Sons of Fortune

“No buts…we’re going to do something you’ve always talked about—go to Scotland and trace our ancestors, the Davenports and the Gateses.”

“When were you thinking of leaving?” asked Annie,

“Our plane takes off at eleven tomorrow morning.”

“Mr. Davenport, you do like to give a girl a lot of notice, don’t you?”

“What are you up to?” asked Su Ling as she leaned across to watch her husband checking over a column of figures on the financial pages of the Asian Business News.

“Studying currency movements over the past year,” Nat replied.

“Is that how Japan fits into the equation?” inquired Su Ling.

“Sure is,” said Nat, “because the yen is the only major currency in the past ten years that has consistently risen in value against the dollar, and several economists are predicting that the trend will continue for the foreseeable future. They claim the yen is still massively undervalued. If the experts are correct, and you’re right about Japan’s expanding role in new technology, then I think I’ve identified a good investment in an uncertain world.”

“Is this to be the subject of your business school thesis?”

“No, however that’s not a bad idea,” said Nat. “I was thinking of making a small currency investment and if I prove to be right, I’ll notch it up a few dollars each month.”

“A bit of a risk, isn’t it?”

“If you hope to make a profit, there’s bound to be a certain amount of risk involved. The secret is to eliminate the elements that add to that risk.” Su Ling didn’t look convinced. “I’ll tell you what I have in mind,” said Nat. “I’m currently earning $400 a month as a captain in the army. If I sell those dollars a year in advance for yen at today’s rate, then convert them back in twelve months’ time, and if the dollar-yen exchange rate continues as it has done for the past seven years, I should make an annual profit of around $400 to $500.”

“And if it goes the other way?” said Su Ling.

“But it hasn’t for the past seven years.”

“But if it did?”

“I’d lose around $400, or a month’s salary.”

“I’d rather have a guaranteed paycheck each month.”

“You can never create capital on earned income,” said Nat. “Most people live well beyond their means, and their only form of savings ends up as life insurance or bonds, both of which can be decimated by inflation. Ask my father.”

“But what do we need all this money for?” asked Su Ling.

“For my lovers,” said Nat.

“And where are all these lovers?”

“Most of them are in Italy, but there are a few others hanging around in the world’s major capitals.”

“So that’s why we’re going to Venice?”

“And Florence, Milan and Rome. When I left them, many were in the nude, and one of the things I most liked about them is they don’t age, other than to crack a little if they’re exposed to too much sunlight.”

“Lucky women,” said Su Ling. “And do you have a favorite?”

“No, I’m fairly promiscuous, though if I were forced to choose, I confess there is a lady in Florence who resides in a small palace, whom I adore, and am longing to meet up with again.”

“Is she a virgin, by any chance?” inquired Su Ling.

“You’re bright,” said Nat.

“Goes by the name of Maria?”

“You’ve found me out, although there are a lot of Marias in Italy.”