EMPIRE
by
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It was exciting for Mark. He was driving in a foreign country. Being the weekend, the main road into Angeles was already busy with people, making deliveries or going in to shop. By the time they reached town, the streets were crowded with people on foot, giving no warning when they decided to cross the street. Calisas and other jeepneys weaved in and out of the crowds with seeming recklessness, beeping horns or ringing bells. Dust was stirred up, smells of raw sewage were in the air, some in the crowd covered their nose with handkerchiefs and little children darted from one side to another.
Mark, like other drivers, would hit the brake and honk while working his way down the street. When they reached the center of town, his dad instructed him to turn onto a major street, to the left. After a short distance, Ben said, "O.K, now pull into the Esquire parking lot on the right." The entry had a covered arch printed with the club’s name. Mark was glad to finally park the car. His first drive in Angeles had been a new experience and somewhat of an ordeal.
"Son, you're a good driver", his father declared. Mark turned to Ben and smiled. "There are sure a lot of people in Angeles today. Do many get hit by cars?"
His father replied, "Not as many as anyone might expect. They seem to watch out for themselves and the drivers watch out for them, too."
Getting out of the car, Ben said, "We'll leave the car here. The club's owner knows me and he'll see that our car is protected. Let's go inside."
The club was cool inside and fairly dark. Interior decorations were bamboo, some green plants, with thatch woven palm leaves used as privacy shields on the booths. Ben spotted Bernito, the owner, and waved. Bernito waved back and joined them.
"Ben! My friend! It's good to see you again. Can I find a table for you?" He asked.
"Not right now! This is my son, Mark. He arrived from the states, yesterday, and I'm showing him the town today."
"Mark! So this is Mark! I should have known. There's a close resemblance." Turning to Mark and vigorously shaking his hand, he continued, "I'm so glad to meet the son of our friend. Your father is well loved in Angeles. He has brought much work to our humble barrio. He's a good man. You must be very proud of him."
"Yes sir, I am. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Bernito." Mark replied.
Bernito and Ben began discussing Angeles latest news. Mark stood silently by while the two friends talked of many things. While the men were talking, Mark became acutely aware of some young Filipino girls, waitresses, grouped in back. They were whispering to each other and then smiling at him. He was beginning to feel highly uncomfortable. He was never at ease in the presence of girls his age, anyway. He feared he would say or do something stupid and the thought that he might be the topic of their talk made him nervous.
He was greatly relieved when his father turned and asked, "Well, son! Are you ready for that tour of town?"
Mark just nodded. His father turned to Bernito and announced, "Bernito, we'll return and have lunch." Without waiting for a reply, Ben headed for the door with Mark close behind. Leaving the tree-shaded parking lot, they walked through the archway and became a part of the milling mass of humanity. At times, Mark felt like a salmon trying to swim upstream.
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About the Book
EMPIRE propels the reader back to the less hectic lifestyle days of the late 40’s and early 50’s. Although the story is part fact and part fiction, the ability to accomplish great goals through self-confidence, personal connections, and understanding partnerships, limited partners and human nature is possible.
Come with Mark Rogers on adventures among exotic islands in the Far East, meet the people and discover their culture, their way of life and their friendships. Visit old Fort Santiago in Manila, Clark AFB, cattle ranch on Mindanao, a pearl operation and Angeles, all in the Philippines. Fly to Jakarta and Binjai in Indonesia on an oil venture. Join Mark and Abbie as they travel to a tea plantation in the highlands of Sri Lanka., on the way to their wedding in India. Experience mystic India and learn about their customs, Agra, the Tag Mahal, Red Fort, New Delhi and a man-eating tiger hunt in the Himalayan foothills.
EMPIRE follows an American young man through the trials of growing up, gaining self-confidence through being good at a simple social skill which opens the door to greater achievements, meeting and falling in love with the daughter of a British Diplomat.
About the Author
J H Ellison grew up in the post depression era in Eastern Oklahoma. He graduated from Connors State College in 1950, worked summers on mobile oil rig and in wheat harvest. He attended Oklahoma State College until enlistment in Air Force, at outbreak of Korean War.
As a crewmember on the SA-16 amphibian aircraft, was stationed from 1952-1954 at Clark AFB in the Philippines, going on numerous flights among the islands and to Hong Kong, and flew cloak and dagger missions over Korea, receiving the Air Medal. After discharge, he worked with Rockwell as Engineer and Management Analyst on the Apollo and Minute Man Missile programs. In 1995, he published the nonfiction book, "Warner—The Next Generation"