Three the Hard Way: A Play in Two Acts (7 page)

The next couple of days were filled with time at the beach, cruising the Caribbean on the yacht I’d rented, and me sitting around talkin’ and girl watchin’ with Kevon while CeCe shopped.

When it was time to eat, we tried to choose places that featured true home-style Bahamian cooking. One of our favorites was The Shoal. Never having tried Bahamian cooking before, CeCe was surprised at how much she liked it. She tried the okra soup, creamy conch chowder, cracked conch, crispy grouper fingers, and well-spiced mutton, all served with the national dish of peas ‘n’ rice. Another place we frequented was The Poop Deck. The food was good, but the big attraction for us was an excellent place to enjoy our meal while watching the sun setting over the marina.

Our nights were filled with dancing at trendy spots like Club Waterloo, Cocktails, Dreams, and Dragons, which was located in the hotel, and Fluid.

"And we have to go to Señor Frogs," CeCe said. "I’ve heard so much about this place from so many people."

"And I’ve never understood why. It’s just a bar," I told her.

"Whatever; we at least have to have a drink there. Even if it’s just so I can say I’ve been there and it ain’t all that."

After a day of bar hopping we went back to Atlantis and ordered room service. Since it had been a few days, I called Martin Marshall to check-in and see if he had setup the meeting between the Chinese and the Cubans.

"I was starting to wonder if you were going to call me," Martin said. "I hope you’re not having second thoughts about getting involved in this?"

"Not at all, Martin; I took care of the business I came here for. Now, I’ve just been having a good time, that’s all. I mean that is what you go on vacation for, isn’t it?" I asked.

"You’re absolutely right. And I should actually do that more often myself."

"You should."

"Well, I’m glad you called. The meeting is all set for tomorrow afternoon."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow. So I hope you don’t have any plans."

"Okay, Martin. I’ll make arrangements to get a flight out in the morning," I said and CeCe frowned.

"No need. The meeting is at The Westin Grand Bahama Island in Lucaya."

"Martin, I’m in Nassau."

"Nassau? What are you doing in Nassau?"

"I told you. I’m having a good time."

"But you always go to Freeport. So when you said you were going to the Bahamas, I just naturally assumed that you were going to Freeport. That’s the only reason I scheduled the meeting there."

"Yeah, well I’m branching out. I even bought some property here, so I’ll be coming here more often."

"That’s all well and good, but how is that going to affect the meeting? It’s too late to call our guests and move the meeting to Nassau."

"Not a problem, Martin. I’ll be in Freeport tomorrow in time for the meeting," I promised and turned to CeCe, who had been hanging on every word.

"Good man. I knew I could count on you. And believe me. We are going to make so much money on this deal."

"Yeah, yeah. All you gotta do now is change American foreign policy."

"Don’t underestimate the power of a highly-motivated black man."

"Wouldn’t think of it, Martin; I’ll see you tomorrow in Freeport," I said and ended the called. I turned to CeCe, who by this time was smiling all over herself. "What are you smiling about?"

"You are planning on taking me with you, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I’ve been looking forward to going there with you, and now we’re going. While you’re meeting with Martin, I could meet with those seamstresses that Jamaica was talking about. And maybe you’ll introduce me to your mother and that adorable daughter of yours."

"You can meet with the seamstresses, but let’s get one thing straight. Just because we’re goin’ to Freeport doesn’t change how I feel. I am not ready for that other stuff you’re talkin’ about. So don’t get your hopes up, ’cause it ain’t gonna happen."

CeCe folded her arms across her chest. "Okay, if that’s the way it is, I guess I have no choice but to accept it. But do you mind explaining to me just why that is?"

"Let’s start with my mother."

"Yeah, let’s start with M."

"You talk to Bobby too much."

"I told you, Bobby likes to talk to me," CeCe smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

"M is much too judgmental. And I just don’t feel like hearing her mouth sometimes."

"Okay, see I could get with that because my mother is the same way, which is why I haven’t broken down her door trying to introduce you to her."

"I’m glad we agree on that."

"What else?"

"Then it’s about Michelle. To be honest with you, it’s mostly about her."

"Explain."

"Let’s use Maria as an example."

"Let’s not; ’cause I know you’re not about to compare me with her."

"No, I’m just using her as an example."

"Go on," CeCe said and rolled her eyes.

"You are so cute when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Roll your eyes and poke those pouty lips out."

"Whatever. Go on."

"Let’s say I took Maria down there with me; and she becomes a part of her life and Michelle gets comfortable being around her. Then all of a sudden, Maria is gone and now here you come. Is that fair to Michelle—or Maria for that matter?"

