Chapter 12

Wednesday I saw more of the proud looking girls. Their backs were straight and they walked with graceful steps. If the queen had come, she could walk no better. Some nodded their heads at me as if signalling that I was at least partially acceptable.

When I got into Home Ec, Janice came to me quickly before the class started. I thought she was going to ask about a suitable boy but she said, "Jeff are you going to give us a talk too."

Mrs Cameron came in right behind her and interrupted, "Class, we will be doing some cooking today." I heard a few groans and the teacher looked at me and smiled.

When the teacher had a chance, she said, "I want to go over your talk with the executive board."

"The executive board of a soon to be made political party?"

"Something like that. Nothing political but we want some things stressed more."

"That's agreeable but I'm telling you that politics will creep in no matter what we do."

"I think so too but I will be on the look out for bias."

My English class was at the grade eleven level. The girls in the class were not acting the same as those in twelve and thirteen but they were doing something very similar. I happen to like a proud woman but they had to have some substance to them. When they were proud, they could get back up after being knocked down. I think that very few of these girls had this quality.

As the day progressed, I began to notice a change in the males. They looked perplexed for the most part but I heard an argument between boy and girlfriend. This may not be that unusual but I had not noticed any before.

At lunch I ate quickly and headed to the pay phones. I had to wait a few minutes until one was free then I called one of the local real estate agencies.

"Hello this is Jeff Congdon. I'm looking to rent or lease an industrial property in the city."

"Hold on a moment. I will see if an agent is available."

A quick talking man got on. "James Cochrane here. How may I help you?"

"The name is Jeff Congdon. I'm looking for a small industrial plant that I can rent or lease. My electronics company has some growing pains."

"You sound like a kid."

"You sound like an agent that just lost a customer. Put me back to the switchboard or I will find another company that will deal with a 'kid."

"Hey, hold on. Don't take offence. You just sound like a kid."

"I am twelve-years-old. Now old geezer are you going to transfer my call or do I hang up?"

"You that kid in the newspapers?"

I hung up the phone then put another dime into the phone and called the same company back. There were not that many agents in a city the size of North Bay.

"North Gate Realty."

"Hello again. Will you give me an agent that does not have the name James Cochrane?"

"There is no other here Sir."

"Do you have another agent working for your company?"

"We are a growing company Sir. At the moment the only one available is Mr Cochrane."

"Does another agent work for your company?"

"Sir we are the fastest growing real estate company in the city."

"One last time. Answer or I hang up."

"No Sir. Mr Cochrane is the only one." That made him the probable owner too. Chances were that the woman was his wife or girlfriend but she could be just an employee. She did sound worried though. That could be from many reasons.

"Put the fool on. One more chance is all he gets."

"Yes Sir."

"I'm sorry Mr Congdon. I had no idea who you were."

"It didn't matter who I am. You think a twelve-year-old is somebody to shit on."

"Oh, no Sir. I don't."

"I don't believe you. Now do you have some industrial buildings? I don't need that much area but I want a good floor and enough power. I may buy it later."

"Hold on a moment please and I will look in our catalogue."

In a moment he said, "We have one nice property on Willmott. Good floor and all the power you could use."

"The one at Front Street?"

"Ah, yes Sir."

"It's a barn. It may have the floor but I have to heat it."

"We have another on Morrison. It is quite large but a portion can be sectioned off so the heating is more reasonable."

"What business had this building before?"

"Pointer Furniture."

"Yes, it's big. Anything else?"

"A building once the home of Booth Paint is for sale. It had a fire and was partially destroyed. The owner will sell at a reasonable price."

I read about this in the local paper though I had not seen the building in forty years. "Has the fire department condemned the building?"

"The building is in good shape Sir apart from the back section."

"You have just one more chance. You work for the seller but I asked a specific question."

"Yes Sir. It has. He has to tear it down in a month."

"Do you have an idea what the cost of demolition will be?"

"Ah — yes Sir."

"Tell me."

"From eight to twelve thousand dollars."

"What is the owner asking for it now?"

"The list price is only forty three thousand dollars."

"Did the company just sell paint or make the paint on this location."

"Just sold, I think. They just had a warehouse. May I ask why you ask?"

"If they made the paint or mixed large quantities they would have some raw materials to dump. The logical and cheapest place is on the property. If the land is contaminated then it may cost more than the price of the property to clean it up."

"You can just use a front end loader and take any of the soil to the dump if you want."

He was right but any environmentalist would cringe at the thoughts of doing this.

"Are you free to drive me from James Morris High at three thirty to the property, allow me at least a half hour to view it then drive me home?"

