in a twisted way he could see it that way. He might even shun close contact with another boy again if that's his perspective."
"We'll have to keep an eye on him for awhile. He seems so level-headed, but it never hurts to be watchful."
"Well Babe," Ron said as he got up from the chair. "I think I'll go back to our room and finish getting ready for work. The other boys should be streaming through here soon, Ronnie headed for school, Eddie to his school near the Thornton Center and Nathan to work with you."
"I'm sure that Parker has all that handled, so I'll come with you, Ron. It's going to be a busy day at work after being gone for a week."
"Yes, I want to begin getting the paperwork wound up for Eddie to officially move in here with us. When he does, I'd like him to change schools," Ron said as they walked to the elevator.
"Don't you think we should wait until the end of the school term?" Matt questioned.
"Perhaps you're right," Ron debated. "I think we should ask him what he wants to do and go with it."
"Good plan, lover," Matt complimented his partner.
Wildman Casino job
David watched the Honda containing Carl drive through the construction fence and turn into the workers' parking lot. David had arrived at the job twenty minutes earlier and had waited for his friend and work-partner. The time had been spent sitting on a stack of lumber and thinking about his life past and present, how the people and events had changed him.
When he'd agreed to come to Las Vegas to participate in the Al Quaida cell's attack he'd never considered what would happen to him. His life didn't matter then; only the revenge and hatred in his heart for Americans propelled him. His existence at that time knew nothing but sorrow and pain. He did know what he'd been taught to believe though. His people were in the struggle with the Zionists, and their most important allies were the people of the United States so they must be punished. On arrival in this country, living with his uncle, he saw nothing that would alter his view. The fact that there was no love in his life was a small matter. He had hate. He did know however, that in order to be effective he had to mix in, to be indistinguishable from others. In coming to Las Vegas, he was not only escaping his cruel uncle, but also making the ultimate sacrifice for his cause.
That had all changed once he began working. He had met a young man his age who was unlike anyone he'd ever known. He was assigned to work with this attractive youth, and rather than bring unwanted attention to himself, began to casually communicate, then socialize with this strange anomaly. It was not long before he found himself truly liking and admiring a human being for the first time. His friend's attitude about his life and future sucked in the unwary David like a magnet. He found that his only truly happy moments were in Carl's presence. Surprised that Carl accepted him without reservations or questions, he found that Carl trusted him too, a fact that spread the first seed of regret about his mission. In his entire life, he'd never had a friend like Carl. Even more amazing was not only Carl's acceptance of him, but his acceptance into the Turner household. It was something he'd never felt before, not even with his natural family in Lebanon. To top it all off they, like him, were all gay! They were `all men' too. Even though he knew that many gays wore their sexuality on their sleeves, dressing and acting the part, in the Turner household it was often difficult to tell that any of the occupants preferred men over women. Everything was so natural and normal. There was little talk of their sexuality but there was an unspoken knowledge of it, which on the surface seemed immaterial to their daily lives.
Carl had never met a family like the Turner clan. There were really two households, one headed by Ron Turner and Matt Davidson, partners for life, and the other by Tyler Turner, Ron's brother and his mate, Dan Barnes. When he first was invited to spend time at the large estate of Ron and Matt, he met Carl's own handsome partner Nathan, as well as his more than attractive brothers, Ronnie and Douglas. In the guesthouse at that time lived Tyler and Dan with their son Jerry. Their other son Zack lived in one of the guestrooms of Ron and Matt's home until Tyler's house nearby was completed. At the time of the move, Zack would move in to the new house as a brother to Jerry.
David quickly saw where Carl got his great attitude. It emanated from all the members of the Turner household and hung in the air ready to envelop all who were in their presence. David had found himself smiling, then laughing, infected with the camaraderie that the family displayed toward each other and, to his amazement, to him. At last he began to feel like he belonged somewhere.
David had been shaken to his boots by the appearance of Achmed at his apartment. He was suddenly jolted into the reality of his commitment to the Islamic movement, and only quick thinking removed the seed of doubt about him in Achmed's mind. He had told his cell leader that he was only fostering familiarity with Carl in order to get an inside tour of the Stratosphere Tower, revealing its weakness for their planned attack at New Year's.
