Chapter 6

Paige and I got to Miss Floit's room before the first class.

The teacher smiled and said, "Hello Jeff, Paige. How are the pair of you doing?"

"Not bad for health but Paige is singing flat again."

Paige retorted but only with a little anger. "I am not — "

She saw the smile and blushed. I said, "I came here to ask you something. Susan is canvassing for a small band to play with her and the other girls when they play 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool'."

"Is that another of your songs?"

"Yes, and it should hit number one or at least the top ten like the rest some day."

"How are they selling? You haven't said much."

"I have had some serious talks with MGM. I would rather not talk about it until everything is finalised. When it is, I'll tell you before it ever goes on the air. I'm a pessimist in some ways and worry that even if they buy it, the song may never be publicly performed."

"All artists are that way until they get a bit more confidence. So what about this band?"

"We tried one and the leader was bent out of shape that I said he wasn't professional quality yet. The only ones that would be, would of necessity, be professionals. I'm looking for a band that will work with the girls and improve as they do. If the band cannot improve enough I'll just have to hire some studio musicians to play with them. The girls have been taking some voice lessons but I would like to get them more involved in the singing. It's not for the money or even for the few songs I make but for themselves. They need to put out their best effort to get ahead."

The teacher said, "I know some groups and I can talk to Susan about them. I can teach voice too though I'm not that good myself. Do you have a copy of your material?"

I was hoping this would happen and handed over three songs including 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool'.

The woman looked at them for a few moments then said, "I haven't looked very close but they look good to me. Maybe all three will be number one hits or very close to it."

Today I was able to use my spare to have lunch with Paige and her friends. We caught up on gossip for the last week and basically had some fun. I told a few jokes that went over well but I didn't monopolise the conversations. When the bell rang to go to class, we all got up and put the garbage away. The girls hurried to class and Paige waved to me.

Moments later, I was knocked to the floor by one of the male students. Instead of apologising, the grade ten student said, "Watch were you're going."

I picked myself up and saw a group of girls giggling. One was Marcy Stevens. She must have found an instrument for her small revenge. She was learning quite well how to manipulate people.

During what would have been my lunch, I tried to study King Lear but I was still angry at the attack. I was not so much angry at the child or at the way Marcy manipulated him to knock me over but because my body now seemed to be influencing me. It wasn't rational and I wasn't one of Spock's people. If I were then I would have reacted more with my intellect. In the end, I had to smile, because it meant that my body was changing.

It was getting cold by the second week in October and the carwash was officially closed until springtime. The contract was for one year and we would at least get a start next year if we were forced to change location.

Miss Floit found three bands and we both interviewed them after school in the music room. Tom Sonski headed the 'North Birds' and the leader played the drums. His brother Karl played bass guitar and a neighbour, Stan Flit, played lead guitar. Jeff Camden played trumpet. They could also play the church organ, piano, accordion, harmonica and recorder. They were better than Tony and his band but not by much. They were not offended though, that they were not thought of as professional.

Miss Floit said, "You boys have a chance to learn some songs that will be very popular. You may even be the ones that bring this material to the world if you practice enough that you sound much more professional.

"Jeff Congdon has written quite a few songs and I think they all will be popular in North America and Europe. He is as talented now as you are but you will surpass him with practice. If you do your work then it's very likely that you will get to cut a record.

"The vocalists are in the same boat. They sound fine but not up to professional standards yet."

The effect of this meddling caused me to walk home by myself. The girls, including Paige, stayed to sing.

Mr Sackman and the producers were extremely happy with the song 'Honey' and sent me back notification that it was worth six thousand dollars after his commission. CanAm Industries Incorporated came into effect just then and the much-needed infusion of the money went to things that had to be done.

The envelope with the songs was now a very valuable company resource. Mr Sackman had some musicians and vocalists perform the songs to various groups and even set up an auction. Twenty-three of the thirty-seven songs sold for a total of $79,324 dollars. None of the family, though, knew of this arrangement.

I passed the English tests for grade ten with scores in the low nineties. My position in grade eleven was justified. I even managed to finish the slacks and blouse. I was pleased when I was told by the teacher that it they were done very well. Inside, I felt pleased with the compliment. Perhaps as a senior citizen, I would feel the same way.

Mr Sackman was interested in 'Jaws' but had not seen the work yet because it was being edited. I suggested the beat that could be on the sound track though I could not remember the song itself.

A small audio tape came in the mail for me with Debbie Reynolds' voice singing 'Downtown'. Her style was not the same as Petula Clark but it was still acceptable.

The girls were very happy for me. Mr Holtzman had sent up a large shipment of tape recorders of every size and shape he could find. Most were damaged but that was fine with me. One that I fixed was able to play the tape and the girls were thrilled because she was singing it for us.

After school that day I stopped at the music room to see the work on the song. The teacher smiled at me and I felt happy but also ready for my joke. I said, "Miss Floit, may I use your tape machine for a minute?"

"Sure Jeff. If you are playing, then play it quietly."

"Thanks."

I wound my tape through the guides then started the end on an empty spool. I played it low then stopped it and rewound a few inches. All the girls knew what the tape was and remained quiet. Their smiles and inattention though must have given it away.

