Brooklyn
I sat at my desk listening to the phone trill in my year. After a moment there was a click and then a rich, cultured voice with just a hint of a British accent spoke. "Roger Bentley."
"Mr. Bentley, Brooklyn Lancaster."
"Ms. Lancaster. So good to hear from you again."
"I need your confirmation to lock in your reservations. I've tentatively reserved you a cabin in Sugarloaf for the month of September. That's about twenty minutes west of Boulder and just within the maximum distance from the airport you requested. You're sure you don't want me to make your travel arrangements?"
"Quite sure. What days?"
"We're a little crunched on time, but I have you scheduled from August thirty-first through September thirtieth. I can adjust that a little if you like. We can't slide it too far back because the cabins are quickly becoming booked with winter skiers, and pulling it forward more than a couple of days will run us out of time to make the arrangements, but I can shift it a few days if necessary. Will arriving August thirty-first give you enough time to prepare for your trip?"
"That's about ten days out?" he asked before a brief pause. "Yes. That's perfect. Plenty of time. Does it work for my companion?"
I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Yes. Since you had such specific instructions, I factored that into the selection process."
"Great. Then we're all set, yes?"
"I believe so. Now that you've approved the plan, I'll get in touch with Azumi and let her know."
"Azumi? Interesting name. First or last?"
I smiled. "First. An interesting name for an interesting woman. I think you'll find her most agreeable."
"With your references, I trust you implicitly," he said, his smile clear in his voice.
"Thank you. Let me get these plans locked. I'll be back in touch with you within a few days with the final details."
"Thank you, Ms. Lancaster. I'm looking forward to hearing from you."
I hung up the phone and immediately redialed. After five minutes of conversation, I had Roger and Azumi's cabin booked. I had to pay a premium for the last week in September, but Roger was
insistent
that he had to be in Boulder the first week in September. If his companion wanted to join him there during that time, he would welcome her, but if that wouldn't work for her, he wouldn't be able to engage my services for at least a year.
I had a nagging feeling Roger wasn't telling me everything, that there was some piece of information he was withholding, but I couldn't figure out what it was. He was agreeable to nearly anything, as long as he was in Boulder, Colorado, September third through September eighth.
I shook my head. It was none of my business. My job was to find him a companion and facilitate a meeting. I tried to match the client and companion's wants and desires, and this was no different than someone wanting to go skiing in the winter or surfing in the summer. What happened after that was up to my client and his or her companion. Azumi was excited to see the Rocky Mountains, and a chance to see snow, so the timing wasn't an issue.
I glanced at my clock. It was just after four p.m. here in Chicago. Azumi should be able to accept my call. I dialed and waited while my phone purred.
"Azumi."
"Ms. Mah. Brooklyn Lancaster. Good news. Everything is scheduled."
"That's great! Still for the month of September?"
"Yes. You'll be flying into Boulder on Saturday, September first. I'll have a car waiting to pick you up."
"And I don't have to buy new clothes?"
"No. I'll take care of everything, but pack a few warm things for when you arrive."
"I'll do the best I can. It's not like we get a lot of cold weather here, you know."
I snickered. "I can guess."
"I'm so excited! I hope I get to see some snow!"
I smiled. I much preferred Azumi's exuberance to Roger's Zen-like calm. It made him hard to read in person, and more so over the phone. "I can't promise, but I suspect you'll see some before you leave, especially at the higher elevations."
"That's great! I want to build a snowman so I can check that off my bucket list."
I smiled. "If you do, send me a picture."
"Count on it! So, what's next?"
"Now, you make sure your affairs are in order so you can leave. You can be ready to leave the first day of September?"
"Yes. No problem. I've been clearing my calendar."
"Okay, great. I'll send you a first-class ticket in a few days. A car will pick you up and take you to the airport. The packet with your ticket will include all the itinerary information you need. Simply be ready."
"And Roger will buy me new clothes to deal with the cold when I arrive?"
"Yes. It's part of the package. When I say, 'all-expenses paid,' that's what I mean."
"It hardly seems fair, though."
"Trust me, Ms. Mah, the cost of your clothing is nothing compared to what Roger is spending simply to arrange this meeting. Unless you object on principle, my suggestion is to not worry about it. When I spoke with Roger, I explained to him how he may have to provide suitable clothing. He had no issue with the idea."
Azumi sighed. "Okay. This is all so... strange. I've never been in this situation before."
"Few have, Ms. Mah."
"Okay," Azumi said, her enthusiasm returning to voice. "I'm getting excited at the prospect."
"Good. That's what I want to hear. Because all of this is a little rushed, if you don't have the itinerary and ticket by Wednesday, contact me so I can track down what went wrong."
"Got it!"
"Excellent. Enjoy your vacation, Ms. Mah."
"I plan to!"
"That's the right attitude. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact me at any time."
"I will." Azumi paused, and I could sense there was more she wanted to say. "And Ms. Lancaster... thank you for selecting me."
"You're quite welcome, Ms. Mah. I think you and Roger are going to get along very well."
"I hope so. I hope he likes me. It would be such a waste of time and money if he doesn't."
I smiled. "Yes, but remember, this works both ways. You always have the option of leaving at any time, no questions asked. Simply call the number that will be included in the information packet for a car and present the return ticket at the airport."
"I understand. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Anything else?"
"No."
"Expect your ticket and flight information in a couple of days and enjoy your trip."
"I will."
I hung up the phone and rocked back in my chair as I smiled to myself. Roger said he was looking for someone with a zest for life. During my interviews with him, Roger was so calm and reserved I hoped he understood what he was asking for. Azumi always bubbled over with enthusiasm, so full of life she couldn't contain it.
I'd really stretched for this client, reaching far out on the limb where the best fruit was always found. They were going to be like oil and vinegar. They wouldn't readily combine, but when mixed with a little spice, they could form something new and wonderful. I just hoped that Roger, especially, understood that occasional remixing would be required to maintain what I hoped they discovered.
.
.
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Roger
I applied pressure to the torque wrench until it beeped, indicating the bolt was tightened to the proper specification. That was the last bolt. I removed the wrench from the opening and snapped the cover closed over the spar attachment point, making sure it was properly secured before I scrambled up from lying my back on the cold, hard concrete floor. I pulled my phone from my pocket to check the time. I still had plenty of time to make it to DEN to pick up Azumi.
After yesterday's grueling twelve hundred mile, eighteen-hour drive from San Francisco, I was in no condition to even think about assembling the plane. If I'd tried to put the wings on the Peregrine when I arrived last night, I'd have been terrified to fly her until I'd checked ever bolt and connection. Instead, I parked the glider's enclosed trailer in the hangar I'd reserved, disconnected the Ranger Rover, and drove to the cabin Brooklyn had rented for us to crash for the night. After a solid eight hours of sleep, I was refreshed and alert enough to feel like I could assemble the aircraft without putting life and limb at risk.
Making the plane airworthy wasn't difficult. Made entirely of carbon fiber and semi-rigid polymers, the glider was light enough that one person could easily handle her. Everything I needed to attach the wings was kept in the trailer, and after a couple of hours of work, the Peregrine was ready to fly. I smiled as I ran my hand along the leading edge of the wing. She would make a huge splash when she was revealed.
I returned the wrench to its protective cloth bag and placed it in the toolbox before locking the container down inside the trailer. The Peregrine was incredibly strong, but she was also fragile, and could easily be damaged by an unsecured toolbox bouncing around inside the trailer.