154 DATE WITH THE GODS
I laughed. "Yes, I act in good faith. But I also have to
pay rent and bills."
"For the past year and a half, you've been financing
yourself because you knew that you could deliver for
your Park and Madison Avenue corporations, right?"
"Right."
"Supposed it doesn't work? Suppose you blow it?"
"I'll be flat broke. I'll lose everything I have."
"Look, Chacho, wherever you go, you're well liked.
Because you're a pleasant, enjoyable sort of individual,
and you're a good businessman. You're industrious.
Many times you've taken assignments for a movie studio
that have taken you to nations all over the world. You've
worked strictly freelance, never committed to one
studio, to one company, always working with them, not
for them. You're an excellent coordinator and a good
contact man. That's really your job, isn't it?"
"Yes, yes, this is true."
"So, mister, we're hiring you for two years because
you're the kind of person we like to use to get our
message to certain people on your planet. We11 sign no
contracts because suing is unknown to you and me. This
is a prepara tion period for you, a preparation for
something beautiful that is coming to only a handful of
people in this horrible world of yours.
"If you have a good reason for not taking this
assignment, for not being a partner in this venture, let
us know. But I think you can, and will, do it. We're going
to give you all the help and encouragement you11 need to
accomplish the task. In the meantime, we11 have a good
time while we are here.
"As for your July 15th court appearance in Beverly
Hills, you're just going to have to trust me when I tell
you it's not going to happen.
Please believe me, I'm a serious person with a mission
to accomplish. We must have mutual respect and trust. If
you still think I'm here to play games, I'm going to ask