Road to Casablanca

by Leah Leonard

  “Can you take her to the airport?”

  “Yes, and I can also….”

  “Fine.”

  Lovemore gathered up the paperwork and wasted no time in saying goodbye.

  “Cindy, you’ve made an incredibly wise decision for your future and I hope you know how pleased I am to serve you.”

  Cindy shook Diana Lovemore’s icy fingers and smiled, watching her walk toward the escalator, where she was supposedly rushing to catch the next flight back to Los Angeles.

  “You sure are important today, Miss Cindy. How does it feel to be the center of attention for once?”

  “Not bad, actually. Not bad at all.”

  Back at the office, Cindy was shocked to see her boss standing outside her cracked office door, a piece of printed computer paper in his hand and a rather stern look on his face.

  “Cindy?”

  “Yes?”

  “I was looking for you and the file you prepared for tomorrow’s hearing when I found this.”

  Cindy tried to hide her shock as she looked at the copy of the letter she printed out for Victoria. I thought she said nobody would ever see this. I’m going to kill her!

  “Uh…yes. I’m glad you brought that up, actually. It looks like I’m going to need next week off.”

  Chapter Four

  Erick stared out his office window watching the sunset over the stunning San Fernando Valley.

  Gritting his teeth and clenching his fist around the telephone receiver still in its cradle, Erick snapped it up the split second it rang.

  “Redmund.”

  “Mr. Redmund, we need to leave in just a few minutes if you’re going to make it to the airport on time.”

  Erick’s stomach sank as he heard the comfortingly familiar voice of his long-time assistant. Why hadn’t Lovemore called yet?

  “Yes, Gloria, I realize that.”

  “I just wanted to remind you…”

  “You were able to get my plane booked, correct?”

  “Yes, sir, of course.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Do you want me to send for the car?”

  “Give it another fifteen minutes, okay?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “And Gloria?”

  “Yes?”

  “As soon as that call comes through….”

  “I understand and I will buzz you right away.”

  “Thanks. Did you get the proposals ready?”

  “Yesterday.”

  “Good, and they’re packed?”

  “All packed.”

  “Very good. Thanks.”

  “My pleasure, sir. Anything else?”

  “No, just keep me posted.”

  “Will do.”

  He began to pace in front of the view, finally parking himself in front of his wet bar, where he helped himself to a much-needed scotch on the rocks. If this doesn’t come though, it could ruin the whole deal.

  Scotch in hand, he took a long, slow sip, allowing the burning sensation to wash completely through his gullet and settle in the pit of his stomach where it finally began to ease his tension. At this point, and on such short notice, Diana Lovemore was the only person he knew of who could help alleviate his anxiety.

  But where was she?

  The phone rang again and Erick ran to grab it.

  “Yes?”

  “Gloria here.”

  “Is she on the line?”

  “No, sir, I wanted to come in and go over your itinerary one last time before I call the driver, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course, but get Lovemore Agency on the line first, will you?”

  “I already called not even a minute ago. They said she still hasn’t come in yet. I’ll be sure to tell you when….”

  “Okay. Come on in and let’s go ahead and get those details finalized.”

  Erick pulled a check from his top desk drawer and handed it to Gloria as soon as she walked in to the office.

  “Oh, my! What is this for?”

  “You’ll be handling many things while I’m away, and I wanted you to have a little something extra. A sort of thank you in advance.”

  “Mr. Redmund, I couldn’t…”

  “Yes, you could.”

  Erick watched her blush slightly and tuck the check neatly in the pocket of her suit jacket, which pleased him. The affairs he was about to engage in required the utmost secrecy and discretion and he wanted to guarantee that from his long-time assistant. Although she had never given him any reason to doubt her or her integrity, a little something extra surely wouldn’t hurt.

  “Here is a copy of your itinerary. Just let me know if it changes. Here is your passport, and a list of meetings you have scheduled for next week.”

  “I won’t be back until the middle of next week.”

  “Yes, sir, I scheduled everything for Thursday and Friday.”

  “Thank you. Then I guess that’s all for now, other than my phone call.”

  Gloria turned to go, a concerned look on her face.

  “I know you wanted to wait, but I need to call the driver now if he’s going to make it on time.”

  Erick nodded and felt his jaw tighten again.

  “Go ahead, and close the door behind you.”

  Erick tipped back his scotch and was on his way to grab a second when the office door suddenly burst open.

  “Dad? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to talk about this.” Forrest Redmund slapped the latest issue of the National Enquirer down on Erick’s desk.

  “The National Enquirer? What does that have to do with me?”

  “Take a closer look, son.”

  Erick picked it up, amazed to see he made the front cover and even more stunned by the headline:

  Millionaire Playboy Beds Porn Star at Local Love Nest

  Erick laughed heartily and handed the paper back to his father, who looked at him through squinted eyes, his mouth turned down in a frown Erick recalled from childhood and which had lost its menacing effect long ago.

  “Dad, you don’t believe everything you read in these rags, do you?”

