Third Time Is a Charm

by Ed Nelson

  “Yes but being next to the ocean will cause rust.”

  “We live inland so I’m not worried. What is the price of the car?”

  Finally I had a price.

  “I will set you up for financing with our local bank.”

  “Not needed.”

  “Oh are you going to use your own bank.”

  “No I am writing a check.”

  “We can’t do that, the price was contingent on you financing the car.”

  “That has not been said, you have written down what you will sell the car for.”

  The Sales Manager got red in the face and was about to throw a fit when the Owner stepped in.

  “What’s the problem Jack?”

  “We were quoted a price and now he is trying to welsh on it.”

  It took a while but it all got straighten out. When I wrote a check the Sales Manager tried to get us to sign loan papers, “Just until the check clears.”

  The Owner told him that was not necessary.

  We then had to wait for the Corvette to be prepped. While they did that I double checked the T-Bird for anything left. Other than a dried out sock left from some surfing outing it was empty. Now that the car was going it didn’t bother me at all.

  It took another hour but finally the paper temporary tag was in place and I drove away. They took the fun out of buying a car with their games. What a turn-off.

  On the way home with the top down Dad and I listened to classics about ‘bearcat stew’,’ he’s a clown, whys everybody always pickin on me.’ And I never did figure out was it purple or its food purple?

  We got home for a late lunch. Mum took one look at the car. Held out her hands for the keys and took it for a spin. It is a good thing security had the gate open for her when she returned as she blew through the entrance and brought the car in sideways.

  “Nice car Rick, I would like to take it out occasionally.”

  “Sure thing Mum.”

  Not what I was expecting. From someone who didn’t drive in Ohio to this maniac was impressive. I was later to learn she and Anna Romanov had taken driving lessons together to avoid pursuit.

  Anyway Mum seems to have accepted my new car. Hope I get to drive it.

  While we ate lunch Dad read the reviews of Dennis Lawson’s first business article in the paper. They appeared yesterday and were well received by the papers readers. The most common comment was the hope that it would be a regular feature.

  It wasn’t too late so I went out to Calabasas and practiced my golf. I worked on getting out of the rough and from under tree limbs. I wasn’t in trouble on the course that often so I needed to work these areas.

  I knew today was going to be busy so I called my office early and let them know I wouldn’t be in today.

  After breakfast I called the studio school house. They were in so I made arrangements to stop by. Both Miss Sperry and Mr. Danson were waiting for me along with them a person from the State of California.

  Surprising me they were all supportive of my plan. The lady from the State expressed her offices feelings, “You are so far out of the norm we just want to get it over with. No sense in trying to fit you into the school system, it would be too disruptive.”

  I was asked if I had any plans for the rest of the day. I had my flying class. They asked if I could skip it. I called into the school and I explained I couldn’t make it. They told me to stop by tomorrow morning to speak to my instructor.

  The next thing you know I was taking end of the year tests in all my subjects. My studies had covered all the material for an entire year so it wasn’t a wipeout but it was a stretch.

  As I completed a test it was scored by the lady from the State. I never did learn her name. My lunch was ordered from the commissary. I was given half an hour for it and a bathroom break.

  By three in the afternoon I felt like a dishrag. While I grabbed a snack they graded my last test.

  “Congratulations Rick, you now have passed tenth grade.”

  “Thanks how did I do?”

  “You passed tenth grade, not with your usual straight A’s but you passed.”

  “Won’t that hurt me later?”

  “Think about it Rick, what University in the world wouldn’t want you as a student, and more important as an alumni. As long as your scores aren’t embarrassingly low, you are in. Actually even if they are at the bottom you could buy them a building or two and get in.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that, I guess follow the money is a truism.”

  We agreed to meet next Monday to come up with my schedule for eleventh and twelfth grades.

  Chapter 13

  I still had some time before I had to be home to get ready for the fund raiser for George Burrill for Sheriff, so I headed over to the archery area.

  Mr. Bell welcomed me; my gear was still there in storage so I spent an hour and a half keeping my skills current. I was a little rusty but not that bad, it came back quickly. I doubt if I was good enough for Agincourt but I could hit the target at a distance.

  Home was as expected a bit of a mad house. The valet parking and catering people were setting up. Mum was on Mary about leaving some of those little wax coke bottles with sugar water in them on the reception couch. Seems they melted in the sun light. I snuck by them to my room.

  I showered and got dressed and spent my time with my flying manuals until it was time for the cocktail party and dinner for sponsors. By donating a larger sum as a sponsor of the event; people were invited to the pre-event. They got to hob nob for a fee.

  The Burrill fund raiser started with a semi-formal dinner for the sponsors, one-hundred dollars. Of course George made a few remarks. They centered on the local hot button issue of homeless moving into the area. This was a very small variation on his law and order stump speech that I had heard several times now, so it wasn’t too exciting.

