Katie and Jerry stepped off the elevator onto the fourteenth floor early Tuesday morning, coffee cups in hand, on their way to their office. Katie paused as they passed Shirley's office and stuck her head in to say, "Good morning, are we still good to go this evening?"
Shirley looked up from her desk. "Good morning, guys! Yes, Katie; six – thirty okay with you?"
"Perfect! See you then." She caught up with Jerry in two strides. "Remember, I told you last night that Shirley and I are having dinner after work. We'll be leaving at six – thirty."
Jerry hopped as he unlocked and opened the door and then stood aside to let Katie enter the office first. "I do remember. Are you planning on coming to my place afterwards?"
She smiled and placed her right hand gently against his cheek. "I was planning to, yes. I might be a little late. That's all right, isn't it?"
Jerry sat at his desk and pulled a pile of work from his briefcase. "I'll wait up for you. I'm working on something for you that I hope you will like."
Katie shook off her coat and asked, "What are you planning, you sweet man?" She moved provocatively to his side and bent down to look into his eyes. "Do I have to…force it out of you?"
"Pop! Pop pop pop pop, POP!" Jerry was unable to form words until he quickly grabbed his cigarette. "Jeez Louise, Dollface, are you trying to kill me? Alan's the guy with the 'sex in the copy room' experience, but I could give it a shot, if you want."
Katie reached over and removed the prop. "I've just learned something new about you, Jerry."
"What, what is that?"
She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Too much excitement makes you lose control." As he began to turn red, she smiled and added, "I like it, but it might be better in future if I excite you in the privacy of our homes."
"I think that is a good idea, purrrr," he said before giving her a kiss on the forehead. As she stood and returned to her desk he thought, I am so lucky to have found such a wonderful woman who is perfect for me. I can't wait to meet her mom! He checked his watch. "I have to get ready for court; I need to meet with Clarence. See you later." He ran out of the office leaving Katie to shake her head at the forgotten work on his desk.
Clarence was almost ready to leave for civil court. Chang Poole and Schmidt was defending a corporation that was being sued for copyright infringement by an individual who refused to go away quietly. Ever since Denny was fired and Alan quit, Clarence had been given a lot more responsibility along with a generous pay raise, but he wasn't completely happy. If Denny and Alan were still here, we would be the attorneys for the little guy, not the corporation! Things just aren't the same, I want to…
"Clarence, hello! You're ready for court, I just need to send a text and I'm ready, too," Jerry said as he walked into Clarence's office. A moment later he announced, "I'm done; let's get to court."
"Um, Jerry? Where's your briefcase, papers, wallet, coat?"
Jerry stared at Clarence for a second before racing out of the office, hands on thighs, to retrieve his things so they could leave.
After the morning court session, Clarence and Jerry decided to have lunch together at the pub across the street. When their burgers arrived Jerry said, "I have news: Katie and I are engaged and I'm flying her mom in on Friday to help with the planning, but don't tell her! That's my surprise."
Clarence smiled broadly. "Congratulations, Jerry! That is wonderful news. Have you set a date?"
"I'm leaving all that to Katie. She and Shirley are having dinner tonight to make preliminary plans and I figure when her mom shows up, the plans will get solidified. The only thing I want is two best men; Alan's already said yes and pop pop! I hope you say yes, too."
Clarence looked stunned. "Me? You want me as your best man?"
"Yes, what do you say?"
"Yes! Thank you for asking me!"
"And, of course, Clarice must sing at our reception."
Clarence allowed a little of Clarice to show. "I better be singin' at your reception, Honey!"
