Synopsis: Sarah is recruited by her boss to serve both as a receptionist and as the company "entertainer" or, as she expressed it, "the company whore." Her first "date" with the man she had met on the train was very successful.
Part II -- Sarah's Story
Chapter Six
Three months went by before Mr. Bose again summoned me to his office. "A Mr. Anderson may call this evening asking if you'd join him for dinner. Here's another $400 to cover your overhead. Take the rest of the day off."
Just like that. As I turned away from his desk, he stopped me. "I didn't mean to be rude, Miss Kincaide. It's just that I have other things on my mind at the moment, and you should know that Mr. Anderson will play a central role in a very important project. Be nice to him."
Back to the beauty salon and then to my friend in the dress shop. She remembered me and inquired about my date. I reported that the dress she had helped me select had led to a very hot evening.
She smiled. "What are you looking for today?"
"Something a little more sedate; the sort of thing I could wear to the office; something a bit daring, but only a little."
She rummaged for a moment through a nearby rack. I noticed it was a rack of size sixes. "I'm an eight," I reminded her.
Ignoring me, she held up a darling little dress in what looked like crushed velvet. It was a dark green with gold flecks. "Something like this? I think this would be super with your coloring."
I nodded, and carried the dress into a dressing room. Oh, oh! She was right about the color. It had a very flattering bust line and seemed appropriate for the office, except that it was way, way too short.
I almost changed back into my street clothes, but decided to show the clerk how it fit and how very short the skirt was. Instead of shaking her head, however, the clerk gave me a wide grin and clapped her hands. "Perfect! First try and we have a winner!"
"I couldn't possibly wear a dress as short as this one."
"Why not? That's the style these days. If you think this dress is short, you should see some of the junior styles. Even I wouldn't wear some of them. But this one is perfect for you. Not every woman your age could wear it, but you have the figure and legs for it."
"Not every woman my age? Just how old do you think I am?"
The clerk blushed, and stammered, "Ahh, I didn't mean it the way it sounded . . ." she began, but seeing how discomfited she was, I decided to let her off the hook. "I'm only 25," I said.
"Yes, well, I was still thinking about the juniors, I guess. I'm sorry I misspoke. Forgive me?" She smiled appealingly.
"Of course," I said. "You're sure this dress isn't too short?"
"It's fine," she said earnestly. "Trust me; it's my business to know fashion and style, and I certainly would do nothing to embarrass a repeat customer."
That 'repeat customer' business convinced me. "OK, I'll buy it. what about accessories?" "Well, you'll want to see Frank again for a pair of shoes. Just remember that while the first dress you bought emphasized your bust, this dress features your legs. When you're talking to Frank, show him the material and lift your skirt to approximately the same height as the one on this dress so he can help you chose the most flattering shoes."
I returned to my silent apartment shortly after five. Then I went to my babysitter's apartment and collected Nonnie. I also asked Sherrill if she would be available that evening to babysit.
All the while, of course, and especially while I was relaxing in a bubble bath (with the phone within easy reach), I reflected on my new assignment. I had known what to expect with Jack, of course, but this Mr. Anderson was only a name. As I speculated about the evening ahead, again it occurred to me that I was well on my way to becoming a one-girl escort service.
I was trying to decide how I felt about that when the phone suddenly rang. It startled me. The noise seemed especially loud in the confines of my tiny bathroom. I let it ring twice before I picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Is this Miss Kincaide?"
"Yes"
"You don't know me, but my name is Paul Anderson. I'm at loose ends here in Winnipeg, but a friend gave me your number and suggested I call and see if you would be agreeable to having dinner with me."
Should I be coy and ask the name of his friend? I was sure a professional escort would, but did I want to sound like a professional? On the other hand, I didn't want to sound simple, either. "Could you tell me, Mr. Anderson, who gave you my number?"
"I don't want to mention names, but he's a partner in a local investment company. He said you'd know who it was."