  It was interesting to watch the people in the room as they had cocktails before dinner. Everyone was on their best behavior. People who had lunch together today acted as though they were newly met after a long separation. There were more air kisses and handshakes than a European court. Well maybe not more, it was hard to beat the Europeans in fake greetings.

  Mum had hired a catering service for the evening so there were canapes on top of canapes. I had several of the coconut shrimp, well maybe a half dozen. Later I denied I ate a dozen angels on horseback. Since I didn’t keep track there was no way to tell, my story and I’m sticking to it.

  There was an open bar. Luckily they had plenty of coke.

  It was fun watching people circulate and make contact with each other. They had all been registered at the door. Invitations had been sent out to the A-list of the Republican powerbrokers. Anna Romanov and Sharon Bronson were there to give the party a bit of Hollywood glamor. They posed for a lot of pictures with people.

  People had also brought their own cameras. I think I would have dots in front of my eyes all night from the blue flash bulbs going off.

  I was even asked to pose with some people. I had a special place to stand. It was in front of the tiger skin which had been mounted on the wall for the evening.

  Dad would take a small group of men at a time into his study where he had his Holland and Holland rifle out for show. There were pictures taken there also, with the attendees holding the triple checked unloaded rifle.

  You could see business contacts being made left and right.

  As I circled the room doing my own glad handing I saw an unusual sight. There was a very frustrated looking young man standing there, he looked to be nine or ten years old.

  He was dressed almost identical to me, Brooks Brothers dark blue sport coat, white shirt with a button down collar, regimental striped tie, (I think Coldstream guards), black shoes, socks and belt.

  He was the only one of his age in the room; my brothers and sister were lucky and didn’t have to attend. Some people couldn’t get sitters so their kids were set up in the basement.

  I went over and
introduced myself to him. We shook hands and he extended a business card. It read (David “Davy” Dawson) and gave an address and phone number. On the back was a brief sentence, “Interested in Politics.”

  “Davy, you don’t look very happy, can I help?”

  “Sir Richard, I am trying to make contacts in the political world, if I start now, by the time I have finished college I will know all the movers and shakers. The problem is I try to introduce myself and I get blown off immediately. I don’t know how to handle this.”

  Several things came to mind, I had introduced myself as Rick, but he obviously had been paying attention to the world. Next, this kid is planning years out. I’m proud for sorting out the next six months.

  “Are you here with anyone?”

  He got red from the top of his head to as far down as you could see.

  “Not exactly.”

  “Not exactly how?”

  “My parents received an invitation but were not coming. They left it on the kitchen table. I bought a certified check with my newspaper route money and sent it in. I received my ticket in the mail at my girlfriend’s house. .

  “I told my parents I was going to stay with a friend. I had my clothes stored at her house, so I changed there and took a cab.”

  “She must be a close friend.”

  If humanly possible he blushed even more.

  “Yes she is.”

  “Well let’s see if I can get you started.”

  “That would be great!”

  No reason not to start at the top.

  “Mr. Burrill I would like to introduce a young fan and contributor. He has a project where he has to make contact with people in the political arena by exchanging business cards.”

  Mr. Burrill graciously exchanged cards and asked a few questions and moved on. Those around us were not surprised when they were approached and willingly did the card exchange.

  I made certain he had a picture with me in front of the tiger skin and holding the rifle.

  Then after nine or ten people I told Davy he was on his own. Again he thanked me profusely and went back to work. The way I had presented it implied that it was a school project and Davy continued that misleading line of thought.

  Off to a good start for a budding politician. I will probably go to hell for this.

  I watched him for a while and saw he was doing fine. I think we will hear more of Davy Dawson in the future; he certainly isn’t a stupid boy.

  I also pointed him out to one of our security people and asked them to make certain he didn’t have any problems getting a cab ride home.

  After the cocktail party the doors were opened for all the donors. There must have been over a hundred people sitting down for dinner. Side tables had been set to accommodate the crowd. I had an assigned table where I had to entertain and be certain that everyone had a chance to donate again.

  After dinner it was more posing with the tiger skin. I was thankful for all my practice in acting. Same words with conviction over and over again. I wondered why we hadn’t seen any big name actors in the political arena. They would be naturals at the campaigning part.

  As all events do, it came to an end. George’s campaign accountant reported that the fund raiser had brought in over twenty thousand dollars. For a local campaign we were told that was an enormous amount of money. This would all be reported in Dad’s papers of course, they had a reporter and photographer there all evening.

  After checking with security about Davy getting a cab ride I excused myself and went to bed.

  I was at the flight school as soon as it was open. Hank Smith was okay with me missing the class. He gave me the exams on the three chapters, which I aced. He told me that was what he expected so wasn’t upset but please try to not miss any more. I promised not to. My next assignment was due Wednesday of next week. It covered another three chapters. I would have done six chapters to the classes two.

  I spent the rest of Saturday morning playing golf. John Jacobs was my caddy as usual. I wasn’t trying to set any course records, just enjoying the day. During the extended walk I told John that I would like to qualify for the US Open. My first step would be to win the local qualifying round at Riviera Country Club in Santa Monica Canyon May 15 next year, then the Sectional the following week.

