Page 128 - harryDEC12_clean.iba

SECTION 4
THE RECEPTION
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, SYNGROU AVE. - 20.00 hours
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The hall in the basement of the hotel is beginning to fill up. Highly ranked representatives of Greek and international shipping, politicians, the minister for transport too - bankers and other marginally prominent folk. They stand in groups chatting away in harsh Greek or English language; we knew each other. I am alone. And I feel that way too. Von Stierlitz had to leave for Hamburg and I am nervous. It is the first reception where I have certain significance, a role to play and by now I definitely feel too young to fulfill the role assigned to me. Normally Klaus Friedrich would have been in my place. In my nervousness I join arbitrarily in conversation with persons I have never met before, persons who happen to be standing near me. Then a quiet murmur passes through the room. A short man with black hair has entered - the ship-owner Katsourakis. Beside him is a tall, blonde, very beautiful woman with a Scandinavian appearance. Katsourakis shakes many hands stretched out toward him, he indulges in small talk. A while later he turns in the circle and finally says:
„Where is my leading underwriter?“
The crowd opens up, and suddenly I stand in the centre of attention. I feel like sinking into the floor, but the floor is of marble, so I gather my courage, take a step forward and say:
"That is I, sir,“
I say these words clearly audible and remembering the articulation in English I had once learned in Cambridge. The people divide and leave the way free for Katsourakis. He walks straight to me and shakes my hand vigorously. His face takes on a benevolent look.
„It is a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Weyrauch, I did not envisage you to be so young - you are the owner of the company?
"No, in fact that is my father, who has dispatched me to get some exposure...and because it was me who has been dealing with your fleet...."
I answer.
"Do not worry. I like young ambitious men at the beginning of our career - we break up the crust of the establishment. Meet my wife Christina..."
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