My name is Ian Cox and I just finished my apprenticeship in the motor trade. I took a few weeks off for a celebration time of achieving my qualification certificate. Whilst walking downtown I notice the auction shop was open and an auction happening. I walked in and had to register, compulsory.

I stayed at the back and notice the actions of what occurred. After a few minutes a lock box came up for auction. I noticed it as it was an old fashion three stage lock. There were no bids and he was about to pass it in when I said $10.00. Everyone laughed and looked at me, I shrugged my shoulders and said “That all the cash I have on me.” to the room. No one bid against me and I won the box.

Escorting the box to the pay window I was given a receipt which stated I won the locked box and all of it’s contents. It did have a rattle. The only problem was I had to agree not to damage the box on opening. That made me smile. During my apprenticeship I took up the hobby of becoming a cracking locksmith. The number of people that locked their keys in their cars was amazing.

Setting the box on a separate table I took out my lock picking tools and started. A few people around me were amazed at what I was doing and a lady from the office sat with me, with a notepad and pen. It took about 5 minutes to have a tool turn the lock but no opening. Then I remembered the reason, I liked the box, it was a three part key lock. I used some other tools and finally got the lock turn. Then the combinations was turn left 90 degrees, right 180 degrees then back to top and the lid clicked open. The few that remained all cheered.

The lady next to me started to list the contents of the box. It contained a note to take the open box to a local long term solicitors office and ask for Mr Pike. Inside the folder were share certificates in a company name and on top a blank transfer document signed by George Cook.

I put these to the side, then some rolls of coin from 1900. there were pennies, half penny’s farthings, threepence, sixpence, shillings, two bob’s and half crowns. All were wrapped in paper with the years 1900 to what ever year they stopped or 1965. These were the old imperial coins. One guy asked “Crack open the sixpence and see if you have a 1923, a very valuable coin as few were minted. I passed at this time. The auctioneer stated “If you want to auction any items he would be happy to help. They had put this box up every year for 25 years and I was the first buyer that opened the box.” I thanked him and continued in the box. The final paper was a deed to a property.

This deed was to the enclosed block of the Cook Coach property. It was close to the business district and the extra large property was enclosed by triple fencing. Below the deed were keys, a heap of door, vehicle, padlocks and the spare key for the box. I tested the spare with the box open and it worked. I put everything back inside the box and locked it with the spare key. I did check that it did reopen, it did. I walked out to the amazement of the locals and went directly to the local solicitors office.

The office lady asked “Yes sir can I help?”

I asked for Mr Pike. “He is busy, can I ask what it is about?” I put the box on her counter, opened it and showed the letter. She went white and stammered “Won’t be a moment sir” and walked off into an office door.

An elderly gentleman came out with the lady, “This way sir, please.” and directed me into his office. The girl called someone else to the counter and stayed in the room with us taking notes.

Mr Pike introduced himself and asked “To whom am I speaking to?”

I replied “I am Ian Cox sir.”

“Do you have ID please, this is most important from this point of time.”

I showed my drivers licence, medicare card and bank plastic card. He took these and handed them to the girl, “Please copy for our records, ten copies and return to Mr Cox, June.”

June replied “Yes sir.” and walked out with them. We waited for her to return, she handed back my documents and gave the photocopies to Mr Pike. She sat back down.

“Well Mr Cox,” Mr Pike asked “How did you come to have this box?”

I answered “I won it at the local auction today sir, here is the receipt.” He looked at it and smiled. “How did you open it, I have the original key here locked away.”

“I practice breaking locks with my job, I am a motor mechanic, just qualified and do you know how many people lock their keys in their cars. I took up the hobby of being lock picker to open car doors and later, people front doors. I have never used my skills illegally.” I answered.

He smiled “OK I understand, Now how financial are you, I mean do you have funds or living from week to week from your job?”

I answered “I have some savings but generally live on my income, An apprenticeship wage is not well paid.” and laughed.

