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“Please print out our standard client representation agreement for your aunt’s signature. And I will make revisions to her will, which will be slight, and you can prepare it for her signature. Please gather three witnesses.”
“I like the way you work, Stone, if I may call you that. And you must call me Annetta.”
“Of course, Annetta,” Stone replied.
A little more than an hour later, Annetta Charles signed her new will, which included the trust for Edwin Charles Jr., and it was duly witnessed by members of Stone’s household staff.
Fortified by a good lunch, Annetta Charles said her goodbyes and was escorted to her waiting car by her niece.
Joan came back a moment later. “By the way,” she said, “Aunt Annetta is sixty.”
TWO
The following afternoon, Joan entered Stone’s office and said, “Edwin Charles Jr. is here to see you, at Aunt Annetta’s suggestion.”
Stone sighed, steeling himself for the task. “Send him in.”
Joan ushered in a young man—shy of thirty, Stone thought—who wore a finely tailored tweed suit, handmade shoes and shirt, and a gold watch chain affixed to his waistcoat.
Joan introduced them, and they shook hands.
“Call me Eddie,” the young man said. “Butnobodycalls me Junior.”
“Duly noted, Eddie. I’m Stone. Please take a chair. Would you like some refreshment?”
“Perhaps a large single malt whisky over ice,” he replied.
“I think, given our business, coffee might be more appropriate. After that is concluded, we can think about opening the bar.”
Eddie shrugged. “Now, why has my wicked stepmother insisted I see you?”
“Mrs. Charles has created a trust fund in your name. It is called the Edwin Charles Junior—or ECJ—Trust.”
Eddie frowned. “Okay. Why?”
“Mrs. Charles sees you as being profligate, and she wishes to provide for you generously. But with limitations.”
“ ‘Limitations’?” Eddie asked. “What does that mean?”
“Please wait until I have outlined the terms of your trust before asking questions.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“The ECJ Trust will provide you with an income of one hundred thousand dollars per month, which is meant to coverallyour living expenses—that is, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, entertainment, and whims.”
Eddie’s face fell. He took a breath to speak, but Stone held up a hand.
“Not yet. I have persuaded Mrs. Charles that should you become and remain gainfully employed, the trust will also pay you an amount equal to your monthly paycheck. Such payments will begin when you have submitted proper documents substantiating your hiring and your monthly income, and end if your employment should be terminated by either you or your employer.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Eddie demanded.
“I’m told that you possess a law degree from Yale, is that correct?”
“It is.”
“Then I suggest that you take a bar exam cram course, then take the exam. If you pass, you will be employable as an attorney. If you fail, you will not starve, given your monthly income from the trust. Then you can study harder and take the exam again.”
Eddie was crestfallen. “I’ve never worked a day in my life. I’m unaccustomed to it.”
