Tag
Copyright© 2025 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 15
Early Tuesday morning, Tag was in the kitchen drinking his brew and headed to the gym. He did his off-day workout and headed to the shower. After the shower, Tag sat in the lotus position and centered. When he awoke, he went downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast, Tag started troubleshooting Vol 6, Italy, until 9 a.m. Then he dressed and drove to the Andrews and Jones Attorneys at Law office. Sam Jones greets him, and they go to his office.
Tag tells Sam about his trouble with the FBI. He wanted to protect himself and get a tax benefit if possible. Tag told him about his contract with Nintendo and his acting. Sam asked about revenue from games, about choked and asked are you shitting me? Tag said he flew to Japan and presented the game to them, but they were hesitant, so he bet on the come. Tag told them he would take less up front if they increased the percentage on the back payment. They took it, and now he thinks they’re having second thoughts.
Sam said a Delaware corporation was best for him because they don’t disclose corporate officers or owners. He had one pre-done and sold it to Tag for a fair price. Sam told him how to roll all his income into it and lower his taxes. He said you would only pay on what you take out personally, and the corporate tax would be much lower than how you’re doing it now. We completed the paperwork, and Tag went to the bank, opened a corporate account, and transferred $650k into the account. That left $125k in my account.
Then Tag went to the accountant and had her copy his LLC papers and the deposits he made at the bank. He went home the scenic route, called George Cowling, the property owner, and said he was ready to go. George told Tag to meet him at the county tax office and gave him the address. Tag stopped at home, picked up $100k cash, and met George at the county tax office. Before going inside, Tag read him, and George was trying to retire and keep as much as he could.
Tag asked if he wanted to do a cash and cashier’s check deal, which would lower his tax bill and mine. He told George what he had in mind and jumped at it. We went to his truck, and Tag counted it and kept the backpack. We registered the sale to his LLC, and he got the deed. Then we went to his bank and got a cashier’s check for $140k. George was happy, and Tag told him to take his time moving. He will be busy for the next few weeks, but will stop by to get bids for some work.
He asked George if he knew of dependable people in the construction trade or fencing. George gave Tag some names, but they seemed to be small time. We said goodbye, and Tag sent George the command to forget who he sold it to, but he got his price. He drove home the scenic route. When he arrived at the new house, Tag pulled the truck in and locked everything up, went to the stash, picked up the tracking detector, went over all vehicles, and found none.
He put it back in the stash and had a late lunch. Then, he troubleshooted his game “Taking It For Free, Vol. 6, Italy” until dinner. After dinner, Tag drank his brew and headed to the gym. He did his nightly workout, beating the hell out of the heavy bag and finishing cooling down on the speed bag. Then, he took a shower, sat in the lotus position, and centered.
Wednesday started early with Tag drinking the brew as he headed to the gym. Today was the full workout of Sensi exercises and weight training. When he finished, Tag walked down the tunnel to the death chamber. He entered, closed the door, and sensed the room, and then was off, flying, spinning kicks, flips, sweeps, wall walking, throwing knives, and punching. Then it was done. Tag moved around the table, pulled his knives out of the dummies, and walked out the door, up the tunnel toward the house, thinking. He needed more dummies to stand around the room for more knife targets.
Tag showered, sat in lotus, and centered. He awoke and headed downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast, he finished Vol. 6, Italy, and headed to the patent attorney. He filled out the paperwork, went to his friend, and made copies. Tag picked up a copy of vacation homes on the free ad rack on his way out of the truck stop, getting gas. Tag took the scenic route home in his Chevy truck. He pulled in the garage, locked everything up, and headed to the house for an early lunch.
While eating, he was browsing the vacation ad book. Tag noticed a 240-acre ranch outside Reno, Nevada, that looked interesting. He went and got his laptop, routed it, and searched for information on the area, primary income base, and population. It was secluded and away from the tourist trade and was primarily an agricultural/horse ranch area. This was ideal for disappearing for a long period of time. Tag called, and the agent who answered the phone seemed anxious. Tag said he would visit Friday mid-morning, depending on travel time.
Tag searched airports closest to the ranch and found the community airport 20 miles away. He searched for rental cars in the town, but there were none. He widened his search and found Reno was the only rental option. He booked a SUV for Thursday afternoon, returning Saturday morning. Tag searched lodging and found the Sands had a good rate, so he booked a room. He started Vol. 7, Spain, and programmed to dinner. He ate, drank the brew, and headed to the gym. He did his nightly workout and tried to beat the heavy bag in submission but failed, so he used his speed to cool down. Tag took a long, hot shower, sat nude in lotus, and centered.
