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.Remo paused and then began,"Listen-"Chiun flared, "Keep drumming.It is important.Relatively."Chiun lifted his wand and shook it.His head rocking from side to side andthreatening to dislodge his stovepipe hat, which was tied about his wispy chinby a string, he began to move about the lobby, chanting and making othernoises that brought to mind a tomcat caught in the rinse cycle.Frowning, Remo woodenly beat the drum.With any luck, he thought, this is thefive-minute exorcism.In the middle of all this, Yuli Batenin returned from having breakfast in thehotel restaurant, Soup de Rumpp.Chapter 27By eleven o'clock, Randal Rumpp had figured out that he was beingstonewalled.The mayor's office wasn't returning his calls.The Planning Commission wasn'treturning his calls.No one was returning his calls.Randal Rumpp's office suite included several televisions sets in elegantcabinets, and assorted sound systems.All useless in the blacked-outskyscraper."I can't stand this!" he complained."I'm the lead story on every broadcast,and I'm missing everything.Dorma!""Yes, Mr.Rumpp?""Go down to the lobby and get me a newspaper.""But Mr.Rumpp.The only papers would be yesterday's.""Then get me yesterday's paper.The Post, not the Times.I gotta readsomething.This is driving me bugnuts.""But the mob."Randal Rumpp's voice dropped to a throaty growl."Dorma, can the mob fire you?""No, Mr.Rumpp.""Think the mob will hire you if I fire you?""No, Mr.Rumpp.""Then go fetch, Chuck.""Yes, Mr.Rumpp," said Dorma Wormser meekly.Page 80 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlShe slunk away, slipping through one of the secret exits and closing it afterher."Money always talks," said Randal Rumpp confidently."She'll probably breakthe stair-climbing record, if there is one.Gotta remember to stiff her forthe cost of the paper."But when eleven o'clock became twelve-thirty and Dorma Wormser still hadn'treturned, Randal Rumpp was forced to conclude that one of two things hadhappened: either she had deserted him, or she had been torn apart by theunruly mob below.He privately hoped it was the latter.Dorma was single.He could probably getaway with holding on to her last paycheck.But that still left him out of touch.And Randal Rumpp hated to be out oftouch.He roamed the twenty-fourth floor looking for a transistor radio.Hedoubted that he'd find one, inasmuch as personal property that cheap wasbanned from Rumpp Organization work space, but one never knew.Employees couldbe treacherous.The ringing cellular sent him racing back to his office."Yes," he said, out of breath."Randy?""Don't call me that.The tabloids call me that.I hate it.Call me the.the Rumpporama!""This is Dunbar Grimspoon.The IRS has just seized the Rumpp Regis for backtaxes.""They can't do that.""They did.""Damn! Well, what are you sitting there for? Get on it! Get on their cases andmake 'em cough back it up!""Uh, Rand?""Rumpporama.""This is a bad time for you, I know.But about your last bill.It'soverdue.""Is that all you overpaid lawyers ever think about-money?""That's why we're overpaid.Look, if it were just me, okay.But the partnersare bitching.This is a sixfigure bill.""Which will never, ever be paid if you don't jump up this seizure thing,"Rumpp said heatedly."Hear me, Chuck? You tell that to your partners, and getback to me within twenty minutes."Fifty minutes later, Randal Rumpp was wondering if he had overplayed his hand.His called his law firm.When he identified himself to the switchboardoperator, the girl's voice grew chilly and he was put on hold.For an hour.Rumpp reluctantly cut the connection."Okay, I overdid it.It happens.Whenyou've been on a winning streak as long as Randal Rumpp, you're bound to screwup in insignificant ways.No big deal.The world's full of lawyers."He ate three chocolate bars and immediately felt his confidence return.Idly,he picked up his dormant cellular and thumbed the bell button.It immediatelybegan ringing.Randal Rumpp, more for someone to talk to than for any practical reason,picked up his working cellular and said, "Hello, you still there?""Yes.And I still have cigarette lighter.""Keep it.I got a better deal.""What is that?""Come in with me.""Come in where?""Become a vital player in the greatest deal-making organization on the face ofthe planet, the Rumpp Organization."The voice grew interested."You wish to hire me?""At a handsome salary
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