Clarion - 1. Chapter 1

As I left my apartment to walk to work, I wasn’t a happy man. For 30 years I’ve tolerated the polluted atmosphere, honking taxis and crowded sidewalks of New York City. Saying good morning to the concierge, I approached the door, not really wanting to open it. The sidewalk was crowded, not only did I have to put up with the people, it started to rain. Now open umbrellas were bumping into my head as people ran to their destination. Taxis were speeding with full loads, it appeared like a stampede. People yelling "taxi" fighting for the cab, smokers blowing smoke over their shoulders into the faces of those behind them, “I got to move."

I worked for the same company since obtaining my masters degree when I was 23, it’s hard to realize that this August will be 30 years. Maybe I should retire, I’ve sufficient funds to last me a lifetime and then some. With those thoughts, I entered my office building, stopping at the kiosk in the foyer, grabbing a cup of coffee and heading toward the elevators. I was fortunate that the elevator was empty until a hand inserted itself between the doors causing the door to open. With a big smile on his face, my boss, Robert Stark, entered, “Good morning Alan, could you stop by my office this morning? I want to discuss the European trip. I have to make a presentation to the Board tomorrow and I need to review the program with you and get your input."

"I’ll stop by your office in half an hour? I just need to quickly review my calendar for the day and reschedule if necessary."

I’m so looking forward to this trip. This’ll definitely be my last business trip. After checking my schedule and rearranging two meetings, I headed to my boss's office.

"Go right in Mr. Bradley, he’s expecting you."

I sat down at the conference table and started to review the itinerary. The trip would take about 3 months to visit all of our current clients and prospects. "Alan, if all goes well this’ll be a huge plus for our organization. I'm counting on you."

"Nothing like a little pressure, Robert. I’ve asked Dave to put together financials on our new prospects and to update the financials on our current customers. He said he’d have that by next week."

“Good, what do you have in mind as a goal for new clients?"

"If all goes well, and from preliminary reports, I think we can offer them a package that‘ll increase their profits by a minimum of 5 percent. They need to rethink their long term goals and I already have scoped out some options for them. I really believe that this trip will be successful."

We continued to discuss details of the upcoming trip until it was lunch time. Robert Stark was the Chief Executive Officer of Stark Enterprises. He took over the family business when his dad, who founded the business, retired. Under Robert’s guidance, the business has grown an average of 12 percent per year.

"Robert, before we head out to lunch, I want you to know I plan on retiring after this trip. I’d appreciate you keeping this to yourself until I return. You can use this time to look for my replacement but I’d recommend you take a close look at Brad Collins. He’s my right hand man and has a good feel for the business. "

"Have you given any thought to what you might be doing?"

"I’ve been thinking about moving into the country and perhaps enjoying the outdoors. I plan to take a break and then decide. I need to get away from the city to clear my head."

"We’ll talk more when you get back. You know I’ll hate to see you go. You’re the best company president we’ve had. Your friendship is very important to me and I hope we’ll continue to be friends in the future. "

I had two weeks before I had to leave for Europe. I wanted to put the apartment on the market, scope out a new country place and contact an architect. I had a good idea where I wanted to move. On several of my trips to Chicago, I drove through northern Pennsylvania. I liked the rural setting, lots of trees, and best of all the air smelled crisp and clean. Four weeks ago, after getting a late start, I stayed at a motel just off of I-80 near a small town called Clarion. Before leaving the next morning, I drove through the town and noticed that it actually was a small college town. I liked what I saw, so I stopped at a local realtor, told him what I was looking for in sites. He indicated there were a few sites that could be interesting. We agreed that I’d stop when I was in this area again.

I had to make one more trip to Chicago before I headed overseas. My plans included a stop over near this town of Clarion. I called and booked a night at the motel I used the last time I stopped here. I was quite excited about the possibility of finding something in this small town, it would suit me perfectly, no taxis, fresh air and a town designed around a small college. Perfect, now if only I can find something to fit my plans. While I was in Chicago, I contacted an architectural firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I explained that I might buy some land in northern Pennsylvania in a small town called Clarion. I was surprised that the individual I talked with was very familiar with the area. He said he and his family vacationed at Cook Forest State Park, just outside of Clarion. I told him I contacted a realtor there to look for some possible sights. He told me to ask the realtor about sights along the Clarion River. We exchange fax numbers and I promised I’d fax him the information after I met with the realtor. I was quite excited about the area after talking with the architect.