"I can do that if you're interested."

"Sir, why would I spend my time viewing properties I was not interested in?"

"I will be there at the right time. How will you know my car?"

"You will have a ribbon tied to the antenna. I will find you Mr Cochrane."

During Gym, Sam hurried to me. "What did you do in Home Ec? There are rumours all over the school. Some say that you hurt Mrs Warren and others said you took her to your house. Are you — doing something with her. She's old."

I had to chuckle. Some of the women in my previous life were older than Mrs Warren but I was older still and I enjoyed their company in bed. "I don't have what it takes I'm afraid, Sam. Too young and not suave like you. By the way, how are you and Gloria doing? Did the movie turn out right?"

He looked around then got close to my ear. "We kissed."

I opened my eyes wide in mock surprise. "You didn't?"

"Yep. Two times."

I whispered back, "You're a regular Don Juan."

"Ah Jeff, do you know anybody for Ian? He is kinda shy too."

Ian was overweight but was taller and usually third last in races. He had an acne problem but was still a nice guy. "Maybe. Got to have a talk to him but we have to hurry."

We were the last to the gym but that was nothing new. We got the privilege of doing ten pushups because of this. I did my ten with difficulty and did five more.

Mr Renzo said, "You trying to be smart Congdon?"

I was out of breath but I said, "I'm weak and slow. I exercise at home and here. I was trying to get a bit more in, as long as it didn't kill me. Next time I will do only twelve and build up slower. One day I am going to surprise you and not come in last."

"You have the ambition. That won't surprise me at all."

I stopped by at music and found the room empty. It looked liked the girls had hurried home to talk politics. I thought of my self as Mary Shelley. She was the woman who wrote Frankenstein. Maybe the monster would be peaceable or die a slow death. I would rather it lived but lived smart and not emotionally.

A few people stopped me but I made a quick exit from the school without being more than three minutes late.

Mr Cochrane's car was easy to find. I came up from the front and waved to him. The man was tall and quite thin and looked to be approaching forty. Small things caught my eye. His car and clothing was were clean but well worn. He looked to be working hard to make a good impression.

I put out my hand and said, "Glad to meet you Mr Cochrane."

He was not used to treating someone my age as an equal or as an adult. "Glad to meet you too Mr Congdon. Won't you get in? We can be at the property in a few minutes."

The inside of the car was clean but very worn. I could feel loose metal plates on the floor under the mat, probably to cover some holes to keep out the elements.

"How long have you been into real estate, Mr Cochrane?"

"About three years so far. It is not an easy nut to crack if you are thinking of getting into the business."

"No, I'm the one to buy and sell. Merchandising will be where I make my money but that's a while off yet."

"What are you going to sell?"

"I have a plan for five major companies. They sell everything you basically need but each has a little overlap. I plan on working this as a group. I move into an area and put up all five businesses. Each is larger than anything you have ever seen before. I pave the area around and customers find easy parking and good prices. If they need something else the right place is close by.

"You going to put up one of those places here?"

"Toronto and other large cities first. It's too small now to make a group here economical. When the city grows and the area around it, I'll have smaller versions of my businesses."

"Oddly enough I actually believe you'll try."

"That is better than I thought too. I see you as still having difficulty dealing with a person my age. In your case, time will tell if I make something of myself or I don't. What did you do before becoming a realtor if I may ask?"

"I was in the military, then tried my hand at car sales. This led to an assistant manager's job but I didn't like the job, especially when I had to be a hypocrite to do it properly."

That says something for you, Mr Cochrane. Not everybody thinks that way."

We pulled up to a fairly modern building. It was two stories and looked to have offices above. It had three trunk ramps but no metal docks. The outside of the property had a six-foot chain link fence topped by three strands of barbed wire. Some of the wire was missing or shifted so people could climb over.

When Cochrane unlocked the gate, it would not open far. There was mud still on the ground which we avoided. There was no asphalt so we had to steer clear of the mud. The front door was glass; it was locked and blackened by smoke. When it was opened, I could see straight through the building and see other businesses in the background. The locked door served no purpose.

There was a lot of metal racking inside but it was burnt and some twisted. Paint cans were all over and the contents sometimes covering the floor. The walls were heavily water damaged. The burnt remnants of a lift truck squatted in the centre of the floor. It was used at one time, to move merchandise to the top of the high racks.

Paint had flowed into the sewer and it may now be plugged. The back portion suffered the most damage. The floor above this area was gone and I could see the steel trusses.

We searched out for the transformer vault and it appeared to be undamaged. The boiler for the heat appeared the same way but it was in a pool of water from a stopped up drain.