"What is that Jeff?"

"Listen please." I turned on the sound fairly loud and we could hear the distinctive voice and the music in the background. When it came to the end I just rewound it to the start with the mechanical counter and looked at the boys and Miss Floit.

Miss Floit said, "Who was singing that song of yours, Jeff?"

"You're going to have to make at least one guess?"

Her voice came out as if she did not believe what she had heard. "Was that Debbie Reynolds?"

The girls jumped up and down cheering so I guess I didn't have to confirm her guess.

"Did you sell it?"

"Yes, but it's entirely on commission. The more popular it is the more I make. You were the one that helped me most with my songs and I thought it fitting that you hear it first or at least after the girls did. They get real nosey and then demanding when I get a simple package from MGM."

"I understand. Play it again Jeff." Her expression said she did not believe me yet.

The band and the girls worked much harder after the song was played six more times. I had a proven success even if it wasn't substantiated in print or in records available at the music shop. I felt good inside. The people could not discount my ability so easily.

Mr Berger had come back from his trip when expected. He had signed the contracts and secrecy agreements that were written by Mr Holtzman or one of the attorney's working for him. I had done some rethinking and felt it better to hold off on a long sabbatical in Toronto. I liked where I was now and I would have to learn to keep near the family for both our sakes.

PET was a new material but not so new that it was unheard of. Many products were made of the raw material and Mr Berger bought some for me and then got all the data sheets he could find on it.

I had done very little with the tape recorders or with the cassette patent. I was busy with a great many other jobs. In fact, nothing was done experimentally in electronics or chemistry as I spent my time studying.

My body was starting to respond to the exercise. I was not out of breath so fast and I was not as far back when the first student finished the race. I was still last but not as bad as before.

CanAm Industries Inc was going to provide funds for my projects. Some may be at the University of Toronto if they and Mr Berger were agreeable. Alternate labs would also do the work but I would have far less control over the technology leaking out.

I had missed the chance to have the long weekend in Toronto with the Thanksgiving holiday but stayed with family instead. It was nice to just have a terrific meal and invite friends over. Paige and I did up the turkey and fixings at our house. We cooked a large bird too, so there would be enough for everyone.

Nora and Jack were told to sit back while we used their oven for the pastries. We used a trick I knew of in later years. A large pumpkin was quartered and cleaned then just put into the oven facing up. The flesh was cooked until soft and then it could be scooped from the shell with a dull spoon. This went into a large number of pies after it was cooked.

We ran ourselves ragged while the others cleaned the house and got prepared other the meal. We were in charge of food. Jack went for wine for the toasts. Paige showed me how to make good piecrust but Nora and Jane stayed close and oversaw the production; they had little to straighten us out on. I had to roll some girls to bed that night but I was just as bad. My stomach hurt but I felt good to be with those I loved.

The next Friday night though I was back on the bus to Toronto. This time I got off earlier and found a familiar man and car waiting for me. John and Corinne invited me in for breakfast and I felt like I was home again, but just a different home.

While we sat to eat, John said, "I sold the song you gave me through Mr Sackman. MGM didn't want it but Bobby Vinton did. We expect to see it coming out in the next four to six months."

"That's great. He should do great but as I said, I don't know how high it will go in the charts."

John said, "Yes, I'm told there are a lot of high quality songs ready to go on the market soon."

"Yes, I heard that rumour too." I felt like an old fool because I had to smile. "Tell me if there is anything new with the projects I left."

"The smoke alarm has been improved quite a bit but we still need about the same amount of Americium oxide. Our application for the release of the radioactive element will take a long time. A lot of physicists were hired to make reports and they have to send in their findings with our application. The university bought some additional material for us but it has to stay on the university grounds until the clearance is given for its release.

"The silver halide and silver chloride were a little difficult to dissolve into liquid glass as you know but we found a way to kept the air away from it and it now works.

"Mr Berger found three additional methods that will allow the silver compounds to enter plastic lenses. That brings the total now to thirteen. We have enough information now to patent these two processes."

There was a pause and he asked, "How are your projects coming Jeff?"

"Cramming for the real world chemistry exam is the best I can describe it. Mr Berger obtained enough polyethylene terephthalate from Dow to begin testing my ideas. I'm concerned with industrial espionage though. Dow may not be crass enough to send an investigator but may ask questions over the phone that will lead them to the answer much quicker than we can do it. Their power, like ours, will be in the patents and the courts."

John said, "Mr Berger was informed of this and agrees that more security is needed. He has three former students that could do most of the work for you at a remote location. He even located a small glass-bottling machine that might be altered to suit this plastic of yours. What did you want those rolls of Mylar film for?"

"Well, magnetic tape uses an acetate base. Mylar is much stronger, more flexible, dimensionally stable and thinner for a given strength. This relates to more linear feet of tape on a given roll.

"Mylar, Dacron, Terylene, Nylon and many others are just different forms of polyethylene terephthalate. The binders use in this plastic can be used to bond the magnetic material to the base.

