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“Hey,” he says when I answer. “We’ve got a problem.”
I pause. Hakeem is literally the most upbeat person I know, so if he’s saying there’s a problem…
“What is it?” I ask, bracing myself. Jenn gives me a quizzical look. “He just posted a video from his island in Costa Rica, and, well… You should see it for yourself.”
A video pops up on the chat, and I click the link.
‘This is the start of a new dawn of civilization. Beyond bodies. Beyond minds!’
It’s Sinclair, on a beach, wearing nothing but a grass skirt, raving to the camera with wide eyes.
Jenn moves in closer to watch. Sinclair is babbling about some next-generation spiritual awakening, looking out of his mind on… Something. In the blurry background, a group of people are lolling around in a cabana in various states of undress.
‘It’s about the mind’s eye,” Sinclair raves. “Post-human optimization, pure consciousness, baby.”
Jenn giggles beside me, and I have to laugh too. The guy looks truly ridiculous.
“I guess two billion dollars can’t buy you sense,” Jenn whispers, grinning.
I click away, talking to Hakeem again. “So, the guy dropped some acid, what’s the big deal? We knew he was eccentric. He’s still good for the investment, right?”
“Yeah, but the investment isn’t good for us.” Hakeem replies. “Shit’s gone viral. Millions of views. They’re saying he’s totally lost his mind this time… Which means if you launch with him as your biggest investor, this is all anyone’s going to talk about. Whether it’s part of his new kooky movement, if you agree with his bullshit ramblings…”
Realization dawns. I can just imagine the headlines. All my careful planning and strategy… Blown to hell, because some billionaire thinks he’s a new god.
“Fuck,” I curse.
“He’s toxic now,” Hakeem says sadly. “You’re going to have to return the money, find a new investor and buy him out, before any of this leaks. We need serious distance from this, and fast.”
“Let me get my head around this,” I tell him, reeling. “I’ll call you back.”
“I’ll be here,” Hakeem says.
I hang up and find Jenn watching with concern. “Are you OK?” she asks.
I nod and fake a smile. “It’s fine! Just need to figure some stuff out.”
“You will,” she says reassuringly.
“Uh uh.” I wish I could be so confident, but as I walk away, my head is fucking spinning. Less than a month from launch, and my major source of cash just dried up?
What the hell am I going to do?
This is a disaster.
