Third Time Is a Charm

by Ed Nelson

  The guys keeping people out didn’t give me any trouble. It was a low key enjoyable event. The people watching would come and go without trying to join the proceedings.

  Denny hustled over to me. You could tell he was bursting with excitement.

  “Rick, have you seen all these girls, they are gorgeous.”

  “Yeah they are kind of hard to miss Denny.”

  “They are thirteen to eighteen years old!”

  “Sounds like you have fallen into it.”

  “You bet I have, some of them have been asking me if I would do sittings for their portfolios. Several even inquired about vanity pictures for their boyfriends.”

  Maybe I should take up photography.

  “I can see it now. I will have a studio in the darkest corner of the basement and all these babes visiting me.”

  Somehow I doubted it as Mum was standing right behind him. She held her finger to her lips and left.

  Now that I thought about it, I really didn’t care that much about taking pictures.

  I ate lunch with Denny while he continued to rattle on. As we ate, contestants would come up to our table. I don’t know if I should feel insulted or not, they wanted to talk to Denny and mostly ignored me.

  Several of the older girls eyed me but didn’t say anything. I kept my word to Mum and didn’t try to butt into the events of the day.

  As we finished eating Mum returned with Sam Nielson in tow. Sam was the professional photographer who had been dating Roberta Grimes. I heard that they were now engaged. He had his studio in our building.

  “Denny I brought Sam over as he would like to talk to you about your photographs.”

  Sam smiled as he spoke, “Denny you have really impressed me with how you have worked today. You handle your subjects with ease and get the best out of them. I would like you to join my studio.”

  “It would be on Saturdays only and you would handle all the young ladies who need portfolios and some vanity shots. By using the studio there would always be the proper chaperonage. It would also provide you with the accounting structure for taxes.”

  Since Mum was standing right there Denny couldn’t object but you could see a lot of dreams going down the drain. I should feel sorry for the poor kid. However the poor kid would be making money while meeting a lot of pretty young ladies. Suffer, suffer.

  I left Denny to his suffering and went home to study. I had been lax this week with the various excitements and didn’t want to fall behind.

  Chapter 31

  I was starting to notice something in my work. It seemed like I already knew a lot of what was being covered in the textbooks. The extra reading and studies I had done on the previous courses had covered a lot of the ‘new’ information.

  The books in the bibliography did not limit themselves to the structure of the course work but to the writer’s thoughts on what information needed to be conveyed.

  This was even true to a limited sense in the math books. While not covering everything it would make each chapter easier for me to assimilate.

  Dinner was fun with us teasing Denny about his new found vocation. He enthusiastically described the studio arrangement with Sam Nielsen.

  Mum winked across the table.

  I had to wonder how much guidance like that I had been given the last few years.

  After dinner we had a family game of Clue, this time it was Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with a dagger.

  Dad was the winner. Of course we told him the winner had to put the game away.

  While we were playing Mary asked Denny about a folio. She had heard it being talked about and she thought she should have one. What was it? After it was explained she thought it would be a good thing for her acting career. We were a little surprised as this is the first we had heard of it.

  “I’m going to be in TV advertisements.”

  Mum looked surprised at this statement. Further questioning found that she had been talking to her classmates. Several of them were attending casting calls.

  Mum and Dad told her they would have to talk about it. I don’t think Mum was up to being a stage mother. I know Dad wanted no part of it just from the panic look on his face.

  Mary also told us she had better have some vanity pictures taken while she was at it. That really had Dad in a sweat.

  “Mary vanity pictures are usually given to boyfriends or husbands.”

  “Oh it might be a little soon then. Davey in our class doesn’t like girls yet.”

  Poor Davey, he will never know what hit him.

  I brought up the auction tomorrow night but no one wanted to talk about it. Mary let out a little giggle so I knew something was up.

  I had an extra-long workout on Saturday. I had cleaned up before breakfast but then rode George for an hour. After cleaning up again I put it together that I really was nervous about that dang charity auction tonight.

  I called the Country Club and asked if it was possible to work me in. I was told to show up and they would fit me in with a two or threesome.

  John Jacobs had already gone out for the morning so I had a different caddy. He was new to the course so wasn’t going to be much help. That was okay I just had to keep busy today.

  I was put in with a twosome. I walked up just as they were getting ready to tee off. We spent little time in introductions. I was Rick to their Jim and Troy.

  As we teed off it became apparent they were equally bad. Well not terrible bad but not the caliber I was used to playing with. They were having a good time talking trash to each other.

  They paid little attention to me while they spent half their time looking for their golf balls in the rough, that or swearing when they went in the water. I just patiently hit the ball and waited my turn.

  I ignored my score but my caddy didn’t. At the turn after nine he asked me if I knew where I stood. I told him no, that I was just keeping myself busy, not shooting for score. He gave me a funny look.

