PRECARIOUS - Robert F. Clifton (book recommendations based on other books .TXT) 📗

then wiped his feet on the doormat.

A uniformed butler or doorman answered the door and opened it. “Mr. Sayer to see Miss Wilson, said Robert.

“Good afternoon sir. The Wilson’s are in the library. If you would be good enough to follow me I shall show you the way.”

“Before you do, what’s your name?’, asked Robert.

“I’m referred to as, Charles sir.”

“Well Charles, it’s nice meeting you”, said Sayer.

The servant stood for a moment bewildered. “Follow me sir,” he said leading the way.

When they reached the library entrance Charles said, “A Mr. Sayer calling upon Miss Wilson sir,” speaking to the head of the house.

Barbara went quickly to him. “I’m so glad that you’re here. Did you have any problem finding the place?,” she asked.

“No. Your directions were perfect.”

“Good, come I want you to meet my mother and father. Mother this is Robert Sayer, the man I have told you about.”

“Hello Mrs. Wilson. It is a pleasure to meet you. I can see where your daughter gets her beauty.”

“Then that makes me an old, ugly son of a bitch, right?”

said the man Robert assumed was Barbara’s father.

“Ugly no. But, I must be honest you have been referred to as a son of a bitch by a lot of my clients,”Robert replied.

“Probably a bunch of assholes that didn’t know their ass from their elbow. Anyway, I’m Harry Wilson, the father of the girl that you are in all truth is trying to bed. Let me warn you, if she’s anything like her mother she’ll have to have a wedding ring on her finger before you can lift her nighty, said Wilson.

“Father! Robert please forgive me. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. I like a man that speaks his mind and as your father I interpret his words as, to be a gentleman or move on.”

“That’s exactly right son. What’s it going to be?, asked Wilson.

“I’m always a gentleman sir.”

“Good. Sit down. Would you like a drink, cigar?.”

“Nothing sir.”

“Now, it’s my understanding that you’re an attorney. That right?”

“Yes sir.”

“Independent or with a firm?

“I’m with Pratt, Pratt and Parlin.”

“Really? Why are you working with a Jewish law firm?”

“Many reasons, most because they took me immediately out of law school and gave me a job. Since you mention the fact that the partners are Jews let me advise you that the majority of the clients that come to us are Jews. We provide the service, they pay the legal fees. Our success in court then brings in Gentile clients.”

“ I see. Damn good answer. In spite of my language and appearance I’m not anti-Semitic.”

“I took it that you were just testing me sir,” said Robert.

“Damn daughter, you’re right he does think fast on his feet. Now, let’s get down to business. Barbara tells me that you’re looking for a condo. That right.”

“Yes sir.”

“ I have one that might interest you on Rittenhouse Square. Are you interested?”

“I’d like to see it first.”

“I noticed you didn’t ask about price.”

“What’s the old saying? If you have to ask the price then you can’t afford it.”

“Damn if you ain’t something. You sure you don’t want a drink?

“Positive.”

“Harry, stop talking and taking up the man’s time. He came here to see Barbara not to listen to you and your foul mouth. Come with me we can watch television in my sitting room,” said Mrs. Wilson.

Harry Wilson got up, looked at Robert and said, “You’ll stay for dinner. We can talk business and after that sort of shoot the shit. OK?”

Robert laughed. “It’s a deal. Thank you for the invitation.

When the Wilson’s left the room Barbara turned to Robert and said, “I hope that you’ll excuse the behavior of my father. He’s always been outspoken. At the same time I see him as a diamond in the rough so to speak.”

“Don’t worry about it. My Dad acts almost in the same way. He is what they call a know it all. If you were to listen to him he would come across as knowing more than the President of the United States, Congress. The United Nations, the Pope, and most doctors and college professors.”

“Really?,” asked Barbara with a smile.

“Oh, absolutely. One of the saddest days of my life was when as a boy I found out that my father, my hero, didn’t always know what he was talking about.”

“ You will stay for dinner?”

“Of course. Your father, as he said, wants to shoot the shit, so to speak.”

“You know that he’s testing you, don’t you?”

“Of course, but I’m not too concerned about passing his examination. I’m only interested in how I’m doing with you,” Robert replied.

“So far, so good.”

At dinner, Harry Wilson wiped his mouth with a napkin then turned to his guest and asked, “So, tell me, this Korean thing were you in it?”

“Yes sir.”

“Really? How so?”

“I was in the Navy.”

“Did you see combat?”

“Briefly.”

“What do you mean briefly?”

“I served on the USS Fortescue, a destroyer. We took fire from enemy shore batteries. Three men were killed. I was one of the wounded.”

“Why?”

“Why? We might have gone in too close.”

“So, do you blame the Navy or the Captain of your ship?”, asked Wilson.

“Let me put it this way sir. Who ever was watching over us,

whether it was the Almighty, Thor, Hercules or Zeus, forgot to tell us that the North Koreans had artillery also.””

“Well put sir. So you don’t blame anyone. Now, allow me to change the subject. Since you’ve met my daughter you must have an impression. If you could, what would you change?”