Then tragedy struck the Turner clan. Douglas, one of Carl's brothers, was found to have cancer. In spite of the best medical treatment available, he had died in Texas. The entire family had gone on that trip. David had not been invited. Nevertheless when he learned of Douglas' death on their return, David was likewise hit with an unexpected wave of grief. After he had first met the family, he came to admire Carl's brother and had developed a friendship with him. One evening when Carl was elsewhere with Nathan, David had found himself alone with Douglas and they began to tell each other of their backgrounds. Douglas had told him of his abandonment by his parents and of his crippled and deformed body. He spoke of his struggle to survive in his early life in the orphanage, and of his operations to make him able to walk. He spoke kindly of the old doctor who had given him not only his healing skills, but a will to live. Finally he had related the doctor's death and his own escape to Las Vegas where he'd searched and found not only Ron Turner, but a family in which he was nurtured and loved. David had found real admiration for the youth's courage and determination. He had participated, as a family member, in Douglas' hurried adoption and the celebration afterward. Though he had not joined in the trip to Houston, he couldn't help feeling that he had lost a brother himself with his young friend's passing.
During the days of the funeral, David was swept into the family's activities, and had been invited to sit with the family at the funeral and later to go on their yacht over the Thanksgiving holiday. It was there that he saw a family recovering from their grief with courage and support for each other. He had known that the family, like most in the United States, were Christian, but was pleased with the sensitivity that each member, particularly Ron, displayed toward his own beliefs in their celebration.
In requesting that Carl's father Ron secure a tour of the Stratosphere Tower for him, he was somewhat surprised by Ron's commitment and enthusiasm to fulfill his desire. Carl had asked to go along too, and his dad had suggested that perhaps any of the family that was interested could go. The favor, which at this time was to fulfill his promise to Achmed, had become a family outing. When Ron invited David to their New Year's celebration party in the top of the tower, David was devastated. It was one thing to be a party in killing faceless Americans but another to be an instrument of death to a family that David had come to love above any other he'd ever known. It was this quandary that tore at David's heart as he saw his friend park and exit from the Honda, giving a wave to David in greeting before they started the day's work.
Ron's office, 11:00 AM
Ron sat at his desk busily going over the previous week's business report when Margaret announced the arrival of Tyler and Wes Harper, the head of Aztec-Turner Securities' Las Vegas office. Ron looked over at the door to Margaret's office, watching it open and the two men enter.
"Wes, it's good to see you," Ron said with a warm smile and an offered hand.
"Good to see you too," he replied, returning the smile and taking Ron's hand. "I want you to know how saddened we all are with your loss of Douglas. You all have our most sincere condolences."
"Thank you, Wes. He meant a lot to all of us. What brings you guys here this morning?" Ron asked, indicating with a gesture that they should be seated across from him at his desk.
"We looked into the Tom Stanley matter Friday and over the weekend. I thought you'd like a report."
"Yes", Ron said gratefully. "I want Matt to be part of this discussion since he's the one who was attacked trying to save the boy from being molested."
"I asked Margaret to call him when we arrived," Tyler said. "He should be here shortly."
Tyler had just finished speaking when the door opened and Matt appeared. After the customary greetings, Matt took a chair beside Ron's two visitors.
"Wes is here to tell us what they found out about the Tom Stanley thing," Ron began. "Personally, I'm having doubts regarding the rumor that he's reformed'. Under normal circumstances, I'd believe that pedophilia is similar to being gay. By that I mean that it's something that you can't think or reason your way out of. I'm not even convinced that psychoanalysis can help, or that being saved' religiously can remove the deep psychological `need' to molest children."
"I can understand your logic," Wes replied. "It seems that one of the best defenses for heinous crimes is insanity', then miraculously the criminal is cured' and asks to be freed. I'm sure it happens for real sometimes, but one can't help but think that it's more of a legal maneuver than reality."
"My thoughts exactly," Ron agreed.
"I hope you don't mind," Tyler interjected, "but I gave Wes some leads as to how to proceed with the investigation. It involved not only your attorney, Terry Cannon, but your doctor and connections you have through the University Medical Center."
"You do what you have to do," Ron said stoically.
