Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:50:45 -0800 (PST)
From: E Walk <cane_lane_candy@yahoo.com>
Subject: Pinochle Chapter 20

Pinochle
By E. Walk
(Copyrighted by the Author)
Edited by Will B.

Chapter 20 -- Meeting the Villain

This is Becca.

After we said our farewells to the University officials, Mrs. Dolan, Beau
and I walked back to the hotel.  We went to our suite to discuss what
needed to be done.  It was as if Beau's mind was spinning in five
directions at the same time.

Beau pulled out his cell phone and called Sally.  "Hi, Sally, were you able
to find an independent appraiser? ... Great!  So everyone is meeting at the
building on The Commons at one? ...That was my next question. Thanks for
calling Harley and Gregg. ...  Your nephew is excited about meeting someone
his own age ... Great!  See you at one."

Beau turned to Mrs. Dolan, "Aunt Kate, would you call your brother-in-law
to see if he would be available at 9:00 in the morning?"

Mrs. Dolan made a call, "Hi Hank, I have some friends who are visiting from
out of town.  Would it be possible for us to meet with you tomorrow morning
about nine? ... That's great!  We'll see you tomorrow at nine in the
morning. ... Don't worry, they are scheduled to depart about
noon. ... Okay, see you then."

Mrs. Dolan looked at her watch, "Let's get some lunch. I know just the
place to go.  I have a feeling this is going to be a very long afternoon.
Beau, we will take my Town car.  Why don't you leave the keys to your
rental car at the desk, for the guys?"

Beau called the guys' room and left a message that told them that the keys
to the car were at the main desk.  He reminded them that they were to be at
Mrs. Dolan's by 6:00.

We left the hotel with Beau driving.  Mrs. Dolan directed us to a small
delicatessen.  When we walked in, an older lady met us, "Good afternoon,
Kate.  It's been some time since you have been in."

"Why Dorothy, I was here yesterday.  I would like for you to meet Beau and
Becca.  Beau and Becca, this is Dorothy Monroe.  Hey Jimmy, come meet my
new friends."

Mr. Monroe came from the kitchen and after the introductions were
completed, we were ushered to a table.  Beau looked at the menu,
"Mrs. Dolan, what do you recommend?"

Mrs. Dolan said, "Jimmy makes the soups from scratch so they are always
very good.  They are known for their sandwiches and desserts, so it depends
on how hungry you are."

Beau looked at the specials, "I think I'll have the cream of chicken with
rice soup in a bread bowl.  Mrs. Monroe, is that coconut cream pie?"

Mrs. Monroe answered in the affirmative and Beau without hesitation stated,
"I'll have the soup and a piece of the coconut cream pie."

Mrs. Dolan looked up, "I'll have half an egg salad sandwich and a cup of
the cream of potato soup,"

I looked at Mrs. Monroe, "Ma'am, what would you eat if you were ordering?"

Mrs. Monroe looked at me funny, "Becca, I would probably have a small
tossed salad topped with ham, cheese and a hard boiled egg with the house
dressing."

"That sounds very good, that's what I would like, please and may I have a
piece of that lemon meringue pie."

This is Kate Dolan.

I have known Beau and Becca for less than twenty four hours.  It's as if
they and their son and his friends have taken over my life.  They are all
so full of life and they don't back down from anything or anybody and they
are very determined to achieve their goals.  I can hardly wait to see what
happens the rest of the day.

I wonder what is happening with Ben and Grant.

This is Ben.

Grant and I went to Sawyer Hall where we were to report.  We went to room
120 and two gentlemen came to greet us and took us to separate rooms.  The
gentleman I was with was all business and proceeded to give me an
I.Q. test.  When he finished, he announced, "Mrs. Wilcox will be with you
shortly to give you the aptitude tests.  It should take a little over an
hour.  Just be honest, and answer the way you really feel and not how you
might think others would like for you to answer."

Mrs. Wilcox came into the room, "Ben, would you like to take a bathroom
break before we begin?  Would you like something to drink?"

"Ma'am, might I have a glass of plain water?  I do need to go to the
bathroom.  I'll be right back."

