***
When the injunction hearing continued, Bradley called Professor Swensen. His testimony took nearly three hours. He savored this rare opportunity to discuss his conspiracy theory before the court and the national media. When he finally stepped down, it was nearly five o'clock. The judge thanked both sides and said he'd have to take the matter under advisement. He promised to make a decision in the next few days and notify the parties immediately when a decision was reached. After the hearing, Matt was accosted by several reporters.
"Mr. Coleman. How do you think the hearing went today?"
"Very well, if there is anything that came out of the hearing it is the fact that my TV spots are simply the communication of my point of view, which I have the perfect right to state as a citizen in a free society."
"Mr. Coleman, what do you think about the bill introduced today in Congress requiring all bankrupt individuals gainfully employed or with a regular income to file Chapter 13."
"That bill is introduced every year. It’s ridiculous. The problem we have today isn’t with the bankruptcy system. It's with the financial institutions of this country who are looting the American people and forcing unprecedented numbers of citizens into bankruptcy."
"What do you think will happen to the U.S. economy if this trend continues?"
"Eventually there's going to be a crisis. A crisis no doubt worse than the savings and loan crisis of the mid-eighties. Congress needs to take a look at interest rate regulation now before it's too late. Usury laws should be reinstated and given teeth. It's time that loan sharking is once again made a crime in this country."
"What do you think will happen if you're successful in defending yourself against the State Bar of Texas?"
"Nothing earthshattering. This whole thing has been blown out of proportion. I'll just go back to helping desperate consumers get a clean slate and reclaim their lives."
"What about all the attorneys who are reportedly gearing up to adopt your advertising strategy, if you come out unscathed?"
"It's not an advertising strategy, it's simply one man trying to show the American people how they've been tricked into economic slavery so they can see their way to freedom. If other attorneys want to help that's fine with me," Matt said and then started to move forward. "That's all folks. I've got to get going."
Matt and Lynn pushed their way through the crowd and finally made it out of the courthouse and into the parking garage. When they got back to the office, Tom greeted them with a barrage of questions.
"So, how did it go?" Tom asked.
"Very well, actually," Matt replied.
"So the judge didn't issue a temporary injunction?"
"No, not yet. He took it under advisement."
"So, you still might lose?"
"Yes, that's quite possible but we might win too."
"Have you tried to negotiate with the State Bar?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, maybe if you talked to them you could tone down the ads a little so they would be more palatable."
"But why? They're so good. I don't want to do anything to diminish their effectiveness."
"We've got more business now than we can handle. It wouldn't hurt to back off a little until the dust settles."
"Maybe so, but I can't let the State Bar tell me what to say or not say. That's un-American."
"You know there are other people out there besides the State Bar who want you stopped."
"Who? The banks? Sure, I bet they'd love to shut me up, but that makes all of this more fun. I hate those sleazy bankers almost as much as the IRS."
"You're not taking this seriously enough, Matt," Tom said, with a slight strain in his voice.
Matt looked at Tom and frowned. "Are you all right, Tom? This whole thing is really bothering you, huh?"
"Well, I'm concerned for you. You're getting too much attention. You should back off."
"No way. That was the whole point of the ad campaign—to get people’s attention. We've got to take advantage of the situation now while we can. How long do you think bankruptcy is going to be a matter of national debate? I give this thing another week or two and I won't be able to buy an interview."
"I'm not so sure," Tom said with a hint of resignation in his voice.
"I just hope when this is all over that I've gained enough notoriety to keep a steady flow of debtors coming through the door."
As they were talking, Lynn walked in looking rather concerned.
"Matt, my sister just called. John's left her again. She's very upset."
"Oh, no. That's too bad. What happened?"
"They got into another fight over her going to college. John doesn't want her to quit work. He says they need the money worse than she needs an education."
"He just can't stand the fact that she's smarter than he is. I knew that marriage would never work."
"Anyway, I need to fly up to Oklahoma City and be with her a few days. She needs help with the twins."
"Oh crap! Do you have to?"
"Yes."
"Damn. I wanted to go out and celebrate tonight."
"We haven't won yet."
"I wanted to celebrate that we haven't lost yet."
Lynn laughed, "Any excuse to party, right?"
"Exactly."
"Call Jason and go to a Rangers game or something."
"All right. . . . When's your flight?"
"There's one at six-thirty so I'm going to go home, grab a few things, and head off to Love Field."
"Do you want me to take you?"
"No, you've got work to do. I'll be fine."
"Okay, Honey. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Lynn said and then gave Matt a long kiss goodbye. She smiled and then left.
"You're a lucky man," Tom said.
"Boy, you don't know the half of it. She's a doll. I can't believe she's mine."
"You know, for her sake, you ought to settle this State Bar thing. Something like this could destroy your marriage."
Matt frowned, "Tom, where have you been hiding? She's responsible for the ad campaign, remember? If I suggested abandoning it after it has been such a success—well, that would jeopardize our marriage."