"Yes, we concentrated on the medical' cure rather than the religious one, or even the legal aspects," Wes stated. "Anyone who's intelligent can fake being saved' or even insanity. It's much harder to fake a medical condition, than it is a psychological one."
"I asked Wes to contact your attorney Terry, in order for our `medical experts' to interview not only Tom Stanley but his doctors too," Tyler revealed. "Dr. Hazeltoff and Doctor Clark, the Chief of Staff at UMC were most helpful in putting our team together."
"I'm rather astounded that you were able to accomplish so much so soon," Matt said in amazement.
"We worked all day Friday as well as the weekend," Wes reported. "We just had our summary meeting last night."
"We appreciate your efforts," responded Ron with sincerity. "What are the conclusions?"
"I wish that I could report with absolute assurance," Wes began, "but I don't think that's possible. I will say that the doctors agreed that his medical problem was real. They also agreed that his medical condition most likely had deep psychological effects, and that the most obvious symptoms disappeared with medication. He appears to have a good legal defense of his irrationality and at least appears to be sincere with his regrets."
"I'm not sure that's good enough," Ron responded. "I'm more than angry about his attacking Matt, but Matt was an adult. Molesting a defenseless child however is unforgivable."
"You're assuming that he was rational at the time," Matt interrupted. "If you'd have seen his eyes, you'd realize that he was like a crazed wild animal."
"You think he deserves to be forgiven?" Ron asked in surprise.
"No, not entirely," Matt replied. "By that I mean that he shouldn't be let free, just in case he either is faking his recovery, or he fails to take his medication and strikes again."
"That makes sense," agreed Ron. "What's done is done and we have to live with it. I don't believe in revenge, but I don't believe in putting others at risk either. How do you protect others without locking him up?"
"It's possible," Wes interjected. "Part of the report that's being typed up for you now details what Tom Stanley has indicated he wants."
"I'm not really interested in what he wants," Ron said with more than a bit of anger showing in his voice.
"Hear me out," Wes requested. "He's Roman Catholic. He's requested that he spend his life cloistered in a monastery. He wants to become a monk."
"They would take him?" Matt asked in surprise.
"The Public Defender's office who is representing him assures us they will."
"What does the DA's office think?" Ron asked.
"They're negotiating a Plea Bargain," Wes reported. "Of course what they come up with doesn't have any effect on your civil case. He's to be tried first on the criminal charge."
"I've never heard of anyone being sentenced to a Monastery," Ron said. "How do we know he'll stay there?" Ron asked.
"It's possible that the Judge could offer alternate sentencing." Tyler responded. "In other words, let's say he got sentenced to 20 years with no parole. He could serve his sentence in an acceptable Monastery or, if he leaves, he goes to jail to serve his sentence there."
"That could work," Matt agreed. "We could also pursue the civil case and reach an out-of-court settlement. For instance, if he and his attorney would agree to a half-million dollar settlement, we could agree that it would not be due and payable until or unless he left the Monastery. If he leaves, he owes the youth he attacked the money and we'd help the boy collect. We don't need anything for ourselves."
"If that works for you Babe," Ron said, "I'd be for it. Wes and Tyler, please notify our legal people and the DA's office with the suggestions. Let us know what their reactions are. If it's not going to work, I guess we'll all be in court."
"We'll take care of it," Tyler promised. "If we need any further help from you we'll get back to you."
"Thanks Bro," Ron said smiling. "I'll be glad to have this thing behind us."
"I will too," Matt said.
"We're having our Monday staff meeting here in a half hour," Ron stated. "You're both welcome to stay," he said to Matt and Tyler.
"Thanks Ron, but I think I'll get started on this Tom Stanley thing right away," Tyler answered.
"I have a couple of things to do before the staff meeting too," Matt said begging off. "I should be here on time though."
"Okay, I'll see you both then," Ron said as his visitors rose to leave. "Thanks Wes," he added. "Good work."
"You're welcome Ron. I'll tell the boys that worked on this."
"Take `em to lunch on me," Ron suggested. "Then if you can spare them, give them the rest of the day off. That includes you."
"Hey!" Tyler broke in feigning anger. "You stole my line!"
"Great minds think alike," Ron philosophized with a wink. "Bye."
