The Sultan and the Beggar pt 4.

Benjamin hung up the phone, apparently David found his new set of tapes not nearly as funny as the last batch. Two days before:

                The room smelled of urine as Benjamin entered. David was leaning over breathing in a high pitched squeal as the air fizzled out of his lungs. He had been laughing and was now trying to catch his breath.

                 "Something funny sir?" remarked Benjamin.

                "This-This is hilarious. Watch. Watch." David clicked the mouse on the computer screen that rewound the security recording of the foyer in his mansion. The image showed Christopher on the right side of the screen standing before the front door just as a woman in red knees him in the groin. Benjamin's eyes widened as a sickly lump formed in both his stomach & throat. David howled in laughter, clenching one arm around his waist as the other slapped the table. "That's fucking hilarious!" he roared.

"yes sir, indeed a knee slapper" Benjamin's dry throat forced out the words. If seeing the poor boy get assaulted by his ex-wife was this funny, Benjamin wondered how he would feel knowing the boy had his way with Danielle. Silently Benjamin blessed whatever god was in control that there were no security camera in the bedrooms. David's laughter subsided with a sigh as he wiped a tear from his eye.

                "Lunch is ready sir." Benjamin interrupted; his own eyes were beginning to tear up as the ammonia was ravaging his nostrils.

                "oh, ok. Save this, don't erase this, I will need a good laugh every now and then." David paused, "It's too bad I have a terrible poker face, otherwise I'd sue the bitch for assault with this evidence." David stood.       "You did good Bennie. The kid is back in his place then?"

                "I had him drugged as you insisted sir." replied Benjamin.

                David nodded as a huge smile took up most of his face and walked out of the office in his hotel suite.

                Benjamin shook his head as he looked at the frozen image of the boy lying on the ground in pain. "Poor kid" Benjamin felt a deep sorrow for Christopher as he knew the boy would be distraught if not at least confused at the whole encounter. When the boy had woken up in the mansion he was terribly lost, Benjamin had thought he was going to panic or hyperventilate.  Benjamin turned to leave the room himself before something else caught his eye, a figure in the top left corner of the screen. "Danielle" He sighed, and pressed play on the keyboard. As the scene played out Benjamin felt the lump in his stomach grow. He took a deep breath, pressed rewind, stopped just after the front door closed and clicked erase.

                Two days later Benjamin was cursing himself for not reviewing the tapes before handing them over. But he surely didn’t expect this to happen.

No, NO! That’s it! I’m done with this! He yelled. That kid’s gone far enough!  Fucking my slut assistant was pushing it but sleeping with my wife?! Bastard’s gone too far!  I’m ending this! David threw down his scotch and got up from his chair where he was watching the recorded video tapes of his house and office.  Down in the Lobby he dialed his butler at home. Bennie, get dressed and meet me at my house, I’m getting rid of that kid for good. No, that bastard slept with my wife. I can undo the damage he did to my company but sleeping with my wife, that’s my business and no one else’s.  He what!? The divorce is finalized? I’m gonna kill him! With that David hung up on Benjamin and hailed a taxi.

                During the ride to his house David had plenty of time to plot out his revenge on Christopher. “That punk is going to pay” David called Benjamin again. “Bennie are you here? Good I need you to get into the garage and get me a few items, don’t ask questions. I need you to get some rope and some duct tape. Yes, I’m going to make sure that bastard doesn’t ever touch another woman again. Hell I might even castrate him,” Heading towards his front door, punching in the codes for the alarm David carefully closed the door behind him, not wanting to alert the visitor that had worn out his welcome. David took the servant’s hidden hallway behind the stairs, through the kitchen and up a staircase that opened up into the hallway.  Taking a few steps he pushed in a wooden lever in the chair rail and popped open a secret door that lead into a secret room. Feeling the wall he ran his fingers across a couple of bumps and lifted out eyes belonging to the painting on the other side of the fake wall, leaving two peep holes.  David looked into the room searching for Christopher. He could hear moans. A woman’s cries and a man’s grunt, “Horny bastard is at it again, if it’s my wife I’ll just kill him now” David started feeling for the lever that would turn the fake wall into another door when he saw movement.  In the corner of the room on an easy chair a woman with brown hair was grinding her hips on the lap of what David assumed was Christopher.  “Well, at least he’ll live to experience his torture.”  David’s hand fell from the lever. The moaning from the next room was erotic and tingled David’s member.