"What was on the second floor Mr Cochrane?"

"That were offices mostly, but there was a very large apartment. That was not damaged much except for the smoke."

"What is vacant land around here worth?"

"Industrial land goes for around three thousand to four thousand dollars an acre."

"How many acres here?"

"Slightly more than six and a half."

"Was the building and contents insured?"

"Yes it was. Mr Watson made a lot of money but I'm not sure. It's just a rumour."

"The man wants forty three thousand dollars for a building that has to be torn down at a cost of eight to twelve thousand. The land you say is worth roughly twenty three thousand on average. Why is he wanting roughly fifty three thousand dollars for some property worth less than half that?"

"Ah — it is his property and he sets the price. Between you and me, I would not pay that much."

"How accurate are the demolition figures? Has a company come and priced the job?"

"Mr Watson gave me the figures."

"Do I have permission to have some experts look at the building?"

"Mr Watson said anybody could see it anytime as long as he was not bothered except by an offer."

"I'm interested in purchasing instead of renting. Please get a form signed by Mr Watson that allows me and my representatives on the property."

"I already said you could come here."

"What proof is there? Get me the form. Make sure it allows me at least a month and then any and all of my representatives."

"I'll do that."

"Now who do you know in demolition?"

"I only know small time construction companies. They are hurting now and you can get a good price."

"Mr Cochrane, call some companies for me. If I purchase this place you will earn your commission."

"What do you want me to ask?"

"I want written and signed quotes to demolish the building and taking away any and all materials including the paint cans. I want another quote to remove the back half of the building and then reframe the open section. Again all debris has to be removed. Tell them to check the trusses and roof for damage. The sewers are plugged with paint. I need a price on clearing it. The walls need work so I need not only carpenters but also electricians and plumbers to check this out. I need the place warm in the winter and able to shelter my belongings."

I continued, "I may buy this place and I'm asking for a lot of work that may not pan out for the contractors. I want you to know that I have more than enough money to buy this property in cash. The contractors will give temporary verbal quotes to you. All written quotes go to me and I want to see them signed in front of witnesses."

"It does sound like you want to buy this place. Where did a kid like you get the money? A reward?"

"Mr Cochrane, you are an intrusive and obnoxious man. You have the social niceties of a dead fish rotting on the beach. Right now I feel like walking away and going to a competitor to see what they have to offer."

"I didn't mean anything by it."

"A reward would be nice but the fact is, I got nothing except some help to clear my name. You had no right to voice that statement. I doubt very much if you would have asked an adult that question."

I was driven home in silence. I did give my thanks for the lift.

The house had visitors again so I did what any sane man would do and hid. There was a television and some work on the mechanical aspects or the tape recorder to keep me busy.

There were some papers to deal with and I went through them carefully. Some concerned patents but the rest were contracts for my songs. The wording was the same as the others and I just signed them then got Jane to do the same.

Jane had not read any of the documents but she did know that I was selling the songs. "How much are you getting Jeff?"

"It varies, but all are over four thousand dollars. Some may go as high as eight or possibly more."

"Why can't I tell the girls? They get excited when you get ahead."

"I don't want to give the girls the wrong idea. I'm making a lot of money but spending a lot too. They'll also have the urge to tell all their friends what I am doing. One song is enough to let them know I can write songs. Many songs mean a lot of money. I don't want hassles with people about money. It'll come but I want to hold it off as long as possible."

I kissed her now then said, "You, I trust just because of the way you are. Your man is important to you and you protect him."

She started to choke up a bit and I could see she was near tears. "I will always be yours."

"Yes, you will but it's possible to find somebody else that can make you happy too. You can serve both of us."

"I only need you Jeff."

"But I want you happy when I'm not here."

I made a long list of things I needed for the laser. Though the carbon dioxide gas laser would make less money its discovery would happen sooner than the audiocassette. YAG crystals containing a small amount of neodymium. They were used in another lasing medium in solid-state lasers. These were simple to make, though I had never done so. Yttrium, aluminum, and garnet were the three words that made up the term YAG. All it took was a molten bath of these materials and a mechanical process for dipping a crystal in the bath and rotate it while extracting it. Eventually a large crystal could be made.

Neodymium could be added to glass and made into a laser medium as well. Flash lamps had to be made to power the last two lasers.

The first two types of laser were used in cutting and I could kill two birds with one stone by using the laser to make the tape recorder chassis and some of the parts.

The list was finally done but I knew that I didn't have everything I needed. The glass needed to be cut and fused back together and all I had ever done was make some simple projects with some tubing. I needed someone to do this for me.

