Caleb returns to the Penthouse Building - meanwhile Tolson showers- gets on the encoded 'phone to Hoover - with what he thinks is the good news. Ethan and Max start working at full stretch with new posters for new contests, & visit the Combat Club - and designs for the pipe organ are underway - while the 'spying' continues apace...
ADULT MATERIAL - PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL 'WRESTLERS' FEATURED IN THIS CHAPTER WERE OVER THE AGE OF TWENTY ONE YEARS AT THE TIME THAT THE ORIGINAL IMAGES AND TEXT WERE PRODUCED
It was late.
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| Caleb - in Tolson's Hotel Suite |
And why the need for money ?
Caleb now had an fine apartment in the 'Penthouse Building', in Summerlin, a 'job' - with good pay, and the chance of 'extras' if he played his cards right.
But Caleb had a very sick father - and family bills to pay - and also he wanted his 'freedom', and not to have to worry about money.
In a word - he wanted 'financial security'.
And 'days after the night before' - what does that mean ?
Well, Caleb and Tolson's meeting was significant, primarily because Caleb was the kind of 'boy' for which Tolson had been looking for some considerable time - and Caleb was in Las Vegas, and Hoover - Tolson's current 'partner in the closet' - was in Washington - so Tolson was thinking that he could possibly have a 'relationship' that was not under Hoover's constant oversight - but that would mean drawing out the investigation of matters in 'Vegas for some considerable time - and that would be difficult ...
Regardless, Tolson needed to report back to Hoover immediately - the 'morning after the night before' - but Tolson needed to 'pad out' the information he had obtained so far, in order to extend his stay in 'Vegas.
So Tolson rings Hoover - late though it may be - on a supposedly 'secure' connection.
Hoover picks up the 'phone and listens - and unknown to Hoover and Tolson, so does Teddy (although Teddy doesn't actually 'pick up' a 'phone; his automatic systems just records the conversation - to be analyzed later for Jim and Zac.
(All communications originating in, and outgoing, from the 'Club Athena Paradise Park Hotel' - where Tolson is staying - are monitored, and this also applies to all 'Athena Corporation' properties, including the 'California Combat Club').
Tolson and Hoover - Phone Conversation "So Clyde - 'making any progress.?", Hoover began."Yes Mr Hoover." - (formal, as Tolson knew that his own office was recording the call)."Made contact with the 'source', and am receiving some good initial information.", Tolson began"And the 'boy' - is as we expected ?", Hoover probed eagerly."Yes - very 'pleasant' and very 'co-operative'... ", Tolson replied, guardedly."I see... and what sort of information have you got from him so far, Clyde.'"Well, quite a lot - mainly about the 'club' where he works.", Tolson replied."That's good - but is this getting us any information about James Johnston ?' Hoover insistently asked."Not directly - but it seems that our contact, Caleb, gets to meet Johnston quite often - and that could be a really good lead.It seems that the closer that I get to Caleb, the closer I get to Johnston - who I think is at the centre of this enigma.", Tolson stated."OK - so send me an encoded report in the next few days...", Hoover ordered - and closed his phone.
Tolson was quite happy to comply, and looked forward to finding out more about the 'Combat Club' - and young Caleb...
But what Tolson didn't know, however, was the true nature of the 'enigma', and enigma that was neither James Johnston, or the 'Athena Corporation', or the 'Combat Club', was actually a problem that was continuing to concern the CIA.
It was getting late, but Jim had left Ethan to 'sleep in', has he needed to attend a meeting with Franklin at the rather ridiculous time of 6 am - but then to Franklin, day and night had little meaning, and Jim often wondered when it actually was that Franklin slept.
Teddy, of course, didn't ever sleep, but then he was 'animatronic'.
And Teddy was worried...
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| The master bedroom in the 'Penthouse' in Summerlin |
There had been many intercepted messages and communications that Teddy's automatic systems had almost instantly deleted, or archived, but there were some that had been brought to his immediate attention.
It was those communications that forced Teddy to wake Ethan up - and so, as usual, his alarm system, which was in a constant state of malfunction, caused him to jump up and down on Ethan's sleeping form, repeatedly squeaking 'Wake up Ethan !'.
Now fortunately Teddy was not a very large teddy-bear, and despite all the electronics crammed into his fury body, he was not very heavy - but quite rightly, Ethan found being jumped on by a demented teddy-bear every morning a very annoying habit - but had never got round to asking Tony (that's Mr. Stark to you) to correct it.
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| Penthouse Bathroom |
"Take me to your leader !", Teddy said in and uncharacteristically metallic, mechanical voice.
"Shit !, I think another one of your 'crumbly' circuits must have burnt out...", Ethan said as he climbed out of bed.
Teddy followed Ethan to the bathroom.
“...'Take me to your leader' - your 'boss' - like ‘Jim’.
I need to see Jim urgently - I have some important information for him.“, Teddy remonstrated.