He smiled, “That I understand young man. Well lets tell you the story. Mr John Cook was a very respectable man of town and owned a lot of properties, his Grandfather seeing the end of the horse drawn age invested in vehicles to transport good and people around the area and became the first garage with vehicles to bus people around. His son continued the business and he had one son, he continued it as well developing it into the local bus line and local transport. It is the local Cook Transport line that is country wide now. The last Cook, George, was, well lets say ladies were not his choice in life. And as he was the last of his line, he was also a Jokester. He left an old chest of documents with a special three part lock. I was the only person to know what he did and I was not allowed to tell or participate in the challenge. He created that box and it’s locking mechanism and challenge anyone, if they got the box legally and opened it, to the contents of the box. You young man are going to have your eyes opened today. June call in my son and cancel or reassign all of our afternoon appointments, please.”

She walked out and his son Bradley entered and I was introduced to him. He sat down and June came back into the room. Mr Pike looked at me, “Well I am in the stage of offloading my workload due to pending retirement Ian, so. That’s why I have asked my grandson Bradley here, you will need some legal work and our firm will be willing to assist you. Hence Bradley who is closer to your age than I am. Now he is not aware of the Cook files and I will make sure he comes up to speed as soon as possible.” I looked at both of them and Bradley really looked at his grandfather. “June will come with us and take notes. Lets go out for some lunch now, You can leave the box safely here, locked until we return, however first call is the bank. Lets go.”

We walked out of the office and across the road to the bank, he immediately got in to see the manager. He introduced me as the new director and owner of Cook Industries and Cook Investment companies. Mr Semple immediately asked for my identification and I had to sign around twenty forms and gave my home address. This I did under Mr Pike’s eyes. Mr Semple stated “Anytime I can help you sir, do not hesitate to call me.” and handed me a business card with his private numbers. “Not many people have this business card sir.” he stated. I put it in my wallet.

We went across to the local pub and entered a private room for lunch, we gave our orders to the waitress together with drinks. I just had a coke with steak and chips. June had a steak sandwich and the Pike’s a roast meal of the day with a drink.

Mr Pike stated when the food and drinks arrived “Here we get privacy. Now Mr Ian Cox, you are going to become, infact now that you signed the papers, the richest man in the area. You own 80% of Cook Transport shares, 100% Cook Investments, and properties galore around here. Are you still living at home?”

I replied “No a rental unit due in two months.”

Well we will take you to your new home overlooking the town. Hang on.”

He rang Mr Semple and changed my address to the house on the hill, “We better get that organised now. So all mail goes to your new house.”

After this meal I am going to take you for a quick tour of your business and holdings. This pub is on your land and you have a 25% interest in the pub. Just then the registered Publican came in and introduced himself to me. I did know him from servicing his car. He smiled then left us alone.

No bill was presented, we went for a drive and man I did own a lot. He showed me my house and it was big, it employed fifteen people to maintain the house and gardens. I wondered how I was going to pay for them. A worry that I had no concerns with.

Back at Mr Pike office I sign many forms for the transfer of title and shares from Mr Cook to me. Bradley looked after most of it. I opened the locked box again and handed over the share transfer signed in blank and the deed paper. Mr Pike laughed, “That is the missing documents, you know the bus depot and associated land, it’s all yours, you have some very competent managers handling the business at present son. Now I take it you are overwhelm with the information todate?”

I looked at him “A little, no a lot? You mean for opening that box I get everything sir?”

Mr Pike replied smiling “Yes young man, everything, that was Mr Cook’s intent. What we did not expect was 25 years for the event to happen. Bradley clear your calendar for the rest of the week, hand everything to your juniors and be available to help Mr Ian Cox here, he will need a lot of help I feel. Is that suitable to you Mr Cox?”

I replied “Yes, sure, I come in tomorrow and see what I need to do, Is that OK with you Bradley?”

Bradley replied “Yes Ian, I’ll see you in the morning and can I have June to record?”

Mr Pike answered “Yes June same to you, clear your work to assistants. This young man is our number one client now.” I bade farewell after locking up the box and returning to my old car. I drove home to my unit and taking the box inside, which contains the rolls of coin and various keys, no paperwork now, inside I fell onto my bed not realising what occurred to me. I fell asleep in my clothes mentally exhausted.

