The Legacy Inheritance
Copyright 2005 by Patrick Donnell. All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Donnell, Patrick.
The Legacy Inheritance
ISBN: 978-1-60585-234-8
Dedicated to Nancy and R.D. Johnson,
In your honor,
With all my love.
Dedicated to Katelynn, you are forever in my heart,
I am so proud of you.
Dedicated to Rose and Nelson Flagg
for standing by me.
Dedicated to my kindred downtrodden—
Nil Illigitimus Corborumdrum.”
THE LEGACY INHERITANCE
Chapter One
Once upon a time, in a city not too far away lived an average man, with an average life who could have been any one of us, given the same experiences, situation, emotions and existence. But, this man was special...just like you. His name was Jeremy Worth.
It was a workday as he stared at his 5’ 9” frame in the bathroom mirror, somewhat happy that his only physical appearance of being out of shape was a slight bulging around his mid-section. He ran his fingers through his brown and gray hair as he went through the morning ritual of getting ready for the day.
Today was different, as had been the last six weeks of his life. Then, he was part of a massive downsizing from corporate America. He was considered one of the lucky ones who missed two prior headcount reductions and was in the narrow margin that felt the ax this time.
He was too far up on the corporate food chain to merit keeping and too far down to receive a golden parachute. It took two weeks of dealing with shock and hurt before he began a job search and that was only out of financial necessity.
This time was harder. At his age, no one considered his abilities or experience. His knowledge and track record meant as much as any other sentimental memory. His physical appearance was worn from age, fear and some mislaid belief that he deserved better.
There was dullness in his eyes and his posture displayed the painful hurt from the past and uncertainty of the future. He felt too old to be starting over and lacked the youthful energy found in hirelings half his age. To make matters worse, he still did not know what he wanted to be
when he grew up. That was just a luxury his responsibilities would not let him take the time to explore.
Jeremy’s internal intuition still told him that he was destined for a life with greatness and success. Unfortunately, each passing day that clicked away in his life did nothing to reveal what that greatness could have been and his life was just something that continued to occur while he was busy making other plans.
The ray of hope in the job search quagmire had been one unusual ad that simply requested a hand written letter telling about the applicant instead of a resume.
“Rare opportunity for unique individual. Not multilevel marketing or commission only. Good salary, benefits and employer loyalty. Send a one page hand written letter about yourself in lieu of resume. C.L. Advisory International.”
Jeremy had quickly written a page about himself and mailed it in, more out of idle curiosity than anything.
Jeremy splashed aftershave on his face feeling the bite into his skin. It brought him back to the present. He had a twinge in his stomach that felt like curiosity and excitement. But, it had been too long to accurately diagnose those feelings so he just passed it off as hunger. He finished dressing and moved into the kitchen for food.
C. L. Advisory had called him to schedule an interview. Today was the day for that meeting. Nervousness took hold and he hoped his cologne would hide the smell of fear emanating from him. He sat with a bowl of cereal, careful not to drop any milk on his suit and tie.
He looked through his resume package on the table to make sure that everything was in order. It was sufficient as he scanned each document.
He pulled out the copy of his hand written letter that got him the interview and read it while he ate.
“C. L. Advisory,
I am responding to your advertisement for a unique individual and would like to be considered for your employment opportunity.
I have a strong and solid experience base and can contribute significantly to the right organization. I also have a positive track record of accomplishments in prior positions.
Your opportunity is interesting to me and I would like to learn more and ascertain if it will be a mutually beneficial partnership.
Sincerely, Jeremy Worth”
Jeremy suddenly felt as if there was so much more he could have or should have written. He realized that he had become lazy in recent years. It surprised him that down deep he just did not care. He had gotten the interview and with minimal effort. It was all that really mattered.
His mind stayed busy with worldly thoughts of bills and money, his life’s accomplishments, as well as what he would do next. He finished his nominal breakfast, nervous to be on the road into downtown before the morning rush. His interview was the first thing that morning,
although he secretly cringed at the thought of an interview so early in the day. He tried for an afternoon appointment but took the only available time.
The sun had not begun to paint morning light across the dark sky and would not do so for hours. Jeremy drove towards downtown, noting how quiet it seemed at this hour of the day. Traffic thickened as he neared the pocket of tall buildings.
Finding the high rise that C. L. Advisory occupied was easy and accessible on the east side of downtown. Parking was available and he arrived with some time to kill. He walked through the empty streets hoping he would be done before the four hour time limit expired on the parking meter. The buildings almost made him feel as if he were in the mountains surrounded by high peaks.
C. L. Advisory was on the second to top floor of a tall glass building. Jeremy looked at the directory and noticed that the top floor was a restaurant. He decided to pass his extra time over a cup of coffee that waited just a short elevator ride away.
