Life after the Lottery Ch. 60

Here is the next chapter. I know, they are coming slowly. Unfortunately, the doctors have not found the right medications yet for my arthritis. Because of that, I stay in some pain right now. My writing is progressing slowly, but it is progressing. Good news is the next chapter will follow quickly. Enjoy! 9/18. Copyright 2018, LATL. No part of this material shall be posted on other websites.

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Life after the Lottery, CH 60

The time is near

It was the Monday before Labor Day, and Dawn and I were working on getting everything ready for the party. The girls had started school and were settling into that. I was downtown at the DMV picking up the custom plates for Samantha and Amy's cars and was sitting in a chair waiting on a lady named Ann that was in charge.

"Dr. Smith?" A lady said walking up to me.

"That's me, are you Ann?"

"Yes, we talked on the phone about two vanity plates. They are ready," she said.

"Great. Thanks, Ann for pushing these through for me. The Police Chief said you could help."

"No problem. You said you wanted to talk to me about something else?"

"Yes. I am starting a limo business and wanted to ask if I could get custom plates for my vehicles?"

"Limos usually have taxi plates on them. They can't be customized."

"That's too bad. I wanted to have part of the company name on them and then a vehicle number. I wanted everyone to know the vehicles are from our company."

"How many vehicles are you going to have?" She asked.

"We are starting with about twenty. Is there any way the plates can be custom?"

"Let me ask the boss. The taxi plates have a CB designator on them and then eight characters. Maybe we could do it and just put the commercial sticker on them," Ann said.

"If I could get them customized, I will really appreciate it, Ann. If there is someone I need to talk to just let me know."

"Let me talk to the boss. If you are going to have 20 or more vehicles, we might be able to do something."

"Is your boss the County Court Clerk, David West?"

"Yes, he oversees all of this."

"Just tell David, Dr. Smith wants them and will be supporting him again next election," I said. Ann smiled.

"I see, you know David?"

"We know each other. I was happy to support him in the last election."

"I'll tell him, Dr. Smith. When will you need the plates, if I can get them?"

"Late January. We are ordering the cars soon."

"You are starting a limo business?"

"I'm helping a bunch of the local deputies and police officers that drive part-time for other companies start their own limo services. Some of them are wanting something to do after they retire, so I thought I would help them out and make it possible for them to buy into a limo business."

"That's great."

We traded phone numbers, and I got in line with everyone else to pick up the plates. It took about ten minutes before I got to the counter.

"I need to pick up two custom plates," I told the lady behind the counter.

I gave her the letter that I had received saying they were ready and a few minutes later, I was out the door. On the way home, I stopped at the camera store I did business with.

"Hey, Dr. Smith!" The owner said when I walked in.

"Hey, Jim."

"Do you need some supplies?"

"No, I'm ready to order all that large format camera gear we have been looking at."

"Are you setting up your studio finally?"

"It should be ready in about a month or so."

"Great. Everything will be in by then. What about the darkroom equipment?"

"Let's look at some again."

Jim and I spent about an hour looking over the new darkroom equipment I would need for the large format camera. We put an order together for everything, and I paid for it.

"Dr. Smith, what are you going to be shooting with this new equipment?"

"My wife and I are going to start shooting lingerie photos. We think it would be fun."

"There are already a couple of studios in town doing that."

"I saw them on the internet. We are going to be doing very high-end shots. We will offer much more than the local places."

"What do you mean high-end?"

"It is going to be expensive, and our clientele will be ladies that would probably not frequent a local studio," I told him. "These will be private photos that I will process and print."

"Oh, you mean rich ladies!"

"Yep. Our clients will be ladies that will have plenty of money, and need privacy."

"Sounds exciting. You know I put up photos in the store from some of the local studios. You think you will have some I can put up?"

"I'm sure I will, but Jim, I'm not going to put our name and phone number of them. Maybe just the studio name. Then when someone asks about them, I'll let you explain our services and cost and refer them. I'll give you a finder's fee."

"I see. What is the name of your studio?"

"Allure Photography."

"I can't wait, Dr. Smith."

"Jim, you told me once that you process a lot of film and prints that are on the risqué side for some people. Maybe you can recommend us to those folks."

"I probably can, some of them are for people that wouldn't go to a studio. Since I process the film and prints, things don't get passed around."

