Zurich Meet Tomorrow by Alastair Reynolds - Book - Page 18
‘It will cost us a great deal of money, and complicate our plans
going forward ... but it is repeat business we are after, and you
have reminded us of that. If our customers feel the slightest
sense of relief upon disembarking from the capsule, then we will
have failed. They must feel that we have wrenched them away
from something wonderful! Only then will they truly appreciate
the marvels of our hotel. We are thinking – why stop at seven
stars? With our new weightless spa, why not eight?’
‘Aim high, Mister Zhang.’
‘Indeed, Amaka. And now ... how did you put it? Lipstick on
pigs?’
‘We’ll be having none of that.’
He laughs mirthfully. ‘Perhaps, at your convenience, we
may schedule another meeting. I may as well inform you that
there is no one else in contention.’ Some distaste creases his
features. ‘Mister Siow has agreed to take his valuable expertise
... elsewhere.’
‘I’m very sorry to hear that, Mister Zhang.’
‘There is no need. He was not in retrospect a good fit for
our vision.’
She attempts to find a crumb of sympathy for her rival, but
none is forthcoming. The corner-cutting, underhand weasel
deserves to be locked out.
‘I’ll be in touch, Mister Zhang.’
‘Indeed. May I wish you a very pleasant evening, Amaka,
and a long and profitable association going forward?’
He closes the call. Mitsu nods approvingly: she has been
listening in, as she does where all important conversations are
concerned.
18
