Day CLVl

Just Business

     He was doing so well, he was delighted, really high on the way things were going. He hired an architect, and they made really grandiose plans for the place. He put in a stainless steel, spiral stair case to the basement, with bronzed handrails; expensive mirrors all over the walls; thick red carpets; a gorgeous crystal chandelier on the ceiling, right above the stairs; red velvet wall paper; it looked like a French ho house, a brothel. He was doing great, the store was always packed with customers, and his pal Sam quietly took note of all the activity.

        Then one day he says to me, “Sorry mon, can’t carry ya stuff no mo, bin taking me line up!”

     “So you’re getting on up, uh!”

      “Ya mon, ain’t nuting wrong widet, it’s biz, mon. Bring me something that fits in, and we’ll do business.”

     Rich did well because the nabe was changing. Lawyers, doctors, teachers, the west side was gentrifying, and Rich was right in the middle of it at the right time. Nothing could go wrong! But, he made the biggest mistake of his life, he failed to consult with Sam, before making all of those improvements. He figured the guy was his pal, and every thing was cool.

     But it looked to Sam that Rich was making all kinds of money; he got himself a condo in the area; he was paying off his loan; and he was happily working the store. Then the time came, his lease was up, and his dear old pal, Sam, upped the rent- he quadrupled it..

      “Nothing personal Rich, it’s just business, man…you know how it is!”