‘Didn’t know this settlement business could be so much fun,’ he said.

Perplexed, she began to discuss his plight.

‘Now, Al—’ she said.

‘Yes, Harry. You know I’m just wild about Harry. But at this point I don’t think Harry is wild about me!’

Cullum laughed.

‘So nice to hear someone not spout that song’s line the right way,’ she said smiling and revealing very white teeth that were too big even for her exceptionally large mouth. ‘I hate clichés!’

‘So do I,’ Haut said. ‘I always say “I plan to live forever.” When people look sceptical, I add: “The plan has worked so far.”’

Cullum laughed.

She was then tapped on the shoulder and soon engrossed in a conversation. There was now a frenzy of activity as the deadline approached. Big bundles of notes and bonds were being raked across the table as settlements were made before the deadline. The two bankers, who had both been distracted by bigger deals being done around them, looked at each other a half-hour later as a gong sounded.

It was close of play. Haut’s ordeal was over.

Neither of the banks’ representatives had sealed anything with him. As he left the building and was given a lift to the airport by one of the bankers who had not dealt with him, it dawned on him: I will not have to find the five million dollars I owe the two banks.

At the airport, he bumped into Adams and Cullum at a bar, waiting for a plane to Sydney. Adams looked both angry and aggrieved. Cullum seemed nervous. They had both assumed that the other had settled the deal over the money Haut owed.

‘You got out of there scot-free,’ Adams snarled, and then added a guttural, ‘Fuck!’

‘I didn’t know what was happening,’ Haut said, opening his hands.

‘Well, we have your property,’ Adams said.

‘Good for you. It’s rented.’

Adams was furious.

‘Well, Harriett has your mining assets,’ he sneered, ‘so fuck you!’

Cullum reached for a napkin and took out a pen.

‘Bulldozers and drill rigs aren’t much good to us,’ she said with a shrug. ‘We’d have a hassle selling such items. Been there, done that.’ Cullum turned to Haut. ‘Have you got a dollar on you?’

‘I have six,’ Haut said.

‘A dollar will do.’

Haut fished it out of his pocket and put it on the bar.

Cullum wrote on the napkin:

‘I hereby accept, on behalf of Con East, one dollar, paid in full, for all the mining and business equipment assets of one Al Haut and all his company operations.’

She signed it and handed it to Haut. He signed and dated it. Adams stood, grabbed his briefcase and stormed off. Cullum, all toothy grin, shook hands with Haut, who laughed and laughed, as much from relief as anything else.