Frank has owned his own architectural business called, Frank & Sense, and has been quite successful for years. But the recent downturn in the housing market has buyers making offers on houses that are already built, since the prices are way below market value and new construction is so costly right now in the area. Two years ago Frank purchased a restored 1967 corvette and financed 75% of the $70K purchase price with the local branch of our bank. The third past due payment has just come due. For the last month Frank has made promise after promise that he will start to catch up on his payments. Frank still drives the vehicle on the weekends; especially when the weather is cooperative and it is suspected that he keeps it locked periodically in the garage that came with the property that he had bought when he opened up his shop. It is a brick house that he renovated to meet his business needs.
"I'm worried about repo'ing a high value vehicle and not having it damaged in the process by an angry owner," Steve told his family as they gathered at the shop to start another work day. "We need to have this man completely away from the vehicle when we take it. I do not want anyone hurt in this operation." Steve passed around a picture that was also included with the fax of the car and the owner's driver license.
"Hey, I know this car. I have seen my friend Susan with a man in this car. I didn't pay much attention to the guy, but the car was dazzling and it caught my attention," Darlene said as she held the picture of the car in her hands. "Let me call Susan and see what I can find out."
Darlene pulled the Rolodex closer and looked up Susan's number. It was only a few rings later when she heard Susan's voice on the other end of the line.
"Hello, Vanderveen residence."
"Susan, its Darlene."
"Hey Darlene, how are you?"
"I'm doing great. How about you?"
"I'm doing okay I guess. I have been dating this guy who has this gorgeous car, and we broke up last night. I think he has the 20 year old itch, and my 40 year body doesn't scratch it well enough for him anymore," Susan said in a dejected tone.
"Wow, I'm sorry to hear about that. But since we're on the subject, what was the guy's name that you were dating?" Darlene asked.
"It was Frank. Why do you ask?" Susan wondered.
"Well, you know we are in the repo business, and I have seen you and him riding around from time to time in a 'vette, and I recognized the car when we got the repo notice on it. I hate to ask, but do you know where he keeps the car regularly?"
"Not really, as he always picked me up at my house and dropped me off before going home, or wherever he went. I didn't know he wasn't making his car payments. It serves him right for ditching me to have to lose his car. I can tell you this. He goes to the strip club out on Hwy 101 a few towns over on Friday nights."
"Yep, I know the place. I've driven by it going to the Wal-Mart," Darlene remarked.
Susan continued, "They have a contest every Friday night where local girls can compete for prize money, and he can't miss going there and looking at all the young hot bodies. Sometimes he drives the 'vette, especially if the weather is going to be good."
Suddenly a plan formed in Darlene's mind.
"Thanks so much Susan, I owe you big time."
Darlene hung up the phone and turned to her daughter Denise.
"Hey hon, how would you like to possibly make some money and help us retrieve a car?"
"Whatever it takes mom, I'm willing."
Darlene sat down with the family and discussed her idea. A lot of it would be chancy, as they would be "flying by the seat of their pants" as Darlene put it. But Denise was not only a beautiful girl, she was a quick thinker at the same time, so Darlene was confident that Denise could pull it off.
On Friday evening Darlene loaded Denise and Sambo into the SUV and took them to the club, where she dropped them off and then went back home to spend some quality time with Steven.
When they entered the club, Denise looked hesitantly at Sambo, as if she were having second thoughts. Sambo winked his wicked little grin, assuring Denise that everything would be okay.
While Denise went behind the stage to get registered and ready for the contest, Sambo walked slowly about the room, watching for any sign of Frank. Finally he saw Frank come in the club and sit near the front of the stage at a table by himself. Sambo wandered over to the table and asked if he could join him at the table, so he could have a good seat for the show.
"Sure, have a seat. I'm here for the night by myself, and there is no reason to waste a good seat for the show. By the way, I'm Frank," he said as he raised his hand to shake Sambos' hand.
"Hi, my name is Sam," Sambo said as he pulled the chair out from the table to sit down. "Waitress, I need a Budβ’," Sambo told the girl as she passed their table with her tray. The waitress nodded her acceptance of the order and headed for the bar to fill it.