“You are not most people, Mr. Holiday.” The craggy face dropped a shade, changing the configuration of lines and hollows like a twisted rubber mask. “The agreement is this. You will have ten days to examine your purchase with no obligation. If at the end of that time you find it not to be as advertised or to be otherwise unsatisfactory, you may return here for a full refund of your purchase price less a handling fee of five percent. A reasonable charge, I’m sure you’ll agree.”
“That’s it? That’s the whole contract?” Ben was incredulous. “All it takes is my decision to back out?”
“That’s all it takes.” Meeks smiled. “Of course, the decision must be made in the first ten days, you understand.”
Ben stared at him. “And everything that’s been advertised in the catalogue will be there as promised? All of it? The dragons and knights and witches and warlocks and fairy creatures?”
“And you will be their King, Mr. Holiday. You will be the man to whom all must answer. A great deal of power, but also a great deal of responsibility. Do you think that you are equal to the challenge?”
The room went still as Ben sat before old Meeks and thought of the roads in his life that had led down to this moment. Except for Annie, he had lost little on his journey. He had taken the opportunities that mattered and made the most of them. Now he was presented with an opportunity greater than any previously offered and in taking it he would be leaving nothing of consequence behind. With Annie gone, everything that mattered lay ahead.
Nevertheless, he hesitated. “Could I see a copy of that contract now, Mr. Meeks?”
The old man reached into his center desk drawer and withdrew a single sheet of paper backed in triplicate. He passed it across the desk to Ben. Ben picked up the contract and read it through carefully. It was exactly as the old man had promised. The Kingship of Landover was to be sold to him for a price of one million dollars. The language of the catalogue promo was repeated with appropriate warranties. The closing paragraphs provided for a full refund of the purchase price less the handling charge if within ten days of arrival in Landover the purchaser chose to return the specialty item and withdraw from the Kingdom. A key for such withdrawal would be provided at time of purchase.
Ben paused on reading the final lines. The purchaser agreed on forfeiture of the full purchase price if he or she returned the item anytime after the first ten days or if he or she chose to abandon Landover for any reason during the first year of Kingship.
“What is the point of this final covenant?” he asked, glancing back again at Meeks. “Why can’t I leave for a visit back?”
Meeks smiled — a rather poor attempt. “My client is concerned that the purchaser of Landover appreciate the responsibilities that Kingship entail. A man not willing to, what is the saying? — ‘stick it out’ for at least a year is not a worthy candidate for the job. The agreement assures that you will not wander off and leave the duties of the throne unattended — at least for that first year.”
Ben frowned. “I guess I can understand your client’s concern.” He placed the contract back on the desk, one hand resting on it lightly. “But I’m still a bit skeptical about the offer in general, Mr. Meeks. I think I should be candid. It all seems a bit too easy. A mythical kingdom with fairy creatures that no one has ever seen or heard about before? A place no one has ever been to, that no one has ever come across? And all I have to do is to give Rosen’s one million dollars and I own it?”
Meeks said nothing. His aged, craggy face was expressionless.
“Is this kingdom in North America?” Ben pressed.
Meeks said nothing.
“Do I need a passport to reach it? Or medical protection from its diseases?”
Meeks shook his head slowly. “You need no passport or immunization. You need only courage, Mr. Holiday.”