BAMBOOZLED

A lesson learned.

Hal was a contractor who built one of kind custom homes for the very rich. His friend Mike, an outstanding architect, did a lot of work for Hal. Mike would talk with the various clients to get some idea of what they envisioned and then draw plans. This process would often extend over a considerable period of time. Ideas would be drawn and customers would want changes. So as the saying goes, “back to the drawing board.” Hal had worked on projects where wealthy patrons would have him tear out sections of completed construction because some new idea had popped into their head. Such deconstruction was very expensive and wasteful. After many years of working with such clients, Hal became more and more fed-up working with wealthy people.

 

Coming from an impoverished background, everything Hal had achieved in life was a result of his own blood, sweat, and tears. He had little respect for people that had success and wealth dumped in their laps. Originally, Hal took great pride in his work, but the thought of tearing out a months worth of labor just on the whim of some wealthy fat cat began to grate on him. Hal’s carpenters had been with him for years, and they took great pride in their workmanship. Having an entire kitchen or living room torn out on a whim would infuriate them to no end, and eventually became demoralizing, despite the fact repeated changes fattened their paycheck.  

 

Hal’s reputation for doing superior work had become well recognized, and he worked on residential jobs all over the United States. Despite his well-earned reputation, Hal was gradually losing concern for quality workmanship, and increasingly becoming more interested in how much money he could bleed out of the snobs that hired him. Hal held little respect for them, and some clients he despised. He still built beautiful houses, nonetheless, that beauty only ran skin deep, and the company began to cut corners and only did things up to code, fudging on the quality of the materials and not paying as much pride and attention to detail.

 

Often these projects were second or third homes for the owners, and they seldom set foot on the actual construction site. Absentee clients were the easiest to nickel and time as far as the quality of the materials and workmanship was concerned. Every dollar he saved was another dollar in his own pocket. Patrons rarely dickered about a bid. They were just happy to have Hal’s company do the work.

 

Recently, Hal had married the beautiful daughter of one of his customers. Her name was Audrey and he truly loved her despite her being raised in a culture he disdained. Audrey’s father, Franklin Ashcraft, had made his wealth in the microchip business, and was one of the early developers of the technology, racking up obscene profits in the process. Franklin was a self-made man, and Hal had some respect for him because of it. However, Hal had developed such a prejudice against exceptionally rich people that he had little ability to see the true man or woman behind the wealth.

 

Franklin and his wife Jenny Ashcraft invited Hal and Audrey to eat at a nice hotel where they were staying just outside the small town where Hal and Audrey lived.

         “Well Hal, welcome to the family, and for taking our little princess off our hands,” Frank said with a big grin.

         “It’s my pleasure. Someday we plan on having a princess of our own. Maybe a prince too,” Hal said laughingly. Jenny beamed at the prospect of being a grandmother.

         Frank grabbed Hal by the shoulder as they all entered the plush dining room overlooking a beautiful lake.

         “I have a proposition to make to you tonight Hal, and I hope you find the offer to your satisfaction,” Frank quipped, while affectionately squeezing his new son-in-law’s shoulder.

         “What’s on your mind, Frank,” Hal asked.

         “Jenny and I have been thinking about building a second home up here near you two. We’re not getting any younger and maybe some day we can be built in babysitters,” Frank said, not sure what the reaction from the newlyweds might be.

         Audrey immediately spoke up, “Dad that would be wonderful having you close. What an exciting idea!”

 

Hal liked his new father-in-law well enough, but he still had an ingrained dislike for people of his ilk. Audrey’s dad was an extremely wealthy and powerful man. A man from a class of people Hal reviled. Their ostentatious flaunting of wealth, and what Hal perceived to be their air of superiority disgusted him. Hal mulled this over in his mind before he spoke, “You got to be kidding about a second home? How many homes do you have spread over the world, Frank?”

         Frank took the tease in good spirit, though there was an undercurrent of disgust he failed to interpret. “That’s just a figure of speech. You know what I mean, don’t be a wise guy.”

