Tip & Ty
by: E Walk

(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

 

Chapter 20

 Ty and the Circus

This is Ty.

Mr. Jenkins and I walked to a delicatessen around the corner from the court house.  We were shown to a booth.  After we ordered, he put his briefcase on the table, “Mr. Jefferson, I took the liberty of collecting some data on my children.  Perhaps you will find it useful tomorrow afternoon.”

I looked at the information and then at Mr. Jenkins, “Please call me Ty.  Exactly why do you need me?  You are a lawyer, and it looks like you have enough information here to convince any judge that you and your wife are not the least bit senile.”

Mr. Jenkins got a funny look in his eyes, “Ty, when I was on the bench, I dreaded when a defendant tried to defend themselves.  Most of the time their cases were suspect, and they did not do a good job because they were too emotionally involved.  After watching you today, I am sure that we made the right decision when we asked you to represent us.  I am sure that you will be able to do a much better job than I could do.”

“Mr. Jenkins, may I take these folders and study them tonight?  Have you and your wife seen the psychologist yet?”

“We have our appointment at two this afternoon.  I have already informed him that you need his evaluation by ten o’clock in the morning and that you may want him to be available at our hearing tomorrow afternoon.  I have included our physician’s evaluation in the package.  I have asked him to be available for the hearing too.”

We finished our lunch and Mr. Jenkins insisted that he pay for the bill and tip.  As we were walking back to the court house, I suggested, “Mr. Jenkins, I would appreciate it if you and your wife could meet with me at ten in the morning so we can tie up loose ends before we need to be at the courtroom in the afternoon.”

“We’ll be in your office at ten in the morning.  Good luck with the Speedy Shoe people this afternoon.”  Mr. Jenkins waved as he got into his car.

“When I got back to the office, Shawn handed me four messages.  Clarisse followed me into the office, “Okay, Mr. Hot Shot Lawyer, what’s happening?  We’ve had more calls in the last four hours than we have had the entire time since you hired me.”

“Clarisse, I don’t know how to explain what’s happening.  I’m guessing Mr. Hunter has something to do with it.  I’m guessing he may be having second thoughts about my working for him.   Would you please ask Shawn and Colleen to join us?  There is much work to do before I need to be in court again tomorrow.”

Clarisse returned with Shawn and Colleen.  “Shawn, I don’t wish to be bothered this afternoon unless it an urgent matter.  If one of my children or Nano Mark calls, put them through immediately.  I don’t care who is in the office.  That not only goes for today but anytime.”

“Clarisse, I need for you to see what you can find out about Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jenkins.  Here is the information that I have on them.  Also check to see what you can find out about Albert and Louise Lewis.”  I handed her the two folders that Mr. Jenkins had given me.  “If you have to hire a private detective do so, but I need the information by noon tomorrow.”

I looked at Colleen, “Colleen, I have several letters and memoranda that I need to dictate, and have you type before four o’clock”

I quickly dictated what I would need and Colleen went to her desk and began to work.  Everyone was working when a large man came blustering into the office, “I want to speak to the boss.”

Shawn stood up, “Sir, how may I help you?  Mr. Jefferson is busy.”

The man pushed Shawn down in his chair, “Get out of my way punk.  I want to see the lawyer.”

Clarisse looked up, “Rocky, what on earth are you doing, and why are you acting like a crazy man?”

“Oh hi, Clarisse, is his royal highness in?” the big guy smiled.

The intercom came on, “Mr. Jefferson, Rocky Lane is here and insists on seeing you.”

“Tell the big brute to get in here.”  I answered as I started to walk toward the door.

Rocky came into the office and picked me up in his arms, “Ty, I need your help, big time.”

“Rock, what’s happening that’s so bad?”  I was confused because I hadn’t heard of any trouble with Rocky or his family.

“I’ve been slapped with a paternity suit.  You know and I know that I am incapable of producing any children.”

I was well aware that, Rocky was incapable of having any children.  Rocky and I joined the Kansas City Chiefs the same year.  He was about six inches taller than me and outweighed me by 150 pounds.  We started to room together during the first training camp and we just continued to be roommates whenever the team was away from home.

Rocky and I were married about the same time.  He married a lovely woman and they tried very hard to have children.  Finally, they went for fertility test and the test showed that Rocky was not capable of producing offspring.  He and his wife adopted twins, a boy and a girl and they were Billy’s age.  Rocky dotes on his wife and children.  They are wonderful parents.

I looked at Rocky, “Rocky, what do you know about the person making the accusations?”

“That’s what’s so stupid.  It’s someone I dated in high school.  She says that I impregnated her.”

