Chapter 10

Waking up early Thursday, I went to the gym, sensing the area on my way. I exercised, practiced my huku using the heavy bag, did a light workout on the weight machine, and then did my yoga routine. When finished, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and protein drink, then drove the golf cart to the practice range. Today was the game with Mr. Tanicka, so I got three buckets of balls, practiced, and then waited for him.

Mr. Tanicka showed up with two associates, Mr. Aoki and Mr. Hayashi. We were introduced, bowed, and played a round of golf. It was identical to the last time they talked business between shots. I played dumb, and at the end, we bowed, said goodbye, and they left. Mr. Tanicka and I sat in the golf cart and talked. He said his group invested in Conroy Metals and bought at $15.55. Four others and I purchased 25k shares each in 5k separate purchases. We started selling at $75 and finished at $94.50. The stock topped out at $105 and then fell to $62.25.

It was the most profitable deal we’ve had as a group. Our group set up an account for you with our broker and purchased solid growth stocks as a commission for the tip. Mr. Tanicka said let them grow in value, and you can do what you want in ten years. He handed me the account information and said that the broker who handled the deal, Noris, was in trouble with the SEC. Something about the abnormal activity of the stock before the announcement of the agreement laughing. We shook hands and said goodbye, and I drove home.

We left immediately and stopped at Carl’s Jr. for lunch by the marina. I told Mom about the round with Mr. Tanicka and his associates and left off the ending conversation. Mom said she was happy Mr. Tanicka spent time with me and then laughed. Then Mom reminded me what she said about doing business on the golf course and playing cards. When we finished lunch, all hell broke loose at the Marina. Granddad’s slip had a boat in it in violation of the Marina’s lease. The trust owned the land and leased it to the Marina. As a condition of the lease, one slip would be for the exclusive use of the landowner.

Mom entered the marina manager’s office and threatened to cancel their lease. She said two things would happen immediately if you wanted to continue operating the marina. The first thing is to get that boat out of my slip and clean up the dock. It looks like a shit hole. Second, as a penalty, you will overhaul and update my sailboat in the dry dock. I’ll order the repairs and updates, so all you have to do is pay. Make a decision, Mr. Bradley, or your 90-day notice will be here tomorrow. Mr. Bradley agreed and put it in writing, and his secretary notarized it. He looked ill when we left.

We went to the maintenance yard, and Mom told the manager what to do and bill it to Mr. Bradley. Mr. Thomas smiled and said we’d start it immediately, and we left and heard a roar of laughter from the office. Mom said I get the idea Mr. Bradley isn’t liked much around here laughing. Then Mom showed me the sailboat, which was covered so that we couldn’t see much. She said you’d really appreciate it when it’s done, and we drove home.

I didn’t want to spoil mom moment, but I’d never seen a boat until today and had never been on one. So, I’m sure I will be surprised, as she said. Changing the subject, I said wow, my mom kicked Mr. Bradley’s ass and took numbers. Are you sure we can’t rent out my magic foot? We could make a killing on it. It was good we had arrived home because Mom was laughing hard. When she recovered, Mom shook her finger at me, and I just smiled. We had some time before dinner, so I went to my room and got caught up on my online classes, and Mom read her book.

She called out dinner was ready, and I had just finished my last course, so I shut the laptop down and went to the kitchen. I asked if her new book was interesting, and she said it was none of my business, smiling. I told Mom you could download them onto the tablet I gave you from Amazon. Then, read them on the tablet, and it’s easier to read. The book is saved in your library on the tablet. And it saves paper, storage and leaving lying around for me to read, I said smiling.

Mom liked the idea, so I set it up and downloaded a Kindle reader to the tablet. Then I showed her how to buy the book, and it automatically put into her library. Finally, I hugged her goodnight and left her reading her new book on the tablet. I didn’t tell her I had access to her library and went to bed. I fell asleep and was used to the thumping when it began, then tingling all over my body, then it stopped, and I drifted into a deep sleep. Subconsciously, I thought it was helping me grow and stimulate muscle growth, too.

I awoke Friday, exercised, practiced my huku, sensed the area, grabbed my walking staff, and took off running my route, keeping a steady speed and stride. When I reached my turnaround point, I increased my pace on the way home. After stretching, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, and then drove the golf cart to the practice range. I warmed up and then went out on my own. Having played a round yesterday, I practiced hitting out of hazards and putting.

Mom was still at the gym when I got home, so I took the e-bike for a test drive. It had a top speed of 28 mph, which was fast enough for what I needed to return home. Mom had gotten home and was reading her tablet when I walked inside. I said I’d created a monster, and Mom laughed. We ate lunch, and Mom said all her favorite authors were available on Amazon so that she could get their books easily. I said horse, and Mom laughed.

