The Sultan and the Beggar P1

Depressing; The only word that could best describe this past week. Gloomy was too dramatic, discouraging wasn't strong enough of a word; dismal is only something authors write in novels to sound impressive. Depressing fit, if only to be properly paired with the following word; Bankrupt.  David Lawrence was going bankrupt for two reasons; his business was going downhill and his wife was divorcing him. The former was accredited to the economy, banks refusing lending capitol, stock holders pulling out but his wife; the woman he had been married to for 11 years.  that was a punch in the gut. He leaned over on his lazy chair to pick up the photo of them at the last year's office Christmas party. Ravishing; her blonde hair pulled to the side from the pony tail affixed from the back top of her head. The familiar retro bouffant puff made with her bangs revealed the little secret that the curtains didn't match the carpet. He wasn't sure what her fixation with being blonde was, the reason he began dating her was for her brunette locks. The photo had caught her laughing at a joke he had made, the memory curled his mouth into a smile. She had been depressed for a few years now. When they started dating he had mentioned that he wasn't interested in having children. It seemed perfect that she shared the same view. The process was too messy, the aggravation too much hassle, plus the cost and then adding to the overpopulation of humanity seemed rather irrational. It was perfect, she was perfect. Until 4 years ago, when nature decided to intervene with its pre-programmed database. The choice was easy when there was a choice, but as she approached 40 and the clock started to wine down. The thought of not having the choice anymore made her anxious to choose again. They fought but it was in vain; he knew she wouldn't give up. He loved her stubbornness but only when it came to decisions that affected her career and their business. So he compromised on adopting, but that was only a temporary band aid for the discussion. Her decision wasn't emotional, it was biological. The only solution viable was birthing. So they tried, and tried and tried. Finally after a much provoked test result, they realized that the only way to get her pregnant was through In Vitro, test tubes or a Petri dish rather. It worked. She was pregnant in two weeks and the baby was healthy…at least for the first trimester. He knew she blamed him. Whether it was because he was stalling, or for being infertile it didn't matter. She was grief stricken and there was nothing he could do to pull her out of it or so he thought.

Looking again at the photo, her head was thrown back and her teeth were accentuating the gleam in her eyes. She was happy, happier than she had been at least.  Her bright red dress snugged her curves and came to a halt at the mid of her thighs. A bit revealing for a Christmas party but she was in a good mood and he wasn't going to interfere with that.  The familiar gleam in her eyes that  …."wait a minute...". Leaning forward David brought the photo closer for examination. In the photo he was standing next to her, his eyes fixated on her smile but hers, hers were leaned away from him towards….

"That Bitch!"

 Glass shattered as the frame hit the wall, landing beside the home entertainment. "Fucking cunt!" The insults started flowing, as the logic took place and the puzzle fell together. "No wonder!"  Blood began racing to his face. "I need a drink." Rising from the lazy-boy David marched over to the private bar in the butler's pantry and pulled out his favorite scotch.  Short from drinking straight from the bottle he downs several drinks before he is able to relax his face and take a breath. His gaze blurs as the alcohol takes effect, the all too familiar numb feeling  creeping over his face. "She knew all along, she knew" The despondent emails, the distant looks, the all too quick phone calls and then suddenly….. David took it as a good sign, thinking that all the hoops he had been jumping through were finally paying off; the couples therapy, the grief counseling, even the ridiculous retreat in Hawaii. But now he knew the cause of her happiness.  "Whore" he jeered. "Women are soo damn dunning."  Cunning; that was his intended word but the next stage of drunkenness had begun.

The door whined open, distracting his attention for just a moment as two long legs walked in staged upon some elevated black heals. The double bounce in her step, an extra sway in her hips moved her torso in that seductive way he usually found appealing. "What" he barked. Her feet stopped, the black dress kept going.  Her eyes enveloped the situation.

You're drunk.

 Thank you Capt'n ob-ious

Wh-?

Why the fuck not?! 

I'm not spending time with you when you're drunk, you know we-

“I know what!” The glare seeped through the corner of his eye before he faced her; I know you women are alwaysss conniving, plotting againsst uhs.

Her eyes rolled into aggravation, her defense against the trembling she felt.  This again? Can't you just let it go?

Let it go? I jus dis-cuvord my wife haf been chea-ing on me since last Chrss-mas, an’ you wan’ me to let, it go?!!

So?! You are too! He was too blind to see how that fact affected her, too blind and too drunk.

That's different!

She paused.