I started to laugh, “I guess your sperm must have a long gestation period.”

“Ty, that’s not even funny.  I never had sex with the broad.  I have never had sex with any woman other than my wife.  You should know that.  You had to teach me everything I know.”

“I’m sorry Rocky.  It has been a long day.  So, when is the hearing?”

“I just got the summons this morning.  We have been in Florida for the past two weeks on vacation.  The hearing is next Tuesday at two o’clock.  Will you please help me?”

“Rocky, I will do the best I can, but don’t expect miracles on such short notice.”  I walked Rocky to the door and looked at the clock.

Colleen brought the documents she had typed, “Here you go Mr. Jefferson.”

“Miss Ferguson, I would appreciate if you would take notes at the four o’clock meeting.  Would that be a problem?”

“No sir, but I charge triple for any overtime.  I’ll call Leanne and tell her she has to do the cooking tonight.”

Clarisse, please have some coffee and juice ready when Mr. Trout and Alex and Diana Gordon arrive.”

Everything was ready when Alex and Diana arrived.  They were followed almost immediately by Mr. Trout and another gentleman.

I stood and greeted Mr. Trout.  He introduced the other gentleman, “This is my personal assistant, Randy Smithers.  He will be my liaison person with you, Mr. Jefferson, if things work out the way I would like them to.”

I introduced the Gordons and then turned to Colleen and introduced her as my right hand person.  When I introduced Clarisse, I introduced her as my personal assistant.

Neil spoke as he pulled some papers out of his briefcase, “Alex, if you would sign these documents, we will make sure that you are paid what the company owes you.  We will also respect the codicil that you added to the original contract.  The first document acknowledges that you have been paid these funds and the second gives you the right to continue to approve or disapprove of what you are to be asked to advertise.  I admire your courage for standing up for your personal beliefs and not just doing something for money.”

I looked at Alex and Diana.  They were beaming.  Mr. Smithers asked, “Mr. Gordon, would it be possible for you to meet with the Advertising Department on Monday at say ten o’clock, to discuss plans for our ad campaign for the coming season?  You will be paid the regular consultation fee.”

Alex and Diana knew that they were being dismissed.  Alex answered, “I’ll be there with bells on the laces of my Speedy shoes.”

I couldn’t help myself and started to laugh, “Oh no, Speedy shoes with bells on the laces.  The opposition will be running because the bell ringers are after them.”  That broke everyone up.

Alex and Diana left, “I looked at Mr. Trout, what else do you have on your mind, sir?”

Mr. Trout looked at Mr. Smithers, “Mr. Jefferson, we would like for you to join our firm as the chief legal counsel.”

I must have looked like I swallowed a fly, “You want what?”

Mr. Trout was laughing, “Let me say it very slowly.  We would like for you to be our chief legal counsel.  As such, you would be responsible for reviewing all contracts before they are signed.”

“Mr. Trout, I’m flattered.  But since I am going to be handling all of the contract negotiations for the Kansas City Chiefs, I don’t know how I could do that job properly and take on what you would want me to do.”

Mr. Smithers piped up, “My partner is determined that you are going to be the company’s legal counsel; so recruit two or three trusty assistants.  You will be able to afford two or three.  I’m sure that you will be having more companies coming to you once the word gets around that you are associated with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Speedy Shoe Company.”

I shook my head, “Can we slow down.  Mr. Smithers, did you just tell me what I think you told me?”

Mr. Trout answered, “Randy and I have been partners since college.  Now Ty, here is your first month’s retainer.  If you will sign the contract, we’ll get out of here.  We will set up a meeting for you at the headquarters sometime next week when we get back from Denver.”

I put my head down on the desk, “This is so funny, I don’t suppose you would be staying at the Brown Palace by chance.”

Randy looked confused, “Yes, why do you ask?”

“Perhaps Tip and I could meet the two of you for dinner on Saturday evening.”

Neil raised his eyebrows, “Who is Tip?”

“Tip is my brother; we are going to get away for the weekend now that I have hired a Nano.”

“What’s a Nano?” Randy asked.

“A Nano is a male Nanny who does not look mean and is not a woman according to my children.”

I looked at the check, “You’re kidding me, right?  You’re going to pay me $10,000.00 a month to be the company’s legal counsel?”

Neil quickly said, “If you think that is not enough, we’ll negotiate.  Now if you will sign the contract we will get out of here.”

I looked at the contract and we signed both copies.  Mr. Trout took one and handed the other to Clarisse.  The two gentlemen stood, Neil said, “Give us a call when you get to the Brown Palace.”

