WHO STOLE MY $15,000,000 MANSION?
By
A wonderfully original story
about being unappreciated, abuse of trust, revenge and comeuppance. This is an engrossing story with
magnificent characters, balanced exactly on the edge between fascination and
belief. The author’s tough realism, hypnotic prose and pacing that hurdles
along at a breathtaking pace will leave readers eager for more. “A refreshingly
good story.”
About The Author
‘COUNTRY’ NATE GREEN is an amalgamation of musician, composer, poet, author and screenwriter. With the transcendent excellence of a Master storyteller, the author pens a breathtaking novel of epic dimensions. His imagination yields a kaleidoscope of descriptive prose so real the reader can’t let go. The author is shaping up to be one of the foremost new writers of this new millennium.
e-BOOK
Maverick Publishing
HOUSTON, TEXAS
$15,000,000
MANSION?
e-Book
Copyright 2004
WHO STOLE MY $15,000,000 MANSION?
By
‘COUNTRY’ NATE
GREEN
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Copyright 2004
e-Book
Maverick Publishing
HOUSTON, TEXAS
WHO STOLE MY $15,000,000 MANSION?
By
‘COUNTRY’ NATE
GREEN
FICTION
Any resemblance of the
characters in this novel
to persons living or dead is
coincidental.
e-Book
WHO STOLE MY $15,000,000 MANSION?
By
‘COUNTRY’ NATE
GREEN
CONFERENCE
Office…Shays Barker a dedicated young 36 yr. old who has been working diligently for Auturo-Engineering and construction for no less than 10 years. The manager owner Levi Burlingame has set a meeting to name a brand new Regional Vice President. The opening comes about as a result of their present Vice President is leaving because he has been offered a lucrative contract in show business. Shays, who has superior potentials in the field, yet has been passed up on two occasions in spite of his major contributions to the company above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Levi Burlingame, the owner and President, has seen fit to offer Shays various “reasons” to pass him up. There is a great deal of wonderment questions and anticipation in this breath taking, heart palpitating, and scenario. Employees are talking and sipping their drinks as they await the biggest decisions the company has had to make in five years, as they drink and make inquiring comments. Mr. Burlingame rises from his seat looks over is crowd of workers-taps against a glass louder and louder. He calls for everyone to quiet down. He begins to give an elaborate talk on the highlights of the company. He gives honors to at least 3 of his departmental heads and then calls Shays Barker’s. Shays comes through the crowd from the back of the room and stands facing Mr. Burlingame with a smile. Burlingame expresses in a pompous way, he and the company are eternally grateful for Shays loyalty and contributions but he is going to follow the dictates of his mind. He introduces a man who is a friend with considerable influences his company needs and he is accepting the bid of Craig Miller as Vice President for Auturo-Engieering and Construction. Shays smile turns and expression of sheer disbelief, as he screams NO. NO. NO…
He continues to scream how Burlingame used him naming what he has done to promote the company and how much this position meant to him and Mr. Burlingame tries to offer consolation to Shays, but to no avail, Shays is so distraught that he calls Burlingame all kinds of names like liar and low-life. Shays last blasting words are you’ll pay for this Burlingame. As God is my witness, you will pay and pay dearly!!! The crowd gives off its ooh and aah, as Shays turns and storms out through the stunned crowd.
WHO STOLE MY $15,000,000 MANSION?
By
‘COUNTRY’ NATE
GREEN
Time has passed – Shays has given much thought to his plan of vengeance.
Having arrived in a highly secured and most exclusive area; Shays views the entire scene with anticipation. As his eyes scan the well-designed homes, one can only conclude this is truly an extraordinary panorama. He soon spies a home offset some distance from the rest. This is the home he has come to…his point of destination.
He walks from his observation point to the front door. There are beautiful flowers on both sides of the long walkway. He knocks… moments go by…. No response. He knocks again and again. A black African-American man in his late sixties, sees Shays through a curtain in a high window.
Soon the peephole door opens.
“State your business!”
“Shays. My name’s Shays Barker. I’m the engineer at Auturo-Engineering. I work for Mr. Burlingame.”
Burger immediately opens the door to greet him.
Burger shakes Shays hand. Mr. Shays. Mr. Shays Barker. What joy for me to finally meet cha. Mr. Burlingame has spoken about you many times. Come in… Come in!
My name is Burton James – I used to eat a lot of Burgers and Fries till my friends’ jus’ started callin’ me Burger.
Glad to meet you Burger.
Shays enters Burlingame’s lavishly furnished and exquisitely decorated home with plush sofas and glass coffee tables. The walls are hung with Monet and Rembrandt paintings and DeVinci sketches. The look of success is obvious all through out this opulent home.
Burger said, “This is quite an occasion for me Mr. Barker; Mr. Burlingame has spoken your name many a time. In fact you’re a household word.”