Mr. Finkleman called and said it was my lucky day. I had an emergency read tomorrow morning at Universal. The actor playing the part you are reading for got arrested, and drugs were involved. The movie is a murder mystery/ action thriller about a boy who went to summer camp, and his parents were murdered at home. The boy comes home and lives with his aunt. Suspecting foul play and a cover-up, he investigates and discovers his parents are spies. Production was scheduled to start Monday and has a good supporting cast and director. The movie could turn into a series if it does well. So charm and impress them and call me after your read tomorrow at 9 am, and he hung up.

Mom and I said wow at the same time. Mom said this is a golden opportunity, according to Mr. Finkelman. So do your best, and let’s hope you get the part. I said I would do my best and wow them with my charm, and Mom laughed. Then she said she was going to the club for a few hours to check on things and left. I walked to our next-door neighbor’s house and picked up a mattress they had set out for the trash. Then, I carried it to my workshop/gym and put it against the wall.

It looked in good shape and would work perfectly for my knife and star-throwing target. It was the same size as mine, so it was a twin. So, I opened my stash room, took out the knives and stars, and then watched the online instructional video. Then, I started practicing from 10 feet away. After numerous failed attempts, I got them to stick to the target. Then I practiced for 20 minutes, put everything away, locked the workshop, and returned to the kitchen because I sensed Mom was nearby.

She came in happy and said we’d been invited to dinner at the Japanese Consulate Saturday night. Sam Barton called and said he was instructed to bring TJ Wilson and his mother to the dinner with him and his wife. Sam said I made a good impression on the ambassador and his wife at the last dinner. We had to go to my room and take out my clothes for tomorrow night to air out. Mom had to do the same thing, and we ate dinner, and Mom wound down.

We watched CNN, and the early voting was in. Dad was leading the Governor by 7%. I told Mom she should mail a congratulations on your victory card to Dad. Say I would have included the key, but I lost it in the move. I’ll send it to you as soon as I find it, and Mom was laughing hard. When she settled down, we hugged goodnight, and Mom reminded me we were leaving for Universal at 7:30 a.m. I went to bed and fell asleep. I was used to the thumping when it began, then tingling all over my body, then it stopped, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

I awoke and went to the gym, sensing the area on my way. I exercised, practiced my huku using the heavy bag, did a light workout on the weight machine, and then did my yoga routine. When finished, I showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, and then Mom entered the kitchen. We took off for Universal, arrived 30 minutes early, and had to wait. A dejected actor left mumbling, too old for the part while we waited. Finally, I was called, and I thought the reading went well. They said we’d contact your agent, and I thanked them and left.

Mr. Finkleman called us on the way home and said I got the part. They’re emailing me their proposal, and we should have it done today. Also, a car will pick you up at 5:30 a.m. Monday to drive you to the set at Universal. Pack for a two-week stay and a pass for your mom will be at the gate, and he hung up. I asked Mom if Mr. Finkleman sounded excited, and we laughed. We stopped at Tony’s Deli for takeout on the way home. During lunch, I told Mom I needed vitamins, protein powder, and a lock box to store my valuables in the trailer. She said we would go shopping on Sunday and get what I needed. We played cards until it was time to get ready, and Mom went to her room. I read her latest book and then took a shower and dressed.

I got a text, and I checked my email. I knew Sam was screwing with me when I decoded the message. First, I was supposed to dance with a woman in a yellow dress. Then say her ass looked good enough to eat in that dress, and she would slip a message into my front pocket. Then, I go to the card game and pass the message to the man on my left while playing poker. Finally, I would find 5k in my right jacket pocket to gamble with, which ended the message.

Mom met me in the kitchen, tied my tie, and then took off for the Japanese Embassy. Everything went as planned, and the card game was interesting. There were three Japanese men, a Caucasian man, and me. Once I passed the message, he left, and another Japanese man sat down. I was up 10k, said this was my last hand, and went all in on full house three aces and jacks. One man didn’t like me and matched my bet, and all the others folded. He turned over three kings smiling and got pissed at my full house.

I cashed out and left quickly and rejoined the reception with Mom. She was ready to go, so we did after thanking the hosts and saying goodbye to Mr. Barton and his wife. On the way home, we talked about the party, and Mom asked about the woman in the yellow dress. I said she wanted to take me home, but I told her she had to make arrangements with you first. Mom laughed and said let me know if I’m the pimp in the future laughing again. When we got home, we hugged goodnight and went to bed. So, I went to bed and fell asleep. I was used to the thumping when it began, then tingling all over my body, then it stopped, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

I awoke, exercised, practiced my huku, sensed the area, grabbed my walking staff, and took off running my route, keeping a steady speed and stride. When I reached my turnaround point, I increased my pace on the way home. After stretching, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, and then drove the golf cart to the practice range. I warmed up and went out by myself again. This could be the last golf I played for a while, so I didn’t mess around and shot for score. I ended up shooting ten under and was happy driving home.

