Modern Scrooge VIII

-“There’s not much time to waste. You’re either in or out. I must leave soon and go about my regular routine for this to work out.” Mike said invigorated now that he had a plan.

-“Where is this pot of gold Michael, and how can we get to it?” Boris inquired.

-“What time is it now?”

-“It’s 8:10 AM. Get to the point.” Boris insisted.

-“I must hurry! I usually pick up my kids from where they live at 9:30 AM sharp. I need to go home and shower and be presentable and to pick them up as usual.”

-“What’s the urgency?” Boris inquired suspiciously.

-“Just so that nothing seems amiss. I will pick up my kids, and say hello to my ex-wife as usual. I know for a fact that she and her current boyfriend are leaving for a big party in San Diego and will stay the night in a fancy hotel for the weekend.
The housekeeper has been given time off since last Wednesday for the holidays.

Today I will take my kids to the matinee movies at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. While my eldest is engrossed in the film, I will then steal the house keys which she carries in her purse, as she is dropped off the school bus just a block away from that house.

I will then slip out to make a copy, and then meet one of you there to give you those, along with a detailed map, and a list of what you need to gather so that you don’t take any junk.”

-“Then what -– what’s so valuable in that house?” Boris inquired with barely contained avarice.

-“I will be honest and tell you that perhaps you won’t find a lot of cash, unless one of you is an expert at breaking into safe deposit boxes.

I will map the location of her boyfriend’s study. The safe deposit would be either behind one of his valuable paintings, or in the bookshelves. Although, you can get a lot of loot without attempting to brake into it.

However, just the jewelry alone that my ex-wife owns is worth over $100,000.

They're both avid art collectors. Nothing in that house is worth less then $15,000, and as high as – well, let’s just say that he owns a Renoir that may not seem like much of a little oil painting, but it’s worth a staggering amount that would fuck your mind – and that’s an understatement.

He also fancies guns. He has an extensive display worth – I’m guessing – about $70,000.
The jewelery, gun collection, and some of the less notorious art can be coverted easily into cash to amount 250 grand.
With the Renoir we must be extremely meticulous as to whom we contact as a potential buyer, but therein lies the real pot of gold!

They are leaving early to San Diego, about 10:00 AM.

You can go this afternoon if you can get a hold of a utility van advertising carpet cleaning or plumbing services or the like.
Be sure to borrow a set of plates from any vehicle on the street.
Or you can go in the night, but then, you would have to turn on the light, and frankly there are too many glass windows in this two-story house.

Let’s hurry so that I can clean up, and give you the $20,000 cash!” Mike finished up his presentation.

-“Hmm…so there’s really not that much cash involved. What do you guys think?” Boris asked with a pensive look.

-“Don’t be lazy! Once we broker the Renoir everyone will get a very handsome cut -- including me! Take worthwhile risks in life Boris if you want to reach the summit. You could retire from a life of crime; you want to see your little girl grow up no?” Mike persuaded.

-“YOU want a cut? You are in no position to negotiate my friend. Why do you think that you are entitled to a cut?”

-“Trust me there will be more than enough for everyone to be happy.
You said so yourself Boris, that when necessity demands, ‘anarchy flourishes like rosebuds bloom in spring.’

I got to where I am by being a ruthless son of a bitch, and right now I am holding on to the edge of a precipice just by my fingernails.

What do you say, do we have a deal?” Mike asks as he extends his hand to Boris.

-“Okay, we have a deal.” Boris seals the pact.

-“Raul, do we have a deal and forget the past?” Mike asks as he extends his hand in a gesture symbolizing healing.



.

Modern Scrooge VII

-“You don’t want to do this Raul.

You would go to prison for many, many years. You would deprive two precious little girls of their loving father.

I may not be your favorite person, but I swear to you, it was due to bad lower management decision what happened to Telsa.
Had they been aware that she was pregnant at the time, surely she would have been immediately accommodated.
It is fairly common for women in the first trimester to miscarry you know.

Please…don’t even think of doing it. Do it for Telsa, do you plan to leave her alone for many years while you are sent to prison?” Mike tried to reason.

-“There comes a breaking point Mike where nothing matters anymore. I’ve been laid off from my job, and due to circumstances that’s how I approached these guys with the idea.

I can’t tell you exactly why.

It’s a mixture of rage, fear, impotence, and I guess deep depression that when mixed creates a cocktail conductive to insanity.
Frankly I don’t give a shit Mike. I need the money, and I want revenge – I am that angry all the time.” Raul acknowledged.

