Dave,
There are one or more very wealthy benefactors, with similar 'unusual tastes', whom I understand are funding Fwankie's Fantasy to keep the idea alive. Speedy knows one of them from some of the old meetings along the Gold Coast; circa $0.04.
Tom Z is basically working for free, and has no (worthless) stock either - his efforts are their only hope of success.
We'll know it's really over when Baron Harkonnen is found in a dumpster out behind a Palm Springs bathhouse some morning.
John :-)