Any pop psychologist knows of the catch phrase, "The broken wing complex." It refers mostly to a man who will go out and shoot quail, pheasant, ducks and geese, never giving a thought to the pain and death of the bird's experience. But if the same man comes across a bird with a broken wing, out of pity and compassion, he may very well nurse the bird back to health and turn it loose. It is sort of like the "damsel in distress" who is saved by a knight on a white horse who slays the fire breathing dragon. This is the story of a man who succumbs to just such a symptom.
David Miller sat on a bar stool at the Whiskey River Restaurant and Bar. He idly watched the basketball game on TV, high school girls in a state-wide tournament.
There was no one else in the bar on a Thursday night, except for one woman who sat at a high top, talking to the bar tender, who had come out from behind the bar to chat. He could not hear everything they said but he got the general gist of why this 40ish woman was sitting in a bar by herself at 10:00 o'clock at night.
Apparently, she had ordered a car from a local dealership and she was to pick it up that day. She specifically wanted a two year old Toyota Avalon, forest green with tan leather inside. There had been a glitch of some kind and the car would not be delivered until Friday. The woman complained,
"I took a bus all the way here from Trimble, a two and a half hour trip. The Ford dealer in Trimble wouldn't help me find this car; they just wanted to sell me something off the lot. The dealer here in Henderson was very helpful and found one. Now what am I supposed to do until tomorrow? Every motel room in a sixty mile radius is full due to the tournament. The dealer gave me a loaner, a Ford Fiesta. A lot of good that will do me."
LuAnne, the bar tender said,
"You could have stayed with me but my sister and her kids are visiting me in my one bedroom apartment. "
Just then a waitress from the dining room came in with a drink order. LuAnne hustled back behind the bar.
David looked at the woman and immediately the broken wing complex worked its magic.
He fished a business card out of his pocket and walked over to the woman's table.
"Pardon me miss. I am David Miller." He handed her his card; raised gold letters, a flattering photo, and heavy paper stock.
"I don't normally listen to other people's conversation but I could not help but overhear about your problem. You are right. There simply are no more rooms available."
"Damn, she said, and I have to be back at work tomorrow."
She stared at her glass and David spoke up.
"I think I may have a solution to the problem but it is rather unusual. If you wish, I'll tell you what I think. But you have to promise to hear the whole idea to the end before you decide to agree or tell me to go fly a kite."
She replied,
"I can just guess what you have in mind and the answer is, forget it."
"Well, at least give me a chance to explain my plan. What is that going to cost you?"
She thought for a moment, looked at David and his card. After a sigh, she said,
"OK, Mr.David Miller, ..........ace computer genius with.....FinanTech, Incorporated. Give me your best shot and it had better be good."
"Thank you. May I sit down? Thanks. My company provides software systems for small rural banks. I travel all over the state, fixing problems, making courtesy calls, selling new systems and so on. Henderson is one of my stops this week. Tomorrow I go on to Newton and then it's back home. The staff in the office makes all my appointments and reservations. They were to book me in the Starlight Motel, single room, no problem. But somewhere, someone messed up and they booked me into the largest motel room I have ever seen. There are two queen beds, a bathroom larger than my kitchen and every convenience you can think of. Here's what I propose: You take the other bed. I promise you that your privacy, your integrity and safety are guaranteed. I am in a business where trust is paramount. "
"Are you out of your mind? You expect me to just hop into bed with a complete stranger. Dream on, cowboy!"
"No, it's not like that. Look, I work on computer programs where I have access to financial information of bank customers, loans, salaries, ID numbers, you name it. If I were some sort of sleazebag lothario who goes around picking up women in bars, how long do you think I would continue working for this company? You could say that I am one of the 'good guys' who helps people with a problem, with no thought of any reward. By the way, what is your name and what is this job you have to get back to?"
"Cora, that is Coraline Webster. I'm the chief financial officer for a farm co-op. That line of yours is quite a come-on, Mister Miller. One of the best I have ever heard. You really don't expect me to fall for it, do you?" She said it with a smile on her face.
"Really, Cora, what choice to do you have? Are you going to sleep in your Ford Fiesta on a cold night in February? I truly promise you that nothing funny is going on here.
I really would like to help."
Cora looked up at the bar. LuAnne was listening. She nodded her head.
"It's true. He is one of the 'good guys', Cora. I've known him for two years. If I were in your shoes, I would take him up on the offer."
For several minutes, Cora looked at the business card, at David's face and back to the card.
"Are you married, Mr. Miller?"
"No, I divorced the Wicked Witch of the West some years ago. Since I travel nearly all the time, I don't get to meet many people except for my customers. As for social relationships, it is not good to mix business with pleasure. Please, Cora, it would make me feel much better if I knew you were safe and comfortable until you get your car. Really, what have you got to lose? We're consenting adults here. Every day we weigh risks in our lives. I assure you, this is not one to be afraid of."
She kept looking at the card, staring off into space, weighing her options. After a few more minutes and she said,
"OK, Mr. Banker-man. I give up. You have a room-mate."
They each paid their bar tabs and walked outside. The motel was just half a block away.
She grabbed his arm as the path was still icy. He felt the heft of her breast against his arm. There was much more there than he originally thought. Once in the motel, he walked her to the room and opened the door.
"My Lord, look at the size of this place! You could sleep the whole basket ball team in here."
"I know. At first it seemed crazy to put one person in this room. My guess is that they use it as a conference room until they need more bed space."
He walked over to his suitcase and pulled out a robe.
"Here's the way this will work. You take the robe, go in the bathroom and do whatever pretty ladies do to get ready for bed. You come out, I turn my back, and you throw the robe on my bed and get under the covers. I do the same, turn out the lights and that's it for the night. And, I have a special gift for you. My dentist knows I use an electric tooth brush but after every visit, he gives me a manual brush. I must have a dozen of them. So here, it's yours, brand new still in the case."
"Thank you. But you realize that this does not mean we're engaged."
They both laughed out loud and that eased the tension. They went on as planned and in a few minutes both were in their beds. A noisy wind picked up outside and David drifted off. After about an hour, Cora spoke up,
"David, are you asleep?"
"Not now. What's the matter?"
"I am having trouble sleeping in this bed."
"What's wrong with it? It's the same as mine."
"I know but, well, I don't want to burden you with the troubles of my life but,
when I was married, Raymond and I moved out to his folk's place, a small farm outside of Trimble. I was always afraid being out in the middle of nowhere at night. But with Raymond lying beside me, it gave me some sense of safety, even though he was a lying, cheating bastard. After he ran off with the town tramp, I couldn't sleep. A friend told me to buy a body pillow."
"What's that?"
"It's a pillow the size of a person, something to lie against. It works fine until I have to travel and can't take it with me."
"Well, do you want to swap beds or what?"
"Would you think I am crazy when I say I would like to sleep in your bed? I promise to maintain your privacy, dignity and safety."