A fishy new life: hitting easy-street

When Richard and Karen arrived at school the next day, everyone was impressed.

“Hey guys, could you tell me where you got the help for that project?” a kid asked.

“Me too!” cried another.

Karen and Richard smiled.

“We can set up appointments with our parents for you.” Karen said. “For a price.”

“How much?!” they all cried.

“Two dollars a service.” Richard said.

Soon they were making lots of cash.

“You two are very persuasive.” Mr. Pinson said to them.

“Thanks sir.” Karen said. “Look at all our cash!”

“Yes.” Mr. Pinson said. “You know, you two should open up a brokerage firm when you grow up.”

“A brokerage firm?” Karen asked. “What’s that?”

“It’s a company that helps people buy stock or ownership of a business...for a price.” Mr. Pinson said.

“That sounds like a good idea!” Richard said to KAren.

“Yeah!” Karen cried. “We’re a great team!”

“Start studying now.” Mr. Pinson said. “And I bet you two will be billionaires in no time!”

“Thank you sir.” Richard said.

As the two left, the whole class was looking at them.

“What’s up guys?” KAren asked.

“Karen.” a boy called eric said. “We think we owe you an apology.”

“Yeah.” said maxwell. “We all were mean to you cause we were jealous that you knew more than   us....but you’re really cool and...we think you’re cool enough for our chearleading group.

“REally?!” Karen cried. “Wait...are you tricking me again?”

“No.” said Maxwell.

So after that, Karen’s dork days were long over and she became a super popular girl. In addition, Karen and Richard both took Mr. Pinson’s advice and started studying stock and brokerages. They started doing more chores around the house in exchange for extra money to start saving for their company. Their parents agreed and they worked and worked. The two agreed to tutor kids for cash as well. By the end of the year, the two had a total of three hundred dollars!

The two spent the remainders of their childhood savings and socializing. When it was time to go to college, the two went to the same one to stay together and to learn the same stock secrets. They were now experts on it, but wanted more.

When their parents dropped them off, they kissed and hugged them. But Karen’s dad gave them a warning.

“Good luck kids. And remember: stock and investing has so many ways to easily cheat people...but never let anyone talk you into doing that, for the consequences of scams are grave...and I don’t mean legal ones.”

“What do you mean Mr. Aikman?” Richard asked.

“You don’t want to know.” he said. “Good bye kids, see you on Thanksgiving!”

“I don’t get what he meant.” Richard said to Karen.

“Me neither.” Karen admitted. “Dad says a lot of rambling. Sometimes it’s best to ignore him.”

So the two took majors in stock and were both amazingly well in it.

After finishing college, the two decided to go and start their company before getting married so that they could secure a spot.

They went to New York. It took about a year to get everything (the licenses, the backgrounds checks, the building made etc) in order. But the two were ready.

“We just have to wait for a customer.” Karen said.


From that day on, Richard and KAren boyfriend and girlfriend. When the yarrThey spent almost all their spare time together, and saved money for their company slowly and slowly. The two both went to college together, taking a degree in stock When finishing, they agreed to wait a few years before marrying.

“Let’s go see about our company.” Richard suggested.

Thier phone rang.

“Hello Richard, it’s me Mr. Pinson!” Mr. Pinson said.

“Karen, it’s Mr. Pinson!” Richard cried happily.

Karen rushed over.

“Hello sir!” she exclaimed.

“You can call me Paul now.” he said happily. “We’re friends. Listen, I’ve been upgraded to principal now, and I want to buy a share of ownership withh Milton’s company. More products for the school would be great. Can you guys help me out?”

“Sure sir! Our account fee is just ten dollars right now!” Karen said. “To set up your account go online to www.Baxterbrokers.com”

“Thanks a million!” Mr. Pinson said.

The two had trained for so long in stock and brokerage that they were pros and were getting rave reviews from their customers. So more and more kept coming in and they helped them get shares and wonerships of companies everywhere! In fact, in just three years, Karen and Richard were billionaires!

They went to their vault and hugged when they saw al lthe money they had made.

“We did Richard!” Karen said.

“Well, I think it’s time to get married, whadya think Karen?”

“I couldn’t agree more!”  Karen said. “Where should we do it?”

“I’ve already found a place!” Richard said. “It’s a surprise!”

Karen smiled.

The surprise was: TAHITI!

Karen and Richard both smiled on the beach. All teir old school friends (save for the three who unintentionally brought them together), Mr. Pinson, their parents and a lot fo their customers were there.

“We’re live in Tahiti for an amazing event.” a newsreportersaid. “Richard BAxter and Karen Aikman, AKA the Wallstreet duo are finally to get married.”

“Do you Richard Baxter, take Karen Aikman to be your wife?” the priest asked.

“I do.” Richard said smiling.

“And do you, Karen  Aikman take Richard Baxter to be your husband?” he asked Karen.

“I do.” Karen said smiling.

“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife!” he declared.

And everyone cheered and applauded.

“IT just goes to show how even traitors and victims can come together.” Mr. Pinson said smiling.

They had a nice honeymoon there in Tahiti and soon went back to making money. A few years later, Karen and Richard were snuggled on the coach drinking wine.

“WE hit the bigtime Karrie baby!” Richard said. “We’ve got two hundred new clients! I just checked!”

“That’s wonderful!” Karen said.

“Well...you wanna do it tonight honey?” Richard asked his wife.
“I do.” Karen said. “But tonight...I don’t want to use protection!”

Richard choked on his wine. “You mean....you want to....”

“If you’re ready dear.” Karen said. “Money can’t keep us both happy forever.”