"And the good Frau Druer, I trust she is well?"
"She is in good health, thank you," Druer replied, taking his seat.
"That is indeed a blessing," Monsignor Schrattenbach told him, moving behind his desk, sitting down and picking up a set of papers held together in one corner by a piece of string. The minimal pleasantries out of the way, he continued, "I have been considering your proposal." He waved the papers slightly, and Druer stiffened in his chair.
"A radical suggestion, but not one without its merits," Schrattenbach continued, his eyes on Druer's face. "If I understand you correctly you wish to become the sole supplier of wine to the Brno diocese, its episcopates, churches and even the Bishop's table. An ambitious proposal, yes, very bold, but one that holds certain interest for the Bishop, but also a high degree of risk." He paused for Druer's reaction.
"No risk, I assure you, and an arrangement very much to the Bishop's advantage," the wine merchant hurried to add. "I can supply the highest quality wines of France, Germany and Moravia and I can supply them at a total cost below that you are currently paying. By concentrating all your wine needs within my house you will always be assured of the best service, I will see to it personally." A slight sweat could be seen on the wine merchant's upper lip. It had long been his ambition to supply wines to the Bishop and the sacramental wines to his churches, but in his present financial condition such a monopoly would also help assure his survival.
"My steward tells me that he already gets good service from the merchants we use at the present," Schrattenbach said, toying with his guest.
"With respect, Monsignor, in the matter of wines there is no one in Brno that knows as much as I, and no one who could possibly provide the range and quality of wines such as my house can deliver. Your steward, though an excellent man, does not have my expertise. I am sure he is conscientious in his duties, but he must have many calls upon his time, and many other distractions, he cannot concentrate on supplying the Bishop the way I could."
"You make a good point," the Bishop's Vicar General agreed, "If the matter of wines was all placed in your care, we could take advantage of not only your broad range of talents, but also your reduced costs of supply. An admirable conjunction of circumstance." He paused to watch the wave of relief pass across Herr Druer's face. "But ..." he allowed his voice to trail off in doubt, and saw the look of relief vanish as quickly as it had appeared. Josef Schrattenbach was a man who took particular delight in his work, and enjoyed most his talent for manipulating the emotions of those with whom he had to deal.
"But..?" Druer could not help asking.
"Ahh," sighed the Monsignor, dropping the papers back on his desk, "if it were only that simple." He allowed himself a sad look. "These are troubled times. I need not tell you how much the current uncertainty about the Prussians has unsettled everyone. No one is making arrangements of this magnitude any more, at least not until Bismarck makes his intentions clear." All educated and well informed men, the three of them were well acquainted with the nature of the Iron Chancellor and his ambitions towards Austria and its empire. Many believed it was only a matter of time before Austria and Prussia came to blows.
"All the more reason why you should take advantage of my offer now," Druer insisted, "Even if it comes to war, my contacts in France remain solid and my suppliers would never let me down, knowing my reputation. Why, I have even had assurance from my German contractors that they would keep my cellars stocked, despite the amity that the German Chancellor feels towards us. By doing business with me, the Bishop will never have to worry about his wines or where the next bottle is coming from." Inwardly he was shaking, while inwardly Schrattenbach was smiling to himself.
"I think we can all agree that your reputation as the best wine merchant in Brno is sufficient guarantee of performance," the Monsignor said, "No, it not that which disturbs the Bishop." He paused as if searching for the right words, then continued, "Forgive me if I touch on a delicate issue, but what concerns the Bishop is the matter of financial stability. Your house, while of solid reputation, is not large, and the Bishop cannot help being troubled by the possibility of it being undercapitalized." Druer felt an icicle pass through his heart, how did Schrattenbach know? Then he looked at banker Ufer, and realized.
"It would take considerable outlay on your part to purchase wines from France and Germany," Schrattenbach told him, "if we were to place our wine business in your hands, we would need assurance that you had sufficient funds to capitalize such a venture, and not, pardon me, become ... er ... financially embarrassed before the contract was fully met. Please understand me, I do not wish to pry into your affairs, but before granting such a privilegium to the House of Druer, we must be assured that it could meet all its financial obligations."