by Don Potter
’There is only one requirement. The money is to be split with my dear friend Brooke, whom you have undoubtedly met by now. The condo is yours to do with as you wish.
’Please distribute the funds immediately upon receipt of this letter. Love, Casey.’
Tears rolled down Polly’s cheeks, but they did not stop her from rummaging through the box. After a few moments, she decided to simply dump its contents on the desk. Polly looked at the bank information while Tim counted the bands of one hundred dollar bills.
“There’s two hundred grand here,” he exclaimed.
“Peanuts compared to what’s in the banks. There’s about ten million between the Bahamas and Switzerland. I can’t believe this.”
“What’s the story with Brooke? Were they lovers? Business partners? Or what?” Tim asked.
“Does it matter?
“Just curious.”
“Better call Brooke and tell her what we found out.”
“I don’t think there will be any surprises. She knew about this before we did.”
“And I’d be willing to wager that she knows exactly how much money is coming to her,” Tim concluded.
They called Brooke. She was expecting their call. Together, they determined that the best way to split the money was to give Brooke access to the Bahamian accounts and Polly would take those in Switzerland. And Polly immediately retained a realtor, recommended by Brooke, to sell the condo.
“I wish we had met under different circumstances,” Polly said as the sat in the lounge at the Miami airport. Brooke was flying to Nassau and Polly and Tim were going to Zurich. “Obviously you and Casey had a special relationship.”
“Casey really cared about you, Polly. She was convinced the stars ruled your lives and there was more truth to the ancient Greek mythology than people might think.”
“Our mother was into astrology. And since we were born on June 17th, she named us after the twins’ fathered by Zeus -- Castor and Pollux – who shared immortality when they were transformed into the Gemini constellation. In our case, Castor became Casey and Pollux became Polly. So even if we are physically apart we are always spiritually tied together.”
“That’s a wonderful thought,” Brooke said.
“I hate to break up this conversation, but they just announced the Nassau flight is boarding,” Tim said.
In the boarding area of the Nassau commuter flight Brooke was joined by a woman with dark hair and sunglasses. The woman had a striking resemblance to Casey. No one seemed to notice.
Polly and Tim settled into the first class cabin of the jumbo jet. They planned to visit their money in Switzerland and then find a suitable villa to rent in Italy’s Tuscany region.
“Do you believe in that sun sign stuff?” He asked.
“Casey helped bring us back together and start a new life without jobs to worry about or fears of financial problems,” Polly said.
“That’s pure serendipity.”
“You mean like the stars were perfectly aligned?”
WISHES
Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insect, as well as for the star. Human beings, vegetables or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper. – Albert Einstein.
George was no philosopher; in fact he had not read about or given more than a passing thought to philosophical matters. All he knew was that he was a loser. And the latest turn of events in his life proved it was so.
“Pour me another,” George said.
“What are you havin’ ?”
“Whatever vodka you have in the well.” The bartender’s response upset him. “God,” George muttered under his breath. “This is my third one and he can’t even remember what I’m drinking. Guess I’m a nobody to everybody.”
“Want to change that?” the man asked as he positioned himself on a stool next to George.
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
“Who were you talking to?”
“Myself, but that’s none of your business. I came here to have a few drinks and to lick my wounds.”
“Not having a good day?”
“You could say I’m like that country song, ‘If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.’”
“That bad?”
“I had a lousy job and lost it today. The boss said he didn’t need me any more. I also have a crummy apartment with rent due on the first and a wreck of a car that’s badly in need of repair. And I’m down to my last twenty bucks. That’s how bad it is.”
“Do you think things could be worse?”
“In my case, I doubt it.”
“You called out to God, when I sat down. Do you have strong religious beliefs?”
“That was just a figure of speech, more like a substitute for swearing or slamming the wall with my fist. I got over God a long time ago. He never did me any good then and like the bartender here, God doesn’t even know what I want. Why are you asking me this stuff? Are you a Jehovah’s Witness or something?”
“Hardly. Let’s say I’m a person who happened to slip into your life at a time when you need help. Interested?”
“No. So you can just slip on out of my life again. This is a private party and you’re not invited.”
“You need a job don’t you?”
“Yeah, but I’m sure you didn’t drop into this dive-of- a-bar looking to hire the first person you ran in to.”
“My being here is...let’s call it a matter of happenstance. But since I am here, are you going to listen to my proposition?”
“Oh well, got nothing else to do. Fire away.”
“Would you like to have a nontraditional job? I am looking for someone to do my biding in a number of areas. For this, I will reward them by fulfilling their wishes. Sound interesting?”
“This sounds like a scam to me.”
“Please hear me out, before dismissing my proposal. Okay?”
“Better be more to it than wishes, ‘cause I’ve been wishing all my life and have nothing to show for it.”