Dark purple skies faded against blue and orange at the horizon as he used a cup of coffee to help him mentally wake up for the interview. The time was filled with Jeremy watching the first hints of a sunrise sweep over the canyon-like streets below. He could not remember the last time he had actually watched a sunrise. Most days just had not afforded him this luxury.
People began to fill the restaurant as he paid for his coffee and walked toward the elevator. The beginning pangs of stress in his gut reminded him that he was on trial to be scrutinized for a job. He hated that feeling while doing his best to appear confident as the elevator doors opened.
The elevator ride was short. Jeremy stepped into the hallway searching for the suite number for C. L. Advisory. He found it easily enough and opened the door to be greeted by a friendly receptionist. She offered him a seat while she called into the back and informed the interviewer of his presence.
There was something different about the man who came through the double doors made of solid mahogany. His eyes twinkled with such a zest for life that it almost made Jeremy envious. He could not remember how long it had been since he had lost that same twinkle in his own eye.
The man shook Jeremy’s hand in a solid grip while never breaking eye contact. “Jeremy Worth? I’m Lee Stalwart. It is a pleasure to meet you. Come on back.” There was something in Lee Stalwart’s countenance that made Jeremy believe his statement was true
and not just a flippant comment made during introductions.
“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Stalwart.” Jeremy responded noticing that he was at least three inches taller than the other man. There was just something that made him seem larger than life.
Jeremy followed him through a maze of suites and conference rooms until they stopped at a corner office. “Please come in Mr. Worth. Have a seat.”
Jeremy thanked him and sat down. The interview commenced. He could not help looking beyond Lee Stalwart through the picture window that held a panoramic view of downtown just as the sun was coming up. The clouds illuminated orange and gold reflecting in almost every glass window outside. The effect was breath taking. Even Lee Stalwart seemed to have a bright aura surrounding him.
The interview went faster than Jeremy had expected. He was asked multiple questions that had never been presented in an interview before. Very little focus was given to his past positions or experience. Lee Stalwart seemed to be more interested in finding out how Jeremy would respond, think, and react in several situations.
Near the end of the interview, Lee Stalwart handed Jeremy a set of papers. “Jeremy, would you please fill out this short questionnaire? It is a personality profile analysis.” Jeremy nodded. He had taken these in the past. It was a tool many employers used to gain some further insight into job candidates.
Lee led him down the hall to a break room getting him settled at a table. He poured a cup of coffee for Jeremy and smiled. “Relax, you are doing fine. We are actually pretty informal around here. I will be back to check on you in a little bit.” Lee shook his hand again and Jeremy settled into the questionnaire.
Seven minutes had passed when the door opened. A man stepped in and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Hi. Taking that personality thing, I see.” Jeremy nodded and smiled. “Yes, I hope I do well.” The man nodded. Jeremy noticed that same energetic nature with this man too. They actually seemed to be excited about their jobs here. It made Jeremy want the job that much more. His own glow had gone dim years before. Maybe this job could help him get it back.
“This isn’t a bad place to work. In fact, it has probably added years to my life. I’m Chris, by the way.” He crossed over and shook Jeremy’s hand with a similar strong grip. Jeremy liked him instantly. “I’m Jeremy Worth. It’s good to meet you.” He hoped that his words sounded sincere.
Chris talked to him for a few minutes before politely returning to work. He finished the questionnaire just as Lee Stalwart came back.
Lee took the paperwork and escorted Jeremy back to the reception room. They shook hands again. “You made a good impression Jeremy. Chris wants to see how you do at a second interview.”
Jeremy suddenly wondered who he had spoken with in the break room. “Chris seemed like a good person to work with.” Jeremy added. Lee nodded. “Oh, he is the best. There are very few others like Chris Locke. He has built one heck of a company here.”
It was like a light bulb came on in Jeremy’s head. Chris Locke;
initials C. L. Advisory. He had met the company president informally
and the man liked him enough to bring him back for a second interview.
Lee shook his hand again. “Chris wants to take this to the next level. Expect a call very soon.” Jeremy thanked Lee for his time. He left the office feeling something in the pit of his stomach that he had not felt for a long time. He was halfway home before he recognized the feeling. It was hope.
Jeremy had found a tiny flame of hope deep down. There was an energy that those two men possessed. He recognized it simply because his was absent. He thought it was lost youthfulness except that both men were older than him. He briefly wondered what it was until his thoughts turned to worldly things of bills, finances, and employment. Then worry set in and snuffed out that tiny flame of hope by the time he was halfway home.
Chapter Two
Jeremy Worth arrived home finding that his automatic coffee pot had been left on. The remains cooked away leaving a dark residue in the bottom of the pot that would require much scrubbing to clean and the smell of burnt coffee throughout the house that would take hours to dissipate.
