Post by Donovan Basch on Jul 8, 2024 21:29:44 GMT -5
Basch Global Headquarters
Irvine, CA
July 8th 2024
Scene opens as Donovan Basch sits in a high-backed office chair behind an ornate oak desk. In the background, we can see a large television screen, tuned to a financial news network. Donovan is busy poring over a stack of paperwork while occasionally glancing at the television. The intercom buzzes, capturing his attention. He stabs a button, acknowledging the call.
Female Voice: Mr. Basch, the reports you requested from BaschTech have arrived. Did you still want to look over them?
Donovan: Yes, Angela, bring them in. I’m anxious to see the progress they’ve made in our game controller line…
Female Voice: Right away, sir.
Donovan ends the call.
Donovan: About damned time. The Game Developers Conference wasn’t that long ago, and I’ve got to make sure that we’re meeting our milestones….
Donovan glances up at the television. He happens to catch the tail end of an item on tech stocks, noting that his BaschTech subsidiary is maintaining a firm foothold in the stock market.
He briefly returns to his paperwork before a woman enters the room with a stack of papers in her hands.
Angela: Here are your reports, sir. By the way, the mail room sent up something... peculiar.
Donovan: Peculiar in what way?
Angela: Firstly, the envelope is handwritten…
Donovan: That isn’t very out of the ordinary, Angela.
Angela: Well, if you look at it, the penmanship is quite refined. Secondly, there’s no return address…
Donovan’s right eyebrow rises slightly.
Donovan: Now THAT is peculiar. Has Security had a chance to look this over?
Angela: Yes, and they’ve determined that this letter doesn’t contain any apparent explosive devices. However…
Donovan: There may be something else that isn’t readily obvious. Could you bring me a pair of latex gloves, please?
Angela: Right away, sir.
Angela hurries out of his office. Donovan stares at the mysterious letter, anxiously awaiting his secretary’s return. A few agonizing minutes later, she returns with a pair of latex gloves. Donovan immediately dons them after she hands them over.
Donovan: Angela, please leave the room, just in case…
Angela’s face reflects the concern she has for her employer, but she does as he asks, leaving Donovan alone in his office. Donovan retrieves a letter opener from his desk, unsealing the envelope. Emptying it out on his desk, we can see a smaller, more ornate envelope. On the front there are only the words “Donovan Basch” in exquisite cursive. Turning the envelope over, we see that it has been sealed with a wax seal.
Donovan: Well, somebody went to great lengths to get my attention. They could have dialed back on the “Dark Shadows” vibe a bit, though…
He carefully breaks the seal and pulls out a sheet of rich vellum. Donovan unfolds it and begins to read aloud.
Donovan: “Mr. Basch, I do hope that letter finds you well. Please allow me to formally introduce myself..”
No, that doesn’t remind me of “Sympathy For The Devil” at all…
He continues.
Donovan: “My name is Grayson Vex, and I extend to you an invitation to meet and discuss various issues that pertain to both of us.”
Donovan chuckles.
Donovan: I have to give the man credit. I’ve never been called out like this before…
“Enclosed, you will find a calling card with the name and contact information of a trusted associate, who will facilitate a face to face meeting between the two of us. Please contact them at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Grayson Vex.”
Donovan notices the calling card that was previously inserted inside the folded letter. He picks it up and scrutinizes it.
Donovan: Off white coloring… fairly substantial stock… even a watermark… this definitely bears looking into.
Donovan reaches over and presses the intercom button.
Donovan: Angela, hold my calls, please. I have some… personal business to attend to.
Scene ends as Donovan turns his attention back to the card in his hand.
Irvine, CA
July 8th 2024
Scene opens as Donovan Basch sits in a high-backed office chair behind an ornate oak desk. In the background, we can see a large television screen, tuned to a financial news network. Donovan is busy poring over a stack of paperwork while occasionally glancing at the television. The intercom buzzes, capturing his attention. He stabs a button, acknowledging the call.
Female Voice: Mr. Basch, the reports you requested from BaschTech have arrived. Did you still want to look over them?
Donovan: Yes, Angela, bring them in. I’m anxious to see the progress they’ve made in our game controller line…
Female Voice: Right away, sir.
Donovan ends the call.
Donovan: About damned time. The Game Developers Conference wasn’t that long ago, and I’ve got to make sure that we’re meeting our milestones….
Donovan glances up at the television. He happens to catch the tail end of an item on tech stocks, noting that his BaschTech subsidiary is maintaining a firm foothold in the stock market.
He briefly returns to his paperwork before a woman enters the room with a stack of papers in her hands.
Angela: Here are your reports, sir. By the way, the mail room sent up something... peculiar.
Donovan: Peculiar in what way?
Angela: Firstly, the envelope is handwritten…
Donovan: That isn’t very out of the ordinary, Angela.
Angela: Well, if you look at it, the penmanship is quite refined. Secondly, there’s no return address…
Donovan’s right eyebrow rises slightly.
Donovan: Now THAT is peculiar. Has Security had a chance to look this over?
Angela: Yes, and they’ve determined that this letter doesn’t contain any apparent explosive devices. However…
Donovan: There may be something else that isn’t readily obvious. Could you bring me a pair of latex gloves, please?
Angela: Right away, sir.
Angela hurries out of his office. Donovan stares at the mysterious letter, anxiously awaiting his secretary’s return. A few agonizing minutes later, she returns with a pair of latex gloves. Donovan immediately dons them after she hands them over.
Donovan: Angela, please leave the room, just in case…
Angela’s face reflects the concern she has for her employer, but she does as he asks, leaving Donovan alone in his office. Donovan retrieves a letter opener from his desk, unsealing the envelope. Emptying it out on his desk, we can see a smaller, more ornate envelope. On the front there are only the words “Donovan Basch” in exquisite cursive. Turning the envelope over, we see that it has been sealed with a wax seal.
Donovan: Well, somebody went to great lengths to get my attention. They could have dialed back on the “Dark Shadows” vibe a bit, though…
He carefully breaks the seal and pulls out a sheet of rich vellum. Donovan unfolds it and begins to read aloud.
Donovan: “Mr. Basch, I do hope that letter finds you well. Please allow me to formally introduce myself..”
No, that doesn’t remind me of “Sympathy For The Devil” at all…
He continues.
Donovan: “My name is Grayson Vex, and I extend to you an invitation to meet and discuss various issues that pertain to both of us.”
Donovan chuckles.
Donovan: I have to give the man credit. I’ve never been called out like this before…
“Enclosed, you will find a calling card with the name and contact information of a trusted associate, who will facilitate a face to face meeting between the two of us. Please contact them at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Grayson Vex.”
Donovan notices the calling card that was previously inserted inside the folded letter. He picks it up and scrutinizes it.
Donovan: Off white coloring… fairly substantial stock… even a watermark… this definitely bears looking into.
Donovan reaches over and presses the intercom button.
Donovan: Angela, hold my calls, please. I have some… personal business to attend to.
Scene ends as Donovan turns his attention back to the card in his hand.