I woke up at 6am and showered, due to being with suits yesterday and I don’t own any, I dress in smart long trousers, shoes and a clean shirt. I sat down for breakfast, when at 8am a knock at the door. I opened to three gentlemen outside. One asked “Are you Ian Cox sir?”

I answered “Yes, you are?”

He smiled “I am Tom your butler, this is Peter the house general maintenance man and Joe a gardener and general help. He has removal experience.”

I said “Enter please.” They walked in and I asked them to sit on the lounge. The two did but Tom stayed standing. I returned to the dining table and looked at my unfinished breakfast. Tom said “Continue to eat sir whilst I talk.” I did.

“I am yours and the house Butler, house manager, I have been in the role for the last 15 years and employed by the house for all of my life. Peter 20 years and Joe 10 years. We are here today to move your items to your home. What furniture do you own please?”

I replied “None, it came furnished, there is my clothes, tools, food, sheets, blankets etc, I was due to renew in two months. Why?”

Tom continued “We will move your items to the house today sir and finish your rental. There is no fees as you actually own this block of flats now. Peter, Joe you know what to do, can you hand over your keys and I will drive you around today. Joe drive Mr Cox car home please.” I finished my breakfast, cleaned my teeth and walked out with Tom into a Bentley car.

Arriving at the Solicitor’s office Tom entered the business with me and greeted both Mr Pike’s and June. When explained about Bradley taken over, Tom was pleased. This morning Tom drove the three of us around the town again and explained what I did and did not own. It was a lot and I laughed at my rental being included. Tom took us to the Transport- Bus company office and I met two of the three managers. They operate over a 24 hour period so drivers always have a manager on call. It was set up by Mr Cook for the staff safety. The Managers have a 5% stake in the business with the staff superannuation having the other 5%. That’s why I only own 80%. It gave the mangers an incentive to perform and think long term on any decisions.

I was taken back to the solicitors office and a check on paperwork. I went to the bank to check paperwork again as I was not given all forms to sign and we had lunch at the pub again. I was trying hard to get the information in my head in a semblance of order. I left the Pike’s and Tom took me to my home. There I met the staff formally, I did know a few from servicing their cars.

Going into my office I spoke, by phone to my old boss, and he admitted he could not keep me on due to the drop in business. I was ringing him to see if I could resign and he agreed. I used my old laptop and sent him an email stating I was resigning due to a new position that did not conflict with his business. So now I was legally clear to take over my prize.

Tom came in and sat down with me and helped to get what was happening in my mind. He was good and one person I would be keeping on. I asked about the car servicing and he mentioned they just rang one of the three service companies in town and who ever was available. I directed him to put all cars, trucks and farm equipment to Jones Service Centre, My former employer. I was happy to help him out for keeping me on for my apprenticeship and explained my reasons to Tom. He understood and would now direct. He would be getting around 12 extra vehicles to service. The Trucks and Busses did employ separate mechanics.

The next role was Tom took me around the 3 story house, actually mansion, it had 30 bedrooms with bathrooms and shared bathrooms. I asked for a plan of the mansion and they did not have one. I asked Tom to organise one. During the walk I found my tools and other items were placed in a bedroom close to the master bedroom. My clothes were placed in the master bedroom and it was basically bare. Tom had organised for a tailor to call in at 4pm for measurements. I would need a few suits and higher quality clothes. I found the older clothes in a store room from Mr Cook, they were too old fashion but his leather shoes did fit me so they were moved together with socks into my wardrobe. That was a lucky find. I asked Tom to dispose of the other clothes to any staff or charities. He agreed.

At 4pm the Tailor called in and measured me for some suits and trousers, this took an hour and man you needed to just let him handle you. He measured everything.

The dinner call was 7pm and I sat with Tom just going over some items with me. He did handle a lot. He did floor me when I asked “If I need some spending monies how much do I have?”