Rated: M for language (for now). Not mine, not making any money. Written for the February 2010 PP Blackheart Challenge and the BS Lets Talk About Love Challenge.
Operation Thaw
--Chapter 3--
Still in Trenton.
"Huh," she thought to herself. She figured dumping Joe would hurt more. Maybe it didn't because she'd had so much practice in their off and on relationship. Only, this didn't feel like a stage, this felt permanent. And, the more she thought about it, the better she felt.
For a moment, she sat in her latest POS car and reflected on her words, "I still expect, I still deserve some romance! Why don't you ever take me out Joe?" Why didn't he ever take her out? Why were dinners with Ranger only about business? Why did the Dick only take her out when he needed to make a good impression on a client? Was she really worth so little? How could she love them when they didn't even care?
She didn't like where this line of questioning was taking her. But, she kept on it just the same. She finally concluded that it wasn't the men in her life, it was her. She let them keep to these low standards. She never forced them to step up and treat her like she deserved to be treated. She was happy to float along not making tough decisions: either allowing someone else to force her hand, like Joyce and Dickie, or waiting for someone else to take the lead, thus her undefined relationships with Joe and Ranger. Well, that ended tonight! Tonight she stood up for Stephanie Michelle Plum and damn if it didn't feel good.
Deciding she'd taken enough time musing in the parking lot, she dialed Lula. "Hey White Girl, I thought you had big plans? What'r you doing callin me?"
"Joe's romantic Valentine's Day plans consisted of beer, pizza and a Rangers game -- sound familiar? So I left him to clean up the mess and told him to leave my key when he went!"
"You go! That man never deserved you!" Pride was clear through Lula's voice. "I tell you what, come meet me. I'm getting hooked up right now."
She made note of the address and headed in Lula's direction. Neither Lula nor Connie were very successful on the dating scene lately either. Since they were dateless on Valentine's Day, they were at a meet and greet for single ladies. They were enjoying cocktails, and if she hurried, she could make it there for the presentation.
Deciding to work her awesome hair and beautiful dress, she strutted into the event. "Damn Girl!" Lula shrieked, "You looked like that when Super Cop showed up?" She nodded. "Yep, that man is an idiot!" Dragging her over to a stunning, older woman, Lula began, "Loretta, this here is my girl, the Bombshell Bounty Hunter, Stephanie Plum. Do you see how hot she is? Her lame ass man, showed up on her door step with pizza and beer expecting to watch a Rangers game with her tonight! Can you believe that bullshit?"
Loretta looked her up and down, a slow smile spreading across her face, "Hell no! Stephanie Plum, huh? Ive heard much about you. You, my dear, are a fascinating woman. Please, make yourself comfortable, our presentation is just about to begin."
She got a vodka sour from the bartender and had just sat between Lula and Connie when the lights dimmed and a movie began to play. "Love," a sultry voice began, "affection." Between each word a picture was displayed showing couples in various kinds of embrace, some dancing, some dining, some strolling hand in hand. "Devotion." "Passion." "Worship." "Every woman deserves to find intimacy, tenderness, adoration." More pictures rolled past. "More is needed than just a fancy lover to win your heart." The movie faded and the lights focused in the middle of the stage on Loretta.
"Ladies, let tonight be a new beginning for you. Let go of the past. Let go of bad men. Let go of hurt feelings. Let go of past decisions. Tonight," she paused for dramatic effect, "tonight, with the help of Exclusive Services, you can find yourself a new man, one who has chosen you, because of you. One who has also experienced the pain of a bad woman, who has had hurt feelings, who has made unpleasant decisions. These men have come to Exclusive Services and left their own comfort zones because they are seeking one thing. They are seeking an extraordinary woman to be theirs. To be their partner. To be their lover. To accept them without reservation, without preconceived ideas about who they are or what they do. Just the same way, Ladies, you want them to accept you. My assistants will have all the information you need to get started with Exclusive Services. Thank you so much for joining us this evening."
Applause filled the room as Loretta stepped off the stage and headed toward her. "Stephanie Plum, I must get to know you better. Please, tell me how you ended up here tonight."
So she began, explaining her past with Dickie and the divorce. She told her about her history with Joe and their, as of this evening, past relationship. She explained how she ended up a bounty hunter. She almost told Loretta about Ranger, but decided to keep that information to herself. Her history with Joe and Dickie and her life in the Burg made her complicated enough. Loretta shook her head a little and said, "Stephanie, we would be most pleased to have you as a client. The men we represent are rich, or famous, or have some other reason they find it difficult to date. For a fee, they tell us about the type of woman they are seeking, the role shed have to fill in their lives. In exchange for this fee, we search everywhere for the type of woman they seek. Their past doesnt matter. For instance, your friend Lula, I already can think of a couple clients that will adore her and wont give a damn about her past. The most important services we offer are discretion and loyalty. It is imperative to these men that the woman is interested in them for the person they are, not for what they have or who they could be. To begin with, you only meet each other on paper. And, by on paper, I mean they only get to read about you. No pictures are exchanged in the first stage. Since the men are the paying parties here, everything begins with them. They pick the women that interest them, but you are not required to see a man who doesnt interest you."
"In the second stage, you exchange emails or letters. I know, it seems old fashioned, but it is the best way to see if there is a real attraction before you see if there is a physical attraction. Also, again I must point out, some of these men must be very cautious. Some, once you met them face to face, youd recognize as a famous actor or politician. If that happens, all hope of being attracted to them for the person they are on the inside, disappears. In the third stage, youll likely meet, but in a group setting. This gives the man an opportunity to back out if he is not physically attracted to you. I assure you that happens very, very rarely. Again, it is a byproduct of steps 1 and 2, but when they like who you are on the inside, who you are on the outside is a bonus. In your case," she looked her up and down again, "an amazing bonus. Think of us as E-Harmony on steroids."
"Of course, in the event it doesn't work out, you must sign several confidentiality agreements before we begin. So, Stephanie, are you in?"
She grinned, "Yes!"
Word count: 1284 (excludes title, disclaimer, etc.)
