okay with Princess Polly, as she was used to him. I left for Scottsdale in the
morning, to see Justin.
‘Look at it this way, Justin. How bad will the Foundation be hurt if you let
Harriman Industries collapse?’
‘The Foundation would be hurt. But not fatally. We would be able to resume full
subsidy in five years, ten at the outside. Maureen, one thing is certain: a
conservator of other people’s money must never throw good money after bad.’
Eight million was the most I could squeeze out of him, and I had to guarantee it.
Half of it was in CDs some of which had due dates as long as six months away. (Bui a
certificate of deposit can always be used in place of cash, although it may cost you
points.)
To accomplish that much I had, first, to tell Justin that he would never get another
‘Theodore’ tip out of me if he didn’t produce the money, and, second, that if he
laid the money on the table, I would place beside it a full and complete transcript
of those notes I had taken in the middle of the night on 29 June 1918.
In the Broadmoor the next morning George would not accept the money from me but took
me to Mr Harriman, who seemed detached, barely able to recognise me, until I said,
‘Mr Harriman, I want to buy some more participation in the Lunar launching.’
‘Eh? I’m sorry, Mrs Johnson; there is no more participation stock for sale. That I
know of.’
‘Then let me put it this way. I would like to lend you eight million dollars as a
personal loan without security:
Mr Harriman looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. He had grown gaunt
since the last time I had seen him and his eyes burned with fanatic fervour – he
made me think of those Old Testament prophets.
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He studied me, then turned to George. ‘Have you explained to Mrs Johnson what a risk
she would be taking?’
George nodded glumly. ‘She knows.’
‘I wonder. Mrs Johnson, I’m cleaned out and Harriman Industries is a hollow shell –
that’s why I haven’t called a directors’ meeting lately. I would have to explain to
you and to the other directors the risks I’ve been taking. Mr Strong and I have been
trying to hold things together on jawbone and sheer nerve, long enough to get the
Pioneer off her pad and into the sky. I haven’t given up hope… but, if I take your
money and I am forced into bankruptcy and my senior company into receivership, my
note to you could not be in a preferred position. You might get three cents on the
dollar; you might not get anything.’
‘Mr Harriman, you are not going to be bankrupt and that tall ship out there will
fly. Captain LeCroix will land on the Moon and return safely’
He smiled down at me. It’s good to know that you have faith in us.’
‘It’s not just faith; I’m certain. We can’t fail now for the lack of a few pennies.
Take the money and use it. Pay it back when you can. Not only will Pioneer fly, you
also will send many ships after her. You are manifest destiny in person, sir! You
will found Luna City… freeport for the Solar System!’
Later that week George asked me if I wanted to be in the blockhouse during the
launching – Mr Harriman had said to invite me. I had already considered it, knowing
that I could demand it if I cared to push it.
`George, that’s not the best place to watch the lift-off, is it?’
‘No. But it’s the safest. It’s where the VIPs will be. The Governor. The President
if he shows up. Ambassadors.’
`Sounds claustrophobic. George, I’ve never been much interested in the safest
place… and the few VIPs I’ve met struck me as hollow shells, animated by PR men.
Where are you going to be?’
‘I don’t know yet. Wherever Delos needs me to be.’
‘So I figured. You are going to be too busy to have me hanging on your arm -‘