It was 8 PM, Monday evening, and Chris Knight had just arrived home. He was eagerly awaiting his date the next day with a woman he had just met on a flight two days earlier, Ms. Olga Petrovsky. They had texted one another a number of times during the day, as though they were a couple that had been together for years.
Just after having eaten dinner, Chris' phone rang while watching Monday Night Football. From the caller-id which appeared on his television screen, he could see that it was Olga.
"Hi Olga, how are you this fine evening?"
"Very well sir, and you?" said Olga.
"I'm doing just fine, now. Work was a real bear today. Just got in about an hour ago," Chris said with a bit of laughter in his voice.
"What was the problem?"
"Just the usual, too many projects and not enough time. My boss' boss keeps saying they plan on hiring additional staff, but it never happens."
"Poor baby," Olga said mockingly. "Don't worry, I'll remove all of your stress when I see you tomorrow," Olga said devilishly.
"Is that so, Ms. Petrovsky?"
"You can bet your life on it, Mr. Knight."
"Well, after last night, I have no reason to doubt your abilities," Chris said knowingly.
Olga let out a satisfied laugh and said, "I am certain you will be able to help me out as well."
"I will definitely give you my best. In fact, I'm doing some stretching exercises so I'll be nice and limber for you," Chris said jokingly.
"Honey, please don't pull a muscle, I don't want anything to jeopardize our date," stated Olga, before bursting into laughter.
"Don't worry dear, wild horses couldn't keep me from our date tomorrow," Chris said happily.
"Good, let's keep it that way."
"Anyway, how was your day Olga?"
"Busy as usual. I was hoping after I was finished here, in New York City, I could return home and stay for a week or two. However, one of my clients has an urgent need for merchandise from Asia, Indonesia to be specific. Therefore, I'll be on a flight from Moscow to Indonesia bright and early Saturday morning.
"You certainly get around. I see why you need to fly privately, air travel needs to fit your schedule."
"You've got that right, but it wasn't always like this. When I first started out, I had to plan my entire life around the schedules of the airlines. I had to sit in coach on crowded airplanes. At least now, I can travel in comfort and fly as my schedule dictates. But enough about our boring work lives, what do you have planned for me tomorrow?"
"That's a surprise...but I know you will like it!"
"Now, I really can't wait. Please, give me a hint?" pleaded Olga.
"Now now Olga, all good things come to those who wait," said Chris in a playful fashion.
"Ok, you win. I'll wait until tomorrow."
"Thank you Ms. Petrovsky. I promise you that tomorrow will be special. "
"I already know that it will special - Do you know why?"
"No, why?" said Chris inquiringly.
"Because I will be with you," Olga said sincerely.
Chris hesitated for a moment and then said, "Tomorrow will be special for me as well. These last few days have been like a dream for me. I wish you didn't have to leave."
"I feel the same say, but we'll definitely stay in contact. With all of the electronic means of communication at our disposal, it shouldn't be a problem for us to speak with one another, every day. Besides, with the way we both travel, our destinations are bound to overlap or we'll just make them overlap. Beyond that, who knows what the future holds?
"That's true Olga...who knows what the future holds? But for now, we'll just live in the moment," Chris proclaimed.
"Agreed," said Olga before hesitating briefly. " I think this is perfect place to end our conversation for tonight... because right now I'm really tempted to ask you if you would like to engage in bit of phone sex, like the previous evening. However, I don't want to do that, because that will make tomorrow that much better."
"Alright Olga, I agree. The same feelings were beginning to take hold of me as well. Good night and see you tomorrow, dear."
"Good night dear Chris, tomorrow will be wonderful."
"Yes, it will. Good night."
Both Olga and Chris hung up their phones. Chris watched the remainder of the football game and then went to bed. Olga read a bit of a book and then fell asleep as well. Both fell asleep greatly anticipating the day to come.
It's now 11AM, Tuesday, and Chris Knight is at work. He works as a programmer/analyst for U.S. Technologies.
