The Ball. Erik Pethersen

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The Ball - Erik Pethersen

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did, they dropped in on a Wednesday, two weeks ago. They are two guys from Eastern Europe who want to start a dating business on the internet. Actually, I am not too sure if they are real rendezvous, which are organized on the web or virtual dating, like online chats or something like that. Anyway, they were telling me that their web site is ready for the users and they are trying to create a mobile app too.»

      «Right, that was exactly the idea behind setting up legal counselling service» Alessandro says. «Giving everybody the chance, especially needy people, to have free legal service for every need.»

      «Wonderful idea which compels me to get in contact with many needy people for three hours a week...»

      «Correct. This would be only do, without ut des: something done for a noble principle. You are really great at dealing with needy people, Brando». The notary stops and looks at me smiling. «So today we will help needy people to run the usual virtual brothel: it is nothing new, it must be the third one already. This year only.»

      «I think that word of mouth is what gets them going in this environment, but massage parlours have almost disappeared» I say.

      «True, I haven’t seen them in a while: it is probably because the Town Council close them all down» the notary replies. «Anyway, wasn’t the deed scheduled for 12:30 pm? It is 12:45 pm already and they haven’t shown up yet.»

      «They may run a little late, I fear.»

      «We should look into this legal counselling service...»

      «Maybe so. Often helping people in need is not taken in the right way by people, or several people consider themselves in need but they are just in need to have something for free» I say.

      «Come on, let’s get back to the do ut des...»

      «Mala tempora currunt, Brando.»

      «Sed peiora parantur» I reply.

      «Good morning, sirs. Now, we are here to register Newco Dating Ltd» the notary starts.

      «Here we are» they reply almost at the same time.

      «Did you check if there are other websites registered with similar names at the Board of Trade, Brando?»

      «The gentlemen here actually wanted to name their company Newco Ltd. I took the liberty to point out that this name was not so original and that it would be necessary and useful to attach another word to it. So then Newco Dating came out, it sounds a bit more original.»

      «Excellent, and Newco Dates it is then» the notary adds, and then he says: «Each of you will own a share amounting to 50% of the share capital. Are you both residing in Brescia, right?»

      One of the two men says: «Yes, we have been living here for twenty years now».

      «And the company will be based in the municipality of Bre...» the notary says this and he stops suddenly. «In the municipality of Codogno» he continues saying, with a slightly surprised tone, looking at me. «Which is in the province of Cremo...»

      I look at him and I shake my head.

      «Which, surely, is in the province of Piace...» he goes on saying, lowering his voice, while I shake my head again.

      «Lodi» one of the two partners says. The notary looks at him.

      «Of course: Lodi. It is an important town, isn’t it? It is a busy city, right?» he asks while staring at the guy in front of him.

      «That’s right, it is a busy town» says one of the partners. «We decided to have it as our headquarters because our computer technician and the server are going to be based in Codogno.»

      «I see» the notary says. «Are you aware that if you ever decide to shift the headquarters outside the Municipality, you are going to need another notarial deed, aren’t you? Why not choosing Brescia as the headquarters, considering that both of you are residing in here?»

      «Yes, yes, your colleague told us» says the plump partner with Magnum P.I. style moustache «It’s better this way for us for... how can I put it... confidential reasons.»

      «I see, I see» the notary cuts him short. «And Codogno it is» he says looking at the desk. He browses through the Statute then and he briefly points out some aspects to the partners, who do not seem to pay too much attention.

      «25% of the share capital amounting to €10,000 has to be paid over by the partners to the administrative body. So, we are talking about € 1,250 each» the notary says.

      «Yes» Magnum P.I states, «here, all in €50 banknotes.»

      «Great» Alessandro says. «You are both administrators, so you need to pay € 2,500 into each other’s hands. As for levies, taxes and registration fees, please finalize it at the front office desk.»

      «Go to the entrance door where you can see something artificially fair» I say.

      «Pardon?» the plump version of Tom Sellek says, looking confused.

      «I meant that to make the payment you can go over to the girl sitting at the desk at the entrance.»

      «Right, okay, thank you. Goodbye» he answers a bit puzzled.

      The two of them walk off the room and down along the corridor.

      The notary turns to me, he looks at me and says: «Did you know Codogno, did you?»

      «No, never heard of it, I’ve got a better idea looking at Google Maps. Excuse me for not telling you in advance: I forgot. However, I thought I was ignorant not to know it, considering how casually the two of them were telling me about it.»

      «Don’t worry, Brando. I will check later on where this joyous town is located». «I’m off: my wife is waiting for me for lunch at the Bistrot. Yourself? Will you have your usual sad-looking bowl of tofu with cereals?» he says sarcastically.

      «Yes, something like that. See you later.»

      ⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎

      I am supposed to be gloomy and sombre more than usual, in his opinion, I ponder as I sit back at my desk. I don’t think so. I may be pensive, probably it is the fault of the blue glow. Sure: now I am blaming somebody I don’t even know.

      Sbandofin Facebook: search. No, they are not on Facebook. Sbandofin Linkedin: search. Nothing.

      Sbandofin, search for pictures: just our building taken from below, which is the only picture on their website. Nothing much: there doesn’t seem to be much on the internet apart from their website.

      My smartphone vibrates and lights up: Mutter. I scroll down with my finger on the display and I answer.

      «Hi Bra, how are you?»

      «Hi mum, wonderfully. Yourselves there, is everything okay? What are you doing today?»

      «All is well here. Nothing major:

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