“Would you like my recommendation, Robert.” Susan also recognized the futility of asking any more probing questions.
“Of course.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“They worked for four days without your knowledge or consent. Last night was the result of their talents. If you measure employability by achieving and surpassing goals, they hit a homerun. It is only logical that their successes will only improve with your consent. If you don’t hire them, you take the chance of their talents being used against you. I feel this as a very low possibility. I still question their motivation but, I don’t believe their true reasons are nefarious.” Susan was checking off her fingers as she emptied her mind. “After last night, I realize I care what happens to you. I have full intention of going to Vasar and strangely, it would give me a sense of comfort if I knew these two were looking out for you. I recommend you hire them.” Susan finished while looking me eyes. I had no idea why it touched me that a prostitute cared about my future. Then again she just quit the business. There was really only one resolution to this situation. Sorry Bruce.
“I am not one for second guessing my consultants. Your salary requirements are acceptable ladies. Can I expect you Monday morning?” I smiled to Susan who seemed a little shocked that I allowed her to make such a life changing decision.
“Thank you for your trust. We will be there Monday, Robert.” I had no idea who just answered. I was going to have to get them name tags. I will never be able tell them apart.
“Remind me to inform HR of Susan’s contribution to the company. I believe twenty percent of the first years salary is the standard finders fee.” I was smiling at my brilliance and felt good about adding to Susan’s change in fortune.”I leave it to you two to gather her vitals.” I wanted to give the girls a good reason to check up on Susan.
“That is the standard commission and will be the first thing on our list. We will see you Monday.” I suddenly remembered that they will be running around my house. So much for privacy. Then again, my night with Susan didn’t seem to phase there sensibilities a bit. Might just have to keep a door closed once in awhile. I canceled the call without saying goodbye. Have to start letting them know who is boss. I turned to Susan whose mouth was hanging open.
“Did you just give me thirty thousand dollars?” She was obviously way out of her comfort zone.
“Actually, it was more like twenty. The government is going to take their cut.” I was relishing her shock. She was simply adorable when she didn’t know which direction to go.
“That is way too much. We were only on the phone for five minutes. Robert, I really appreciate the gesture but, I can’t accept it.” She was seriously trying to turn it down. She had already mentally quit her job. There was no way Darla would have passed on the money.
“You can and you will. There is no way I will allow you to enter Vasar without a new wardrobe. Those rich socialites will have to find a different reason to raise their noses. Face it, you now have three benefactors who wish to take pride in your success.” I wasn’t going to let her not accept my help. “If you think I am going to give you a dime for last night, you are sadly mistaken. It felt like a real date and pleases me to keep it that way. I know it is a trivial distinction but, I will only pay you for your consulting and in truth, it was valuable to me.” Susan started to tear up again. Damn, why do I let her affect me.
“It was a wonderful night. Best time I have had in a long time.” She leaned over and hugged me placing her head over my shoulder. I think she was hiding her tears. “I mean, I know that there is no ‘us’ in the future but, last night felt so good.” Smart girl. I am mister non-commitment. Last night was our last date. Another date would never measure up.
“This is going to sound a little strange coming from me. When I feel like I have lost control of things, I get a little antsy.” Here I was confiding in her again. “There is one thing I do that always returns me to earth.” I suddenly felt ridiculous and last part came out less the confident. “Would you like to go with me to the zoo?”
She pulled back from my shoulder beaming. “What a wonderful idea. I haven’t been to a zoo in years.” She was bouncing as she headed for her overnight bag. “Did you bring a change of clothes?” She asked as she pulled out shorts, tshirt and tennis shoes. “Rebecca mentioned I should drop off a change of clothes when I checked in yesterday..” She slowed as she thought about the preparations. “Damn, they’re good”.
I couldn’t go in my dress clothes and the zoo was not on the way to my house. Didn’t matter, what’s the point of having all this money if you can’t do what you want. The hotel had a small, all be it, expensive clothing store usually reserved for those who forgot their tennis or swimming apparel. I called down to Rick to make sure it was open on Saturday.
“Not until after lunch Mr. Timmins. Samantha had me put an ensemble aside for you yesterday in case you needed it. She assured me it that they were the correct size. Would you like me to bring it up?” Now it was getting scary. I told him that would be fine and hung up the phone. I looked at Susan, “Damn, they’re good.”