  Erick poured himself a drink and offered another to his father, who pushed it away.

  “I don’t want that, Erick. What I want is for you to clean up your act.”

  “Dad, Candy is not a porn star. She’s a model. Big difference. Besides, we’re just friends.”

  “I don’t care what you are or who the little bimbo is, Erick! What I do care about is the future of the company I built with my bare hands and the dozens of calls I’ve received since board members saw the brazen byproducts of your latest exploits while waiting in line at their local grocery stores!”

  “Dad….”

  “Erick! I want you to get rid of these bimbos and find yourself a decent woman, do you understand?”

  “You can’t make me…”

  “I can disinherit you.”

  Erick looked at the man who raised him with disgust and wondered how they could possibly be related.

  “You’ve got to be kidding. What has gotten into you, Dad?”

  The phone rang and Erick raced to pick it up before his father could reply.

  “Redmund.”

  “I have Ms. Diana Lovemore on the line, sir.”

  “Thanks, Gloria, put her through.”

  Erick motioned for his father to take a seat, happy to see the old man obey.

  “Ms. Lovemore. What news do you have for me?”

  “I flew to Dallas this morning and met with the young woman I told you about and I’m pleased to say she is available for the dates you requested, providing you agree to your original stipulations of salary and wardrobe requirements.”

  Erick looked over at his father who was busy reading an article about a Florida woman giving birth to a sea monster.

  “Yes, that all sounds wonderful. I assume that means she will be leaving Saturday to arrive Sunday?”

  “Absolutely. I have her passport ordered and her ride to the airport
arranged. She will be there on schedule.”

  “Very good. I can’t tell you what a lifesaver you’ve been. Thank you for your call, Ms. Lovemore. Goodbye.”

  Erick hung up the phone, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Dad?”

  Forrest Redmund put down the paper and stared gravely into his son’s eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “I think I just found the solution to all our problems.”

  “How could that be?”

  “I think I finally found the perfect woman, the kind of lady who will make you and everyone on the Board satisfied once in for all.”

  “You better find something, Erick, or mark my words, there will be trouble in paradise.”

  Erick laughed again despite the fact he knew how much it irritated his father.

  “Dad, trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

  “What do you mean, son?”

  “That was my travel agent on the phone. I met a wonderful woman from Dallas and she’s agreed to go with me on the trip to Morocco.”

  “If she’s like this other….”

  “Dad, she is the nicest girl in the world. Grew up on a farm in Iowa. She’s everything you and I hoped for.”

  Forrest scowled at his son and Erick knew he was going to have to lay it on thick for his father to buy it.

  “Dad, you think I like being fodder for the tabloids? I don’t. I want to meet someone special, but as you know, it’s tough to do. I’m as sick of these Hollywood starlets as you are.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Of course, Dad! And Cindy is the most wholesome, wonderful girl I’ve ever met. I know you’ll approve.”

  “That is wonderful, son. If what you say is true, then I assume you’ll prove it to me.”

  “I will prove it; just tell me how.”

  “I want you to be married by year’s end.”

  “What? Are you crazy?”

  “The board is gravely concerned about our stock price, and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.”

  “What does that have to do with my getting married?”

  “Everything. We discussed it and everyone would feel more comfortable if you were married when I step down and hand the reins over to you.”

  “Yeah, but that won’t be for at least….”

  “That’s one of the things I wanted to tell you today, son. I’m retiring at year’s end. You need to find yourself a decent, respectable wife, or I’m afraid the board might have other plans for the company after I leave.”

  Erick felt like he’d been kicked in the stomach, and at the same time realized that his ventures overseas could not have come at a better time.

  “Dad, I promise that I am seeing a new and wonderful woman. I cannot reasonably promise to marry her by year’s end. That is ludicrous.”

  “When you get home, Erick, I will expect us all to meet for dinner.”

  Startled by a loud knock at the door, Erick turned away.

  “Sir? The driver is here.”

  “Sorry, dad, but I’ve gotta run. I’ll be home in a little over a week.”

  “You better take care of this, son. I don’t want to have to explain something like this to the board again. Ever.”

  “Fine, dad. Now go home and have yourself a drink and a nice round of golf or two, will ya? Everything is fine.”

  The driver took the bags to the car, and Erick smiled, filled with anticipation of what was to come.

  The next time I sit in this office behind this desk and look out over the Hollywood Hills, I’ll be Erick Redmund, Film Producer extraordinaire.

  Chapter Five

  “Hello, Mom? It’s Cindy.”

  “Hi. You’re up awfully early. What is going on?”

  Cindy realized she would have to tell her parents about her plans to leave the country, and she conveniently waited until the last possible moment to do so.

  “I am going on a trip out of the country and I will be back in a week.”

  “What? Where are you going?”

  “To Morocco.”

  “Morocco? Where is that?”

  “It’s in Africa, mom.”

  “Who are you going with and when will you be back?”

  “I am leaving in a few minutes. It’s a…business trip, I guess you’d call it. I’ll be back on Sunday.”

