"Leonard Speaking"
'Leonard Thinking'
Leonard wiped the sweat off his face. His body, hanging upside down, was bent in a raised inverted crunch, but his face held no pain or effort in the moment. He smoothly untangled his legs and let himself drop down gently. He had started exercising in the evenings since his arrival in L.A. The exercise helped him calm down and gather his thoughts. Now, his thoughts were on his upcoming rendezvous with Mr. Robert Axelrod.
Over the past week, Leonard accompanied Mike and Louis to create an ironclad case against any accusations. His mind drifted back to his action plan meeting.
Last Week
Leonard sat at the table with Louis and Mike at his side. The three stared at the trade logs he maintained.
Leonard pointed out, "First, we have to display the sanctity of each trade. Make sure that the logic and information provided in each trade is legitimately available in the public domain."
Louis interjected, "They may still try to undermine these records. When you are too polished, people see that as an effort to conceal something."
Leonard asked, "Louis, you are a meticulous person. Making clear and detailed records should be your habit. Right?"
Louis thought for a second before answering. "I suppose that is true. Living an ordered life does provide a basis for the habit of maintaining meticulous records."
Leonard grinned before producing a schedule from a file. He handed over the schedule with a smug grin, "This is my schedule, it has been for the last seven years."
The two lawyers looked at each other, before turning to the schedule. Slowly, their eyebrows climbed up as their eyes widened at the absurd schedule. Mike asked in wonder, "Who made this schedule! A madman? There are schedules for everything from eating, sleeping, working, grooming, even relieving yourself in the morning."
Leonard smiled wryly, "You can thank my previous roommate. He even had weekly schedules for which restaurants to go to, where everyone should sit, what everyone should wear. If anything deviated from the order, he would feel an itch like someone made him wear a very itchy sweater. Kind of like the one my aunt made for me."
Mike whistled, "Well, if you could stick to the schedule for eight years, there is no way someone could say that you don't have organised habits."
Leonard cleared his throat and continued, "The second thing we must do is find any connections between me and people from the companies I invested in. There should be no sign of contact. I have never met anyone who worked in those companies."
Louis pointed out, "Maybe you have visited their store before. Or brought their services. In those cases, we need to show your distance from the chain of command."
Leonard nodded, "While I was trading, I lived in Washington DC. My appearances were public enough to tell that even if any employee from the companies had come to DC, they never met me."
The trio worked late at night, examining every trade, building the correct paper trails, attaching information to the trades. By the end of the night, they had a pretty ironclad case against any accusation.
Louis breathed a sigh of relief, "Finally, it's done."
Leonard clapped his hands in delight, "Splendid work gentlemen, we have made good progress. We will recheck everything once again in the morning. Should any accusation arise, I hope I can count on your assistance Louis."
Louis Litt smiled at that. For the first time in years, he had felt valued at any job. People usually preferred glamorous, good looking lawyers at the firm. Even his clients, who had given him glowing reviews, avoided usual contact with him. But Leonard did not care about looks, he only valued ability. Louis started to pick up his coat, ready to leave for his hotel, when Leonard stopped him.
Leonard handed Louis a check and a card. Louis read the amount, satisfied with his first million dollar fee. Even though he had about 30 million in his account, this check held a special meaning. Then he looked at the card. It was a simple card, with a single contact number and the name CHALDEA LEGAL embossed on it. He looked at Leonard in question.
Leonard smiled before replying, "The check is your payment in advance. I calculated the hours we took, and the hours we would need, along with a bonus. The card is the contact information for my organisation's legal branch. Should you feel undervalued at Pearson Hardman, give a call."
Louis tucked the check and the card in his inner suit pocket before he left the house with Mike.
Now
Leonard quickly took a shower, picked out his deep navy blue suit with a burgundy tie. As he dressed himself in front of the mirror, his eyes bore into his reflection. He felt like a soldier getting ready for deployment. He knew he faced a formidable enemy, who currently disguised himself as a possible ally, he was ready.
Picking his cane from behind his door, he opened his garage door. Soon, his wine-coloured Mercedes sped out from the garage, the door closing behind it.
The Lobster, Santa Monica
Robert Axelrod, the head of the illustrious Axe Capital hedge fund, sat at a seat, slowly sipping wine while looking at the sea. His entire demeanor screamed calm confidence, like a ship travelling on calm waters. Suddenly, a man wearing a deep blue suit and a burgundy tie came into the restaurant. Looking around, the man spotted Bobby, and started to walk towards him. Bobby tore his eyes away from the sea and observed the stranger. Soon, the man stood in front of Bobby and introduced himself.
Leonard, with his hand held out for a shake, "Good evening Mr. Axelrod, my name is Dr. Leonard Hofstadter."
Bobby quickly shook his hand and asked him to sit. Leonard gently pulled out a chair before sitting down. His swan head cane laid at the side of the table, attracting Bobby's attention. In a joking tone, Bobby remarked, "You know, in New York, such canes are usually kept by pimps. Are you one too?"
Leonard, to his credit, kept a polite face, with no emotion overpowering his calm. With the same tone, he answered, "You seem to know a lot of pimps Mr. Axelrod. Maybe that's why you think that. But I assure you, I am no pimp."
Bobby was impressed. He waved dismissively, "Call me Bobby. And now that I think about it, pimps usually carry much more ornate canes. Yours is much simpler."
Leonard eased himself and answered, "I am a simple man Bobby."
Bobby interrupted with a laugh, "A simple man with more than hundred million dollars in stock market profit. You may be many things, but not simple."
