The Project Gutenberg eBook of Account closed
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Title: Account closed
Author: David Mason
Release date: November 2, 2026 [eBook #79904]
Language: English
Original publication: New York: Great American Publications, Inc., 1960
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79904
Credits: Tom Trussel - Stories of Futures Past (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACCOUNT CLOSED ***
Account Closed
by David Mason
OLD FIRM TO CHANGE HANDS
Boston, Mass., Feb. 18; Control of the long-established drug
manufacturing firm, Barcroft Chemicals, was assumed today by Arthur
Kelman, a New York financier. Majority interest in the firm had been
held in the Barcroft family since its founding in 1845. The late John
Barcroft, III, president of the firm until his death in September, was
the only surviving member of the family.
Mr. Kelman said today that he intends to completely reorganize the
firm. He stated that complete modernization of methods and policies
would result in higher stockholder profits and improved service.
While Mr. Kelman, at 32, is still a young man, he has gained a
considerable reputation in financial circles. At a meeting of Barcroft
investors, held today in the company’s century-old offices on State
Street, complete confidence was expressed in the Kelman management.
Present value of the company’s assets and plant is not known; however,
on the New York exchange....
* * * * *
MEMO: FROM ARTHUR KELMAN, TO WAREHOUSE DEPARTMENT. RE: STANDING ORDER
NUMBER E-4, SABAZIUS.
The books show a standing order under the above name and number, but
I cannot find the original order, nor the address of the consignee,
“Sabazius.” Apparently this order is being shipped out around the first
of each month, and represents nearly $100 worth of biological material;
however, there seems to be absolutely no record of any payment.
Naturally, I do not want to accuse anyone of dishonesty, but if this
account is otherwise correct, this is extreme inefficiency, at least. I
would like to have the following information by tomorrow morning:
1. The original order or a copy of it, if available.
2. The address of the consignee, and any other information about the
firm; the name Sabazius is not in our records.
3. A copy of the shipping order, giving the precise items shipped.
AK
* * * * *
BOOKKEEPER TO SHIPPING ROOM
Pat: the new boss wants to know about the Sabazius order, and all I
could tell him was what old John III told me, 20 years ago. “Don’t
ask questions; just ship the stuff.” I never even asked what was in
it. As far as the books are concerned, it’s a steady loss item, like
alcohol evaporation. Kelman seems to think somebody’s stealing in the
warehouse, which is typical of the way he looks at things.
Sam Stover
* * * * *
FILE FOLDER, ORDER E-4, SABAZIUS
The enclosed list of material is to be despatched on the first instant
of each month until further notice, to the following individual: Doctor
Sabazius, Greenlane, Water Road, Mintonville, Maine.
It is to be packed in a strong wooden box, with straw, and marked “Do
Not Delay, Perishable.” I would suggest the use of the Fall River
Steamship Packets. I understand their vessels stop at Mintonville.
This order is to remain standing until further notice, and is to be
carried as a gratis order, without charge. It represents the interest
on a debt owed to the consignee, and it must not be cancelled.
John Barcroft, President
June 4, 1859
* * * * *
Order E-4, List
1. Vervain, dried; six oz.
2. Amanita Muscaria, dried; 10 oz.
3. Wing, common bat; 4
4. Newts, common, alcohol preservative; 6
5. Gallic acid, pure, powder; 12 oz.
6. Horse blood, whole, no preservative; 24 pints
7. Human blood, whole, no preservative; 12 pints
Note, added March, 1884. If you have any difficulty obtaining Item
7 from our regular supplier, see Doctor Goodwin at Boston General
Hospital. On Item 3, the new supplier is in Kentucky, address attached.
Note, added May, 1907. On attached order, Item 6 must be replaced at
once; consignee returned same by Express. Please follow the shipping
list _exactly_. Cattle blood not satisfactory.
* * * * *
MEMO--FROM ARTHUR KELMAN TO BOOKKEEPER:
This file of the original order is utter nonsense, typical of the way
business has been conducted in the past. Order E-4 is cancelled as of
this date. It represents a loss of thousands. Take care of it.
AK
* * * * *
MEMO--FROM ARTHUR KELMAN TO PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT:
The following personnel are to be discharged as of today’s date.
Samuel Stover, Chief Bookkeeper; Patrick Malloy, Shipping Department.
