Back << Page Ten – Index – Page Twelve>> Forward
Home – Writings – Links – The Atma – Sai Baba
LIGHT OF THE ATMA – THE SPARK WITHIN
eter stood in the study watching Crogg look through his father’s desk drawers. “Made yourself at home rather quickly, didn’t you?”
Crogg gave him a – ‘what do you mean?’ – look. “You’ve got me all wrong Lad. Somebody has to do this, and no one knows what’s going on more than I do. Even still, I must admit it’s more than I can handle. I’m leaving most of this to the attorneys. You’ll soon be seeing them in and out of here as if it were a courthouse.”
Crogg pointed to a mountainous stack of papers in the corner. “Your father was the head of a vast corporation with hundreds of enterprises under its umbrella, and thousands of employees involved. To top off that complication, hundreds of claims are coming out of the woodwork. Your father’s and mother’s wills are so complicated it’s going to take an army of attorneys to decipher them.
In the meantime, I’ve got your grandfather breathing down my neck claiming that he’s been appointed executor of the estate and guardian of you. The paperwork is in such a snarl that it’s literally going to take months to straighten out. And to make matters worse, your father’s attorneys are conflicting with your grandfather’s attorneys.
In the meantime, while all the disputes, challenges, counter challenges and paperwork are being unscrambled and untangled in the courts, the judge who’s presiding over this case appointed me to be your guardian and executor of the estate, being that I’m a close friend of the family and partner in the business.”
“Let me see the clause in my father’s will that requests you be appointed my guardian.” Crogg picked up the fraudulent will and turned to the page with the clause. Peter’s eyes read the words. “Why would my father do this?”
“Well Lad, who can say what motivated your father? Except that it was apparent that your father didn’t trust your grandfather. Your grandfather has political ambitions; he wants to be governor of Massachusetts.
A little more pocket change . . .and he could do it. He wanted the backing of your father some years ago for the gubernatorial race, but they had a bad falling out. Evidently, your father saw some flaw in your grandfather being your guardian, being that he might have the tendency to spend the money on himself and neglect you. After all, a political race is costly, millions can be spent in a trice. And I’m sure your grandfather had greater ambitions than just being a governor.
But that’s not the real problem. The real problem is the insidious gambling debts your father stacked up . . . Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Paris, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore . . . He lost and won, in the millions. As I’ve said, he usually made good on his losses. But he borrowed a lot against the business, had a lot of bad stock investments.
On paper, your father was worth a fortune. But when you liquidate it all, pay off creditors, attorneys and so on, you’ll be lucky if you end up with a minute fraction.” Crogg shook his head. “What can I say? Fortunes have been made and lost through gambling; and in this case . . .?
Well, in the meantime, because the judge has ordered me to see that you go to England, I’ve taken from my own pocket the tuition and expenses you’ll require – just to expedite things until the attorneys can sort things out.”
Peter was too exhausted, too tired to argue. He got up to go, but before he left, he stated:
“My father promised me I wouldn’t have to go to military school if I kept my grades up. . . so I’m not going. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed.”
But before he could leave, Crogg remarked: “Now Peter, you know things can’t always go the way you want them to go. Listen Peter my boy, your father was a man of many dreams, with sails of hope filled with the ocean wind for you. He often confided in me about his plans for you and as I said, he made me promise, that if anything ever went wrong, I should take you under my wing and protect you from vulturous people.”
Crogg turned the swivel chair and stood up. “So, if the decision to send you to England seems uncaring, it’s really the best thing to do under the circumstances. Estates as large as your father’s always contain certain liabilities and assets. In your case, your relatives are your liabilities, and your friends like me, are your assets.” Crogg, with his scheming wit, put a pleasant smile on his face. Just then Knuckles and Lefty poked their heads into the study.
Peter was quick to notice their presence. He aimed his sights on Lefty, but targeted Crogg for his remark: “As far as liabilities go, your two associates qualify as a serious debt. You’d best keep them away from me.”
Crogg warned Lefty and Knuckles out. “Now, now, Peter – in business you have to learn how to deal with all sorts . . .compensate! Learn how to tolerate those people that displease you, at least deal with the inadequacies of others less fortunate than yourself with a little tact.”
If there were ever two people who did not get along the moment they met, it was Peter and Lefty. Knuckles was neither here nor there in Peter’s mind; nevertheless, Peter’s clash with Lefty was not because of prejudice on Peter’s part. It was due to Lefty’s cruel attitude toward him.
Peter peered into Crogg’s eyes. “In my opinion, it’s a little less than kind to use people who can’t object because they’re too ignorant to realize they are being used by you. I can’t blame your associates for their lack of intellectual perception, nor do I look upon them unfavorably because they are less than what humans should be; it is their aggressiveness against me that I resent.”
Crogg was amazed at Peter’s keen criticism. His crusty stare preceded his response. “Such profound thoughts from a young boy.”
Peter decided to end the conversation and leave. Suddenly he stopped and turned around. “Do you mind giving me back the key to my room?”
“Key?”
