Chapter 4: A Counter To Their Counter

January 30, 1983, Super Bowl Sunday, Chicago, Illinois

Because I knew I was going to gorge myself on snacks, burgers, and brats during the game, I got an apple and a glass of juice from the kitchen for lunch, and the girls made themselves PB&J sandwiches.

"If you can basically triple your money in three months, why would it take so long?" Shelly asked as we ate our lunch.

"Because I'm risking a significant portion of my capital on these bets, and I need to take into account that I might be wrong. It's also the case that for other investments, things might not move the way I expect, and I could lose money. For the money I'm managing for my friend Jeri, I can't take the same risks I'm taking to make the big score. Mr. Matheson makes small percentages on very large trades and has to be extremely careful because a bad move could literally cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and he has clients who would leave Spurgeon if he has a down quarter. And finally, I have a portion of my fund in fixed-income products, basically corporate and municipal bonds, so that I have cash income in case someone wants to make a redemption, that is, take money out."

"But you can buy insurance, right? To protect yourself?"

"Using only options and futures contracts, you can limit your losses, but they usually also cap your profits, often far below what you could make otherwise. The other thing with using options is that the greater the potential profit, the more they cost because the price spread will be greater. The reason I can only risk $8000 or so this time is the call options are basically at the market price plus a small premium. The futures contracts are at a slight discount to the current price to account for the cost to the purchaser. This only works because I expect a huge drop in something almost everyone else thinks will continue to rise."

"But how?" Shelly asked. "I mean, how do you know?"

"Remember, I'm mostly betting against the general public, not against other professionals. With gold and silver, professionals like Mr. Matheson see the spread — the difference between current and future prices — and they know that the price has to drop. But the average investor doesn't look at that and simply buys gold or silver coins, propping up the market just long enough for professionals to make nice profits."

"That sounds as if you're taking advantage of the average person."

"The information is publicly available," I replied. "And the trading methodology isn't secret. In other words, anyone can look at the current price and the price of a futures contract and see which way the spread is moving. The fact that most people don't isn't on me; it's on them. There's a quote on a plaque in Mr. Monroe's office — It's morally wrong to allow a sucker to keep his money. That's something W. C. Fields supposedly said."

"Cruel," Shelly replied.

"Survival of the fittest," I replied. "Again, I don't need to work for Spurgeon to be able to do this, it just makes it simpler. As for the Venezuelan Bolivar, I was one of the first analysts to hit on it, based on research I was doing for the daily report I have to write. I saw a note about countries dependent on oil exports struggling with their current account balances — that is, imports versus exports — and looked into it further. Venezuela has a serious problem, and unless oil prices rise, which they won't in the near term, they'll have to devalue their currency or default on their debt. And that has to happen in the next sixty to ninety days, or they'll be forced to do it rather than picking an advantageous time."

"Forced, how?" Bianca asked.

"Traders like Murray Matheson will short the currency, that is, sell it, which will drive down the value of the currency relative to other currencies, and the only ways to defend against it are buying the currency or raising interest rates. Venezuela can't sustainably do either. So they'll see the writing on the wall and choose to devalue their currency."

The doorbell rang, and Bianca went to answer it. She returned with Esme and Jasmine in tow.

"Hi!" Esme exclaimed. "I hope you don't mind that we're early! We hoped you'd be OK with us cumming before the game starts!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the double entendre, as did Bianca and Shelly.

"Together?" I asked. "Or taking turns?"

"You know I'm cool with together," Esme said, "but Jasmine isn't. We have two hours, right?"

"About that," I agreed.

"Then four thirty-minute turns, with me going first. Jasmine can stay down here if Shelly and Bianca are cool with it."

"We are," Bianca said. "Have fun!"

"Then I suppose we should get started," I said, keeping my voice even.

"Just stop it!" Esme said, laughing. "You do NOT think it's a chore! And you like doing it!"

"That might be true," I replied evenly. "Possibly."

Esme laughed, grabbed my hand, and led me towards the stairs.

"If it's not exciting enough for you, I can set you up with a couple of friends who would love to have their cherries popped by you!"

"Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I'm struggling to understand what's special about me."

Esme smiled, "Besides being tall, good looking, having a huge dick that you know how to use, and a talented tongue? I think it's pretty obvious that girls want to have orgasms just as much as guys do, but they're subject to social pressure and repression. So when word gets around, the ones who are horny jump at the chance. There was a Senior guy last year who was the 'go to' guy, but he went to college in Florida, and rumor has it he's worked his way through two complete sororities during his first semester!"

"But a random guy?" I asked.

"If you think about it, it makes sense because there are zero complications. Neither Jasmine nor I think you'll be our boyfriend, and you don't think we're your girlfriends. It also takes the pressure off, so to speak, because they come to you with intent instead of having to deal with a guy pressuring them. That's what happened with the girls in the baseball games."

