After Dad returned to Seattle, James had one last thing to wrap up before leaving New York.
The headquarters of a company he had persistently expressed interest in acquiring shares through his investment firm—but kept getting rejected—was in New York.
The company had a long history and solid finances, so it had no need for external investment.
“America seems to run rationally, but so many things are decided through connections and introductions.”
It had been a difficult company to approach until now, but with someone to ask for help, he could finally start the conversation.
“What brings the first tenant of Trump World Tower here?”
“I’m heading back to Seattle soon, so I came to say goodbye and also to ask for a favor.”
“I can’t discount the sale price further. I already gave it to you at pure price without incentives.”
“It’s not that. There’s a company in New York I want to invest in, but it’s hard to get a meeting. Wouldn’t it be possible for you, Mr. Trump?”
Trump confidently said that for any company in New York, he could directly call the CEO with just one or two connections.
“This somehow smells like money. So, which company do you want to invest in?”
James told him the name of the company, and Trump tilted his head, asking.
“It’s certainly an old and solid company, but is there really a reason to invest? It’s stable, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll yield big profits.”
“There’s a reason I’m investing. So, can you connect me?”
“It shouldn’t be difficult. But before that, tell me why you want to invest, and I’ll help.”
James hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was okay to tell, but decided to share with Trump.
Rumors were already circulating in the industry, and since the launch was being prepared for next year, everyone who needed to know already did.
However, given the era, information spread slowly, and being a specialized field, only those involved shared internal details.
“Actually, it’s this and that, whisper whisper.”
James checked that no one else was in the office, then whispered in his ear; Trump’s eyes, which had been listening without much expectation, suddenly flashed wide open.
“Is that really true? They’re coming out with such an incredible product? And where did you hear that information?”
“It’s something all the insiders already know. It’s quietly famous among investors too, and I even asked Dad to confirm it.”
“Come to think of it, your father is a medical school professor.”
Trump nodded and said he’d arrange the meeting.
“By the way, aren’t you still a middle schooler? Is it okay for you to know this stuff? Did your father tell you?”
“I’m not going to use it myself anyway, so no problem. Do you need it, Uncle Trump?”
“Of course I don’t need it! How great am I! Ahem. Anyway, got it. I’ll look into it and contact you.”
Not long after, Trump called and said he had successfully secured the shares.
“You got the shares without even meeting them?”
“They said they’re in the final stages of new product development and need funds. And they need to focus on promotion, so I agreed to help with marketing. We negotiated 1% equity for $20 million; how’s that?”
“Not bad. Are you investing too, Mr. Trump?”
“Unfortunately, I have to focus on the Trump Tower project, so no spare funds. I’m just helping this time, but if you have good info next time, you must tell me.”
Surprisingly, Trump’s handling was clean, and James sent an employee from his investment firm to acquire 1% equity for $20 million.
“Thank you. I’ve contacted them several times, but it was hard to meet; thanks to you, I could quickly invest in the shares.”
“You’re welcome. If you’re grateful, send me a prototype when it comes out. I don’t need it; there’s an acquaintance who absolutely does.”
James had no authority to send prototypes, but he said he’d inquire with headquarters.
Meeting Trump separately like this made them a bit closer, and Trump admired James’s investment skills, saying he truly wasn’t an ordinary kid and liking it.
“You must come visit!”
“You come to Seattle too, Taylor. I’ll introduce you to my little brother, Daebeom.”
Jenny’s vocal school ended, and the kids—who had already become best friends—tearfully said goodbye.
Taylor hugged Jaeeun, crying, and urged James to definitely visit Pennsylvania.
“Even though we’re parting like this, I hope we keep in touch.”
“Come visit Seattle too. Nothing special, but I’ll show you the Amazon.com headquarters.”
“Haha. Sure. Give my regards to your father too.”
They said goodbye to Scott Sweeper, Taylor’s father who liked James, and finally to Britney.
“I heard the girl group debut fell through.”
“We prepared hard, but it’s not easy.”
“It might actually be for the best. Personally, I think you’d be better solo than in a group.”
“Is there an agency that would debut me solo?”
“There will definitely be an opportunity, so don’t worry too much and keep preparing.”
“Thanks. Next time, I hope we meet as singer Britney Shakespeare.”
The five-member girl group Britney was preparing fell apart, but next year, she would cause a sensation with a solo song, announcing the rise of a new pop star.
James hugged Britney goodbye too, returned to Seattle for a short rest, then flew to Omaha.