The two gentlemen departed and Shawn knocked on the door, “Mr. Jefferson, there is a gentleman who insists that he must see you now.  He says he is here representing Mr. Hunter and he has some paperwork that you need to sign.”

I threw up my hands, “Show him in, Shawn.”  I motioned for the two ladies to stay. 

Shawn escorted an older gentleman in, “This is Mr. Wright.”

I stood and shook his hand, “Good afternoon, Mr. Wright.  I’m Ty Jefferson and these are my assistants, Clarisse Morton and Colleen Ferguson.”

The man was gruff, “I know who you all are?  I’ve been with the Kansas City Chiefs for years.  I have met Mrs. Morton a number of times and I know that she is the one who kicks people’s backsides.  Colleen just happens to be my daughter’s partner.”

“So, is there anything that you don’t know Mr. Wright?”

“Yeah, who is that handsome well mannered young man at the reception desk?  He certainly makes a good impression.”

“Oh, that's Colleen’s brother.  He’s my public relations director.  Now, how may I help you, Sir?”

“Mr. Hunter asked me to bring your contract for your employment and your first month’s retainer.  If you will sign, I will get out of your hair.  Mr. Hunter would like for you to set aside every Monday and Thursday from 9:00-10:30 for meetings.  I think he has been more than generous, but he assures me that you will be worth every penny of what he’s paying you.”

“Mr. Wright, I played for the Chiefs for ten years and I don’t remember ever encountering you before.”

“That’s because I stay tucked away in the vault.  Ty, I’m just the Vice President in charge of finance.  There was never any reason for us to meet because you didn’t make unreasonable demands and pretty much did as you were asked to do without much complaining.  There was never a problem until you just up and retired.”

“Now if you would sign, I need to get home to my wife.”

I looked the contract over and we signed them.  I took one copy and handed it to Clarisse.  Mr. Wright handed me a check for $20,000.00.  To say I was speechless would be an understatement.  I felt like I was stunned by a shot from a ray gun.

I guess I acted like a zombie after Mr. Wright had departed.  I just sat down at the desk and looked at the two checks.  I handed them to Clarisse, “I guess you will be able to pay the rent and all of the salaries tomorrow without overdrawing the account.”

Colleen looked funny, “Is it always going to be this crazy around here.  Mr. J., when would you like the notes transcribed?  It’s already 5:30?”

I looked at my watch, “I’m sorry ladies, let’s get out of here.”

I packed my briefcase and walked into the office and Shawn was still sitting there.  “Shawn, what are you still doing here?”

“Mr. Jefferson, I have nothing better to do.  I’ll close up.”

“Shawn, come on, you can follow me home and have dinner with me my family and me.  I am sure that there will be enough for one more person.”

Shawn looked like he was about to cry, but we closed the office and went to the parking lot and crawled into our cars.  He followed me to the condo.  We had trouble finding parking spaces since Tip and I were accumulating so many vehicles.

When we walked into the house, everyone was waiting to eat.  I introduced Shawn to those who didn’t know him and Mark went to place one more setting on the table.

Mark had made a home made beef stew with a lot of vegetables and some homemade rolls which he served with a frozen salad that the children just loved.

I watched as Shawn was eating and it was like he hadn’t eaten for weeks. He sure didn’t talk much.

As we were finishing, Mark reminded us, “Mr. J and Doctor W., you need to leave so you can meet with Mr. Hastings and Mrs. Quinn.  Shawn and I will take care of the children.

Tip and I left for Mrs. Quinn’s house.  As we were driving, Tip asked, “Who is this Shawn person?”

I told Tip what I knew and Tip started to laugh, “I guess we’ll just have to get the rest of the story from Mark when we get home.”

My mind was whirling, “Tip, what do you think Mr. Hastings is going to appraise the house at? You don’t suppose Shawn will do anything to interfere with what is happening between Zack and Mark do you?  I don’t know how much more excitement I can take today.”

Tip was so cool, “Ty, just relax.  We can’t change anything while we are driving in a car.  Everything will be fine.  We should have sent Mark.   I think you are on overload.”

To be continued... 
 

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Editor's Notes:

This chapter was well named. Indeed it was quite a circus. I must admit that there was a lot going on in this chapter. I think Ty is amazing and for that matter, so is Tip.  It is so nice that they love each other, and have admitted it to each other and themselves. I love all the stories and folks, be prepared for even more wonderful stories yet to come. We will be hearing from Arli J, and his story telling talents are right up there with Uncle Ed's. So make sure you check out any stories by Arli J. I am certain you will not be disappointed.  I know I wasn't in any sense of the word. Be sure to let your favorite authors know how you feel about the stories you are reading.  They will definitely appreciate your contacting them.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 11/30/07