  “Are you sure it’s safe? You’re worrying me here.”

  Cindy looked out her window and saw Victoria’s sports car in her driveway and heard her repeatedly honking her horn.

  “Mom, I love you and there is nothing to worry about. My ride is here and I have to go now. Victoria has your numbers and I will call you as soon as I get home, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Bye, Mom.”

  An urgent rush of adrenaline filled Cindy as she heard the doorbell ring.

  “Coming.”

  “Hey, you! Are you ready for the time of your life?”

  Victoria immediately grabbed Cindy’s bags while Cindy kissed her cat and locked up. In moments, they were racing away from her house to the airport.

  Victoria hit the gas pedal so hard, Cindy instinctively reached up and held the handle above the passenger’s seat in a white-knuckled . Her initial excitement began to melt away, to be replaced by growing anxiety and fear that sat like a lump of coal in the pit of her stomach.

  “Why do I have to go today?”

  “Because it’s a long flight and you won’t make it on time if you don’t.”

  “But it’s only Friday.”

  “Hey, you don’t have to hold on so tight, you know. That’s what the seatbelt is for. Plus, I’m an excellent driver.”

  Cindy released her hand and placed both on the glove compartment handle instead, holding just as tightly, if not more so.

  “I don’t understand how the flight could be so long. We’re only going to Africa.”

  “Uh, hello! It is on the other side of the world, you know.”

  “I realize that. I’m just worried about the flight, that’s all.”

  “You never did explain how you became so fearful of air travel. I thought you grew up on a farm.”

  “I did.”

  “Then what’s the problem? This is a new experience, right? You ought to be looking forward to it.”

  Cindy shook her head as the knot in her stomach twisted into a tight ball just thinking about her first and only flight.

  “I flew to Dallas a couple years ago for my interview with the firm.”

  “From Iowa? And?”

  “And I hated it. I got sick and I was so embarrassed; it was just awful.”

  Victoria laughed and slammed on the brakes at a stoplight. Cindy was glad she was holding on with both hands.

  “So you got a little sick once a long time ago, who cares?”

  “It wasn’t a little sick and it was embarrassing. I don’t do well at high altitudes.”

  “Well you’re going to be stuck up there for several hours, you know.”

  Cindy cringed at the thought of it.

  “Yes, I realize that.”

  “Good news is if you get sick, you’ll drop a couple pounds before you land, so you can eat more exotic food when you get there.”

  “Speaking of sick, you are so sick and wrong, you know that?”

  Laughing so loud it nearly rattled the windows, Victoria screeched away from the light and Cindy tightened her hold on the dash.

  “The more I think about you traipsing off to Africa with a super millionaire hunk, the more jealous I am! Do you even have any idea how lucky you are?”

  “Uh…first off, who said he was a millionaire?”

  “Oh, come on, Cindy! All these guys are, from what I could tell. You are going to be the envy of all who know you. I’ve never been that far from home before. This is the chance of a lifetime. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

  “Believe me, you’ll be the first to know.”

  “I wish I was going.”

  “That makes two of us. Why don�
��t you? That sounds like a great idea to me. Just go in my place! It’s not too late, you know.”

  “First off, the guy wanted you badly enough to send the owner of the company out here personally to sign you up, and second, I hope I don’t need to remind you that it’s illegal to impersonate people on an airline.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Cindy thought about the morning she pushed the button on her computer and set this entire plan into motion and she realized that now she would have to follow through, no matter how terrorizing or uncomfortable it seemed.

  “For once, I want to live vicariously through you instead of the other way around.”

  The car came to a dead stop in front of the gate and Cindy knew the moment of truth had arrived. She felt like she was being thrown to the wolves, only worse.

  “I guess this is it.”

  “This is it – the most exciting day of the rest of your life!”

  The trunk popped open and Victoria stepped out of the car to retrieve Cindy’s bags. When Cindy looked at her friend, the lump in her throat grew larger and big tears splashed from the corners of her eyes onto her new jacket.

  “Can you come in with me?”

  “I can for a second to help you haul this big thing in, but I don’t want my car to be gone when I get back.”

  They hurried into the passenger check-in area. Victoria left Cindy’s bag in the long line, and gave her a hug. Cindy felt her last connection to the outer world slipping swiftly away.

  “Bye.”

  “Bye, Cindy. Have a super trip, and do everything I would do, okay?”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  “That will pretty much leave you open for anything, you know that, right?”

  Cindy nodded, having trouble breathing as her stomach tied itself up in a knot.

  “You brought a novel to read, right?”

  “Yes; a few, actually.”

  “Just put your nose in your book and pretend you’re on a big bus headed someplace…..a really big bus that just happens to be thirty some thousand feet in the air, no big deal.”

  Victoria laughed and patted Cindy on the back, causing her stomach to gurgle and a wave of nausea to wash over her.

  “That’s not funny. You have my parents’ number, just in case, right?”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you, Cindy. You will be just fine. I know you’ll come back all glamorous with a new wardrobe and who knows what else. It’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime, lucky dog.”