human
Somebody's been telling, surmised Lofty.
gpt
The worst of it is, we own the original lease. Father covered the entire block, in fact.
human
Your firm has made money too fast, he remarked.
gpt
Your father hoped to build in twenty years, and you need to build in seven.
human
He provided much better than that, returned Lofty in quick defense of his father's acumen.
gpt
He only allowed ten-year leases; but the one occupied by Ersten came to him with a twenty-year life on it. We've bought off all the other tenants, at startlingly extravagant figures in some cases; but Ersten won't listen.
human
Did you rattle your keys?
gpt
As loudly as possible, returned Lofty, smiling.
human
I went up three steps at a time until I had offered him a hundred thousand; then I quit. Money wouldn't buy him.
gpt
Then you can't build,
human
I'll tear down the top part of his building and put a tunnel around him if necessary,
gpt
You won't like that any better than Ersten, commented Johnny.
human
I think I'll have to make another guess for you.
gpt
I like your work, replied Lofty with a smile.
human
Let's hear it.
gpt
All right. I guess I'll buy Ersten's lease for you.
human
You'll have to find another answer, I'm afraid, Lofty hopelessly stated.
gpt
I've had a regiment of real estate men helping me devil Ersten to death, but he won't sell.
human
Of course he'll sell, declared Johnny confidently.
gpt
You can buy anything in New York if you go at it right. Each deal is like a Chinese puzzle. You never do it twice alike.
human
Try this one, urged Lofty.
gpt
There's a good commission in it.
human
Commission? Not for Johnny! promptly refused that young man;
gpt
I'll buy it myself, and hold you up for it.
human
If you come at me too strongly I'll build that tunnel,
gpt
I'll figure it just below tunnel prices,