I was coming out of the bathroom and Grant was walking toward me, "Ben, why
are we taking these tests?  This is such a waste of time."

"Grant, Dad must think we need to do this; so please just do the best that
you can."  I whispered, "Just remember I love you.  I'll meet you in front
of the building when we finish the tests and then we can go meet Sammy."  I
wanted to hug Grant but I controlled my urges.  Gees, this is going to be
difficult.

It was 11:45 when I finished the tests.  I was beginning to think Dad was
way off base.  Why was I being asked all of these stupid questions?  When I
walked out of the building, Grant was sitting on the wall at the side of
the steps, "What took you so long? I have been sitting here waiting for two
minutes.  Now let's get going, so we can meet Sammy and the two ladies."

I started to laugh, "Oh, no!  You are starting to sound like my Dad."

We went to the Student Union and were met by Inga, Maria and Mr. Cochran, a
very beautiful woman and a teenager who had a sports travel bag with him.
Mr. Cochran made the introductions and announced, "Ben, we'll leave our
derelict son with you to get him straightened away.  We're going to go get
drunk."

This is Grant.

Ben was so quick, "Make sure that you get rid of your hangovers before
dinner tonight; otherwise we might have to take this punk back to Fremont
with us so he can learn to milk cows and feed the chickens."

That brought Sammy to life, "I ain't going to milk no cows or feed any
chickens.  I will not be a slave for anyone.  Dad and Mother, you probably
should take me home now.  I don't think I like these people very much."

Mr. Cochran was so cool, "Sorry Sammy, your Mother and I have plans.  You
will just have to fend for yourself."

The Cochrans left and we found a table and went through the cafeteria line
and Ben paid for the meals.  We were laughing as we were eating and other
patrons kept looking at us.  Finally Ben said, "Let's bust out of this
place.  It is like a morgue in here."

We went outside and sat in the sun until it was time for me to go to take
my tests.  Ben arranged for Inga and Maria to meet Sammy and him at the
tennis courts behind the hotel.  I felt as if I was being abandoned.

As Ben was leaving, he said, "We'll meet you in the room when you finish
your tests."  He passed me a signal that told me he loved me so I was on my
own.

This is Ben.

Sammy and I walked back to the hotel room. I found out that Sammy was 15
and would be turning 16 in a month and was going to be a junior in high
school.  When we got to the room, Sammy suddenly stiffened, "Ben, why am I
here?  I don't understand why my parents wanted me to meet you."

"Sammy, your Dad thought you might like to talk to Grant and me about being
gay.  Unfortunately, Grant has tests he needs to complete this afternoon,
so you are stuck with me.  Sammy, neither Grant nor I will try to do
anything with you.  We will answer whatever questions you might have if we
can?  We are not exactly professionals in the art of man to man love.  We
are learning ourselves."

Sammy started to get tears in his eyes, "Ben, Dad must have told you then
that I think I am gay.  When I told my parents that I thought I was gay, it
was like they went ballistic.  Then they bring me here to be with you this
afternoon and you bring me back to your hotel room.  What was I to think?"

"Sammy, let's get dressed and go meet the ladies.  I can't very well play
tennis in my loafers."  Sammy stood and took off his Bermuda shorts that he
was wearing and the dress shirt.

Sammy giggled, "I am already dressed.  I wasn't about to change in front of
the world."

I stood and took off the slacks and shirt that I had been wearing.  I was
standing with only briefs.  Sammy's mouth dropped open, "Holy mackerel, you
are either extremely well endowed or you have a lot of tissues stuck in
your briefs."

I started to pull on my tennis shorts.  Sammy asked, "Aren't you going wear
a jock strap so you don't flop all over the place?"

I pulled down the front of my briefs, "I am already wearing one."

Sammy was having a field day, "I guess that is to control your monster when
you get a hard on.  It sure must make going to bathroom fun.  Speaking of
which, I think I had better go to the bathroom before we leave.  I wouldn't
want to embarrass you by lifting my leg at the nearest fire hydrant."

