Life after the Lottery Ch. 69

"James, are these big prints for publicity?"

"Yes. Some will be made into posters by a commercial printer."

"That is a big print. Are you going to shoot them on your new 4 X 5 inch camera?"

"Yes."

"Are prints this size going to be a regular item for you?"

"No. They are being made to hang up as an advertisement. Some will be turned into posters. Why?"

"For that size of a print, an 8 X 10 inch negative would be great. That is what Playboy shoots the centerfolds with."

"You don't think the 4 X 5 will hold up?"

"It will, but if people are going to be looking at these, the 8 X 10 would be good. The prints will have very sharp detail."

"I don't want to invest in that size of a camera and darkroom equipment for one shoot, Bob."

"No problem. You can rent everything you need and have it sent here from Atlanta. Camera, lens, film holders, all of it."

"How would I process the color film and make the prints? My enlarger is not big enough."

"There is a custom processor in town that handles shoots from the local ad agencies. They can process the prints and film. Make trays for the black and white from 2 X 4's and plastic."

"Would the local processor let me supervise the color printing?"

"No problem. I know all of the guys there. And, with the 8 X 10 negative, you can go to a huge print. They have the machine to print it."

"I can only go 36 inches wide for color on my machine."

"They can go to 50 inches. They make 48 X 72 inch prints all the time."

"Hmmm. Get me a quote on the equipment rental. I would need it in a week or so."

"No problem! I have a son that owes you a big favor. He can drive to Atlanta and pick it up. How long would you need it?"

"Maybe a month."

"Ok. I will get you prices."

"Call me."

"I will tomorrow. I'm still waiting for some photos to put up," Bob said.

"I will probably have some in a week or so."

"Are these two going to be in any of them?"

"Yes, they will."

"Great!"

"I will need to get the prints framed first."

"Oh...tell your wife that the machine she ordered to gold stamp the photos will be in next week. They are waiting on the custom stamps."

"I will."

I paid Bob, and we left with a load of film and paper.

"Is he going to put up some of your photos in the store?" Amy asked me.

"Yes. I told him I would give him a $1,000 for each client he sent me."

"How much do I get!"

"You don't need the money."

"How much are you charging?"

"$10,000 per shoot."

"Damn, no one can afford that!" Samantha said.

"I know some couples that can. Discretion comes with a price. We are doing this for fun, not the money, and the price includes everything."

"I'll do it for the money!" Samantha exclaimed and laughed.

I spent Wednesday evening getting everything ready for the upcoming photoshoots.

*****

The girls came in Thursday after school about 4:00 and hit the sofa.

"Are you getting ready for your test?" I asked.

"Yes. We have been in the library all day," Samantha said.

"Did you see Dawn? She said she would be home at 3:00."

"She wasn't in her office."

About 4:30, I got a text from Dawn. All it said was -

"I'll be late. Go ahead and eat."

I fixed the girls dinner, and we ate about 6:00. They were upstairs studying when Dawn came in about 7:00.

"Where have you been?" I asked.

"Where are the girls?"

"Upstairs."

"Come with me," Dawn said and went into my study.

"What's up?" I asked.

"It happened again."

"What?"

"Last night, a young lady was raped while she was leaving her night class."

"Is she okay?"

"She is pretty shaken up. I went to the dorm and spent time with her."

"What happened?"

"Well...two football players are claiming it was consensual...just like last time."

"I guess it wasn't."

"She said they grabbed her when she was getting into her car. They pulled her clothes off and threw her in her car, and raped her. The football players are saying she asked them to join her in her car because she wanted to party."

"Same shit as last time," I said.

"Yes. I'm sure the school will cover it up again. Now I am worried about Samantha and Amy going to night classes."

"You need to talk to them. If they hear you explain to them why they need to walk to the parking lot with others, maybe they will understand."

"I'll make them understand," Dawn said.

"What about Amy?"

"She starts training Saturday! Whether she wants to or not!" Dawn exclaimed.

"I guess the two of us need to work with them a lot," I said.

"I guess...I hate this shit!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Calm down. How was the girl when you left?"

"Her parents had just arrived. I talked to them and gave them our number if she needs to talk."

"Good. Did you eat?"

"No."

"I'll heat something up for you."

"Wait. I am going to talk to the girls first."

