ONE
"Freyja is a Norse warrior goddess but she is also the goddess of lust and sexual activity." Dr. Martin Karalis explained to Samuel Burke. "After battle, Freyja supposedly took half of the dead, the most virile, the most handsome, to live with her and her handmaidens in her retreat known as FΓ³lkvangr."
"The Syia Penjyes are said to be the tears of Freyja. In Norse mythology it is said that when Freyja cries, her tears fall to Earth. If they fall on land they turn to gold. If they fall into water they turn to amber."
Dr. Karalis looked intently at Sam. Satisfied that he was still with him, Dr. Karalis continued with the story.
"Freyja wore a necklace called the Brisingamen. It was called 'the necklace that none can resist.' When Freyja cries, her tears wash across the necklace. Not only do her tears turn to gold they also absorb some of the magic of the Brisingamen."
Sam understood that the doctor, professor of ancient cultures at State, was relating Norse mythology and not factual reality. Still it was an interesting story that seemed to follow his earlier experiences.
"I appreciate the explanation." Sam said abruptly.
He needed to get back to work so he reached out for the coin.
Dr. Karalis had plenty more to say but he knew that the young man in front of him was impatient and had endured more than enough of his ramblings.
"He'll learn," thought the doctor as he smiled pleasantly at his customer.
"That will be $250.00," Dr. Karalis stated matter-of-factly as he held the coin tightly.
"$250.00!" Sam was taken aback at the cost for a simple inspection and brief history lesson. "I thought this was a coin of luck!"
The old man smiled as he took the payment from Sam and gave him the coin.
"Nobody is THAT lucky."
TWO
Sam ran a small temporary employment agency providing nurses, technicians, and medical office personnel in the New York and northern New Jersey areas.
It was a good business but always a great concern to Sam who worked long hours to ensure its continued existence.
Sam was no fool. He knew that fierce competition, coupled with a sagging economy, could wipe him out in a heartbeat.
As he sat in his office he contemplated what Dr. Karalis had told him. Still he couldn't help but wonder what the bullion value would be for the gold and whether it would help pay a couple of nagging bills.
His assistant, Cassandra, came to his door. She was smiling. No, more to the point, she was beaming.
"Sam," she said breathlessly. "Hurry. You have a visitor from the Empire State Hospital. She says that it is very important."
"Oh fuck," Sam swore in exasperation. "Was she on the schedule?"
Sam was sure that he did not have a scheduled appointment with anyone from ESH. Empire State was the most elite private hospital in the country and quite possibly the world. He would not have forgotten something so important.
Cassandra assured him that ESH was not on the schedule and that the visitor, Ms. Cougar Malloy, had in fact stated that the visit was unscheduled and only being conducted since she was "in the area."
Sam quickly straightened his tie and combed his hair.
"Go ahead Cass," he said nervously. "Show her in."
"Hi. I'm Sam Burke, President and CEO of Medical Placement Services." Sam said as he quickly switched from his flustered discussion with Cassandra to his self-assured executive tone.
The woman approached him with proffered hand.
Sam was dumbstruck by the beauty of this woman. He mentally smacked himself on the forehead when he realized that he was ogling his guest.
If the woman noticed she did not appear to be offended.
"Hello Sam." the woman smiled at Sam warmly. "I am Cougar Malloy. I am Executive Assistant to Ms. Freya Od, Executive Director of Empire State."
Sam offered her a seat and caught himself once again staring intently as the woman crossed her legs. He quickly returned his gaze to her face and made eye contact.
"Ms. Od has directed me to make an exclusive offer to your firm," Ms. Malloy continued.
Sam found himself nervously fidgeting with the coin in his hand. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
As Ms. Malloy continued she handed Sam a typed multi-page form.
"This contract will name your firm as the exclusive provider of temporary medical personnel, with the exceptions of physicians and research staff, to the Empire State Hospital for a period of ten years. There is also an automatic roll-over clause that will keep the contract active until such time that either party wishes to cancel."
Sam was speechless and took the contract without even looking at it. He stared squarely into the eyes of Cougar Malloy attempting to determine if she was jerking him around or was actually telling the truth.
"Take your time Mr. Burke. Read the contract carefully but we must have your answer by tomorrow night."
Ms. Malloy stood and extended her hand once again.
Sam shook her hand firmly and thanked her for the opportunity. He assured her that he would review the contract and would respond in a timely manner.
As Ms. Malloy left the office she turned to Sam.
"Ms. Od has all the confidence in the world in you."
THREE
Sam slumped down into his chair.
"This day cannot become any weirder," he thought as he turned the coin over and over in his fingers. "I guess I won't have to sell these any time soon."
Cassandra came to his door. The excitement in her face was purely evident.
"Well? Is it good news or what?"
Sam looked at her from his desk. Though she was 48 years old the excitement in her voice was almost childlike.
He looked at her closely as if for first time.
Sam had started the business two years after graduating from college and Cassandra had come on board a year later.
Sam recognized that she was a consummate professional when he first met her. It was why he had hired her ten years ago.