“OK - now are you working properly, or is this some silly glitch, like the time you suddenly started talking in Mandarin - remember ?“, Ethan retorted.
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| Yes... it's that pink Cadillac - again... |
“Of course I remember - I remember everything - but that was a unique situation that I would rather not go into... but I have information about Caleb and the FBI - and Jim and Zac need to know about it.“, Teddy explained.
“OK - well we can get Chuck to take us to the ‘Club Athena’ - where Jim is having a weird meeting with Franklin - who seems to start working very early in the morning...
So just give me time to get dressed - and we can grab a cheeseburger and a Pepsi Max on the way there at our usual MacDonald’s.“, Ethan said, as he rummaged in the vast 'walk in' mirrored closet for some appropriate clothes.
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| Ethan's Favorite Cheeseburger |
And so finally, with Teddy merrily pressing the elevator buttons, they arrived at the ground floor of the 'Penthouse Building' - greeted the ever polite and helpful Chuck - and then drove off in the ridiculously pink Cadillac to their favorite MacDonald's for a cheeseburger and Pepsi Max, and then on to the 'Club Athena' - which had once been known as 'Club Jaguar' - but was no longer - for reasons that we do not have time to go into at the moment.
Once they arrived at the rather modest 'Club Athena', there was the usual rush by the staff in the lobby to provide tea, and rather annoyingly dainty little sandwiches - sandwiches filled with something that Ethan could never quite identify.
But before Ethan could take Teddy to Jim, there was the 'problem' of Emma.
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| Emma - Jim's Secretary |
But anyway, to get to Jim, if he was at the 'Club Athena', you had to have a pointless and quite meaningless conversation with Emma.
And then there was the trip in the elevator, with Teddy getting very anxious and upset, as Emma didn't realize that he needed to operate the elevator buttons, and finally the infuriatingly soft tap on the door from Emma, as she gained access to Jim's office - and then the final introduction of Ethan and Teddy to Jim, as if Jim didn't know who they were.
"Hi Jim - Teddy was saying 'take me to your leader' which I presumed to be you, because he thought he had detected a 'signal' from the 'bugs' at the 'Athena Park Hotel' originating from one of the suites.", Ethan began.
By then Emma, who was not privy to the 'secret squirrel' stuff, had left the room.
"OK..." - Jim responded, sounding and looking puzzled.
"So these 'signals', as you put it, are from whom to whom - and about what ?", Jim asked, trying to get Ethan to stop pretending to be a real 'secret squirrel', and start talking like a normal human being, as there were only the three of them in the totally secure, 'bug'-proof room.
Ethan's use of the word 'signals' comes from his involvement with Zac - who is head of security for the 'Athena Corporation'. 'Signals intelligence' ('SIGINT') is intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, whether communications between people ('communications intelligence' - abbreviated to 'COMINT') or from electronic signals not directly used in communication ('electronic intelligence' - abbreviated to 'ELINT'). As classified and sensitive information is usually encrypted, signals intelligence in turn involves the use of 'cryptanalysis' to decipher the messages. 'Traffic analysis' - the study of who is signalling whom and in what quantity - is also used to integrate information - so you see it's a bit more involved that just listening in to someone else's chat on the 'phone - although in essence that is what it amounts to.
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| Jim's Office - Club Athena - Summerlin - Las Vegas |
"Er... excuse me - can I interrupt here ?", Teddy asked, exasperated with the way that things were going.
"I was the one who intercepted these signals - so perhaps it would be best if I was the one who told you about them...", Teddy said pointedly to Jim.
"Of course, Teddy - you go ahead.", Jim replied.
"Well it seems from my perusal of the reception records of the 'Club Athena Park Hotel' that they have an important guest staying in one of the most expensive suites - a gentleman by the name of Clyde Tolson.", Teddy began.
"And what should I know about this Mr Tolson ?", Jim asked.
"Well, he is the 'Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation'."
Jim looked shocked.
"And there's worse to come...
Caleb's voice is also on the audio lifted from the suite where Tolson is staying.
They were together in the suite last night...
Now nothing was said that was particularly incriminating - it was mainly just about the 'Combat Club', and what goes on there, although Tolson was asking questions about us - the people who run the 'Athena Corporation'...", Teddy said.
"OK - well are you recording out present conversation, Teddy", Jim asked.
"Yes, as always, and encoded.", Teddy replied.
"Right, then when we've finished, pass this recording on to Zac - OK.", Jim said.
Jim then continued questioning Teddy.
"Now who was actually mentioned in the conversation between Tolson and Caleb ?", Jim asked.
"Well you, obviously, and Kurt, because he runs the 'Club', Ethan, Josh and Zac - Franklin, which is strange - and 'Sigi' and Max - obviously Brody - and even Novius.", Teddy said.
"And did Tolson ask what all these people do ?", Jim asked.
"Yes, but in some cases Caleb was unable to tell him.
But later, however, Caleb got into more detail, mentioning Dr Lockwood and the work he does at the 'Club' - and later Caleb talked about the gambling system that operates at the 'Club'...", Teddy added.
