The next morning came early. It was time to start working the town. I needed to find a dance studio to use
and what a better place to look than the classifieds. I looked up and down the adds and to my amazement there
was a dance studio for rent. I proceeded to contact the owner. A Mrs. Anna Dugal responded to my call. She
requested that I meet her at the establishment to take a look. So, I let Lizzy sleep one off while I made contact.

Mrs. Dugal was a graceful, older lady, around sixty years old. She had taught ballet for as long as I had been
alive, thirty four years. Now retired from teaching, she only looked to rent the building to other
dance instructors. Her presence gave me a haunting, but comforting feeling. She reminded me of my grand-
mother, who had taught me dance as a youth. Right off the bat, Mrs. Dugal and I hit it off. She showed me
the studio, which was kept in emaculate condition. It had an apartment and was located in the central part of town.
Without even consulting my partner I signed the rental agreement. I knew Lizzy wouldn't mind since it had so
many benifits. Besides, any studio was better than the one in Sacramento, which was basically rat infested.
Needless to say we lost money on that job.


The studio was located across from an old antique shop with a funny little name- "The Octopus's Garden."
Lizzy and I have a certain interest in naughty natured things so I teased Lizzy about the sexually orientation
of the name when we passed by on the way to show her our new studio. The inheritent owner gave a small grin
as we giggled. She goes by Hayden. A funny young lady with a funny little store name.

Initially on con-jobs such as these, either Lizzy or myself will recruit students from the area. Lizzy sticks
to recruiting the younger students, while I will lure in older ladies. I usually visit organizations
that the older widowed type would be involved in. Rotary, bridge, and gardening clubs are the big hits
where I usually drop off brochures on ballroom dance. This time it was different. We didn't
even have to send out brochures or talk to the public about lessons. We had people showing up at the
door before we could even get the word out. People like Jennifer who wanted to learn the tango and
beginners like Chelsea's mother. If you know Chelsea you know her mother. You know the kind that want to impress
everyone with elegance.


I remarked to Lizzy, "What gives on all these people wanting to know about the studio."

"It's the south honey, people talk and this is the newest thing in town."

"I know that people gossip, but is it that bad in the south," I questioned.

"Of course it is. These people have nothing better to do."

"But what about keeping everything a secret. If word gets out that I am trying to be fresh with one
of widowed ladies they'll try to run us out?"

"What the hell are you talking about Rico? Isn't that what you want. What a great plan, "fall in love,"
have people find out, the locals run you out of town, all while you take the old lady's money and tell her you will return,
and leave. Don't tell me you are getting soft and want to stay here for the rest of your life.
Just look at the people in this town. They are all fake. Putting on a show, playing a different
character each minute, I mean it's like they are all two faced, always talking behind each others backs,"
Lizzy exclaimed in a rowdy tone of voice.

"A what do you think we are doing Miss Northwick. You mean to tell me you don't think that we aren't
putting on a show. We're not fake. Is that what you are telling me," I glared with an impecable rage.

Lizzy looked down at the wooden dance floor, "I know what we are doing here, I was just trying to make
a point," she muttered. "It's just that you promised me that soon we would have enough money
to move to South Padre were we could live and teach without being on the run all the time."

"I know, but just a few more jobs and we will be able to do so," well knowing that I didn't have enough money.
I had spent it all on myself. I only had enough to get by with. The total amounted to about ninteen grand.
Definatly not enough to do what she wanted.

This seemed to work out very well. I really didn't know if I wanted to run any more scams. I certainly didn't have
a lot of money. Anyway, I kind of liked this town. I had always heard about southern hospitality, but never
experienced it. And the gentle Mrs. Anna Dugal, who reminded me of my grandmother, made a certain impression on
me. How could I scam anyone who reminded me of my grandma. God rest her soul. I don't know. I just don't know.
So, I thought I would "take off my shoes and stay a while," as they say down here.