Shays (taken by surprise), ”I’m a household word?”
Burger (reinforcing), “Yep! Hardly a day goes by your name ain’t mentioned. Wait jus a minute?
Burger leaves the room. Shays sits shaking his head. “Shays, a household word…” He rises and begins once again looking at the furnishing in this lavish home. He comes across a picture of Mr. Burlingame and his wife. He picks the picture up… looks at it as a burst of anger rises in him. His total expression has changed…it appears he is going to do something drastic. His mood is interrupted by the voice of Burger holding a small tray and standing in the doorway. On the tray is a bottle of vintage red wine and two glasses.
Burger said, “I believe they love each other.”
Shays turns to face Burger, “Who?”
Burger moves to a shapely table. “Mr. and Mrs. Burlingame. I believe they love each other, although…she’s very demanding.” Here Mr. Barker lets have a spot of red wine, “As they say!”
Burger pours the wine.
Shays places the picture back…and steps over to pick up a glass from the tray.
Burger extends his glass and says, “To a lasting friendship.”
Shays extends his glass, “To a lasting friendship.”
The glasses clicks together and both men swallow the delicious red wine.
Aahh. Shays wipes his mouth and says, “Mighty fine wine Burger.”
Mr. Burlingame always insists on the very best. “Here, let’s have another one,” as Burger pours wine into Shays extended glass and then into his own.
Burger clears his throat, “Hmm! Hum! That was better than the first one!”
Shays smiles as he places his glass on the tray.
Burger places his glass on the tray and continues, “Mr. & Mrs. Burlingame left yesterday for New York. They took that pretty Rolls Royce of theirs and said they were going to ship it to England. They expect to be gone… man a long trip. Hope your business with Mr. Burlingame wasn’t too important?”
Shays replied, “No, he mentioned his sewer. Said he wanted me to come out and remove the system. I’ve been real busy, thought I’d better get on it before my work load starts up again, I understand you can smell the sewer?
And how!!! Man let me show you! Burger leads the way from the living room to a small corridor, which passes a well-decorated dining room and leads to an immaculate well-kept kitchen. As Burger goes out the rear screen door he warns Shays we’ve got a couple steps so watch it!
Shays goes through the rear door and steps down to look over a spacious backyard. At both corners of the yard are two large monuments. The yard is ever so green up to the long break in the ground from the house to the end of the yard. Shays begins inspecting the open sewer line.
Shays asks kneeling at ditch, “Some of Mr. Burlingame’s work?”
Burger answers as he pulls his handkerchief from his pocket and puts it over his nose. “Yep, he started this a while back…but you know Mr. Barker? I been working here going on four years (coughing) I’ve come to stand almost anything…but not his sewer…No indeed not this sewer. He wipes his nose, turns and goes back into the house.
Shays takes a handkerchief out of his pocket holds it to his nose, as he proceeds to check the soil with his hands. He reaches his hand once again into his pocket and pulls out a tape measure. He makes a series of measurements.
Shays returns to the living room wiping his hands on his handkerchief.
Burger is seated, “Now you see what I’m talking about?”
Shays said, “I’d better get an early start on it. There’s an awful lot of work to be done.
Mr. Burlingame was right about you. “He said if you want to get a job done right get Shays Barker and your worries are over!”
Shays is surprises. “He said that? Burlingame said that about me?
Burger said, “Shore’s that God’s truth, when Mrs. Burlingame wasn’t around-him and me talked about his business often times. Ya see my wife used to cook for him till she wasn’t able anymore. He needed somebody to help out round here… so she told him about me.
Shays asked, “And how does he treat you?
“Oh fine now. We use to go tit for tat on thangs…but he found out…I have a strong constitution.” *change of thought* “You remember the Deltarasco Account?”
Yes, Shays said, but that was three years
ago. You know about that?
Burger said, “Well I told you we talked.
He said that’s when he was really sold on your engineering skills…. Cause that
was one of his worst accounts and you came through for him with flying colors.”
Shays (really taken), “I can hardly believe what I’m hearing!”
Ah don’t be modest Mr. Barker. You have terrific skills-Mr. Burlingame said so; he told me (slight whispering) he was going to make you Vice President of Auturo Engineering.
Vice President?
Yep! Said he was going to set a meeting date soon.
Shays stood at this remark and seemingly is taken by it. I don’t’ mind saying I’m really impressed by what you’ve said.
The telephone rings. Burger steps into the corridor where the telephone sits on a stand and lifts the receiver.
Burlingame residence- (A long Pause)
How bad is it this time? (Another Pause) Well you’d better check back with me. Burger replaces the receiver on the telephone. He stops for a moment then bows his head.
Shays rises to leave.
My apologies Mr. Barker a bit of bad
news… “You see, I have a sickly brother that’s been taken to the hospital. It
appears I might have to leave.”
