Jacques Le Boeuf, the gang's leader, planned to implement the deed with the wastes by buying a boat from Jonathan Blinkin (who had a profound facial tic). Le Boeuf promised him $3,000 plus enough old, prime, white oak to be cut and dried to build a replica of a 19th Century schooner. Johnny's oldest friend, best customer, and behind the scenes financier, however, was Jeremy Nod, the local fishing magnate. Johnny told Jeremy about this strange deal and what a great deal he'd gotten on the oak from the cats. That got Nod athinkin', and he called his business buddy, S. Winkin (on whose company's board he sits), to inquire about what was going on. Winkin knows nothing. Nod invites him to come fishing with him the following