Third Time Is a Charm Page 14

  “The story will be set immediately before the American Revolution to avoid that whole complex mess between Indians, British, and Americans.”

  “In the opening scene Oliver will be snatched. It will be part of a montage of violence by the Indians and settlers. It will be a mixture not favoring one side or the other. Whatever started it is long forgotten, we want to set a tone of hatred with no chance of reconciliation.”

  “There will be scenes set in England and France where decisions are made by their governments with no considerations of the realities of living there. It will show their elites acting to enrich themselves with no thought for the cost in lives.”

  “At the same time we will work in that the Indian Tribes treat each other exactly the same way.”

  “On the local level we will bring out the Indians and Settlers completely different understanding of land ownership.”

  “Simon Kenton will be a very good guy who helps Spencer’s dad using his contact with Simon Girty to find the boy.”

  “Once found, Oliver’s dad who is a widower for several years meets the Indian widow who adopted Oliver. It turns out she herself is really a white woman who was kidnapped at a young age, but not before she received a basic education. This is our romantic interest.”

  “Throughout the film we will have instances where progress seems to be being made for peace between the Indians and the local Settlers but it keeps getting disrupted by the man called Death Wind by the Indians.”

  “Death Wind will be a murderous psychopath, but at the same time one heck’va fighter. We will show him loading a muzzle loader at a sprint among other things.”

  “There will also be a very personable young man by the name of Lew who will be shown playing the fiddle at gatherings. He will be very popular. Not until the very end of the movie will we show Death Wind being chased and escaping that it is Lew Wetzel the fiddle player.”

  “The movie will end with Oliver, his Indian mother and real father going back east to live. At the same time we will show the killings and burnings continuing on both sides. This will include Simon Kenton running the half mile gauntlet and being saved from burning at the stake by Simon Girty.”

  “In the after credits we will give a two sentence crawl about the major characters. For example how Girty changed sides and is known as a renegade and died in bed of old age.

  Or Wetzel ended up in New Orleans as a counterfeiter, died in bed and that the Shawnee really do put charms on his grave to keep him there.”

  “Oliver Spencer settled in Ohio as an adult and ended up a friend and supporter of the Shawnee around Wapakoneta, Ohio.”

  “Last is Simon Kenton who saved Daniel Boone, scouted for George Rogers Clark, and fought at Fallen Timbers with Mad Anthony Wayne where Tecumseh was defeated which ended the warfare and opened the Northwest Territory for the new United States of America.”

  “Wow that sounds ambitious.”

  “There will be a lot of scenes without dialogue and scenes with dialogue on the outside which will be in the forest so the set costs will be low.”

  “Have you given any thought to the actors?”

  “Only two so far have jumped out at us. We think Sharon Bronson as the Shawnee widow and the actor who will play Death Wind.”

  “Who is that?”

  “Why you of course.”

  “First why me, and second I don’t have time to do a movie next year.”

  “You are the perfect person for this role. You have such a clean cut image that no one would suspect you until the big reveal.”

  Second it would only take you a couple of days in front of the camera. We would use stunt people for the Death Wind scenes except when we see your face at the end. The shots of you playing the fiddle and being social could be done in several days. You will have no dialog.”

  “We talked to Mr. Monroe and he is very enthusiastic about it.”

  I’m learning that there are some battles that you cannot win. You are better off not even fighting. Or take the fight to another front.

  This was one of them.

  “Okay I will consider it, please call my agent Mr. Baxter who thinks he’s retired and make him aware you are railroading me into a movie and forcing him to work.”

  Actually I was just putting the needle in since Mr. Baxter was winding his business down with the intention of calling it quits at the end of the year. I would call him today and let him know to play hardball with these guys. This battle would be on another front.

  Mr. James held out his hand.

  “I see you brought those books you promised may I see them.”

  “Yes, sign for them here.”

  I don’t know why I thought of it this morning but I typed up a letter with a brief loan agreement. No charge but the books must be returned when the movie is released or the project dropped.

  There would be one hundred dollars per book if not returned. I figured they could be replaced for a lot less. Mr. James would be personally responsible. He frowned as he read it, but had no excuse not to sign.

  “Thanks, I need to get going if you don’t have anything else.”

  “Not at this time, we are flying Chief Redfoot out next week and you may want to sit in on that.”

  “I would like that very much, let me know when.”

  “We will give you a call and thanks for giving in so easy on the movie. Mr. Monroe told us it would be a hard sale.”

  They ain’t seen nothing yet as the saying goes.

  I called Mr. Baxter as soon as I got home. I explained what was going on.

  “What do you want out of this Rick?”

  “I want to own the movie. They used Mr. Monroe’s name to put me in a corner. I want to repay the favor. They asked for me, they will get me. The cost will be the major profits from the movie.”

  “Let them explain it to Mr. Monroe. I’m willing to bet they have sold this so hard to Mr. Monroe that they will not want to back down.”

