Ordeal by Cheque

Analytical Summary: “Ordeal by Cheque” Lawrence Ester Sr. was a prestigious man, who lived a dignified and affluent life in wealthy streets of Santa Monica. Lawrence Ester Sr. was born into wealth, and graduated from Stanford University, at which time he married his wife and finally got himself a check book. The first check he writes is for baby supplies because his wife was pregnant. On Sept 2nd 1903 Lawrence Ester Jr. was born healthy and a bit rowdy. During his childhood Lawrence Jr. was sent to a school for boys and to Colombia Military Academy. Later on in life he went on to study French in Stanford. Being a natural and fluent speaker, Lawrence and his family set out on a vacation to France. When they arrived back home, Lawrence found the perfect girl at a florist shop that his father bought flowers from, and settled down in a nice neighborhood called “Riviera Heightlands.” His father helped pay for his apartment and remodeling the newlyweds first home. Here’s where the story gets interesting. Lawrence Ester Sr. gives his check book to his younger son because of legal issues in the family. Lawrence finds himself in a plethora of money, and starts spending it how he pleases. He starts off simple, buying lingerie for his mistresses, or by buying dresses for his wife. Lawrence gets himself in trouble soon when he meets Tony Spagoni, and gets involved in the Italian mafia. Lawrence begins to write absurdly large checks to random relatives, trying to deplete his father’s account as fast as possible. It turns out, the money his father was making, was drug money, and it had to be dispersed. Lawrence gets himself involved with the law and begins a long court case; the only problem is that his money is running out. On July 5th, 1931 Lawrence Ester Jr. commits suicide. His father takes over his checkbook and writes the final check to the Hollywood Mortuary for his sons burial.