Mulct

Word of the Day Friday, February 26, 2010

mulct

\MULKT\ , noun;

1. A fine or penalty.
transitive verb:
1. To punish for an offense or misdemeanor by imposing a fine or demanding a forfeiture.
2. To obtain by fraud or deception.
3. To defraud; to swindle.


"So, what are we doing here? We only come here when you have bad news," Diane said.

He had taken her out to Marco's, the most luxurious steakhouse in town. They had gotten their wine and appetizers, and Marvin still hadn't had the nerve to break the news to Diane. "Damn," he though, partially relieved, "she knows me way too well."

He took a sip of wine to delay the inevitable a second or two longer.

He took a deep breath, "Yeah, you're right."

She stared at him a moment as if she couldn't believe her worst intuitions were coming true.

"Well….what is it? Just tell me and get it over quickly," she replied. Her beautiful face had grown hard in just seconds, and his only wish was to soften it again.

"It is that fucking shrew Maribelle Duncan. She is blackmailing me," he spat out.

Diane's face drained of color. "I'm just going to ask you this once Marvin," her voice a sharp hiss, "Are you cheating on me?" She had gotten that fierce look in her eyes that Marvin knew she was steeling herself for a fight.

"No! No, not at all! Christ, Diane, it is about the busness," Marvin replied, shocked that Diane had even considered the possibility of infidelity.

Diane visibly relaxed, "Is that all?" she asked with a slight laugh.

Marvin gaped, "This isn't a good thing!"

"No, of course not, but that is better than you cheating on me," she replied with a little smile.

He smiled back; his beautiful wife. He didn't deserve her and her simple priorities. Him and the family first, the money a far distant priority.

"So, what exactly is the problem with the business?" she asked.

"Let's just say that she has dirt on some business dealings that occurred when my grandfather was running the business that will cause our worth to plummet if it were to come out now. Something about art dealings with the Nazis, I mean, I can barely even believe that could be true, but she has all these documents and receipts. Apparently my Pops was as meticulous with his record keeping as the Germans were."

She frowned.

"The art dealings were just a tiny part of the business, basically a side hobby, but the scandal will scare investors right out of town with the atmosphere the way it is now. She is going to mulct me dry in the meantime," Marvin continued, rubbing his forehead.

Diane's frown deepened and she took a of wine, "Isn't it sort of a delicate balance for her? If she exposes you she'll lose her position of strength with the blackmail, if you have no money she can't get anything out of you."

"Yes. I don't know. She claims some of the paintings were stolen from her family. I think in the end all she wants to see is the downfall of someone in the family. Revenge, I don't know. You know, these paintings were sold before I was even born!" Marvin exclaimed.

"What did you tell her?" Diane asked, she had that calculating look and Marvin could tell her mind was churning but he couldn't tell where she was going with all of this.

"I bluffed and blustered," he replied helplessly.

Diane was quiet a moment, chewing over a piece of Brie.

"I think I may have plan, but let me ask you this, do you trust me?" she asked, a slight gleam in her eyes.