I phone the realtor and told him I would be interested in any sites along the Clarion River. He said he had a few but the problem was that most were on the side of a small mountain. He explained that the Clarion River cut through this mountainous area leaving the area in mostly trees and mountain laurel. After hearing this, I reviewed my sketches of the home I wanted built. Building on the side of a mountain might not be a bad idea.

Pulling into the same motel I stayed at the last time, I could hardly wait to meet with the realtor. My sleep that night was mostly toss and turn. At 6 A.M. I couldn't sleep anymore. I got up and dressed, drove to a truck stop just off I-80 and had my coffee and breakfast. A young man sat down next to me and we started to chat. He told me he was a short haul truck driver that drove a semi from Philadelphia to Chicago and back. Since he could make the trip in 3 days, it was considered a short haul. He was an interesting guy and not bad looking either. From what I could see, he had a very muscular body, blond hair, deep sea blue eyes that spelled trouble and a smile that lit up the whole diner. To say he was easy on the eyes wouldn’t do him justice. I noticed our waitress looking him over and when he was looking at her, she would smile and flirt a little.

"She seems to like you, Cody"

"Yea, she always flirts with me when I’m here. Unfortunately, she isn't what I’m looking for in a relationship”

Should I pursue that opening or not? One look at Cody and I decided nothing to lose, I probably won’t ever see him again. Looking at Cody, “Just what is your type?"

He looked at me for a long time. Fortunately I always kept in shape, I can still wear the same clothes I wore when I was 21, a 31 inch waist, 5’10” tall, black hair and green eyes. The years had been kind to me helped along with a combination of good genes, a good healthy diet and a compulsive workout, my gym friends said it was compulsive. I really think it was just part of my routine to stay healthy and trim. I wasn't sure what Cody was going to say, I’d expect something along the lines of a blond, blue eye beauty.

"Actually I prefer men. I find men to be exciting, particular older men. If that surprises you, I’m sorry, but you did ask. I’ve always been honest about my sexual preference and if someone didn't like it, that's their problem"

I was somewhat amazed that Cody was so forthright in his answer. Obviously, he was comfortable with himself and really didn't care what anyone thought. I just smiled at him when he was finished talking. I’m sure he got the meaning of my smile as he handed me a card with his phone number on it. "Give me a call when you’ve moved. I’d like to see you again."

With that said, he left the diner. I looked at the card for a few minutes with a shit eating grin on my face. I definitely will contact him when I’ve relocated. Looking at my watch I noticed I had 15 minutes to get to the realtor’s office. I couldn't believe I spent that much time in the diner.

"I’ve only 4 properties to show you along the Clarion River. Most like I said, where in woody areas and some of these properties were hunting camps at one time."

"Great, I’m anxious to see these properties. If I like them, I’m ready to close today, provided the owners accept my offer."

The first camp area we looked at was accessed by a dirt road that would need a lot of work. The building on the property was in bad shape. That wasn't the problem, the problem was the lot size, it was very small, too small for what I had in mind. The next two camp areas were a little better but still too small. They were hunting camps so I wouldn’t expect them to be on a large piece of ground, but the lots were very small. I was getting a little discourage thinking I might have to keep looking.

"The last lot I have is on the side of a mountain. There’s no cabin there. The people who owned it used tents."

When he stopped at the side of the road and got out I was confused. Then be pointed to a spot on the opposite side of the Clarion River. I couldn't believe what I saw. There was a clearing where the ground was tailored in steps down to the river.

"They’d set up their tents on those steps. They are about 5 feet deep and 4 feet wide. As you can see, they are cut into the mountain."

I definitely could see and best of all I could see the house I’d build there. "I like that area, how do you get into it?"

"There’s an old logging trail that comes close to those steps. You’d need to put a regular road if you were going to build there."

"I think I’ve found my property. Let's go back to your office and do the paper work."

I left the office with a signed bill of sale. I had called my bank in New York and had them transfer the money to the realtor's account. He drew a certified check to send to the owners. The deal was done.

When I returned to New York, I notified the architect what I found and bought the property along the Clarion River. "I have some ideas on what I’d like the house to look like. Could you meet with me this coming Friday? I’ll fly into Pittsburgh and we could meet at your office."

