Lawrence follows them back in. I can tell he is angry. He sits down and looks at the floor and then back to our guests. ‘The deal was to build the first sky city here, above this island, and for there to be any deal I must insist upon this.’
Jin stares at him for a moment, perhaps sizing him up or perhaps not remotely interested – it’s difficult to tell after all that has been said. I wonder if all they needed was the inspiration that they have been given today to go and create their own version – one that’s better, faster and has the right people living in it. I wonder what Lawrence would do if that happens. He won’t be able to copyright it, not now – not with everything else going on.
‘There has been no hostile activity in that region and the geographic barriers to the threats advancing on other countries are quite immense. When you couple this with a significantly more advanced workforce, it really does show how ill-advised it is to use this location for a project of this magnitude.’ He leans forward, towards Lawrence. ‘You clearly have a grand dream, but do you really want it to die in such a small place?’
Tyrell bangs the nearest table to him and stands up, looking over at Lawrence. ‘What are they talking about? We have had no activity on this island or anywhere nearby and we have water all around us!’ He drawers an invisible circle in the air as if we needed help to see what he is saying.
The Chinese don’t move; all of them remaining still like seated statues, until Jin finally leans back. ‘Mr Lawrence, I think we should take a break and then continue this negotiation once we are back on land – perhaps minus your colleague, Mr Tyrell.’
‘What?’ Tyrell shouts, his arms raised and his eyes blood-red. ‘I will not have this on my island! You are in my home and in this place that has already been built as a visitor centre!’
‘With all due respect, a visitor centre does not build sky cities. This island is too small and the threat is very real and likely to be close. What is left of the United States is on your doorstep and water has been proven to do very little to stop the advance.’
Tyrell points at his adversary, his new tormentor, as he makes his way around the table, his big arm outstretched, today’s drama now taking its toll. The visitors start to fidget in their chairs; it’s the first action that has provoked a physical response from them.
Lawrence quickly moves to stop him, his height making him a dominant presence, despite his more slender frame. ‘Tyrell!’ he shouts. It manages to get a reaction: the bulky islander stops still at his master’s call.
Lawrence looks around at the others. ‘Gentlemen, we cannot argue like this, not at such a crucial time. If we are to do this for humanity and make a commercial activity from it then we will find fair terms with which to sign this agreement. We will build the first sky city on these islands because we can make the launch centres secure to protect the anchors, and Tyrell has guaranteed that we can make them safe from whatever threats are lurking out there. We have control of a substantial number of weapons and many men who can use them.’
‘You can believe me on that,’ Tyrell says, both of his hands on a table, looking more like a gorilla than a leader of the remaining inhabitants of this island.
Lawrence starts pacing. ‘If we need to build more then we will do so, but through fair and equitable corporate terms. We must remember that we are to become new world leaders and we cannot start by arguing on the eve of such great success. Man built and sailed the first boat and a man built and flew the first plane, but it was corporations who took these ideas and made them commercial, scaleable and permanent. We sailed super tankers around the world when many people argued that tonnes of steel would simply sink to the bottom of the ocean, and we put winged metal birds into the sky, when people thought that all they would do was fall. So is it too unbelievable to think that we can work together to put many square-mile cities into the air and keep them up there?’
The others look over at Jin, all waiting for an answer. I catch Lawrence doing the same, his success or failure in the balance. His eyes don’t leave him until Jin stands up. ‘You have said a lot and some of it makes total sense but much of it, if you pardon the pun, is up in the clouds. You are not alone in being creative in such extreme situations: both the British and the Japanese did a good job of fortifying many of their islands, not that it has been successful in the long run.’
‘Just as we will fortify this one, which will work,’ Lawrence says, gripping Tyrell’s shoulders, keeping him in the game with one simple yet unenviable task. ‘The world is in chaos and none of us know what is happening but we can make a success of this.’
Jin nods but he doesn’t look convinced; he looks like he’s done with Lawrence’s motivational speeches. ‘We all need to pick sides. I believe you are right that from the ashes will rise stronger corporations, willing to work with whoever survives, as well as demanding value from each individual who remains alive. What is in question is whether yours is the most effective plan and if these islands are the best overall location.’
Tyrell screams and bangs his hands against his head as he runs over to a map on the wall. ‘My islands are perfect!’ he shouts, pointing at the map. ‘Look how much water there is!’
The Chinese leader shouts something at his subordinates, who all stand to attention, before he turns his attention back to Tyrell. ‘You will excuse me if I perhaps think you are a little biased in your assessment. We must consider the feasibility of bringing so many workers and resources to this part of the world, when they will ultimately not make it up onto the platforms. Our people are not stupid.’
Tyrell rushes back to the table, looking neglected and full of a need to be understood. ‘Many of my people will not make it up on the first sky cities and that is why we will build strong defences.’
Jin smiles in return. ‘That, Mr Tyrell, is the choice you have made. I believe we have landed so you will excuse us as we take time to make ours.’ He walks out, followed by his men. I watch as both Lawrence and Tyrell also follow, just for a little way, until they realise they have not been invited to join. This deal is still far from being accepted, leaving them with only each other and their leaking dreams.
Get me a fresh shirt and make sure it’s white,’ Lawrence shouts as we walk into his room. ‘They need to realise who has all the ideas, the plans and the patents. We didn’t just design this overnight. It’s been years in the making and we risk losing it all at the last hurdle.’ He throws his used shirt across the room before coming towards me. ‘We can build them ourselves if we need to,’ he says, a pointed finger aimed in my direction. ‘There will be enough skilled labour still left in the USA, and they will have far more spirit than those bastards could ever show.’
I shake my head, almost without realising.
‘You have something to say?’
I take a deep breath. I know that I shouldn’t say anything but I don’t have a choice now. ‘Well, I’m not sure patents will stop them if they want to build something similar.’
‘Whose side are you on?’ Lawrence shouts, spitting all over me. His arms are waving frantically in the air; his dream is clearly breaking apart before his eyes and it’s so easy to lay the blame on me.
‘I’m on your side but I have also had the benefit of observing them and getting an idea of what they think. It’s obvious that they have other options available to them.’
‘What?’ he says, his face creased, denying what is clearly true.