“Things will be different this time. But don’t take my word for it; allow me to give you a sampling of what a reward might be. You game?”
“Why not? Give it your best shot.” George took a sip of his drink. As he put the glass down he noticed a woman enter the bar. She sat a few stools away and ordered a drink. He turned to the stranger and said, “Can I wish for her?”
“If that’s your wish, of course you can. However, have you thought about the fact that you have a crummy apartment, a wreck of a car and almost no money?”
“You mean I need to get those things straightened out first? By that time, she’ll be long gone.”
“Why don’t you go over and introduce yourself? Maybe you could get her phone number and call later when you are in a better position to show the lady a good time. Okay?”
“Hey, you’re a pretty smart guy. Did you read The Art of Picking Up Women?”
“You might even say I wrote it. Ready to try it?”
“Get out of here. You’re pulling my leg about writing the book. But I’ll go see if this black day has a silver lining.”
As if he had done this before, George sauntered over to the woman and struck up a conversation. After a couple of minutes, she left and George came back to where he was sitting. He was all smiles.
“It worked. She gave me her business card and wrote her home number on it. Told me to call and we could go out and get to know each other. That would be a wish come true.”
“Are you interested in learning more about my proposition?”
“If she’s any indication of what to expect down the line, you bet I am.”
“You lust after the woman?”
“Absolutely.”
“She may have some stipulations regarding such an arrangement?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Perhaps she wants something in return fo
r allowing you to satisfy your base sexual instincts?”
“Are you saying she’s a prostitute?”
“No. But what if she asks you to do a favor for her in return for what you want?”
“Whatever she wants me to do will be fine, I’m sure.”
“Are you ready to move on? Your unbridled enthusiasm for the woman shows that you have passed the first test.”
“What test? Nobody said anything about a test.”
“Come now. Life is a test. I was just referring to your own words, ‘Whatever she wants me to do will be fine, I’m sure.’ That sounds like a pledge to me. One that locks you into doing her will as long as you get what you want in return. Am I correct?”
“You make it sound almost deadly.”
“Well, they say that lust is one of the so-called seven deadly sins. And by pursuing lust, instead of adhering to the virtue of chastity, the door may be open for the forces of evil to come in and begin to take over your soul. Does that bother you?”
“I thought we cleared this up earlier. There is no God and no Devil. No Heaven and no Hell. The only thing I care about is what’s going on in my life right now. Besides, having the phone number of a beautiful woman is hardly a sin.”
“It’s what your intentions are that count. Right?”
“If every thought I ever had about what I want do to a woman is a sin, I used up my quota a long time ago.”
“All I was saying is that thoughts lead to actions and actions lead to consequences. Sometimes the results are good sometimes they’re not so good. Agreed?”
“You made your point. Let’s move on. What about the job?”
“Oh, that’s not important right now. Getting you on your feet comes first, wouldn’t you say?”
“And that means?”
“Let’s go take a look at an apartment that might suit your needs. My car is parked out front.” The man paid the bar tab and led George outside to a shiny, new, black Cadillac. He threw George the keys and said, “Would you like to drive while I navigate?”
They continued on the same street until reaching the better part of town. “Take a left at the next intersection and then a right,” the stranger said. “Stop in front of the first building, and let me know what you think?”
“Wow,” George said as he looked up at the new high-rise apartment building towering twenty stories tall. “Who lives here?”
“You will, if you like it. Do you?”
“What’s not to like. This place has been written up in the papers and talked about on TV since they started work on it. I didn’t know it was open yet.”
“You would be the first one to move in. Want to have a look-see?”
“Can’t wait.”
“Sure you can. Patience is a virtue. Just kidding. I have a key; are you ready to go?”
The lobby door was locked, and the man opened it. They walked through the reception area to the elevators, got in a waiting car, and were whisked away to the top floor.
“By the way, I don’t think I caught your name,” George said as they walked toward the double doors of one of the penthouse units.
“You may call me Lew. You comfortable with that?”
“Okay, Lew. I must say you mystify me, but so far I like your style.”
“Shall we go inside?” Lew unlocked the doors and flung them open revealing an already furnished, perfectly decorated apartment of enormous proportions.
“Did you say I can move into this place if I like it?” George ran from room to room unable to believe what he was seeing. “Pinch me. I must be dreaming.”
“To the contrary, isn’t this is the reality you wished for?”
“I only wished for the girl.”
“But you knew you didn’t have what was needed to impress her. Don’t you see this can help your wish come true?”
“She’s sure to like this place. But what about clothes and a car...”
“And money?”
“Yes, and money.”
“George, you will have it all. Whatever is needed in order to get what you want will be yours. All you have to do to make a wish come true is to ask for it. Do you understand?”
“I can never pay for the things I want.”