  “At the same time he knows he was used so will not feel kindly to them while feeling an obligation to keep his end of the deal. I have learned that people will try to use me. It is not going to happen as easily as they think.”

  “So how much should we ask for?”

  “Scale for the part.”

  “That’s all?”

  “And thirty points for the movie idea and consulting.”

  “As your mother would say you are becoming a right bastard.”

  “Mum doesn’t talk like that.”

  I was conveniently forgetting her comments about the Chinese.

  “Maybe not around you kids.”

  Things we don’t know about our parents.

  “Anyway that is what I want.”

  “This will be fun and a good way to go out.”

  Since it was almost lunch time I ate at home. After that I went to LAX and teamed up with another instructor since Hank Smith wasn’t available and spent four hours touring the air and doing touch and goes.

  The instructor was as bad as Mr. Smith as he kept throwing emergencies at me. Somehow I kept my cool and didn’t crash us. Unlike the simulator this would really be a bad thing.

  After dinner I took another shower, put on some comfy clothes and hit the textbooks. I don’t know if I would remember anything I read as my morning with the movie people kept going around in my head.

  Try to help someone for free and they want more

  Chapter 27

  I had a good run to start the day. My weight lifting was now in a maintenance mode. I wasn’t looking to be Charles Atlas or Johnny Weissmuller.

  At breakfast Mary had a pathetic looking kitten in her lap. Mittens now had mittens or rather bandages as she had been declawed. I guess she was the official Jackson House cat. That gave me a thought for later.

  I washed and waxed the T-Bird as it had been a while and was looking a little worse for the wear. That didn’t take very long and I made my 10:00 tee time easily.

  John Jacobs was my caddie today
and we had a nice casual round with just the two of us. Today I concentrated on layups at different points from each green. If there was a wind or other interference with my preferred landing spot for my drive I wanted to be prepared for it.

  I also realized that this was a lot more preparation than I would have for the actual open when I qualified. There was no doubt in my mind I would win the local and regional rounds here at Riviera.

  We had lunch at the club outdoor restaurant. While eating, several girls close to my age came up to me and just gave me a good looking over. When I asked what they were doing they let me know they wanted to check out the merchandise before bidding on it.

  So many smart comments went through my mind along with the humiliation of being thought of as merchandise. Instead I kept my mouth shut in line with Ben Franklin’s motto of saying nothing and thought a fool.

  Besides I was taught you never used bad language with ladies.

  Of course I would have to look to find some around here.

  Apparently I’m more sensitive to these things than I thought as it showed up in my golf shots later. John started talking to me in an obvious attempt to settle me down.

  He knew nothing about the auction and thought it was funny as all get out when I explained it and my fear. Of course he wasn’t going to be the one that no one would bid on.

  I finally admitted it, my only concern for the auction was no bids.

  Once I realized that was my problem I decided to ask Mum and Dad to see if they would arrange for someone to bid on me, maybe Sharon Bronson, but then she was too old to win.

  When I got home there was a message to call Mr. Monroe. This was going to be good.

  “Mr. Monroe this is Rick Jackson returning your call.”

  “Oh is this the snake in the grass who wants to steal the bread off my table?”

  “Yep that’s me.”

  Hey in for a penny in for a pound.

  “Rick, I asked for help and now you’re trying to rob me.”

  “You asked for my help and then went along with getting me to appear in a movie when you knew I didn’t want to.”

  “It would have been a perfect part for you, now since we can’t afford you I will have to cancel the project.”

  “Okay I was only trying to help, you guys decided to up the ante and I have called you on it.”

  “We can make the movie with someone else as Lew Wetzel.”

  “No you can’t. I talked to Mr. Baxter about it. We have a verbal agreement that I come up with a movie plot, which I did and it was all discussed in front of witnesses. Even if you have someone else in it I am owed for my work.”

  “Rick this isn’t like you.”

  “It isn’t like you to help box me in against my will.”

  “Rick this project is too good to pass up!”

  “Mr. Monroe you are teaching me some valuable lessons here. I helped for free with no expectations on the extra board concept. No worries we won’t be going to court over that. Just don’t try to steal my movie idea.”

  There was a long silence on the other end.

  “Rick I had no idea it would come out like this. I just saw an opportunity to turn out a good movie and your role would have put it over the top.”

  “You knew how I felt about taking the first half of next year off, and maybe even ending my movie career. That carries a price. If you want to make the movie please let Mr. Baxter know.”

  At that I told him that I had to go and hung up. Dad who had heard the whole thing was dumbfounded.

  “Rick I have never seen you stand up to anyone like that before.”

  “I think it is about time that I start doing that or the world will run over me. I know Mr. Monroe meant nothing wrong but at the same time he ignored what he knew I wanted. Now he is very clear on the issue.”

  I went to study until dinner but that conversation kept running through my mind. I finally came to the conclusion that there was no other way for me to handle it.

  Once I arrived at that point I was actually able to study.

