(Continued from Feb. 05, 2010)
Since Alphonse’s assistance had been arranged and the removal of Alice’s belongings from Bob’s apartment had been sufficiently well organized, it was time to relax and enjoy our meal. About twenty minutes previously, a waitress had come to our table and had asked whether we would be in favor of having an early dinner. The chef was expecting a crowd that night, so he wanted to start cooking earlier than usual. All four of us were in favor since we all had a few things to take care off before the day had totally elapsed.
Again, the food was remarkably delicious; but, although we didn’t rush, we ate fairly quickly. There was one big difference; we felt that we had definitely consumed our ration of alcohol for that day. Therefore, we ordered two large bottles of sparkling water.
As soon as I arrived home, I rang Alphonse. Since he was such an exceptionally accommodating person, he had waited long enough for details concerning what had already happened and what was about to take place. Of course, he was highly excited about the scheme. It wasn’t difficult to conjecture about the reasons for his elation. For one, he was inclined to be adventurous. Furthermore, he wanted to be in contact with the girls as quickly as possible. I realized that I might have to urge my young friend to move slowly and to subdue his enthusiasm somewhat.
I would point out to Alphonse that, because there were three single ladies, who had a habit of discussing intimate details between them, making advances toward one of them before meeting the other two, would be like buying the first vehicle shown at an auto market. I would advise him to expose all three to his good qualities, thereby creating the possibility that at least one of them would become enamored of him. In order to achieve such a situation, there needed to be a slow process of introductions and exposure to one another in the right environment.
Alphonse would meet Thea first since she would provide him with the health club coupon and a photograph of Bob. It had been decided that she would pick me up about a block away from the apartment building and that we would go together to meet Alphonse at a predetermined place. I was happy about that arrangement for I would be able to look after proper introductions. Furthermore, I would be able to monitor Alphonse’s conduct. I was glad that I would be in a position to preserve his chances for possible future happiness.
The casual reader may well observe that my attempt to guide Alphonse would perhaps be opposed vehemently by my young friend. Such an observation would be far from the truth. After his disastrous relationship with the roving lass, I told him about a number of clear indications that had pointed to her precipitous disappearance. “My interference, in that instance, had not been called for,” I asserted.
Alphonse’s reaction was: “Please, give me the benefit of your advice next time!”
(To be continued)