Author: Hans Krueger

26 November 2007, Krueger Dynamics, Concord, NH

It had taken just under 2 weeks for Monolith stock to fall to the level where Hans Krueger could buy as he was instructed. A fall from nearly $100 per share to $67.50 a share had been fed by slight tremors in the market from outside, as well as the falling confidence of investors in the wake of the attemped suicide of Nicholas McCallister.

On the 16th of November, Hans ordered a buy of shares, netting in roughly 3000 shares in the first day of trading. Stock prices remained stable at 68.75 through the third day of trading as the traders in his employ started scavenging smaller pools of Monolith stock in the hands of small time investors and nervous mutual funds. At close of trading on the 21st, Kruger had amassed some 8218 shares at an average price of $72 dollars a share.

Late the morning of the 23rd, Transcendance, parent company to Monolith, announced that McCallister had been released from the hospital and that he was expected to resume his duties at monolith within a few weeks. Prices rose sharply as other traders decided to cash in on the good news and low trade values. Krueger's buyers were able to continue to take advantage of backwater sales throughout the day, though prices rose to 78 dollars a share by the end of business. The number of shares in his holding was 10,482.

Hans watched prices very carefully from his terminal at work all day on Monday, the 26th, making a rather bold foray, he was able to purchase another 2804 shares on the open market as prices shot up to $81.04 a share by close of business. At 3:04pm, when prices topped 80 a share, he sat back in his chair and took inventory, finding himself in posession of 13286 shares. He sent an email to Von Krauss and was rewarded by a 3 deposits totalling one million dollars in exchange for 12500 shares of Monolith. Within an hour, the purchases by the 2 companies and Von Krauss Securities were transacted and Hans remained the proud owner of 786 additional shares.

30 November 2007, The home of Hans Krueger

At home that night, Hans Kruger sat with the evening edition of the Boston Globe and the Manchester Examiner, mulling over the business section. Clara brought in a plate of sauerbraten and hardly spaetzel and withdrew quietly, leaving hans alone again. By the figures on his deak, he had bought all the shares at an average cost of 76.85 a share, an had sold the majority off to other interests to recoup his costs. The shares that he retained were worth $62880, and he had effectively paid $21029.10 for them.

With the anticipated stock split in 6-8 months, he expected to make nearly $100K on paper, which was a nice commission for 2 weeks worth of work. Von Krauss got what he wanted for himself and his client, which she would be pleased about, and Hans got a foothold in Monolith for himself. Now, it was all up to Nick McCallister to get back to work and make the stock prices rise again.

4 December 2007, In an office above the Black Squirrel Tavern

The phone on Gretchen's desk rang at 8pm and she picked it up as she scanned through some inventory records on the screen before her. "Hello?"

Timkin's voice was unmistakable, the German precise and well formed, "Dame, de transactions are complete und de stocks haf been distributed according to plan. One Million US dollars vere expended in de purchase."

She nodded with a smile and said quietly "Excellent. You did take your customary percentage?"

"Ja, Dame."

"Good. Excellent. Hans, I'm sure retained some for himself, yes?" she asked as she closed out 3 windows with a click of the mouse.

"Indeed, Dame. He has a handsome holding of Monolith for himself. I'm sure he believes it generous."

She nodded and smiled to herself, thinking back on the company that she had rescued from bankruptcy in 1988, in Hanover, owned by a kinsman of Thora. It had seemed at the time, to be a pointless waste of money on a company that would only serve provide a tax shelter, but Krueger had excelled and brought the communications company to the fore in several important markets in Europe, as well as starting a branch in the dicey American economy, at her suggestion. "I'm sure he would, Timkin." she changed subject, "I will be on my way home within the hour, can you track down Jason and tell him that I'll meet him at his house around midnight?"

"Of course, Dame. I vas expecting him to call in about your vhereabouts in de near future."

"Good. I'll see you then." and she clicked off the phone.