'And you've got a recording of all of this...", Jim asked.
"Yes...", Teddy replied.
"OK... well get it to Zac ...", Jim said.
"But there's something more, and possibly very important.", Teddy then said.'
"Go on...", Jim said.
"Well it seems that Tolson's interest in Caleb is not entirely 'professional'.", Teddy revealed.
"Well, after their talk - it seems they were intimate...", Teddy said.
"Yes... nicely put Teddy.", Ethan commented.
Jim raised an eyebrow.
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| Executive Conference Room - 'Las Vegas Hotel Athena' |
Jim then phoned Emma.
"Arrange a meeting in the 'Executive Conference Room' at the 'Las Vegas Hotel Athena' for myself, Ethan and Teddy, Zac, Josh and Kurt, for 1 pm this afternoon.", Jim said curtly.
"Now, until we have had this meeting at 1 pm - no further action is to be taken, and nothing is to be discussed with regard to this matter to any one else - is that understood. ?", Jim said, sounding very serious.
Ethan and Teddy agreed.
"Oh, and one more thing - Kurt is taking on a new guy at the 'Combat Club'...", Ethan said, as he took a some documents from his predictably slim 'Gucci' briefcase.
(Ethan being 'Entertainment Manager of the Athena Corporation' needed to pass such information to Jim for approval).
"Here's his photo - done by Adam - he's down to be a wrestler, eventually if he turns out OK - Latino type, called Paco - muscular and 'well endowed', as you can see."
Jim looked at the photo.
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| 'Paco' - Promotional Photo |
OK - take him on, but get Zac to give him a grilling later today...
We don't want any more complications...", Jim said, handing back the photo.
"So now you and Teddy stay - as I have some guys coming to sort out this matter about a pipe organ.. for the 'Park Theater'." Jim said.
"But shouldn't we be doing something about Caleb ?", Ethan asked, not quite understanding what was going on.
"Definitely not.
I want to find out what Tolson, and his boss Hoover, are up to, and having Caleb under our surveillance, but without him knowing that, is a very good opportunity for us...", Jim said.
"Well, if you say so... I'm sure you know what your doing.", Ethan admitted.
"He's right, Ethan - so just take it easy, and let things happen...", Teddy said, agreeing with Jim.
So they waited and chatted, while Jim sent out to the nearest MacDonald's for some Cheeseburgers for Ethan, and Teddy rearranged the gold embroidered cushions that had been newly acquired for the office sofa.
"So how did we get Paco for the 'Combat Club' ?", Jim then asked - making conversation while they waited for the burgers.
"Well apparently an associate of Chuck found him working in a club off the 'Strip' - and made him an offer he couldn't refuse...
He's actually Mexican - so who knows, we might take him with us the next time we go back to Mexico.", Ethan said.
"Well maybe he's really a Mayan.", Teddy suggested - not entirely seriously.
"Maybe...", Jim muttered with a smile.
The cheese burgers arrived (this was because Ethan couldn't cope with the weird sandwiches with the mysterious 'filling' that the 'Club Athena' provided), and moments later the people from a pipe organ company, unimaginatively called 'Regent Classic Organs Ltd' - also arrived - all the way from England apparently, and looking appropriately solemn.
It seemed that they were 'into' bespoke organs (like weird cosmetic surgeons) - which Ethan though sounded rather 'rude', although he said nothing.
So they got out their drawings and quoted their specifications, and inquired as to how many manuals and stops would be required, and started talking in detail about the various alloys used for the pipes - and it all got very confusing.
Finally Ethan stopped them and tried to make clear what he wanted.
"Now look guys... I know nothing about pipe organs, but I want one that sounds loud and impressive - thirty foot pipes - and it will be mounted at the back of a stage, and will look 'cool' and classic, and not like something from a church - and money is no object - so just get on with it."
There was an embarrassed silence - and then Ethan continued...
"Now I've had my 'designer thingy guys' do some sketches of what I want it to look like - so you just follow that - but the sound must be impressive - really impressive !
Now can you do that ?", Ethan stated emphatically.
The executives from the 'Regent Classic Organs Ltd' looked at one another, startled - maybe even shocked, and then smiled.
"Yes sir - as you wish, sir - we'll get back to you with full details very soon, sir." , the boss-man said.
Ethan then gave them a drawing of what he wanted the pipe-organ to look like, and detailed plans and architectural drawings of the 'Park Theatre', and then Emma showed the 'organ builders' out of Jim's office.
That same morning, Tolson had awoken in the luxurious comfort of his suite at the 'Club Athena Park Hotel' - to give the hotel's full title.
 |
| Park Theater - Las Vegas |
Then there was a change of manager - thanks to Jim and Brody - who it seems, was more than just a 'performer' from the 'Combat Club'.
After then there was the inaugural 'concert', which put the 'Park Theatre' very much in the centre of things - with Ethan as musical director, the theater's own symphony orchestra and choir, and the young 'heart-throb' of a singer - 'Aaron'.
