Saved for Ben: Ben and Wanda

Wanda had agreed to go out with Ben on Friday and Saturday

night. He was elated. He just needed to come up with

something fun yet memorable to do. There was a carnival in

a nearby town about twenty-five miles away. He did not want

to drive the hour and a half back to Macon for entertainment.

Finally, he decided that they would go bowling on Friday night

and on Saturday, they would go to the carnival.

On Wednesday morning, Ben had a meeting with the

Certified Public Accountant, Timothy Stevens. His meeting

with the lawyer, Hank Jennings, had been overwhelming,

when he found out all the things that his grandfather had left

him. During the meeting Mr. Stevens took his time to explain

all of the different accounts and what they were used for.

Ben said, “As you know I have plans to renovate the

building next to the golf shop. Is there money available for the

renovation?”

Timothy said excitedly, “Yes, there is. Your grandfather set

up an account for it already. If we need more, we can transfer

money from other accounts.”

Ben said, “I should have known. Grandpa thought of

everything.”

Timothy agreed, “He was constantly thinking of what you

would need and making sure it was set aside.”

Ben asked, “How do you and Mr. Jennings get paid? Is it

every time I come to you for help or advice?”

Pointing at a ledger, Timothy said, “No, we have a monthly

fee which is charged to this account. This allows us to help you

anytime you need it. Your Grandpa agreed upon this fee before

he died. We are happy to serve you.”

Ben said, “I appreciate it. I just wanted to make sure you

were being compensated.”

Timothy said, “I look forward to working with you. I am excited about the expansion. I tried to get your grandfather to consider renovating some of the old building in the city that he owned.”

Ben asked, “Did he not think it was a good idea?”

Timothy said, “No, he thought it was a great idea. He just

felt he was too old to take it on. When he came to me with the

idea of the event center, I was surprised. We had bought that land

a long time ago. I was excited to see him pursue the project.”

Ben said, “I have been thinking about some of the old

buildings. There really is nowhere for people to go for

entertainment in Fairville. The movie theater closed down

about ten years ago.”

Timothy said, “You are right. Your grandfather also created

another account for you. This account is for when you wanted

to start some businesses. There is more than enough in there, if

you want to do something.”

Ben said, “Again, I should not be surprised. I do want to do

something. I would like to open a bowling alley, Putt-Putt golf

course, and a movie theater. I think they can be very lucrative.”

Timothy asked, “That’s a great idea. However, do you

understand that we would have to do it under the company

name of C&D Enterprises?”

Ben said, “I understand. What does C&D stand for?”

Timothy said, “As you know your grandfather’s first name

was Charlie. His wife’s name was Doris. That’s where we get

the C&D, Charlie and Doris. However, before he died, he told

me that he wanted it to reflect Cason and Davis. Mr. Jennings

changed all of the paper work to denote Cason and Davis.

However, on all documents it says C&D Enterprises.”

Ben wiped the tears from his eyes and said, “I can’t believe

he did that.”

Timothy said, “He loved you very much.”

After getting himself together, Ben said slowly, “I was

thinking we could use some of the vacant land on Highway 15.”

Timothy said, “That would be a great site for a bowling

alley and an updated movie theater. The movie theater in town

is old. It is too small for the cinema-plexes they have today.”

Ben asked, “What do I have to do to get it started?”

Timothy said, “I will get with Hank and we will develop

a plan for you to review.”

Ben asked, “In the plan can we do something with the old

movie theater? It looks bad.”

Timothy said, “Yes, we can. We may have to tear it down.

I think it is too old to bring up to code anyway.”

Ben said, “I am concerned that after we build it. How will

we manage it?”

Timothy said, “That is a valid concern. We will have to

hire someone to manage it.”

Ben said, “I don’t want people to steal from me.”

Timothy said, “You’re right. That is the last thing, we want.

We will set up weekly audits and processes which have checks

and balances. Don’t worry this is done all of the time.”

Ben said, “That’s good to know. I am trying to build

Grandpa’s legacy, not lose it.”

Looking at his calendar Timothy laughed and said, “You

have some great ideas. Let’s meet again in two weeks. I know

you are also meeting with Hank, so on the alternate weeks,

let’s meet at eight o’clock in the morning on Wednesdays. Is it

OK with you?”

Ben said, “That would be fine.”

Timothy said, “Of course, my goal is to make you aware of

all of your accounts and what they are used for, and how we can

grow this portfolio. Do you know what everything is worth?”