Chương 97: Book 3 - Chapter 18 A

I was back in Tulsa after months of living in a New York hotel. I'd only gotten away once for a shooting competition in Florida.

"Jennifer, you need to see this," I told her, turning on the TV and using the remote to go to channel 411 with her American Wireless receiver. We had just moved into Oklahoma and I was happy to finally have it at both my homes. World Business Network—WBN—my financial news network that had broken the Black Monday news and the global tsunami that followed in unprecedented detail was doing a special report on me and TWP Media.

The screen showed a grim-faced anchor standing before a graphic titled "The $62 Billion Consolidation."

"The largest media consolidation in American history is officially complete," the anchor announced, his voice carrying the gravity the event deserved.

"The new entity, TWP Media, brings together the publishing power of Time Inc, the studio might of Warner Communications and Paramount Pictures (formerly Gulf Western), and the revolutionary distribution network of American Wireless. This deal excluded Heartland Media, which we are a part of, and its cable channels. They remain John Cook's separate operational entity."

He paused as the screen displayed a summary of the new corporation's immense scale: Wireless & Cable Infrastructure: The combined networks of American Wireless, Time Cable, and Warner Cable. Film & Television Studios: The powerhouse production assets of Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures. Publishing Empire: The massive periodical and book divisions, including Time Inc., Simon & Schuster, and Warner Books.

Premium Television Network: HBO and Cinemax Theme Parks & Attractions: Key leisure assets like Six Flags and various Paramount-branded parks.

"The final valuation confirms American Wireless's status as the linchpin of the deal," the anchor continued.

"The private company's valuation of $25 billion on the closing date, against the severely depreciated market caps of the public entities, means American Wireless's assets now account for nearly 47 percent of the new company's common stock. While the market is still reeling from the events of Black Monday, TWP Media's debut has served as an anchor for a strong recovery this past week."

"We can now report the final corporate governance structure. Following the unique dual-class share exchange, the management team, led by CEO Nick Nicholas, holds significant voting power. However, the controlling stake—70 percent of the voting shares—is now held by the merger's architect, John Cook, and his private investors. That cash-backed control guarantees the long-term stability and strategic direction of the new media empire." I turned the TV off and smiled at her wide-eyed look.

"So Jen, who should be my voice on the board of TWP Media?"

"Dr Como is too busy. He's still handling the expansion of the wireless division," she said, starting with who couldn't have the job.

"Did you want the job? I could make you Chairman until I'm eighteen." I asked her.

"No. Definitely not. I'm busy enough with everything else."

"Thomas did manage to acquire the entirety of LTV Aerospace for me," I offered.

"You think he can handle being a board member?" she asked, without objecting.

"I think that we want someone good with numbers and who knows all the numbers people at the various parts of TWP. He can bypass management and go right to his new friends if he needs to know what is going on inside the company," I told her.

"I don't know, a second promotion so soon?"

"Do you want a promotion?" I asked her. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"What do you mean?"

"It's easy enough to buy Mirabelle out, and make you a full partner at Sterling, Malley & Associates. Does Malley & Parz sound like a good name?"

"Honestly, I'd rather start my own firm before partnering with George Malley."

"We can do that," I offered.

"No, you and I need some legal separation."

"You sure? Because I could also make you President of Cook Island Investments."

"What assets are those again?" she asked, her nose scrunching up.

"All of my Euro Motors holdings. That's twenty percent of the company, and Pixar. It also holds my eleven percent of Apple, and a number of other investments like Star Wars and Marvel. It also just bought a little financial services software company in Luxembourg."

"Cook Island doesn't do much. It just holds onto stuff. I like where I'm at."

"Okay, I do have my personal holdings. LTV Aerospace is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Atomics now. Plus what I own of Corning. I don't think about them much until a check comes in."

"Aren't you going to change the name of LTV?"

"Eventually. I'm working on something big at GA."

"Bigger than American Wireless?"

"Bigger, and it'll print money."

"Making diamonds?" she asked.

"Using my diamond manufacturing technology."

"Any hint?" she asked, a single eyebrow going up.

"How about, it'll change the world and make me the richest guy on the planet."

"I'll start hiring more staff," she said seriously.

"Good, if Thomas is going to TWP I need a new acquisitions team."

"What are we buying this time?" she asked pulling out her legal pad.

"ARCO," I said.

"The oil company?"

"The oil company, they will refuse to sell, but they need to know I'm interested," I confirmed.

"What else?"

"A company called Chris-Craft," I told her.

"Like the old wooden boats?"

"That's them. They sold the boat company a while ago, but kept the name. They do lots of stuff now. I love that they are getting into media production, but they have a chemical and plastics division I want."

"Go for the whole thing, or just that division?" she asked, once again demonstrating just how smart she was.

"The whole thing won't be an option, but go for the plastics division. It's a minor thing they own and have no reason to hold onto it. Herbert Siegel was a problem during the TWP merger, so expect to have to pay a premium to get it. He's still upset he didn't get to keep any of his Voting Shares in TWP. When he gets too obstinate dangle 5% of the TWP voting shares, that'll make it happen at a lower price."

"Anything else?" she said, filling her notepad with all my instructions. I handed over a sheet of paper. She picked it up and looked at it curiously.

"These are mines?" she asked.

"Yes. Bolivia and Peru have tin mines. They won't ever be cheaper, and both countries need the cash and the commitment to keep them open."

"There is an Australian mine as well," she noted.

"Right, I want a position that gives me a voice there. I'll be bringing the price of tin back up globally, while creating a stockpile for future demand. Just sitting around it won't go bad."

"What's this list of futures contracts?" she asked.

"KTLM and LME warrants, that's the Kuala Lumpur Tin Market and London Metal Exchange. LME is still the unofficial global tin market. When the Tin Council went bankrupt their collateral stock in the warehouses got seized. The banks need somebody to take it, I've got the cash so I will, before I drive the price back up. The stock market crash has them hurting even more, I'll get a great deal, fifty percent off. Find me a place to store it on the west coast near rail transport. Somewhere cheap like the Nevada desert.

I just need a place to stack the cargo containers when it arrives."

"It's an odd thing to go after, John."

"It's an investment for the future. I'm very bullish on the long-term value of tin."

"Understood, it is your money, and you are usually right about these sort of things. Anything else?"

"One last thing," I told her.

"Tonka."

"Tonka?" she asked with confusion.

"Tonka Toys.

'Tonka Tough,' I just love that name. They just bought another toy company. It's not going to go well. Put out some feelers and get information. Then after Christmas 1988, when things are looking less than optimal, make contact. I don't expect they'll be ready for an offer to buy them until after Christmas 1989, but they might sell sooner."

"Got it."

"That's it for now."

"Good. This is an odd list, John. But, it's good for the staff. Too much and they get frantic, too little and they get bored. This is just enough to keep everybody working smoothly," she said.