--h-how….h, the tears were choking her words, is this different?  There was truth approaching and she was unprepared; swallowing was her only line of defense.

Because, my dear Danielle.  The scotch infected every cell of every organ and took over like a master to a marionette.  His blind rage now had a target and she was in his crosshairs.

I was never. Ever. Going to leave her. Not for anyone, and especially not for YOU. His cockiness propelled the verbal daggers, slicing up every ounce of will power she contained. The tears exploded as did the sobs. The only ounce of strength she had was used to keep from falling to her knees.

Now…he growled in a whisper, get out-slut. For a moment Danielle was frozen in place until she saw the scotch glass hurling towards her face. She ducked, but not far enough to avoid the heavy corner of the base bouncing off her head and shattering on the wall. Fear kicked up the survival instinct as she ran for the door.

Another Bitch deserts me.

David returns to the bar grabbing another glass. The last clear memory he had of that night.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got it I got it!!!  Christopher was still glowing that night as he was sitting at the bar with a drink in one hand and a companion in the other. He couldn't afford her but thanks to his looks and good natured magnetism she found herself temporarily enjoying his celebration of one. However at this point he was using her more for a support than an ornament.

I got it baby, I got the job! Maybe in a year I'll be able to properly take you out on the town and paint it red.

A year? Her coy smile poked the little bit of his ego that wasn't swimming in alcohol.

N-no. s-sixx monthssss an' I'll buy you a nicce dressssssss. His eyelids drooped leading the progressing direction of his body heading towards the floor. She grabbed him but rather than keep him from becoming intimate with the floor she managed to allow him to keep an arm’s length relationship with it. He awoke sitting on the wooden planks her arms wrapped around his chest, laughing. That was a closs’ one Charleeeen! Thaaanks!

I think it's time for you to head home sweetheart. The downward angle of her torso gave him full view of what he couldn't afford her breasts only inches from his nose. The seduction made him agreeable.

You the’nk?

Yes. Paul will you call a cab for him? The bartender was already on the phone and nodded his acknowledgement.

Let's get you some water sweetie.

OK!

Fifteen minutes later Charlene walked back into the bar after helping Christopher into his cab and waved goodbye.

Paul lifted an eyebrow, "Feeling a bit-charitable there?"

Relax Paul, he didn't leave me hanging. She raises her hand with three twenty dollar bills.

"oh my mistake, pity is the word."

“Hey! A quick glare before she pulls out a thoughtful smile, he's a sweet kid besides that's how I got my start hanging on the arms of successful men; At least before they wanted more.”

“Well, I hope this one comes back for yah. Maybe he's that charming prince you've been wishing for. Yah know the one to make your Cinderella dreams come true." Paul tosses a quick wink before returning his focus to cleaning the wine glass.

“Those dreams are for starter girls Paul. I'm too experienced for that“.  Charlene places her chin gently upon the back of her wrist as her eyes wander through the empty bar.

“Still, you're too beautiful to be left to grow old alone”.

“I'm also too smart to be doing tricks”.  She exhales into a long sigh.

“Here let's have a drink ...on me”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Mr. Lawrence, sir… Sir”.

Benjamin was leaning over as David was lying on the cold granite floor. While in better shape than his boss, Benjamin could only assist David in walking himself to bed. Carrying him was more suited to men half his age, if they cared enough.

“Mr. Lawrence, please get up. The cold floor isn't befitting for a man of your stature”. The moan emanating from the motionless body let the butler know there was life still inside. “Come sir, let's put you to bed. I've already arranged to have your appointments rescheduled”.

Benjamin helped David up and assisted the limping CEO to the neighboring guest room. Once the confined garments were removed and the sheets rolled on top, Benjamin began to make his leave. "Ben" the muffled noise sounded like a whine than a request.

Yes sir.

Danielle.

“Yes, I've made arrangements to have Ms. Danielle receive her favorite bouquet of flowers this afternoon with a letter of apology”.

The body rolled over in response.

“Sir”.  The door clicked and left the drunk to sleep off his ailment.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Smile! The lady behind the security podium pressed the enter key on the keyboard and a flash lit Christopher's face. Walking over to the desk he tried to blink away the black circle that was now obstructing his view from the pretty security clerk. Or at least pretty from what he remembered. Here ya go! She handed him his id card and recited the procedures of use & precautions as a well trained monkey would. He gave his polite response and began heading towards the metal detectors excited to begin his training at the biggest company he had ever worked for.

“Wait.”

Hearing the command of authority he froze. “I-is something wrong?”

