Chapter 8: The Future's So Bright It Must Be Dodgy

While Luke was away at college, he spent his free time playing guitar with some buddies in an amateur band. Even though he'd had no lessons or formal training, a local musician admired his ability and told him he was obviously a virtuoso: a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.

When he came home, college over, Lesley gave him a special birthday gift. It was a voucher to purchase a brand new guitar of his choice.

He went out and bought one straight away. It was a great present. But it wasn't the best gift. The best gift was being able to see Marjorie once again. After months of only phone communication, they were finally reunited.

Marjorie was speechless when she saw Luke standing in his old room. He had grown up so much and changed into this......handsome man. She just could not find words.
"Are you okay?" asked a concerned Luke Hans.
Marjorie made a gasping gurgling sound. Luke smiled and held out his hand
"I'll take that as a yes...." he laughed.

__ ~ __

Kristofer Blanco had put in a good word with his own boss Oriole Bird and managed to get Luke a job at her "import export" warehouse. Luke was keen and grateful for any job, because he wanted to marry Marjorie as soon as he could afford it. But the "warehouse" turned out to be an old rundown mill on the outskirts of town and the hours were unsociable, mostly night work.

He mentioned to Kristofer, "This wasn't exactly what I expected Kris. Is this even a proper warehouse? And I've been working here for weeks and I've still yet to meet Oriole. Stuff gets delivered in the dead of night but there's no paperwork or proper dockets. I'm having a hell of a time tracing orders and working out mark ups...."
Kristofer was blaze, as he caught snow on his tongue. "Don't stress Luke. Honestly, if you make a big fuss over stuff like that you'll be out on your ear. Just do what you're told and the profits will be sweet. Trust me!"

Luke slumped in despair. "I really REALLY need to make some cash fast Kris. Marjorie is getting impatient. I have no savings and nowhere to live. I can't get a loan and my Mum won't have us living at her place. I'm going to lose Marjorie if I can't come up with something better than this...." he looked around at the ramshackle buildings and junk everywhere.

"Okay, listen." Kristofer lowered his voice. "Do not breath a word to anyone else okay? But if you're prepared to do....extra services....Oriole will definitely see you right. Cash in hand. No questions asked. Do you get my meaning?"
"Is this stuff illegal?" asked Luke, suddenly realising this was some kind of black market fencing operation.
"It's not exactly kosher, okay? But if you want big money FAST, it's there for the taking. If you get copped though, you're on your own." Kristofer winked at Luke and nodded encouragingly.
"Damn it." said Luke, making a decision. "I'm in. Show me where I go and what I do."

With his new role in the Bird Import Export empire, Luke received some welcome perks. Kristofer scribbled an address onto a scrap of paper and told him to go take a look. "It's yours to use for as long as you want it. Call it a fringe benefit."
Luke expected the place to be a dump, like the warehouse. But when he arrived, he found a tidy looking brick cottage, surrounded by spacious grounds and even a large pond in the back yard.

 He let himself in with the key. He was pleasantly surprised. It was very sparsely furnished, but it was clean and he could see the potential.

It was a home. Now all he had to do was sell it to Marjorie and things would finally be falling into place.

 __~ __

So the winter settled in and some time passed. Here is Marjorie on her way to work - hasn't she matured into a striking young woman?

Marjorie was strong willed. She had done well at her private school Dribbledine, but she shunned her Dad's demands that she go to college and study biochemistry. She wanted to make movies. With her looks and strong personality, she managed to secure an internship with Plumbob Pictures. She was basically a gopher, but she knew that all she needed was a foot in the door and her talent and work ethic would do the rest. Marjorie was ambitious and her ultimate aim was to end up writing and directing her own movies.

Christmas was coming up, so Luke Hans thought the best way to sell Marjorie on the house was to throw a gift giving party. She would see how cozy it was, how they could invite their parents over and entertain anytime they wanted. It would be their home.

 At first she was totally underwhelmed. The place was badly decorated and the furniture was sparse and cheap looking.

Tessa drew her fingers over the surfaces and tutted over the dirt. "This place is a filthy hole" she declared, not mincing her words. "And it smells like wet socks."

Luke had pulled out all the stops, serving a roast turkey and pizza and Christmas cookies, even though he was vegetarian himself. While they sat down to eat, Marjorie's mother moaned about the poor quality dinner service, the tinny cutlery and the lack of napkins and "Ugh that tartan tablecloth is giving me the worst headache!"

The more she complained though, the more Marjorie seemed determined to enjoy herself.

 They began opening their presents.
"Good grief!" said a sour faced Tessa, "This couch feels like I'm sitting on neoprene covered rocks."
"Stop being so rude Mum." warned Marjorie.

Tessa sat in a silent fug. Marjorie opened her present from Luke to squeals of delight. It was a box set of Cd's called "Party Hearty - To the Eighties and Back And Don't Spare the Ra-Ra Skirts".

"I love it!!"she beamed at Luke.

When Tessa opened her gift, she neither smiled nor thanked Luke. She replaced the lid carefully and asked if he had gotten a return card with it.

"I did my best." Luke felt embarrassed. "You're a HARD person to buy for...."

Durham, quickly leaped up and suggested he take Tessa home before she turned into a pumpkin...."or a toad."

When they were alone Luke apologised profusely to Marjorie that the place wasn't so flash and he didn't have much furniture.

She embraced him and reassured him "We can buy some, don't worry about that. I can try and decorate....myself. It can't be that hard." she laughed.

Luke felt his stress ebbing away, as Marjorie gazed lovingly into his eyes. "You can do anything you want to it" he said, "as long as you are here with me....all the time."
Marjorie looked enquiringly at him.

"Firstly, these are for you..." Luke produced some red roses from behind the couch.
"Roses are red, your lovely new dress is blue...."
Marjorie giggled nervously.
"Diamonds are sparkly....and this one's for you!"

 Suddenly Luke was down on his knees and all Marjorie could see was a huge gleaming diamond ring. She vaguely heard the words....marry me...

 "Yes! Yes! Yes!!!" she smiled. "Is this real? Oh my God Luke, how did you afford this!!. It's beautiful."
Luke laughed nervously. "Of course it's real. I have errrr...contacts in the jewellery trade." He smiled as Marjorie admired the ring on her finger...he just hoped she didn't want to see the warranty.

But as Marjorie leaped into his arms and he held her close, all he could think was "This woman is worth it....she's worth anything."

And the future looked suddenly bright and shiny as that diamond ring...if also a bit dodgy.