A person making neon signs could possibly do the glasswork. The university had skilled workers that could do some for me before shipment. I wanted Mr Berger to get my order.

The professor could possibly assemble the purified materials I needed for the other lasers if I was going to make them. Other commodities I could probably procure locally. One such example would be the ham transmitter to fire the chemical in the gas laser to capture all the free oxygen while the other was to cook off all the gases from the neon sign electrodes.

I was going to go for power right off the bat. Carbon dioxide had to return to the ground state before it could be re-excited. The other gases helped this happen but it was slow. Laser cutting machines used a continuous flow of new gases from cylinders. A high vacuum pump was necessary to keep the pressure very low. With this fast turnaround time, much more power could be generated.

I sent the papers and the shopping list off that night. Getting a bank loan would be too difficult without some heavy backing. Jane could not do this and if I used John, he would be basically co-signing.

The notification of more songs being sold would allow me to put some money toward making what I needed. The building, though, would have to be mortgaged. I did have the money to buy some properties outright but then I would have nothing left for my projects.

The school was changing. The girls walked around much more authoritative but this all came at the boys' expense. I was stopped in the halls and asked what I had done. It was not just the students, but the female teachers acted similarly.

The male teachers were more insistent that I tell them what I knew but I still directed them to the women for answers. They had no doubt already asked and didn't get satisfactory answers.

When I had English, I asked some questions on grammar that had to do with what we were now taking but could help me too. Clark, the largest guy in the room glowered at me when I asked. He was not a great student so I couldn't see why this question bothered him. I wasn't taking away anything from what he was striving to learn. The other possibility was that he just didn't like me now. He hadn't before either but I was at least tolerated.

When Sharon, a very popular girl asked for further clarification on my question the looks on Clark's face got worse. When the class ended I was pushed out of the way. I was not sure who pushed me but this was not the usual rush to get away.

Ian Haig, the student Sam said could use a hand found me in the hall going to class. "Hey, Jeff. Got a sec?"

"Sure Ian. What would you like?"

"Sam — ah said — that you — might — be able to help me." The last came out in a rush in case he was going to hesitate again.

"If you have time after school then walk with me to my home. I would stay and chat here but I'm very busy."

"Ah — where?"

"Across the street from the front of the school."

"Ok, thanks."

This would be another monumental task. Ian had a low self-esteem, probably a result of him being overweight. His skin was a mess and both his social skills and habits needed an improvement. He was much worse than Sam had been but I did promise Janice that I would help. I guess I was helping Ian too but he might not think so at first.

Miss Floit asked toward the end of the music class, "What is this thing you have done Jeff? The school is acting strange."

"It is something I may have started. My sisters took it over and it blossomed. I'm very willing to bet you were asked to go to some meetings to discuss various issues."

It took a while but she did say, "Well — yes I was. They weren't the kind of thing I felt I should go to."

"Miss Floit, you're a woman and as such you should at least go and see what's being said. I'm not involved now except when I make a meal or take care of the children. The women are striving to make some changes in our society. Some people are comfortable where they are and want no change. Others have a vested interest in keeping the status quo. Though, I doubt, if you are in the last group, you should go and see what everything is about. You'll know much more about what's happening. I'm usually trying to stay out of the way."

"What kind of changes do they want?"

"It was only fifty years ago that the women had no vote at all. Women did what they were told and society still advanced. I don't think this is enough. The Suffragettes came out and got the women the vote. This was only one step in gender equality. More has to be done. If you think this should happen a certain way or only a certain amount then you should go and voice your opinion. Hotheads need to be curbed and a reasonable path followed. The ones opposed to quick change have to have their say too. I suggest you talk again to those that spoke to you before. If nothing else, it's fun and you're with friends."

"I don't think those are the type of friends I want, Jeff."

"If they were your friends before they are your friends now."

"Not when they are acting crazy."

"I hope that in time you'll see that you can still have a different point of view and still be friends. We are disagreeing and I don't think any the worse of you."

Marcy Stevens bumped into me outside music. I wasn't sure if it was planned or not but I did look around for an attack. She laughed at this and said, "Are you and your girlfriend having a squabble? I haven't seen her around you for quite a while."

"You seem to be very inquisitive. What makes you think I want to give you any information? You would try to twist it in such a way as to hurt me?"

"I was always your friend Jeff."

"Friends like you I don't need. You promised your playmates some very special favours so they will play with me. Are you going to pay up or is it all a big lie?"

Marcy now was getting angry, "I never promised anything."