"I'll go with you to make sure that you don't drip on the seat."

Sammy started to laugh hard, "I guess you would do anything to perve on my
body."

While Sammy was going to bathroom, I realized the message light was
blinking on the phone.  It was a message from Dad, "Hey guys, I am leaving
the keys to the car at the front desk for you.  Why don't we plan to meet
you at Mrs. Dolan's at 6:00?"

Sammy returned from the bathroom and I decided that I had better take
advantage of the opportunity to relieve myself.  We picked up our gear and
stopped at the desk.  I went to the young lady who was working, "I believe
there is something in my mailbox."

The young lady looked up, "Sure is, Mr. Benson.  You sure do look like your
father."

The lady brought the keys and a note.  I opened the note.  It was from
Mrs. Dolan, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do.  See you at 6:00."

I showed the note to Sammy; he shook his head, "That sounds like Grandma
Kate."

As we were walking to the courts, Sammy asked, "Ben, does Grant know how
big you are?"

I couldn't help but laugh, "Sammy, Grant and I are rather identical in that
department.  It is a long story.  We'll tell you about it later.  There are
the ladies."

We decided that Maria and I would be partners.  It turned out the two teams
were very equally matched.  It seems that Sammy was the number two singles
player on the high school tennis team and both ladies were very
accomplished tennis players.  We played two sets and it was getting very
warm so we decided to go get a milkshake at some ice cream store that the
ladies had found.  We sat and visited until nearly four o'clock.  We walked
the ladies to their dorm.  They were going to meet us in the hotel lobby at
5:30.

Sammy and I went to Grant's and my room.  I spoke up, "I'll take my shower
first."  I started to peel off my clothes and was standing there naked.

Sammy was shaking his head, "You certainly don't need any tissue in your
jock strap.  Poor Grant."

When I came out of the shower, Sammy started to take his clothes off.  I
looked at him, "Not bad for a little boy."

"Don't rub it in Ben."

"I'm just giving you a difficult time.  You look to be right on track to
me.  I have a brother who is so straight that he could serve as a bridge
across a stream.  He is a year younger than you. I know he would gladly
exchange with you."  Why I did what I did, I'll never know.  I went and
hugged Sammy even though we were both naked.

Sammy pulled away, "Ben, stop please.  I am starting to get a hard on.  I
know that is not what you want.  I know that you were just showing that you
loved me like a brother; but this is all so new to me that I am on
overload"

I pulled away, "Sammy, I am sorry.  I didn't mean to upset you.  Why don't
you go into the shower and let your frustrations float down the drain?"

"Why don't you just say, go jack off?"  Sammy disappeared into the
bathroom.

I had just gotten my briefs on when Grant came in and threw himself on the
bed.  "Ben, do we have to go to the dinner tonight?  I'm mentally
exhausted."

I climbed on top of him and started to kiss his face and play with his
pelvic area.  Grant started to struggle, "Ben, be careful or you are going
to start something that you might not be ready for."

I kissed him and he pulled me close, "Benji, I think you'd better do that
several more times."

We were kissing again when Sammy entered the room, "Why wouldn't I have
guessed that you two couldn't control your hormones any longer?"

Grant looked at me and sent me a message.  We got up and threw the naked
Sammy on the bed and started nibbling on his ears, "Guys, please stop I
starting to get another hard on.  Ben, you said you and Grant would never
do anything sexual with me.  What do you call this?"

Grant started to laugh, "Oh my dear boy, we just making sure that your
sexual apparatus worked and that your ears were clean."

I stopped any more nonsense, "Grant, get ready, Inga and Maria will be here
is 25 minutes.  I will lay some clothes out for you while you take a
shower."

Grant took off his clothes and Sammy was watching, "Oh my goodness, Ben you
weren't lying.  You are like bookends only with different color hair and
eyes.  You are both beautiful."

Grant glared at Sammy, "Men aren't beautiful.  They're either rugged
looking or dashingly handsome."