“This time, you invested $20 million in a pharmaceutical company.”
“It’s an unlisted company over a hundred years old, hard to invest in, but thanks to Mr. Donald Trump helping, I secured 1% equity.”
“You bought it expensive compared to current value; is it because of the new drug they’re making?”
“As expected, Grandpa Buffett knew. You don’t happen to need the drug, do you?”
“This kid’s already interested in strange things.”
“If it makes money, is that a problem? I don’t need it, but demand is certain.”
The company James invested in with Trump’s help was Pfizer, founded by a German immigrant in 1849.
Pfizer, which grew by introducing fermentation technology to penicillin for in-house production, was one of America’s two major pharmaceutical companies alongside Johnson & Johnson.
“What are you talking about? I was just interested because it’s said to be good for high blood pressure.”
“You know everything but pretend not to. A high blood pressure drug might make some money, but an erectile dysfunction drug is a guaranteed bestseller that’s sold well for thousands of years.”
The new drug, initially thought to dilate blood vessels and prevent blood clots for high blood pressure treatment, caused an unexpected side effect: muscle pain.
In a 1992 clinical trial in Wales, some participants reported muscle pain as a side effect, along with abdominal pain, back pain, leg pain, etc.
Among them, some shockingly reported that days after taking sildenafil, they experienced erections.
Since the side effect occurred days later, no one thought of commercializing it.
They figured no one would take a pill Wednesday afternoon for Saturday night, but headquarters decided to focus on the side effect with infinite market potential.
As a result, they discovered UK-92480 could dilate penile blood vessels for effect and began full-scale new drug development.
Massive funds went into development, and from 1995 to 1997, they conducted 70 clinical trials on about 4,500 people—all successful.
“Do you think the drug from Pfizer will get FDA approval?”
“Dad got me the data presented at last year’s American Urological Association annual meeting; it said no separate side effects on the body were found. He said the chances of FDA approval are quite high.”
“Everyone knows Pfizer will succeed big if this drug hits the market, but the reason they’re not rushing in is waiting for FDA approval.”
If the FDA didn’t approve, all investment and effort would be wasted, but having seen Viagra’s mythical success, James had no doubt it would pass.
“I’ve already invested, so I can’t say much, but you really like gambling investments.”
“I aim for high returns, but I don’t invest in just any company. I confirm the possibility of success and invest when I’m certain.”
“Even if approval doesn’t come, Pfizer has high dividends, so it’s not a bad investment. But asking Donald Trump for an introduction instead of me doesn’t seem like a good choice. That man’s the type to do anything to satisfy his desires and needs, so don’t get too close.”
“I don’t like him much either. I didn’t tell you how we first met, right?”
James told the worried Buffett that Trump first approached by sending wine to Mom and persistently stuck around.
He said they invited Dad for dinner together, bragged about the son, and shifted Trump’s interest from Mom to himself.
“You handled it well, but I don’t like that he’s showing interest in you.”
“I’m keeping appropriate distance, so don’t worry too much. Above all, Seattle and New York are too far; it’s hard to even meet. He happened to visit Korea for business, so we got a bit closer.”
Warren Buffett grumbled about James asking Trump instead of him for help; if he’d asked Buffett, he’d have gotten a long lecture, and even if he said Viagra would succeed and he should invest, Buffett wouldn’t have believed.
He did get lectured by Buffett, but since Viagra would officially launch next year, he had to invest before it was too late.
Returns might be lower than explosive internet companies, but not investing in Pfizer writing a success myth would be regretted forever.
“Then, present this year’s portfolio.”
Scolded over the Pfizer investment, James presented his updated portfolio to Buffett, exchanging Q&A and receiving advice on managing the investment firm.
This time, he stayed in Omaha about two weeks for practical lessons and promised to visit every summer vacation.
“Are you still meeting the Waltons?”
“I’m planning to visit even for Thanksgiving this year.”
“It’s fine to stay close with them, but meet the Walton family, not people like Trump.”
Warren Buffett, seemingly always worried when seeing James, didn’t stop his advice disguised as nagging.
Tired of the old-man-possessed Buffett, James summoned Jenny to sing songs learned at vocal school, turning him into a doting grandpa for intensity control.
Thus ended the Berkshire Hathaway camp—tougher than summer camp—and back in Seattle, they welcomed guests.
“Wow! You said garage, so I didn’t expect much, but this is way better than our lab?”
“The best part is being able to program while barbecuing.”