(Continued from March 29, 2010)
Concerning the use of his cell phone, Alphonse clarified: “Not only is the cost substantial when one is a frequent chatterbox; but, often, time can be spent much more profitably. In many instances, a face-to-face conversation is more effective as well as more enjoyable. Anyway, in the case of Bob, circumstances prohibit a future friendship. That suits me well because he and I have little in common.”
Alice had changed her cell phone number immediately upon getting word that Alphonse had the guzzler in his sight. Apparently, her predecessors had also cut telephonic communications before he had been aware of their total disappearance out of his life. One would think that, after three similar scenarios, he might well suspect a conspiracy of sorts.
Seconds after my mental review of Bob’s elimination from the world of my coconspirators, the gardener came to inform aunt Dorothy that the Bodyguard had become ill and that an ambulance had been called.
There was no discussion about the seriousness of the illness. Aunt Dorothy remarked: “The fact that he went along with the calling of an ambulance is enough proof for me that the emergency ward is the place for him to be.”
Immediately a range of issues came to the foreground, the most important of which was that a replacement for the guard had to be found on short notice. Thea, beside whom I was standing at the bar, informed me that the man who had filled in, on a previous occasion, turned out to be more of a problem than an asset.
When I saw Aunt Dorothy looking intently at Alphonse for a prolonged spell of time, I could imagine her thought process. So, I said to Thea: “I think that your aunt has gained a very favorable impression of your brother and I would be very surprised if, at this very moment, she is not considering proposing that he become the temporary substitute for the body guard.”
“I think you are basing your surmise on her lengthy glance toward him. I also caught that and I am virtually sure that she will make the proposition. Alphonse has the physique as well as the quickness of mind. It was fabulous to see him operate that salad bar so smoothly without any previous practice.”
“I imagine that there is a file, somewhere on these premises, which sets out in detail the duties of a bodyguard.”
“There is and it is locked away in aunt’s vault. And, it just occurred to me that Alphonse would be able to do his first salad bar demonstration and function as the bodyguard at the same time. I mean aunt and he will be together.”
(To be continued)