"That would be fine, I have my calendar open from 2 P.M. Perhaps after we meet, we could have dinner."

We agreed to meet at his office at 2, I had my sketches. I called the realtor in Clarion, he told me that all the papers had been filed at the county court house. The previous owners had received the check and were glad the property was sold. "They wished you good luck and hope that you’ll enjoy the area."

I gave the realtor the fax and phone number of the architect and asked that he forward a copy of the deed, photos and general description of the area. "I’ll be meeting with the architect this Friday and it’d be nice to have this information. If you could also send any other papers related to the purchase of the site, I can pick them up there."

Friday couldn't come soon enough. Going into the office the next morning, I asked my secretary to call our travel agency and book me an early flight into Pittsburgh this coming Friday with a return on Saturday.

I was excited about moving to the country. At lunch that day, Robert noticed I was in a better mood than when I left for Chicago. "Well ,you seem to be in a good mood today, must have been an excellent trip to Chicago."

"Chicago was great. They signed for another 5 years at a 10 percent increase in fees. They were very happy with our service. When they said we saved them a lot of money, I just took it from there and increased our fee by ten percent. Richard noted the increase fee, looked at me and smiled and then signed the contract. But that isn't why I’m in a good mood. I bought some land on the Clarion River in the northern part of Pennsylvania."

"So you really are going to leave New York? I thought maybe you’d look upstate."

"I thought about upstate, but driving over to Chicago along I-80 the area looked rustic and peaceful. I stopped and checked out a small town and found it to be a perfect area for me. I found some land on the side of the mountain overlooking the Clarion River. Now I’m looking forward to Europe. I think that this European trip will be quite successful. I was looking over Dave's reports this morning and my guess is we’ll increase our income by at least 2 million per quarter. That’s the goal I’m setting for myself, as a minimum."

We continued to chat about the overall business, comments on the Boards’ view and Robert's take on the future of the where he sees the business going.

Friday morning seemed like it would never arrive. Finally, I took a taxi to LaGuardia Airport and headed to Pittsburgh. Upon arriving in Pittsburgh, I rented a car and drove to the architect’s office located in a suburb of Pittsburgh called Greentree. They were located in a commercial park with visitor parking on the right side of the building. A covered walkway led to the front of their building. When I entered the building, I noticed several tables with miniature buildings. I assumed these were some of the buildings designed by the firm. The young lady at the desk asked if she could be of help. I asked to see Mr. Charles Morris and gave her my name. She picked up the phone, dial a number, and spoke to someone. I assumed she informed Mr. Morris I was here and I was correct, an older woman introduced herself as Mr. Morris's secretary.

I followed her to a small conference room and noticed more architectural pictures on the wall.

"Mr. Morris will be with you shortly. May I get you a cup of coffee?”

"Thank you, a glass of water would be nice". She smiled and left the room. Before she returned a young man entered and introduced himself as Charles Morris.

"I have some mail for you from Paul Martin, your realtor. I also have your sketches and photos of the lot. I took the opportunity to rough out some ideas about placement. Paul told me the lot size is just short of 5 square acres and leads down to the river. So I tried different placements. "

I looked over the various sketches and selected the one I liked best. The sketch I agreed on had the house built on the slope of the mountain with the face of the building looking out over the Clarion River. I told him to proceed with this design. I agreed to open a bank account at Pittsburgh National Bank and to have his fees deposited to the firm’s bank account. Mr. Morris indicating that an initial fee would be required and then payments as the work progressed.

"I’ll be out of the country for three months on business, I’ll keep in touch by phone and Internet. I’ll arrange for my bank to transfer money to your account as needed. I’d also like you to contact a contractor and to have you, or one of your personnel, manage the construction project while I’m gone. Since this design includes cutting into the mountain, I’d like to have a pantry off of the kitchen built into the mountain. Doing this should provide a constant temperature, above freezing, but cool enough to store food and wine. A patio on the first floor and a deck on the second floor, all facing the river would be nice. When you have more detailed drawings, I’ll make arrangements to have them delivered by air."

Dinner that night was exceptionally nice. The restaurant was located on Mt. Washington overlooking the city as well as the rivers. I enjoyed meeting Charles’s wife Nora. She was a charming person and I enjoyed their comments concerning their holidays at Cook Forest.