"Okay, so you and Ben are rugged dashingly handsome men.  Now get your
shower or I will need to jack off again."  Sammy started to get dressed.  I
was dressed and I laid Grant's clothes out for him.  Grant came out of the
bathroom and Sammy started again, "I still say you and Ben are both
beautiful specimens of what a man should be.  Now would you please get
dressed?"

Both Grant and I were laughing as Grant put on his clothes.  We went to the
lobby to meet our young lady friends.  I had a backpack with the things
that Grant and I would need.  Sammy had his sports bag and tennis racquet.
Maria and Inga came in with backpacks and we left for Mrs. Dolan's house.

I wonder how Mother and Dad made out this afternoon.  I guess we will find
out.

This is Beau.

After our quiet lunch, which Mrs. Dolan paid for, we went to The Commons
and met with Sally, Gregg and Harley.  We had just entered the building
that Gregg was thinking of buying.  A distinguished looking gentleman came
in.  Sally introduced him as Mr. Bob Wainwright.

Mr. Wainwright looked confused, "I heard that Mr. Petrillo had gotten this
building condemned.  Why would you want me to appraise it?"

Mrs. Dolan looked surprised, "Mr. Wainwright, I own this building and have
not been informed that it has been condemned.  It appears to me that
Mr. Petrillo is trying to scare off other buyers."

Becca spoke up, "Mr. Wainwright, would you please look through the building
and give us you best estimation as to the value of the building?"

Mr. Wainwright was very thorough.  When he saw the elevator, he was really
impressed.  When we went to the second floor, he looked at the two
apartments, which were immaculate.  When we got to the third floor, Gregg
and Harley showed him a plan of what they had in mind.  Mr. Wainwright was
nodding his head in approval, "I have no idea why anyone would want to
condemn this building.  It has been well maintained and it is a free
standing building unlike many structures in this area.  Can we go to the
roof so I could look around?"

We went up the fire escape and Mr. Wainwright looked around, "The drainage
system seems to be working.  The roof is in very good condition.  I think
Mr. Garrison's idea of making this into a hideaway makes very good sense.
I still cannot imagine tearing down this old, wonderfully maintained
structure.  I'll go back to the office and make up a formal estimate of my
evaluation for you."

Mrs. Dolan shook her head, "Mr. Wainwright, we would also like for you to
appraise my residence on Hudson Street.  We can leave as soon as we are
assembled on the first floor."

Mr. Wainwright and I went down first; Harley and Gregg were on the second
load and the three ladies were going to come down on the third trip.

Harley and Gregg had just arrived and the elevator had gone back for the
ladies when a pompous gentleman walked in.  "Wainwright, what are you doing
here?"

"Mr. Petrillo, I was asked to make an evaluation on this property if it is
any business of yours.  I cannot understand why you think it is necessary
to condemn this building?  This is probably one of the most structurally
sound and well maintained buildings on the Commons."

The elevator landed on the first floor, "That is beside the point.  The old
battleaxe who owns this building refuses to sell it to me, so I going to
get the building condemned and then she won't have any choice."

The three ladies appeared and Mrs. Dolan said, "So now I am only a
battleaxe.  After I turned down your last ridiculous offer, I was a bitch.
At least we are making progress."

Becca interrupted, "Mrs. Dolan, here is a $1.00.  If the building is
condemned, I will raze the building, but I will still own the land that it
was located on.  I'll make sure that you don't get you hands on it
Mr. Petrillo.  I will even have it secured so that if you or any of your
minions try to enter it, alarms will be sounding so that the entire area
will know that you are doing your devious best to make this your personal
venue.  Beau, call Bill Everett and tell him we need as much information
about Mr. Giulio Petrillo as he can get and we would like it ASAP.  Why
don't you also call Mick and see if he can do anything to take down this
jerk."

I called the Everett Agency, "This is Beau Benson; may I please speak to
Bill? ... Hi Bill, Becca and I are in Ithaca, New York and we need your
help. ... We need as much dirt as you can find on a Mr. Giulio Petrillo as
you can find and we need it now. ...Thanks.  You have my cell phone and I
have my computer with me and have access to the Internet.  We are staying
at the Statler Hotel, so you can fax any reports to me there. ...Thanks
again."