2 a.m. Thursday, Tag was in the kitchen drinking his brew as he headed to the gym. He did his off-day workout and headed for the shower. Tag sat nude in the lotus position and centered. He awoke dressed in western wear, packed a duffel bag and his backpack with $200k. The duffel bag had his BE backpack with the camera and lenses. Tag set the closet bomb, locked and armed the house, and went down the tunnel to the new garage. He put everything in the F250 cab and drove to the Santa Monica airport.
Tag got the plane out, parked the truck in the hangar, and locked everything up. Then walked to private terminal services, filed a flight plan, and did his precheck. After warming up the engines, he called the tower and received clearance to taxi to 4a. Tag waited, saw a small jet land, and thought about how long it would take to get certified. He received clearance, pulled on the runway, brought up the engine’s rpm, released the brake, and took off down the runway. He took off and climbed to 5000 feet heading northeast. Tag backed off the engine speed, cruised, and received clearance to proceed to 10,000 feet, headed to Reno with a short detour for restricted area, and landed in Reno just before 10 a.m.
Tag parked, did his post-flight check, tied down and covered the plane, and headed to the car rental counter. He picked up the rental, a map, and was off. Tag arrived at the sales office just short of noon. We exchanged names, and Carol Sparks was the realtor. After talking for a while about the area, he followed Carol to the ranch. It was nice, and they dumped a lot of cash into this, and it didn’t work out. Tag read Carol’s mind; she was losing the listing today and was desperate. The asking price was $400k, and no way anyone would pay that, but she tried.
Carol explained that the house and barn were redone. A separate garage was added and looked like a second barn. It looked like it would hold 15 or more cars. Tag asked what the deal was spending so much money on something so far out, and she said the owner had ideas of tuning into a dude ranch, but ran out of money and stopped after the garage. The plans were to build guest houses and stock the barn with horses. It went to shit when he bet on a stock and it tanked and his wife filed for divorce.
He loved the house and the outbuilding, but asked about the property lines. We got in Carol’s 4-wheel drive Subaru and drove the property. It had lake access with a large creek cutting the southeast corner. She said the land backed up to federal land on the east, and the west side was open prairie grasslands. He loved it, but no way he was paying $400k. Tag search Carol’s mind and got the name and phone number of the owner.
Tag told Carol it was out of his reach and handed $200 for her time. He sent Carol to show the property, but she could not remember who it was, only that it didn’t sell. Tag headed back to Reno and checked into the Sands casino and resort. He noticed how nice the décor was as he put the things in my room. Tag watched the TV teaching people how to play cards and what hands win. It was the first time he had watched TV that he could remember. But Tag thought he’d kill some time playing while waiting for the owner’s call.
They had a high roller table with $10k buy-in. Tag went to his backpack, pulled out $20k, and put it in separate pockets. He went to the casino, bought in, and played until dinner. Tag cashed out, tipped the dealer, went to the cage, had them open an account for him, and deposited his winnings. Tag went to dinner, and the call came just as he finished. The owner was desperate, and we haggled and agreed to $275k. He would catch a flight out tomorrow morning and we will meet when he arrives.
Tag returned to his mini suite, took a shower, centered, and woke at 11 p.m. He thought about what was happening, and the phone rang. He was invited to a private game with a $50k buy-in. Tag was given directions and arrived, and he signed a note for $50k against $75k, which he deposited. We played until 8 a.m. and called it quits. Tag tipped the dealer $5k and deposited $210k in his account. Returning to his room, Tag showered and centered. He awoke when the phone rang, and the ranch owner was waiting in the lobby.
Tag met him in the lobby, and we went to the restaurant and got a table. Rich Hodge, the owner, showed the title, and Tag asked Rich how we could transfer it. Rich explained how he did it when he purchased it. We had a large late lunch, stopped at the desk, and asked if they had a legal referral for title transfer. He made a call and wrote the name and address, and Tag tipped him $100 for the service.
We consulted the attorney, drew up the transfer, notarized the document, and he would file it with the state. He paid the attorney $500, and we left with copies. Returning to the Sands, we went to the casino cashier’s cage. Tag requested a cashier’s check for $75k. With that, we went to his room and he counted $200k in cash and a cashier’s check. We were done. Then we went down to the desk and requested a notary. An older lady arrived and notarized our signatures, and we were done. We shook hands, and Rich left.
