Page 4 - Unlikely Stories 3

Omega

CEO: Wait a minute: that’s our game! Free movement of capital
across international boundaries, attorney-client privilege, shell
corporations.

CFO: And we’ve spent a lot of money on lobbyists to get that kind
of opacity for the operation of free markets. Does anyone have an
aspirin?

EDO: I hate to say it, but maybe it’s time to cut our losses, take what
we can get from Endrun and pre-empt what may be the end of our
careers at Almagamatrix.

CEO: Yes, I hate to give up this huge holding company I built from
scratch with my bare hands—

Unidentified source: (laughter)

CEO: —but I realize my family must come first, and—

Unidentified source: (laughter)

CEO: It is obvious that all are in favor of accepting Endrun’s offer.
Any objections? Fine. Now, what could queer this deal? Any
regulatory issues? They are supposed to be our competitors, after all.

CCLO: They’ll just make the usual noises about streamlining
operations and passing the cost savings on to consumers. As long as
our party is in power, mergers like this will be de facto rubber-
stamped. And since our party is both parties, I foresee no difficulties.
It was just last year that Endrun itself became part of another
company.

IR: Yes, now I remember that. They’re a division of Omega. Just one
of many, of course. Some of Endrun’s management team survived
the takeover, so let’s not give up hope! After all, we know where the
bodies are buried!

Unidentified source: (nervous laughter)

CFO: Omega. Didn’t we do business with them in the past?

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