I called another number.  "Hi, this is Beau Benson; may I speak to the
President? ... Hi Mick, sorry to bother you, but Becca and I are in Ithaca
and we have run into a problem. ... There is a gentleman who thinks he owns
this town.  Becca and I both have very bad vibes about him. ... His name is
Giulio Petrillo. ... We're staying at the Statler Hotel if you need to get
something to me and you have my cell phone number.  We would appreciate any
help you can give us. ... Oh, you are going to talk to the FBI and have
them look into the matter?  Thanks Mick, we'll see you over Labor Day.  Are
you coming to Fremont? ... Oh, you want us to join you at Camp David?
... I'll be talking to you, my friend."

Mr. Petrillo was so cocky, "Benson, you were bluffing.  You don't know the
President, and you are so going to go down for this."

"Oh Mr. Hot Shot, Becca and I do know President Michael Smith.  I even
lived in the same house as he did for almost a month.  He was one of my
biggest supporters when I was young.  He and I washed windows together and
worked in an antique shop together.  Mickey is one of the fairest most even
tempered people you will ever meet.  That is probably why his maternal
grandparents designated that he was to be the steward of their vast
holdings.  Now, if you will excuse us.  We have other much more important
things to do."

Becca wasn't finished, "Mrs. Dolan, do you know the Mayor?"

"I know Mary rather well."

"Why don't you call her and ask her to join us for dinner, tonight?"

Mrs. Dolan dialed a number, "May I speak to Mayor Hawthorne please?  This
is Kate Dolan. ... Thank you. ... Hi Mary, this is Kate Dolan.  We would
like for you and whoever, to join us at the club tonight for dinner about
6:30.  It is very informal and it will be an informal buffet outside.  I
guess you could say it is a big swim party. ... Great, we'll see you then."

Mr. Petrillo was not looking too well. We started for the exit.  I looked
at Mr. Petrillo, "Don't even think about doing anything illegal.  I have
the entire conversation with you on tape, so that if you try to take any
legal action, you will go down faster than a bison with a hundred arrows in
him."

I turned to Mr. Wainwright, "Okay Bob, let's go to Mrs. Dolan's house so
you can appraise it.  Harley and Gregg are you going with us?"

Harley spoke up, "I think we'd better, so we know what lies around the next
corner."

When we got to Mrs. Dolan's house, Mr. Wainwright announced, "This property
has been zoned commercial."

Becca asked, "Does that mean people can't live here, even if there is a
business being operated on the property?"

Mr. Wainwright thought for a moment, "I don't know why someone couldn't
live here if there was also a business operating in the facility."

I took over, Mr. Wainwright, "If our sons, who you have not had a chance to
meet and their friends occupied two rooms, and Mr. Gordon had an office of
the Benson Consulting Company in one of the rooms and managed the rest of
the facility as a bed and breakfast, do you think there would be a problem?
I guess you had better look at the facility to see what I am talking
about."

Mrs. Dolan, Harley and I took Mr. Wainwright on a tour of the house and I
explained what I had in mind.  We rejoined the others in the parlor.  I
looked at Mr. Wainwright, "Bob, why don't you and your significant others
join us for dinner tonight and you can give us your final appraisals of the
two properties then?  We are meeting at the Country Club at 6:30."

Mr. Wainwright shook his head, "I have no significant others."

Mrs. Dolan said, "It's a swim night with a gala outdoor buffet.  We'll see
you there."

Becca decided we needed to go, "Aunt Kate, we're going to go back to the
hotel to get our swim suits.  We'll be back by six."

Everyone left.  I watched as Sally and Bob Wainwright left.  They were
walking down the sidewalk to their cars.  I watched as Harley and Gregg
walked to their car.  How interesting is this?

If you want to read more of this story and other intersting stories, you
might like to visit www.tickiestories.us.


A few words from Will: Ed has given us another wonderful chapter.  His
characters are well written and the plot is thickening nicely.  I must
confess I was a little enthused at the thought of Ben and Grant "rubbing it
in" to each other. He he he!