Tom shrugged and went back to his office. Matt worked the rest of the day trying to catch up on his work. That night on the way home he stopped and got some Chinese food for dinner. As he sat in the kitchen eating an egg roll he longed for Lynn. The apartment was so quiet and lonely without her. When he was done eating, he went to turn on the TV when the phone rang.
"Matt, what's happening?"
"Jason, not much. What are you doing?"
"Watching you on the Six O'clock News."
"Oh really? What did they say about me?"
"That you're going to get sanctioned by the State Bar if the court finds in the State Board's favor."
"So they fine me a few bucks. No big deal."
"They were talking suspension."
"What? That's bullshit."
"I think so, but the news commentator said it was a real possibility."
"Well, I'm not going to worry about it. I've got the best attorney in Texas defending me. You know it's so nice to have money so you can afford the best."
"So, what are you up to tonight?"
"I was just going to turn on the TV. Lynn had to go to Oklahoma City to console her sister."
"You're alone?"
"Yes."
"Hey, let's go out. It'll be like old times."
"I don't know. I'm a married man now. I shouldn't be out bar hopping."
"Ah, come on. It'll be fun."
"Well, maybe a couple drinks at Louie's wouldn't hurt. A little cool jazz would be appropriate tonight."
"Good, I'll pick you up in thirty minutes."
"All right. See you then."
Matt got up and went into the bedroom to change into something more appropriate for the evening. He felt a little guilty going out. If Lynn called and he wasn't home she'd be worried. He de
cided to call and tell her he was going out. He dialed the number but no one answered. He figured she hadn't arrived yet and her sister had gone to pick her up at the airport. He left a message on the recorder. As he hung up the doorbell rang, so he went to the door and opened it.
"Hey, ready to go?" Jason said.
"Un huh. Let’s go."
Jason turned and walked toward the car. Matt closed the door, locked it, and followed Jason to his white Toyota Camry. After a ten-minute drive they parked across the street from Louie's and went inside. The nightclub was crowded with a middle-age crowd. Matt coughed a few times from the thick stench of smoke. Jason lit up a cigarette as Matt scanned the room for a table.
"Over here," Matt said pointing to an empty table in the corner of the club. They walked over to it and sat down. A bar maid spotted them and walked over. They flirted with her a minute before giving her their order. The band was playing Grooving High which was one of Matt's favorites. He immediately began to respond to the music. Jason, who preferred rock to jazz, smiled, amused at Matt's sudden transformation.
"This is great, huh?" Matt said.
"Not bad. . . . Kind of an old crowd though," Jason observed.
"Good, maybe you'll be able to keep your mind on the music instead of every piece of ass in the joint."
"Don't count on it," Jason laughed and then nearly fell out of his chair when a tall blonde brushed him as she walked by.
"Hey, I'm a married man so don't get any ideas."
"You may be married, but I'm not."
"Oh, you're going to pick up some blonde and leave me here without wheels."
"I'll pay your cab fare home."
"Great. I thought you were going to keep me company tonight."
"Well, if I strike out, I'll be back. Otherwise, don't call me before eleven tomorrow."
"Oh, God. You're hopeless."
The bar maid came with the drinks as Jason was getting up to give chase to the blonde. He took his drink and headed in her direction. Matt watched him as he eased his way in and sat down beside her. He knew it would only take a second to reject him. If he lasted two minutes, he would likely never return. Matt picked up his drink and watched the two strangers talk. He looked at his watch and after the big second hand had swept around two times, turned his attention back to the band and the sweet sounds that were drifting his way.
After thirty minutes Jason and the blond left. The bar maid saw that Matt's glass was empty and brought him another round. He thanked her and then noticed a well-dressed woman at the bar staring at him. Their eyes made contact. She was quite attractive in her black cocktail dress and diamond necklace. She seemed overdressed, too elegant for a casual jazz club. Matt turned away feeling guilty about how the woman excited him. He decided he’d better leave.
He got up, dropped a twenty on the table, and turned to leave when the lady suddenly got up and walked toward him. He froze as he watched her approach. She walked up so close he could smell a strong scent of perfume. He took a deep breath enjoying the pleasant aroma.
"You're not leaving are you?" she said.
"Huh?” he blurted out, startled that she had addressed him. “Well, actually I do have to leave. It's getting late."
"You sure you wouldn't want to buy a girl a drink?"
It was a tempting thought but he knew he shouldn’t even consider it. "Well, maybe another time. I've really got to go."
"How are you going to get home? Your friend took your wheels."
Matt frowned. "How did you know that?"
"You're an attractive man and I've had my eye on you. I know you came in with a friend and I saw the friend leave. So, if you came in the same car and he left, that leaves you here without wheels."
"Wow," Matt said. “You should be a detective.” He smiled and gazed into her alluring eyes for a long moment.
She said, “So, you gonna buy me a drink or what?”