"That's the market we are going after. If you think they are the kind of people that can spend 5 or 10 thousand dollars, give them my number."

"That much?"

"It will be worth it if they have that kind of money."

"Will do. I may have to keep some of your photos on the back wall."

"How much color 4 X 5 film can you process, Jim?"

"With my small system, about eight sheets an hour."

"What do you need to upgrade?"

"Well, there is one professional lab in town that does a lot of sheet film, but I wouldn't recommend them for anything you don't want viewed by others."

"That's what I am afraid of. I'm not about to put in the equipment to process color film at home. I wouldn't be doing enough."

"I have thought about expanding my processor since more people are doing medium format, but it would take about $100,000 to do it right."

"Have you got the room to put the equipment in?" I asked.

"Sure, but the bigger dip and dunk processors are expensive. It's not like doing roll film. I have the room because I planned on putting in a custom print shop one day."

"I know. I think you could do well with it."

"How much film you think you would be processing?"

"Don't know yet. Jim, call me when the equipment arrives."

"I will."

I left his store and got in my Vette, and headed home. It was about 11:00 when I pulled up in front of the house. Amy and Samantha's cars were sitting out front. I got out and grabbed the plates and a screwdriver and put them on their cars.

"Where did you go all morning?" Dawn asked when I went in the front door.

"I had to stop and pick up the plates for their cars, then I went by the camera store."

"Did you get everything ordered?"

"Yes. Jim was happy. It will all be here in a few weeks. That will give me time to make the changes in the darkroom. Where are the girls?"

"They are in the study with Sherri and Brenda."

I went to the study.

"Are you two keeping them from working?" I asked.

"Oh, no. They're helping us with ideas for the phantom website," Sherri replied.

"How is that coming?"

I sat at my desk, and they showed me some of the ideas they were working on.

"James, Linda liked the idea of a phantom website," Brenda said. "She is going to get her marketing people to help with the design so we can keep it under wraps. Once it is up, we will get some push pop up ads targeted to this area to take people to it."

"Great!"

"Linda likes the idea. She has some other plans for a few secretive things," Sherri said. "I think we will launch the website the 1st of November."

"Sounds good."

"We are going to release things in parts slowly," Brenda told me. "Linda has some good ideas."

"I'm sure she does. Has Linda said anything else about other marketing plans?" I asked.

"Oh, we are kicking some around," Brenda said smiling.

I went out to the den and sat with Dawn on the sofa.

"I have to run to the school later," she said.

"Will you be gone long?"

"A couple of hours. I have to pick up some things from my office."

"Okay. You want help with lunch?" I asked.

Dawn and I got up went to the kitchen.

"Oh, Sam called. He is at his store, he said to call him when you got in." Dawn told me.

I took out my phone and called Sam.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Hey, can you come by the store?" Sam asked.

"When?"

"This afternoon. I have something I want to show you?" Sam said.

"What?"

"I have been playing with a high-end video camera I ordered for a customer. You should see what this thing does!"

"Sam, I don't do much with handheld video cameras," I said.

"I know...but I thought you would like to see this one. It is the latest high definition handheld professional unit. I ordered it for a customer of mine. He is going to try it out and decide if he wants to order several more."

"Several more? Does he shoot movies?"

"Oh...sort of. I thought you might like to run by and see it. I have to deliver it tomorrow."

"We are all about to eat lunch. I guess I could come by in a few hours."

"Good! I'll be in the back," Sam said.

I hung up and went back to helping Dawn.

"What did he want?"

"He wants me to come and look at some new video camera."

Dawn and I made lunch for everyone, and we all ate. Brenda and Sherri went back to work.

"I'm going to put on some shorts before I go see Sam, it's hot," I said.

"Can I come?" Samantha asked.

"Sure."

I went up to the bedroom and put on some shorts. I went back downstairs, and Samantha and I went out and got in my car and headed into town.

"Are you settling in at school?" I asked.

"Yes, I am happy to be starting again."

We drove for about 15 minutes, and pulled up to Sam's store and went in. Samantha and I walked to the back of the store where Sam's office was. I knocked on the door, and he opened it.

"Hey, come on in. Hi, Sam."

"Hi, Sam."