  We stopped for a quick bite at the clubhouse outdoor grill. I had two hotdogs and a coke. The other two were now talking about a business deal of some sort.

  My ears perked up when I heard Jackson Enterprises. I paid attention while not looking like I was paying attention. I think that was called eavesdropping. I preferred to think of it as industrial espionage.

  It appears that they were thinking of putting together a proposal to clean the new cargo containers when they were in the Port of Long Beach.

  This got my attention as we had not even considered this. The plan they fleshed out was a good one. They were concerned about doing the job correctly so they could expand to other ports. They cautioned each other to not get greedy as they talked finances.

  It sounded like they had enough backing to have a solid start. What impressed me was they both had experience working with truck lines and railroads in cleaning trailers and boxcars.

  The only part they hadn’t figured out was how to get to see Mr. Jackson. I think they meant my Dad. I decided to keep my mouth shut until after the round was completed as they would pester me to death if I introduced myself now.

  As we were walking over to the tenth tee several young ladies approached me. They didn’t say anything they just looked at me. Then one told the other, “He’s okay”.

  Thanks a lot!

  My golfing buddies didn’t see this thank goodness. How humiliating.

  Our caddies were waiting at the tee box. We hit off and went around the back nine. After coming off eighteen I offered a tip to my caddy.

  He stared at me like I was crazy.

  “Man, you just broke the course record and don’t even know it!”

  Unfortunately my partners heard it. They insisted on signing my score card even though they had no idea if it was accurate. Heck I had no idea if it was accurate.

  I did replay the course in my head and realized that I had set a new record.

  They started yelling and cheering. Of course this got attention in this staid Country Club. This brought the Pro out of hi
s shop. He congratulated me and asked if they could have the card for their records.

  I couldn’t see the big deal it was just a relaxing round of golf which had helped me get through some nervous hours.

  During the commotion my golf companions had figured out who I was. They were torn between congratulating me and trying to get an appointment.

  I solved that problem by giving them one of my cards and telling them to call Jim Williamson to set a meeting. I liked what I had heard. They fell over themselves trying to assure me that it was not planned.

  I knew that as I had joined them randomly.

  Troy, I think it was joked that at least they wouldn’t have to pretend that I was better at golf than they were. That got a laugh.

  After it settled down I went home. It would give me time to have a meal and get cleaned up. I knew they would serve dinner there but I hated the food served at these events. This way I could pick at the good stuff and ignore the rest. I would much rather sweet talk the cook into a cheeseburger and fries rather than more rubber chicken.

  I wore a tux to the event, since it was winter it had a black coat with a white cummerbund and tie. For the fun of it for the first time ever I wore the top hat that the British tailor had provided. I drew the line at the white spats and gloves, they stayed in the box.

  When I went to the reception where the family was gathering to leave for my ritual sacrifice I received a mixed reception about the hat. The ladies liked it and the men hated it. Denny and Mary both had cameras ready and took pictures. They probably had different goals in mind.

  Eddie told me I looked like a Melvin. As we walked out to the limo I conveniently left the hat on an end table. There was no further to do about it so I figured I may wear it at a wedding someday but that’s it for fashion statements.

  Chapter 32

  When we arrived at the Club it was like walking on the red carpet. Pictures were taken and interviews given. I was asked how much I thought I would bring at the auction.

  “I hope a lot as I intend to match it.”

  “Rick, are you trying to drive your price up?”

  “Yes, I hope it sets a record.”

  As I had picked up from Mum, in for a penny in for a pound.

  “The record for this event is five thousand dollars so good luck.”

  What was I thinking? If someone wanted to pay one hundred dollars for a date with me I should be happy. Heck the guy normally has to pay for the date.

  Our family’s table was at the absolute back of the room. We didn’t fill it up as there were empty chairs. Meals were served, speeches given then it was time for the main event. All eleven of us eligible bachelors were invited up front.

  They set us in a line on the stage in front of the audience. There must have been five hundred people in the room. With that many people present the room was getting quite warm.

  Our table was so far back I couldn’t make out faces. All the chairs were now filled but I couldn’t tell who. It appeared to be a guy and two women.

  The bidding was started. I must say the event was run in good fun and no one was insulted. The average price was two thousand dollars and one actor who just went through a messy divorce set an auction record of fifty five hundred dollars.

  Color me cynical but I think the bidding was set up by his agent to reestablish his desirability. The audience was pretty quiet during this round of bidding. There were only two women involved and they kept glancing at the well-known agent before raising their hands.

  Once the record was set he quickly drew his finger over his throat and it was over, a little obvious.

  As each auction was concluded the auctioned off guy would join the winner at their table. Waiters would bring a chair for them.

  Finally it was me alone on the stage. Of course the MC and auctioneer had to give another speech extolling the virtues of Sir Richard Jackson, actor, golfer, business tycoon, hero and all around good guy. I wanted to throw up.

  My acting stood me in good stead as I plastered a smile on my face and waited. I suspect I looked like I was waiting for the firing squad.

