Don and Jackie Phelps were overextended like a young couple should not be. They both had expensive tastes and liked to live beyond their means. Despite being married a little over three years they were mired deeply in debt. It looked like they would lose the house Jackie's parents had put the down payment on for her as well as the cars. Bill collectors phoned regularly. Jackie's father was very upset at how his daughter and son in law were wasting their money and refused to give them another cent. When Don pointed out to him that his daughter could end up homeless her old man said, "Good perhaps the two of you will learn the value of a dollar. It was a mistake to make the down payment on that house for you. Both of you should have learned to work for things like Jackie's mother and me!"
Don's father had the same attitude. "I'd love to help son but I am on a fixed income. Perhaps this is for the best. Both you and Jackie spend like there is no tomorrow. Perhaps this is a sign that you should rethink your priorities. Try getting by on one car for a while and why do you need TWO luxury models?"
With both sets of parents no help and the idea of his employer gracing him with a raise beyond the realm of fantasy, Don decided to launch a hail Mary pass. Scouring the internet he came upon the name of a local man who claimed to be able to retire debt and put people on the road to easy street if you entered his program.
Don thought it was just another internet come on but the phone number and mailing address were local so Don thought if it was a crap offer he would discover that fact immediately. With nothing to lose and everything to gain he punched the number into his i-phone. He followed the instructions of the disembodied male voice and left a detailed message. Then he promptly forgot about it.
Five days later his phone rang. "Don Phelps?"
"Yes?"
"Nice to meet you my name is Peter Holgate of Hidden Financial Solutions, You called us a few days ago. I am happy to report that, after our investigations, this company thinks that you and your lovely wife would make excellent candidates for our program We would like a chance to get to meet you and explain how our program works."
Don listened to the rest of the conversation. On the one hand it sounded too good to be true. On the other hand it did not sound like Holgate was blowing smoke. At the very least it could not hurt to talk about it. Holgate ended the conversation by informing Don that he had made reservations for three at the city's finest restaurant for Thursday night at eight P.M.
"If you miss this dinner date you will miss the opportunity of a lifetime." The voice said
Don had some difficulty explaining to Jackie how he had encountered Mr. Holgate. She was very skeptical but the lure of a free dinner at such a fine restaurant was to intriguing an offer to turn down.
Friday night they both made ready after work. Both figured that looking good could not hurt.
Jackie looked stunning as always. She was 26 the same age as her husband. She stood five six and had long black hair that was so shiny it practically shimmered. Her skin was clear and ivory toned. Her green eyes dazzled above her bowed lips. Below the neck she was incredible. Long lean legs, attractive tush and a flat tummy and tapered ribs surmounted by first class breasts. She looked smashing in her little black dress.
Don put on his finest suit. It did nothing to hide his mass. He could still be mistaken for the wrestler he was in college. He stood six two and had sandy blond hair. He was as handsome as his wife was beautiful. Despite his fierce exterior Don had a hard time saying no to people especially Jackie. One of the reasons they could never stay on a budget was the fact that when Jackie wanted something, anything, all she had to do was bat her eyes at her husband and he melted. He had the same problem at work. Co-workers would pile extra work on him, knowing that he would never object. The simple fact was that apart from a wrestling mat Don had no idea how to function in the world. Even he realized that he needed some sharp discipline.
When they arrived at the restaurant they were told that their host was waiting for them. They were led to seats in the Champaign room. Their host stood up as the neared the indicated table. He was quite handsome despite being at least fifty years old. He wore an Armani suit and had a way of carrying himself that practically shouted wealth, distinction, and class. He held Jackie's chair for her, shook Don's hand and then sat down across from them.
"I see that you have made it. My name is Peter Holgate, but I am sure that you both know that."
He gazed at the two of them, his glance lingering a bit longer on Jackie than on Don. He spoke again.
"I do hope that this dinner leads to a working relationship. Shall we order/"
Don was astounded at the prices on the menu but had no problem spending Holgate's money. Over the first course Holgate told them a tale that had the Phelps' heads spinning with dollar signs.
"As you are probably aware Bill Gates intends to liquidate all of his assets to charity before he dies. He believes that inherited wealth causes all kinds of social inequities. My father was an industrialist of some note. Oh he never became famous like Andrew Carnegie or Henry Ford and his field had more to do with metallurgy than banks and rail roads but my father was a great admirer of Carnegie. Like Gates is doing today Carnegie liquidated his assets. That explains the thousands of libraries and post offices and train depots he built. When he died all of it was gone except for just enough to keep his widow and daughter in the style they were accustomed to until their subsequent deaths. His foundation continues to this day doing good works.
My father decided to follow in the steps of his hero Andrew Carnegie. He passed away two years ago. The wealth he built is going to places like senior living homes, hospitals, and medical research. Some goes to support artistic endeavours and so forth. As for me. My father made his plans clear to me when I was very young. I knew that I would receive no inheritance so I made my own way in the world. I entered banking and finance, two fields that my father viewed as necessary evils. We agreed to disagree about my work. Anyway to make a long story short. I did so well in my chosen fields that I never had a need for my father's money and I have been retired for a number of years. I have no dependants. In my youth I married twice rashly. Neither of my wives produced an heir and the divorces nearly left me penniless. I had to rebuild from square one. I DO enjoy the companionship of women but I have learned the folly of offering one a wedding ring. Which brings us to the two of you.
Most of my father's wealth has been distributed but there is still a rather large nest egg which I can spend at my own discretion. To my way of thinking that money should be going to help the common man. A university will just invest it. The money will not go to the hard working employees of said university. I have taken the liberty of looking into the situation the two of you are in. I think 'overextended' would be the charitable way of describing your situation. Am I right?"
Jackie, rapt in the dollar signs spinning in her mind said, "Yes you could describe us that way. Don and I have good jobs we just need some help in getting our footing again."
Holgate looked intently at Jackie,"My charity is not just a hand out organization. We are also a hand up organization. Would the two of you be willing to work to get yourselves out of your dire straits?"
"We already have jobs, Mr. Holgate," Don said. "My employers run me ragged as it is."
"You misconstrue my meaning dear boy. I mean are you willing to do ANYTHING to not only get back on your feet but to learn how to live within your means? If you can't learn anything or are unwilling to change I may as well just flush my money down the sewer."
Jackie was quick to answer. "As a matter of fact Mr. Holgate, we do need a firm hand on our finances. They have spun out of control and neither Don or I can seem to get our heads around the numbers. We SHOULD be living much better than we are. We know that and our neighbors, and our parents know that. It is quite embarrassing actually."
