TheStarsAreRight:MeriNote1
REDLAND JACK
Dear Ms. Caine,
I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to meet with me the other night. I value your advice and I always enjoy talking with you. I just found out that I'm going to be in New York for a little while. Tomorrow night, their will be a showing of "The Bartered Bride" by Bedrich Smetana, who is probably my favorite composer of all time. I was wondering if you would want to go with me. I know you're really busy, though, so only if you have time. Here's my address if you're interested: *** Your Friend, Redland Jack P.S. We could also play chess or something else if you'd rather. [There's a bit of an ink blotch here] I'd just like to see you again.
MERIDON CAINE
By return mail - the next morning:
Dear Mr. Jack;
It would be a great pleasure to attend the performance with you. Please call my office and speak to my service today with the specifics as to time and place.
I look forward to seeing you this evening.
Sincerely
Meridon Caine
REDLAND JACK
Redland picks up the phone and nervously dials Meridon's office.
LYDIA
The other end rings a time or two - then a very pleasant, professional woman's voice answers. Obviously not hers.
"Meridon Caine's office, may I help you?"
REDLAND JACK
"Yes, hello. I was calling to leave a message for Ms. Meridon Caine. "I wanted to let her know that I was hoping to pick her up at 5:30ish at her office. "I figured that we could eat after the opera if she wanted to. "Er, but if she thinks she'd be hungry before that, we can always change our plans on the fly. "Also, I plan to be in New Jersey on business most of the day, but if she needs to contact me before then for some reason, I'll try to check any messages at my hotel. "Um, you could also mention that I look forward to seeing her. "I'm sorry, that was a bit scattered. Is that okay? Oh, also, I guess I should mention that my name is Redland Jack."
LYDIA
"Mr. Redland Jack will arrive at the office at about 5:30 pm. He is looking forward to meeting with Miss Caine. Should there be any further questions, Miss Caine should contact your hotel. Is that correct?" the voice reads back the information to you.
REDLAND JACK
"Maybe mention dinner after the show, if she desires it. Otherwise, that sounds good..." Pauses for a couple of moments.
LYDIA
"I see." the girl's voice says pleasantly. "Would you like me to make reservations for you, Sir?"
REDLAND JACK
"Hmmmm."
Pauses for a second.
<Let's see. It seems pretty presumptuous to make reservations. On the other hand, it would be awkward if she wanted to eat something and we had nowhere to go... and I suppose I could always cancel the reservations if need be.>
"That sounds like a fine idea. I don't suppose you'd have any recommendations for me? I'm new in town and, as you've probably detected, I'm kind of a floundering idiot to boot."
LYDIA
The girl's professionalism slips a little, and you hear a small, but quickly suppressed laugh.
"Not so much of an idiot, if she's going out with you." then a pause, as if she realizes she's said a bit too much.
"If you want someplace . . . ah . . . romantic . .. we could call Berrouchi's. If you want something elegant . . . The Plaza Hotel has a nice place . but it will be crowded, because all the opera people go there. If you want something more sort of . . . well - friendly, and casual . .. then the Tavern On The Green in Central Park is nice."
She waits expectantly for your answer.
REDLAND JACK
"Ah, nice of you to say... well, I'll settle for floundering then!"
Thinks for a moment.
"Hmmm. That sounds like a good selection of places. Let's see, from what you've said, The Tavern on the Green is probably the right way to go. I'm not really sure what Ms. Caine is expecting, and I don't want to make her uncomfortable."
He rambles on.
"Thanks so much for your help. I don't really have any experience with this kind of thing and I'd like to make a good impression."
LYDIA
The girl on the other end of the phone finds her professional demeanor again.
"I'll make reservations for two for after the Opera - that way if things go awry, you can skip dinner altogether. Unless you want to go before?"
REDLAND JACK
"Afterwards probably makes the most sense. As you say, we can then play it by ear on whether or not to eat. Also, that way we won't be rushed while eating."
LYDIA
"A good choice. I'll make the arrangements for you for 11:30 pm. Is there anything else for the message, sir? Or anything else I can do for you?"
REDLAND JACK
"I think that's everything... er, I'm not sure if I caught your name. You've been very helpful, and if it would do you any good, I'd be happy to leave some positive feedback with your manager."
LYDIA
"Why . . . thank you!" you can hear the smile in her voice. "Though don't mention that we talked about personal things . . we aren't suppose to discuss anything with the people who call to leave messages. My name is Lydia Swift . . . and you're calling the Accurate Messaging Service."
REDLAND JACK
"I'll be sure to only mention how professional you've been! Thanks again, Lydia, and I hope you have a nice day."