The trio disappeared through the doorway as Ron returned to the work on his desk. He'd only gotten started when the phone rang. When he picked up the line Margaret announced that the call was from Tony Tegano in Houston. He told her he'd take the call, then punched the blinking button on his telephone.
"Hi Tony," he said cheerfully. "How are things this week in Houston?"
"They're great," Tony responded. "We're sorry we weren't able to get away for Douglas' funeral. We did however make a contribution to the cancer fund you have set up for M.D. Anderson. We hope it will help."
"It is appreciated by us and them too, I'm sure. Is there something I can help you with today?" inquired Ron.
"Not really," I'd just like to say that your people are here working like crazy on both Camp projects. We really appreciate the attention they are giving the jobs, particularly under the circumstances."
"I'm pleased to hear that," Ron related. "I think we're making progress with the problems you had with Tegano Constructors too. I'll keep you informed, but it may be that a few people go to jail for fraud or embezzlement. Please don't let that out howeverf, as our audit and investigations are not complete."
"We had a sneaking hunch that something like that was going on," Tony related. "I hope you aren't sorry you bought the company."
"No we're not, and I'm sure that won't happen," Ron assured his friend. "You have many talented people there, but I'm also sure there will be a major reshuffle as we whip the operation into shape. It could take up to a year to complete the entire process because you had several projects that were losers or had serious construction problems. We'll have to take our licking on those most likely, as it's almost impossible to turn around a project once it's gone bad."
"We were afraid of that," Tony said. "It could have consumed all our time for months and months if we'd kept the company, assuming that we could have discovered the problems."
"It's not your worry any more," assured Ron. "When our assessment is done, we'll move quickly. If we prosecute any of the employees, we'll let you know ahead of time. It's a courtesy we'll extend only because you may know some of them personally, and we'd like your input before we strike."
"Thanks, we're grateful you're willing to do that. I hope it doesn't involve a couple of long-time employees we feel attached to. Nevertheless, if it does, it does. We don't have much sympathy for employees, even those we consider friends, who steal from their employers. That's not the entire reason I called, however," Tony revealed.
"It's your nickel," Ron chuckled. "What else is on your mind?"
"Since you left we've made daily visits to the hospital to see Tommy, the young guy you introduced us to. I wanted to report that the bone marrow from Matt seems to be doing its job. The doctors are very hopeful."
"That's wonderful!" Ron said beaming with pleasure. "I'll be sure and tell Matt. I know that he'll be pleased. Give Tommy our warmest regards."
"You can be sure of that," promised Tony. "I wanted to tell you first that Jake and I are falling in love with the boy. We're looking into adopting him."
"That's terrific news," Ron said excitedly.
"We haven't formally asked him yet, but we've become so close in such a short time that we're sure he'll agree to it."
"You don't know how happy I am to hear it," Ron said. "That's really good news."
"There's a bit more than that," Tony said with a snicker. "We took Douglas' friend Dez under our wing and he's been visiting Tommy with us. I think we have a budding romance on our hands!"
Ron laughed.
"I really wish them luck," he said with a grin. "It's hard to keep those young hormones under control though. At least Tommy will have sympathetic parents."
"He will have that," Tony assured his friend. "Well, that's about all the news from here. I'll let you get back to work."
"Thanks so much for calling," Ron said. "It's made my morning, for sure. We hope you'll come and visit us. We're having a big New Year's celebration atop the Stratosphere Tower here on New Year's Eve. You should be getting an invitation soon. We hope you can attend."
"I'll check our schedule, but if it's at all possible we'll be there."
"Have a great week, Tony. Give our love to Jake and Tommy."
"You can count on it," Jake replied. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye friend," Ron concluded, then hearing the connection broken, hung up the phone.
Ron's office, 3 PM
The staff meeting at lunch had gone well, and Ron, after talking to Sam Bloomfield, the General Manager of the Stratosphere, had made a note to call Carl when the youth got off work to let him know that the "tower tour" was scheduled the following Monday afternoon, the slowest day of the week in the casino business. Ron again attacked the work on his desk and after 45 minutes of intense concentration, had reduced the pile of papers on his desk to half its previous size. Picking up the next document to review, Ron was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone on his desk.
"Yes?" Ron said to Margaret.
"Sorry to bother you Ron, but your appointment scheduled for 4 o'clock is here early. Would you like for them to wait?"