Tag went back to his room and centered. He awoke at 7 a.m., showered and went to breakfast. He had completed everything he could for now, so Tag checked out and headed to the airport. He requested a refuel, and it took an hour. Tag picked up the local paper and two for-sale throwaways while waiting. Finally, the plane was refueled, got clearance, and took off for home. He landed at Santa Monica around 11, put the plane to bed, locked everything, and stopped by the fight school.
Tag asked about getting certified on small jets. The instructor said they don’t do it, but Long Beach does, and it’s another 40 hours and expensive. Tag thanked him and headed home. The more he thought about getting certified, he realized it would be a waste of time and money. The Beechcraft Baron can land where a jet can’t. He pulled into the new house and parked the truck. He locked everything up, grabbed the duffel bag, and went up the tunnel. When he arrived at home, Tag ate lunch and centered. I woke up the next morning.
Tag was drinking the brew early Saturday morning and walking to the gym. He did his off-day workout, headed to the shower, and centered. He woke up at seven and headed downstairs for breakfast. While eating, he browsed the Reno newspapers for vehicles for sale. He wanted a used 4x4 that was in good shape. He found four that looked promising. One was a jeep with oversized tires that looked like it could go anywhere. There was a GMC extra cab. Both were in the Reno area, and he would have a problem getting vehicles to and from one place to the other.
Tag had an idea, looked up dirt bikes, and found several that could be driven on the highway. He called both the Jeep and the GMC and they were still available. He asked about the price and was quoted the paper price. Tag said he would be up there next weekend to see if they were still available. The dirt bike he liked was for sale was the Kawasaki KLX 250S. If they were still available, he thinks he figured out how to make it work.
He armed the house and headed through the tunnel to the new garage. Tag drove the F250 the scenic route to Tractor and Trailer Supply. He picked up four more battery tenders, two industrial extension cords, and a power strip. He saw a tow bar and picked it up, and a motorcycle rack that hooked up to the bumper or trailer hitch, and checked out. Returning the scenic route to the new house, Tag parked, locked up everything, and walked up the tunnel home. He continued programming Vol. 7, Spain, until dinner. After dinner and drinking the brew, he headed to the gym. Tag did his nighttime workout, beat the shit out of the heavy bag and cooled down on the speed bag. Then he showered and centered. I awoke
2 a.m. Sunday, Tag was in the kitchen drinking the brew and heading to the gym. He did his off-day workout, hit the shower, and centered. Tag woke and headed to breakfast. Then he called Rich Hodge, the ranch’s previous owner, and was lucky he answered. Tag asked about power, water, and gas. Rich said water was from a well, gas was propane, and he refilled it once a year. The power is and gave the company’s name. Tag asked how he handled it from afar. Rich said the power company accepts advanced pay, so he sent it to them for the year. Tag thanked him.
Next Tag called the house he purchased close by, and George Cowling said the same. The county refused to pay to run sewer, water, or gas lines. So, he sued, is not in the county, and pays no property tax. George had a file box of information he was leaving with Tag, but just because we registered the sale with the county, they have no control over it. They are a registrar for the state records. When you have some time, reading is entertaining. Tag thanked him and looked forward to seeing that file.
Oh, well, on with it when he had an idea, and he’ll call ABC on Monday. Tag would let them pay all the bills for the new house, warehouse, and rural house. He must find a company to handle the ranch so it’s totally removed. Tag walked down the tunnel, entered the new garage, hooked up the battery to the low boy, and rode the scenic route to the postal center. While picking up the mail, he asked if they offered forwarding services, and they said yes. When asked if they were a national chain, they gave him a brochure that listed all their locations, and Reno was on it. Tag opened a mailbox for John Smith, Esq. and paid the yearly fee. He sent the clerk the thought he was in sixties with gray hair and that’s all he remembered.
Tag took the scenic route to his new house. He parked, locked up, and headed back up the tunnel home. Tag went upstairs, powered up the laptop, routed through 6 servers, and looked up answering services searched and found one that looked to fit the bill. He wrote down the number, logged off, and continued programming until dinner. A quick check of email, the film director, Alan Gray, sent information on the set and time to meet on Monday morning. He printed the information, headed downstairs to eat and drink the brew, and walked to the gym. Tag did his nightly routine, beat the heavy to death, but it just smiled, worked the speed bag to cool down, and headed to the shower. He takes a long, hot shower, sits nude in the lotus position, and is centered.