"Yes, yes of course, I will. You are most welcome to Stockholm then. Good bye."
I put the phone down and slumped back in my chair. I was shocked and it showed clearly to my administrative assistant Karin and the shop-steward Inga. They looked inquiringly at me.
The phone call had come in the middle of our weekly conference. I run a small company manufacturing an advanced technical product.
"It was Mr. M- from the far east. He said that he is very interested in our bid and that he will come to Stockholm next week to negotiate."
"Oh, that sounds lovely, doesn't it," Inga exclaimed. "It will secure the business for two years and to a good price you have told us."
"Yes," I said weakly. "The business deal is good. But he wants something more. He has heard a lot of stories about Sweden as an exotic country in the far north. When I met him I told him that we no longer have ice bears on the streets but I did not exactly tell him that the reputation of lovely women and free love is much exaggerated."
"Oh, he wants some pussy before he closes the deal. Well, that I guess you can arrange," Inga said scornfully. She was a very frank and outspoken woman.
"No, it's not as simple as that. He is not looking for an escort girl or hooker. Besides, he is bringing his wife," I said weakly. "No, he has heard that Swedes are walking around naked in their free time and he wants to see it."
"Well," Inga giggled. "Then you have created a problem by not telling him the truth."
We sat silent for a while considering the possible loss of a good deal.
"How much exactly is this deal worth and what will happen if we don't get it?" Inga finally asked with concern in her voice.
"Mr. M- declared that quality is the most important for him. So the price I have offered will give us a margin that is the double of our normal. If we don't get this deal we can't expand like we have discussed, we might even have to cut back because our competitors will get an advantage with other customers. This deal is a prestigious one as well." I said gloomy.
"Well, we have to think of something then, don't we?" Inga said.
I did little else than thinking about what could be done for the next days but couldn't figure out anything. Then Inga came into my office on Friday afternoon.
"I have been thinking about Mr. M- and his funny wishes," she said without preamble. "I have an idea how something maybe could be arranged."
I lit up instantly.
"But it will cost you," she said when she saw my interest. "Both up front to cover expenses and if we get the deal I want a fat bonus for all employees."
Now, Inga is a good shop-steward. Hard as nails in negotiations but fair and stands up for a deal. She is also a good looking, statuesque woman in her early forties.
She hovered over me.
"Do we have a deal," she grinned.
"Yes of course," I said. "But can you really fix something that pleases Mr M-?"
"Well, I am not sure yet, I will let you know on Monday. But I need some money for expenses right away and I will also need the boat for the weekend."
The boat is my only extravagance. But I seldom use it after my wife left me. She complained that the company took all my interest. She was probably right. So I let the staff use the boat now and then.
I came to work on Monday morning, full of hopes and concern.
Inga was in the office talking to Karin. They giggled when they saw me.
"I can arrange a show on Saturday," she said right away. "You will take Mr M- out in your boat into the archipelago. I will give you directions later on. But remember, it will cost you." She grinned wide when she left the office.
"Karin, tell me about it," I asked my assistant.
"No, I can't. The little I know I promised not to tell you. Besides, I don't know very much either."
I had to wait and hope for the best.
Mr M- and his wife came on Friday morning. We showed them the shop and he liked to talk to the workers. He talked for a long time with Inga who also was responsible for quality control.
"A remarkable and impressive woman," he said. "She seems to know what she is doing."
Mrs M- talked to the male workers and especially to Anders, a person with high mechanical skill and vital to the company. He is a tall man in mid forties and likes to keep his body in shape.
After lunch we had business negotiations and in late afternoon we seemed to have reached an understanding.
After they had left for their hotel I met Inga and Karin.
"Now, this is what you have to do," Inga said and gave me a bunch of papers with directions and a time table." You should leave at ten o'clock. Don't be late. Karin will also be on the boat as our liaison person."
"Tell me, what will happen," I begged her.