Chas Allen - Evolution: Becoming A Criminal

Evolution

Becoming a Criminal

Book 1

Chas Allen

Published by Motivational Press, Inc.

1777 Aurora Road

Melbourne, Florida, 32935

www.MotivationalPress.com

Copyright 2018 by Chas Allen

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means: graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system without permission, in writing, from the authors, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, article, book, or academic paper. The authors and publisher of this book and the associated materials have used their best efforts in preparing this material. The authors and publisher make no representations or warranties with respect to accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the contents of this material. They disclaim any warranties expressed or implied, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The authors and publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. If you have any questions or concerns, the advice of a competent professional should be sought.

Manufactured in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-1-62865-564-3

To my family and to my love Michelle

PREFACE

To understand my own story, I had to dive into who I was and how I perceived myself as a younger man. Though Ive come to understand that my rapid evolution as a person was a result of complex, confusing, and often hurtful events many of which happened in a relatively short period in my life Ive come to one abundantly clear conclusion about myself at that time: I was an arrogant, little shit.

This is the book that I didnt have the courage to write years ago. Fears and doubts from my past restricted my ability to express my full truth. However, as you may have come to discover on your own, truth is subjective. I submit this book as my most authentic effort to share my experience; it is my best attempt to recreate the aggrandized perspective with which I viewed the world and my place in it at the time. One thing I have come to learn about human nature is that we all instinctively seek meaning and purpose in our lives. As the protagonists of our lives, we often believe we are the heroes of our own stories, even if, in actuality, our actions are more akin to that of anti-heroes.

In respect for those involved who I believe prefer to remain anonymous, I have changed names. Others I included with gratitude for our shared experiences, albeit from the only perspective over which I have any authority: my own.

Im not proud of my actions detailed in this book, but the misguided choices of my youth allowed me to grow into the person I am today. Writing this book has been a blessing to me because it has helped me express and, consequently, accept responsibility for all of my weaknesses, faults, failures, struggles, strengths, and triumphs without the paralyzing effects of permanent shame. This process has reaffirmed for me that, even when we fall, we can choose to stand again. We all have moments in our lives that would mortify us if they became public knowledge, or let alone made into a film, or a book, as mine have. However, rather than feeling afraid, I feel liberated because this book has allowed me to expose my former shame, helping me to heal from it, and giving me hope that this story may resonate with others in need of similar healing.

Our past does not have to define our future. We can accept responsibility for our choices and grow beyond our former selves. We have the ability to shape our lives one decision at a time and become the people we want to be. Ultimately, it matters far less who we were yesterday, as long as we are proud of who we are today. Today I am grateful to be able to share my journey with you. It is my sincere hope that, as you read this book, you see the humanity within the story and within us all.

BOOK 1

If the youth are not initiated into the village, they will burn it down just to feel its warmth.

- African Proverb

PART 1

HIGH SCHOOL

School

Who wants to be a millionaire? A young professional in his early thirties asks.

Students within the private school classroom raise their hands. I size-up the man standing near the dry erase board, wondering if he knows the answer to his question. I raise my hand with hopeful skepticism.

Thats exactly what Mr. Jakowski asked me to come teach you today. So, whos ready to become a millionaire by learning the amazing powers of compounding interest? He asks enthusiastically.

I look to Mr. Jakowski for reassurance. We make brief eye contact. His beleaguered expression only confesses his unfulfilled entrepreneurial dreams.

The man at the front of the classroom continues, Time is the key. Youre all young. If you start a 401K or an IRA today, adding five thousand dollars each year, earning an average annual return of ten percent, you will be a millionaire in only 31 years!

I scan the faces of my classmates, expecting them to share my disbelief, but they seem excited by his talk. They eagerly await his next words.

Professionally managed mutual funds are the best investment you can make to guarantee a high yield return whether the economy goes up or down. The smile plastered on his face leaks with inauthenticity.

I raise my hand and speak, interrupting his talk.

Hi, Im sorry, but I just have to ask, are you here to sell us your mutual fund?

The banker laughs, caught off guard. Then he calculates his next words with a smile.

As a matter of fact we offer exceptionally managed funds, but Im just here to teach you how it all works so you can make educated choices in the future.

He nods his head, assured that I am satisfied with his answer, and then continues.

I raise my hand again. Im sorry. One more question. How much do you get paid for each account you sell us?

He looks to Mr. Jakowski, unsure of how to respond. I follow his line of sight to find Mr. Jakowski glaring at me with eyes bulging, insistent that I drop the subject.

I cant take it anymore. I call the teachers bluff and plow forward with another question, without raising my hand.

You said youre here to teach us, then just tell us the truth. Youre selling us a pipe dream.

The banker clenches his jaw, and before he can speak I continue. You say we can become millionaires in thirty-one years. Dont leave out inflation. That devalues the worth of the million dollars by three to four percent each year. That drops your ten percent down to six or seven. And lets not forget capital gains tax. Take off another twenty percent from the top. And mutual funds, the banks dont mention the funds that lose money or fail. Those funds get terminated and rolled into the winners. And when the winners start to lose you do the same thing over again. At best Ill give you four to six percent returns each year, at best. And then they would have to pay your fees to manage their money on top of everything else. But now the ten percent you promised them dropped down to around zero percent. And whats the compounded value of that after thirty-one years?

Mr. Jakowski stands from his desk chair, seething with resentment.

Thats enough, Chas! I dont want to hear another word out of your mouth.

The banker calmly attempts to diffuse the situation, motioning for Mr. Jakowski to sit down.

Its okay, Larry. Ill handle this. Whats your name, son? The banker asks as he stares me down.

My name is Chas Allen, sir.