                ”OH Chris, Oh Danielle!” The hot groaning, even the creaking of the chair were elements of a perfect porno. David decided to give himself a release since he had worked himself up so much. “Who knows, maybe it will help me shoot straight”, David whispered with a chuckle. He unbuckled his pants and reached for himself, stroking at the sight of Danielle’s ass spread across Christopher’s lap.

Christopher grabbed her ass and squeezed before picking her up. She stood while he pulled himself out. “Done already” David whimpered, as he watched Danielle turn around and bend over. “Shit, I didn’t know she liked that position.”  David had a full view of Danielle’s breasts as Christopher pumped her from behind. Bouncing and waving at him, David got harder as he stroked his cock. “Yea baby, when all of this is done I’m gonna fuck you from behind just like that, only harder.” 

                David watched as Christopher reached around and grabbed Danielle’s tits squeezing and pulling her up to stand. She lifted one leg up and rested it on the coffee table in front of her. He reached around placing one nipple in his mouth while his free hand reached down between her thighs and began stroking her wet lips below. Danielle moaned louder and louder, she screamed when his finger rolled over her clit. Over and over again, his finger ran back and forth bringing her to a climax as she threw her head back screaming and her legs squeezed together, hips thrusting. Christopher removed his other hand from her tit and grabbed her waist to keep her from falling over.  He removed the hand from her clit before she was finished, leaving her unsatisfied. He slapped her ass in mid air as she yelped. He did it again and again, smacking the clean skin making soft pink marks on her tush. With the last slap he rubbed her thigh and slid his hand back up her torso, massaging the breast that was overflowing in his hand. He leaned his head down kissing her neck, sucking, nibbling, bringing her to a new arousal. He placed her nipple back inside his mouth and sucked; she yelled as she became even wetter than before. Christopher slid his hand back down between her thighs and pinched her clitoris. Her yells became screams. He began rubbing, and rubbing again. Back and forth, across, around until Danielle squeezed his member with her vagina walls and erupted. “OH god I’m coming!!” OH! She screamed while Christopher thrusted his member inside allowing himself enough pleasure to come with his lover.

                Then there was silence. Silence that is, in the room that Christopher and Danielle were in. In the tiny hidden hallway there were muffled sounds emanating from David’s own climax. Danielle opened her mouth to compliment Christopher when he shushed her. Hearing the sounds coming from the wall he walked over to the gun cabinet and reached for a (gun size). Aiming it at the sound coming from the wall Christopher called out a warning.  “Come out whoever you are, I have a gun and I will shoot.”

                From behind the wall David begins zipping up his pants. “You little punk, you think you own this house? Well forget it, that’s my gun, and my bitch you’re screwing, and I’ll have you rotting behind bars before the night is over.”

                Christopher aims the gun, “No I think you’re mistaken this is my house, and my gun and this woman you just called a bitch is my lover.” Christopher takes a quick glance at Danielle, her face pale white with fear.” Now come out with your hands up. I’m sure there are doctors that can help you-“

                “You son of a bitch! I’m gonna kill you, you think you can come in here and just take whatever you want. David aims through the wall and pulls the trigger. The bullet flies between the two figures and hits the wall behind them. Christopher aims his gun and sees two moving eyes behind a painting, he pulls the trigger.

Tonight on 7 news, an unknown peeping tom was killed inside the home of CEO David Lawrence. He was discovered hidden inside a wall in the two million dollar mansion when David and his lover were getting ready for bed. The two reported that they heard a muffled sound coming from the wall.  When they confronted the sound they discovered there was a man and that he was hostile. The man then opened fire on the couple of which David returned fire to subdue the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. David said he had no idea of the hidden passage ways that were built into his home but plans on reviewing and sharing the floor plans with the police to investigate as to how the offender got in without notice. The man was in his early to mid fifties and has yet to be identified.

In related news CEO David Lawrence has made some respectable changes to his company’s profile. Many of its current employees will be seeing raises before the end of the month, and it is rumored that David has a new project in mind that will require a whole new department and staff.  The companies’ CFO Mark Wallence states that, “While David’s change of heart is reminiscent of an overnight scrooge turn-around; we welcome the change with open arms.” Even his Ex-Wife wasn’t holding a grudge as they finalized their two year long divorce settlement on Tuesday.”   The company’s stock increased 12% in the last week.

“So they’re hiring.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“That’s good news.”

“Yes very good news, especially in this economy.”

“Definitely, well that’s all we have folks hope you have a good ni-“  Click

Danielle turned to Christopher.  “David, do you think you’ll ever get your memory back?” The look on her face was all concern, with perhaps a little dread. 

