"It's a monumental screw up Tina, that's what it is."
"Calm down Sir."
"Calm down! This is the third time I've had to call this month for a screw up on your part."
Tina is my Personal Banking Consultant or some such nonsense at RBC. She's one of the benefits of being a 'high net worth' customer. It seems service for such customers it not any better than for ordinary customers. This time they had failed to transfer funds for an investment I was making in a breast augmentation outfit. Now I might miss out on the opportunity.
Tina continued, "Could you come down and see me and we'll get it sorted?"
"No. I can't come down," I replied. Actually the idea was a little tempting. Tina was a looker and I didn't know her nearly as well as I would like. But, damned if I was going to spend more of my time fixing their mess.
"Ummm, ok. How about I send a consultant out to you?" Tina asked.
"Look Tina, I just want this sorted. Now. Today. You guys stuffed up, you guys fix it."
"I understand your frustration and I'm sorry, we will get it sorted," Tina said.
"When?" I asked.
"I'm on it now and I'll send someone out for the signatures and confirmation."
I had my doubts, it had already gone 4:30 and in my experience bankers had no incentive to work beyond their already minimal hours. After confirming with Tina that I would be at my home address, I hung up.
I briefly entertained the fantasy that Tina herself might call round. But, if the bank sent anyone, it would likely be some pimply dickhead fresh out of college. Far more likely they would send no one at all and have yet some other excuse the next time I called.
A red wine sat beckoning on the table, so I opened it to let it breathe for a while and went to take a quick shower. When I shut the water off, I noticed the door chime was repeatedly buzzing. So I stumbled to the door wrapped in a towel.
Turned out Tina had sent someone after all. A trim twentyish dark-haired beauty was on my doorstep. Her appearance alone was enough to lighten my mood. I invited her in, told her to grab a seat and I would be back down in a minute.
A quick trip to the closet for some casuals and then I was downstairs again.
"Sorry about that, I wasn't sure what time you were coming," I said.
"That's fine, I'm Deborah by the way, Deborah Sucich," she said, handing me her card.
"How about we mix some pleasure with the business," I said.
Deborah looked a little perplexed, "Sorry?"
"I was just about to have a glass of wine, would you like one?"
"Oh, I probably shouldn't, after all I'm still working," she replied.
"Come on, don't make me drink alone."
"Well I suppose, just a small one."
I poured the wine while Deborah spread her papers on the coffee table.
Deborah said, "Tina asked me to apologize for the mistake and to assure you the transaction will go through tonight." She continued, "There are just a couple of forms you need to sign."
Sitting next to her, I scrawled my signature on the papers. Her perfume was quite intoxicating and I had to restrain myself from making a play. It was time to start having a bit of fun.
"Is that all the papers needing my mark Miss Suckitch?" I asked.
"It's Sucich, but please, just Deborah. Yes, that is all. Is there anything else I can help you with tonight?"
"Oh, there is plenty to help me with. Tell me, did Tina fill you in on what this transaction is about?" I asked.
"No, not really, just that it is for a share purchase."
"Yeah, that's right, I'm buying into a breast augmentation outfit. They've got some great new technology, it's a hormonal thing. Its an oral drug, someone like yourself could take it and it will firm up and enlarge your breasts. What are you at the moment? A C cup?"
Deborah was blushing and looking increasingly uncomfortable at the topic.
I pushed on, "Tina said she would send someone willing to test the product."
Deborah stammered, "Ummm, she never said anything about this to me. I can help with the banking, that's all."
"Tina assured me you would help, what exactly did she say to you?" I retorted.
Deborah said, "Well, she said you were a very important client and I was to make sure you got everything you needed, and that it was sorted tonight. But I assumed she meant banking."
"Assumptions are always a mistake Miss Suckit. Look, Deborah, a single treatment is not going to cause much difference, but I need proof in the efficacy of the product before I can finish the investment. And you'll be getting it for free, it sells for $500 a pill normally."
Deborah says, "Looks like I don't have any choice. Ok, as long as it doesn't hurt."
"No it wont hurt. Pour us some more wine while I go upstairs and fetch a sample."
Of course I didn't have any such pills, as far as I know such a thing does not exist. The company I was investing in was a bog standard silicone gel manufacturer. I grabbed a paracetamol tablet and fluoride tablet from the bathroom and a notebook from my desk.
When I came back down, Deborah had refilled the glasses. I sat next to her again.
"Because this is still in trial, I just need to record a few details for the scientists," I said as I wrote her name in the notebook. I proceeded to ask her a few questions to make is sound official. Age: twenty-two. Address: --. Contact number: --. Pre-existing medical conditions: none. On medication including any contraceptive: no. Any family history of breast cancer: no.
"That's great Deborah, no red flags. Now just sign here at the bottom to indicate consent, I'll fill in the boilerplate bits later," I said, handing her the notebook.
As she signed, I said, "Now there are two pills per treatment." I opened my hand to show her the pills.