“I’d make sure she took cooking lessons. She’s lived a life of privilege and probably doesn’t know how to boil an egg.”

Harry Wilson began to laugh. “Son of a bitch if you’re not right. What do you think of that daughter?”

“At the moment, not too much,” Barbara answered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Five

Cummings And Blankfield vs Wilson

 

Two months later Robert looked up at Ann Peterson, his Secretary as she entered his office and stood by his desk. “There’s a Mr. Harry Wilson asking to see you. Since he has no appointment what is your pleasure?”, she asked.

By all means send him in,” said Robert.

When Harry Wilson entered the office Robert stood to meet him and while shaking his hand said, “Good to see you again sir. How is Mrs. Wilson?”

“Meaner then cat shit. Now, the reason I’m here is there are a couple of son of bitches out to get me. I need a lawyer. A good lawyer.”

“Excuse me, but I would think that a man in your position already has a lawyer,” said Robert.

“Naturally. But I said I want a good lawyer. The assholes I have on retainer are worthless, particularly in this case. They want me to settled out of court.” said Wilson.

“Well, suppose you just sit back and tell me just what’s going on.”

“Very well. As you know I own and operate a conglomerate.

Of the several businesses in the organization one is a savings and loan. Well, it seems that two depositors, one Manfred T. Cummings and Albert Blankfield are suing me for fraud.”

“Can you be more explicit?, asked Robert.

“Yes. They’re claiming that I and when I say I, meaning the Saving and Loan company deliberately ignored red flags indicative of fraud by advertising high rates on returned transactions and that we also ignored warnings from other banks.”

“Before we go any further I want you to know that what ever you say now or in the future about this matter will be considered privilege conversation between a lawyer and a client, even though right now you’re only a prospective client.”

“Yeah, yeah. Will you take the case?”

“Before I decide, are you guilty and don’t bullshit me. I don’t like surprises in the court room.”

“Do I look like some dumb son of a bitch that would own an operate a Savings and Loan operation and then deliberately

hurt my investors. Of course I’m not guilty.”

“Very well. I have to place your case before the partners, but I’m sure that they will agree to take it. If you want me to represent you, you yourself has to request it. Meanwhile,

have whoever is running the business to send me any and everything pertaining to this case. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good, give me a few days to look things over. I need to know who the complainants lawyers are. That way I can contact them and possibly resolve this situation without going into court.”

**********************

After three days in court Robert Sayer got up from the table where he had sat day after day listening to the lawyers representing Cummings and Blankfield. He walked slowly, expressing calm as he walked to where the members of the jury sat. Then, he began to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen, first, I would like to thank you for your kind indulgence of having to sit here listening to the if not false, certainly insulting complaints against my client. I also want to thank you, because all of you and I know that the accusations are totally rubbish. As a matter of fact, what the plaintiffs have done over the past seventy two hours is waste not only my time, but your time as well. Now, with your permission I will present evidence that will show not only the fact that Mr. Wilson did not commit fraud nor did he in any way violate any rules governing banking.

The plaintiffs claim. No, make that the plaintiffs say, that the Savings and Loan owned by Mr. Wilson sent out false claims of high interest to be paid on investment transactions. They base this on the flier that was mailed and sent to all depositors as well as future depositors. Now, you have seen the flier. How did it read? What did it say? Allow me if you will to refresh your memory and that of the court. The flier read and definitely stated that, “Due to the status of the economy, the Unified, Confederate Savings And Loan Company of America offers an interest rate of eight per cent on all deposits. Eight per cent ladies and gentlemen. Eight per cent and the plaintiffs are complaining. If you will allow me ,I will go to a chart and present to you some very interesting facts.”

Robert waked to where a metal tripod held a large, pad. He raised the cover and with a folding pointer used it to emphasize what he was about to talk about. “What we have here ladies and gentlemen is the Movements In Time relating to Savings and loans for the years 1951 to present. Now, let me advise you to sit back, relax and take this all in, because what you are about to hear is going to amaze you.

Now then, from the year 1951 to present, liquid asset holdings of the public increased substantially. Here, is where I respectfully request that you pay attention. Savings in commercial banks, shares in savings and loan association and deposits in mutual savings banks increased on the average. Let me repeat. On the average on the annual rates of, thirteen per cent, thirty per cent and six per cent, respectfully. Now, what does this mean to you? What it should mean is that one, the plaintiffs, Cummings and Blankfield realized more than average interest income on their investments. Two, that with an average interest rate of six per cent, my client advertised, promised and produced an interest rate of eight per cent. Ladies and gentlemen. I ask you now. Where is the fraud? Where is the deceit? We both know there is none. The fact that other banks warned that interest rates would fall to six per cent and the plaintiffs claim they were not warned of this? Remember my client still offered and paid eight per cent. According to the plaintiff, merchants in and around Philadelphia in dealing with Mr. Cummings and Mr. Blankfield contacted Unified and requested information about their accounts. Banks and Savings and Loan organizations are called everyday. Why? The general request is does the depositor have enough funds on hand to cover such and such expenses. The institutions can only respond one