-“Listen to me Raul. If it’s money you need, I can give you more than these guys are willing to share with you.
How much do you expect to get? Ten grand?
Take me home right now; I have in my safe deposit twenty grand.

You can have it all!

I swear to you on what is most sacred to me – my kids – That I will not report you to the authorities.
You know where to find me anyway, why would I do that for money that my insurance company will replace?
Let’s get out of here now before the others come back!” Mike pleaded with heartfelt sincerity.

-“Look I don’t trust you, or that I can shake off my back these monkeys. I can’t take that chance. It really comes down to me or you.” Raul said with finality.

Just then they hear the automatic doors open and Boris’ car drive in.

-“Good morning gentlemen, I trust that you slept well Michael. Have you meditated on how best to resolve your problem?” Boris said fresh as daisy, as Mike is returned to the wooden chair.

Taking a few minutes to answer, Mike circles his neck to relax the tension created by sleeping while leaning on one arm.

-“I am willing to go to the bank with you this morning and withdraw fifty thousand, but I would suggest that you take me home first to shower, shave, change clothes, and to get something decent to eat.” Mike said cautiously.

-“Hmm…I see, but it would not be done today, since first we need to acquire further collateral.” Turning around he inquired, “Dmitri, do we have the physical address belonging to that number?”

-“Yeah, I got it.” Dmitri answered.

-“Well, I was getting to that.” Mike answered. – “You see, that would be a traumatic and a messy deal for all. I would rather avoid it altogether and offer you the pot of gold.

After all what is fifty thousand nowadays? It’s chimp change. Yet, frankly to me it is vital to keep my business afloat. In fact, if you can hook me up with a lender, I would mightily appreciate it."

-“We have a long day ahead, get to the point of this pot of gold.” Boris asked intrigued.

-“Why settle for $50,000, when you can take with you about a quarter of a million dollars up for grabs? On top of $20,000 cash I have in the safe deposit in my home.
Instead you’d split amongst you $270,000! You could take a vacation from crime for a several weeks!” Mike sold his package deal.

-“Why would you be willing to do that Michael?” Boris asked suspiciously.

-“Because I’d be okay with parting with those $20,000 which my insurance would reimburse anyway, as well as to avoid getting anyone else involved as collateral.

And also because I’d be your accomplice Boris. I could not turn you guys in to the police because I’d be an accomplice too – do you see?” Mike said as he turned to look at Raul.



To be continued….

Modern Scrooge VI

As a form of entertainment to pass the time, Mike posed to project his urine into the toilet bowl. This required the flexibility of a contortionist, as Mike twisted, squatted and aimed to reach the designated target.

With only his left hand available, he composed his vestment, and reached up to the sink to wash his hand. Thank goodness he had been able to wash himself here after that horrible ordeal which he refused to rewind. Some things just had better be blocked, for no human being should have to endure.

Mike had never felt so humiliated, humbled, or scared shitless.
He had also felt vulnerable as he realized that not his money or possessions could alter the fact that he too would one day die.

He was not the invincible rockstar that he perceived himself to be which gave him license to step on the little people. Mike believed that one had to be a ruthless son of a bitch to achieve and maintain success.

It was me or them he rationalized.

Now shaken to the core, something had shifted inside.
He now realized how he had callously treated most people, uncaring about their feelings or plight, and of the repercussions of such acts.

Reaching to the adjacent paper towel dispenser, Mike collected all the towels and formed an improvised pillow to rest his weary head on, as he sat embraced by the tile wall.

Mike prided himself in being a resourceful guy. After all, he had built with his own hands, and his cunning and frugality what he had. Yet, perhaps that was his undoing as well he reflected.


It would be New Years Eve soon he realized.

The one day when one perceives time inexorably slipping away, like sand sifting through our fingers. Yet, this also represents a new cycle in our life chart.
A blank slate to pencil in too many agendas, demands, and resolutions to be broken on this pristine new calendar.

-“WHAT A FUCKING YEAR 2008 HAS BEEN!” Mike yelled at the top of his lungs, this followed by hysterical laughter, preceded by tears. “GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE!”

Suddenly the door is unlocked and Raul comes in a rush. –“Shut the fuck up, or I will insert my stinky socks into your mouth if you yell again!”

-“It won’t taste worst than shit, of that I can assure you!” Mike said while shrugging his shoulders.