Shays shakes Burger hand.
I’m truly sorry-But I’ve met a tremendous man. Thanks for everything.
Both men head toward the front door. Burger opens the door and says, “I’d be willing to bet we are not going to have that sewage smell much longer.”
Shays said, “Remember Burger, an early start tomorrow.
Burger shakes his head in acknowledgment and closes the door.
Burger stands at the door with a dejected look on his face as he ponders, “My dear brother Roscoe, my good Man, are going to make it this time?”
First Work Day-Early Morning
Burlingame’s Backyard
Shays had brought in his 2 men to assist him Jerry White who is working diligently digging along with Handly,
a black man in his late 20’s. Handy has a handkerchief tie around is head. He’s wearing a tee shirt and blue
jeans. Both men are wearing gloves.
Shays is bust as he kneel and look through his eye scope and check the information on the note pad. Both men
are breathing heavy as they gasp with every shovel of broken still. Much work is being done as time passes.
Through the heavy breathing and gasping Burger interrupts as he comes out the rear door holding a tray full of
food.
Burger (placing tray on table)
Hey everybody food and drinks for everybody.
Jerry
All right Mr. Burger, I’m ready for mine…Handly heads to the table behind Jerry. Jerry and Handly proceed to the their refreshments and munch on their sandwiches as Burger goes over to Shays who is standing in the sewer hole.
Burger
Listen – since there’s so much traffic here I’m cutting all timing security – the police patrol would be running in all day long. I’ll just let them know you’re here.
Burger this time uses a hand towel to cover his nose as he turns to go back in the house. Just as he opens the door to step in a voice from behind hollers to him.
Handly (with expression) Brotherman-hey brother man can ya…Play some music jams for us???
Shays said, It’ll help Mr. Burlingame’s flowerbed. Handly shakes his head-gets a slice of pie and leaves in a backward moonwalk-Micheal Jackson fashion, but trips and falls back through the red door. Handly rolls 2 steps down to the ground. Shays and Jerry rush with food in hand to the door. Handly lays flat on the ground….rolls over and sits up then goes right back into his body rhythm. Shays and Jerry are ecstatic with laughter.
Burger
Soon after a theme of soulful beats and musical rhythms coming across the backyard. Handly with his handkerchief and Burlingame’s shirt off revealing his muscular torso brings moves and dances to the heavy sounds.
Saturday: 4 days later shift in music a pretty song play throughout this beautiful home. Burger has on a chef’s cap and an apron tied around him in the kitchen. There is a ham in a container as Burger is pouring pineapple juice and putting honey and cloves pineapples are placed on the ham when the cloves and pineapples are placed on the ham when the telephone rings. He goes to a nearby walk phone.
Burger: “Burlingame’s residence.”
There is a pause, Burger (shocked). “Oh my God…yes I will.” He hangs up the telephone, bows his head.
Burger (whispering), “Roscoe-Roscoe.” He immediately picks the telephone and dials a number. Then waits…
Burger (very impatient), “Come on, come on, where are you!!!! He slams the phone down but misses. He then places it correctly and proceeds to call again. No response.
Burger (slamming the telephone again), “Where in God’s name is everybody?”
Burlingame’s (backyard)
Moments pass as Burger crashed through the screen, with the screen opening wide a cap on his head and a coat collar. The turned music is playing as he interrupts everyone.
Burger (shouting), “Mr. Barker!”
Mr. Barker rushed directly to Burger steps down and Shays.
I’ve got to leave…now! My sister just called from San Francisco said my brother Roscoe just lapsed into a coma…
Shays Interrupts
I’ll take charge and contact Burlingame for you…You go…don’t’ worry.
Burger, “I tried to reach his office. I didn’t get nobody even tried his private club in England, no luck. I guess I’ll try his executive secretary again…couldn’t reach her either.
Shays says, “Leave everything to me Burger I’m sure I’ll reach him long before you. Go catch your plane…
Burger – (with Reluctance), I know this is most unusual Mr. Barker most unusual.
Shays, “Don’t you give it another thought. Didn’t you say Mr. Burlingame was making me Vice President?”
The two men walk toward the back porch Burger turns and shakes Shays hand!
Burger, “You don’t know how much I appreciate this.
Shays, “And my very best to your brother Roscoe!”
Burger (looks at everyone), “Thanks!!! There’s food inside. He turns and walks away.
Two days later three men are seated in Burlingame’s kitchen.
Jerry stands to cut some of the remaining ham, as Handly and Shays eat large slices of pie.
Shays speaks, “Some kind of meal…Huh fellas?
Jerry, “One of the best I’ve had.
Handly (mouth full), “The brother man really knows how to put it together! Yes!!
Shays, “Handly! Put a few barrels of that dirt on the front flowerbed.”