“Never mind, just see to it that those two stay clear of me. And never lock me in my room again!” and he left the study.
rogg’s obreptitious, scheme of taking over by use of fraud was thick with lies. But as with every con man, he had a suave and convincing presentation. All his lies had to do was to ‘deflect and divert’ just long enough…’Cast a shadow of doubt on a person, and suspicion will grow around them like mushrooms in a dark cave,’ he believed.
Logic depends on clarity and smoothness of the intellect, and ‘Who keeps their mind that well lubricated?’ Crogg thought. ‘Confuse the facts, scramble the meanings, distort the truth; and then present it all as a spectacular reality to be believed in. If Barnum and Bailey can do it, and if magicians can do it . . .’
Crogg’s decision to have Peter kidnapped in Boston and brought back to Chicago grew out of his desire to keep Peter away from his grandfather, and this desire sprang from the idea that Peter’s separation from his grandparents would cause such grief to them, that his grandfather would be more preoccupied with worry over his grandson than he would be with contesting the will.
A small diversion,’ he thought, ‘but an important one never-the-less.
Crogg believed that Peter was going to be an easy push over; however, Peter was anything but. Crogg was shifting fake wills and documents around like a shell game. Every will and document he showed Peter was a product of his own fraudulent moves.As with all men who live by mendacity, Crogg couldn’t keep up with the questions his lies were generating. He often changed his story to suit the occasion and never expected that too many people would be able to probe into the truth of his scheme before he could abscond with all of the money.
rogg had a little island set aside in the tropics somewhere. His plan was to turn it into a deluxe paradise with all the female trimmings.
Didn’t he have enough money to make that wish come true already? Yes. So what was Crogg’s motive to beat away at Peter and legally attack his grandparents?
Simple! Crogg hated Michael with all his heart and was merely taking out his revenge on Peter and anyone who loved Peter.
Yes, taking the money from Peter was important; as important as taking the mansion! ‘This is mine now!’ he cursed Michael whom he visualized lying in his watery grave. ‘Not yours! You thought you were better than me? I’ll show you and everyone who the better man is!’
Crogg despised Michael to the depths, and like a sinister minister who secretly wanted to depose the dictator, he tried endlessly to over-throw Michael’s dominant position by gambling with the men who held stocks in his empire.
This was originally how Crogg got a foothold in the door. One of Michael’s partners bet his stock certificates in a high-stakes poker game with Crogg. The next day, Crogg was a full-fledged partner, of whom Michael greatly disapproved.
Crogg worked his way into Michael’s acceptance by gaining for him ‘hard to get’ stock in other corporations which Michael wanted, but could not acquire. Thus a strange sense of trust developed between them.
Crogg put on the friendship charm for Michael’s family and became close to Peter, acting more like an uncle than a business partner.
But friction was the real main event between Michael and Crogg. They went after each other like two dogs after Crogg won more stock certificates from another partner. This put Crogg nearly on level terms with Michael. And in Michael’s life there could only be one king of the realm, and he was it!
When Michael left on trips, Crogg ran the corporation as he wanted, which was often exactly the opposite of what Michael wanted; thus, the two of them were at loggerheads with each other most of the time Michael was home. But when Michael was not home, Crogg was the picture of perfection. He was kind, warm, caring and considerate and played the perfect gentleman for Margaret. She never knew of his hate for her husband. Had she, would she have let Crogg become so close to Peter?
What was Crogg’s plan for Peter? To convince him that his Boston grandparents were only after the money! How difficult would this be? ‘That would depend,’ Crogg thought. ‘But can a man climb a mountain without effort or risk?’
Michael’s actual dislike for Margaret’s father was what Crogg was going to exaggerate on. Michael and Margaret didn’t exactly see eye to eye about her parents. And they often argued over their differences in front of Peter.
Crogg’s next step was to make Peter think that no matter who he turned to, they would only be after his money. At every turn Crogg was making side remarks to this effect.
Then – to get Peter on a ship to England…then in a year, pull the plug of financial support on him, and watch him go down the drain.
Why couldn’t Crogg just let Peter alone? Because the hate Crogg had for Peter’s father knew no bounds.
efty, was waiting with Knuckles outside the study. He eyed Peter with animosity as Peter headed for the stairs. Knuckles walked into the study urging Lefty to follow. Lefty obeyed, but had a tough time taking his angry eyes off of Peter.
“Do me and yourselves a favor guys,” Crogg instructed as Knuckles entered, Lefty trailing behind, “keep yourselves away from the boy.”
Lefty, throwing a few punches in the air, responded, “But ya’ told us ta watch ’em.”
Crogg, chewing on his cigar, boomed: “Never mind what I told you before! – just do what I’m telling you to do now! Stay away from the boy! He’s a bit touchy and he especially doesn’t like you!” – pointing to lefty.
“Yeah – well I don’t like ’em either!” Lefty spouted taking umbrage.
“Can’t you keep your boy under control?!” Crogg gave Knuckles a splitting glare.