And of course, the 'California Combat Club' was in walking distance from the hotel and the theater - for those who wanted less 'highbrow' entertainment late into the evening - a mixture of gambling, testosterone, and hot muscle
As Tolson showered and prepared to go for breakfast, he considered the problem of how he was to extend his stay.
Hoover would obviously be interested in any information that Tolson could provide about the 'Combat Club', not only because it might lead to further information about Jim Johnston - which was Hoover's main concern - but also because it was an unusual 'set up', and the sort of 'set up' that would particularly appeal to Hoover, from a very personal point of view.
That personal element, however, in one instance, had been indulged in by Hoover, some years before, by the strategy of initiating an investigation into the 'International Boxing Club'.
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| Frankie Carbo |
Technically that might have been true, as the people he was referring to never called their organization 'the Mafia', but rather 'Cosa Nostra' ('our thing').
Incidentally, it was also Carbo who was implicated in the murder of Bugsy Siegel - the gang leader who built the 'Pink Flamingo Hotel and Casino'
Paolo Giovanni 'Frankie' Carbo - was an Italian-American New York City Mafia member in the Lucchese crime family who later became one of the most powerful promoters in professional boxing - accused of 'fixing' fights.
This investigation into 'International Boxing Club', of course gave Hoover plenty of opportunity to witness fights, and mix with hot, sweaty young boxers, under the pretext of fighting crime.
Now Tolson could give Hoover further opportunities to satisfy he predilection for watching muscular young men, wearing very little, and fighting one another. in another apparently legitimate investigation.
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| The Breakfast Buffet in the 'Club Athena Park Hotel' - La Vegas |
As he did so he ruminated on the unusual turn of events - the fact that he had, in his view, met an 'ideal boy' in the person of Caleb, and also the possible access he could now have to some 'interesting' entertainment - and that led him to consider what Caleb had told him, the previous evening, about 'Combat Club Platinum Cards'.
So Tolson decided to look into the matter and, having finished his breakfast, he went to the main lobby, and spoke to a hotel staff member manning one of the reception desks.
It seemed that if you were a guest in any of the 'Club Athena' hotels, of which there were many in 'Vegas', and could provide the correct documentation, it was a relatively simply matter to obtain such a card, although they were very expensive - and that was not the end of the expense, as an entry fee was also charged for attending individual matches, although not for using the Club's other facilities.
So Tolson acquired a card, in the hopes of a match coming up during this stay that would possibly involve Caleb, or if not Caleb, then another of the hot young wrestlers featured in the 'Combat Club's' lavishly illustrated brochure that came free with membership..
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| Las Vegas Hotel Athena - Paradise - Clark County - Nevada |
The four huge black Cadillacs rolled up to the main entrance of the 'Las Vegas Hotel Athena' - (previously known as 'Caesars' Palace') - one for each of the main players - Jim, Ethan and Teddy, Zac and Josh.
Uniformed 'Athena Corporation' security officers had cleared the area in front of the main entrance of the hotel of guests and tourist, and the young bellhops were all waiting to open the doors of the glittering vehicles.
.jpg) |
| Hallway to the Executive Conference Room |
It was only then that they greeted on another.
Kurt had come separately, in his own nifty little 'Mustang', and was waiting for the others in the hallway.
On entering the conference room, Jim took his seat at the head of the table, and the others selected their places, although there was no particular order of precedence as, after Jim, they had an equality - and as Caleb had said, without really understanding - they were like 'brothers' - and of course Teddy sat on the conference table, close to Jim and Ethan, recording all that was said.
"So I presume that Teddy has sent you all the recently acquired information about Tolson and Caleb.
 |
| Miss Helen Wilburforce Gandy |
Zac then began speaking...
"Well the first thing that I would like to do is to apologize for our laxness about not alerting everyone to Mr Tolson's presence at the 'Club Athena Park Hotel'.
The fault, however, did not lie entirely with the staff at the 'Club Athena Park Hotel', as the booking was made by a Miss Gandy - and no one knew that she was a senior member of staff at the headquarters of the FBI in Washington DC.
Helen Wilburforce Gandy was the long-time secretary to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover, who called her 'indispensable'. Serving in that role for 54 years she exercised great behind-the-scenes influence on Hoover and the workings of the Bureau.
I would also point out, however, that Tolson's presence in the hotel is very surprising, and not to be expected, as he is such a high ranking member of the FBI - in fact the 'Assistant Director'.
 |
| Agent Wayne Gordy |
Equally we should have alerted Kurt to the presence of Gordy, and for that I also apologize.
We are at present maintaining Gordy under constant surveillance, but are being careful not to alert him to our interest in him, Harley or Tolson.", Zac explained.
"Well thank you Zac for your opening contribution, but I don't see any need for the apologies.
What has happened was, as you rightly said, unexpected and highly unlikely.
