"Well, I think if we offer them two and a quarter million they will insist on three and we can come back with a firm two and a half," Joe said, walking to the large window overlooking the pool area.
"Yeah, that's been our target all along," Scott added. "What if they balk at two and a half?"
"We walk. There's other property in Florida," Joe replied.
The two investors had spent forty eight hours in Orlando scoping out a piece of land they had heard about the month before. From the suite of a luxury hotel, they attempted to finalize their approach to the seller. They were fairly new to the business and their small company needed this—plus a couple other opportunities—to make a splash and bring in new patrons.
Joe was thirty eight; Scott thirty five. They were single, rich, and well known for their love of good parties. Joe was taller, more athletic and a risk taker. Scott was the thinker and planner. The plan was to retire at fifty. This trip to Florida was key to those plans.
Joe stared down at the young mothers at the pool, but his mind was working on money.
"That Wilson dude seemed like an easy target," he said. "I don't think he'll turn down two and a half million dollars."
"What was the history of the sales of the land around it again?" Scott asked.
"Oh, I had that in the binder," Joe said, turning back into the room and gazing around. "Where'd we put that?"
Scott rummaged through a stack of things on a table nearest the couch. Joe did the same to a pile on a chair.
"Shit," Joe exclaimed.
"We couldn't have left that in Atlanta, could we?" Scott said with a hint of disgust.
"Damn it. We must have. We HAVE to have that binder, Scott."
"I know. I know," Scott said. "We'll have it shipped, I guess."
Joe was back at the window, pacing. A moment of silence passed, and then he looked at Scott with a wry grin.
"We need it tomorrow," Joe said calmly. "But what time tomorrow is not a big deal. We can have it driven down from Atlanta I suppose. That's maybe six and a half hours plus rest stops and food."
"Driven? By who?" Scott asked.
Joe's grin returned. He said, "I think that's a task for Alex."
Scott looked puzzled. "Why Alex? She hasn't been in on this project."
"So what?" Joe blurted. " What difference does that make driving a fucking binder from one city to another? She's not tied up on anything else and it won't kill her to spend a few days in sunny Orlando."
"She's been with us less than a month, Joe. I think her training with Cheryl is more important than a few days in Florida," Scott argued.
Joe rolled his eyes. "God damn it, Scott. Be creative for once in your life. Is there anybody else in the office you'd rather see at the pool or at one of the clubs around here than Alex? She's what...twenty three? Single? Gorgeous?"
Scott paced the floor accepting the verbal lashings from his partner.
"Alright. Send her down," Scott said grudgingly. "God knows she's better looking than you."
Joe was already sending the e-mail with instructions for Alex to get the binder, pack for three days, and arrive by five the next afternoon.
***
Alex was hired by Joe and Scott with the future in mind. She was a recent Georgia Tech graduate, with honors, earning a Bachelor's degree in marketing. The men were going to need a company spokesperson when they expanded and, dealing primarily with older men in their transactions, it seemed logical to hire a young, beautiful woman.
Her long, brown hair framed a faultless face. Her body and legs were perfectly proportioned. Alex was shy by nature, but not averse to taking risks when necessary. They interviewed nobody else after Joe saw her.
"What should I pack, Cheryl?" Alex asked her closest friend at work when the e-mail arrived.
"Do you want to work here for a while or not?" the middle-aged Cheryl asked her.
"Well, yeah."
"Then I'd suggest the smallest bikini you own...if you don't own one, buy one tonight...and shorts, t-shirts...tank tops especially, oh...and a short dress," Cheryl directed her. "Joe loves short dresses."
"Am I going to Orlando or Vegas?" Alex said with a perplexed stare.
"Kind of both. This trip may be more important than you think," Cheryl said.
"Whatever. But I don't get it," Alex admitted.
"You will," was Cheryl's reply.
Alex had all day the following day to 'get it.' By the time she was checked into her room at four o'clock, she had made up her mind exactly how she was going to handle the unexpected predicament she found herself in. She would be professional first, playful when appropriate, and cautious always.
They were lofty ambitions and utterly contrary to Joe's intentions, as Alex would quickly find out.
With the precious binder in hand, she made her way to Joe's suite. Before knocking she glanced down at her sleeveless blouse and shorts to make any final adjustments. She took a deep breath and tapped lightly on the door.
"You made it! Come on in, Alex," Joe said with a wide smile when the door opened.
"Hi, Scott," Alex said when she saw him on the couch.
"Hi, Alex. Good drive down?" he asked.
Alex shrugged. "Long, but no problems."
Joe stood next to her. "Sorry about you having to do this, but we absolutely had to have that file and when it came down to having some UPS dude bring it or you, we thought you might like a short working vacation."
"Thanks," she said. "Whatever you need me to do, let me know."