  During dinner I brought up my concern about no one bidding on me at the auction. They down played the idea and wouldn’t discuss it any further. Mary had a funny look so I knew something was up so let it go.

  After dinner Mr. Baxter called.

  “Rick you have got Monroe’s drawers in a knot. He is afraid he has lost your respect and friendship. You may not realize what you have done for the studio and him personally. He doesn’t want it to end badly. In short they are going ahead with the movie, you get thirty points. He is convinced they will lose money but he doesn’t care.”

  “I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t want them to lose money but I don’t want to play silly games either. “

  “Well I want you to take the deal. My percentage could make me a fortune. I want this last picture to be a huge money maker for me.”

  “Oh we are taking the deal. If I let them off lightly they will try the same thing in the future.”

  “What should I tell Monroe?”

  “The deal is on and I hold no grudge, let’s work together to make this a box office hit.”

  “That sounds good to me, good night.”

  “Later.”

  I filled Mum and Dad in on the call. They agreed that it would send the wrong sign if I relented now. They also urged me to think that Mr. Monroe hadn’t been playing a game with me. He saw a good business opportunity and in the heat of the moment didn’t think it through.

  I agreed that was most likely the cause.

  Funny a movie that I hadn’t heard or thought of until last week becomes such a contentious center of my life. I now wanted to succeed beyond our wildest expectations.

  At that I called it a night and went to bed early.

  Chapter 28

  My only plan for today was further multi-engine instruction. It was coming together and I thought I would be ready when my plane was delivered early next year.

  Cessna marketing had sent me a welcoming kit that had me drooling and wishing time would fly. Somehow that thought came out like a bad pun, but I really was looking forward to it.

  As the best of plans get mislaid, this one did too. As we were leaving the breakfast table Dad got a phone call. He talked for a few minutes. Wrote a name down and hung up.

  “That was a John Forester from the FBI. He wants me to call the main switchboard of the LA FBI building and ask for him. Also I am to get a description of him from the switchboard operator.”

  Mum had a puzzled look, “What’s it about?”

  “He wouldn’t say other than I had to be certain I was talking to a real FBI Agent before he would go into it.”

  Dad looked up the number in the blue section of the white pages and called. He explained who he was calling for and needed a description of the man. Apparently the switchboard people had been forewarned or it happened all the time. I bet on forewarned.

  Dad was connected and had a conversation. Mum and I heard only one side but it was enough to keep our attention riveted. After Dad hung up he explained what was going on.

  “The CIA has some questions about the park bench dead drop and how that whole thing happened. Since they cannot work on US soil they asked the FBI to contact us and set up a meeting. “

  “They want to keep it low profile so we are to meet Forester at this address. It looks as though it is out by City of Industry in the warehouse area. CIA wants to question Rick but thought it best if both parents were present. I agree. We have an hour to get there which will be pushing it.”

  We piled into one of Dads cars. He has several now, this is a non-descript blue and white Ford Fairlane with a white interior. There must be thousands of them on the road.

  We talked on the way down but there really wasn’t much to say. Most of our conversation was about the Beach House and garage expansion. Something was niggling at the back of my mind the whole trip.

  The address was a three story building that looked like it had been empty fo
r years. Just what the CIA would select for a secret rendezvous.

  As we went up the short steps to the front entrance the door opened. A man who fit the description Dad had shared was standing there with a wallet with a badge extended. Dad looked at it and told us the name and badge number are correct.

  Agent Forester started to edge past us, “I’m not part of this. My job was to get you here. They are in the last office on the right on the second floor. I will be going now.”

  All of a sudden what had been niggling at the back of my mind came bursting out. As he walked by I took him by the arm and twisted it into a half Nelson and took him to his knees.

  “What are you doing Rick?”

  “Mum and Dad to my knowledge we never told the CIA or anyone else about the fact the dead drop was a park bench. We just used the term dead drop. The only other people who would know would be the Russians.”

  Forester was struggling but I held him in place. Mum and Dad both agreed they had never said anything.

  Dad searched Forester finding and removing his credentials, his weapon and a set of handcuffs.

  Dad expertly cuffed the guy and walked him into the building. A quick look around found no telephones. Mum tied Forester to a water fountain pipe using his necktie. The way she tied it he could not get at the knots. She pulled out his handkerchief and stuffed it in his mouth.

  “Mr. Forester we may have to come down and give you our sincerest apologies in a few minutes. However better safe than sorry as they say.”

  Dad checked Foresters .38 revolver. Mum pulled out a .357 Magnum which we both stared at.

  She shrugged, “I like big guns.”

  I felt left out.

  We went up the stairs as quietly as we could. They were expecting us so there would not be much of a surprise. The last door was closed which was good.

  Dad holding his weapon front of him approached and checked out each office. There was a restroom across the hall which he ignored. When we got to the last door he was on the door knob side and Mum the hinge. I was behind Dad.

  He started to knock on the door when there was a sound behind me. A guy came out of the restroom. I didn’t give him a chance, taking him down with a hold the US Marines would have been proud of.