However, it seems that no particular harm has been done so far... and as I said to Ethan and Teddy when we first discussed this matter earlier this morning, we want to find out what Tolson, and his boss, Hoover, are up to, and having Caleb under our surveillance, but without him knowing that, is a very good opportunity for us...", Jim said.
Then Kurt spoke up.
"Well this is all very interesting, Jim, but what do you want me to do about it - back at the club ?", Kurt asked.
"Nothing really, Kurt.
Carry on as usual, but keep a watch on Caleb, and report back if he does or says anything unusual.", Jim replied.
"And what should I take to be unusual ?", Kurt asked.
Jim looked to Zac.
"Well - asking lots of questions about various people, particularly like those people who are attending this meeting - and being secretive and evasive - really doing anything that is different from the way the other guys, like Brody, and Johnathan and the rest behave.
And also report any lateness, going off early, or taking time off on Caleb's part to me.
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| Paco |
"And what about our new boy at the 'Club' - Paco ?", Ethan asked.
Some of the others around the table looked up with interest, while Zac quickly referred to a file he had brought with him.
"Yes - I'v already undertaken some preliminary security checks...
His full name is Francisco Valiente - 'Paco' is just a nickname, commonly used for guys called Francisco - and he comes from Santiago el Pinar, in Chiapas, Mexico.
He's twenty-one, and has been in the US for three years, and came to 'Vegas about eighteen months ago, and has been working as a male stripper and 'escort'.
He's had some wrestling and boxing experience in Mexico as a teenager.
It all checks out.", Zac reported.
"OK - well, my only suggestion Kurt would be not to let him get too friendly with Caleb - although I doubt if those two would have much in common...
Better to team him up with Brody.", Jim wisely suggested.
Kurt and Zac nodded in agreement.
"Well are there any more comments or questions ?", Jim asked, looking round the table.
"OK - now to sum up - we now know for sure that the FBI is taking an interest in us - and right here in Las Vegas - so it goes without saying that we should all be on our guard.
The most important thing to remember is that what has been said in this room goes no further.
Any further communication about this matter must not be in writing, but only face to face, or by encoded 'phone, as we know that our electronic codes have not bee broken - thanks to Teddy and Mr Stark.
So I think we an end this meeting...", Jim concluded, and as he did so Ethan foolishly patted Teddy on the head in congratulations for the compliment that Jim had paid him.
'Brush - don't pat !", Teddy remarked haughtily, as they made their way beck to the elevators.
Back at the parking area, at the main entrance to the 'Las Vegas Hotel Athena', a smart young bellhop opened the door to the Cadillac for Ethan and Teddy.
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| Ethan's Cadillac Outside the Las Vegas Hotel Athena - Paradise - Nevada - Entrance |
On this occasion it was 'Sigi' who was acting as chauffeur, and the Cadillac was one of Jim's largest - a really creepy stretch funeral-type job.
Apparently Jim thought it would be suitable transport to a serious meeting at the now decidedly 'imperial' looking 'Las Vegas Hotel Athena' - which rather spookily reminded Ethan of 'home' - not his real home near Athens in Greece, but Imperial Rome, where he had lived for some time.
But they were on their way to the rather less pompous, but equally large 'Club Athena Park Hotel' - the one near the 'California Combat Club'.
It would there that Ethan would be meeting Max and Aaron - and for the first time he would be playing his new song.
'Sigi' however, had been commandeered by Jim, and was returning to the 'Las Vegas Hotel Athens' on some errand that was 'hush-hush'.
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| 'Renaissance Restaurant' - 'Paradise Park Hotel' |
Now the 'Club Athena Park Hotel' (sometimes referred to as the 'Paradise Park') had numerous eating places, but Ethan's favourite was the 'Renaissance Restaurant' - not so much for the food, although the food was excellent, but rather for the décor, that Ethan thought was very tasteful and elegant - and it was...
So, after arriving at the hotel, where they met Max and Aaron, they made their way to the 'Renaissance Restaurant'
Unfortunately, the hotel manager, a Mr Evans, who had recently taken over the hotel after the curious demise of his predecessor, in Lake Meade, was in the restaurant, and immediately rushed over to greet Ethan and his party.
"It's so good to see you again, Mr Duncan !", Evans - enthused, as he called over the Maître d' and a group of waiters.
"I trust you enjoyed your holiday in Mexico...", Evans continued.
"Yes, but that was some time ago Evans...", Ethan replied hoping the creepy manager would go away.
Evans wisely took the hint and was soon issuing instructions to his staff in order to ensure that Mr Duncan and his guests received the very best service.
"So, what happened at the meeting ?", Max asked.
Teddy automatically switched himself on.
"Can't say. Don't ask.", Teddy said in that mysterious way that made everyone even more curious.
"Teddy's right... Jim doesn't want any gossip.", Ethan concurred - tactfully patching up .his previous little 'spat' with Teddy.
That put a stop to any friendly chat, and most of the meal passed in awkward silence, with only a few comments about the excellence of the food and the service.