He turned off the coffee pot and allowing it time to cool down while he changed out of his suit into more comfortable clothes. He relaxed some, hoping that the company would call soon to schedule the next interview. He knew that most second interviews were a formality, and passing the first one was the true screening process.
The burnt sludge in the bottom of the coffee pot took twenty minutes to scrub, rinse, clean and scrub again to remove. He opened the front door to let out the lingering odor and saw that the mail had arrived. He cringed as he retrieved the envelopes. Three more bills had arrived adding to the daily stress. He whispered a silent plea in hopes of getting the job as it would relieve his financial status.
A beeping sound came from the direction of the telephone, indicating that a message was on the machine. He did not notice it before, but was not surprised with the earlier urgency from the coffee pot. His heart leapt as he wondered if a call could have come so quickly to schedule another interview.
The answering machine indicated one message had been recorded. Jeremy reached for the machine wondering if it were a bill collector or the company who had called. The machine beeped again. He pressed the ‘play’ button to retrieve the recorded message. The machine clicked and made a soft whirring noise as the tiny cassette tape was rewinding to the starting point of the message. The machine clicked as the tape stopped, then emitted a loud audible tone as the message began to play.
“This message is for Mr. Jeremy Worth. My name is Simon Webb of Webb and Associates law firm. Please return my call as soon as possible regarding an inheritance from an old friend.”
Jeremy was somewhat taken aback and quickly wrote down the phone number left by Simon Webb. Several images of old friends flashed through his head. He could not imagine any who could have died or who would have an attorney contact him in that event. He picked up the telephone and entered the number left by Simon Webb. He could hear the phone ringing on the other end.
“Simon Webb. Can I help you?” “Mr. Webb. This is Jeremy Worth. You left a message about the death of an old friend?” “Mr. Worth, thank you for calling me back so quickly. Is it possible for you to stop by my office this afternoon? I have been retained to be the executor of an inheritance.”
The word ‘inheritance’ registered a subconscious reaction in Jeremy’s mind. He was instantly cooperative. Jeremy copied down the address to Simon’s law firm and scheduled an appointment for two o’clock. It meant that Jeremy would have to drive back downtown for a second time in the same day.
Without much thought, Jeremy changed back into his suit and readied himself for a return trip. He checked his directions to make sure that he could find the place. A quick peanut butter sandwich was his lunch on the way out the door. Back into the car and out to the highway started the drive that would change his life.
Traffic had picked up considerably as he made his way back to the conglomerate of tall buildings. The drive seemed to take longer too, because of his anticipation. Soon enough Jeremy made his way into the law firm and went inside.
Simon Webb looked to be in his late fifties. He had thin gray hair around his head and bald on top. His eyes were steel gray with a definite twinkle. He wore an expensive business suit. Simon’s face and hands were wrinkled. He immediately reminded Jeremy of pictures he had seen of Dwight D. Eisenhower, commanding presence and all. He escorted Jeremy back to his private inner office.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Mr. Worth. Please sit down. You will excuse me while I verify your information and make a copy of your driver’s license.”
Jeremy took his identification out and handed it to Simon and then took a seat. “Of course Simon, I am curious to hear what this is all about.”
Simon nodded and left Jeremy alone in the office for a few minutes before returning. He took a seat behind a large oak desk. “I
have been retained to represent an inheritance. This may come as a surprise to you Mr. Worth, but, you showed a great kindness to a stranger once. That stranger, Mr. Blake Kudrow, has asked when the time came, that you be contacted to speak for him.”
Jeremy racked his brain. The name was not familiar. He could not recall a specific act of merit that would warrant such a show of appreciation. He did remember a few random acts of kindness. Surely of which was the one in question. “Honestly, Simon, I do not remember the name.”
Simon nodded. “That is understandable. There is a video you are to watch. It was prerecorded years ago, so, it may be familiar, although I understand if it is not. Sometimes a thing we do in one instant is meaningless to us and so valuable to the recipient; that assistance given on the roadside, allowing another to go ahead of us in a long line or even the returning of a lost pet. Who knows which event reveals the underlying character that a person possessed or what it meant to the
recipient.” He arose and opened a wooden cabinet that held a color television and video cassette recorder. He pressed play.
The screen flashed with static and then went blank. A dark haired man sitting in an overly stuffed chair, looked directly into the camera, cleared his throat, and then began to speak. The man’s eyes twinkled with energy and excitement.
“I don’t expect that you remember me. That is alright. The impression you made one time was worth more than you will ever imagine. For that, you were selected to inherit part of my legacy. I know that sounds eccentric, but you are worth it.
However, nothing comes that free and I have a couple of tasks before you will receive the benefit of your inheritance. I want you to write my eulogy.
In order to write my eulogy, you will have to talk with those who made impressions on me. The attorney will give you a list of those individuals. A small stipend will be provided to cover any expenses you incur.
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