"I checked for the magnetic properties of many compounds and want to try some on the various thicknesses of Mylar. When I get enough samples, I can then see how much I can get on one of my cassettes. This should be worth a few patents too. The rights can be sold to Phillips but as I mentioned before, I would rather sell to Japan for a piece of their corporations.

"The portable tape machine will be the same way when it gets built. I have quite a few patents to prepare for that. One is a new circuit to reduce the hiss I mentioned before. I want to make new heads which will allow a greater density of information on the tape."

John said, "So you are telling me, Jeff, that you only have one new invention and that is the tape itself?" He smiled at me and added, "You're slacking off."

Corinne was watching us intently and I said, "Well not exactly. Instead of making million dollar ideas I made something else.

I opened my suitcase and took out a wrapped bundle of clothes and handed it to Corinne. I looked at the girl and said, "This is for you Sweetie. I made it myself with my two hands. There were a lot of ladies looking over my shoulder though but I did it all."

She ripped the paper off then ripped open the thin cardboard box. She pulled out the dark slacks and the pink blouse and laughed as she showed them to her Grampy. She ran around and gave me a kiss after I bent over and she began to take her pyjamas off right away. In a minute the new clothes were on and she ran to the mirror in the other room to see what she looked like.

"That was a nice present Jeff. I knew it was clothes when I had to give all those dimensions. You could have been working on your projects instead of doing this."

I said, "Family is important too. I go to school to be with people my own age even though they are not my age mentally. I needed to make something in Home Ec and I picked this. Since it was for Corinne I made it better, learned more, and felt a lot more satisfaction. It was not because I wanted a high mark."

Mr Holtzman said, "You shame me Jeff. I spend much too much time on my work instead of being with Cori as I need to be."

"Mr Holtzman, you already had a daughter, Corinne's mother. You raised her well."

Corinne came running into us and I stopped to see the girl.

"I'm beautiful."

"You certainly are. Now show your Grampy."

She stood proudly in front of her grandfather. He hummed and hawed then said, "You're right Cori. You are beautiful."

When next I called my host 'Mr Holtzman', he said, "Jeff, please call me John. We are business partners and family through Cori. You think more on my level than many of the young attorneys at our firm."

"Thank you, John. I'll try to temper that request with the company we have. Though Grampy sound good with just us."

He smiled then laughed and patted me on the back as he brought out a handkerchief to wipe the tears brought by laughing from his eyes.

John and I talked about what I needed in order to complete all my work that had been started. I said, "The experiment in the Mylar film requires it to be accurately cut to a quarter inch. That is not a hard job but the coatings have to be bonded to the film first. I am afraid I cannot do all this.

"I need someone to oversee the bottle manufacturing. Perhaps one of the three men he found can do that but I'm not sure. I've not spoken to any of them.

"When that project is patented it can be sold. There are too many ways a chemical company can changes prices to kill my business. The other project that I never talked much about is fibre optics. This is where glass fibres are used to conduct various types of light.

"The laser that I want to make will allow the beam to go for a great distance but it will suffer some attenuation. LEDs exist now. They're just a crack in a semiconductor that emits light. I think a similar device could be made to emit laser light. The second type is necessary for my multi million-dollar communications company.

"My lasers will prove a theory but will not be suitable for carrying a great many telephone calls."

John sat with his hand cradling his chin. "So you need some people in the semiconductor field to work for you and produce the two devices. How much can you do? I'm referring to the number of man hours needed by others to complete these devices?"

I said, "There are very few people in this field to begin with. Most are physicists and not engineers. With a dozen inspired people it may reach patent stage in a year. There are just too many companies with a lot of money and clout. They'll keep the people they have."

The next part had to be backed up so I said, "The corporation made close to $90,000. I may have flooded the music market but I should be able to sell a few dozen songs per year. If I'm known for good work then my price may go up. That still relates to $50,000, and not enough to support that number of men when equipment and supplies are factored in. My novels and movies may fill the gap although some I would like to produce myself. A few may get to be as profitable as 'Gone With The Wind'."

"Really! That was an all time high. What do you think you can get for the novel, 'Jaws'?"

"A best seller can go for up to fifty thousand I'm told. 'Jaws' could do that well but it probably won't. A lot of advertising though can push any book, song or movie to astonishing heights."

"I think you are aiming high but I'm not an expert."

I smiled at him and said, "As my agent you still get ten percent. It's up to you to ensure that I get the best deal. Five thousand is not bad but maybe not what you are used to getting."

John now laughed then said, "Five thousand is a lot of money to me too. I can't pick up that amount easily. Let me see what I can do. What about your other book? Can that be sold as a novel?"

"It too needs advertising. The best way's to have a movie made then the world knows the premise of the book. The movie itself may be impossible without a very expensive inventory of props and special effects."

"What's a special effect?"

"That's where you doctor the film of a movie. You take an aircraft and then splice a new portion in where an explosive device is detonated. The viewers think that an expensive plane has been destroyed with either the good or the bad guys in it. In my case, I can make a plastic cart with wheels and pull it across the ground. It is viewed from an elevated position but the wheels are still seen. The film is smudged just under the cart with the eraser from a pencil and it looks like a field of energy is supporting the vehicle."