-“Look at you now big shot, do you still think that the pen is mightier than brawn?” Raul asked.

-“Run that by me again please? Who has a pen here?” Mike said without care.

-“It’s very simple. With the flick of a pen, powerful men control the world. Yet, ultimately who has the upperhand and the power when two unarmed, naked men are thrown into the ring to fight? The soft-assed or the brawny?

WHO ARE YOU – without your money? Can you lure women into bed without it?” Raul taunted.

-“You don’t know this, but I built what I have with my own hands. If I were to lose it all, I would eventually get it back. Using my intelligence, I can create wealth, and lure a woman into my bed -- with or without money.” Mike said as he pointed to his brain.

-“That is if…if you have more days left. Because I can assure you that when you depart this earth, you are going straight to hell. And I won’t mind joining you there as well...You’ve seen me, and know where to reach me.

I can’t take that chance.” Raul said menacingly.

-“I’m very sorry for Telsa’s loss and yours of course. Please believe me that I am very sorry. This episode has shaken me to the core. I am a changed man, and I will strive to do better – I promise. Please don’t hurt me, I have two young daughters and they need me!” Mike implored.

-“It’s me or you man.” Raul returned the ball to Mike's court.



To be continued…

Modern Scrooge V

-“Don’t hit him on the face too hard! He needs to look decent when he goes to the bank to make the withdrawal.
Michael what have you decided? You know that it’s up to you how early you leave all this behind you.” Boris inquired.

-“Look, I told you that I’m not rich. Even what I do have left apart from the losses in the markets, those assets are frozen in real estate, and invested in my company.

It takes a lot of money to keep it running every month and the orders have fallen drastically, and new credit lines are hard to come by – it’s almost in the red.

I don’t have that kind of money to spare; it would mean that I would not make payroll or overhead for a month. There are lots of families who depend on me for support.
Please ask for a reasonable amount like five thousand.” Mike said attempting to negotiate.

-“Now you care about the welfare of your employees Mike? You do remember me now don’t you?

You’re such a slave driver, that Telsa is not the only one who miscarried while working there. You cut your workforce to the bone, and no one could relieve her of her post and she was prohibited from leaving.

Telsa found out later that other women have miscarried too in the past due to how you abuse your employees, yet she refused to sue you as she wanted to keep her job.

Then even after all the years that Telsa worked for you and even after her loss – OUR LOSS, you still fired her. Now you will pay you putrid son of a bitch!” Raul said with vehemence as he kicked Mike again in the groin.


Boris looks at his watch. It is 8:24 PM.

Standing in front of Mike, Boris retrieves Mike’s cell phone from his coat pocket and scans the contacts list. Seeing too many numbers listed, he proceeds to the speed dial contacts and dials from another phone the first number on that list.

-“Hello?” The juvenile voice of a female answers the phone, this within earshot of Mike.

-“Hi, is Michael there please? I am a friend of his.” Boris says most cordially.

-“Hmm no, my dad is not here. I will see him tomorrow though. Do you want to leave your number and I will give him your message?” The melodious voice asks.

-“Oh, I’m sorry I missed him. Tell you what, why don’t we surprise him! Can you please tell me where you will meet him tomorrow and I will join you there and we will surprise him! We are long time dear friends you know.” Boris said persuasively.

With hot tears running down Mike’s reddened face, Mike gathers momentum and topples his chair lading on top of Boris after taking him down.

-“YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Mikes yells as he bites like a rabid dog any part accessible of Boris in an attempt to cut short the conversation.

Boris immediately drops the phone conversation and straightens the crease of his impeccable slacks.

-“Business is business Michael -- and I do mean business. The only problem is that you are getting to be a nuisance, therefore after we add another element to this equation, the donation of fifty thousand, will simply not be enough!
It will then be eighty thousand for the risk and all the effort involved.

Dmitri please call our friend to trace this number to find the address. We will deal with this tomorrow. Now I really have to get home or my girlfriend will kill me.
Shit! I forgot to get diapers!” Boris said as he gathered his keys.

“Goodnight Michael, I hope that you think about your dilemma and how best to fix it. You will sleep on that cold chair all night, and you will jeopardize those you love – for the love of money.
Think about that through the night Michael. Goodnight.” Boris said while parting.

-“Do we just leave him out here all night? I am going into the office to get some heat, it’s too fucking cold.” Dmitri asks.

-“Okay, I am a nice guy. Just handcuff him to the sink pipe of the employee’s bathroom and lock the door from the outside with the external lock.