"A male does not do something without an idea that he'll get paid. If you didn't promise then I think you better tell your playmate that he was mistaken."

Before I said too much, I smiled and left. Maybe the word would get out that Marcy was not one to pay her debts and thus not worthy of being given any credit.

Ian was waiting when I got out of school. "Hi Jeff. How are you doing?"

"Not too bad. You asked earlier if I could give you a few pointers. Do you still want the help?"

"Sure, I kinda' need it."

We started walking and I said, "I have to know how far to go. Small things I can mention then it is up to you to continue or I can be something like a trainer for a boxer. You have to be around more and you have to do a great many things you don't like."

"Like what?"

"You have to exercise more to get in shape and your diet has to be changed to make you into a lean, mean fighting machine. Your opponents are going to get knocked over."

"I don't want to fight Jeff."

"I was referring about getting you in shape to take on the ladies."

"Oh."

We were silent for a moment then Ian said, "What more can we do?"

"We can start by making a list of what some successful guys are like. Then we see which of them you can copy to better your chances. We can start with a nice haircut and a winning smile. What else would you add?"

"I guess some new clothes."

"Clothes are a good choice but they only have to be neat and clean. What else do you have?"

By the time we were half way home we went over the major points then talked about particular girls and their qualities. In the last block I shot those superficial attributes down as best I could. "You want a girl that's not ugly but is able to keep up her end of a conversation and has some class. This is not from the way she looks but the way she acts. Does she talk behind your back too shoot you down or to boost you up? While we are at it, are you going to run around and tell all your friends how far you got? You know that as soon as the girl hears of this, you'll not get another date with her and she'll tell all her friends."

"I wouldn't do that Jeff."

"You can't say that. You're not in that situation. Wait until you get something worth crowing about and you'll just have to tell your best friend. You have to show him that you're successful. That's usually the end of your success. Like they said during the war, 'Loose lips, sink ships'. In your case it will be a friendship or possibly something much more valuable."

Some girls were already in the house. One was Sylvia who came over to see me. "Hi Jeff, how are you doing?"

"Just fine Silvia. I would like to introduce Ian Haig. We are going to work together for a while."

She didn't seem interested so I quickly said, "Ian this is Sylvia. She is one of the pretty songbirds that comes to the house on occasion."

Ian at least was able to get out, "Hi."

Sylvia ignored him and asked me, "Did you manage to get a song for me?"

"Hold on a minute please." I sat Ian down and introduced him to Jane and she offered him a drink. I said, "I will be back in a moment Ian. I have something to tell Sylvia."

"Sure."

Sylvia got on her coat and walked outside with me. Before I got to the end of the walk she said, "What do you have?"

"Actually I have a problem with you Silvia."

"What?"

"Manners are the rules to follow if you want to fit into our society. I learned some when young and learned more after. Ian is a human being and deserves a minimum amount of courtesy."

"I'm sorry, I was just thinking of the song."

"When you're excited you have to watch even more. In the next hour I want you to go up to Ian and have a two minute chat to be sociable as you would if you went to a party."

"He's — fat."

"So were you when you were born and you were ugly too. You changed though and so could Ian."

"I was never ugly," she said haughtily.

"Do you want to talk to your parents and some doctors? Babies are all blue and misshapen and slimy when born. Are you telling me you came from the stork?"

"No, but — nobody ever called me ugly."

"I was ugly too when I was born. It is a minor fact of life. Another fact of life is that we make deals. You be nice to Ian for the remainder of the time you're in school. I don't mean boyfriend nice just be the nice and caring person which you don't seem to be and I will get a song or songs for you to try. If you're good enough in any one of them I'll see if we can cut a record."

"Oh, Jeff, I can do that."

"Remember, be a real lady not a large child. You get a chance at some songs but no promise to make a record unless you're good enough."

She didn't like my choice of words but said seriously, "Ok."

When we got in Jane was holding the phone. "Your agent in — California."

"Thanks Jane."

"Hello Mr Sackman. How are you this day? We are in for some snow soon and I bet you just want to have fun in it with us."

He laughed and said, "I've seen snow a few times and even drove in it. It is not something I like. I wanted to tell you that I sent over the songs to Sam Johnson and he loves them. Of course he didn't want to say that, but I could hear it in his voice."

"What did he offer to you for the songs?"

"Twelve for the four."

"Why is he coming in so low?"

"Bargaining position I guess. He usually does this and doesn't budge."

"Will you tell him I want thirty two for all four and he has a week to reply. Tell him you have some others interested if you can say that."

"Oh, I can. I have people all the time looking for new material. I don't think Sam is going to budge on his figure much."