Chapter 1 -- Maybe I Can Help
Chad had talked to the bank and everyone he could think of to get the money he needed in order to prevent the bank from foreclosing on his home. His wife Ashley knew her husband was having problems securing the funds necessary and she was confident he would find a way, he always had in the past.
When he received the layoff notice at work, he had been assured it would only be temporary. The small amount of cash Chad had set aside for emergencies had long since been depleted. He didn't often drink all that much alcohol, but now at the lowest point he could ever remember being he was sitting at the bar of a neighborhood gentleman's club. He had just come from talking to his last prospect of securing the funds needed. As before, he had once again been turned down. He had left that prospective source and was walking aimlessly down the street when he had spotted the club.
At home he had a gorgeous wife waiting for him and he knew he shouldn't be stopping in a club where pretty girls were dancing naked. The thought of getting a drink and seeing some hot naked female flesh sounded a lot better than going home and telling his wife they were going to be homeless and he was powerless to stop it from happening.
There weren't many customers in the bar. He had ordered a drink and was trying to make it last as he watched the girls dancing on the stage. He'd been to these sorts of clubs before and he took note of the quality of the dancers. They were all very attractive. There were even a couple who might even been better looking than his wife. He was well aware of the fact women like that were rare.
Chad and Ashley had married seven years earlier right after graduation from high school. Everyone told them they were too young, but they were in love and thought they knew better. At first things were great. They didn't have a lot of money, but they did love each other. Then Chad met a man who knew a man who owned a successful business. Chad met the man and the man was so impressed he offered Chad a job along with a signing bonus. The offer was almost too good to be true, but there was one catch. They would have to move across the country.
At first Ashley had been reluctant to move, but Chad had been able to talk her into it with the promise of a new house. With the promised salary and signing bonus they could easily afford a new house.
All was going well until the bottom fell out of the economy and the company began cutting expenses. Chad had been the Junior member of the management team and as such had been one of the first to receive notice his position had been targeted. What he had expected to last a few months was currently well past a year.
Chad tried to hide his frustration from Ashley, but she knew. She had been supportive, and to make matters even worse her job had also been cut.
Siting at the bar Chad felt a soft touch on his shoulder and turned to see the girl he'd been watching dance on the main stage. All the girls were beautiful, and in Chad's opinion this girl was the prettiest of the dancers he had seen.
Wearing only a G-String she was circulating through the few customers present in search of tips. Chad had spent the last of his cash on the drink now on the bar in front of him. He told the girl he would tip her if he had any money, but explained he was flat broke. She gave him a smile before moving to the next man at the bar.
Chad watched her as she disappeared through a curtain at the other end of the room. He went back to staring from his drink to the girls dancing naked on the stage. He sensed, more than heard someone slide onto the bar stool next to him. Turning he saw a man he'd never met before. The man acted as if he was in charge of things as he ordered two more of what Chad was drinking from the topless bartender.
When Chad tried to wave him off saying he'd run out of cash the man told him to not worry saying the drinks were on him. When the drinks came Chad finished off his current drink that was now little more than melted ice. He thanked the man who shook his hand and said, "My name is Hector. Do you have time to talk?"
He motioned Chad toward a corner. Chad grabbed his drink and followed his apparent benefactor. Once they were seated the man said, "Like I said, my name is Hector and if I'm right about you, I might be able to help."
Wondering what this was all about Chad said, "Okay, I'm listening and by the way, thanks for the drink."
Waving his thanks off, Hector said, "Don't worry about that. It's my pleasure. I saw you and one of my girls said you told her you were broke."
"Broke isn't really the word for it. I'm flat busted with no change in sight."
"That sucks," said Hector. "Like I said, maybe I can help. How much do you need?"
"Too much," said Chad.
"Give me a number. You might be surprised what I can do. You'll never know until I know the full extent of your problem."
Normally Chad would not discuss matters such as this in such detail with a stranger, but he had nothing to lose, or at least that was what he thought. He began telling Hector the story that had brought him to where he now found himself. Hector listened, but all he really needed to know was how desperate Chad was and how much he needed. The rest of the story was fluff he didn't need or even care to know.
When Chad had finished he told Hector he needed fifty thousand. With the house, two car loans and the pool he had installed he figured fifty thousand was the minimum. When Hector said, "So you need fifty thousand to bring things back into focus and save your home and all those other things we all enjoy?"
"Yes Sir. I do appreciate you giving me the opportunity to vent, but now you can see it's likely much larger than you expected. I managed to get myself into this mess and will find some way to dig myself out."
