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They returned to the cab of Eddie’ s truck while the masons began unloading the scaffolding from the overhead rack of their battered pick-up. The younger men hauled while the older ones assembled. On the way Rodney stopped and pulled a snakeskin briefcase from his SUV.“ You said you owed Frank big time, that you were in a bad place when he brought you aboard,” Eddie said.“ We need something to talk about tomorrow morning. I’ ll bring breakfast if you can open up.”“ I’ ll be here,” Eddie said enthusiastically.“ These guys work pretty late. How far away is home?”“ Almost an hours drive, depending on traffic.”“ Here is a key to one of my crash pads. It’ s only ten minutes from here. I used it mostly when I had to run out here in the middle of the night.”
“ You have more than one place?” Eddie asked.“ Perks of the business. I have four places,” Rodney began as he opened the leather case and removed a small manila envelope. He extracted a pair of keys, handed one to Eddie and returned the other to the envelope.“ The code for the security gate is the four corners, then star. One, three, seven, nine, star. Just text me and let me know if you plan to crash there so I’ m not in the middle of trying to sweet-talk some babe when you come walking out of the bedroom in your pajamas.”“ Why are you doing this?” Eddie asked, as Rodney wrote the address and apartment number on the back of a business card.“ Protecting my investment,” Rodney said, without hesitation and handed him the card.“ Frank’ s books are open to all of the associates. I am splitting Frank’ s portion of the profit. My bonus will be half the amount of your bonus. Looking at the work already going on, Eddie began to wonder how much this was costing and could not begin to estimate the cost of construction of what he wanted.“ I don’ t want to let you down, but I can see how quickly I am going to run up a tab.”
“ You haven’ t started running a tab yet,” Rodney said.“ What do you mean? All this costs money.”“ You put up fifty-two grand. Frank and I have to match that for our percentage. The tab begins after we go through a hundred and four thousand dollars. Frank won’ t nickel and dime you either. I told you, Frank is the straightest shooter I have ever known. He can’ t charge you rent because this is still his baby. He is hoping for a prodigal son and believes he hired the right tutor.”“ What if all I can manage is an honor student?”“ As a father would you settle for that?” Rodney asked seriously.“ I just want mine to turn out to be contributing members of society. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake.”“ Then you answered your own question, because right now this kid is in rehab after a near death experience,” Rodney said, waving his hand at the work in progress. Eddie nodded.
Rodney exited on that note and climbed into his own vehicle. Work was well under way. The window came down on the shiny black Escalade.“ About Sam, I’ m not saying I would or would not... But... Be careful and change the sheets,” Rodney said, pointing at the key in Eddie’ s hand.” You wouldn’ t be upset?”“ Trust me. I won’ t be casting stones,” Rodney said and dropped the vehicle into gear. Eddie watched him drive off and added the new key to his growing collection. The masons had found an outside faucet and we ' re adding water to the mixing machine. Eddie wondered what he was supposed to do now that everyone was working. He walked toward the building and inquired what time they would finish this evening. It took some time, but the light stands in the back of the truck indicated well after dark.“ I need a camera,” he thought. After closing the tailgate, he headed for home to pack an overnight bag and then to the nearest shopping center.
Taking a leisurely lunch he headed back to“ The Factory” and arrived before one o’ clock. He called Rodney.“ What am I supposed to do all day? The masons don’ t plan to pack it up until after eight, or maybe nine tonight.”“ The apartment has cable and a comfortable couch. Learn to enjoy the quiet time, it will get crazy. You will be wondering if all this is worth the money and you need to look back at this time and be able to answer that question honestly. Be back in time for the cleaning crew. Are you planning to spend the night, seeing as how you will be up early?” Rodney asked.