He continued, “But if you don’t feel comfortable with that, then I’ll give you a hundred percent return on your money immediately, once I close out on other partnerships. And I can have my lawyers write up paperwork for you on that right now. So, each time that we establish a new hot spot, you know that you’ll at least double your money with no more risk involved.”

Thomas listened to the deal and wondered if Jeffrey would bite on the wrong end of the bread. Ivan could easily make up to ten times his initial investment if he promoted grand-scale events on a hot property. The only risk was inviting in partners who would be game enough to establish it. And Thomas was certain that Ivan would find people who would be. Thomas would be helping in the search himself. Like he had said, he was on Ivan’s team now.

Jeffrey continued to think it over. He said, “So, your idea is to develop clubs and restaurants that would serve a certain area, then you would put all of your promotional weight and ideas behind them, turn them all into cash cows, and then sell them to the highest bidders.”

Thomas listened to that and was surprised. Jeffrey Morefield understood the idea exactly. The table was now open for Ivan’s response.

Ivan took a sip of his Pepsi and answered, “I can’t afford to be that cut-and-dried with my partners, though. I want to keep a good name. So I’ll always make myself available as a consultant marketing and promotions man to keep the place hot. But if they decide not to use me in that capacity…”

“If it falls apart, it’s on them,” Jeffrey filled in for him.

Ivan shrugged and said, “That’s as fair as I can make it.”

Jeffrey began to smile. He said, “You’re about to be, like, the Warren Buffett of the restaurant and party crowd, hunh?”

Over the past forty years, the billionaire stockbroker Warren Buffett had made quite a living and reputation off of knowing what’s hot and what’s not to invest in in America. So Ivan grinned at the comparison.

“That’s a good analogy,” he responded. “But I’m not into stocks and bonds yet. I’m into making money that I can see right now. But you give me a few more years for that,” he joked.

They all shared a laugh as their hot plates of food arrived at the table.

As soon as their server left and they began to dig into their lunch, Jeffrey told them, “Well, count me in as a silent partner and let’s see where it goes. But I don’t want my name out there at all. I just want to find a quiet way of flipping some of my money.”