Christopher looked into her deep brown eyes, “If it meant losing you, I wouldn’t have any of it back.” He reached over cupped her breast and began kissing her neck as she giggled. “Oh, and do me a favor, call me Christopher. David is my middle name,”

The Sultan and the Beggar pt. 3

The sheets were a crumpled jigsaw puzzle of copper and flesh; her hair was suspended above her head in a free fall. The bed came to life, breathing in new air pulling, twisting, and stretching as Danielle rose, alone. Wrapping the sheets around her in a goddess toga, Danielle walked around the room, peaked into the master bathroom, and started for the hallway when the door swung open. It was Benjamin.

                "Ms. Danielle, David had an emergency meeting he had to attend to this morning. He asked me to wash your clothes, I'm certain you have another outfit in th-"

                 "Bullshit" Danielle was glaring at him with her scrutinizing eyes, he was lying, she could tell.  "As his personal assistant I would know immediately if there was a need for an emergency meeting."

                He swallowed, he was hiding something. "That man last night, was not David was he?” Her eyes interrogated him.

                Benjamin took a step back, grabbing the door handle for stability his arm was shaking.

                “When Margaret insisted that she be let in to retrieve a few personal affects I was curious as to how he would handle the situation.  I had assumed that he would welcome her back in his home and be begging her to not divorce him.  But that man last night wasn’t confused, he wasn’t even attracted to her.. Then, what he said, to me….Who is he Ben?" Danielle demanded.

                Benjamin sighed and looked down.  "Yes, ma'm. The man you bed last night was indeed not David. His name is Christopher and he works in the mailroom."

"Did he have surgery? Is he in on it?" She interrogated.

"No madam, Christopher has no idea in fact he may believe it was all a dream by now, at least when he finally wakes up."

"You drugged him?" She raised an eyebrow, "Benjamin I didn't think you had the strength."

Benjamin straightened himself and stood erect, I may be older than Master David but when I was younger I was not so weak or idle.

       "I bet," Danielle looked Benjamin in the eyes and licked her lips.  Lifting her arms up slightly Danielle allowed the sheets to fall down the sides of her round hips. She watched as Benjamin's took in the sight of her naked body. Danielle placed her hands on his chest, moving them up and down his torso. "My my, it seems you ARE keeping yourself fit, let's see if you are just as virile down below." Her hands moved down to his pants and began unbuckling.

     "Ms. Danielle, please this is most inappropriate." 

Danielle moved quickly, "I have a plan that you are going to help with and this is going to be my insurance that it doesn't fail." Soon his member was extended out from beneath his boxers with Danielle’s mouth coursing up and down the shaft.

It was a dream, all a dream, No, A hallucination. Christopher had felt like crying still, but the grogginess his head had felt when he woke up kept him from having the motor skills to produce tears, or so it felt. Now he felt like killing himself, he was too depressed to cry. It was all there, he felt it. It was all real. He was successful he had a huge mansion with a butler and could go do anything he wanted regardless of price. Ok so sure he had a horrible ex-wife but from her looks she seemed like a gold digger anyways so at least there was a light at the end of the tunnel. No, not a light it was a halo. A halo that was resting on the head of an angel named Danielle. Christopher swore he could still feel the pressure of her body against his if he hadn't felt so damn groggy. He closed his eyes hoping that if he could concentrate enough he could still smell her perfume, not the beautiful scented one she bought at Dillard’s but the one she made herself between her legs when he licked the soft tissue of her folds. The aroma encased his senses bringing his member stiff again. Reaching around to grab it he intended to make love to her memory even if she was only a dream. His breath shortened, he could hear her breathing heavily in his ear and pretended she was bouncing on him squeezing him with her full hips. “If you’d like I can help with that, I’m awake now” whispered a soft voice. 

                Christopher’s eyes flew open, turning his head to the woman next to him and began yelling. Her face went from a seductive smile to concern, “dear, what’s wrong, what’s wrong?”  Standing up he smacked himself in the face.  “You’re real, you’re real”

                “Yes, yes of course I’m real. Why wouldn’t I be?” Danielle replied.

                “N-No, yesterday you didn’t exist, yesterday I was in my apartment all day, yesterday I-“  “you drank yourself into a stupor and dreamed you were back in college again.” Danielle finished his sentence. “Come, get back into bed and allow me to remove the stress you’ve been feeling. The visit from your ex-wife took a harder toll on you than you realized.” Christopher’s eyes focused and found himself standing naked next to his bed with the sexy Danielle also nude with her beautiful round derriere in plain sight. Her breasts pressed between her arms as she leaned on the bed. His cock grew hard again. The stupid grin of a teenage boy washed upon his face as he climbed into bed firmly pushing Danielle backwards while she giggled.