Reason: gross insubordination and deliberate misappropriation of
merchandise. These people were given direct orders to cancel a shipment
(E-4, Sabazius) and nevertheless have continued to ship the order each
month for the past three months.
These two men are not to be rehired under any circumstances.
AK
* * * * *
MEMO--FROM ARTHUR KELMAN TO LEGAL DEPARTMENT:
Enclosed find a “contract” of some sort, which I received in today’s
mail. Some of the terms are rather curious. I’d be interested to learn
whether anything else like this ever turned up, whether in any of the
old Barcroft records, or more recent files.
The “contract” seems to be in rather bad Greek. Although I’m far from
expert in the classical languages, I have attached what I imagine is a
partial translation.
I’m sending this along for your files primarily as a curiosity--but
if you think it can be collected, be sure and let me know! Seriously
though, for the sake of the firm’s reputation, I would prefer that you
destroy it or at least keep it under lock and key. I would not like
to see some sensationalist get a story like this going, even if the
founder of the firm has been dead for 50 years.
As soon as this arrived this morning, I started checking. I called the
Chief of Police in this town, Mintonville; it’s a place with about
50 or 100 population, I should guess. The Chief claimed there was no
such address, and that “Water Street” was the name of a canal of sorts
that opened directly into the harbor. Mintonville used to be a fishing
village, apparently.
Then I tried the local Express office, since the order referred to had
been shipped by that method. The local agent “didn’t know,” but vaguely
remembered that the order was always picked up ... by “somebody.”
Signed for, to--per “Sabazius.” Somebody was probably getting something
for nothing for quite some time, and apparently decided to have one
more try at making a “touch.” I can’t imagine where the “contract” with
the original Barcroft signature came from, though.
I’m going to check with a detective agency about this
AK
* * * * *
MEMO--OFFICE MANAGER TO BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT:
Please try to send more heat up to Mr. Kelman’s office. He has been
complaining about the chill in the rooms, and I found it quite cold in
there myself this morning.
Also, will you check with the night porter about making sure that all
the waste baskets are emptied in the Executive Office wing? It was not
done over the weekend or last night. And you might also ask the night
porter to be a bit more careful. There are dirty footprints all over
the rug in Mr. Kelman’s office, and a bad odor. Possibly there’s a dead
mouse or rat somewhere. Would you check up, please?
* * * * *
MEMO--FROM ARTHUR KELMAN TO BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT:
If you can’t find who is entering these offices at night and making
trouble, I’ll have to arrange to hire someone who can. I don’t want to
hear any more excuses. Not only were the floors dirty and soaked with
water again last night, but the portrait of the firm’s founder, in my
office, was deliberately and disgustingly defaced.
In addition, there is still not enough heat in my office.
AK
* * * * *
BUSINESSMAN STRICKEN; ASSAILANT FLEES
..._was found by a night watchman who had been recently hired, because
of repeated damage to the offices by unknown night prowlers. The
watchman reported having seen a man apparently about to jump from a
fourth-floor fire escape. However, when the watchman reached the fourth
floor, the prowler was gone._
_Mr. Kelman was found unconscious at his desk. He had decided to remain
at the company offices in order to investigate the recent damage to
the rooms. At General Hospital, Mr. Kelman was pronounced dead of
heart failure; however, the Police Department has requested an autopsy
because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the death._
_Police and company officials stated that there were no losses of any
kind, and that the safes had not been disturbed._
* * * * *
...and that I, John Barcroft, do therefore agree to fill the conditions
of the loan as aforesaid, paying the mage Sabazius in such materials
as he may require for his work and for his continued existence in the
flesh. And these materials shall be regarded as interest upon the
principal of the said loan of magickal aid.
Also, that if at any time the payment of interest shall come into
default, the whole principal shall be due and collectible, consisting
of those elements of the soul and body listed above, and may be taken
by the mage Sabazius for his own purposes, from myself, my heirs,
assignees, or whomever shall be head of the Barcroft Company.
signed, John Barcroft, 1849
witnessed, for the Brotherhood:
Azrael Sabazius, Doctor Magicae.
PRINCIPAL COLLECTED AND ACCOUNT CLOSED. SABAZIUS FACILIT.
Transcriber’s note:
This etext was produced from Fear!, July 1960 (Vol. 1, No 2).
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.
Obvious errors have been silently corrected, but minor
inconsistencies have been retained as printed.
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the
public domain.
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACCOUNT CLOSED ***
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