The elevator doors opened, and Mike Ross stepped into Jay Pritchett's Manhattan penthouse.
It smelled of cigar smoke, polished leather, and subtle wealth—the scent of a man who built everything himself and didn't need to apologize for it. The skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows glittered like a sea of possibilities, and Mike already calculated every inch of potential influence in that view.
Jay Pritchett sat behind a massive oak desk, cigar in hand, exuding authority. One look and you knew: this was a man who didn't just survive Manhattan—he carved it out with his bare hands.
Mike walked in with calm, precise steps. Every movement screamed control, but his predator's stillness—honed from a previous life—made it clear he was not here to play catch-up. He carried no briefcase. His arsenal was bigger: intellect, ruthlessness, and a network that was already shaping Manhattan.
Jay leaned back in his chair, studying him like a general assessing a new lieutenant.
"You're the lawyer Specter hired to babysit the kid from the office?"
Mike let a faint smile creep across his face. "I handle people who underestimate me. And you, Mr. Pritchett, have been underestimating your Manhattan expansion potential."
Jay raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
Mike leaned forward, voice measured but sharp, like a blade sliding from its sheath.
"I've seen your Closets & Blinds operations. Solid craftsmanship, excellent quality—but your reach is limited. Logistics, regulations, visibility—all gaps. I propose a partnership with IKEA. Local manufacturing, high-end customization, a Manhattan flagship showroom, and a revenue-sharing model that secures your legacy while keeping control in your hands."
Jay exhaled a plume of cigar smoke. "IKEA? You want me to team up with a multinational in my backyard? Why should I trust a kid wearing a suit who wasn't even born when I built half this empire?"
Mike's eyes narrowed. "Because I know how to make the numbers work—and I know how to manage the people who'll try to screw you over. Barney Stinson? Already in my network. Sheldon Cooper? My personal computing asset. Phil Dunphy? Realtor extraordinaire, perfect for securing prime real estate. Every angle covered. Every risk neutralized."
Jay's eyes twitched slightly, impressed but skeptical. "You've got a network, a plan, and balls. Manhattan isn't forgiving. One mistake and you're toast."
Mike leaned in, letting the gangster confidence seep into his tone. "I don't make mistakes. I manipulate outcomes. You build with your hands; I build with the people, the information, and the leverage you never knew you had. Together, we dominate the market before anyone even knows we're playing."
Jay studied him for a long moment. Finally, a low chuckle escaped—a sound that meant approval, respect, and the first crack in a seasoned empire-builder's armor.
"You've got guts, kid. I like that. Draft the preliminary contract, and I'll review it personally. But one misstep, and we both know Manhattan doesn't forgive."
Mike nodded. Already in his mind, the logistics, delivery schedules, legal protections—all lined up. His fingers moved over the tablet with precision, like a conductor orchestrating a symphony of numbers, people, and power.
Previous Life Wisdom:
"In Manhattan, control the players, and the city is yours. Control the infrastructure, and the empire lasts beyond lifetimes."
Jay leaned forward, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You're a kid. How do I know this isn't another lawyer trick?"
Mike didn't blink. "Because, Mr. Pritchett, this isn't about law—it's about leverage, timing, and people who don't even realize they're already part of your empire."
A smirk crossed Jay's face. "Alright, kid. Let's see if you're as smart as you think. But remember—I built this city's closets one screw at a time. You can't just waltz in and rearrange the screws."
Mike closed the tablet, standing tall. "I don't rearrange screws. I build the building they live in."
By the time he left the penthouse, Mike had already mapped the Manhattan IKEA-Pritchett flagship in his mind: the site, the logistics, personnel, and marketing strategy. More than furniture, it was a foothold—a physical node in his growing network of influence.
Status Update:
Physical Asset Secured: Jay Pritchett & Manhattan IKEA partnership
Network Expansion: Phil Dunphy enlisted for real estate and logistical support
Strategic Advantage: First tangible foothold in Manhattan's high-end consumer market
Next Goal: Handle the inevitable scrutiny from Blue Bloods NYPD—Frank and Erin Reagan
Mike stepped into the elevator, glancing at the skyline once more. Each building, each street, each person—it was a variable. And he intended to calculate, control, and conquer them all.