Try as she might, Dorothy couldn’t get the ringing out of her ear. Her eyes opened and she realized she was in her bed at home and the phone was ringing.
“Hello,” she said sleepily, opening her eyes slightly to see the clock radio.
“Who is this? Dave? It’s eight o’clock in the morning, Dave. And it’s Sunday,” she recalled, falling back on her pillows, the phone next to her ear. “What’s going on?
“Yes, you woke me up,” she groaned. “I was out last night. I didn’t get in until 2 A.M.
“Of course, I’m alone,” she said, absentmindedly. “Jeez, Dave. Mind your own business.
“What?” she asked, not understanding what Dave was saying. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”
Dave began his story.
“What does the off-site executive committee meeting have to do with me?” she questioned, sitting up. “Why should I—”
Dave cut her off. He explained that Frank was in a bind because he didn’t have a presentation for the meeting. John, Frank’s boss, was disappointed in his ideas for the upcoming year and wanted a whole new presentation by the next morning. Frank called Dave, desperately needing his help. Dave saw this as the perfect opportunity for Dorothy to get her material in front of those who counted.
As Dave’s words slowly sank in, she got out of bed. “You want what?” she said, heading to the kitchen to put on some coffee. “Let me get this straight: John’s pissed at Frank because Frank’s new product idea sucks, and you want me to give you my stuff so you can give it to John? Am I getting this right, Dave?”
Dave continued.
“I’m not interested, Dave,” interrupted Dorothy. “My boss hasn’t even seen my project. Why should I give it to you for Frank or John or whoever?”
Dave explained his plan further.
“Oh, sure you’re going to put my name on it,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I wasn’t born yesterday; I know how you operate.” Dorothy watched the coffee drip as Dave persisted in telling her that this was her best chance to get her ideas in front of the executive committee and with both Frank’s and John’s support.
“I really don’t relish the thought of you giving my presentation to the committee, no matter how ‘opportune’ the time,” she said, getting a cup from the cupboard.
Dave explained further.
“You’re not giving the presentation? Then, who is?
“Frank is going to give my presentation—as his own?
“As ours, yours and, mine, then? Mm-hmm.
“Why would Frank want to present my project ideas—sight unseen, I might add—to his boss, just because you ask him to?”
Dave responded.
“It must be nice to be so trusted by your boss, Dave. I’m really not interested,” she said, pouring her coffee and taking a sip.
“Yes, Dave, I’m your friend,” she said, not believing Dave would be using this tactic. “And, you’re my friend. And the only reason you called—not for Frank or John or the good of the company—is to help out your friend Dorothy.”
Dave interrupted again, telling her that she could be the hero, and Frank would be indebted. Frank would never challenge any of her future ideas, and she might even get a promotion as a result of the exposure of her work to the executive committee.
Dorothy took another sip of coffee and thought. “How do I know I can trust you, Dave?” she asked, intrigued in spite of herself.
“Together? We’ll put the presentation together—together, you and I. I get to put my name on it. You’ll tell Frank the idea was mine.”
Dave responded to each of her concerns, reassuring her at every step. Dave responded to her voice, but sang to her heart.
“Yes, of course I have my computer at home. Why, what are you thinking? You want to come here? Today? To work on . . . in your dreams, Dave,” she said exasperatedly.
Dave continued. No, he wasn’t going to hit on her. No, he wasn’t going to tell everyone he had been to her apartment. Yes, he would bring lunch.
“Hmmmm,” sighed Dorothy. “I’ll tell you what, Dave. You can come over and we will work on this together. But, if I change my mind anytime while we’re working, the deal’s off. Got it?”
Discussion Questions