Scallywag - E-book - ePub

Born to illiterate parents in a deprived area of Glasgow ensured Joe Armstrong would be stigmatisedfrom day one. His father was an indolent, gambling, alcoholic and his Mother ;a hard nosed, illiterateworkaholic. With no one to turn to in times of need; Joe was left to his own devices; to do whateverhe had to do to survive. Despite the trauma and shame associated with abject poverty and perceived ignorance, Joe wasforced to survive in a world where 'dogs eat dogs 'and survival of the fittest a given.
Problem was; Joesuffered the infliction that is an inferiority complex and as anyone with the same infliction will tellyou having an inferiority complex has many underlying consequences. Due in the main to his inferiority complex and his parent's indifference towards him; Joe Armstrong sought friendship with those he figured were like minded people and as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time suffered the consequence that was jail time.
Fortuitously aged 19years he metand married a woman who was sympathetic to both his needs and his personality and from then on itwas onwards and upwards; rising through the ranks of apprentice engineer to that of general managerof a large earthmoving company. Aged 27, due to mitigating circumstance Joe resigned as manager with the earthmoving company and with the aid of a friend created a business.
The business became a success as did co incidentally isinfidelity with the female of the species and over a measure of time he bedded among others hispartners daughter. Again , due to mitigating circumstances Joe Armstrong was forced to consider other options ;one ofwhich was construction and in particular house building. Ever the entrepreneur, Joe purchased a series of building sites and built what was considered at the time to be high standard quality homes.
Alas although the house building business proves to belucrative it becomes his Achilles heel when time after time Joe is reminded of his background andwhy the likes of him, irrespective of how much money he makes, will never be deemed anythingother than working class Unfortunately due to a drop in interest rates and the subsequent financial fallout; sales dropdramatically, forcing Joe to consider advertising in the local paper .
A move that would change his lifefor ever-With change comes deceit, infidelity, money laundering, , tax evasion and the beginning of aroller coaster life that would see Jo and co head off into the blue yonder!One q question remains;.'will Joe Armstrong prove to be the guy who baulked the trend by rising to the top like cream orsimply confirm that 'you cannot make a silk purse from a sows ear?