Now interestingly, at another table, on the other side of the restaurant, Tolson sat alone, taking lunch and 'dreaming' of Caleb.
Only Teddy was aware of the fact, as he had searched his data-base for images of Tolson, and so was able to recognize him, but like a good bear, he wisely said nothing, although he did attempt a 'mind-scan', directed at Tolson, which only revealed the fact that Tolson was an unfortunate, and besotted 'Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation'.
 |
| 'Kawai CA99 Hybrid Digital Piano' |
At the end of the meal Ethan then took Teddy, Max and Aaron up to his 'secret office' (so well known to all the staff) with the intention of introducing the song to Aaron - and also showing off on his new digital piano.
"OK guys - sit yourselves down and relax, and I will play you the main melody of this song.", Ethan said, as he made a big show of switching on the 'Kawai CA99 Hybrid Digital Piano', as he liked to call it, and tweaking the various controls in order to produce what he considered to be the ideal sound for the acoustics of the room.
"Now there are some words to this", Ethan explained, as he continued playing - without even looking at the keys - which he thought was very cool...
this is an 'audio only' recording
ETHAN'S SONG
Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfilled
For my darling, I love you
And I always will
Love me tender, love me long
Take me to your heart
For it's there that I belong
And we'll never part
Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfilled
For my darling, I love you
And I always will
Love me tender, love me, dear
Tell me you are mine
I'll be yours through all the years
'Til the end of time
Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfilled
For my darling, I love you
And I always will...
"So what do you think ?':, Ethan asked.
"Well, it's very pretty...", Teddy said, trying to be as polite as possible.
"Yes, I agree with Teddy.", Max said - not wanting to offend.
"OK - but it's only me - playing it on this 'digital-thingy' - but just wait until you hear it being played by a full orchestra, and also with Aaron singing...
I think it will be a real 'hit', as they say, and particularly with the 'oldies' - and there's lots of them staying here...", Ethan enthused.
"I like it - and the tune goes with the way you would say the words - and that's real good, Ethan.", Aaron said.
"It'quite a simple tune - so why do you keep repeating it.
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| Max Thomas in Ethan's 'Secret Office' |
"It seemed appropriate at the time...
but the repeats - referred to in music as 'da capo' - repeat from the beginning - that's for Aaron - you see, unlike me, he doesn't read music.", Ethan began.
"Yes - and I was the one to 'teach' Ethan how to read and write and play music...", Teddy added proudly.
"So Aaron needs to memorize tunes - which h'es very good at - and he does this by hearing them repeated.", Ethan explained.
"So why doesn't Teddy 'teach' Aaron to read music ?", Max asked...
"Good question - it is believed that for some artists the ability to read music can cause problems with their natural response to melodies - and they lose some of the naturalness and warmth of their rendering, so in Aaron's case, as there is no immediate need for him to read music - it is perhaps best to wait until it becomes a necessity,", Teddy replied rather opaquely.
"Yes, of course...", Max responded, pretending that he understood.
'So, you think you've got it in your head, Aaron ?", Ethan asked.
"Yes Ethan - no problem.", Aaron eagerly replied.
'Well anyway, here's a recording. and also an orchestral backing I had made...
So work on it, and we'll go through it in a couple of days.", Ethan concluded, patting Aaron on the back, and showing him out of the office.
"So now we have to go the the 'Combat Club', and see how things are getting on with this new addition - 'Paco' - and also Caleb.", Ethan said to Max, as he brushed down the ivory and ebony keys, and switched off the digital piano.
"You know, it doesn't actually sound like a real piano...", Max commented.
"I know - but what can you do ?", Ethan responded, as he grabbed Teddy, and left the office.
ADULT MATERIAL
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL 'WRESTLERS' FEATURED IN THIS CHAPTER WERE OVER THE AGE OF TWENTY ONE YEARS AT THE TIME THAT THE ORIGINAL IMAGES AND TEXT WERE PRODUCED
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| Brody Posing |
When they arrived at the 'California Combat Club' things seemed unusually busy - not with 'punters', but with the various people who worked there.
"So what's going on ?", Ethan asked Mikey, as the wandered about looking for Kurt.
"Its the new brochure - we need some updated photos, but now Kurt's decided to feature this new guy, Paco, so Adam's going crazy getting new lighting set-ups, checking the color for the canvas - and what color for Paco's trunks not that you'd notice, they're so small, and how to compensate for Paco's deep tan.
But if you hang around you might get a chance to see some of the 'photo-shoot'...", Mikey said, before rushing off.
"Such a cute boy...", Ethan reflected.
Eventually Ethan and Teddy and Max found Kurt in his office.
Kurt looked up from his laptop...
"..'lot going on - it's since I got the OK from Zac about young Paco, and then Adam insisted that we use him in the new brochure because, according to Adam, he's got a very attractive physique - and a great face - well Adam should know.', Kurt said wearily.
