Chapter 11

During the next hectic week Bud Costain often thought that the nightly sex orgies with the two families were the only true relaxation he enjoyed. The moment the pending transfer became common knowledge a series of office squabbles broke out in both Phoenix and Kansas City.

And if arbitrating minor office wars wasn't enough, two large contracts were fouled up by disgruntled secretaries, requiring more of Bud's precious time and patience.

The sexual progress of the four children was both exciting and gratifying, however. A rivalry had grown between Pamela Merril and Patty. Each girl went out of her way to out perform the other. Bud smiled to himself when he thought that this was one war he hoped never ended! Two young teenage girls trying to out do each other was something else as far as the men were concerned!

Driving into his carport after work, Bud saw Mike and Connie in the living room window. Mike was back! Two nights ago Mike had disappeared and Connie would only say that her husband had taken a short trip to attend to some business. It was unlike the Merrils to be so secretive and Bud was anxious to find out what Mike had been up to.

"Well, well," Bud greeted as he let himself into the house, "our mystery man is back in town!"

"Bud," Wendy cried excitedly, "wait until you hear what Mike has done!"

"I won't say that I'm not curious," Bud laughed. "How about a drink?"

"All made, darling," Wendy replied, picking up a glass and handing it to her husband. "Tell him, Mike!"

"Yeah, old friend," Bud said, "lay it on me." "I went over to Kansas City," Mike began. "Kansas City?" Bud said.

"Right. I picked up a rumor that a large printing plant there had lost its sales manager and I wanted to see what kind of an operation they had."

"Mike took the job and they're moving to Kansas City!" Wendy cried.

"Lord help me!" Mike said, falling into his Irish accent. "You sure know how to cut a guy short, Wendy!"

"Oh, Bud! Isn't it wonderful that they're going to Kansas City?" Wendy exclaimed excitedly. "That means we won't have to split up after all!"

"Mike, this is great!" Bud said. "But why all the mystery?"

"You know the Irish pride, Bud," Connie laughed. "He was afraid that if you knew what he was up to you'd insist that he go to work for you."

"And for the life of me," Mike added with a laugh, "I wouldn't want a mean son of a bitch like you for a boss!"

"When do you have to go?" Bud asked.

"They've given me fifteen days to report for work, so the Merrils will have to get their asses into gear!" Mike laughed.

"It couldn't be more perfect, could it, Bud?" Wendy exclaimed. "Even the timing is right."

"Tell him about our idea," Connie said. "And, Bud, before she does just remember that this is a crazy suggestion. You won't hurt our feelings if you don't agree."

"It's just a wild thought," Mike added. "Hell, we don't even know if it will work!"

"Will somebody tell me what the hell you're talking about?" Bud said as he sat down on the sofa and loosened his tie.

"Connie suggested that we might look for a big old house with lots of property and share it between the two families," Wendy said quickly.

"We could remodel or restore it while we lived in it," Connie added. "Then, if we found that living together was too much of a hassle, we could sell it for a handsome profit and split the loot."

"What do you think, Bud?" Wendy asked excitedly. "Doesn't it sound ideal?"

"The way Connie explains it," Bud replied with a smile, "it makes sense. I mean, if for any reason it just wouldn't work out living together, we could sell and make some extra bread."

"That's what I thought," Mike said. "We could approach it as a joint project to make a few bucks—sort of a temporary situation until we see how it works out."

"Of course the whole thing hinges on finding the right kind of house," Bud replied. "That could take some time."

"Didn't you say that the company will pay for me to fly out there?" Wendy asked. Then, without waiting for Bud to reply, she continued. "Connie and I could take a plane tomorrow. We could rent a car and start looking."

In less than an hour the plans were made and Wendy called the airline to make reservations for the following morning. It was decided that because his schedule was relatively free Mike would handle listing the two condominiums for sale and arrange for the customary open house for realtors.

Connie and Wendy were back in four days with the exciting news that they had found the perfect place. At dinner at the Costain house after they returned Wendy described the place.

"It's a huge old mansion that was built in the twenties," she said. "The family had made a small fortune in farm machinery and built the estate just outside of town."

"It has thirty acres," Connie added excitedly, "and the real estate man said that we might be able to subdivide later on."

"And eight bedrooms with six baths and a huge old ballroom on the second floor," Wendy continued.

"What kind of shape is it in?" Mike asked.

"Terrible!" Wendy laughed. "It will take a while to restore it, believe me! The reason it hasn't sold before is that it was tied up in an estate battle in court for almost seven years. It was settled the day we looked at it."

"How much?" Bud asked.

"A hundred and twelve thousand," Wendy responded quickly. "Why the land is worth that!"

"Which ain't saying much for the house," Mike smiled.

The house can be fixed up to be lovely," Connie insisted. "And listen, sex fans, that upstairs ballroom is absolutely perfect for screw factory!"

After dinner the men went over all the figures and details. By selling both condominiums they could swing the down payment and assume the existing, low-interest mortgage.

"I'm game if you all are," Bud finally announced.

"Let's do it," Mike agreed. Once the decision was made, Wendy called the real estate agent in Kansas City and told him that they would buy the house. Then the two couples sat around talking about the things they had to do before they moved.

"You know," Connie said with a wicked smile, "there's one thing I'd like to do before we leave Phoenix."

"What?" Wendy asked.

"Have a party with Howard and Sylvia Landon!" Connie replied. "Even take the kids."

"Hey, wait a second!" Mike said. "I'm not so sure that I want to see our kids mixed up with the Landons."

"My idea," Connie giggled, "was to make Sylvia and Howard the slaves this time." "And Linda!" Wendy said quickly. "I don't get it," Mike said.

"That's because you never had that vibrator shoved up your ass!" Bud laughed. "I think I know what the girls are up to and I wouldn't mind getting a lick in myself!"

"But they'd never agree to be the slaves!" Wendy said.

"There are eight of us and three of them," Connie replied.

"You mean we don't ask them? We just -- well, just make them be the slaves?" Wendy said.

"Right!" Connie replied with an imitation of Sylvia's evil cackle.