Before they could even reach the bubbling event, businessmen of all nationalities and ages were ready to greet Ivan with their wives and significant others at their side as they all approached the ballroom doors.

“Mr. Ivan David, we all look forward to a prosperous event tonight,” an East Indian man in his early forties stated as Ivan and Lucina passed him by in the line.

“And we intend to give you one,” Ivan told him. He then held one of Lucina’s two helpers by the hand and told her, “Make sure you get his business card and the proper pronunciation of his name for me.”

The Indian man laughed. He said, “Yes, that is very important.”

“Indeed it is,” Ivan told him with a nod. “We’ll talk later, my friend. But right now my partner and hostess, Lucina, wants me to address the crowd inside before they all become angry with me.”

More of the businessmen waiting in line with their tickets out began to laugh.

“We’ll see you inside, Ivan,” another businessman commented. “And congratulations.”

Ivan nodded to him as well. “Thank you.”

As they made their way inside, greeting Daphne, Maya, and the security men at the doors, two more of Lucina’s interns approached them: another beautiful Filipina, and an equally enticing Mexican.

Where the hell does Lucina find these girls? Ivan thought.

She said, “I need all four of you to collect the business cards and remember the names of each and every potential client who Ivan speaks to tonight,” Lucina told them.

Ivan pulled Lucina aside and asked her, “Are you sure you want them doing that if they’re all new? I just said that to be polite to the guy back there. That was all part of me working this business crowd with your girls.”

Lucina said, “Yes, I realize that, but I would rather have my experienced girls working the room where we are not there. But with the new girls, we can keep a better eye on their mistakes if they are close by you.”

Ivan thought it over and agreed with her. “Okay. That makes sense.”

They then made their way to the center of the room through the curious crowd of onlookers, buzzing with safe jazz music in the background. Red Face Lion was even forced to wear a business jacket at his DJ booth for the evening. And the versatility of his musical tastes came in handy.

“You’re looking good tonight, Red,” Ivan told him as Lucina secured the microphone in hand.

“I’m just trying to be like you, man,” Red responded.

“We’re ready to address the crowd,” Lucina stated.

Red faded down the music and raised the volume on the microphone.

Lucina walked out into the middle of the floor to address the business crowd, with Ivan beside her.