Benjamin decided to play a little game. After the gold brooch ended up selling for a stupid 8.7 million dollars, he turned on Appraisal. The next item was a marble Buddha statue that had supposedly dated 400 years, unopened. The woman started with an opening price of 4 Million dollars. 'Notice: Appraisal: Tian Tan Buddha Sculpture Type: Handmade Authenticity: Yes Age: 400 years, Finance: Worth: 10 Million Dollars""Huh?" exclaimed Benjamin."What?" exclaimed Johnny. "Nothing, I just thought it would be worth more than that" confessed Benjamin."What? Of course, it's worth more than that. Don't you know how they set starting bids?" asked Johnny. Benjamin shook his head and smiled. "Are you sure you're rich?" asked Johnny."Just explain.""It's half. They start the bids at half of its original worth, or at least 40%"Benjamin did the math. A 4 Million opening price would make the worth of the item 10 Million dollars. The auction was correct. It was interesting that they had gotten the
"There's no guarantee your item's even going to reach the fair market value as an auctioneer" started Johnny."Explain""You remember what I said about the Fugazi? They're playing it too. Only more discreetly. I assume you don't know what a reserve price is?" Johnny asked. Benjamin only glared, at him, trying to avoid the shame of shaking his head to agree."Okay Okay" continued Johnny "Basically, the reserve price is the actual price the seller's willing to sell for.""The Seller?" "Yes. The Seller. Not the Auction House. The actual owners of the property. You see, what happens is, when they approach these auction houses, both parties agree on the minimum price the item's going to be sold for.""You mean the starting price?"asked Benjamin."Of course not! The starting price has to be cheaper than the reserve to attract bidding. Remember, it's 40% of the Fair Market Value. Totally different.""I see." Benjamin furrowed his eyebrows. "And let me guess, the reserve price is going to
"We call them Ghost Bidders," said Johnny. "Huh?""It doesn't matter." started Amber on the call. "The aim is just to slow down the pace of the bids. "Johnny scratched the top of his wolf mask. "Usually ghost bidders are persons artificially placed in an auction to inflate the price even more, and more," he said."They can do that?" asked Benjamin. "Oh, no, it's quite illegal if you're caught," Johnny said, shifting in his seat. "But I wonder if we can do the opposite here.""To achieve what, exactly?" asked Benjamin. There was a new bid by the bottom right of the hall."Going once, going twice - 53 and a half. We have 53 and a half million dollars. That is 53 Million and 500 thousand dollars. Anyone? Anyone? Going once, going twice--", 53 and a half? Such an odd amount. "Is that you?" Benjamin asked Amber. "This is the only way to slow it down. And we should stop talking before someone notices the jig." Benjamin looked around the blackened hall. He couldn't see shit, regardless
"Appraisal. Previous Owner: BLOCKED, BLOCKED, BLOCKED, BLOCKED."With this, Benjamin was certain. He didn't know how exactly it was possible for Simon to be wielding a system but was considerably sure that Obsidian Towers belonged to the Black Family. He got another text from Amber: "Above 75 million. How to proceed?" Benjamin turned to Johnny. "And If I have proof?" he asked."What?" retorted Jonny. "If I have proof, that he's a plant working here. What next?" Benjamin repeated. Johnny shrugged. "I don't know. Most of what I do know comes from watching TV and going out with my brothers. We've never really caught anyone. But how can you tell?""Let's just say I have a nose for scumbags," replied Benjamin. He texted Amber: "70 Million guy is a fraud. It's Simon Black, raising the prices. Obsidian belongs to the Blacks. Proceed with what you think is best.""I hope you're sure about this," she replied.And with that, Benjamin leaned back into his chair. "And we have 80 million! Going
"And who is this?" asked Benjamin. His fears had come true. Not only did the mystery man stand a couple of inches taller than him, but he had a robust agreeable face, too. "Oh" started Amber "This is Mr. Kirkland. We went to high school together."Benjamin felt that was an underdescription. He'd bet half a million this man was from a special breed of high society. Mr.Kirkland shook Benjamin's hands. "Nice to meet you. Kirkland. CEO of Moonshot Industries." said Kirkland. Moonshot industries. From TV? That was building rockets for NASA? Benjamin had even heard faint whisperings that there were even plans for Commercial Transport as early as 2025. "Moonshot Industries. The Moonshot Industries?" asked Benjamin. "Guilty as charged" smirked the man. It was not an innocent smile. "Benjamin Black. CEO, IVY Corporations," he replied. Mr Kirkland turned his head in doubt. "Black. Of Black Industries?" Benjamin nodded. "That's my father-in-law." However, Benjamin left out the neat little fact
"That is good Anna. Very good!" Amber tossed the papers back on the table. "So you'll be forcing us to pay 300 million? Those were some pretty threats back there.""Threats? Oh, no. I am simply stating facts, Ms Amber. It would be in your best interest to honour the bid. Everything else is a precaution by the Auction House for defaulters. We are running a business, after all." said Anna, devoid of her usual hearty tone."And the part about my friends and Acquaintances?" asked Amber. Anna ignored the question. "How would you like us to proceed Ma'am?" she asked politely. Amber looked to Benjamin, who threw a devilish smile."We aren't proceeding with anything, Ms Anna. You can't force us to pay that kind of money."There was a pause. "I wonder about that," said Anna. She rose to open the doors to the Conference Room, meeting and talking with one of the guards outside. After a satisfying nod from her, she returned."Good news, Ms Amber. We have decided to let the Justice System handle
"We're going to find him" stated Anna."You better" replied Amber. She felt a sort of kinship towards Anna; it seemed she was the one calling all the shots in the auction house, but doubtless, she had a boss too. A lot of difficult decisions had to be made immediately, and she seemed up to the task. But this was not the time for compliments; not when millions of dollars were at stake."I hope you don't mind, I've also gone through the trouble of assuaging the two police detectives that it was a false alarm. Just a simple misunderstanding." Anna smiled weakly."We'll see," said Benjamin. Anna chuckled nervously, looking at nobody in particular, she tapped the desk as she counted the minutes. At precisely the 15th minute of silence, she received a call. "Hello?""We've identified him, Ma'am." said the voice on the other end."Why are you calling me, then? Bring him up!" barked Anna. "That's the problem, Ma'am. He's not budging.""One person, against your whole squad! Is this supposed t
“He’s over there” pointed Anna, to the entrance. Simon frowned and turned to her.“Are you serious? Here?” he barked.“I’m afraid he insisted,” said Anna, holding out her arm. “Shall we?”Simon made a clicking sound with his tongue as he followed Anna up the steps. On the final landing, Amber and Benjamin approached them.“Good Evening, Mr.Simon.I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting” started Amber.“Are you the one that’s being a pain in my arse?” asked Simon bluntly.“Oh, no. That would be my boss, here” Amber pointed backwards to Benjamin, who stood a few yards behind her.Simon squinted to get a good measure of him.“Listen, man, let’s all be reasonable here. What you say we go inside, and-”Benjamin stepped closer to him, and Simon’s eyes slowly expanded from their resting narrow shape