"What can I do for you?"

Joseph opened his canvas bag.

He removed a folder.

"I need sixty days."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"Sixty days for what?"

"A building."

"What building?"

"Lammer Street, number 118."

Marcus looked at one of the executives.

The executive immediately understood.

"That's one of our redevelopment properties."

Joseph nodded.

"Fourteen families are still living there."

Marcus leaned back.

"They shouldn't be."

"That's why I'm here."

"The property has been legally acquired."

"I know."

"The demolition permit has been approved."

"I know."

"Vacancy is required."

"I know."

Marcus smiled.

"Then what exactly are you asking me?"

"Sixty days."

Marcus stared at him.

"Mr. Reed, this is a multimillion-dollar development."

"I know."

"Every delay costs money."

"I know."

"We have contractors scheduled."

"I know."

"Investors waiting."

"I know."

Marcus became impatient.

"Then you also know that I can't stop a major development because fourteen people refuse to move."

Joseph's eyes hardened slightly.

"They aren't refusing."

"They're unable."

Marcus crossed his arms.

"That's not my responsibility."

Joseph looked directly at him.

"Maybe not."

The room became quiet.

"But responsibility isn't always something written in a contract."

Marcus smiled.

"That's a nice speech."

"It's not a speech."

Joseph opened the folder.

He placed photographs on the table.

Children.

Families.

Elderly people.

A woman holding a medicine bottle.

A little girl sitting beside a broken radiator.

"This is Maria's son."

He placed another photograph down.

"These are Edmund and Celeste."

Another.

"These are Terrence's daughters."

Marcus glanced at the pictures.

Then pushed them aside.

"I sympathize."

"No."

Joseph shook his head.

"You don't."

Marcus looked at him.

"You don't know them."

"Neither do you."

Joseph leaned forward.

"That's the problem."

Marcus stared at him.

Joseph continued.

"I've spent nine days knocking on every door I could find."

"Legal aid."

"City council."

"Housing authorities."

"Your own company."

"I sent letters."

"I called."

"I waited."

"Nobody answered."

Marcus remained silent.

Joseph looked around the table.

"I'm not here to threaten you."

"I'm not here for money."

"I'm not here to embarrass you."

"I'm asking you to give them sixty days."

Marcus sighed.

"Mr. Reed..."

Joseph waited.

Marcus finally said:

"These people aren't legally recognized tenants."

A long silence followed.

Then Marcus added:

"The permits are approved."

He leaned back.

"There's nothing you can do."

Joseph slowly reached into his coat.

He pulled out his phone.

Marcus smiled.

"Who are you going to call?"

Joseph looked at him.

"Someone who might listen."