REUNION

Violette and Mark reconnect in NYC. Sam and Mark unknowingly take on a new partner.  Sir Bruce proposes a dangerous challenge.

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Over tea, Violette tells Sir Bruce he will get to ask Mark Mann himself how brave he is when she announces Mark is accompanying her father on a trip to NYC.

Violette runs into Mark in the grand lobby of the hotel. They share a pleasant exchange confirming mutual plans to attend Armen Silver’s dinner party that evening. Then Mark takes a chance and invites Violette to a private dinner the next night. She accepts.

Armen’s magnificent dinner party, his exotic art and the delectable food all make a strong impression on Mark but nothing like the dazzling effect Violette has on him this evening.  Violette lets on about Sir Bruce’s interest in Mark and that she wants them to meet.

In the morning, Sam and Mark meet with Armen Silver at his office. Their presentation of The Mann Rubber Company is received well. Armen is very impressed but breaks extremely distressing news on their company.  It turns out, that without consulting them, Brock Sylvester sold off his interest to Riley Baker, the infamous socialite investor recently acquitted of murder charges. Armen shares an old newspaper covering the story and details Riley’s unscrupulous reputation for buying into young companies only to bleed them dry.  He apologizes that his company cannot do business with anyone associated with Riley.

Mark and Sam are devastated by the news and Armen suggests they do whatever possible to buy out Riley.  Sam expresses confidence in Mark when he sends him to Riley’s alone, stating “It’s your company, I trust your decisions.”

Riley is having breakfast with Sylvia Wingdale, his blonde actress girlfriend, when Mark arrives unannounced, but not unexpected. Mark wants to know his price but Riley expresses his desire to stay with MRC for the long haul. He offers to raise the $5m for Mark.

Mark reports back to Sam, but Sam doesn’t like the idea of Riley raising the capital, as he would dominate the company. Sam excuses himself leaving Mark with Violette to whom he expresses his real concern for his position within his own company, regardless of who raises the money, Sam, Armen or Riley.

Mark meets Sir Bruce and Amelia. Sir Bruce buys him a drink, and knowing Mark is seeking capital, makes a surprising proposal.  Sir Bruce explains he is part of a London banking consortium with interests in The Peruvian Amazon Company and the export of rubber from the region. He details their investment in Pablo Flores, president of the PAC. He goes on to explain his grave concern over rumors of an exploitative scandal around his company leadership that could ruin his banks. He needs an American to go on a fact finding mission into the Amazon. He doesn’t hide the fact that it may be extremely dangerous trip. He leaves Mark speechless when he offers him the $5m he seeks, should he accept the offer.

A sequence of images support Sir Bruce’s narrative of Pablo Flores, the Panama Jack styled exporter.  He conducts business on the piers of Iquitos, a tropical Peruvian boom town situated on the Amazon river.  He watches over the activity, particularly pleased with the arrival of a launch carrying an extremely full load of rubber. He shakes hands with a familiar man climbing from this boat. It’s Jose Ruiz.