U.S. Technologies specializes in creating customized business-related computing solutions for large companies, governments and militaries around the world. U.S. Technologies has offices located throughout the world. Chris' office is located on East 24th Street in New York City.
As Chris sits at his desk writing computer code for one of his latest projects, he receives an e-mail notification. After switching over to his e-mail software, he sees that the e-mail is from his supervisor. Furthermore, from the title of the memo, he sees that he's been invited to yet another "Special Workgroup" meeting. Chris knows that whenever these meetings are called, he should be prepared to travel, soon.
Today's meeting is scheduled for noon in a special conference room known as a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility). SCIF is just a fancy set of words used to describe a room which has been designed to be eavesdrop-proof. The conference room is sound-proof and prevents electronic signals from both entering and escaping. It is also equipped with specialized communications equipment that utilizes the latest encryption technology available. Before a meeting is held there, it is swept for the presence of electronic bugs. Only individuals with U.S. government security clearances are permitted to enter. That rule is enforced by the Federal law enforcement officer who is always stationed at the entrance to the SCIF.
It's now 3:30 P.M. and Chris is preparing to leave work early to meet Olga. Just as he turns off his computer, his cellphone vibrates on his desk. When he picks it up he sees that it is a text from Olga. It reads, "When you arrive at the hotel, please come up to my room. The number is 1050. I am running a bit late. Thanks, see you later, Olga.
Chris succinctly types back, "Ok, see you then, Chris." Chris then grabs his jacket and heads out of the office to meet Olga. When he arrives downstairs he immediately heads to the florist across the street to pick up a bouquets of flowers for Olga. After purchasing the flowers, Chris checks his watch and sees that it is now 4:00 PM. Under normal circumstances, Chris would normally take the subway uptown. But, since today was special, he did not want to hassle with a crowded subway. Therefore, he opted to catch a good old New York City taxi.
Chris took about three steps into the street and held up his arm to wave down a taxi. About 40 feet ahead of Chris, on the same side of the street, a man of comparable age stepped out into the street to hail a taxi as well. Within two minutes a yellow cab appeared and picked up the man. Chris continued to hold up his arm up in an effort to wave down the next cab. Three minutes later, another cab sped past Chris and picked up another man about 60 feet beyond Chris' location. Seven yellow cabs and fifteen minutes later, a cab finally stopped for Chris.
This sort of thing infuriated Chris whenever it happened, however, it came as no shock to him. Racism and prejudice were still alive in 21st century America and because he was black, he was no stranger to it. Every person that had been picked up by a taxi, while he waited, had been white. As the taxicab weaved its way uptown to the the Hilton Hotel Midtown, Chris calmed his fury with thoughts of spending time with Olga. He was determined not to let the thoughts and actions of backwards people affect his life.
Twenty minutes later, Chris arrived at the front door of the New York Hilton Hotel Midtown. Chris paid and tipped the driver, walked into the hotel lobby and headed for the elevators. The time was now 4:40 PM.
Somehow, despite all that had occurred, Chris was only ten minutes behind schedule. He had made dinner reservations at the famous Russian Tea Room, just three blocks away. Based upon the current time they would have no problem making their 6 PM reservation.
The elevator arrived. Chris entered the elevator and it quickly ascended the ten floors to Olga' s floor. Based upon the signage across from the elevator doors, Olga' s room was to the right and approximately three doors down. So Chris went right and ten seconds later arrived in front of room# 1050.
Chris knocked at the door. Seconds later he was greeted by Olga' s voice, "Be right there." Olga looked through the peephole door viewer in the door and a second later opened it.
"Hello love, I have been waiting for you," Olga said cheerfully.
"Sorry darling, got caught up in a little traffic on the way."
"Come in, Come in...I will be dressed in a few minutes. I just got out of the shower."
"I see that," said Chris.
Chris walked in from out of the hallway, closed the door behind him and then said, "Hi dear, these flowers are for you." Olga wore the biggest smile as she accepted the flowers from Chris and then smelled them.
"Oh, I just love flowers, reminds me of the Spring and home. Whenever I'm at home during the Spring, I just spend hours tending to my garden."