Dawn went upstairs. The same thing had happened on campus a little over a year ago. Other football players had done something similar. The university worked to cover it up because they were star football players. The incident went away quietly, but the girl eventually dropped out.

I went to the kitchen and made Dawn a plate and put it in the oven. She and the girls came down about 7:30. Samantha was shaken up because she had a class with the girl.

"I want you two to teach me everything as fast as you can!" Samantha exclaimed. "I'll kill the fuckers if they grab me!" She was upset.

I got the plate out for Dawn, and she sat at the bar with the girls. I poured them all some wine. Dawn was still talking to Amy about learning how to defend herself. She seemed to be convinced now.

"How long will it take to teach us how to get away from something like that?" Amy asked.

"If you work hard, a few months," Dawn told them. "You should be able to escape and run by then."

"I don't want to get away! I want to fuck them up!" Samantha said.

"I am sure Dawn can teach you that," Amy said.

"You three talk. I need to go down to the basement," I told them.

I left them and went down to the basement. I dug around and found the heavy bag we used to have hanging up to punch. I took it back to our small gym and hung it on the chain. I dug some more and found the speed bag we had with elastic on both ends and took it to the gym, and set it up.

When I went back upstairs, Dawn was sitting at the bar alone.

"Where did they go?"

"Back to studying," Dawn said. "What were you doing?"

"I got out the heavy bag and the speed bag and set them back up."

"We need to teach them some basic releases and disabling moves they can handle," Dawn said.

"I will go and get their equipment tomorrow."

"Do you still have all your padding?"

"Yes. I'll get it out also."

"We need to teach them some basics," Dawn said.

"Well, the easiest thing to teach them is how to poke someone's eyes out if they are on top of them."

"Some women have trouble thinking about doing that," Dawn said.

"I don't think those two would."

"We can work on that with them."

Amy and Samantha came down about 5:00 to eat early so that Samantha could get to her lab on time.

"I'm going with sis to school, tonight," Amy said.

"Thanks, honey," Dawn told her.

After we ate, the two of them headed out.

"I am going to talk to Linda and see if I can use her donations to hold over their heads this time," Dawn said as we talked.

We talked for a few hours about everything and getting the girls trained.

Samantha came in about 9:00 with Amy.

"Amy, thank you for staying," Dawn said.

"All the girls walked out together. We made sure everyone made it to their car," Amy replied.

"Good. All of the ladies need to make that what they do now," Dawn added.

"There are a few big guys in our labs that walked out with us," Samantha said.

*****

Friday morning, after the girls left for school, I drove into town to the upscale sporting goods store and went in. I found someone that knew what they were doing and had them get me all the pads, gloves, and equipment I needed for the girls.

I drove back to the house and took all of it to the basement. While I was down there, I dug out my protective padding I used when I was teaching Dawn and instructing.

After I ate some lunch, I went to my study and called an instructor I knew.

"Hey, Daryl, this Dr. Smith. How are you doing?"

"Doing great! I haven't heard from you and the wife for a while. How are you doing?"

"We are doing well. Are you still teaching boxing?"

"I do on Saturdays at the gym."

"Are you available for private lessons in the evenings?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"I have two young ladies that just started Krav Maga. I want them to learn to box as soon as possible. Dawn and I can teach them some, but I would like for you to start teaching them the fundamentals."

"What time would you like to do that?"

"Let me check their schedules. They are both in school. I would like for you to come to the house and teach them here for 3 hours one night a week."

"I can work something out."

"Probably Monday or Tuesday night. I got them all the equipment they need today."

"Well, I taught Dawn, I am sure I can teach them," Daryl said.

"I'll let you know which day. Don't worry about what you charge. Charge me enough to make it worth your time. Can you come next Tuesday night for a couple of hours and get them started."

"Sure."

"It will be after the first of the year before they can continue."

"No problem."

"Thanks, Daryl."

I gave him directions to the house. He had not been here before.

******

The girls came in about 3:30, and Amy and Samantha came into my study.

"Since you two are ready to learn how to defend yourselves, I called an instructor that taught Dawn how to box. He can come one night a week if you two are ready to work very hard."

"I am!" Samantha said.

"Why do we need to learn to box?" Amy asked.

"You need to learn the fundamentals. It will teach you quickly how to block and punch."

