PART 129

He laughed in a cynical manner. Julio was no longer bemused...he least expected to be recognised in a place such as this. So having the additional burden of entertaining small talk with someone, one could say he vaguely knew was more than he had bargained for.

PART 128

''So lets say I extend yet another invite to race cars with me and some friends, would that be right up your street?''

''I just might say I don't care much for racing cars.''

''But what thrills differ in racing cars and racing on XC8 boots.''

''I can assure you that they are not the same; the insurance premium for one thing entertains a great difference between the two.''

PART 127

''You create precious substances...metals....stones?''

''I make organic...environmentally friendly toiletries for the family....and I sell them in booth sales.''

''So you are a veggie then?''

''Not really...I just prefer organic.''

''Like I know what you mean.''

''Naturally obtainable components....I mean...no artificials,'' Julio answered.

''Look I know what you mean,'' he said, ''but do you know what I mean?''

He seemed a little annoyed about something.

''If I give you an invitation to a shooting practice would you honour it?,'' he said,''I would show you what you would discover is a more manly kind of recreation.''

''Well I just might take you up on that offer,''Julio answered, slightly bemused at the irksome expression on his face.

PART 126

The intensity of the game somewhat progressed with time and the mood in the bar was in direct correlation to this intensity. Julio was by this time opting between giving the game his full attention or a part of the same to the young son of the millionaire whom he sensed had more than a passing interest in him.

''Tell me some thing, Julio Amstern'', he said, ''what do you do for recreation?''

''Recreation?''

''Yes what do you do when you are not XC8ing?''

''Well I am what you may loosely call an organic alchemist''

PART 125

How he hoped to have him enlist in his father's team remained to be seen. That's not to say Julio was very interested. It is excusable talk to think out aloud such propositions as the one Norbert had just made to him. But at the same time it is not acceptable to be caught up too deeply in what presumably was a hearthy statement made in the merry nature of the occasion.

Julio offered to buy him a drink.

PART 124

But Julio knew and knew better than bringing it up in their conversations.

PART 123

Though Norbert needed no introduction, he promptly introduced himself by the time he got to Julio. He mentioned what everyone knew already about his father: that he presently owned an XC8 team. He also mentioned that he would like Julio to be a member of that team.

What he failed to mention was the strained relationship he has with his father.

PART 122

Let me state here, before I go further, that Julio was no real acquaintance or friend of Norbert Townsend. But at the same time it was little or no surprise that he knew Julio and that Julio recognised him as well.

Let us just say it is a case of notoriety for one and popularity for the other. Or at least Julio liked to think so.

PART 121

But what Julio did not fail to notice was that the young man had only been unshavened for about week or two. It wasn't like he was really trying for a beard or a moustache.

PART 120

Norbert Townsend is a man who looks like a younger version of his father. His frizzy brown hair on a crown of an oval shaped tanned face was a near exact replica of his father's facial looks. Unlike his father he wasn't clean-shavened. He had a rough shock of hair on his chin and a poorly kept moustache above his lips.

PART 119

Barnaby Townsend loved his son, and he was no different. He invested heavily in the tutelage of Norbert in business administration, in the vain hope that he would eventually hand over his companies to him when he retires.

But he failed to recognise the hatred his son felt for him, supposedly due to his maltreatment of his mother, whom he divorced and left almost penniless.

PART 118

But I would do no more than a brief recount on what it is that brought this young man that much notoriety.

As is natural for most fathers who love their son, there is a desire to have their wards take after them either in profession or in business.

PART 117

Norbert Townsend; the first and only living son of Barnaby Townsend, is notoriously known for the great fallout he had with his father.

I suppose I should elaborate a little more on this disagreeable character whom many have come to know as the man who almost brought down the empire of Barnaby Townsend.

PART 116

What he could be doing in a neighbourhood such as this, Julio could not but ponder awhile.

PART 115

This was so much so, that when his name was called out he did not recognise the fact or who's voice it was that called in salute.

After a repeat of the call he recognised the caller as the estranged son of the millionaire-investor Barnaby Townsend, who goes by the name: Norbert.

PART 114

If it were to be in any familiar company I dare say one would not be as uninhibited as he was that evening in Black Swan bar. He thoroughly enjoyed the boisterous camaraderie that gradually developed amongst those in close proximity in the bar.

And he was able to voice his support for his team without any fears or tears.