Chapter 10 - THE NEXT MORNING
Victor called the bank himself.
Finally.
He said:
“My son Dante is no longer with the company.”
The banker paused.
“Effective when?”
“Yesterday.”
“And who has operating control?”
“Julian Rivas.”
Another pause.
“Please send updated management information and revised thirteen-week cash flow.”
Victor clenched his jaw.
“Why?”
“Because the standstill requires review.”
Victor called Dante afterward.
“You set this up.”
Dante laughed once.
“I negotiated it in front of you.”
“You made yourself indispensable.”
“No.”
Dante answered carefully.
“I made somebody accountable.”
Victor hung up.
For the first time, he began reading the folder.
Victor’s call to the bank became more painful after the lender requested Julian’s resume.
Victor said:
“He grew up in the restaurant.”
The banker answered:
“I understand.”
“He knows every guest worth knowing.”
“I understand.”
“He has been part of the company for ten years.”
“We still need operating experience, responsibility history, and financial oversight structure.”
Victor heard disrespect.
Julian heard something worse.
The bank did not care that he was Victor’s son.
For once, family status added no qualification.
Julian prepared for the lender review harder than Dante expected.
He met with the controller.
Learned food-cost percentages.
Read the debt agreements.
Asked what fixed-charge coverage meant.
Called Dante once at midnight.
Dante answered:
“What?”
Julian said:
“If we prepay the equipment lease, does that improve the covenant?”
Dante sat up.
“Which covenant?”
Long silence.
Julian swore.
Dante almost laughed.
Then explained.
May you like
The call lasted forty minutes.
Neither mentioned the sidewalk.
