((Collab Post between The Wyrm and Letter Bee))

In the still-lavish Manila Hotel, where the rich landowners who had accepted Priscilla's 'conditional pardons' hob-nobbed with the increasingly more 'prosperous' heads of Worker Co-operatives (coughSubiccough), Aurelia Dizon, wearing a gown of Philippine silk, pineapple fibre, and lacework, waited for Henry Cornell as she sat beside a table of narra wood with her guards beside her. On said table was [i]paella[/i], a Spanish rice dish, Filipino [i]lechon[/i], or roast pig, and Indian curry with the spiciness reduced and sweetness increased for the Filipino palate. Oh, and brandy; brandy was one of the Philippines' natural products. With a smile, she prepared mentally for Henry's coming.

Henry had taken the time to shower and shave carefully berfore donning a suit of white silk that had been purchased from Southeast Asia. Where, he did not know for certain, but the man who imported the things for him knew his buisness. When he stepped into the Manila Hotel dining room he looked every inch the White Afrikanaar, complete with an open necked shirt and black cane tipped with gold. It was often beneficial to have people see what they expected.

He had no trouble picking out Aurelia Dizon though the photo he had of her hardly did her justice. None of his staff had come with him, there would time for that later, though his bodygaurd was quietly enjoying lunch with one of the young ladies who had accompanised him within eyesight of the table.

Henry approached the table, noting the delicasies that had been laid out. He offered Aurelia a dazzling smile and bowed slightly at the waist before extending his hand. It has always confused him why men inistsed on shaking hands with other men, and hugging women. Business was business. A hand shake was how one truely got the measure of another person.

"Madam Dizon. A pleasure. Thank you for meeting with me."

Aurelia got up and shook Henry's hand firmly, clearly trying not to grasp too deeply. She would then say, "I am glad you are here, Mr. Cornell. With the mandate given to me by the people, I now have the guarantees and the ability to give them that ensures that the entreprenurial spirit can survive in the Philippines...provided I fulfil said mandate, which is giving electricity to the masses." A slight smile. "An increase in the Tobacco exports from the Islands will ensure that I won't empty my coffers fulfilling my promises to the public." A light chuckle, as though she was a mother amused at the antics of her babies.

Henry nodded, this was good. "You will understand then, as the worlds largest tobacco producer, that I require a controlling stake in any, how shall I say, "investment venture". What do you think is fair compensation to either your administration, or the people of the Philippines in exchange for such a deal?"

Another smile. "Well, basically, use Philippine Labor, obey Philippine Labor Laws, make sure the local stakeholders are Filipino Citizens of 25 years' residence; I already have a list of people who qualify," she pulled out said list and handed it over to Henry; it contained no names associated with Subic Bay and its Workers' Co-operatives, another sign she was going to throw them under the bus. "Also, voluntary contributions to the Federal Government's public programs; Priscilla loves her Social Welfare."

She then leaned in, her voice lowering in volume. "Also, the latest trade mission to the Ethiopians acquired Teff, which is improving food security in the Philippines. However, my estate has also acquired and planted enough of it to serve as an export good to Ethiopian Restaurants in the United States...or other places that have acquired a taste for that grain, but have some dispute with its original providers." Aurelia had clearly heard of Rhodesia's rejection from the African Congress through radio.

Henry could not disagree with any of the requests. Investing and using local business agents to run the operation not only cut down on his costs, but it also kept him at arms length and ensured that the locals assumed their own people called the shots. The list she provided him, which he gave a quick glance over, would have to be double checked by his trusted business interests in the country but he had no reason to doubt her good intentions. As for "volunmtary" contributions to Social Welfare... That would hurt since he detested forking out any of his hard earned cash to people who were, in his opinion, taking a free ride, but business was business.

As she leaned forward to speak to him of Teff who shook his head slightly. The Ethiopians suppporting the Rhodesians in the African Congress was a power play to gain favour with both sides. The Ethiopians were clever, but they would have been fools to play the situation in any other way. Other than Ethiopia, Rhodesia was the only African state that really had its proverbial shit together. South Africa was a close third but the British mentality of "White is better than black" was causing them massive problems at the moment. 

"I understand where you are coming from, but I am not authorized to negotiate any trade on behalf of the Rhodesian government. I am here to further my interests and those of my company." He said as he sipped from the brandy she had supplied. He turned it slowly in one hand, admiring the light colour of it.

"Do you export this?" He held up the glass again. "I recently began to look into investing in the liqour industry and have plans to stop in the Caribbean on my trip home to invest in several operations down there that I think could be a big thing one day."

Aurelia nodded. "We do, yes. Both before and after the Second Revolution, there was this company called Tabacalera* - not to be confused with the Spaniard's own company by that name - which profited from both tobacco and sugar-based alchohols like brandy and rum. It survived the Second Revolution by rebranding itself as a Worker-owned Co-operative...while continuing to function like a regular Corporation, albeit with more privileges to the workers than would be normal in other countries, and with said workers having fifty percent of stock shares that they cannot actually sell. Basically, a bit of legal mumbo-jumbo, and Tabacalera is a shining example of how we can adapt to changing circumstances and switches of rulers."

She then looked at him. "Priscilla doesn't know about that fact yet. Nor should she. More to the point, [i]I[/i] own it in a climate where real power [i]does[/i] rest with the people." Aurelia smiled regretfully. "There is also the fact that if I cede control of Tabacalera for any sort of prize, I will have compromised my position as 'Top Dog' in this country. And I [i]love[/i] being the Alpha Bitch."

Henry nodded as she finished speaking. He could understand where she was coming from but if he was to make the gains he hoped to in the region, he would need the company. Another sip from his brandy gave him a moment to think before he leaned back in his chair.

"What if you reatined control of the company itself, but use Cornell Tobacco as your sole distributor internationallly? You would still operate as CEO and President, or whichever terms you use here, and it would allow me to control the amount and where it goes when leaving the Philippines. That is, in the end, was matters most to me. Controlling the international supply."

"So entreprenurial," Aurelia approved. "Done, and thank you."

"Excellent." Henry raised his glass to her. "To a bright future for both our nations."

Aurelia raised her glass to him. "To a bright future for both our nations." She then looked out the window. "It's still noon; mind a last-minute deal? Basically, I want to buy a few...transport planes, pilot trainer aircraft, and a few crop dusters - not that we use anything but [i]'organic'[/i] pesticides due to Priscilla's policies." 

Henry shrugged. "That is easy enough. The South Africans are currently selling a number of aircraft from their Commerical Airfleet. I could certainly purchase a few and "donate" them to your cause. I know the man who is overseeing the sale."

A slight bow. "Thank you. Now, let's enjoy our food, shall we?"

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compa%C3%B1%C3%ADa_General_de_Tabacos_de_Filipinas