Big Easy Bonanza

This offer won’t wait around.”
    “All I would put up is five thousand dollars?”
    “Correct.”
    “Well, gee, Tubby, what am I missing here? How can I get hurt?”
    “I don’t see how. Whether you take the tax write-off is up to you. I’m not saying yes or no. It might be better to forget that part. All I’m saying is the anonymous donor is never going to come forward and say it was his money. Five thousand dollars from you, and a yes right now, and this case is over as far as you’re concerned.”
    “Well, if this donor is putting up that much, why do I have to put up the five thousand?”
    “That’s for screwing up the operation, Marty. You have to pay something for that.”
    “Hmmm. All right. What do I have to do?”
    “Send me a check for five thousand dollars.”
    “Okay. What else?”
    “Nothing. I’ll see you later.”
    “Call me for lunch.”
    Tubby hung up and fed the box another quarter. “Do you know how I could reach Mr. Guyoz?”
    “Who’s calling?”
    “Tubby Dubonnet.”
    “Just a second, I’ll see if he’s free.” Jesus, Tubby thought, this guy must always be at the office.
    “Morning, Tubby. I’ve got a meeting. What can I do for you?”
    “I spoke to Dr. Feingold, and I think we can work out a deal. The final number isn’t certain, but I need two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars from you.”
    “The case isn’t worth that much. I talked to my people, and I’ve got authority to settle for seventy-five thousand dollars, and that’s all I can do.”
    “Make it one hundred thousand and meet me at CDC in one hour, and we’ll read it into the record.”
    “That’s a proposition I might consider. I’d have to make a call.”
    “Make your call. It’s one hundred thousand. Everybody pays their own costs, how about that, but you’ve got to waive your subrogation rights back against Dr. Feingold. What he pays, he pays, but he doesn’t owe you anything for the deductible.”
    “I’ve got to get back to you.”
    “You need to do that right away. This needs to be done this morning, or I can’t put it together.”
    “Don’t rush me.”
    “I’m rushing you. Remember, we’ll eat our costs. Right away you’re making five or ten thousand dollars.”
    “I’ll call you.”
    “I’ll be at my office in ten minutes, and we need to be at court before ten o’clock.”
    They both hung up, seeing who could be first.
    Cherrylynn was already there, reading the word processor manual and sipping coffee at her desk. Tubby told her good morning and asked her to call Judge Maselli’s chambers to alert Mrs. Maselli that the parties to Shandell versus Feingold would be in early to read a settlement into the record.
    Guyoz’s call came in before Tubby had a chance to pour a cup of coffee from the pot Cherrylynn had made. “Seems we have a deal at one hundred thousand dollars,” he said gruffly. “We’ll need a complete release of all claims, of course, and it may be thirty days before we can pay.”
    Tubby silently snapped his fingers. “Thirty days is okay. You need to release your claims against Dr. Feingold for his deductible, and we need to read it into the record this morning.”
    “What’s the hurry? I’ve got a deposition at ten-thirty.”
    “The hurry is right now is when I can put the deal together. It has to be now. You’ll be long gone by ten-thirty. Just meet me in Maselli’s courtroom in half an hour.”
    “We’ll need to read the release into the record.”
    “Of course.”
    “Good.”
    Tubby flipped through the Rolodex for the number and called Sandy Shandell. The phone rang for a long time. There was a pause after it was picked up before Sandy’s voice came through. The hello was rough and not too pleasant.
    “Good morning, Sandy. This is Tubby.”
    “Oh hey, Tubby.” He was trying to come around. “What’s going on?”
    “We’re going to settle your case. I need you to come to court, like right now.”
    “Settle my case? Wait a second, Tubby. I’m a little foggy this morning. What time is it?”
    “It’s almost nine o’clock.”
    “I just went to bed a little while ago. Is today the trial date?”
    “No. We’ve got a deal. They’re ready to pay us off.”
    “How much money am I getting?”
    “How does six hundred thousand sound? Actually you’re getting about one million, but I take one-third as my fee.”
    Sandy wasn’t speaking, then he started bubbling. “Oh, I had no idea. That’s not for real. Come on. It’s a