                Danielle escorted Christopher to work, assisting him in his meetings, holding conferences and making phone calls. At first Christopher felt like a fish out of water. But when Danielle came over grabbed his butt cheek and squeezed with her devilish smile, all worry drained from him. He was a star; he made decisions about the direction of projects, made important changes to company policy and greeted nearly every employee in his building with a handshake.  Christopher was walking on cloud 9 when he walked into his office for an afternoon coffee, and she walked in. Slamming the door behind her and closing some blinds, his ex wife was still stuck on bitch mode.

                Well?” she looked at him with her arms folded, no longer wearing the fiery red suit she kneed him with, but a beige one instead. The only thing that hadn’t changed was the woman inside the clothes and the scowl on her face.  Christopher cleared his throat; at least by sitting behind his desk his friends were protected.

                “Listen,” he said. ”I can’t explain my actions or justify them but I want you to know I’m willing to work with you on this every step from here on out. I’ve obviously hurt you and I don’t want this war to go on any longer.” He looked her in the eyes; her jaw seemed to be dropping as she was frozen with her ruby lips slightly parted.

                “I see” She placed a hand on one hip, “David I, I just don’t understand you, One day you’re singing praises of getting back together, then you sell off anything that had sentimental value to me, like you’re specifically trying to hurt me and now you’re all apologetic and even respectful. What’s gotten into you?”

              “I’m not sure myself, but I have been told that I’ve been having memory problems, I might even have gotten a case of amnesia” He told her the truth, there was no reason to hold back. 

                “I see.” Her words were thoughtful. “So then you don’t know the reason behind this divorce?”

Christopher nodded, “I can only surmise that I must have really hurt you beyond repair.  I hope that perhaps we can part on amicable ways and start over.” 

                She looked pale. Christopher got up and walked around the desk, helping her to the couch. “Listen Margaret, I understa-“ 

                “Shut up” she demanded, “You have no idea how much trouble you have caused me over these last few years and now you lose your memories and become this perfect stranger with a blank slate? Do you think that’s at all fair?”

                “I’m sorry, if there is anything I can do to help you I will. Listen, Margaret, you are in a lot of pain, There’s got to be something that you are wanting that I could help with, counseling maybe…” she surprised him by laying her head on his shoulder. A muffle came from his shirt. “What?”

                “A child, you imbecile, I want is a child. That’s what this whole divorce is about.” Margaret began to silently cry on his shoulder as he sat in shock. Thinking for a few minutes Christopher stood up and began closing more blinds. Walking over to Margaret he grabbed her shoulders and stood her up. Looking deeply into her eyes he said, “I will give you a child but you must promise me you will keep it a secret and not tell anyone.”

                “But how, you’re-“ ,Margaret paused mid sentence when Christopher placed his finger on her lips.

                “However you knew me before, I want you to pretend that I am another man. Think of me as someone new who isn’t that asshole man you’d been married to for years. I can give you a child and you shall have one. Agreed?”

Margaret nodded her head in agreement. Christopher kissed her. He kissed her passionately and imagined she was Danielle, a smaller petite Danielle but the same woman he was falling in love with. He moved her over to his desk and pulled off her jacket. Kissing down her neck he unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall too. Moving his hands to her chest he grabbed her round breasts, they were small yet full for a woman of her age but having never had kids they were still prepped to reproduce. He slipped one out and placed the nipple squarely in his mouth pinching it between his teeth he heard a squeal. Christopher moved his head next to hers and whispered in a husky tone, “Unless you want to go back on our deal I suggest you keep it quiet, I don’t need the busy ears of my secretary listening to our activities.” She nodded her head and whimpered in agreement.

                Christopher resumed his course by grabbing her ass and pressing his hard cock against her legs. Sliding his hand down her thigh and back up again pulling her skirt up with it he kissed her collarbone up to her neck and behind her ear. He placed his finger to the side of her panty line and slid it inside her, Margaret muffled her groan. Sliding his finger inside made her wetter, she began dripping down his fist when he placed his cock at the mouth of her pussy. Christopher grabbed her hips and shoved himself inside as she enveloped around his stiff member. He thrusted himself as he went all the way in each time. Faster and faster he pumped himself inside making the woman in front of him squeal in whispered tones. Holding off just a few seconds more, Christopher waited until he heard it, the colliding groans letting him know she was coming and let himself go. His semen erupted inside her walls and filled her vagina.

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."