The zoo had been one of my favorite places since childhood. No matter what kind of problems I was having, the animals never failed to entertain. I have always made donations when they called and even ponied up big when they were trying to build new exhibits. Zoo’s and prostitutes were my only real indulgences. I had no idea why I was sharing my private joy with Susan, but her enthusiasm was contagious. I kind of felt like a grandfather taking a grandchild to the zoo for the first time. It was to bad the monkey exhibit was closed. They were my favorite to watch. I always thought of them like little people with no moral inhibitions to reign in their freedom. A new facility was under construction and the contributor letters said it wouldn’t be open until the residents were given time to acclimate to the new surroundings. Luckily, there was plenty of other animals to gawk at.
We walked up to the ticket booth and I handed my season pass through the window and mentioned I had a guest with me. The attendant glanced at my pass and wheeled his chair back to a phone on the wall. After a brief conversation he returned and pulled a manilla envelope out of drawer and handed it to me.
“Ms. Howard’s pass is inside as well as the park maps, train pass and 2 tickets to the sealion show at 1pm.” he said all this as if I should know what he was talking about. “If you will wait by the elephant statue,” he was pointing to the left just inside the park, “Dr. Franklin will be with you in just a moment.” He returned to counting ticket stubs like when I first walked up. I didn’t have to ask how they knew Susan’s name. I just walked like a zombie to the elephant statue.
“Well hello Mr. Timmins.” I stout elderly gentleman with a trimmed white beard was holding out his hand. I shook it. “And you must be Ms. Howard.” Susan shook his hand. “I am Dr. Franklin but, please call me Doug. I was so pleased when your assistant called and told me you were planning a visit.” He seemed sincerely happy. “Your contributions have been most helpful and I wanted to thank you personally. I seem to have missed you at the donor dinners.”
“No offense, I kind of avoid those things.” I was trying to avoid admitting I only knew half of what was going on.
“I would avoid them to if I could.” He laughed jovial, “I thought you and Ms Howard would like a personal tour of the new monkey house. It won’t be open to the public for a few more weeks but, it will allow us to show our gratitude.” Susan smiled feeling a bit privileged.
“We would love that.” I really meant it. Never thought of calling ahead and leaning on my contributions.
“Well follow me then. We have to take a few back alleys into the bowels of the zoo.” He stepped off at a brisk pace toward an employee only sign. I felt like a five year old at Christmas. I grabbed Susan’s hand and leaped after Doug. I didn’t want to miss a thing.
Susan looked at me and smiled, “Damn, they’re good.” She, like me, no longer cared how they surmised our destination.
Monday was too soon in coming. I reluctantly said goodbye to Susan Saturday evening and wished her the best at Vasar. I had no desire to be intimate with her again but, we shared enough secrets to make me comfortable around her. I do like my comfort.
At exactly eight AM the door bell chimed. I didn’t think I had anything scheduled until that afternoon so I was still in my robe. I opened the door to see Rebecca and Samantha in matching cutoffs and t-shirts, moving clothes. “Good morning Robert.” I had absolutely no idea which was which. They both smiled and entered the foyer. “Rebecca is going to open the back door so those gentlemen can move our belongings into our room without disturbing you.” Process of elimination, it was Samantha speaking and gesturing to the moving truck in the drive. I didn’t remember telling them which room would be theirs. The events this weekend had me quite convinced that they already knew which one I had allocated. Rebecca headed off to the rear of the house ignoring my halted directions.
“I notice a bunch of discarded furniture stacked in the garage.” I didn’t remember leaving the garage door open. “Would you like these gentleman to haul it away?”.
“Well yes, I have been meaning to get rid of it. It was left here by the previous owners when they staged the house.” Why did I feel it necessary to explain it’s existence?
“There is a resale shop across town, the zoo is having a charity auction this weekend or we can donate it to salvation army.” She ticked off the options on her fingers and waited for my guidance.
“If zoo can make use of it, give it to them. Oh, and thank you for Saturday. It was … special.” I admitted hesitantly. I didn’t want to admit that it was the best time I had ever had at the zoo.