The doors of the lock and damn opened and six larger boats and two kayaks slowly exited single-file, traveling south down the Mississippi, bypassing the impassable concrete apron and falls that made this part of the river famous. The people on the stone arch bridge watching the process waved to the people in the boats below before continuing on their walks across the bridge. Everyone was enjoying the break from the rain.
“Well, what do you think? Can’t you see yourself living here, close to work, low maintenance, and impressive architecture, one of the places to live in the Twin Cities?” The Governor asked. The balcony of the condominium offered a great view of the river. At this time of day, there were shadow outlines of the buildings across the ground, extending across the river as the sun traveled across the sky to the west.
“It’s nice. I thought it’d be noisier.”
“We’re too high. Once in a while you hear the locks bell ring or a tug horn signaling, but all the other sounds pretty much stay down below.” The Governor pulled a leather case from the inside breast pocket of his jacket and removed two cigars. He handed the cigar and cutter to the man leaning on the balcony railing. “Here, try one of these. I think you’ll like it.”
The man pulled the cigar along his upper lip, below his nose, and smelled it. “Nice.” He snipped the end of the cigar and put the freshly cut end in his mouth like a lollipop, wetting the rolled leaves prepping for a light. “Tastes good too.”
The Governor struck a wooden match on the side of the matchbox in his hand and held the flame under the end as the man rolled the cigar between his fingers for an even burn. The man inhaled and exhaled a few times until the end glowed, the smoke rolling around above their heads before the breeze carried it out towards the river.
Leaning against the railing, the Governor lit his own cigar. “Listen, James. You can’t afford not to buy this place. The view is great. Besides the location, the elegance, the area, the history, it’s a great investment. Development will be going on all around you. You’ll be one of the first ones in. Stay here two years. You don’t like it, sell it. You’ll make a killing.”
James laughed. “Hey, I think this is great.” He swung the cigar in his hand from the condominium balcony windows out towards St. Anthony across the river. “I’d love to live here. But, what did the sign downstairs say, from two hundred fifty thousand to a million? I’m sure this place isn’t at the lower end.”
“It’s not at the upper end either. You can afford it.” The Governor sat in one of the chairs on the balcony. “What’s this talk about money? You work at the Fed. You just walk in and print yourself up some money, right?”
“Right. I just walk in and say, I’ll take a million today, Charlie.” James joined the Governor and sat in the other chair on the balcony. “It’s amazing. Millions of dollars flying around on wires from this bank to that, but what do I get? My paycheck from Mr. Fed Chairman. I do all right. But, with the divorce, she took me to the cleaners and still gets more than her share every month. I don’t know how I could afford it.”
The Governor listened to James ramble as he enjoyed his cigar. He knew more about James than James did. He knew about the bank accounts James kept hidden from his wife, about the affair James’ wife was having with the neighbor in their suburban Burnsville home while James was at work and their daughter was in school. He knew how much James and his wife owed on the house they used to share and he knew why James’ wife asked for a divorce. In fact, he had sent the photos. The photos of James with his administrative assistant after work, and with her in the hotel room over lunch.
“Take another look at this view. It won’t be your last. Do you have any plans for the Fourth of July? We’re having an open house for special guests that night. Good food, beverages, a view of the fireworks over the river. Plenty of beautiful women.”
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it. It’ll be a great night.” The Governor stood. “Let’s go get some dinner and we can talk about financing options, I know some people. We’ll get this done for you and then we’ll celebrate at Sheiks and see if your favorite red-head is dancing tonight.”