"Okay."

"You two, this is hard work. You can ask Dawn," I told them.

"We are ready," Samantha said.

"Sounds like fun," Amy added.

"After the first of the year, he can come one night a week. Do you have your schedules already?"

"Yes."

"Would Tuesday night work for both of you?"

"It should. My lab is on Thursday night," Samantha said.

"That will work for me," Amy added.

"I asked him to come next Tuesday for a few hours to get you started. After that, it will be after the first of the year. I am counting on you two keep your studying up."

"We are staying at the library and studying," Amy said and left.

"Hey, we are going to eat a little and get ready. Are you going?" Samantha said.

"Going where?" I asked.

"To class. We are going to stay ahead of our studies so we can go to class during the week."

"Is your sister ready for this?"

"She is now. Everyone at school was talking about it. They all said the two guys will get away with it. Seems like this has happened before. Are you going?"

"You two go on. I will go with you on Saturdays."

"Okay."

Samantha turned to leave.

"Hey, Sam?"

"Yes?"

"How well do you know the girl?"

"We have hung out after class at the coffee shop. She is very pretty."

"She needs a good friend right now."

"I know."

"When she is ready, ask her if she would like to join you and your sister for classes. Maybe just to watch. Get her interested."

"Good idea."

She disappeared.

I left my study about 4:30, and they were sitting at the bar eating.

"Where is Dawn?" I asked.

"She is seeing what she can do for the girl," Amy said. "I think she is raising hell with the administration over it."

"I'm sure she is. Weeknight classes are two hours, take some snacks and water."

Dawn came in about 5:00. Amy and Samantha were about to leave.

"Where are you two going?" She asked.

"To class," Samantha said, and they went past her and out the door.

"Any luck?" I asked.

"With what?"

"Raising hell with the administrators."

"Oh, they have not heard the last of me."

"I'm sure they haven't."

"It's just like last time. They are trying to discredit the young lady."

"Don't let them get away with it, honey."

"I don't plan on it. I wish they had jumped me."

"What did you say to the administrators?" I asked.

"I mentioned that there may be some repercussions from donors if these two get away with it like last time."

"That may get their attention," I said.

"It will affect our donations..."

When Amy and Samantha came in about 7:45, they crashed on the sofa.

"Work hard?" Dawn asked.

"Yes! We worked on release moves for two hours," Samantha exclaimed.

"You have to do them over and over until they become instinctive," Dawn told them.

"We did them over and over and over..." Amy said.

Dawn and I got the girls to bed by 10:00, but they fell asleep quickly.

*****

"You two need to get up," we heard Dawn say about 5:30 Saturday morning.

I woke Samantha and Amy up, and they headed to their rooms to shower and get ready. Dawn and I went to shower.

"I talked to Dan, and I told him to work Samantha hard today."

"Why?"

"She is all gung-ho about getting her blackbelt quickly. I want her to see just how hard it can be."

"It took me four years to get mine," Dawn said. "After today, we will have to talk to her about the process and what all she is in for."

"I asked Dan to bang her up a little. I want to see if she is still as enthusiastic after today."

"Don't get her hurt, James."

We showered and put on some workout clothes. Samantha came in wearing some sweats.

"I'm ready."

"We need to get you something other than sweats to wear. Go pack lunch and drinks. I'll check on your sister," I said.

I walked down to Amy's room, and she was putting on her sweats.

"Are you ready for an all-day class?"

"I guess so. I damn sure don't want anyone jumping me."

"Good. How did last night go?"

"I am pretty tired and sore this morning."

"It is hard work. You don't have to go during the week, just on weekends, if it is too much at first."

"Let me see how it goes today."

We went downstairs and grabbed some bottles of water and helped Samantha and Dawn make some sandwiches for lunch, and put it all in a cooler.

"Are you ready to start learning, Samantha?" I asked.

"We started last time?"

"A word of warning. Dan takes it easy on all new students the first class."

"I'm ready!"

"Great. Let's go."

The four of us went out to the Escalade and headed into town.

*****

We were standing around waiting for class to start as Dan talked to some of his assistants.

"Let's get started!" Dan yelled.

He motioned for Dawn and me to come to the front with him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to meet Dr. James Smith and his wife, Dawn. They are both Experts and Instructors. They will be helping out. They both have plenty of years of experience. I want to spend a little time on some demonstrations this morning."