Leonard smiled, "Let's agree to disagree. Now, should we order first? We can talk later."
Bobby smiled. Leonard was eerily similar to him. The same dominating demeanor, sharp intelligence, and the ability to change topics. Based on his trades, the similarities don't end there.
Soon, the food was served. Every item was luxurious, well-crafted. While the company unsettled him slightly, Leonard enjoyed the food immensely. Finally, the two finished the food and sat at the bar. Bobby quickly called the bartender.
Bobby ordered, "Vodka Martini, your best vodka with a splash of dry vermouth. And a truffle-cheese stuffed olive as garnish."
Leonard laughed, "I must say, that's quite fancy. Makes me want something as well. 2 oz elderflower mead, 0.75 oz absinthe, 5 drops rosewater, 0.5 oz lime juice, stirred, poured it over ice and topped with sparkling water."
The bartender took the order and hurried off. Soon, Bobby was handed a martini glass, while Leonard held a highball with pale green color. As the two sipped their drinks, Bobby got to the point, "Leonard, let me be straight with you. You are very talented. I have seen your trades and how decisive you are when trading. I believe you are wasting your talents at Caltech. So, I would like to formally invite you to Axe Capital. Full autonomy in trades, a larger percentage than my other analysts make. Any other condition is negotiable. What do you think?"
Leonard sipped his drink, before leveling Bobby with an even stare. As he kept staring, Bobby felt a strange trepidation in his heart. As Bobby felt more uncomfortable, Leonard spoke, "Let me ask you something Bobby, what is money?"
Bobby blinked. He'd been asked many things in his life — never that.
"Depends who's asking," he said. "And what they want it to mean."
Leonard explained, "People would say that money is value, it is power, security, comfort and so many other things. But for me, it is a story. It is perhaps the greatest story ever told."
Leonard sipped again and looked at the sea. He asked, "Tell me Bobby, if you were stuck at sea, wandering aimlessly in a small boat with no supplies, would your money save you?"
Bobby seemed to get the drift. He answered, "People will certainly come to find me…"
Leonard interrupted, "But for how long can you hold out? The sea is vast, the waves are treacherous, who knows where you would be in an hour. And even if they find you, will you be able to survive until then?"
Bobby was solemn at that. He looked at Leonard and said, "I will try to avoid the sea then. Anything else?
Leonard broke out a smile. He spoke with amusement, "Money and status makes us feel better about ourselves, but ultimately, they don't hold any true value."
Leonard turned to Bobby, his eyes shining imperiously, "To live in this society, we partake in this story. We believe it, like children believe in Santa Claus. We may realize that Santa isn't real. But we never think that money isn't real either. It is just paper that assigns value to things."
Bobby argued, "So what if it is an illusion. Don't you live in society? You need to buy things, to study. It is money that allows for scientific growth that you seem to adore so much."
Leonard spoke earnestly, "That's true. Money held value in society before, but it is not value itself. Now, the value to money ratio is so skewed, that money holds no true value. You can work in a field for months, yet what you do has no value compared to someone who acts like a middleman in a market."
Leonard drained his glass before speaking, "This is the reason why I must decline your offer. While your offer is quite generous, it is incompatible with my situation. I hope you understand my predicament."
Bobby sat there in a daze. Suddenly, Leonard smiled at him, "The dinner was phenomenal though. I sincerely hope we do this again"
Leonard quickly got off the stool, taking his cane from where it leaned and walked to the exit.
Bobby sat in a gloom. It was not the rejection that stung, but the disrespect he faced. He had spent his whole life chasing money. His power in society was something people looked up to. Yet this scientist, someone who worked in a university for a salary, had the gall to tell him to his face that his efforts, which earned him billions of dollars, held no value.
Bobby quickly pulled his phone, dialing the number of one of his closest confidants.
After two rings, a female voice called from the other end, "Bobby, what happened? You don't usually call so late?"
Bobby answered, "Wendy, I needed to talk."
For the next twenty minutes, Bobby recounted the entire incident. Wendy Rhoades, his close friend and psychiatrist, listened with patience. At the end, Wendy answered, "You are angry, not due to the rejection, or even the insult, as you called it. You see yourself in this guy. Now, his words have shaken your beliefs. What you need is to relax for a few days. Don't do anything irrational. Let's talk when he gets back."
Bobby spoke through gritted teeth, "No Wendy. My anger might be for any reason, but Leonard will not get off scot-free. Since he believes my thoughts are useless, yet he still used the stock market to earn, he will have to prove his point. I will let him face hell, before he can rest easy. When I face him again, I will hear his answer."
Burbank, Los Angeles
Leonard entered his apartment, hanging his key at a small key hook at the side. Removing his shoes and socks, he sat on the couch in his living room, replaying the conversation in his mind. His brain quickly read everything Bobby said, or wanted to say. Now, he will face a great challenge.
Leonard quickly picked up his phone and dialed Mike's number. Mike picked up after three rings and spoke groggily, "Leonard, how did it go?"
Leonard spoke in a grave tone, "We have a code red."
AN: The first conflict in the arc. There will be more procedural stuff in this arc. If you enjoy courtroom dramas, this arc will treat you well.
AN2: I want to thank all my patrons who have supported me in my writing journey. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
AN3: The cocktail Leonard orders is something I came up with. I call it Titania's Kiss. If there are any aficionados, do tell me about your experience with this drink. I would suggest Lyme Bay Elderflower Mead.
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