"I see your point."

"Good. I just wanna make sure that the woman I bring around Michelle is going to be a part of her life for a very long time."

CeCe kissed me.

"What’s that for?"

"Since you’ve explained it to me, I completely understand and agree with your reasons for doing it. Now I don’t have to feel like I’m not good enough to be around your people, and I can accept it a whole lot better than just being told no without an explanation."

"I’m glad we settled that."

CeCe got up and picked up the phone. "Who are you calling?"

"The airport; to make reservations for our flight. Then I’m going to call The Westin Grand Bahama Island in Lucaya to get us a room."

"And then you can call Kevon and tell him we’re leaving in the morning," I said and got up.

"Where are you going?"

"To bed."

Chapter Seven

It was just after noon when we arrived in Freeport. Jamaica met us at the airport and took us to The Westin Grand Bahama Island for the meeting. During the ride from the airport, I called Martin Marshall.

"Black, where are you?" Martin asked.

"On my way to the hotel. I should be there in twenty minutes."

"Good. I’ll meet you in the lobby. We’ll meet with our Chinese friends first, and then all of us will meet with the Cubans," Martin advised.

When we got to the hotel, as promised, Martin was waiting. While CeCe checked into the room, me and Martin took the elevator to the suite where the Chinese were staying.

Martin’s man, Scotty, knocked on the door. When the door opened, a large, very muscular Chinese man stood in the doorway.

"Martin Marshall to see Huang Chang," Scotty said and the man stepped aside to allow us to enter. When we entered the suite, two men and a very attractive woman all rose to their feet.

"Mr. Marshall," one of the men said and extended his hand. "I am Huang Chang. This is my associate Wei Jiang. My assistant, Mei Ai Bao and you have already met Xiang Yong. He is, how you say—my bodyguard," Chang said and each bowed slightly.

"This is my associate Mike Black. You’ve already met Scotty, and this is Mr. Black’s bodyguard, Kevon Bailey."

"We’ll talk outside on the balcony if that is acceptable to everybody," Chang said and led the way through the sliding glass door. Once we were seated, Jiang closed the door and took his seat.

Chang began. "Think of the nightmares possible in doing business overseas and in Cuba, in particular—tight government regulations, supply shortages, sky-high utility bills, and unmotivated workers. International companies doing business in Cuba face all of those issues and more."

"I’m well aware that Cuba ranks among the world’s worst business environments. Only Iran and Angola rated lower for the past five years," Martin added.

"In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of generous Soviet subsidies sent the island’s economy crashing. Havana cracked open the door to foreign capitalists. But foreign investment has always been more tolerated than embraced by the Cuban government," Chang said.

"They tell me that some of the old hard-liners call it ideological contamination," Martin said, and everybody but me laughed.

I considered myself to be a smart guy. I took every opportunity I could to read and keep myself informed about current events, but the state of the business climate in Cuba wasn’t something I kept up with. Although all this talk bored me, I understood that if I was gonna continue to play in this league, I’d have to get up to speed on this shit and do it quick.

"Once approved, business operations in Cuba are increasingly centralized in government hands; though Cuban law permits one hundred percent foreign ownership," Chang continued. "Most foreign companies operate through partnerships with the government and hold only minority control."

"That is something we hope to avoid in this venture," Martin added and all agreed.

"As Chinese loans and hefty Venezuelan oil subsidies lift Cuba from its economic hole, the government is getting more selective about what foreign investment it approves and what foreign companies can do for the economy. For that reason, I have taken the liberty of asking an associate of mine from Venezuela to join in our discussion today."

"I don’t think that will be a problem," Martin said tentatively and glanced at me.

"The problem, as you know, Mr. Marshall, is that US scrutiny and sanctions against banks and other companies that do business both with Cuba and the United States have become so tough, that some international firms are opting not to work with Cuba and to safeguard their larger and more lucrative US operations. This is where, as a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, we hope that you will be most useful," Jiang said.

"Of course that is all dependent on how the environment in Cuba moves," Martin told his Chinese friends.

"Yes, of course. We will do our part to move things in that direction. But what I need are assurances from you that when the time comes, you will be able to produce," Chang pressed.

"On this you have my word," Martin said.

At that moment, Mei Ai Bao knocked on the door.

"Will you gentlemen excuse us for just a moment?"

"Please, go ahead," Martin said, and both Chang and Jiang went inside the suite. I got up and leaned over the rail. Martin came to join me.

"You’ve been very quiet," Martin said.