"James, you have got to check out the quality of this video camera," Sam said. "It is incredible for a smaller camera. Check this out."

Sam pressed a button on the camera, and a video started playing on a large screen TV he had in his office. We watched for a few minutes as he had shot some video around town. It did look pretty good.

"Check this out," Sam said.

The recording started showing Olivia. We all watched as she slowly did a striptease.

"That is some pretty high definition video," I said. "I wish the cameras at the house were that good."

"They are getting there, give it a year or so, and we can change all of yours out."

We watched a while longer before the video ended.

"What did you think?" Sam asked.

"Tell Olivia I said she was hot."

"No, about the camera?"

"Sam, I don't need a video camera at my house," I said.

"I thought maybe...since you are putting in that studio...you might be shooting some videos."

"I'm not planning on it," I replied.

"Maybe you could. Some of your clients might want a video," Sam said.

"I don't know a thing about video, Sam. I'll have enough to do with all the new camera equipment I just ordered."

"Oh...okay."

"Sam, I think what you are really wanting is for me to buy this video camera so you can borrow it," I said.

"Well...you now...I just thought that since you are opening a studio, you might want to shoot some videos," Sam said.

"I don't know. I would have to think about it."

"But it makes some great videos, doesn't it?"

"Yep. What does it cost?" I asked to tease Sam.

"Well, with a nice assortment of lenses, it's not too bad," he replied.

"How much?"

"About $45,000."

"Then why don't you buy one, and I can borrow it?" I asked.

"I don't have anywhere to use...I mean...you are going to have that studio..."

"I see. I guess you want me to get one so you can come over and shoot videos of Olivia," I said. Sam smiled at me.

"It was just an idea."

"Will they really have small hidden cameras like that I can use in the house soon?"

"A year or so. We installed all of yours so they can be changed out and upgraded."

"And I am sure you can't wait to charge me for doing that," I said. Sam looked at Samantha and me and smiled.

"That's what I thought. I do like that new TV you have there," I said.

"It's great! It is the latest high definition TV."

"I may have to get a couple of them."

"Good."

"This customer of yours, what does he shoot with these cameras?" I asked.

"Oh...he does some porn," Sam said.

"Really? Anything I have seen."

"Probably. He shoots a lot of that nice high-end stuff that is in all white rooms. He has a big house where he shoots most of it."

"Oh, I like those," Samantha said.

"You would look good in one," Sam said teasing her.

"You're right, I would."

"Has he ever let you watch while he shot one?" I asked.

"A few times."

"Maybe you should introduce me to him so I could come and watch," I said.

"Oh...he is one of my special clients I'm not supposed to talk about," Sam replied.

"Like me?"

"Yes."

"Does he shoot a lot of porn?" Samantha asked.

"Yes. He sells a lot of it on the internet. I'm sure you have seen some," Sam said.

"Are you sure you can't introduce us?" I asked again smiling.

"I don't think so. He doesn't want it to get out around town that he is doing that at his house. Let me show you his website," Sam said to us, and we went to his computer on his desk with him and looked for a few minutes.

"I have got to get some ink cartridges," I said and left Sam's office. Samantha didn't follow me.

About 15 minutes later, I was standing at the counter checking out when Samantha and Sam came out of his office laughing as they walked up.

"Samantha, you need anything?" I asked.

"Probably, but I will check to see what we need and come back," she said.

On the way home, one of the Sheriff's cars turned on his lights behind us, and we pulled over. I looked in the mirror, and it was one of the guys in our limo group.

"Hey, Dr. Smith."

"Hi, Gary. You know Samantha."

"Hi, Samantha."

"Hi."

"Dr. Smith, when are we meeting again?" Gary asked.

"We need to meet again soon. Lori and I are going shopping at the end of the month."

"I know, I got some email from her the other day."

"Gary, are you happy with the way the ownership percentages worked out?" I asked.

"Oh, yes!"

"Would you be happy with a little more?"

"Sure!"

"I'll be sending an email to everyone soon explaining the final divisions. I want to leave a little stock left for some of the people that don't have the money right now to buy in later."

"Sounds good, thanks."

"Have you talked to the other guys? Are they good with Lori running things?" I asked.

"Dr. Smith, if you think she can do it, we are all good with it. She is pretty smart."