Ron placed the paper he was about to review back in the stack, glanced at his calendar and then replied. "No, show them in."
A moment later the door to the office opened and a man Ron's age entered followed by three others that appeared somewhat younger.
"Chet!" Ron said with enthusiasm as he approached the group with a big smile on his face, "I haven't seen you since college! How have you been?"
"I've been great Ron, thank you," he said accepting Ron's handshake. "Ron I'd like to introduce you to my companions. This is Luke Sanders, Damon Peabody and Bill Rogers, otherwise known as "Buck," he said with a kidding grin. "Guys, this is my old friend and college roommate, Ron Turner."
Handshakes and congenial greetings were exchanged before Ron ushered the group to the comfortable chairs in the `conversation' area.
"Tell me what you've been doing," Ron asked his friend as they were seated. "Except for Christmas cards we haven't really been in touch since our college days."
"I've done several things," Chet answered. "I worked for a stock broker for awhile after getting my MBA from Harvard and made a few bucks, but afterward I became an independent consultant for companies trying to get on the exchange or private corporations going public with an IPO. I've done well, but still a drop in the bucket compared to you."
"Hey, I had a head-start," Ron said downplaying the compliment. "I'm glad you've done well. I'm just sorry we haven't seen more of you. You won't believe who we saw last weekend! Eddie Carmack."
"Wow! How's he doing?"
"Great," Ron replied. "When we get time I'll tell you all about it. How did you find me?"
"I've tried to keep an ear to the ground to see how you were doing," confessed Chet. "It's a daunting task however since your company is not public and seeks little notoriety. I've been able to track you best by your charitable work. You've become quite a philanthropist."
"It's all my partner Matt's fault," Ron said with a wink. "He handles our charity giving."
"Partner? Like in business partner?" Chet asked.
"Yes and no," Ron said. He's my business partner as well as my life partner. With my brother and his partner, Turner Enterprises is now a family business.
"Your brother?" Chet questioned as he shook his head. "Were you hiding something from me in college? I thought you were an `only child'."
"So did I," Ron laughed. "Tyler and I found each other after our parents died. We have the same father but different mothers."
"You are full of surprises today!"
"We need to take some time to visit," Ron acknowledged. "I can see we've got a lot of catching up to do, however I'm sure your friends don't need to hear it all. I guess the $64 question is: what can I do for you? I'm sure you didn't bring these gentlemen to hear about our sordid pasts," he asked with a smile.
"What I'm about to tell you is absolutely confidential," Chet began, "so much so, in fact, that I'll need you to sign a confidentiality agreement."
"A confidentiality agreement?" Ron asked in surprise. "After what I know about you from college and have kept my mouth shut? Remember Charlie Zoomw..."
"Stop! I remember," Chet said blushing. "I'm sorry Ron. If it was just me, I'd tell you in a second. I do have a fiduciary responsibility to these guys though."
"Well, I'm glad to see you've grown up," Ron laughed. "Of course I'll sign it."
The three young men looked at each other with questions in their eyes. Ron noticed.
"Guys," he explained. "Chet and I go back a long ways. We were roommates and best friends in college. We can't help but kid each other. I hope you can understand. Now where's that agreement?"
"I've got it right here," Chet said laying the paper on the table.
Ron read it, then signed it quickly and afterward called Margaret on a cordless phone nearby. "I'll have it notarized and back here in a moment," Ron explained while she was answering.
After explaining his needs she came into the office and left with the document, returning a minute later while Ron served beverages to his guests.
"Now where were we?" Ron asked as the door closed behind Margaret's return to her office.
"I guess I should tell you a bit about these guys," Chet began. "You are looking at probably the three smartest scientists in this country. Luke here is a theoretical physicist and has a PhD from MIT, Damon and Buck are chemists, both are highly educated and specializing in research, both theoretical and applied. They became friends in college and all worked near each other after leaving. Besides being friends they are also colleagues. They got interested in a subject outside of their jobs, and collaborated in an amazing discovery. Through a mutual friend that I did some work for, they found me and have asked me to help them get started and funded."
"I may be able to save you some time," Ron interrupted. "I don't think my family is interested in a venture capital investment where the company is going public, even if we could make another fortune."
