Caroline in Richard's Mother's Womb
Chapter 11
Despite the initial awkwardness, Caroline and Richard quickly settled into a productive work routine at their Cassidy Greeting Cards office. Caroline always showed up promptly at nine, Richard was usually a half hour late. Sometimes they would work in silence. Sometimes they would exchange playful banter, usually consisting of Caroline making some cheerful observation, and Richard countering with a sarcastic remark. Del and Charlie would wander in and out of the office. Annie was no longer next door, but she and Caroline would talk on the phone often during the day, since Annie worked nights. "I miss Richard and Annie's barbs" thought Caroline. Even "Salty" was there – although only an inanimate plush toy version of her. That was one of Del's ideas, to promote her revitalized "Caroline and the City" strip. It was almost like Caroline was working in her old apartment – with a few important exceptions. She could no longer just get up, take a shower, and walk downstairs to work. The hours she worked were more regimented. She could no longer just declare the workday done, and start cooking dinner or watching TV. Her bus back to the halfway house left at 5:36 each evening.
It was only a few days after Richard's return that Del appeared at her office door, smiling broadly. "Great news, Caroline!" Del exclaimed. "Oh, hi Richard."
"What?" Caroline enthusiastically queried.
"'Caroline' is no longer homeless in the City! She finally has a home. The "New York Post" is going start carrying her this Sunday! Congratulations! Now you no longer have to worry about keeping your job."
"Oh Del, the first newspaper to retake my strip! That's so great!" Caroline exclaimed as she got up and hugged Del. "Wait a minute. I was in danger of losing my job?"
"Oh, uh… yeah" Del admitted. "I didn't want to worry you, but Dad and Sis were getting sort of antsy. We're paying your and part of Richard's salary too, and no money was coming in. But hey! Now that they see the cash starting to trickle in, they'll be a lot more tolerant. We still need a lot more papers and stores to sign up to break even on you, but now they know that the demand is there, that 'Caroline' will grow. Well, congratulations again! Bye" Del said as he left.
Caroline returned to the partners desk. "Wow, isn't that great news, Richard? Now I know that I'm not wasting my time drawing these strips. People still love little 'Caroline'!"
Richard had watched the previous scene in silence, and took some time before answering. "So… only part of my pay is coming from Cassidy. Where is the other part coming from, Caroline?"
"Uh… I'm paying half your salary, Richard… I was afraid if I told you, you'd refuse to take the job."
"I may have, Caroline. Cassidy can't be paying you much, you can't afford to be paying half my salary. I appreciate the sacrifice you're making, but I should go back to painting apartments."
"Richard, I can't afford not to have you here! You can see how busy we are! If I didn't have… my problem, I could throw myself at my work, spend all my time at the office, and not need an assistant. But I need to talk to other recovering alcoholics, I need to go to AA meetings, I can't spend all my time at work. I need you Richard."
Richard was touched. "Well… okay, I'll stay." Then he cracked "But no more putting little hats on 'Salty' there!"
"Deal!" agreed Caroline.
******
"Lunchtime!" Richard said gleefully. "Caroline, do you want to go down to the building's cafeteria with me?"
Caroline, who had become anxious as lunchtime approached, replied "No, I have to meet a potential client for lunch."
Sensing that something was wrong, Richard asked "What's the matter? Don't you get to go out to a nice restaurant, with Cassidy picking up the tab?"
"Yeah" Caroline reluctantly admitted "but I just hate going to these meetings alone."
Although she didn't tell him, Richard could figure out the problem, and offered "Well… I could go with you. I am your assistant."
"Would you, Richard? Thank you so much. I'll submit your lunch in the expense report, but I'll pay for it even if Cassidy doesn't reimburse me for your lunch."
"That's not necessary, Caroline."
"Let's go!" Caroline smiled as they left the office.
……
The man in the suit, the 'buyer' for his newspaper spoke "Well Miss Duffy… Caroline, since the "New York Post" started publishing your strip, and your fans see that your 'hiatus' is over, our readers have been clamoring for us to get "Caroline in the City" back. If our previous fee schedule is agreeable to you, we have a deal. I have the papers here. Shall we celebrate with a drink?"
"Well… uh…"
Richard broke in "Mr. Figeroa, what I think what Caroline is slightly embarrassed to mention is that Cassidy has a strict zero tolerance policy regarding intoxication in the workplace. A blood alcohol level above only .01 could result in dismissal. Now, of course, we" Richard continued, smiling at Caroline "would show no effects from just one drink, so chances are, no one would ever know. But we are subject to random testing, so there could be a slight chance…"
"Say no more" Mr. Figeroa replied. "I understand."
"Why don't we celebrate over dessert instead" offered Richard.
……
After the client left, just before leaving themselves, Caroline turned to Richard "Wow, Richard! 'Zero tolerance policy'? That was amazing! Where did you come up with that?"
"I don't know. I just opened my mouth and kept on going. Kind of like you at the office" Richard quipped, as Caroline smirked. "I hope I didn't sound too asinine."
"No, it was great. Thank you, Richard. You don't know how much I appreciate this. We really make a great team."