Scallywag (ePub)

Born to illiterate parents in a deprived area of Glasgow ensured Joe Armstrong would be stigmatised
from day one. His father was an indolent, gambling, alcoholic and his Mother ;a hard nosed, illiterate
workaholic. With no one to turn to in times of need; Joe was left to his own devices; to do whatever
he had to do to survive.Despite the trauma and shame associated with abject poverty and perceived ignorance, Joe was
forced to survive in a world where 'dogs eat dogs 'and survival of the fittest a given. Problem was; Joe
suffered the infliction that is an inferiority complex and as anyone with the same infliction will tell
you 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 met
and married a woman who was sympathetic to both his needs and his personality and from then on it
was onwards and upwards; rising through the ranks of apprentice engineer to that of general manager
of 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 is
infidelity with the female of the species and over a measure of time he bedded among others his
partners daughter.Again ,due to mitigating circumstances Joe Armstrong was forced to consider other options ;one of
which 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 be
lucrative it becomes his Achilles heel when time after time Joe is reminded of his background and
why the likes of him, irrespective of how much money he makes, will never be deemed anything
other than working class Unfortunately due to a drop in interest rates and the subsequent financial fallout; sales drop
dramatically, forcing Joe to consider advertising in the local paper . A move that would change his life
for ever-With change comes deceit, infidelity, money laundering, ,tax evasion and the beginning of a
roller 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 or
simply confirm that 'you cannot make a silk purse from a sows ear?