23. James: Hello, Max!

In the comforts of his home, James also made his call, believing that the men he had in the bank would grant him his wish.

"Hello, Max," he said as the recipient of his call picked up the phone.

"Yes, hello James. What exactly is the problem now?" Max asked.

James chuckled, almost even laughing sporadically. "Why would you think that there is a problem?"

"Because you only call me when you have a problem you want to fix, James. That is not something you can deny any more."

"Okay, I admit that I might have done that before, but that doesn't mean that it is what I always do when I call you."

There was no answer from Max. It was almost as if he was trying to get James to admit to the truth himself.

"Spill it, James," he said at once. "I really don't have time right now. I'm at work. There are a lot of customers, so I don't think I can spend any more minutes pandering to you."

"Oh you have become quite stiff have you not, Max?" James said to him in a sort of mocking manner. "But fine, I