As much as Professor Terry wanted to attend it, he could feel Crazy Terry's glare from within him. "I would really like to, but unfortunately…" he yawned. "I am quite tired right now, and am running out of time. I really wanted to meet Mr. Pete about the proposition I had but looking at the transfers now perhaps there is a much more prospective group I could choose…"
Mr. Ekrem reacted exactly how he knew he could. "Oh, Mr. Cahill, I really do apologise. Tell you what, I'll go to the party right now and fetch Mr. Pete and the two of you could have your meeting. It won't be long, just please, sit here and relax. If you need anything do not hesitate to ask the waiters." With that, Mr. Ekrem stood up and waited anxiously for Professor Terry's response.
"Fine. You really have been very nice to me today, Mr. Ekrem. How could I say no?"
"Excellent. I will go fetch Mr. Pete right away."
Professor Terry watched as Mr. Ekrem dashed away to the large corridor. He settled himself in his chair and took a few more sips, watching the crowd who were still so dumbfounded by the news of La Messiah that no one had bothered to step on the dance floor yet, even though the music had restarted.
"So how do you think you're going to convince this Pete guy to lend us his help?"
"It certainly won't be easy," replied Professor Terry. "But if my hunch is correct, he's our best chance. I'd highly advice you to let me do all the talking."
"Yeah, yeah. I don't think I could talk to all these goodie two shoes. These people make me sick. All they do is hide in their wealth while everyone else dies outside."
Professor Terry turned to look at the corridor as he blurred out Crazy Terry's monologue which was something about eating the billionaires and spotted Mr. Ekrem alongside the unmistakably famous leader, Mr. Pete, who looked like a child from this distance. Both of them were being escorted by the dwarf's two bodyguards, large and ominous.
"They're here faster than I expected. Guess Mr. Ekrem really does believe I have something big for them," said Professor Terry.
"Well, it is pretty big. But I'm sure Mr. Ekrem wouldn't be pleased to hear that it's something that could hurt the Lodge so badly. And I do not know how you think Mr. Pete will take it so well either."
"He won't take it well, initially. But I'm sure he'll come around to it, once we prove it to him. Now shut up, here he comes. And remember, I do all the talking."
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Professor Terry Cahill himself," said Mr. Pete extending his hand to him. Professor Terry politely lowered himself, but not too much, and shook his hand. "Looking a little worse for wear, but I guess you can say that about most of us."
"Indeed," Professor Terry replied. "Never thought we'd be meeting again in such different circumstances."
"True, we really were on the verge of something great, weren't we? It really is a shame, but life goes on, and so does business," said Mr. Pete. "C'mon, walk with me."
Professor Terry did as he was told and walked closely alongside Mr. Pete while Mr. Ekrem tagged along, followed by the two bodyguards. The two began to discuss old times and about the various breakthroughs in research that they had made. Mr. Pete, like Mr. Ekrem, was truly amazed by the arm that Professor Terry adorned.
"You have truly outdone yourself, I wonder how you were able to develop this, considering the circumstances. Were you may be holding out on me?"
"Oh, trust me," said Professor Terry raising it in the golden light. "I wish I could have showed this invention to the world."
As they walked along the corridors, they bumped into a large, tall man with a battle-hardened face, blue eyes and blonde hair. He wore an army uniform adorned with a few medals that gleamed in the light and gave him an air of authority. He had been coming out of a large hall which Professor Terry could see was an exclusive casino.
"Ah, Mr. Pete," he said in a heavy German accent. "It is wonderful to see you. I was just heading to the party. Are you not going to be joining us?"
"Oh, don't worry, General. I will be there shortly, just have some business to discuss."
The General looked at the Professor Terry, smiled and nodded. "Well, then. I shall see you soon."
With that, the General nodded and walked away from them. Professor Terry turned to look at Mr. Pete as they continued on their way. "The great General Alleman himself here? Interesting."
"Oh, trust me. He's here purely for entertainment purposes," said Mr. Pete. "The man has quite a gambling addiction and my facilities here help to sate it as much as possible. It keeps him happy with us. Insures he leave us alone."
"I see."