Page 192 - harryDEC12_clean.iba

Brian interrupts me with a broad grin. But before I could say something John interrupts me:
„Listen, Brian, I know what you’re thinking, but on the oil-and-energy slip of AIU – which is also ours, you’ve signed onto a share of 15% -- and now, now we‘re asking you for a personal favor. After all, you’re recognized as one of the leaders for Cargo Insurance -
So don’t act coy - we won’t leave these premises without the experience of success. I owe that to Harry, after all, it’s his first big job in his new function.“ Brian gives another grin:
„You’re as pushy as usual, Gibbs. Show me what you’ve got there.“
I hand him the slip and Brian reads through the paper carefully, then he turns to us and says:
„It’s always the same little game: low premiums, high commissions, and lousy statistics ...“
He takes a Mont Blanc fountain pen (just the same model as my mother once gave me and which I had to replace twice, as it is lost in the entanglements of life) into his hand and starts to write comments in green ink on the slip:
"The simultaneous payment clause (an agreement whereby the re-insurers have to pay up immediately in the case of major claims) ... and this here, this has to go ... and the total commission is reduced to 2.5% ... as well I demand a quarter-yearly deposit premium ..."
Then he writes 15% on the slip accompanied by a flowing signature and a gloriously old-style stamp with the insignia of Orion.
„Who are you going to see next?“ He inquires
"Helman,“
Johns answer.
„A good choice,“
Says Brian.
„Let’s have lunch together next week, you owe me that. And bring the young man with you, we’ll make Dr. Weyrauch – I think you’re the only academic in the Market - into a decent broker, okay?“
“It’s a deal,“ says John, and then we leave. “It’s time for lunch,“
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