Chapter 2 - Flynn #2
“Over here,” Jeremy said from where he stood beside a wall-mounted panel.
“The computer interface is easier,” he started. “But I doubt it’ll be left once the IT team comes through, so I’m going to show you the panel controls.”
“Are we even going to find somebody to take over the lease who’ll want all this?” I asked.
“Probably,” he replied. “The building is in a good location, and the rich people are still here. They just weren’t here for us. I bet some jeweler or fashion store will see this and love it. It’s a secure space where they can store diamonds or thirty-thousand-dollar leather handbags overnight.”
He chuckled. “Or a dispensary.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “It’s too humid… plus theft concerns. You don’t want the product getting moldy.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
He smiled. “I’m giving you good information… if you listen.”
“Huh?”
“You’re the one in charge of getting the lease handed over, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you thoroughly read the contract for that closeout manager position, or whatever they called it?”
“I skimmed it.”
He shook his head. “Once we’re done getting hammered after work, read it again. My bet is they gave you some incentives to keep from having to remove this… and the security system… and the fiber internet coming into the building.”
“They said to try somebody who would want the vault…”
“Yeah. Cause it could cost a couple hundred grand to tear it out and renovate the space. But they’d be on the hook for that if the new people don’t want it. Did you really just sign cause you’d still be in town?”
I shrugged. “Seemed like another paycheck to me.”
“And they already saved money by not having to bring in a specialist who’d have demanded more than what they probably offered you. So take advantage of every incentive.”
“You think they’re giving me incentives.”
He snorted. “I know they are. Look… anything they have to tear out and any furniture left after the movers are done are liabilities. They’re probably giving you a bonus for finding a client who’ll keep the upgrades, and you’ll likely get a cut of any furniture sales.
That way, you don’t sign off on something like a yoga studio that would want the whole first floor opened up and airy. ”
“Ooooook.”
“Damnit, Jeremy,” Marcia called out from where she stood near the shipping team.
“Get to the point. We mute the camera audio when there are shippers in here so the security guys don’t have to listen to custom crates being assembled.
Nobody from corporate is going to hear or care about whatever bush you’re trying to beat around. ”
“Oh… Well…” Jeremy let out a single chuckle.
“Look, Flynn. I have a cousin who does this shit for a living. There are people whose entire job is to come into situations like this and save the business every possible cent. But they cost money. The higher-ups saw that you weren’t transferring, and they shot their shot.
You bought it. That’s fine. But that saved them at least ten grand off the top—probably more.
They didn’t have to fly in and house somebody for as long as it takes to wind everything down.
And people who do that know how to bargain for more than whatever they’re going to give you.
You’ve already signed the paperwork, but they probably offered you something to entice you to sign.
So it makes sense to see what scraps they’re offering and try to get every one. ”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, then strode over to a chair and plopped onto it. “Ok… spell it out. My job is to sell insurance, not deal with desks and empty buildings. I just wanted another paycheck while I look for a new job.”
“This room,” Jeremy said, motioning around us, “probably two hundred grand to yank out and restore the building to how it was before. You find somebody who wants to keep it; they’ll give you a cut of the money saved.
Same with the security system and fiber.
Even an abysmal five percent of whatever they estimated restoration would be…
is likely going to land you ten grand, and I’d be willing to bet they went to ten, maybe fifteen percent.
A professional would have asked for more, and they know it.
“What does this mean for you? You’re the one vetting potential tenants before going to the landlord to have the lease reassigned.
That means it’s in your best interest to find a business that wants it all.
Don’t go for the yoga studio. Go for that high-end jeweler or a company that resells authenticated luxury handbags and watches.
They’re going to want both the vault and the security. ”
“They want us out fast, though.”
“Yeah, to incentivize you to not just sit here and collect a paycheck. But I bet they gave you a few months, and probably a bonus to get it done by a certain date. Move fast, but smart. Unless there’s literally nothing coming through, it’s worth it to you and them for you to wait for a client who wants it all. ”
“And the furniture… what’ll be left anyway?”
“If they’re not taking it, it’s a liability. Whatever you don’t sell, they need to pay to remove. So you’ve probably got a bonus there, and a percentage of whatever you sell.”
I groaned. “It sounds good, but…”
He chuckled. “My advice. Once the movers take out whatever they’re keeping, pay out of pocket for a disposal quote.
Some national brand probably quoted disposal based on square footage, and corporate didn’t tell them about all the heavy-ass furniture.
But that gives you an idea of how you can work things.
That solid wood conference table that weighs a ton?
That’s a lot of your disposal budget right there.
But it’s stunning. Find the right buyer, and they’re hauling it away.
You get a percentage and a bonus on what you saved in disposal costs.
Rinse and repeat for as much as you can.
Look up prices online, look at the condition, and list on marketplaces if it comes to it.
If it isn’t nailed to the wall… and some things that are… find a buyer.”
“He’s right,” Marcia called out over the motor of a cordless screwdriver.
“I watched this reseller on NetScreen. He had to sell everything in a building before it was gutted for something new. Even the cabinets were sold, and the buyer was responsible for removing them. There’s no reason for you not to walk away with a huge bonus. ”
“You watch resellers on NetScreen?” Jeremy asked.
“I look at and deal with shipping multi-million-dollar paintings,” she shot back. “Sometimes I just want to see normal shit! Oh, look, this shirt can go in a bubble mailer. That vintage toy is fine with air bags and some brown paper. Normal shit!”
“Hear, hear,” muttered one of the shippers.
Jeremy laughed. “Point made.” He turned back to me.
“Anyway, there’s no reason for you to have to get disposal for more than a few very unwanted things.
There are buyers out there if you put in the work.
So don’t rush. You can take a low offer, or you might be able to wait for a better one.
You already said you were browsing job boards, so see what you might get for the furniture instead. ”
I hummed. “I guess it makes sense.”
“Good. Now onto the vault.”
I stood and walked over to the panel, ready to get my crash course.
Instead, Jeremy turned and faced the room. “One thing I want you to remember for yourself.”
“Hmm?”
“No matter what else you do. This…” he swept one arm across to indicate the room, “is your biggest bonus. Hold out as long as you can before agreeing to tear this out. Whatever broker comes in is going to want it gone because it limits their pool of potential businesses to flip the lease to. You’re going to need to push back.
There are businesses that will want and need this. Give them a chance to find you.”
I nodded. “Ok.”
He studied me for several seconds, then smiled. “Good.” He turned back to the control panel. “Let me show you the basics, and we’ll write a cheat sheet this afternoon. I’ll make sure to include some selling points so you know what to say to potential tenants who might ask.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” I grinned.
“Enough of a lifesaver for you to want to buy my going-away drinks?”
I laughed. “One.”
“Good enough.”
“Six at Mitchell’s?” Marcia called out. “That should give me enough time to get back from the airport after escorting these paintings.”
Jeremy and I exchanged a glance. “Deal,” he called out.
“I’ll let Ellie know before I head back upstairs,” I added.
“Perfect,” Jeremy said. “One last night of fun for the holdouts.”
“Yeah…”
While I was looking forward to a night with them, it hit me that I was about to be very alone—without even an alpha to go home to.