Creating America: My campaign manager was Roosevelt

Chapter 18 The Arrogant "Olive Branch"

Three days after the hearing victory, Leo received an unexpected phone call.

The call was from Alan Wechsler's assistant.

Attorney Wechsler wanted to invite Leo to a private meeting.

"A negotiation," Roosevelt said in Leo's mind. "They've been hurt, and public pressure has forced them to sit down and try to resolve things with minimal cost."

The meeting was to be held in a private conference room at a high-end hotel in the city center.

Leo decided to go and meet this snake in a suit.

Sarah insisted on accompanying Leo as his assistant.

Frank, accompanied by two equally burly older men, followed in a beat-up pickup truck behind the taxi carrying Leo and Sara.

Frank insisted on waiting for them outside the hotel.

"If that kid in the suit dares to try anything funny," Frank rolled down his window and said to Leo, "I'll take all the tires off the Caladex he's parked by the door."

Leo walked into the hotel's magnificent lobby.

Wechsler's assistant, a young woman in a business suit, was already waiting there.

She led Leo and Sarah through the corridor to a private meeting room.

Wechsler was already seated at one end of the conference table.

He wasn't wearing a suit, but only an expensive cashmere sweater, and he was elegant, as if he were receiving guests in his own living room.

He stood up, smiled, and shook hands with Leo.

"Mr. Wallace, it's a pleasure to have you here," he said. "Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink? The coffee here is quite good."

Leo and Sara sat down opposite him.

"No need, Mr. Wechsler," Leo said. "Let's get started."

Wechsler nodded, his smile unchanged.

He got straight to the point and presented his proposal.

"Mr. Wallace, first of all, I must admit that you and your team have done an outstanding job over the past week. You have successfully turned a simple business dispute into a public event that has captured the attention of the entire city, and I personally admire that."

He paused for a moment, seemingly observing Leo's expression.

"My client, Summit Development Group, is a responsible company, and we have never intended to be at odds with the community. After the hearing, we listened carefully to the opinions of the citizens and were willing to make concessions."

He took a document out of the folder and pushed it in front of Leo.

It was a beautifully designed architectural rendering.

"Our company is willing to fully fund the construction of a brand new, better-equipped facility for the steelworkers' community center on the other side of the city. It will be twice the size of the current one, and all the equipment will be brand new. Furthermore, we will pay all relocation costs and operating expenses for the next three years in one lump sum."

He leaned forward and looked at Leo.

"We believe this is a win-win situation. The community gets a better new home, and my client can smoothly advance his business plans. What do you think?"

Roosevelt's voice echoed in Leo's mind.

"A typical capitalist tactic. Using money to buy legitimacy, using a seemingly generous offer to undermine your will to fight."

"This community center has been outdated for too long. Wouldn't it be great to have a new one?" Leo asked.

Roosevelt replied, "Son, this is an elaborate trap."

"Think about it, are the elderly who need this center the most capable of crossing half the city every day to go to an unfamiliar place? This proposal geographically severs the connection between the community center and the people it serves."

"And can they really fulfill their contractual obligations to build it? If they just drag it out for three to five years, who will care about this anymore?"

"So don't let his intentions lead you astray."

Leo raised his head and looked directly into Wechsler's eyes.

"Mr. Wechsler, we are sitting here today not to discuss relocation, but to discuss preservation."

His voice was very firm.

"The value of the Steelworkers Community Center lies in its history, its geographical location, and its deep roots in this workers' community. It is not a pile of bricks and cement that can be moved at will."

"Your proposal sounds generous, but it solves nothing. You just want to use money to shut us up, and then feel justified in tearing down our history and building your luxury apartments on top of it."

Leo didn't give him a chance to refute; he put forward his three demands.

"First, Peak Development Group, immediately withdraw your acquisition plan for the community center plot."

"Secondly, as compensation for the damage caused to the community, Summit Development Group must pay off all outstanding property taxes for the community center and commit to funding the community center's operation for the next ten years."

"Third, Mayor Cartwright and the CEO of Summit Development must hold a joint press conference to publicly apologize to all the citizens of Pittsburgh and solemnly promise to permanently preserve the Steelworkers Community Center as a part of Pittsburgh's urban historical and cultural heritage."

After listening to Leo's three requirements.

Wechsler laughed dismissively. "Mr. Wallace, I admit you're passionate, but you're really unrealistic."

Let's clarify a few basic facts.

"First, my client bid legally, and all procedures complied with the law. Second, Mayor Cartwright did nothing wrong; meeting with business leaders is part of his job. Third, the community center is in arrears on property taxes, which is an undeniable fact."

"I'm sitting here talking to you today not because we're afraid of you, but out of respect for public opinion. The solution I'm proposing is the only way out, and it's our last act of goodwill."

He wiped the smile off his face, and his eyes turned cold.

"If you refuse, then we'll see you in court. I believe the judge will deliver a fair verdict. And you won't even get a brand new community center."

A stalemate has been reached.

For the next hour, the two sides engaged in a heated exchange.

The first negotiation ended unhappily with the excuse that "we should each go back and think about it some more."

As Leo and Sara were about to leave, Wechsler even "friendly" walked over and patted Leo on the shoulder.

"Young man, don't be too idealistic," he said. "This world operates on compromise. Learning to accept an imperfect victory will benefit your future development."

Leo ignored him and, with Sarah in tow, walked out of the conference room without looking back.

As soon as we stepped out of the hotel, Frank came to greet us.

"How was it? That kid didn't give you any trouble, did he?"

Leo shook his head.

"He gave us a new home."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Frank asked, somewhat puzzled.

"He wants us to get out of our own land," Leo said.

Frank's face instantly darkened.