         “Just giving you a hard time father-in-law. My company would be happy to build you and Jenny a new home. I just acquired a beautiful piece of property right on the lakefront that would be perfect,” Hal said, already thinking how he could pad his wallet by cutting corners.

 

It seems hard to believe that Hal’s intolerance against the ultra-rich ran so deep that he would even consider bilking his own father and mother in law. He had been doing shoddy work for a while now, and even his highly skilled carpenters had trouble with the ethics of the practice. It made no difference. After Mike had finished hammering out the blueprints, Hal got busy on the construction. He squeezed every possible cent out of the project, increasing his profit. If Audrey had known what was going on she would have been devastated by her husband’s greed. She was well aware of Hal’s foolish and ill-conceived grudge against rich people, but to hoodwink her own parents would be unthinkable. Audrey had about had it with Hal’s hypocritical, warped attitude. After building up his business he was also a rich successful man.

        

Construction took almost an entire year, and the house looked fantastic. Audrey had many ideas that were included as part of the final home, and she was so happy for her parents. Only Hal and his crew knew corners had been cut. The house was not going to fall over by any means, but Hal managed to finagle several thousands of extra dollars that went directly into his pocket. Things like the quality of the cement used in the foundation were areas that Hal knew he could skimp on and no one would have a clue. There were hundreds of small details that could increase Hal’s share of the bid by choosing a slightly inferior grade of material.

 

Now that the project was done, Frank wanted to take the family out for a grand dinner. Before eating Frank gave a toast.

Beaming, Frank spoke, “Hal, I want you both to know how pleased we are with the beautiful home you have created. You know I’m kind of a tight-lipped guy, but tonight I want to say how glad I am to have you as part of our family, and I’m hoping that from now on I can call you son.” Hal was extremely touched by what Frank had said. Despite his abhorrence of conspicuous consumption and extreme wealth, he was beginning to truly love Frank and was beginning to know him for the gentle and generous man he was.

         “To show you how much I appreciate your efforts over the last several months I have a gift for you,” Frank said, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small rectangular box, putting it into Hal’s hand. Hal looked at the box not knowing what to expect.

         “Well open it, Hal, don’t just stare at it like a deer in the head lights,” Jenny said with an excited giggle in her voice. Hal fumbled with the little box and finally managed to open it. As he stared in he had the most confused look on his face.

        

“Frank, you didn’t go buy me a car now did you? I think that would be a little extravagant. If you don’t recall, I got paid for building your house.” Hal said as he eyed Frank and Jenny with a questioning look in his eyes. Lately, after really getting to be more acquainted with Frank and Jenny, he had been having pangs of guilt. He realized what wonderful people they were. How down to earth they were, and despite their vast wealth, they were totally unassuming, kind and respectful to everyone no matter their social status. Hal realized how close-minded he had been, and yes, some of his rich clients were pompous a******s, but not most of them. He also knew that he had developed such a blind spot that he didn’t allow himself to give some of his clients a chance. He would just pigeonhole them: “extremely shallow, self-absorbed with a superior attitude.”

 

Hal turned the key over in his hand wondering what this was all about.

         Finally, Frank spoke up, “That’s not a car key Hal. That’s the key to your new house.” 

Reviews

[roarke]

Karma. What goes around comes around. A victim of your own prejudices.... all excellently illustrated in this portrait. I liked the "blue print" style of narration, each character fit their roles. For Hal, I think it's time to get out of the business, from this point only trouble can be constructed.
Z very good story. You exposed the seeds in the slice of life well.

[Michael]

Thank you very much for the read, I enjoyed it.
I knew all along that karma was going to happen to Hal in the end.

It was obvious to me from the beginning, as you set the tone of his character.
you have very good writing skills, looking forward to reading more of your work.

[emmajoy]

Oh my goodness! What a finish to a wonderful story about a man who lost his own dignity and self-pride. Don't know what to say, couldn't see the ending at all which just proves how well your story's written. The characters are really strongly defined and you've managed to bring status, snobbery and introverted snobbery into the picture without actually screaming .. takes some doing.

For me, this is your best piece of writing, it has integrity, imagination and great thought.

(minor typo, fourth line, second para .. claps/laps)