| Details for A Satisfying Arrangement |
| Summary: | Magnus proposes an unorthodox business arrangement to Kogrod. |
| Date: | September 25, 1937 |
| Location: | Leaky Cauldron |
| Related: | Cider and Broomsticks |
| Characters |
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This cramped, angular room is the taproom of the Leaky Cauldron. A long bar runs along one side of the room, plain wooden stools set out before it. Smoke from pipes and candles fills the air. The patrons of this curious little bar, many of them elderly, sit hunched over their mugs at the tables. Waitresses bustle back and forth bearing trays of food and mugs of ale. Many of the people seem strangely out of place, dressed in cloaks and floppy hats, it almost seems as if you've stumbled into another century. Notably absent is any modern muggle devices or electric lighting, or any sign of electricity at all. Still, the occasional muggle does find their way in here, usually declaring it to be 'quaint' and 'atmospheric'.
After selecting his broom and settling up at the Quidditch shop, Magnus had approached Kogrod and mentioned that he had a business proposition in rather vague terms, and offered to discuss it with him over lunch (on him). Consequently, the diplomat is now standing just inside the back door of the establishment, letting his eyes adjust to the dark, smoky atmosphere for a second before he picks out an empty table in a private, quiet corner and heads that way. "Perfect. I hope they still have some of that beef and mushroom stew. That should serve to drive away some of this blasted chill."
"Yes," Kogrod agrees, seating himself across from Magnus. "A bit of warmth would do us both some good, I would say," he adds. He doesn't have any trouble adjusting to the dark of course.
When the waitress approaches, Magnus puts in an order for two bowls of stew, plus a glass of scotch for himself (and whatever the goblin is drinking). He rubs his hands together fiercely to dispel the cold from them, then leans across the table, lowering his voice. "Indeed it would. Now, as to the reason I dragged you away from your errand, good goblin." He smiles apologetically. "I have a friend. This friend participates in a number of activities considered… unsavory, I suppose, at least from a legal perspective. They maintain considerable contacts throughout the continent, especially in France and Germany, and regularly receive large sums of money."
Kogrod folds his long-fingered hands in front of him as he listens to Magnus. "Interesting…" he says. "May I ask why you're telling me this? Do you intend on having me expose your friend's dealings in the Prophet, or…" He glances about for a bit. "Is there some other reason for letting me know?"
Magnus shakes his head. "No, no… nothing like that. The reason I'm coming to you is because I recall you mentioning that you used to be in the banking business." He quiets down when the waitress approaches with their drinks and stew. He smiles and thanks her, then turns his attention back to Kogrod when she leaves. "This friend is in need of someone who knows how to take galleons that have been 'overlooked' in one way or another, and make them legitimate. Usable." The man picks up his spoon and takes a bit of the stew. "They are prepared to offer such a person a generous fee."
"I see," Kogrod answers. Technically he wasn't in the banking business himself but he knows enough bankers that he might as well have been, so he doesn't bother to correct the idea. "I am of course familiar with the processes involved, and some individuals who provide such service, though it's naturally not something that I tend to publicize…" He takes a spoonful of stew. "Of course, I'm just a journalist. What is it you're proposing, exactly?"
Magnus takes another bite of his stew and chases it with scotch, then smiles. "You see, this is why I much prefer doing business with goblins. They don't quail or feel the need to beat around the bush about everything," he says respectfully, even if he's doing a bit of 'beating around the bush' of his own. "Seventeen percent of all funds, routed through me, of course. And I can offer something else to sweeten the deal. A man in my position can do a lot to push goblin interests. Especially if he has the money to make /other/ people in positions of influence share those interests." The diplomat takes another sip of scotch. "I think the Goblin Rights Group could use more representation."
Kogrod considers this for a while, then smiles, letting his pointed teeth show. "That sounds like a worthy deal, Mr. Troy," he answers. "I'll use all my skills and connections to assist you… and of course, I'll keep it all out of the papers," he adds.
"Excellent. That would be most helpful, Kogrod," Magnus says wryly - in fact, a whiff of this in the papers would probably destroy him. Perhaps that's some additional motivation for Kogrod, since it gives him a good degree of leverage here. "Then we have an arrangement. To our mutual advancement." He lifts his scotch to the goblin, then drains it. "Now, we can iron out some of the details while we finish our stew…"