Into the Light

20. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

The building looks every inch what it is: an Important Place where Great Authority resides. Symmetrical in design, its every detail conveys an orderliness that is a rare sight in this city. It doesn't look stern, nothing of the sort; it's just very geometrical, very upright, right honorable. The bushes and flowers planted in front of it are symmetrical as well, in two groups at exactly identical distances to the left and right of the main entrance. They are a burst of luxurious green, red, white, yellow, pink and violet against the pale ochre of the walls. Somehow they seem to root the building into the ground and to reality.

I take one more look at the sign above sturdy double doors; it proudly identifies this as the 'City Council Offices of Dirna'. Yes, this is the right place. I straighten my tie and walk in.

Air within the stone walls is pleasantly cool despite the sunny weather. My steps make a faint clacking sound on the floor, and their determined sound pleases my ear no end. They give the impression that I'm here for serious business. Which is exactly the truth.

After a few inquiries I find myself in the same room with a tidy, stoutish man of about fifty. He looks at me somewhat suspiciously across a polished desk, then steps around it to shake my hand. "Good morning, mylord Toneior, this is an honor. How can I be of assistance... please be seated."

"Thank you." I know that the purpose of that desk is to put distance between us, and to impress any visitors - including me - with the perceived importance of the man sitting on the other side. Yet the seat underneath me is tolerably comfortable, and even if I haven't been nearly as active in the management of my finances as Chaim with his, I'm still not completely wet behind the ears either. Thus I don't let such things intimidate me as I calmly settle into the chair and cross my legs.

Rashim would hardly recognize me in this suit. Hell, I had trouble myself, looking into the mirror before I left the hotel this morning.

"My business is pretty simple," I tell the man. "I want to build a house on the Rise, and I wish to know what documents are needed to obtain the required permits."

He stares at me, eyes bulging slightly. Obviously he's not fully believing his ears. His mouth opens a few times before any words come out.

"I'm afraid you are asking the impossible, mylord," he finally croaks.

"Impossible?" I cock my head. "My, oh my. Now I'm baffled. Next you're perhaps going to tell me that I've dreamed the whole thing, and that there are no buildings up there at all? Though I could've sworn that I visited Ossden's home museum the other day."

He huffs. "Of course I won't say anything like that. But those houses are an entirely different thing, mylord."

"The 'Cliff House' may be a museum now," I point out. "But at the time it was built to be a private home. And not only that, but there's another house as well. Another private residence. So it's not impossible, sir."

He snaps his mouth shut and leans back in his chair. "Well. Those houses have been built quite a while ago. Nowadays the regulations are much stricter."

"What a pity," I say. Now, Toni, keep cool. Just keep cool. If the man thinks I'm so easily defeated, he's dead wrong. "I've heard that getting the permits was a tough job even then, but very manifestly it succeeded in the end. There was just a lot of paperwork involved."

The man is looking at me narrowly.

"I am willing to give whatever guarantees Dirna City requires that the house will not disrupt the beauty of the Rise in any way," I continue. "That it will blend in beautifully, in complete harmony both with its immediate surroundings and with the currently existing buildings. That it will be built in such a way that the temporary effects of construction works on the Rise will be minimal, and disappear quickly afterwards."

"And what if the answer is still no?" he inquires.

I spread my arms and smile to him as affably I can. It's pretty affable, too, I've checked in the mirror. "Then I'll simply go on trying some more. And please don't tell me, sir, that there's no way for me to go on living as neighbors with my closest friend. I don't think I could take it. We've known each other practically all our lives."

Ah-ha, he perks up! "I beg your pardon, mylord?"

"I fully intend to settle down here in Dirna," I explain in my most innocent fashion. "And so are DelChaim and his partner Neakim."

"But surely -" my adversary begins, then falls silent. Must give the man full points for understanding so immediately what the raised forefinger meant.

"They are going to buy the 'Albatross Nest' and start living there," I inform the man. "DelChaim has already been in contact with the lawyers acting on behalf of the family whose property the place currently is, and their opinion was that the place is practically sold to my friend as soon as the family hears about his offer. So there will be a house in active residential use up there."

Quite as I thought, this piece of news at least makes the man pause for a moment. Encouraging. For a while I hesitate - should I point out to him that building up there is going to be so insanely expensive in any case that my house would hardly mark the beginning of any mass exodus uphill? - and then decide against it. I don't want to remind him of my wealth, just in case he get the wrong idea. I'm not going to stoop so low as to try bribe anybody into anything. So I just wait.

"Well," he says. Crosses his fingers on his belly. Looks at me thoughtfully. "You will understand, mylord Toneior, that it is impossible for me, or indeed anyone, to grant any permits like that. Or, for that matter, to even promise that such a permit as you're asking for could be obtained in any case, whatever you do. But I would recommend you to submit complete plans for our scrutiny. Only with extensive documentation will it be possible for us to even take the matter into consideration."

"Sir, your words are music in my ears!" I manage not to grin, seeing his surprised expression. "I have accomplished my main objective for the time being. Would it be possible to get a list of the papers that will be needed for such a petition?"

"You can view the documents pertaining to Albatross Nest and the Cliff House in the City Archives," he tells me, obviously looking forward to being rid of me. Looks like he needs a moment to catch his breath after my ludicrous request. "It's on the first floor of this building, in the south wing. You will get further directions in the main entrance hall."

"Splendid!" I can't see the smile on my face, but I bet it would make any Dirna guide turn at least pale green with envy. "Thank you so much, sir, you've been most helpful! Now, I still have one more question, if you don't mind?"

"Yes - I mean, not at all!" He's fearing some last-second punch under the belt, I can see that.

"I've seen a property, here in town, that I'm interested in. And I was wondering where I could find out who it belongs to?"

"A property?" Now he's completely baffled, poor man. Can't blame him, either. "But - weren't you asking about the possibility to have a house built on the Rise, mylord?"

"Oh, that one is not a residential property!" I tell him breezily. He recovers quickly.

"You'll want to visit the Archives for that purpose as well. Just ask for the buildings data. You need to have the address, though."

"Thank you once more, sir!" I bow to him in my most courteous manner - hey, I'm not uneducated, whatever I might appear to be on occasion. "I won't take more of your valuable time at the moment - have a nice day!"

I feel like skipping, and it's a real struggle to descend the broad stone staircase leading into the main entrance hall in a reasonably cool and dignified fashion. Damn, this is actually rather much fun, acting businesslike for a change. I might start liking this... but I think I'll make up my mind about that question later today.

Now I need to find the Archives, get the information I need, and then see where my path leads from there. I'm going to be really active today, after all the drifting I've done so far, and in all likelihood I have a whole day, or perhaps several days, of acting businesslike ahead of me.