Disclaimer: JE owns all the characters in this story.
A/N Thanks again to Dyanswan for editing and encouraging. I also want to thank Mik N'jirnav for giving me the information about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, known as MBTI.
Chapter Five
When I was a little girl my mother used to read me fairy tales. It always annoyed me when someone would save the princess. I wanted her to save her freaking self! Ranger says this is indicative of my "type". Naturally, Ranger didn't lose any time having me take the MBTI test. It turns out everyone at Rangeman has to take the test when they are hired. If it is good enough for the military, then it's got to be good enough for Rangeman…right? I guess because I had known Ranger for so long before I started working here and I was only in the office, my test kind of fell through the cracks. Personally, I think the test was pretty lame. I mean you have to answer questions like "Yes or No. You value justice higher then mercy." How can you even answer a question like that? Or, there's my personal favorite, "You feel involved when watching TV soaps." Like I would be caught dead watching soaps.
When Ranger got the results back from my test, he called me to his office to explain it to me. It turns out that I am an ENFP. He said this type is labeled as idealist champions. I knew I was supposed to be Wonder Woman!
He gave me a brief description of the characteristics of ENFP's then said, "Babe, this is an example of how we use these tests to place people at Rangeman. Those who are ENFP are good with people. They are likable and at ease with others and are good in public and on the telephone. I've been thinking for awhile that you would be good at dealing with clients and this corroborates it. I'd like you to consider being part of the sales team."
"What does that entail, Ranger?"
"You would talk to the client with either Tank, Lester or me. We can explain all the technical material, but sometimes we can be intimidating. We don't put people at ease the way you can."
"But, I don't know anything about the security business."
"You don't need to know a lot, since one of us will be there to give the actual presentation. Your job would be to put the client at ease and observe how he reacts to the presentation."
"And I need to observe the clients reaction why?" I queried.
"Because with your intuition, which is also an ENFP characteristic, you will be able to tell us which parts of the presentation the client likes and dislikes. If you sense they are uncomfortable with a certain aspect of the system then you can address it immediately and we can find an acceptable alternative."
"I appreciate your confidence in me, Ranger, I'm not sure I can live up to it."
"Babe."
"All right. I'll consider it. But, do you think the rest of the team will be okay with it?"
"Babe."
"Oh, of course, you already talked to them before you offered me the job." What was I thinking?
"Babe?"
"Oh, all right. You talked me into it."
What did I just say? He talked me into it? All he said was "Babe." Yeesh!
The good news is that Ranger gave me my very own black American Express card to buy some new clothes. He said I need nice suits to go on sales calls. I couldn't wear my Rangeman uniform and the rest of my wardrobe consists of jeans and t-shirts or distraction outfits. I wanted to take Lula with me, but Ranger sent Ella with me instead. I guess he trusts Ella's taste over Lula's. Go figure.
I usually shop at Macy's but Ella wanted to go to Saks Fifth Avenue instead. When we got there she took me directly to the designer collections. At the Armani Collezione she found a beautiful herringbone tailored jacket with a one button closure and a bow-waisted skirt. It fit perfectly and was the most beautiful thing I have ever worn. I never wanted to take it off. Ella approved of it when she came in to bring me a black pants suit with an adorable cropped wool jacket with a two button front from the same designer.
Then we went to Dolce & Gabbana and found a classic design pinstriped jacket and pants with a sleek, modern attitude. With that we paired a white stretch cotton shirt. So far, I had been so busy, I hadn't looked at prices. Now I did and I started hyperventilating. I had only three outfits and they came to over six thousand dollars. I know Rangeman's paying for it but it's just wrong to spend that much money.
"Ella," I cried, "I can't spend this much money on clothes."
"You aren't, dear, Ranger is."
"But that's just it. I can't let him spend that much money. He'll think I'm nothing but a gold digger."
"No, he won't, Stephanie. He is the one that suggested these designers."
"But does he know how expensive they are?"
" He wears them himself."
Duh!