Dan bent over and picked up a fake knife out of a bag.

"One of the first defenses you will begin learning is how to disarm an attacker with a knife or gun. For you new students, remember one thing, we teach how to survive at all costs. Before we start, if you have watched other demonstrations by martial artists on how to take a knife or gun away from an attacker, forget everything you saw. Those methods are bull shit and will get you killed. James, I am going to come at you."

Dan came at me, and I blocked his knife hand and grabbed him and tossed him past me. He got up and came at me again, and I disarmed him and threw him to the ground and made a kick to his head.

"It is that simple," Dan said. "You focus on what you are doing and make all your moves purposeful. You saw that he didn't focus on trying to take the knife. He focused on stopping me and making room to move. James, you ready to go again?"

"Sure."

Dan bent over and pulled out a large, real knife from his bag. The students grumbled. I smiled at him.

This time we circled each other as he looked for a way to get to me. He came in, and I grabbed his arm and put him in an arm lock and twisted and took the knife away as I rode him to the ground. I drove the knife down and stopped at his back.

"Don't try that at home," he said to the students. "You may think that this was easy for him because he is so big. Size is not a factor in your defense and attack."

Dan reached for the knife, and I handed it to him.

"Dawn, are you ready?"

"Let's do it!"

They circled each other, and Dan came in for an overhead attack. Dawn grabbed his arm and twisted it, and took him to the ground while she bent his arm behind him and took the knife away from him. We watched as she jumped on his chest and straddled him and drove the knife down and stopped about an inch from his body. He was lying there looking up at Dawn.

"Students, we did not practice this. Neither of them knew I was going to try this this morning," Dan said. "You must always be prepared. As you can see, Mrs. Smith is much smaller than I am, yet she took me out. This afternoon, we will all watch a real encounter she had with two men when she was in France."

Dawn let him up. She was walking back next to me when Dan surprised her and grabbed her from behind. She immediately put him on the ground and made several kicks to his head.

"You must always be ready to react," Dan said, and Dawn helped him up.

Dan spent some time talking to everyone, explaining philosophy and survival.

"Today, the new students and the level ones are going to work with the advanced students. You saw me get tossed today by experts. You will not only learn how to fight and defend yourself, and you will need to learn how to fall when someone throws you. Hopefully, your attacker will not be throwing you, but you never know when an attacker may grab you and try and throw you to the ground. Sometimes, it is best to just go to the ground and come back up, ready to fight or run. First, you need to learn how to land and not get hurt. Second, you have to learn how to get up quickly and attack. Third...you have to learn to fight through any injury or any pain. Okay, let's break up."

Dan and his assistants sorted everyone out and paired people. He had paired Samantha up with a lady I knew that was very good. Dan paired Dawn and me up with some level 3 and 4 students. As we worked until lunch, I would see Samantha picking herself up off the mats, but she kept going. Amy was working with another guy and seemed to be doing fine.

When we broke for lunch, Samantha and Amy walked over to Dawn and me and sat down.

"How is it going?" I asked.

"Okay," Samantha said.

"This is hard work," Amy said.

"It gets harder," Dawn told her.

Dawn handed them sandwiches and water. Samantha ate quietly until it was time to start again. Dan lined everyone up to talk to them.

"Before we get started, I want you to watch a video. The Smiths were in France at a nightclub when two guys went after Dawn. The club had cameras and recorded the entire incident. Please watch the big screen."

Dan walked over and started the video, and everyone watched until it ended.

"That was in real-time, everyone. As you saw, it was multiple attackers, and it was over in less than a minute. You never know if you will have to defend yourself from one attacker or more. My advanced students know that you will be taught to fend off multiple attackers at once. To reach level 6 or blackbelt, you will be tested to fight off more than one attacker."

"Dawn, what went through your mind when you were first attacked?" Dan asked.

"Fight and disable. You don't have time to think."

"As all of you saw, her first strikes disabled the attackers each time. You will learn first to disable, then make sure they cannot attack again. This morning, you have been practicing how to fall, or you haven't been, and you are sore by now. This afternoon, we will focus on learning how to get up quickly and turn and attack. An attacker may not be ready for you to jump up and attack. Surprise can be on your side. James, would you assist me, please."