“I just thought you should know, you ...look like him”. She blushed before turning her head towards her monitor.

“Like who?” He was puzzled; no one had ever told him he looked like a celebrity before. The thought excited him. Getting closer to the desk he prodded. “Who do I look like?”

The red crept up the sides of her cheeks and was crossing the bridge of her nose, it was cute. “L-Like David Lawrence… The CEO?”

Stunned he didn't know how to take the compliment as he wasn't sure he had ever seen a picture of the CEO. But judging by the reaction of the girl in front of him it was a good thing.  “Thank you.”  He winked. Her lips pressed against her teeth into a bright smile. Christopher tucked away the thought that he might have to ask her out. Someday, after he’s gone up a few rungs on the ladder of course.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a sick day. David never took many sick days, even when he decided to be home bound he was still in contact with the company through emails and his assistant. The throbbing in his head kept the thoughts at bay and the pain in his stomach kept him from going anywhere. Instead he was sitting on the guest bed, eating crepes in front of the tv, with the volume on low.  It was pleasant, the birds gently chirping outside, soft ambient light floated throughout the room. Ben walked through the open door. “Sir your coffee, how are the crepes?”

 Delicious Ben, is this a new recipe?

No sir, we ran out of butter so I improvised and used coconut oil.

Wonderful Ben, you should try that with a few more recipes; that might cut down on my waistline too.

Very good sir.

Have you seen this show Ben?

Sir?

It's called "Secret Boss".

Unfortunately sir, I have not. However I have heard the girls talk about it and they say it's splendid.

Ah, it's hilarious. These dim-wits dress up as their employees, working next to them and doing the same work they do.

“Yes sir, hilarious.” With David’s attention fixated on the TV. Ben rolled his eyes in dismay.

It's incredulous that these CEOs give their workers so much money after going through what they do. They should turn it around and have the workers spend a day in our shoes. Then they might quit complaining about how much crap they have to deal with.

David slowly put his fork down.

“That's it.”

Sir?

I should do that; I should have one of those lazy asses that work in my company walk in my shoes for a day and watch as they squirm under the pressure. I doubt they would last an hour with my workload.

I'll call the stockholders.

No, no Ben. That won't be necessary.

How else will you be able to allow another person work in your place sir?

I'll think of something. But keep that in mind. I've enjoyed today, and I could use a few more like it. Just keep it a secret. I don't want anyone knowing about it. The media is already having a field day with my divorce; those hungry vultures can starve for all I care.

Sir.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deliverer of secrets, protector of deadlines he is…..

Christopher!

“Y-yes?” Christopher's attention was blinked to the man standing next to his cart.

“That's your name right?” The man touched the security id tag hanging on Christopher's shirt.

Yes sir.

You are early with the mail.

Yes.

You're also a dreamer I see.

I-uh..yeah.

So was the last guy….

Christopher winced at the notion that he was already being compared to the previous mail clerk, the one that was fired.

 I-I uh.

“Listen”, the man in the grey suit leaned forward. “Being early is a pro, you keep that con in check and you're already ahead of that other guy.”

Christopher grinned, he could feel the tightness of his collar cling to his skin. “Thanks.”

The man reached out his hand, “Name's Robert. I can give you advice but you screw up and you're on your own. “

Christopher took his hand and gave a firm shake. “Thank you. Any help is appreciated.”

“First job after flipping burgers, huh?”

Stunned, Christopher blinked. “How'd…..”

Your shirt, it has some oil stains near the buttons. You might want to get that fixed if you want to climb the ladder here.

Y-yes! Of course.

Robert smiled a chuckle,  “Have a good day Christopher.”

Christopher pulled his shirt out to take a better look and there it was; a discolored spot next to the button.  Miffed he started pushing the cart forward and continued his rounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

His eyes were dry. It had been almost 3 minutes since David had blinked. Though what he was looking at was too coincidental to look away. There on the monitor was a security profile of a new employee that looked identical to him. Younger, more physically adept but then again 20 years ago he was coming out of college so he too would have looked as lean. No question. This kid could have been him….or his son. David leaned back his eyes bathing in moisture as he looked through his memory to be sure that wasn't the case. Well, if he had fathered a son it was too late to claim child support now!

Then it happened. That light came on and the feeling of shock transformed into a state of glee. This was his ticket! This was the answer David had been looking for to set up his experiment. He reached over to his phone and pressed the redial button. "Ben! I've got good news, I've found a way to get around the red tape."