Peter and Dylan wandered around the mall, tempted but steering clear of the bar in case the opposition were doing the same thing as they. They discussed several scenarios and their merits, settling on the original; to take the meeting as discussed.

When the time neared they entered the bar and asked the hostess for Mister Cinema's reservation. She smiled pleasantly and led them to an area of the room that was more private than the rest, leaving them with the drink menu.

"Do you think we should have been first? Maybe it looks like we're too eager." Peter worried.

"I'd say it looked more like we wanted to do business. Besides, I think they're here." They watched the hostess return with the man they knew as Harry and another, more well groomed older gentleman.

"Mister Rabb?" Austin looked from one to the other.

"I'm Peter Rabb." He rose up slightly and offered his hand.

"I represent Ralston Hughes." Austin said, withholding his own name.

Peter gave him a curious glance; the voice seemed oddly familiar. "Before we waste too much time I should say that we have done extensive research on the film, and have even had some nibbles from a major Hollywood studio and the Kodak Company, in the million dollar plus range, so to save some time, our asking price is an even one million dollars. We don't want to appear greedy, and you did make the initial offer although considerably below the obvious value."

A waitress came and took their drink orders and Austin calmly observed Peter as they waited. "Should I even begin considering that sum I would necessarily have to see the actual product, and, assuming it could be worth your figure, the deal would have to include all other material pertaining to the film including any copies, correspondence - which means these 'nibbles' you mentioned - and a signed guarantee confirming delivery of everything."

Peter glanced at Dylan and wet his lips. "I know you've already seen a copy." He turned his eyes on Harry. "To run the original film would risk the integrity of its condition unless under the strictest, professional operation. If you think this is still necessary then we'll have to arrange yet another meeting."

Harv watched the man in the mirror as he entered the restaurant and casually made his way to the bar. His training might be a bit rusty, but his instincts were still sharp and they told him that this guy somehow hinted at a connection to their business and that could only mean trouble. He checked the mirror and saw that the table discussion seemed to be calm and reasonable, and then he concentrated on the man a few stools down.

Efrom recognized Austin immediately and he grinned to himself as he suspiciously connected the dots between Julia's opposition to his being brought in and the missing Mister Price.

Ralston's two principal officers are doing an end run for the film. In the mirror behind the bar he caught the eye of the man down a few seats and in the few seconds they met, they both recognized the type. Efrom wondered if this was a coincidence or if the other party also had a back-up. Or better yet, was there another party interested? He ate some nuts from the bowl and then called the bartender over.

Back in the booth Austin and Peter were fencing over procedures and whether the offer warranted Peter's efforts in having the original film run again.

"I'll need something from you that suggests your offer corresponds to ours, otherwise we're wasting everybody's time."

Austin considered the options. A million was light years more than he'd imagined, yet if the young man was telling the truth about his research and the interest of the parties mentioned, it could be well worth his while. Still, it meant dragging out the timeline and after Julia's call he wasn't as comfortable as he might have been.

As he debated his position to himself, he looked past the booth to the bar and suddenly twitched - Efrom Bleeker was staring right at him in the mirror.

"Something wrong," Harry asked, looking around.

"I think we'll have to delay this for a short while." Austin said. He felt his hackles rising at the fact that amateurs, bumbling help and now his employer were compromising all his plans. The dreams he'd entertained of he and Julia simply getting the film, converting it to cash and disappearing together were dissolving before his eyes. He glanced back at Peter and gritted his teeth. "Arrange for a screening and as a gesture of good faith," he took out his wallet and quickly penned a cheque for two thousand dollars, tearing it off and sliding it across to Peter.

"Fair enough and you have my word that we'll keep our part. How do I contact you?"

Austin smiled as he exited the booth. "Harry here will be in touch, don't worry."

Peter and Dylan watched the men leave and they made big eyes at one another over the cheque.

"Think he's really up to our offer?"

"I can't see him doing this just to waste time." They looked at the bill and realized that they were left with payment. "We're going to have to have the real thing for the screening, can you get it to Harv's for me?"

Dylan nodded and while they were debating shares of the bill, the big man slid into the booth across from them and sat smiling. They both just stared.

"Hi fellas. Meeting go well?"

"Who the hell are you?" Dylan asked, annoyed.

"The man who's going to relieve you boys of your movie film." The smile stayed fixed on the mouth but there was no hint of it in the dark eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Peter raised his hand for the waitress.

"Please, Mister Rabb, don't let this reach a level of animosity." Efrom grinned wider as if that level would thrill him no end.

"It already has, Bub." Dylan puffed his chest slightly.

Efrom continued grinning and waited as the waitress made change, accepted her tip and left. "Oooh, big spender."

"It was plenty," Peter said acidly. "Now if you don't mind." He started to rise, and a vise gripped his wrist, forcing him back down.

"I do mind, Rabb. Now rather than break your wrist right here and now why not give over the film instead?"

Peter jerked when the man suddenly released his wrist and stared in surprise as his face lost the smirking grin and was replaced with a wide-eyed look of pain. Harv was sitting very close and whispering in the man's ear, and Peter and Dylan watched in amazement as the man nodded to everything Harv was saying, tears actually welling in his eyes.

"You two buzz off," Harv said. "My friend and I will sit here for a few minutes."