"I think she will do great. I'm going to talk to her then send an email to everyone for final approval of the list of vehicles in the next few days. I think with what everyone has invested we will have 20 vehicles to start with in February."

"Twenty! I thought it was twelve?"

"I'm adding some more that I will cover. Let's start this thing off right. I'm covering everything."

"Wow. Oh, that building downtown is going to be great," Gary said.

"It should work well. What have you all decided about a name for the company?"

"Lori's has asked everyone for ideas. I'll let you go," Gary said.

Samantha and I drove off and to the house. I went to the study to drop off the ink cartridges.

"James, have you talked to Linda about her pre-marketing ideas?" Brenda asked.

"No, that is up to all of you."

"You may want to ask her about some of the things she wants to do."

"I'll see her soon, I will."

I went out to the den and didn't see the girls or Dawn. I sat on the sofa and looked over limo brochures again. A while later, Dawn and the girls appeared from down the hall laughing. Samantha and Amy went up the stairs, and Dawn came and sat with me.

"What are you three up to?" I asked.

"Nothing, why?"

"I know you better."

"Kerri called, and the painters are coming tomorrow," Dawn said, changing the subject.

"Good. I got all the camera and darkroom equipment ordered. It will be in soon."

"Did you get everything you need? Did you get the new lights?"

"I hope so. I ordered the new flash units and lighting equipment."

"I can't wait to start," Dawn said.

"Since you are the marketing arm of this project, line up some ladies I can shoot for tests. Also, find some that will let me put their photos on the internet maybe or use for advertising."

"I know Katrina will."

"I owe her a photo shoot anyway."

"You think Linda would let you put some pictures of her up?" Dawn asked.

"Nope."

"Well, the girls and I are available," Dawn added.

"Jim, at the photo store said I could put some pictures up in his displays, but I told him we are going to be high end."

"I'm not sure any of the people we will be shooting go in his store."

"You might be surprised, honey. Jim told me he processes some racy photos for some people occasionally."

"I'm going to make sure our studio name is on any photos you hang in the store," Dawn said.

"I think that will get us some business. I want the name stamped in gold on all the photos we print. Look on the internet for the equipment to stamp the photos in gold foil."

"Honey, are you planning on teaching anymore after this semester?" Dawn asked.

"I don't know, why?"

"You are getting pretty busy."

"We can talk about it, I don't have to teach."

"I just don't want us getting too busy again. With your teaching and me working and going back to school, I don't want us passing each other on the way out every day," Dawn said.

I knew something was bugging Dawn, so I didn't pursue it anymore. She sat with me as I looked at brochures. About 3:30, Samantha and Amy came down and sat with us. I looked at the two of them, and they were trying to hide big smiles.

"You two are up to no good," I said.

"No, we're not," Samantha replied. I just looked at the two of them for a moment.

"Are you going to let me go with you when you and Lori go look at limos?" Samantha asked.

"Only if you are caught up in school. Amy, do you want to try and go?" I asked.

"I think I will be too busy."

"Honey, do you want to go?" I asked Dawn.

"I know I will be too busy."

"When are things going to get busy for you?" I asked.

"They already have. I need to leave and go pick some things up," Dawn said.

"I'll go with you," Amy said.

The two of them went upstairs.

"I picked up the license plates for your cars this morning and put them on. You need to give the number to the school for your parking permit," I said to Samantha.

"Okay."

Samantha kept looking over the brochures.

"Are you getting one of these?" She asked showing me a picture of a 20 passenger small party bus.

"Several."

"Are they going to be set up like this one, with all the lights and things?"

"Yes, and maybe some cameras."

"That will be cool."

"What time is your class tomorrow?" I asked.

"10:00."

Samantha and I looked over brochures for a while until Sherri came out of the study.

"James, we may need to got to New York soon," she said.

"That's fine."

She went to the kitchen and grabbed some sodas and went back in the study.

"What's going on this weekend?" Samantha asked.

"Our annual Labor Day picnic."

"Anything other than that?"

"No, why?"

"I know you two better than that," Samantha said.

"If there is anything else, I'm sure you will enjoy it," I told her.

"I have to get ready for my late class," Samantha said and headed upstairs.

I worked on limo numbers after Samantha left until Dawn and Amy came back in about 5:00. They were carrying a couple of file boxes.