Handly said, “Oh wow! That…wasteful smelly dirt on the flowerbed, Why?
They continue to work together as Jerry and Shays now install the new sewer pipes.
Handly drives the dump truck to the security point a short way from the house where he is checked, security also checks the stagnating load. The quaro-holds his nose as he tries to look over but yells to Handly to go on.
Handly drives a long distance to a scheduled ravine, backs his truck up to the edge and dumps the entire load over the edge.
Handly makes a couple more runs with the truck.
The security officer steps from his security area and sees the truck and the driver.
Two more days pass.
The backyard sewer lines have been completed. There is a large pile of waste dirt left. The rest is spread on the lawn, smoothed and leveled out.
Jerry, “Well it was a helluva job. But we kicked it Shays.
Shays, “You guys did such a fantastic job…I’m authorized to give you both a huge bonus.
Handly (Jubilant) Oww, a bonus?
Shays hands the two men envelopes. Both men open their respective envelopes. Sheer joy erupts from both men as they express their gratitude.
The two men leave through the rear gate, as Shays heads into the house.
Loud music interludes – as Shays moves faster than anytime before. He moves to lock the front door-pulls a large bag to the front door. He reaches for the very expensive black paintings on the walls. He wraps them in cellophane and very quickly places them into the bags. There are expensive ornaments wrapped. Drawers are opened and jewelry cases are opened. Diamonds and various jewelry are exposed…then wrapped.
In the master bedroom Shays (angrily voices alone), “So…. You’re going to make me Vice-President?” (Shays walks in front of the mirror near the king size bed).
“Shays Barker…a household word!” He picks up a chair and throws it into the expensively elaborate mirror, smashing into gleaming shards of glass.
Shays is truly at the height of his anger as he slings cover from the well made bed, he pulls the mattress off and throws them down on the floor breathing hard as he stops and looks around- he spies a door across the room he rushes to it. He slings the door open where it exposes a lengthy close of fabulous dress-wear. Silk suits, sporting jackets, topcoats, women suits, over coats, and shoes for the Burlingame galore.
Shays (stand in awe)
My…God will ya look at this?
Shays steps in the closet grapping a huge arm full of racked clothing and throws them on the floor in one great big pile.
After all Burlingame – you can’t really blame me. I’m responsible for half of your (breathing very hard) half of your success.
More heavy musical interlude: Shays is seen wrapping the kitchen refrigerator – disconnecting lines. He makes two telephone calls: the first he disguises his voice with a handkerchief.
Shays (on telephone) This is the Burlingame’ residence 921 Stouter Drive in Banner Heights. I’m requesting that our water and power be turned off…yes 30 days (long tune). Tomorrow? 4 p.m. That’ll be fine! Thanks.
Shays (second telephone call): this is Mr. Burlingame at 921 Stouter drives in Banner Heights and we’re having a serious sewage problem here. The construction people don’t want to hit a gas line, would you turn the gas off temporarily?
Shays continues to work vigorously placing all wrapped furniture and objects in a central area close to the rear exit.
The following morning Shays has before him three men and one woman: a Hispanic family consisting with construction skills and superior talent. A man and woman around 45 years of age and two younger men in their early twenties. They have their construction clothes on, tools on hand ready to work as Shays gives his command.
Okay! You all have been told what to do. I selected you because I know what you can do. We have just a short time to be here so let’s…let’s move!
They scatter to their respective positions as Shays stacks his huge truck parked right on the back steps. As Shays step off the trucks. One of the young men steps on loaded down to assist him. The rotation of loading continues. When the truck is loaded with Burlingame’s best to the limit, a tarp covers the entire load over the already wrapped object. After the tarp is secured heavy shovels of messy smelly dirt is put on the secured tarp.
The dirt covers the entire truck area. One of the young men gets in the truck and drives from the house and another huge lift truck is backed to the back of the house. Shays continues to stack as much of Burlingame’s precious contents on the second truck as much as the truck could hold.
The first truck moves down the road to the area security check. The truck stands as the security man comes out to check, but stops short as it is obvious the odor has reached his nostrils, he reaches for his handkerchief…puts it to his nose…tries to get a quick check but… motions for the truck to go…as if to say…. please go!!!
The young driver drives away. He reaches an abandon road, turns off the main highway makes it down the road as he looks down a couple of other roads to some obscure location.
He drives through to an area where he sees a fleet of trucks. He has been instructed to leave the truck he has been driving. He backs up and aligns his truck with the rest. His truck is just like the rest. He hops into the cab of one of them and takes off.
Shays along with the rest of his new crew are working diligently and at record speed to clear the house and load the truck as they leave in rotation of each loaded truck with the tarp secured first, then heavy dirty smelly gunk is spread over the tarp of the truck until the last truck with contents has left. The same procedures works pass the security check and on to a second truck exchange.
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