  John had been my caddy enough times to know that this was a real possibility.

  “Rick, have you ever played that course?”

  “No but I suspect it can be tough.”

  “You are right about that, it is a private club, how will you get permission to practice.”

  “I think as a member of Warner Brothers I have guest privileges.”

  “That sounds like it would be fun, wish I could go with you.”

  “You can, I will hire you as my caddy for the event.”

  “I would like that, but I don’t know that course.”

  I had some thoughts on that and so negotiations began. The upshot was that John would get a strong recommendation from our local pro. He would start caddying as soon as possible at Riviera.

  He would be on my payroll. Since I had no plans on turning Professional his salary would be respectable. He would keep all money earned as a caddy plus tips. This was all to be written up in a personal services contract. John had just tripled his income.

  After the round we talked to the Pro. He made a phone call then and there. Talking to the Riviera Country Club Pro he told the full story of why John needed a job as a Caddy.

  I guess my local golf reputation was good as it was approved immediately. There was also the fact that professional caddies were always in demand.

  It was confirmed that I had guest privileges.

  I called my offices and explained to counsel what was needed in a contract. John was to stop at our offices next Monday for the signing.

  I ate lunch at the club.

  It was so neat driving the Corvette home. I know every girl turned to look at me. Well I think they did.

  When I got home there was a little excitement. A package had arrived in the mail addressed to me and Mum. She opened it, and it contained two motorcycle vests. They had the distinctive Hell’s Angel’s Deaths Head on the back. There were a half dozen other patches on it. If we interpreted them correctly, Mum and I were now full-fledged members of the Hells Angels.

  It was a shame that got here just before the costume party. It was too late to gather any accessories. We did have a good laugh about where we could wear them.

  Mum thought hers would go well at the White House. I was going to the investiture at Buckingham Palace in the spring. It would be just the thing. Well maybe not.

  Chapter 14

  I then spent an easy afternoon studying my flight manuals.

  At dinner I shared my previously unannounced plans to qualify for the US Open as an amateur. No one at the table doubted that I could do it. Dad thought my plan for John to learn the course was a sound one.

  After dinner it was time to get dressed for Mum’s Halloween charity party. I was taking the easy way out as I dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, belt and hat. I had a western shirt under my vest. Pinned to the vest was my honorary Texas Ranger Badge. I thought long and hard about it but finally buckled on my gun belt with my real 45 Colt revolver. It was a present from John Wayne on our first movie. I made certain it was unloaded but did keep live shells in the loops at the back of the belt.

  I ambled into the reception, cowboys always amble, as Dad and the head of the security shift were talking.

  “It’s the exact same valet and catering crews as last night, so no changes. They have all been vetted. We will not let anyone in without an invitation.”

  “Well let’s use a little common sense, if someone shows up with an infant with them having an invitation let them in. Any kid that looks over ten, ask me or Peg.”

  “Okay, a lot of these ladies will be wearing a fortune in jewelry.”

  I had thought about that. Last night they hadn’t but this was a different crowd. This wa
s definitely the high society of Hollywood.

  I got to see Mary practicing her stunt. Yes, her stunt. Her costume was a fairy princess. She had changed her mind about being a reporter. Not being able to choose between a fairy and a princess she chose both. Well it seems fairy princesses could fly and wave a magic wand that gave off sparkles.

  The little monster had talked Mum and Dad into hiring Dick Wyman to set up a wire and harness for her so she could swoop off the second floor stairs at the entrance hall and soar over the crowd while she waved her wand and threw sparkles over the gathered group as they arrived.

  Actually it looked cool.

  Denny was a pirate helping to welcome guests. He had a hat with skull and cross bones, an eyepatch and a stuffed parrot on his shoulder. I thought it was stuffed until it said, “Ahoy.” Of course Denny used Argh a lot.

  Eddie was a hobo and seemed mundane after the other two, but he looked happy as he begged from the guests with his tin cup. I later learned he made thirty two dollars, so he should have been happy.

  There was a table set up where people dropped off late donations. Most had sent them in with their checks.

  I watched the guest as they arrive to see what the costumes would be. There were several Cleopatra’s and Mark Anthony’s. Many of characters were from the Wizard of Oz. Several other cowboys, maybe we could have a shoot out later. I was glad to see Superman and Batman there. Fred Flintstone and Bettie looked good. Some I had no idea what they were.

  There was a gangster and his moll. He had a violin case which I suppose held his tommy-gun. His moll was ugly for a woman. I think it was a guy in disguise. The third person of their party was dressed as an FBI agent. I know that was what he was supposed to be as he had a big badge with FBI on it pinned to his coat.

  Guest gathered in the entrance-way and reception until the appointed hour. At that time the ballroom doors were opened and everyone poured in for the dance.

  Once all were in the doors were closed and people started to sit at their assigned table. These were assigned by number in advance.