Goldengirl

‘Before we leave the endorsement possibilities,’ Dryden went on, ‘there’s one other angle that might get us some business. I’ve been looking at the range of products that utilize the concept of gold as a selling point. You have the jewelry industry itself, naturally — I should be able to work out some merchandising there — but then, there are all those products packaged in gold. You know them; let’s not take up time by listing them. Dick, I know cigarettes are still on your mind, but this takes in confectionery too. Food products. Manufactured goods. Every sales campaign that uses the old gimmick of a gold seal or a gold star to confer distinction on the product.’

‘If I sense the feeling of the meeting accurately, you’ve satisfied us that the opportunities are there, Mr. Dryden,’ said Serafin, finding it impossible not to take the chairman’s role. ‘I’m confident, too, that you will preserve Goldengirl’s image. I think people now have come to accept that athletes are entitled to cash in on their success, and need expert help like yours. Things have moved on a lot since the Los Angeles Times suggested that the merchandising of Mark Spitz presented him like a “chunk of plastic livestock.” You don’t expect any unfavorable comment on your activities?’

‘It’s a free country,’ said Dryden ambivalently. ‘Actually, I’m working on something that could dignify Goldine a lot in the eyes of the public. Quite by chance, the Olympics are held in the same four-year cycle as U.S. presidential elections. By August, the campaigns should really be heating up. I’m no authority on politics, but I have the feeling that an approach to the President himself after Goldine’s victories might secure something mutually advantageous. I’m thinking along the lines of a TV linkup by satellite with Moscow, or the President to congratulate her and invite her to a White House reception on her return to America.’

‘That I really dig,’ said Valenti.

‘At the proper time, I’ll sound out the campaign managers,’ said Dryden. ‘Like all these things, it’s a question of timing it right. I think we can count on the White House reception and a ticker-tape return.’

‘This is starting to shape up,’ said Sternberg. ‘You have any other ideas?’

‘Initially after Moscow, we’ll let the media take over,’ said Dryden. ‘She’ll spend two weeks doing civic receptions, TV talk shows, phone-ins, magazine interviews, and somehow making commercials in between. After that, it’s up to me to keep her fame flowing. There’s a well-tried formula: posters, some fashion modeling, a little fund-raising for charity, but otherwise strict cash on the nail for guest appearances, some sportscasting, possibly a pop record and definitely a movie. She’ll write a book, of course, and a syndicated column for the newspapers. The market should hold up for eighteen months to two years with some infusion of interest here and there. You know, rumours of marriage with some big-name celebrity. That’s the way I see it, gentlemen. If you have other ideas, I’ll be glad to have them.’

‘The center spread in Playboy,’ said Valenti. ‘They pay fantastic money.’

‘I figured he’d move into the twentieth century if we gave him time,’ Sternberg commented in a loud aside to Armitage.

‘That’s something we might consider later,’ said Dryden evenly, as La Jolla Beach flickered across his memory. He wanted to get through this session without disclosing a personal interest in Goldine.

Serafin nodded to Dryden. ‘Gentlemen, I think we have heard enough to give Mr. Dryden’s plans our backing. I take it you are all in favour of the scheme as outlined?’

‘There is one point I should like to have clarified,’ said Cobb, lifting his eyebrows deferentially.

‘But of course,’ said Serafin. ‘What’s the problem?’

‘No problem,’ answered Cobb. ‘It’s just that the businessman in me likes to have everything cut and dried. When I joined the consortium two years back, it was simply as an investment, a profit-making venture. A bit of a gamble, perhaps, but that’s what business is about. If you examine my career, you’ll find I made my way up through a number of biggish gambles — perhaps “calculated risks” is a better way to put it. I take a long look at what’s involved, who is involved and what the return might be. Project Goldengirl appealed to me from the start as a smart idea. You want to give the girl her chance, so you approach people who might invest in her and we all share in her success. As a cautious cuss, I took a careful look at the other members of the consortium. We’re an oddly assorted bunch — and I’m not getting at anyone — but we’ve all come into this with the simple aim of turning a profit. I like that. I like your team: Lee knows his psychology, Klugman has obviously got the girl into shape, and Dryden has just convinced me he can raise that twenty million he predicted. Just one person worries me in all this.’

‘The girl herself?’ said Valenti.