Stan had known Kumar Singh for over a decade now.
Whatever little deal Stan was in, he'd bring in Kumar, who was the immigration officer of Brown Sugar.
Stanely Le Mark had lived his childhood on a French colony in the Carribean and Kumar could see a lot of earning potential in the impressionable French man who had a similar upbringing to him. They were island dwellers and each had their own identity forged from living on islands isolated from the administrative mainland.
Corruption was just a way to get ahead.
'Yes, that can be arranged,' said Kumar.
Stan was sitting in his office. A cool breeze was coming in off the bay. Stan could see the turquoise waters and blue sky in the distance. The garden outside the windows of Kumar's office was a manicured tropical oasis.
Stan smiled. Kumar reciprocated. He knew what was coming next.
'As discussed, ' said Stan, 'you'll get a tidy 200 grand.'
Things were in order.
Stan just needed to fake his death.
That was the easy part.
His palms were sweaty.
His new passport was under the name of Frank Russel.
He had met his conjoined twin, Jack, in Manila, a few years back.
Jack had arranged for his new identification and assured him that he even looked like Frank, so there would be no issues passing through borders or airports.
There is a malaria outbreak, said Kumar.
'Perfect,' said Stan who picked up on Kumar's way of thinking.
'I think it could sort out financial worries very soon.'
Kumar wrung his hands. He wasn't averse to helping out lovers of his native island. More so if he could get some backhands for it.
And didn't Stan know it?
His birthday was next week and Kumar confirmed that his body had been reported to the French Embassy and a cremation would be organized for this coming Saturday.
'And don't you think that deserves a toast,' he added as he pulled out a bottle of Johnny Walker.
'Indeed,' said Stan, who would soon be resurrected and a very rich man.
'To our healthy bank accounts,' toasted Kumar.
Scams were so easy, thought Stan.
So long as you keep it earnest.
A smile crept over Kumah's mouth, revealing one golden canine tooth.
'Brown Sugar,' toasted Kumar one more time, his tooth reflecting Stan and the plush oak table of his office and the general optimism of the meeting.
It was music to Stan's ears.
Keep it remote and keep it probable, so far so good.
Whatever little deal Stan was in, he'd bring in Kumar, who was the immigration officer of Brown Sugar.
Stanely Le Mark had lived his childhood on a French colony in the Carribean and Kumar could see a lot of earning potential in the impressionable French man who had a similar upbringing to him. They were island dwellers and each had their own identity forged from living on islands isolated from the administrative mainland.
Corruption was just a way to get ahead.
'Yes, that can be arranged,' said Kumar.
Stan was sitting in his office. A cool breeze was coming in off the bay. Stan could see the turquoise waters and blue sky in the distance. The garden outside the windows of Kumar's office was a manicured tropical oasis.
Stan smiled. Kumar reciprocated. He knew what was coming next.
'As discussed, ' said Stan, 'you'll get a tidy 200 grand.'
Things were in order.
Stan just needed to fake his death.
That was the easy part.
His palms were sweaty.
His new passport was under the name of Frank Russel.
He had met his conjoined twin, Jack, in Manila, a few years back.
Jack had arranged for his new identification and assured him that he even looked like Frank, so there would be no issues passing through borders or airports.
There is a malaria outbreak, said Kumar.
'Perfect,' said Stan who picked up on Kumar's way of thinking.
'I think it could sort out financial worries very soon.'
Kumar wrung his hands. He wasn't averse to helping out lovers of his native island. More so if he could get some backhands for it.
And didn't Stan know it?
His birthday was next week and Kumar confirmed that his body had been reported to the French Embassy and a cremation would be organized for this coming Saturday.
'And don't you think that deserves a toast,' he added as he pulled out a bottle of Johnny Walker.
'Indeed,' said Stan, who would soon be resurrected and a very rich man.
'To our healthy bank accounts,' toasted Kumar.
Scams were so easy, thought Stan.
So long as you keep it earnest.
A smile crept over Kumah's mouth, revealing one golden canine tooth.
'Brown Sugar,' toasted Kumar one more time, his tooth reflecting Stan and the plush oak table of his office and the general optimism of the meeting.
It was music to Stan's ears.
Keep it remote and keep it probable, so far so good.