"I'm glad to hear that," Chet said with the guys nodding in pleasure. "These guys don't want that either, even if it makes them richer than they might otherwise become. It causes me a dilemma however. That's the kind of thing I do. When they told me what they wanted, I wracked my brain to think of someone who could fund something this big, yet keep the organization private. You see, they like what they do. They want to do research, but they want someone else to take care of the business problems and give them freedom to do what they want. They want to have private lives out of the spotlight, but never want to have to worry about money."
"That's certainly possible," Ron agreed. "I feel the same way, except my business is business. Being private keeps a lot of snoopers away but there is no guarantee. I guess the question is: what do they have?"
Chet looked at the three men who had accompanied him and they nodded their approval.
"They've discovered a way to produce hydrogen cheaply," revealed Chet.
Ron paused, thinking before continuing.
"How cheaply?" Ron asked.
"Right now the best that most researchers have been able to do is $5 a gallon, and that's with some reasonable production rate. These guys presently can produce it at about $2 a gallon and that's without mass production facilities. They think that the costs could be cut in half with state off the art facilities, maybe more."
"Is the process conducive to high volume production?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Buck answered. "We have some designs for a production facility that could produce a million gallons a day, but that's just a starter facility. That basic design could easily be expanded to 10 times that amount in one facility."
"That's very impressive," Ron said, whistling.
"Hydrogen is the fuel of the future," Chet reminded Ron. "The only thing that's stopping it now is its cost to produce. It's a clean burning fuel giving off only water as a waste product."
"What kind of natural resources do you need to produce it?" Ron asked.
"Water, electricity and a few cheap and abundant, natural chemicals," Damon replied. "If the plant is located where there is an abundance of water and it's free, we could produce hydrogen cheap enough to use as fuel to satisfy our own plant's electrical needs. In our cost projections however, we've calculated using commercial power."
"It keeps getting better and better," Ron said with a smile. "What are your estimated costs to build, say a million gallon a day plant?"
"About $60 million for the plant itself." Damon answered. "On top of that would be land, financing, infrastructure, etc. The final costs would be somewhere between 70 and 80 million dollars. We figure that if you could sell the fuel for $2 a gallon we could produce it at $1.00 a gallon and deliver it anywhere, including taxes and distribution costs for about $1.50. That would give us a profit before company taxes of 50 cents a gallon or $500,000 a day in that size of plant. Of course once the land and production facility were paid for, the production costs would go down to about 55 cents a gallon, producing a profit of 95 cents a gallon or $950,000 a day."
"That's very impressive," Ron admitted with interest. "The big problem would be to develop the market. I'm thinking of automobiles as being the biggest market, but that might take some time to develop until cars could be either converted or manufactured to use hydrogen."
"We've thought of that too," Bill Peabody joined in. "You're in the construction business, right?"
"Yes," Ron replied.
"Have you ever thought of building electricity generating plants?" Bill said smiling.
"Hmmmm," Ron replied with a grin. "I get your point."
"I trust all of these discoveries and processes are patented," Ron queried.
"Yes of course," Buck replied. "We have patents and have others pending. We've covered the bases pretty well with that."
"How can I help you with all of this" Ron asked, "And what do you want out of it?"
"We want 10% of the profits each, but a minimum income of $100, 000 a month for each of us until the profits exceed that amount. Chet gets 2% with $10,000 a month minimum. Also we want $1 million each for the patents and Chet gets $100,000. Finally, we want a research facility of about 200,000 square feet, fully funded to work in at a location of our choice. We also want $5 million a year in operating capital for the facility. We can work out the details if you're interested. By the way, the costs for the first plant will absorb the cost of the research facility."
"We're interested," Ron said quickly. "I presume that the future patents go along with the deal?"
"Yes," Buck replied, "including the ones for making drinking quality water."
"Drinking water?" Ron asked in surprise.
"Yes," Buck said, "We found that our process works best using fresh water, principally because of the corrosive effects of sea water on metal. However we discovered that using our process, we can remove salt from sea water now for about 6 cents a gallon and take impurities out of treated sewage effluent for less than a penny a gallon. The resulting water is pure and of drinking quality."
"I'll be damned," Ron said with a huge smile. "I trust you guys are staying for dinner?"