Looking out the window of a Boeing 767 I see the drizzle of rain and darkness of night. Touching the window I feel the cold penetrate my flesh, anxiously I wait for the cabin door to open. I hear the noise and shuffling of the coach class passengers rummaging behind for their belongings like a herd of cattle. Unmoved by this I finish my drink placing it downward on the table beside me. Hearing the whining ring of the engines close down thinking to my self, “This has been a long trip; I hope the chauffer is on time.” The cabin door opens I reach for my briefcase, allowing the other four gentlemen to egress first. With a silent nod to the stewardess I exit the airliner.
Walking through the air terminal I view signs and banners which I can not read but understand by form, the meanings. I exit the customs area with ease I see my name on a poster size board with two men dressed in monkey suits.
“Good evening Mr. Tyler Spence. How was your flight? My name is Randolph Waltz myself and subordinate William shall provide you with transportation and any other services needed for the entire time of your visit in Germany.” said the man who was not holding the sign and was obviously the superior chauffer. Extending his hand to greet me he removed his white glove.
I reached into my suit coat pocket and pulled out the luggage claim ticket placing it into Randolph’s extended hand. Before he could make motion or comment I asked William, “How far is the Limo I would like to relax while Randolph claims my luggage, and have a smoke! Would you please lead the way?”
Upon entering the vehicle I lower the partition glass and mention to William, “Relax you just moved up in positions.” Sensing the uncomfortable arrangement I just placed him in.
William sitting in the drivers seat replied, “It is just, I need this night job to help pay my debts and Mr. Randolph is not going to be very pleased with being the subsequent man to me.”
Inhaling deeply on a cigarette I ask, “William would you care for a smoke?”
“No thank you Mr. Spence.”
I say in a serious tone, “Dispense with the fucking pleasantries. My name is Tyler, and that is what you shall refer to me as not Mr. or Sir. Or any other crap you have been instructed to reply by understand! When Randolph returns you do not move this vehicle until I say so, is that understood?”
“Yes, Tyler I understand.”
I feel and faintly hear the trunk close the passenger door open’s as Randolph leers at William and entering closes the door. Randolph says to William in a sarcastic tone, “Very well, lets get a move on to the Hotel Ibis. ‘William looks in the rear view mirror at me as I blow smoke toward the ceiling in a long cloud, ’I said lets go! What is wrong with you?”
I say in a very calm voice, “Randolph what is the current local time?”
Randolph responds looking at his watch, “The time is eleven forty eight Sir.”
“Thank you, now would you kindly without a scene exit the vehicle, your services are no longer needed. As of this moment William shall be my only personal chauffer this evening, if you must call for a Taxi, but vacate the vehicle now!”
As Randolph steps out onto the curb with a vague uncertainty and closes the door. “Please William to the hotel Ibis I am very tired. I shall be expecting you as my driver very early in the morning, without a delay. So we should not waste anymore time.” Pulling away I raise the privacy glass and looking out, I see a pathetic man in a monkey suit appearing stunned as a bird that just flew into a window.
The night was fast and the early morning came with a chill in the air and more rain to clean the debris from the sidewalks. The day was uneventful as meetings and deals were made. Like a shark the victims of both sides in the corporate world bite and devour with out knowing the true nature of what was consumed. A harsh cold reality is the front runner that makes the industrial world live and collapse. Some times it is better to make brief of the destruction of a powerful man and save him the dignity of begging.
As the sun rose on the third day it showered a brilliant display or color and vibrancy over the roof tops of the gathered homes. A sense of relief was the greatest victory; the knowledge that the business had been done and there were still several days left to enjoy, what this mighty country filled with culture and history had to offer. Before I was returning to my lair back in the US.
Meandering around a strange town alone never mind being in a strange country can overwhelm ones ability to enjoy the moment. I called down to the front and requested my Limo. Upon my exit I notice there is a different driver. Pausing, and with a swift return. I stop by the hotel desk and ask, “Excuse me miss?”
With a look of puzzled expressions the receptionist computed what I said and responded in broken English, “Yes, and Mr. Spence how may I be of service?”
“The other night when I first arrived there was a driver, chauffeur named William who brought me here, can you call the company and request his service for me? And only him!”
“Right away, Mr. Spence.” I waited patiently as she uttered words over the phone.
Hanging up the phone she responded, “It would seem he was let go the other night but I was provided with his home number. Shall I ring it for you? Is there a problem?”
“No, no problem may I have the number please?” Reaching my hand out taking the slip of paper from the receptionist’s pleasant offering.
Back in the room I hear the phone ringing this number as a sudden jerk it answers, “Hello”
“Hello, My name is Tyler I am looking for a man named William. Who recently drove airport service?”
“That would be my husband can you hold for a moment?”
“Yes.” I replied.
“Hello?”
“Hello, William I have something I think you will be interested in and it just so happens, I could use a little help from you are you interested? I will make it well worth your while.”
William, “Sure! What do you have in mind?”
Tyler, “A bit of a business proposition that you have nothing to loose meet me in the hotel dining room tomorrow morning, I will make it worth your effort to miss out on work for one day.”