  My fears of no bids quickly proved to be totally unfounded. A dozen different young ladies were raising their hands. It quickly went to one thousand, then two and three.

  They began dropping out at four thousand. It came down to two young ladies at the front of the room. They edged it up towards five thousand. I glanced at the agent who had run up the record and he had a sour look.

  When it got to fifty four hundred dollars the room got silent. That agent was sweating bullets. He kept wiping his face with a handkerchief. The room was now down right hot. The MC was playing up the bidding and drawing it out for all it was worth.

  The silence drew out as the MC said, “Going once.”

  At that a new voice came strongly from the back of the room.

  “I bid ten thousand dollars!”

  Well there goes my allowance as all pandemonium broke out.

  The actor who had the previous record was all over his agent as their plan fell apart.

  All that was interesting but my question was who had won the bid?

  A waiter led me back to the winning table, the Jackson family table.

  There waiting was the winner, Judy King and her parents. Judy jumped up and met me with a complete body frontal hug. This somehow turned into a kiss. It must have gone on too long as we received parental clearing of throats.

  As we separated I started to ask how, but a look at Mum answered everything. By that time reporters had caught up with us and they were at Judy with the questions. She gave short complete answers.

  I found out that she heard about the auction and as a long-time friend knew someone had to take care of me. So her parents came out with her from Columbus Ohio to see that I didn’t get in trouble.

  What a liar!

  I lost it when Mary winked at me. I wonder how long this had been in the works. When I got a chance I whispered to my parents.

  “Thanks.”

  Dad whispered back, “This was the women’s doing. Bob and I are innocent bystanders. Your Mum and Sandra arranged it all. Mary has had her story ready to go for a week. Judy was the surprise. We thought she would do it as a favor. I think there is more to it than that. “

  Mum just smirked. She had me fill out my matching check and the auction amount, twenty thousand dollars from my personal account. I later found out I was also paying for the Kings expenses including first class airfare.

  After more pictures of Judy and me, we managed to break away. There were two limos waiting, one a stretch and the other a town car. I don’t know how it worked out but Judy and I were alone in the town car.

  When we got in the back she scooted over next to me and it was natural to put an arm around her.

  “This was such a pleasant surprise. It never occurred to me that you might be here.”

  “We flew in this afternoon and they smuggled us into Jackson House where we hid in a guest suite. I can’t wait to get a whole house tour.”

  “How long can you stay?”

  “We have to leave early tomorrow, I have school on Monday.”

  “When can we have dinner?”

  “I would love for you to fly to Columbus and escort me to our Winter Ball. It’s on Friday December 11th.”

  “I don’t see any reason that I can’t. I will check with my parents.”

  “Oh, they have already approved.”

  As Dad said we men were innocent bystanders.

  “Then it’s a date. We should plan on dinner before the dance.”

  “I would like to go to The Top for a steak.”

  “Then that is where we will go.”

  “Did you notice the partition between us and the driver is closed?”

  “Uh.”

  “We won’t have any alone time once we get to your house.”

  I never realized girls were so soft.

  We rearranged our slightly disarrayed clothes before we entered the house.


  It as a party atmosphere inside, the Kings coming out here was arranged almost the day after I told Mum about the auction. She had seen the gold-diggers at the Country Club and didn’t want them near me. That was fine with me.

  Judy was the one girl still around that knew me before fame and fortune. Wow, fame and fortune, hard to think about but it is real.

  Mum and Dad took all of the Kings on a tour of the house so I accompanied Judy on the trip. It was natural to hold her hand as we showed the house off.

  The tower always impressed people the most. Judy wanted to know about the sign sitting near the entrance. I explained how I walked in on Mary and her girlfriends. She thought that was a hoot.

  She also agreed with Mum that it would be a wonderful place to sunbathe. That gave me thoughts about all those soft places. I started doing multiplication tables in my head. They saved the day.

  After the tour Judy and I settled in the reception to talk as everyone else had gravitated to the kitchen. She told me about her school and how the tenth grade was going.

  I shared what was going on in my world. I tried not to make a big deal about it but try to tell someone you are a multi-millionaire and not sound like you are bragging. One of the stuntmen told me if you can do it, it isn’t bragging. I tried to keep it factual.

  Judy was more interested in my plans beyond high school. Where was I considering going to college. I explained my choices. She looked slightly frustrated for a minute.

  “Rick I like you, I like you a lot. If we were in the same school I would want to date you, as it is I don’t see us ever getting together.”

  “Why not?”

  “Stupid boy, you are here in LA and I’m in Columbus.”

  “There is a new invention called the airplane.”

  That stopped her for a moment. Her eyes got big.

  “You would fly to Columbus to see me? How could you afford that?”

  “Hey, you’re forgetting rich boy here if needed I could buy a 707 to come see you. Mum and Dad would have a cow but I could do it.”