Oh, by the way, Michael refused our dinner invitation. He must be famished. Why don’t you force feed him your dog’s shit -- and do use the cleaning gloves.

Goodnight everyone.” Boris said as he drove off.



To be continued…

Modern Scrooge IV

Feeling like a child castigated for not eating his vegetables; Mike rode blindfolded and hand bound in the trunk of the car, following their drive through fare.

After what seemed and eternity which thoroughly disoriented Mike, he heard the car engine shut down, and the trunk door finally open. He was assisted by four hands to make an unceremonious exit, his body having become a cold, twisted lump.

Mike was solicitously supported and guided to sit on a wooden chair.
He was secured by the ankles and arms surrounding the back of this chair, and was left to sit there still shivering as the space they were in was also cold as the trunk had been.

Mike strained to hear what was happening around him, as he heard another vehicle drive in and more footsteps approach him, accompanied by the bark of a ferocious dog.

-“How does it feel to be powerless Mike?” an almost familiar voice taunted Mike.

-“Do I know you from somewhere?” Mike asked almost sure, though not quite.

In response Mike felt his lights knocked out. The punch to his stomach made the chair topple backwards.

-“Hey! Hey! Please settle down, we should not treat our guest like this – unless it becomes absolutely necessary.” Boris arbitrated, as Mike’s chair was straightened.

-“Alright, eventually I will have my fun with you.” The man without the Russian accent threatened.

-“Please don’t hurt me anymore! I want to return safely to my kids. I am a father of two precious little girls…. PLEASE…PLEASE… DON’T HURT ME!” Mike wailed as the image of his kid’s faces became a beacon of light in the midst of the insanity and terror, shaking his frame with tremors that went beyond the coldness seeping through his clothing.

-“Okay, here is the deal Michael. I know it’s very cold, and it’s getting late, and you probably have a date with your little girls’ tomorrow morning, and lots of good times ahead.
This is how it’s going to play out. Listen to me please. You can decide how early we drop you off somewhere and leave you alone in your car.

Judging by the bank withdrawal slip, and by the assets we have been told that you have, I think that making a small contribution of fifty thousand dollars, is not going to brake you.

Obviously we would need to wait until the bank opens for you to make such a withdrawal in person, but that would only prolong the duress and length of this transaction.

You see, not only would you have to wait for the bank to open, and pass the night seated on that cold and uncomfortable chair, but I would need additional collateral as well, simply to assure me that you would not alert the authorities while inside of the bank.

I would need additional collateral Michael – do you know what I mean?

I believe that it would be best overall if you somehow avoided withdrawal from the bank, and perhaps broke your piggy bank.” Boris said in a persuasive yet chilling tone when the implications of what he said sank in.

-“You’re crazy. I am not rich; I’ve also been hit hard by the market crash- what do you think, that I keep all my money gathering dust under my mattress?” Mike answered in panic mode.


The direct kick on his groin made him see stars, these followed by repeated slaps which loosened the scarf covering his eyes.
Mike was able to make out the inside of a warehouse, and to also recognize the man who was delighting in hitting him incessantly.



To be continued….

Modern Scrooge III

-“Michael, which is your pin number please? The guy seated next to him cordially inquires as they park in an obscure corner of the parking lot of Bank of America.

Mike supplies the code, as he perspires profusely by this time.
Suddenly Mike breaks down to cry as he remembers that the pin code represents the name of his first born. He wants more than anything in the world for this awful ordeal to be over with, and to embrace his daughters close to him again.

The guy exists the car after putting on a cap to cover his features. The driver in front keeps and eye on Mike directly from the rear view mirror. He looks with derision at Mike, as if asking what kind of man he is to cry like a baby.

Mike wipes his tears with his sleeve, and composes himself. That was just a moment of weakness induced by a stark reminder of our mortality, and what is truly valuable when conducting a quick inventory.

-“Hand me your cell phone please.” The driver with the shinny eyes orders with authority. To ascertain his authority, he pulls out his revolver from the inside of his leather coat.

The driver peruses the pictures on the cell phone. There are several pictures of two girls about ten and eight years old.

-“Pretty girls, were you on your way to meet them?” The driver asks casually.

-“No, I…I was just going home to rest. I only see them on the weekends.” Mike supplied with a knot in his throat.

-“I have a little girl too. She is the apple of my eyes. You see Michael; I am also a father and business man – like you. Please don’t think awful badly of me. My name is Boris by the way.” He volunteered.

