1979 - You Must Be Kidding Read Free

don’t think we should close the office lunchtime. Someone might want to do business. Could I ask you to bring me a hot dog or something?’
    ‘Sure. I won’t be long,’ and she walked over to the counter, lifted the flap and crossed to the entrance door.
    Ken watched her. There was this sensual movement of her hips, outlined by her tight jeans that turned him on.
    When she had gone, the office seemed utterly empty.
    Leaving his office door open, he sat at his desk. He stared into space for a few moments, then called Betty at Dr. Heintz’s clinic.
    ‘Can you talk?’ he asked when she came on the line.
    ‘Make it fast, honey,’ Betty said briskly. ‘How’s it going?’
    ‘Looks good, but there’s the usual snag. I’ve ten prospects lined up for this evening. The trouble is the men are working and the wives can’t sign. I’m going to be late. Don’t expect me before ten.’
    ‘I’ll have some cold cuts for you.’ Betty was always practical about food. ‘But it looks good?’
    ‘Sure. Fine with you?’
    ‘The usual.’ A pause, then she asked, ‘How about Sternwood’s daughter?’
    Ken was expecting her to ask that.
    ‘Seems okay.’ He made his voice casual. ‘Early days. I’ll give you details when I get home.’
    ‘Is she out of a freak show?’
    Ken breathed heavily.
    ‘Well, no. I had a surprise, but she is a real toughie like her father. She’s definitely not my type.’
    Immediately he had said this, he cursed himself. After living with Betty for four years, knowing how shrewd and perceptive she was, he realized he couldn’t have said anything more stupid.
    ‘Oh? This is news to me, Ken.’ Betty’s voice turned frosty. ‘I didn’t know you had a type.’
    ‘You are my type,’ he said hurriedly. ‘I just meant. . .’
    What the hell had he meant?
    ‘I must go. See you sometime tonight,’ and she hung up.
    Ken blew out his cheeks, then stared into space. His thoughts turned to Karen Sternwood. He now wished he hadn’t taken this promotion. At headquarters, his secretary, who Betty knew and liked, was fat, middle aged and smart. He wished he had had the guts to have told Sternwood he would either remain as head salesman, working the rich, or he would quit. But how was he to know he was to be landed with a sexy piece like Karen? He knew instinctively that she was one of so many girls who had no scruples, sex-wise. If she got the urge to be screwed, she got screwed. He thought uneasily that she and he would now be in constant close contact: just the two of them, often alone in the office.
    He ran a sweating hand through his hair.
    It takes two, he told himself. Watch it, Brandon! Watch it!
    Then forcing his mind away from Karen, he began to work on this idea that had dropped into his mind.
    Ken returned home at 22.45, hot, thirsty, hungry, but triumphant. Out of ten prospects he had visited, he had landed eight sales, and the other prospects were eager enough, but wanted time to think. This meant that he had made $195 commission on his first day as branch manager, and he hadn’t, as yet, scratched the surface. Yes, he thought, as he drove into his garage, Sternwood was smart.
    While Karen had been lunching, he had drafted a prospectus, setting out in simple terms, what the Paradise Assurance Corporation could do for the young. Over the telephone, he had discussed his draft with the Sales Director at head office who had given him the green light. He had then hurriedly eaten the two hot dogs Karen had brought back with her, then telling her he would be out all the afternoon, he drove to the local school. He had talked to the Principal, a lean, youngish black who had welcomed his suggestions.
    ‘This may be shooting at the moon,’ Ken said, ‘but it could jell. If it does, I couldn’t cope at my office. Here’s what I suggest: would you be willing to let me use the school hall one evening so I can talk to the kid’s parents? Could I say I have your cooperation?’
    The Principal