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My Memoirs - Citizen of the World

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<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nine Azores Islands because Ros Sr. and his family had<br />

fallen in love with <strong>the</strong> Azores and its people.<br />

I found that most Portuguese immigrants did not speak or<br />

understand much English, and so <strong>the</strong>y started coming to me for<br />

translation purposes (such as filling out job applications). Six<br />

months later, my partner - who never worked or sold anything -<br />

began acting as though he were <strong>the</strong> capitalist and nothing else. He<br />

was going through a lot <strong>of</strong> family problems at <strong>the</strong> time. I told him<br />

that even though he had financed <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice furniture, telephone<br />

and equipment, he was also a partner who had to work and keep<br />

<strong>the</strong> business growing. That was part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> deal we had signed<br />

when he came to Middletown asking me to be his partner.<br />

Six months after we opened <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice, he decided to go back to <strong>the</strong><br />

Azores to build a hotel. But he still wanted to remain my partner<br />

and share <strong>the</strong> net pr<strong>of</strong>its <strong>of</strong> our business in Bristol at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

year. I immediately told him that I did not agree with such an<br />

arrangement, and that we would have to see our attorney to<br />

dissolve <strong>the</strong> partnership. We finally came to terms, however, once<br />

he realized that he had never contributed anything to <strong>the</strong> business<br />

apart from <strong>the</strong> $3,500 for <strong>of</strong>fice equipment. As a result, I became<br />

<strong>the</strong> sole proprietor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business.<br />

I changed <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business to Warren Travel Agency, Inc.<br />

There were only two travel agencies in Bristol County, and both<br />

were in Barrington. I was very busy in no time, selling insurance,<br />

travel, and even translation services, including going to court as an<br />

interpreter. I became specialized in Immigration Services. After I<br />

changed my business sign to “Warren Travel Agency,” I received a<br />

phone call from a person who threatened to sue me because his<br />

business shared <strong>the</strong> same name. I contacted my attorney, Fred<br />

Bruno, who explained that while I was incorporated in <strong>the</strong> State <strong>of</strong><br />

Rhode Island, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r gentleman was not, so I should be <strong>the</strong> one<br />

suing him! I informed <strong>the</strong> gentleman <strong>of</strong> this and he immediately<br />

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