Chp.7 The John in the Hotel Room
I wondered if I would catch a ration of crap from John for not being home and having his dinner ready where he got there, but he was in the spare bedroom and didn't come down. I went into the hall closet and rummaged around until I found some wrapping paper, some ribbon and a bow. I wrapped the box with the jersey in it and set it on the kitchen table and then I went up to the bedroom and read until I fell asleep.
In the morning I was awake and when I heard John leave the spare bedroom I gave him ten minutes and the followed him down. He was sipping coffee and the box was open in front of him. He looked up when I came into the room and said:
"Where did you get this?"
"The agency sent me over to the team offices to help them catch up on some work. I told the office manager that you were a big fan and she got that for me."
He got up, picked up the box and said, "I won't be home tonight. I have to fly to Salt Lake and I won't be back until tomorrow." He left the room and I thought, "So much for getting on his good side."
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As soon as John left I called Jim and told him that I would be available that night.
"Great! You have just saved my ass. The girl who was supposed to take care of one of my steady customers just called in and told me that her monthly, which she didn't expect for two more days, just started and that she would have to cancel. I didn't have anyone else. The Hyatt Regency, room 631 at seven, okay?"
"No problem."
"Can you take a noon gig too?"
"Sure, why not."
"My office about eleven-thirty, okay?"
"I laughed, "You going to juice me up and then send me off to a customer?"
"That's up to you sweetie. You can douche or not before you go meet him. I shouldn't say this because he is such a good customer, but I don't like the guy."
"Something I should know?"
"No sweetie, he's always been good to the girls and he's a decent tipper, but I just don't like him. They say first impressions last and they were right as far as he is concerned. I took an instant dislike to him as soon as I met him and it has never changed. I don't let it show of course. Can't let personal feelings get in the way of making money. You'll be okay."