He shook his head and motioned for her to sit down. She did and he sat across from her.
"What are you drinking?"
"Gin and tonic."
"Okay, I'll buy you one drink but then I've got to go— seriously."
"If you must."
Matt motioned for the bar maid to come over. She finished what she was doing and then walked over to the table.
"Gin and tonic for the lady and bourbon and Seven for me."
"All right," she said and left.
"What's your name?" Matt said.
"Monica. . . . Monica Sommers."
"Nice to meet you, Monica. I'm Matt Coleman."
"I know. I saw you on the news tonight."
"Oh . . . you did?"
"Yes, I think it's wonderful how you're helping so many people free themselves from financial troubles."
"You do? That's good to hear. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. A lot of people think I should back off and leave the system alone. They say what I'm doing might raise havoc with the economy."
"No, they're wrong. I love what you're doing. You're a brave man fighting the big banks and finance companies. It's time somebody had the guts to do that."
Matt smiled. The barmaid returned with two drinks and set them on the table. Monica reached for her drink and knocked her purse on the ground. Matt jumped off the stool and bent down to retrieve it. While he was looking down, Monica deposited a white powdery substance into his drink. When Matt got back up, he handed Monica her purse.
"Jesus, I'm so clumsy sometimes," she said.
"No problem, I'm the same way."
Monica opened her purse and said, "I hope I didn't break anything. . . . No, everything looks intact."
"So, what do you do for a living?" Matt asked.
"Oh me, well . . . actually, I'm a social worker."
"Really, then you probably see a lot of the same people I deal with every day— the victims of our cruel society."
"Probably so. Don't you find it rewarding helping people in trouble?" Monica asked.
"Yes, that's really the point of what I'm doing."
"Is it?"
"Well, I'll admit at first it was the money, but you know in the past few months I feel like I've accomplished more than I did in the first twenty-seven years of my life."
"That must be a good feeling."
"It is. It really is."
"So where is your partner tonight?"
"My partner? Oh, you mean Lynn?"
"Right.”
“She's with her sister in Oklahoma City."
"Umm. Too bad for her."
Matt looked at Monica who was giving him a seductive look. He tried to fight off the sexual feelings that were welling inside him. Suddenly he felt weak and dizzy. Everything turned white. He blinked and shook his head, trying to restore a clear vision.
"Let me give you a ride home?" she said.
"Oh, no. That would be too much trouble."
"Don't be silly. Where do you live?"
"In an apartment near Prestonwood Mall."
"Oh, that's on my way home. It won't be out of my way at all."
"Well, if you're sure."
"Come on."
Matt stood feeling very wobbly. He was glad he wasn't going to be driving. Monica grabbed his hand and led him out of the bar. As they walked across the street to the parking garage there was a sudden flash of light.
"What was that?"
"Some Japanese tourist taking pictures."
"He didn't take our picture, did he?"
"No, he was just getting a shot of the club."
Matt looked back at the club trying to get a good look at the man who took the picture. He wondered why he felt so drunk after only a few bourbons.
"Come on, my car's over here."
Matt followed her to a red Mazda Miata. She opened the door and motioned for Matt to get in. He stumbled over to the passenger side of the car and opened it.
"Nice car," he said and then got in.
"Thanks, it's a lot of fun to drive.”
"I bet.
"
Monica took off and Matt sat back and closed his eyes. The cool night air felt good. His vision began to improve. Monica looked at him causing him to smile. What was he doing driving around with a beautiful woman? God, how did this happen?
"I live in the apartments overlooking the golf course behind Prestonwood. Just get on Beltline and I'll show you the way."
Monica got off the Dallas North Tollway at Beltline and headed east. Matt directed her to the apartments and she pulled up into his parking space.
"Thanks for the ride," Matt said.
"You're not even going to invite me in?"
"No, I'm sorry. You know I'm married."
"I also know your wife isn't home."
"I guess I'm old fashioned, but I believe in monogamy."
"Well, let me help you to the door anyway. I'd hate you to fall and get hurt. I'd never forgive myself."
Matt opened the door and stood up rather unsteadily. "I don't know why I'm so wobbly. I guess I can't hold my liquor anymore." He extended his arms like he was taking a sobriety test and tried to walk a straight line. "See, I'm fine," he said and then stumbled.
Monica got out and came around and took his arm. When they got to the door, Matt unlocked it. Monica tried to slip inside but Matt stopped her.
"I'm sorry Monica, I may be drunk but I know enough not to let you in. We'd both regret it in the morning. Thanks for the ride."
Monica backed off and gave Matt a scathing look. "All right, it doesn't make any difference to me. I've already been paid and I don’t give refunds."
"Paid?" Matt said.
"Yeah. Didn't you know I was a gift?"
Matt stared at Monica as she walked off—his mind too muddled to comprehend what she had said. Finally, he closed the door and as he turned to walk into the living room everything went white and he collapsed, unconscious.