When we got back to Rangeman, I was exhausted. Not from the shopping, but from the emotional upheaval of spending so much money. I always dreamed about being able to shop like that, but the reality is it's terrifying. I hung my new clothes up in the closet lovingly. Then I went into the living room and started pacing. How am I going to tell Ranger how much money I spent? The amount was obscene. Regardless of Ella's assurances, I was scared to death.
I heard Ranger enter the apartment and throw his keys into the dish on the sideboard. He came into the living room and took me into his arms.
"Ranger. I-"
"Shush, Babe. Don't worry about spending money. Just think of it as an investment. Rangeman has a certain image to uphold. And, besides, I like to spend money on you. Now let me see what you bought.
"How did you know I was upset about the obscene amount of money I spent?"
"Babe."
Less than a week later, Ranger and I were in Manhattan entering the elevator of an exclusive Fifth Avenue apartment building. We were going to the penthouse to see the widow of the late film and stage star, Greg Collins. She had been more than thirty years younger than the star and now was a widow with a ten year old son. When Sylvia Collins opened the door to us, she gasped and stepped back, putting her hands protectively in front of herself. I could tell Ranger made her nervous, so I quickly stepped in front of him.
"Hello," I said holding my hand out to her. "I am Stephanie Plum from Rangeman Security.
"Oh, of course," she said as she shook my hand.
"And this is my boss, Carlos Manoso," I said as I took his business card from his hand and gave it to her.
She was a small woman and as she shook hands with Ranger her hand was completely engulfed in his. She looked at him and said, "You're very large." She didn't say it but Ranger and I both heard, "and scary."
We all sat down and she began to talk. "I have always felt safe in this building because there is always a doorman who strictly enforces the visitors list. But, last week my son and I decided to go out at the spur of the moment. While we were gone we were burglarized. It was terrifying and we felt violated, but at least we weren't at home. I can't even imagine how traumatic it would have been if we were at home when it happened. That's when I called your company."
"We can certainly build you a system that can protect you and make you feel safe," Ranger said. "I'd like to look around and get the layout of the apartment so I will know what will be involved in installing a system."
"Of course," Sylvia said as I pulled a pad and pencil out of my bag and handed it to Ranger. "Feel free to go anywhere."
"While I'm gone you can tell Stephanie what your concerns and priorities are."
As soon as Ranger left the room, Sylvia said to me, "He's drop-dead gorgeous, but he's very scary. You don't seem to be intimidated by him, though."
"There was a time I was, but not anymore." How can you be intimidated by a guy who brings you coffee and doughnuts in bed every Sunday morning? Yes. He really does.
"So." she queried, "Is he a good boss?"
"He's a great boss," I said as I smiled. "But, he's a better boyfriend."
"Oh my gosh! He's your boyfriend? Do you live with him?"
"Yes, I moved in with him a few weeks ago."
"But, he's so taciturn and you are so outgoing and friendly."
"Well, they do say that opposites attract. In our case it's true."
"I have to admit," Sylvia remarked, "I feel relieved about hiring him if you love and trust him. I know I haven't known you any longer than I have Carlos, but you are so easy to talk to and I just feel like you are trustworthy."
"I know exactly what you mean about Range, er, I mean Carlos. But, he is the best man I know and I would trust him with my life." Especially, since he has saved it so many times.
"Obviously, you don't call him Carlos," she remarked. "What did you start to call him?"
"His street name is Ranger, which is what I have always called him. In fact, everyone at Rangeman calls him that. You see, he used to be an Army Ranger and I think he was probably the best ever. So when he left the Army, his friends, who had been under his command, called him Ranger as a show of respect."
By the time Ranger came back with his notes and sketches, I had convinced Sylvia that no other company in the world could protect her and her son like Rangeman could. She assured him that as soon as he could get the system designed she would have it installed.
As soon as we got into the elevator, Ranger pulled me to him and hugged me. "Proud of you, Babe", he said.
"Now what," I said. "Back to Trenton?"
"Now we are going to check into the St. Regis Hotel and spend the night celebrating your first sale."
Oh boy, I thought. I sure hope his idea of celebrating is the same as mine.