Mike’s nerves, as taut as a rubber band stretched to the limit caused him to snap. - “Like me? I am an honest, law abiding citizen. I work very hard for my money, how can you be like me?” Mike spewed from clenched teeth with barely contained fury.

-“Come on, we are simply standing on different street corners you and I.
Yet, what is so different from me, than white collared crooks robbing non-profit agencies that helped the needy?
Or those making a profit off the misery of those evicted from their homes, and out in the cold? Did you know there are approximately seven thousand foreclosures daily?

Michael, we are in the midst of the worst financial calamity since the Great Depression. Just read the papers. Everyday Joes' are now resulting to shoplifting as a last recourse.

This is only the beginning. It will get worst, and with it, anarchy flourishes like rosebuds bloom in spring.”

Their conversation was cut short by the guy in the cap returning to the car with a withdrawal receipt in hand. They drove out at a leisure pace.

-“What do you feel like eating for dinner Michael?” Boris asked solicitously.

-“I’m not hungry at all.” Mike answered as he felt vile running down his throat.

-“I would suggest that you revise your answer Michael, for we will be together for quite a long time.” Boris foretold.



To be continued…

Modern Scrooge II

Mike felt a sudden chill run the course of his nervous circuit. Without a fight he carefully deposited the keys on top of his car and proceeded to sit in the back, gently prodded by the guy holding the gun to his lower back.

-"I am only going to say this once my friend. You will be very quiet, and not make any attempt to draw attention to yourself. If you do, I will squash your balls myself, and I will tie you up like a piglet, and then throw you in the trunk." The man holding the gun cordially advised Mike, in a thick accent.

An inexorable feeling of dread, made Mike's blood pressure drop when it dawned on him that these two men did not simply intend to rob his wallet. Keeping a low profile, from the corner of his left eye he stole a glance at the front mirror.

The driver could be considered good looking, clean-cut, and sharply dressed. He gauged that he must be in his late twenties. Their eyes met for a moment in the mirror.
The driver’s eyes were dark and intense, with an eerie brilliance to them. Perhaps he was under the influence of cocaine. He kept up the intense eye contact without pause, even as the traffic rushed forth.

Mike was the first to break eye lock, if only to save the whole lot. What did his eyes speak to them? Mike bemused. That he was about to shit in his pants? He had to maintain his cool. These looked like professional thieves; surely they would simply let him be, once they got some cash.

-“Listen guys, I have some cash on me. Please take it, and let me be. Please don’t hurt me.” Mike pleaded as he felt his stoic resolve crumble with each additional mile the milometer showed traversed.

There was an exchange in a foreign tongue which Mike did not recognize; they seemed to be speaking Russian amongst them, by the few words that he could make out.

-“OK buddy, give me your wallet please?” Asked the man seated to Mike’s left holding the gun aimed at his midriff. He spoke as casually as politely asking him to pass the salt.

With clammy hands Mike searched for his wallet, and then handed it over. He was sorry to have spoken. Now they had not only his cash, but also his home address.

There was another exchange in the foreign language, as the guy counted the money and the contents of Mike’s wallet.

Meanwhile, Mike looked at the car next to them as they waited for a light to turn green.
He observed the car with normal people going about their business, perhaps they were just returning from a visit to their families.

They seemed blissfully unaware that everything was so precarious that it could tumble down like a stack of cards by the hand of fate. That nothing in life was guaranteed, not even another day to live.

Suddenly he remembered what Monica had said to him that morning. That he was a scrooge for not letting his employees have that Friday off with pay.
Yet, he was frugal with himself too. He did not go out and blow his hard earned money in ultra-fancy restaurants or in sumptuous vacations.
Mike basically lived to work. He not only worked at his company, but also took a lot of the work home too. The only vacation trips he took, melded into business pursuits too.

He had sacrificed his personal life he mused, even neglecting his family in the process. Yet, could he be blamed for wanting to secure their financial well being? No, that had not been enough to his wife, and daughters. His divorce had made him dive even deeper into his work.

Mike now felt a tinge of regret for not giving enough time to his family in the relentless pursuit of money. If something happened to him tonight, what use would all that hoarded money be for? His ex-wife would probably use it for plastic surgery, and the pursuit of younger men.

-“OK buddy, now we will make a quick stop at the ATM, and then we will go to get some dinner to go, OK?” The guy next to him said as nicely as inquiring what he wanted to order for dinner.





To be continued….