Paulo Petrrie was a man of ideas. Grand ideas mostly having to do with making money, so it was not unusual that he should find himself at Tropicana Sands Arena, placing bets on the weekly pegasi races.

Standing at the rails chatting with another race goer about the capabilities of the pegasi Paulo had another million dollar idea. "Say chap how would you like to see a pegasi polo match? I'd bet them birds would give a might good game."

"Sure mister, if they had a place round here that held matches I'd come watch."

After the races Paulo made his way to the racing offices, looking for one Salvatore Martingale. Knocking on the race promoters door got a curt "Come in but make it quick, I have a lunch date." from Mister Martingale.

"Mister Martingale sir, my name is Paulo Petrrie and I have a business proposal I'd like to put to you. I'd like to use your arena one evening a week for a new event. Pegasi Polo matches." Paulo had dipped his conniving head in a mockery of modesty, making a good show for Martingale. He played with the hat he held in his hands and looked at his shiny black shoes trying not to smile. 'The bait was cast, lets see if we can hook a sailfish' he thought.

Martingale looked intrigued indeed. "Polo you say? I hear tickets to matches like this come near and dear and command high prices. House takes seventy five percent and you've got an arena, as long as you can set up the matches."

Paulo broke out into that grin at last " House takes twenty percent, plus concessions." Looking Martingale in the eye, much like a hungry barracuda.

" Sixty and a fifty fifty split on concessions. Grounds men don't come cheap you know. Also you provide your own advertising."

"Fifty-Fifty on everything." Paulo knew that the negotiating was mostly for form, Martingale had been hooked from the moment the idea was put out there.

"Done Deal Mr. Petrrie, see my girl about the details. Now if you'll excuse me, my dame's waiting for lunch."

Kina looked Mr Petrrie up and down thoughtfully, judging his words against his looks before motioning to Martin. The cating was not taking any chances, but she was always up to listening to a business proposition.

"Marty be a love and send someone back to the dressing rooms to get Uriko? And make sure Kenteth stays close in case Mr Petrrie here needs to leave."

A hand was waved towards one of the booths lining the wall on the far side of the bar. "Why don't we have a seat and perhaps a drink while we wait for Uriko? She should not be long."

Paulo took the offered seat with almost a relived sigh, maybe Mrs. Falconne had not been the right owner to start with. She certainly was an imposing lady in her own element, quite the opposite of what Martingale's girl at the track had lead him to think. Astounding that she had said Mrs Falconne was "Sweet as a kitten in sunshine"

Martin brought drinks for the table, a bottle of one of the house specialties, a clear blue tinted vodka smelling strongly of blueberries, and two glasses, along with a green glass bottle and a cup of ice for Miss Uriko when she got there.

Kina motioned for Uriko to join them at the table "Kitten, Mr Petrrie has a 'Business proposition' to put to us, something to do with the stables." She waited just long enough for Uriko to seat herself and take up the bottle of soda waiting for her before motioning to Paulo. "Please go on."

Paulo sat up straighter, Kina was going to be a tough sell, but this Miss Belarus was looking like a bit of an innocent. It was always easier to sell to an Innocent, and usually they then made the sell to the older wiser set.

"First off, its a pleasure to meet you Miss Belarus. I've heard so many wonderful things about you down at the sands. They say your stable is one of the top stables." Scheming eyes never left Uriko as he spoke, concentrating on her. "Have you ever seen a Polo match Miss Belarus?"