When I got home, we took off for GNC for my vitamins and a protein powder. Then, to the luggage store, we got a metal steamer trunk a little taller than a foot locker. The locks were recessed and couldn’t be cut or pried open. Then we went shopping, and I got more gym clothes, underwear, and socks for two weeks. After that, we stopped for BBQ takeout and went home to do laundry. I put my bug detector, small lock pick set, laptop, tablet, and clothes in the steamer trunk. Then we carried it downstairs, and we ate dinner.

Mom said she would visit Tuesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday most of the day. I asked her to call Mr. Finkleman and ask what kind of work hours, breaks, and days off per week I could expect. I’m not working 10 to 12 hours per day, seven days a week. I want to be flexible but not stupid. All this was ignored because of the rush, but now I need to know. Also, how much am I making on the movie, and when and how do I get paid? Tomorrow will be a meet and greet, reading the script, and maybe fittings. I want all this shit clear and straightened out before Tuesday, and he’s the heavy hand, not me.

And speaking of money, I don’t remember getting checks from Lexus, Toshiba, or Samsung. So maybe it’s time for us to sit down with Mr. Finkleman and ask some questions about how it’s supposed to work. It’s unfair all this falls on your shoulders when they should be giving us all the information. Our sponsors paid us immediately, and we have six unpaid modeling sessions through WME. But wait, there was Rawling and Louisville Slugger and the overages on the Lexus Japanese commercials. I’ll call him during a break on Monday and handle it and let you know. If he gets pissed, he can contact you and complain, and you be the go-between for us. It’s probably a screw-up on their end, and Mom agreed it probably was, and we hugged goodnight and went to bed. I fell asleep and was used to the thumping when it began, then tingling all over my body, then it stopped, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

I woke up early Monday, exercised, practiced my huku, showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, and waited for my ride. Tom was my driver and laughed at the steamer trunk. It wouldn’t fit in the trunk, so we put it in the backseat. I rode up front and said my mom did the packing, and he laughed. Finally, we arrived at 6:45, and a golf cart gave me a ride to my trailer. I used the audio/video detector with the white noise device and found four audio bugs and three video cameras. One in the living room in a picture frame. Another one in an alarm clock in the bedroom and one in a heat detector in the bathroom.

I unpacked and placed the bugs and cameras in my steamer trunk with the detector, white noise device, laptop, tablet, vitamins, and protein powder. Then, at 8 a.m., a goffer picked me up and drove to a meeting hall, and the cast, the director, and the producers were there. The two names I remembered were my Aunt Peg in the movie and the Director Kyle Levies. Refreshments were there, and so were the scripts. Then, they laid out the schedule. I was right, and we started reading the script. This was followed by a question and answer session, and our shooting schedule was handed out. Mr. Levies said it’s not permanent. It’s for general information and will change as needed. Then we took a break, and I called Mr. Finkleman.

He asked how it was going, and I said well, so far, but I have some questions. First are the work hours on the set. I’m sure they wouldn’t work me 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week. So, it’s clear to me what are the work rules. Mr. Finkleman was quiet, so I said while you are thinking about that, we never received a copy of the contract or any contracts for the modeling. It would be appreciated if you could call Mom and forward them to us for our records. My last question is, when will we receive payment for the eight modeling jobs I did? We haven’t received a statement or payment and wondered why it took so long. On that note, what is the payment schedule for the movie?

Mr. Finkleman still didn’t say anything, so I continued. Now, today is administrative, so it isn’t an issue. But starting tomorrow, I need direction and information to proceed. I want to be flexible but not run over like those two language ads in one day. So, to recap the work rules for the set, payment for the modeling, and payment schedule for the movie. I’ll expect your call tonight with the answer for me. I have to run now. Call me, and I hung up and then laughed. I called Mom and told her about my conversation with Mr. Finkleman, or the lack thereof, and to expect a call from him. Mom laughed and said I probably shocked him, not expecting those questions. I said maybe, but he gets 15% of what I do, and I’ll bet he’s sure he gets paid. Worst case, tell him my magic foot wants some exercise, and mom laughed and said she would pass the message on, laughing again, and then we said goodbye.

Fitting took the rest of the day, and I had to return tomorrow morning. I found Mr. Levies in the canteen eating dinner and asked to join him. While we ate, I told him about my trailer’s audio bugs and video cameras. He asked what I did with them and said I removed them using a cloth to preserve fingerprints. The reason I’m telling you is it would be really bad for someone outside to get involved. I asked for a better lock on the trailer door, and he agreed and said to hold on to the evidence. He would get security involved ASAP, and we finished dinner and parted.