Adam is the 'in-house' photographer for the 'California Combat Club' - for more information follow this LINK...
'Well, give me Brody any day !", Ethan expostulated.
Kurt smiled, and nodded in agreement.
"OK - so I'll just shut the door so we can discuss what happened during our meeting earlier.", Kurt said, getting up from his desk.
"So what's your take on what I should do with Caleb ?", Kurt asked as he checked that the door was securely locked.
"Nothing - just let him go on as usual, but if you notice any unusual behavior or comments, report to Zac.", Ethan replied.
"So what's all this rush about photos ?", Ethan asked.
"Oh, its the next brochure.
We produce one every three months, but this one's overdue, and now Adam wants to feature our new boy Paco, so we need to get to work straight away.", Kurt explained.
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| California Combat Club - Logo |
Kurt and Max shook hands.
"I think I met you once before - briefly at one of our gala events...", Kurt said.
"Yes - but you were very busy then - anyway I' m Max Thomas, and I'm supposed to be Mr Duncan's 'Assistant Director of the Athena Corporation Entertainments Division'.", Max said.
"Good - but there's no need to be so formal - we're all on first name terms here, except with Mr Johnston - when it's 'Sir' - but Mikey, Tripp and Brody are even allowed to call him 'Boss'.", Kurt explained.
'And you - what do you call him ?", Max asked, rather pointedly.
I call him 'Jim' - but then I've known him a long time - well it seems a long time - and in all that timed he's never changed...", Kurt said quietly - looking puzzled.
"Well we're using the 'Large Practice Ring', - with new rigging, (ropes and canvass), in accordance with Adam's requirements - and the photos will feature this new boy, Paco.
At the end of the session the digital images will be sent to you, and I leave it to you to get your designers to produce a suitable brochure for Jim to approve.", Kurt continued - seemingly breaking the 'spell'
Kurt was obviously pleased about Ethan and Max's involvement as, in the past, before Jim appointed Ethan to oversee all entertainment facilities in the 'Athena Corporation', Kurt had the three monthly chore of producing the brochure.
Kurt, however, unlike Ethan, didn't have the contacts and the artists and designers to produce a really professional brochure, which was one of the reasons that Ethan was now actually 'responsible' for the 'Combat Club', although legally only in an advisory capacity, as it was important for the 'Combat Club' to remain an entity that was independent of the 'Athena Corporation'.
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And so Mikey led the way to the 'Large Practice Ring' that was, just as one would imagine, a large room dominated by a full size wrestling ring. |
| 'Slave Flash' |
The walls and ceiling were painted matte black, and there were no windows which, despite the room's considerable size, made it feel oppressive and claustrophobic.
The ring itself was brightly lit by a number powerful floodlights mounted high on the ceiling.
There were also a number of 'slave flash' units, mounted on the ceiling, and also on tripods in the area outside the ring, and there was a table where Adam's cameras, lenses and other items of equipment were placed.
Put simply, in photography 'flash synchronization' or 'flash syn'c is the synchronizing of the firing of one or more 'slave flash' units at the moment that a photograph is taken.
"Hi Adam ! - 'nice to see you again - and this is quite a setup you've got here...", Ethan said as he shook hands with the slim young photographer.
"Thank you, sir...", Adam replied.
Adam then checked out the group that had come with Ethan.
"Now I remember that teddy-bear - he's quite something, but I don't remember seeing the young man in the snappy suite before...", Adam said.
"Oh that's Max, my 'second in command' - so be nice to him.", Ethan replied.
Ethan then noticed the two wrestlers in the practice ring.
One he hadn't seen before, but from the photos that Ethan had already seen the boy in the blue trunks was obviously Paco.
Ethan climbed into the ring, and held his hand out to the muscular young wrestler.
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| Adam - Club Photographer |
"Buenos días Paco - mi nombre es señor Duncan y soy el jefe de su jefe.
Hoy he venido a observar la 'sesión de fotos' para el próximo folleto 'Combat Club'.
Entonces... ¿hablas inglés? Si es así, sería mejor si ambos habláramos en inglés, ya que nadie más aquí habla español.", Ethan said in perfectly accented Spanish - with a Mexican accent.
Paco looked surprised, and smile broadly, as they shook hands.
¡Ay! entonces hablas español - y muy bien... and yes - here it will be better if we speak the Spanish, señor Duncan.", Paco agreed.
Ethan then called down to Kurt...
"So who's the other guy ?", Ethan asked.
"Oh, that's Blake - he's been with us for a while, but you never met...", Kurt replied.
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| Paco and Blake |
While they were waiting for Adam to check that all his equipment was prepared, Dr Lockwood came into the 'Large Practice Ring' to be on hand for the fight,
Previously he had checked the boys over, and passed them as fit.".
The two boys then began with a series of innocuous moves, designed to get them in the mood, and as a warm-up.
"So how are you, Ethan ?" , Lockwood asked.
"Very well Doc, but very busy as there is a lot goin on.", Ethan replied.
