The outfit that Janet brought for Debbie to wear for her date with me was quite different than what she had been given for the role play. It was a fairly conservative skirt and blouse. The shoes were actually quite comfortable. They were consciously trying to give her the "girl next door" appearance that I preferred.
Thornton was there to get her at 7:00. Whatever else could be said about him, he was prompt. He explained to her that I was potentially an important new client. A lot of new business could be steered his way if this went well. He explained to her that the consequences to her would be severe if there were any issues.
At 8:00, there was a knock at the door of my suite. Upon opening the door, I was encountered by a middle-aged man with an outstretched hand. "Hello, I am John Thornton. We spoke on the phone," he began. "This is Debbie. She is new to our firm but is very anxious to meet you."
As I was shaking hands with Thornton, my attention was drawn to her. My first impression was that she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I had an image in my head of what the ideal woman would look like. And that image had come to life and was standing in front of me.
Initially, she avoided eye contact and stared at the floor. But when I took her hand and greeted her warmly, she looked up at me and briefly smiled. I commented, "There you go. What a pretty smile." All three of us laughed.
Thornton then explained, "Well, I will leave you two alone now. I will be back tomorrow morning at 9:00 to pick her up. She knows to be ready then, don't you, Debbie?" He looked at her and she nodded. He then made his way back to the elevator and the two of us were alone together.