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Chapter 5 - Fortuitous Occasion Volume II

Upon finally arriving home Gerald begins to pack his bag with angst. Percy arrives home abruptly with Beneatha on his arm:

Percy: " We got hitched!"

Beneatha: "I'm so surprised he…..Gerald, you ok?"

Gerald is seen disheveled packing his bag messily

Gerald: "I'm not getting the money."

He replies as he empties his laundry basket into his overfilled duffel bag

Percy: "why not?"

Percy asks almost jokingly

Beneatha: "what money?"

Beneatha asks bewildered

Gerald: "I have a brother."

He pauses and turns around towards the new couple

Gerald: "I'm not getting the money because I'm not a good enough son"

Percy: "what are we going to do?"

Beneatha: "WHAT MONEY?"

Percy: "We are leaving."

Beneatha: "leaving where?"

Gerald: "We are building a new home someplace truly safe."

Beneatha: "I am not letting you boys put me in the middle of one of your "big ideas"

Percy: "just think hon' if we have a baby we can raise him on a beautiful farm."

Gerald: "yes, and it will be cheaper."

Percy: "I've got another idea, let's go to the casino"

Beneatha: "you are not using our money, Percy"

Gerald: "don't worry Beneatha I've got some cash to fondle with."

Percy: "listen, babe, just trust us."

As they leave home heading to the casino Beneatha sits silently on the couch while sipping a glass of deep red wine.

Arriving at the casino a live band begins to play calming jazz music. Rows of slot machines and poker tables fill the room whilst both boys stand with their jaws to the floor.

Gerald: "let's divide and conquer."

Geralds splits the money equally with his thumb and pointer finger counting it intently.

Gerald: "200 for you and 200 for me let's meet back here around 6:00"

Percy: "how much do we need?"

Gerald: "as much as you can get, don't fall for traps"

Percy: "This isn't my first rodeo!"

Percy chuckles before they finally split up. Card after card lever after lever there was only so much money left to bet. "I need a sure-fire way to win at least 2k" Gerald mutters before rolling the die. "I couldn't help but overhear your money request." an old man in a dapper velvet suit says to Gerald as he sneaks behind him. Gerald jumps abruptly then begins to calm down. "I didn't mean to scare you my son." the wrinkled old man announced "no sir you didn't, may I

help you?" the man begins to chuckle "no sir, I can help you!" "what might you be inquiring sir?" "call me Dean, I am head of this here casino" He stretches his arm out towards Gerald. He happily accepts with a big grin. "You must be mighty rich Mr. Dean" "Dean is just fine, and yes I am. So I think I can help you." he takes out a large wad of cash from his back pocket and holds it up in front of Geralds's eyes. "Now this is 1 million dollars, and I make this kind of money every day." Gerald's eyes begin to grow big "every day!" Gerald replies loudly "yes, and I can help you do the same." "what do you mean?" Gerald asks still bewildered by this conversation. "Well, I want you to help me franchise my casino and take it to the center of the world. "Huh?" Geralds says. "Let me show you to my office I'm sure it will all make sense then."

Upon entering Dean's office it was filled with trophies books and a map that covered one whole wall. It was the map of the whole world. "Now you see here, where I have drawn a big red dot that is where I want my fifth casino to go but there is one problem," Dean says while crossing his arms. "What might that be dean?" "There is no city for miles, there is no way people would drive so far just to go to a casino." "what would you like me to do sir"

"Don't call me sir"

"Sorry, dean."

"I want you to take this here money and build a town, you know a few corner shops lots of houses and what have you." Gerald begins to chuckle before choking on his own spit. "You must be crazy dean, what makes you think I can do such a thing." "well, I know that if you don't …" dean begins to walk slowly towards him "I'll have your family killed, trust me I know where you live." Gerald sits stagnant gazing into Dean's reluctant eyes "But why me?" "you're the only one in this dastard little town that wants more than fifty dollars for gas, you have potential." "and your foolishly young.." Dean mutters "what did you say?" inquires Gerald "there is no way you

will fail!" Dean says while shoving money into his hands "1 million dollars, make me proud son. And get out of here" with a pocket full of money Gerald sprints out of the office toward Percy who was angrily pulling a slot machine lever for the 34th time. "Wait Gerald I'm almost there I can feel it!" "just stop Percy, we're good now" Percy lets go of the lever and looks up at Gerald "what are you talking about?" Gerald holds up the wad of cash with his pointer and index finger "we're rich" Gerald exclaims "where did you get that kind of money!" "It's called luck Percy, let's go." "I knew you were my cousin!" Percy shouts as they leave the doubled-doored casino.

Finally arriving back home Gerald begins to zip up his bag containing his supplies. "Did you boys make the money you needed?" Beneatha asks out of breath "Yes more than enough we are catching the next train to Gerald and Percy city in fifteen minutes so we got to go" "Gerald and Percy city?" "I was trying my best on the name." "well you suck at naming things" Gerald announces with a chuckle and grin "Gerald can I speak to my fiance alone for a few moments." "Sure, I'll load our stuff into the truck" Gerald exists whilst Beneatha and Percy sit down together on a couch beside a window.

Beneatha: I'm not going with you all, I have to stay here

Percy: I know you're hesitant but I promise it will all work out

Beneatha: your ambition scares me, I think you're getting too big for your boots

Percy: The only way for us to achieve greatness is to seek out greatness

Beneatha: what if I told you I was pregnant, would you stay and take care of me

Percy: Well, are you?

Beneatha: we're pregnant Percy

Percy: Oh my! how many months along?

Beneatha: one, that's why I'm nervous about the arduous journey. I don't want him or her to get hurt.

Percy: I won't let anything hurt you my darling

They hug briefly before turning off the lights and heading to the car.

Gerald: are you all good?

Beneatha: yes, just worried is all.

Percy: we'll be fine, you got the money?

Gerald opens the glove compartment

Gerald: safe and sound

Beneatha: how much is that?

Percy: 1 million big ones

Percy replies excitedly

Beneatha: how did you all get so lucky?

Gerald: Only god knows.