"True."

"And with Jasmine, too. She'd heard from me and another friend how awesome sex was and decided to go for it. She was nervous, obviously, but you handled it perfectly, and she loved it. Her friend Debbie and my friend Trish are both totally interested."

"We can discuss that later unless you want to talk rather than fool around."

"NO CHANCE!" Esme declared. "Oh, before I forget, Katy said Sunday, March 27, for our full participation threesome!"

"I'll put it on my calendar!"

We undressed and climbed into bed, and thirty minutes later, Esme rinsed off in the shower so her clothes wouldn't smell like sex while I cleaned up with a washcloth. Esme dressed, then left the room and Jasmine came in.

"I brought a box of rubbers," she said, taking the blue box of lubricated trojans from her purse. "I don't think we can use all twelve!"

"Not in the time we have, and that would require some kind of superhuman recovery!"

"Just like we did before? Sixty-nine, you fuck me, then sixty-nine until you cum in my mouth?"

"Absolutely!"

We did exactly as she asked, with her putting the rubber on me before we screwed and taking it off so I could cum in her mouth, and when we finished, she quickly rinsed off and dressed, then left with Esme returning a minute later. She kissed me and laughed.

"Nice! You didn't wash your face on purpose!"

"I thought you might get off on that," I chuckled. "I can if you want me to."

"NO!" she exclaimed.

We had another enjoyable round, after which she showered properly while I used a washcloth, and once she'd left, Jasmine joined me again for a repeat of our previous activity. She was the recipient of a joint shower, and once we were clean, we dried off, dressed, changed the sheets on the bed, then joined the others in the front room.

About ten minutes after we arrived downstairs, Jack and Kristy arrived, starting the flow of guests, and the party was in full swing by 4:30pm. I was happy to see that everyone who we had asked was at the house, though both Stuart and Tom had to work.

Dustin and Archie arrived with his photography assistant in tow.

"Jonathan Kane, meet Carla Rizzi, my assistant. Carla, Jonathan, our host."

I shook hands with the pretty, brown-eyed brunette who smiled at me.

"Thanks for letting me tag along with Dustin and Archie," she said.

"You're welcome! Come in and enjoy yourself."

"Thanks!"

The Super Bowl started just after 5:00pm, and Miami held a 7–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The teams traded scores in the second quarter, with the half ending 17–10 Dolphins.

The halftime show was boring, featuring Los Angeles County Schools students in a marching band and drill team. The second half was a disaster for the Dolphins, especially the fourth quarter, where the Redskins scored two unanswered touchdowns for a final score of 27–17 Redskins.

"I could stay," Ellie offered once the game ended and the party began breaking up.

"Not tonight," I replied. "And I hate to say this, but the next two weekends are already booked."

"Is this because I told you I wanted to be your girlfriend?"

"No, it's because I'm busy with work, school, and friends. And you know I'm still trying to sort things out with Bev."

That was true, though at this point, 'sorting things out' felt as if it was figuring out how to stay close friends, rather than being together as a couple.

"When could I see you?"

"If you want to spend the night Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you could come by around 9:30pm, which is when I get home from class."

"Could I sign up for all three, or would that make me a greedy bitch?"

"So long as you understand the situation, all three nights are OK, if that's what you want to do."

"You still go out with Jack and Kristy on Fridays, right?"

"Yes, but I've taken different girls with me because I don't want to send the wrong message."

"You mean a regular date that might imply you were a couple?"

"Yes."

Which was the risk with Haley, though we both had a 'take one day at a time' attitude, and she wasn't pressuring me in any way, though it was clear she was interested once I sorted out my feelings for Bev and whether Bev and I would be a couple.

"We're leaving, Jonathan," Lily announced.

"Ellie, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to walk them to their car."

"OK. I'm going to leave with Julianne, Kasey, and Miranda."

She gave me a quick hug and peck on the cheek, and I put on my coat and hat so I could walk Lily and Violet to Lily's car, which was parked three blocks away.

"Are you free for dinner next week?" Lily asked.

"It's difficult with class," I said. "What day were you thinking?"

"I had thought a week from Wednesday, but you have class, right?"

"I do, but I could still have dinner with you."

"That works. Will you come straight from work?"

"Sure. I can be at your house by 5:20pm, a week from Wednesday. Class is at 7:00pm."

"Mom won't be home," Lily said with a sly smile. "So come by after class for dessert!"

"I can do that!" I replied.

"Cool!" Lily exclaimed.

At the car, Lily gave me a tight hug and a peck on the lips, and Violet gave me her usual chaste hug and kiss on the cheek. Once the car pulled away, I returned to the house to help Jack, Kristy, Jasmine, Esme, Shelly, and Bianca clean up, and when we finished, our friends left.