“Sure I can, sure I can!” Knuckles assured.
“Make sure of it, or you two will be ‘has-beens’ before you’ve had the chance to BE! If you see him coming, you go in the other direction. Now, why don’t the both of you go down to the gym for a little work out?”
Looking at Knuckles he remarked, “Keep the boy in shape, you know what I mean?”
“Right Boss,” Knuckles agreed.
Crogg left the study in search of Cornings. Hoping to find him in the east dining room, he found Charles there instead. He came to a stop and glowered at Charles with hostility. “I thought I fired you and told you to get out?”
“You did Sir.”
“Well what are you waiting for?!” Crogg snapped.
“I’m just finishing up my duties Sir.
These new servants do not have the routine down. They will be unable to satisfy your wishes.”
Crogg’s face took on a thought-filled expression. “I admire loyalty. I’m just puzzled as to why you would be loyal to me?”
“I have my future to be concerned with Sir. Even though you have discharged me, you have not discharged me for bad service to you.”
“Charles, you are a clever man. It’s too bad you never put that cleverness to better use.”
“Perhaps that is why I am still a butler Sir.”
“Hmmmmm.”
“In the meantime Sir, is there any way I can be of service to you?”
Crogg weighed his advantages then decided: “Yes, as a matter of fact there is. See to it that Peter joins me for tea in an hour. I have some matters I wish to talk over with him.”
Charles immediately went up to Peter’s room to communicate the invitation. He knocked at Peter’s door.
“WHAT IS IT?!!” Peter yelled at the top of his lungs.
“It is only me Master Peter,” Charles called out.
Peter opened the door and apologized. “I’m sorry I yelled at you Charles.”
“It’s all right Sir,” Charles assured. His heart sank when he looked at Peter; for his clothes were dirty, his hair was mussed and he looked absolutely exhausted; and his room appeared as if a tornado had hit it. “You need a bath Master Peter. Permit me to send for some hot water, and someone to clean up your room.”
Peter gave him a half smile. “Thank you Charles, but I think the thing I need most right now is sleep.” He then thought for a moment and asked, “What was it you wanted?”
“I am sorry to tell you that Mr. Crogg wants to see you in one hour, for tea, he says!”
“Tell Mr. Crogg that I decline, because I am going to sleep.” He walked over to his bed and threw himself down upon it.
Charles stepped in and gaped about at all the debris and broken things that were lying on the floor. He shook his head in half wonder and disbelief. He looked at Peter stretched across the bed. Some sorrowful thoughts must have flitted through his mind. He slowly closed the door, then went downstairs.
Charles hesitantly walked into the study. Crogg’s eyes flashed with a glare as he turned his head to observe him. An uncomfortable twinge fluttered in Charles’ stomach. “Master Peter sends his regrets Sir. He specifically told me to relay to you his apologies and begs your forgiveness in declining your invitation.”
Among other things, Crogg was fighting time. Arrangements had already been pre-made to ship Peter out, and Crogg wanted his plan to go into action with as little delay as possible. ‘If Peter rests at this point,’ he thought, ‘it could give him the edge.’ And the last thing Crogg wanted was for Peter to regain any strength that he had lost through the ordeal. Exhaustion and stress were the weapons Crogg intended to use to keep Peter in that ‘vulnerable state’. ‘Less strength – less resistance,’ he thought.
Crogg stood up from behind the desk. He shifted some papers around then spoke to Charles with deception filling his tone. “There’s nothing I would like more than to see Peter enjoy the rapture of contented sleep. But I’m forced to discuss important matters with him – matters that unfortunately, can’t be put off any further.”
Crogg’s eyes flashed with extortious, plans. Looks like the one Crogg just gave off, Charles had seen in the eyes of other men. Crogg walked over to Charles and gave him that – ‘you don’t have long here’ – look. “See to it that he’s present in the coffee-and-tea room in one hour,” and he stared into Charles’ eyes to try to understand what made this butler tick. Feeling he sized up Charles correctly, Crogg sauntered back to his desk. “Oh – um, Charles,” he added stretching out his words with that authoritative, – ‘do as I say’ – tone, “I will accept no excuses,” and he waved Charles off as though he were bothered with the whole affair.
By the time Charles had reached Peter’s room, Peter was ‘dead to the world’. He had slipped into that type of deep sleep that causes a person, if awakened too soon, to feel the world is a dream.
Charles hated the fact that Crogg was forcing him to wake Peter. He quietly approached Peter and stood there for a few short moments watching him lie there soundly sleeping. Charles’ emotions pained to see Peter so exhausted, so lost, so alone, and so helpless. He decided not to wake him up.
His eyes fell on the fragments of glass and broken pieces of the dresser drawers lying on the carpet. He pushed what he could aside with his foot and cataloged the need in his mind for the rug to be rolled up and cleaned of all glass. Determined to protect Peter, Charles went downstairs and reported to Crogg that Peter was too asleep to be awakened.
Back << Page Ten – Index – Page Twelve>> Forward
Home – Writings – Links – The Atma – Sai Baba