"Well Kurt tells me that you have a lot of responsibility for the 'Club' now, and as the 'Club' is becoming more popular, that would involve a lot of work - but take it easy - remember your health is a precious gift.", Dr Lockwood advised.
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| Paco and Blake - Photo-Shoot |
Very soon the wrestling became far more serious, and the two boys started really 'going for it'.
Adam, you see, wanted real 'action shots', and not just 'posing', and that, obviously, required the wrestlers to fight for 'real' - and as this actually happened, the slave-units began to flash.
Ethan thought it odd, and a bit surreal watching the wrestling without the accompanying noise of the crowd.
Very quickly it became obvious that Paco, either because he was not very experienced, or maybe by arrangement, took the role of a 'jobber' - that is a wrestler who is 'required' to lose.
That is not to say that the wrestling was not rough - and the moves, blows kicks and punches actually hurt - but such actions were just slightly restrained, and the wrestlers knew how to take their 'punishment' so that no permanent damage was done - and that was how the 'fights' were 'fixed' - and the club made money from the gambling.
`So Blake seemed to get the upper hand, and had Paco off his feet and in what looked to Ethan and Max like an impossible position, hanging upside from one of Blake's shoulders.
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| Paco and Blake - Photo-Shoot |
Blake then gave Paco a 'pile-driver' - which could be a very dangerous move if not performed correctly, where a wrestler is dropped vertically on his head onto the canvass, which in this case left Paco a little stunned, and sprawled out on the canvass - and as far as Max was concerned it was all looking a bit too real just for some photos for a brochure.
But Adam just carried on as he had seen far worse at the 'Club'.
So Blake dragged Paco off the canvass, and eventually got him kneeling.
Blake then put Paco into some sort of a strange combined arm and head lock - unconventional looking, but Paco's struggles indicated that it was probably quite painful.
Blake continued the hold for some time, but Adam then said that he wanted some images of some 'action' on the ropes, so he got Mikey to climb into the ring, and stop the 'fight'.
Paco, however, was visibly relieved, and Blake was predictably a little disappointed as he was well into the current hold that he was imposing on Paco.
What Max found very odd, however, was the fact that as soon they stopped fighting the two boys were comradely and friendly wit h one another...
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| Paco on the Ropes |
Adam then gave some further instructions from outside the ring...
"Now stay kneeling Paco, and let Blake drag you over to the ropes
And you Blake, smack the back of Paco's head a few times so he looks slightly concussed, and then you can put his arms in the twisted top two ropes
Then I'll leave it to you, Blake, to mess around with Paco while he's trapped on the ropes, while I take some more shots", Adam called out..
Adam then went to the viewfinder of his Hasselblad, and gave a signal for the two boys to restart the 'fight'.
Hasselblad is a Swedish manufacturer of cameras, based in Sweden. The company originally became known for its classic analogue medium-format cameras that used a waist-level viewfinder. At the time of our story, Hasselblad introduced the world's first digital compact mirrorless medium-format camera, the X1D-50c.
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| Paco gets a Beating |
Getting Paco tangled in the ropes was more difficult, as Paco was supposed to be semiconscious and limp, and so that made things difficult.
Now this could have been staged, but to get the look of authenticity that Adam demanded meant that the process was quite prolonged, and far from pleasant for Paco.
Once Paco was firmly entangled on the ropes, Blake proceeded to give the helpless boy a good beating - which served, in the 'Combat Club', as an equivalent of a 'hazing' for new members of the wrestling group.
'Hazing' or initiation, refers to any activity expected of someone in joining or participating in a group, and is an activity that that humiliates and abuses them regardless of a person's willingness to participate. Hazing is seen in many different types of social groups, including gangs, sports teams, schools, cliques, universities, military units and fraternities and sororities..
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| Corner Rope Kick |
Brody, of course, had already undergone this initiation which did not bother him in the least, and Caleb was due for the experience in a few days.
Ethan was cool with Caleb - shaking hands and giving a conventional greeting.
With Brody Ethan was more at ease, as Ethan and Brody had a 'past'. but although that was all over, they were still very good friends - which many thought surprising as they were, outwardly, quite unalike.
Adam was just about finished with his photo shoot but Blake had a few moves that would probably not be included in the soon to be published brochure
As it happened the most interesting shot, (see left) which Ethan showed to Jim the following day, was spoiled by camera blur, which even some work by Adam with Photoshop wouldn't rescue, and anyway the image was not suitable material for the brochure.
And after a couple of kicks kick to Paco's groin, Paco, in tears, pleaded for Blake to stop, and Adam called and end to the 'photo-shoot'...
Ethan and Max return to the Club Athena' in Summerlin in order to present Jim with the possible images for the new 'Combat Club' brochure - Ethan's 'designer-guy-thingys' then arrive with drawings and plans for the pipe organ for the 'Park Theater', and Gordy make a new arrangement for Caleb to see Tolson...
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with brief résumés
All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2023
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2023
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2023