About fifteen minutes later, Beth arrived with a bottle of chilled white wine, and we went up to my room to take a bubble bath.

"What prompted the call today?" I asked as we settled into the tub.

"I was bored, and I enjoyed spending time with you, in addition to having some of the best sex I've had in the past year."

"Some of the best?" I asked, tweaking her nipples.

"Oh, Jonathan," Beth simpered, "you're the best! Nobody has ever been better!"

I laughed, "You give as good as you get in the teasing department."

"And in the sex department! Can I ask you something personal?"

"More personal than giving a blowjob and swallowing my cum?"

"Well, when you put it that way, obviously not!" Beth replied. "But on that topic, why are you circumcised?"

"I asked my mom that question after seeing other guys in the shower at school, and she told me that the doctor told her it was 'routine', so she consented. She was sixteen, and her sex education was basically hands-on."

"Sadly, it hasn't changed much in quite a few places in the country, especially the Bible Belt. Before I forget, do you have business cards?"

"Yes. I'll give you a stack of them."

"Cool. How much sleep do you need?"

"I can manage on four hours if I need to."

"Plan on it!"

January 31, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

"Shower blowjobs are fun!" Beth declared when she stood up to kiss me.

We exchanged a sloppy French kiss, then rinsed off before getting out of the shower.

"I take it that it's OK to call you if I'm bored?" she asked as we dressed.

"It is. We should have dinner, too."

"I'd like that! Can't beat great sex with zero drama! And enjoyable company, to boot."

When we were both dressed, we changed the sheets on my bed and then went downstairs, where I made breakfast for us, though I skipped the bacon and sausage out of deference to Beth's religious practices. After breakfast, she helped clean up, then we left the house. At her car, we hugged, exchanged a quick kiss, and once she'd driven away, I opened the garage so I could get my car.

Thirty minutes later, I was sitting at my desk, working on my daily analyst report. There wasn't much going on in the world that would have a major impact on the markets, so the report was basically a revised version of Friday's report with an updated pricing table and updated portfolio numbers. Once I had printed it out and put it on Mr. Matheson's desk, I read the previous Friday's stock analysis Tony had put together and put in orders for my Cincinnatus Fund as well as Jeri's trust fund.

I bought Wal-Mart, Hasbro, The Gap, International Rectifier, Bally Manufacturing, and Wieboldt stores and took a modest short position in Mattel. Once that was completed, I adjusted the bond holdings in each portfolio based on Paige's analysis. I wouldn't solely rely on their work, but it saved a tremendous amount of time.

When the new mailroom clerk, Naomi, came by just after 10:00am, I gave her the envelope with Bev's check, which she'd put with the outgoing mail, which would be collected later that afternoon. I was concerned for Bev and did not look forward to the conversation with her dad. He was going to be upset, but there wasn't really anything I could do about that, and I was determined to keep my word.

The larger question was what to do about my mom and Glen. Fundamentally, he hadn't cheated on her, nor did I believe he had any obligation to tell her about his relationship with Bev. Whether that was OK with the school was a different question, and really, none of my business, given Bev had not said anything about him coercing her. The State of Ohio might also object, but she was over the age of consent, so, at least in my mind, if there was no coercion, then it was nobody's business except Bev's and Glen's.

Where I struggled was with the fact that Glen had to know that Heather might be his daughter, and he had, at least as far as I was aware, not spoken to Bev nor made any effort to do so. Of course, Bev could be concealing that from me, but I didn't feel that was the case, given she'd told me she'd been with him at the right time for him to be Heather's dad. The ultimate question was whether or not my mom had a right to know about Glen being Heather's dad.

There were three scenarios in my mind — Mom found out now; Mom found out in the future; and Mom never found out. To me, the riskiest of the three was Mom finding out after she'd married Glen. That would potentially lead to a divorce, which was not something I wanted to see. It wasn't that I objected to divorce in principle, but I didn't want my mom to go through the heartache.

To me, the wisest, most logical approach was to simply tell her what I knew, which would allow her to make an informed choice about whether or not to marry Glen. The problem with that was, of course, that I had given Bev my word that I wouldn't tell my mom. In hindsight, I shouldn't have made the promise, but now that it was made, breaking it would violate one of my core principles.

Countering that principle was my dedication to honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. If I withheld material information from a client or from Mr. Matheson, it could cost me my trading licenses and my job. And in this case, I had material information which was critical to my mom, but I was bound by my word not to give it. At work, per both Spurgeon policy and the regulatory agencies, my word had to yield to not withholding that material information.

What I had to consider now was how to apply conflicting principles in my private life, where regulators didn't dictate the outcome. As I struggled with the philosophical problem, I rued the fact that I hadn't been able to get in touch with Anala. It had been nearly four months since I'd spoken to her, despite my efforts to get in touch with her. I decided I'd try again after lunch in the hope of catching her between classes.