Bruce Flores - Daddy_s plaything

"I demand that you return my property," Victor said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bruce Morris said, picking up his briefcase from the floor and holding it tightly on his lap. "If and when she gives something to me I'll inform you."

"No!" Sherry interrupted. "I don't want to lie about this. I gave everything to Mr. Morris and he's going to see that everybody gets a fair share. You've been my business manager so you'll get ten percent, Daddy. Maybe even a little more."

Victor tried to grab the briefcase, but Bruce Morris held on tight. "Ten percent! What the hell are you talking about, you ungrateful little – little bitch! Ten percent? Ten percent?"

Bruce Morris spoke calmly. "Precisely," he said. "Isn't it true that you told your daughter that you were saving her money for her and investing her earnings for her benefit? That she would be financially well off some day?"

"Well, yes, of course, but…"

"Fine," Bruce said. "We're just formalizing your promise to her, that's all. You did intend to keep your promise to your daughter, didn't you?"

"Naturally." Victor seemed trapped, at a loss of words.

Bruce shrugged as though the matter were simple. "Then simply because you neglected to place her name on her property doesn't change anything one bit. We're simply putting her name on things so that if anything should happen to you, her ownership can be easily established. You wouldn't want Sherry to go through all the legal red tape to determine her right of inheritance if you should become deceased, would you?"

Victor thought for a moment. "I made a will," he said.

"Good, I'd like to see it," Bruce said. "Why don't you sit down and have a drink and then we'll look at the will?"

Victor Redgrave glared at all of them. "So thank you," he snarled and left.

"Daddy never mentioned anything about a will to me," Sherry said.

"That's the reason I pressed him about it," Bruce said. "I doubt if he has one."

They sat talking during breakfast while Bruce finished his third martini. Finally, his food arrived. He was nearly through with his brunch when Victor Redgrave returned, this time with Sheila.

"Sherry," Victor said, "Sheila and I have something to tell you. Right after her parents' funeral – uh – we plan to go to Europe for a brief vacation. When we return we plan to be married."

"Tell them the rest," Sheila said.

"Yes, yes, of course," Victor said. "So you see, I won't be able to act as your business manager any longer. I'll be working with Sheila, trying to make a career for her in show business. I expect great things for her. She has a fine voice and so I'll be acting as her business manager and all around coach."

There was a long, long silence. It seemed incredible that Victor had snared an heiress for a wife on such short notice. Upon learning that, he was practically broke he had managed to finagle a potential fortune in a matter of minutes! Tony and Bruce broker into hysterical laughter and gradually even Sherry joined them.

"What's so funny?" Sheila asked, angry. "Don't you realize that I'm going to become a star? Isn't anybody going to offer congratulations? Oh, I see. It amuses you that a wealthy girl would even bother to achieve stardom. It's true that show people don't count for much among my friends, but I've always been independent."

"Good luck and congratulations," Tony said, and Bruce chorused in.

"Yes, Daddy," Sherry said. "I hope you're both very happy. Be sure and drop me a postcard from Paris or someplace. Goodbye and good luck to you both."

Victor just stood there, as though there were something else to say but he couldn't quite say it. His bride-to-be had already headed for the exit. "Victor, I think we've said quite enough to these people. Now let's go!" she commanded.

"Yes, dear," he said and waved goodbye to his daughter as he back stepped away.

When they had gone, Tony shook his head. "Jesus, if I ever saw two people who deserve each other more I don't remember it. I'm glad he didn't squawk about the money. We could have brought a few other charges against him, too."

"What other charges?" Bruce asked, puzzled.

"Oh, maybe child molesting or…"

"Please, Tony," Sherry interrupted. "I'd rather we didn't go into this any further."

"All right, honey," Tony said, calming himself. "I'm sorry."

Bruce glanced at his watch. "Well, gang, I'd better be heading for the airport. The flight lasts only a little more than an hour, but they serve the dandiest martinis." He stood up. "Glad to be of service. If you know of anybody who needs a divorce…" – he glanced toward the door where Sherry's father and Sheila had just exited – "… be sure and get in touch. I don't handle divorce cases personally but I have a partner who does. I have a feeling if the young lady does become a star and your father doesn't get control of a nice chunk of money soon they may require my colleague's services. No offense, Sherry. It's just that in these matters has taught me to be a skeptic, especially where money and a considerable difference in age is involved. Bye."

Sherry and Tony walked Bruce to the front door of the casino. He refused Tony's offer of a ride to the airport and hailed a taxi. A moment later he was off.

"Feel better?" Tony asked Sherry.

"I guess so," she said. "But I must say that an awful lot has happened fast. I didn't expect Daddy to marry ever and now – I just don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. It's time for me to say something. Let's go for a little hike in the wood, okay?"

Sherry grinned. "You mean a bike-hike or a fuck-hike?"

"Maybe both," Tony said. "Come on." He took her by the band and they strolled down behind the hotel and along the golf course to the lake front. They walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and the blue water to their right and the mountains and big trees to their left. They had been silent for a long time. "I don't ever want to be away from you, Sherry," Tony said.

"You just think I'm a good lay," she said, squeezing his hand.

"True, but there's more to it than that. I'm pretty good in the sack too, aren't I? I mean, can I screw good or can't I?"

They both laughed.

"Seriously, Sherry, I didn't mention this before because I wasn't sure how I felt about you, but I have a chance to do a variety show with Rory Cramden when I finish here."

"Really?!" Sherry said. Rory Cramden was possibly the biggest comedian outside of television. "That's wonderful."

"As you know, Rory travels all around the country. He presents just one big show a month maybe – in an auditorium or a concert hall – where he can make a bundle in one shot. None of this working every night. Just scattered rehearsals and the pay is damn good. Since it's a variety type show he uses all kinds of performers. I think between your agent and my agent it could be arranged for you to travel with the company. You might make less money but at least we could be together. What do you say? And even if you can't work on this tour, you could at least arrange to work the next one. I'm talking about Mr. and Mrs. Agnello, Sherry."

Sherry stopped in her tracks and tried to look thoughtful, as though deliberating. Then, despite herself, she was smiling through her tears. "How do I know you're not worse than my father?" she teased. "How do I know that you don't want to marry me just because I have stocks and bonds and money in the bank?" She draped her arms about his broad shoulders and kissed him full on the lips. They embraced for a long time. There was only the sound of the forest and their deep breathing and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. They parted and Sherry walked more jauntily now, sure of herself, even a little independent. Cocky.

"I don't know," she sing-songed. "I read a book once where a man married a girl and then tossed her in the lake so he could have all her money. Insurance money."