“You’ll pay for all these excesses. Believe me you’ll pay. Are you willing to come to me and ask?”
“But you know I don’t have any money.”
“There’s more than one way to pay. But don’t worry about that now. Life is short, so enjoy it while you can. After all, eternity is forever. And you wouldn’t want to live the way you were forever, would you?”
“Sometimes you say things that take the wind out of a guy’s sails.”
“Sorry. I was just thinking out loud. Oh, about the money. Have you opened the safe in the master bedroom?”
“No. I didn’t know there was a safe there.”
“No one ever told you that fancy places like this always have safes?”
“Where? I don’t see one.” George surveyed the room.
“Where would you look? Behind the picture?”
“Right.” He swung the painting, which was on a hinge, from the wall. It was locked. “Do you know the combination?”
“Certainly. Six to the right. Then six to the left. And right again to six. Got it?”
“There must be fifty grand in here,” George said as the contents of the safe spilled onto the floor. He sat down and began to count his new-found stash.
“You can count it later. Put it back. Do you want to go out and buy a new wardrobe?”
George did not question his good fortune. He was afraid it might all disappear if he did. So he blindly followed Lew hoping everything would work out to his satisfaction and there was a rational explanation for all that was happening so quickly. He would deal with it later. Right now, he wanted to get everything he could.
After returning from the shopping spree Lew helped George take the packages to the apartment. They stacked the bundles in the bedroom. George took a moment to open the safe to check on the money. It was still there.
“I must be getting on,” Lew said. “Guess you want to unwind and soak in your new surroundings?”
“Don’t go. When will I see you again? I might need something else. I mean, do you have a number I can call?”
“I’ll contact you when I need you or when I feel you need me. By the way, I could see you really enjoyed driving the Cadillac. Would you like the keys?” Lew tossed them to George, who was almost giddy with excitement.
“Gee, Thanks. Can I drop you off someplace?”
“That won’t be necessary. Have a good time. You’ll be sure to think about me if you need something?”
George took the money from the safe and was about to start counting it when the phone on the nightstand rang.
“Hello, this is George.”
“Hi, this is Pattie, the girl you met at the bar this afternoon.”
“How did you get my number? I don’t even know my number.”
“I found a piece of paper in my purse. Your name and this number were on it, so I called to see if you wanted to get together. How about tonight?”
With this latest development, George dismissed the question of how she could possibly have his phone number. He didn’t know about the apartment when they spoke in the bar. George felt something was wrong with the picture but was not capable of determining what or why. All that mattered was she wanted to be with him.
“Give me your address. I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“Better if we meet somewhere. You familiar with La Chateau?”
“Certainly.” The restaurant was known for good food and high prices. George had never been there, but he would not admit that to her. He tried to act sophisticated but knew he was falling short. Maybe a pocket full of money would offset his clumsiness. “See you there at eight.”
George arrived at the restaurant early. He checked to be sure the reservations he called in were recorded and selected a banquette booth so he c
ould be next to instead of across the table from this beautiful woman. It cost him a twenty dollar tip but was worth it.
“How ironic,” George thought. “Earlier today I was down to my last twenty. Now I’m tipping that much just to get the table I want so I can pay big bucks for dinner. Life is funny as much as it is strange.”
He took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. Pattie got there a few minutes later and said, “Give me what he’s having.”
“How has your day been?” he asked.
“Nothing spectacular. That is except for meeting you.”
“You sure know how to make a guy feel good.”
“I have a lot more ways than that to give pleasure to the right man.”
“What kind of work do you do?” George was afraid to pick up on her line. He was poor at small-talk but was trying his best to engage in proper conversation before letting his lust for her take over.
“It’s not worth talking about. I’m more interested in learning all about you.” She smiled and focused on him.
George was at a loss for words. His past was pathetic. He had become a man of some means just hours ago. And he did not have an inkling of what the future may hold. As he was about to attempt to struggle through some made-up story, the hostess came to take them to the table. This allowed George a couple of minutes to fabricate a more plausible yarn about how great he is and why she should consider sleeping with him.
“I inherited my money,” George said once they were seated in the magnificent main dining room. It was decorated in a manner that would have made Louis XIV proud. “Right now I’m looking for possible investments. It keeps me busy.”
He was proud how he kept his story vague by underplaying his success. But once he let it be known that he was among the first to move into the prestigious building and in the penthouse, no less, she accepted him as the real deal. Over dessert and coffee George decided to make his move.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Where did that question come from?” she replied.
“Well, I can’t help but believe that a lovely woman like you is sought after by many men. Which is why I asked are you seeing someone?”
“Guess a direct question deserves a direct answer. I had the same boyfriend for a long time, but the relationship is winding down. Here’s where things get complicated. He won’t accept the fact that it’s over and we need to go our separate ways.”