Laura had no idea how her life would change within the next year. Merrily, she went about her tasks at her desk in the bustling income tax preparer office where she worked as a CPA. It was tax time and the office flowed daily with customers. Laura took this job every year as a means of resetting her brain from the normal corporate CPA duties she performed the rest of the year.
When she wasn't at work, Laura was a wife to a great husband. Bill and Laura were both 26 years old and had been married for two years. Bill was a math teacher at the local high school. They were a happy couple. They were active in their church and were beginning to get involved in local politics. If you were to ask either of them, they would declare that their nearly daily sex life was rewarding and they were happy in their life.
Laura was working on a long form for a well off client whom she also knew as he was on the city council. She was nearly done when she pulled out a receipt from a local pet shop that had been stuck on the back of another receipt for business expenses. She picked up the phone and called her client. "Mr. Standing, this is Laura. I was just about done with your taxes when I discovered another business expense receipt."
"Yes, Laura?" he replied to her.
"I am confused as to why a dog crate, leashes, and collars are a business expense." George Standing was the owner of a very successful upscale restaurant in downtown. People came from all over the county to celebrate special occasions. Other successful business people also came from all over to wine and dine clients, or even just for an everyday dinner.
George replied, "You don't need to understand it, Laura. Just take my word for it that it is a legitimate expense."
"Actually, I can't do that, Mr. Standing. If I am called upon to defend your return, I need to be able to defend all of it."
"It is a side part of the business, Laura. We collect a nice set of tips for it. I'm sure you've noticed our tips are a substantial part of the cash flow. I think that is all you need to know," George explained.
"No, Mr. Standing. I need to know what that side part of your business is and how it operates."
"Well, it is a somewhat secret operation. Only my best clients know about it. I will need your utmost confidentiality regarding it."
Laura didn't quite know what to think. Was he running numbers or drugs? Still, how would a dog crate factor into that. There were no properties on his books where a guard dog would be needed.
"I, well, of course, Mr. Standing. As long as it is legal you know your information is confidential," Laura stammered a bit at first.
"OK, I am binding you to your secrecy, Laura. It is a legal operation. We sell lots of drinks and snacks and get very generous tips. The crate is part of the entertainment we provide."
"Entertainment? It's not dog fighting is it?" Laura questioned.
"No, Laura. It is erotic entertainment, and I think that is all you need to know about it." George stated.
Laura's jaw dropped. Of course she was on the phone and no one saw her, but the silent pause betrayed her shock. When she finally found her voice, she replied, "You're right, I think that is all I want to know."
George hung up and Laura placed the phone back into it's cradle.
The next day, Laura called George Standing and told him his taxes were done and just needed his signature. They arranged for him to stop by that afternoon.
George smiled at Laura as he walked into her office and she returned his smile. They exchanged pleasantries, shook hands and then George sat down and went over the forms, signing each one as he completed his review. Laura sat quietly for most of the time and watched. When George came to the deductions form, he looked closely at the numbers.
"This includes everything, right Laura?
"Yes, Mr. Standing, including the pet store expenses," replied Laura.
"Good." He smiled. "Thank you. Remember to keep this confidential."
"Mr. Standish, all this would be confidential even if there was not that, um, unusual item," Laura stated somewhat insulted. "Everything is confidential."
Laura was visibly nervous and George took silent notice. They finished their business and George left. Then as Laura began her next client's job she pushed it out of her mind and the thought never returned to her again.
A year later, George came into the tax office with his customary box of papers and sat down at Laura's desk.
"Good morning, Mr. Standish. Thank you for your repeat business. I'm pretty familiar with your business, so is there anything special I need to know this year?"
"Good morning, Laura. Good to see you." George smiled warmly and shook Laura's hand. "There may be a few items I should explain so we don't have a misunderstanding from the get go. You will find receipts for some equipment: a winch, cables, lumber, etc. It is all bundled together in one envelop, marked 'entertainment equipment'. Do you need further explanation of those items, or do you remember from last year?"
Laura remembered for the first time in a year about the unusual business Mr. Standish ran on the side. She looked at him, with searching eyes for just a moment and then, satisfied that he was being honest with her she uncomfortably stated, "Yes, Mr. Standish, I remember your explanation. I think I understand."
"Shall we set a time to meet next week to get your signatures?" Laura finished the meeting up with booking the next meeting. George left and Laura set the box aside and spent the rest of the day finishing another client's paperwork.
