Knotty Behavior
Judy Travis was holding court in the company cafeteria, which was not unusual at lunchtime. A seat at her chosen table was highly prized, especially by younger female employees. Judy was smart, outspoken, funny and frequently irreverent. She was a single mom with two teenagers at home. She was slender, not a classic beauty, but certainly attractive.
Her brand of humor was often self-deprecating. As an example, she would refer to her boyfriend and would-be fiancee as 'Boring Bob'. In fact, Bob was an attractive, eligible and respected local businessman, which every woman at the table knew. Nevertheless, Judy would frequently proclaim 'Boring Bob' to be 'high maintenance'. "If I could find a vibrator that could take me to dinner once in a while, Boring Bob would be toast."
On this occasion Judy was winding up a comic rant aimed at local school officials who had cancelled school because snow was falling hundreds of miles away. "What's wrong with these idiots? It's hard enough to get our daughters through high school without getting pregnant. Then they cancel school at the last minute before parents can adequately prepare? Weren't they ever 17? I was. And I have a daughter as proof."
When the laughter subsided one of the women present posed an unrelated question. "You have a big trip coming up. Are you ready?"
"Almost. The Technology Conference is at the Washington D.C. Convention Center. From what I know, it's not in a great neighborhood. I need to find a hotel in an area that is in a little more comfortable location." Judy had been chosen by management to represent the Company in a booth at an important trade show. It was a choice assignment and highly prized.
Helen, the secretary for the V.P. for Finance spoke up. "When Mr. Connors goes to Washington, which is frequently, he usually stays at the Key Bridge Marriott, even if his meetings are downtown. It's apparently convenient to the airport. He is not really a "foodie" and I know that he frequently just eats dinner at the hotel, but sometimes he goes over to Georgetown for dinner."
Judy smiled broadly. "Thanks Helen. That's great input. I will research it."
*****
It was only a little more than a week later that Scott Connors had just checked into his room at the Key Bridge Marriott when the phone rang. "Mr. Connors? I hope I am not interrupting you or catching you at a bad time. This is Judy Travis."
"Hi Judy. Is everything okay?"
"Oh yes! I noticed from the Officer Itinerary report that we are both in Washington this evening. I am here for the Technology Trade Show. I have never been in D.C. before and I hate eating alone in a strange city. Would you possibly be available and interested in having dinner together?"
"Judy, honestly, I was not going to go out. Just grab something here in the hotel, which is not very glamorous".
"I don't need glamorous. I would just like to have a decent meal without being alone or being hit-on non-stop."
"Judy, that would be okay, but I am not downtown. Rosslyn is on the Virginia side of the river. That probably is not convenient for you."
"Actually, it's really good. I am in Georgetown right now. Just across the river. There were some shops I just had to check out."
"Well, okay. Shall we meet in the bar in half an hour?"
"Sounds good."
"Okay. The bar is at the rooftop level, just like the restaurant."
"See you there."
Twenty minutes later Scott found a seat at the bar, ordering his usual Southern Comfort manhattan. In less than five minutes Judy appeared, spotting Scott and taking a stool next to him.
"Thank you so much for rescuing me."
"My pleasure. Let me tell the maitre'd that we are ready for a table. Meanwhile, what would you like to drink?"
"I am not much of a drinker. I want the drink that has a cherry in it. I see your drink has a cherry in it, but it's not the one I am thinking about. The one I like has a slice of orange, too."
"Maybe a whiskey sour?"
"That's it!"
The bartender delivered the drink just before the maitre'd announced that their table was ready. Once seated, Judy had a chance to check the surroundings. The west-facing view of the Potomac and the Georgetown skyline from the restaurant was spectacular. Planes on final approach to Reagan Airport were flying downriver every few minutes. "Wow! I could put up with terrible food with this view."
"Well, fortunately, the food is not terrible. Take a look at the menu. My experience has been pretty good. The view here is nice but actually the night view from other side, where a lot of the guest rooms are, is even better. You can see the Kennedy Center and the monuments all lit up."
"I would love to see that."
Once the order was placed, they simply talked. About the Technology Conference, about goings-on at the company, everything in general, nothing in specific. The food was served and quickly consumed. Nothing changed in the ambiance between them. Judy was close to finishing her drink. Scott was close to asking if she wanted a nightcap when Judy interjected.
"Watch." Judy took the cherry from her drink into her mouth, separating the fruit from the stem with her teeth and chewing the fruit. She held the stem in her hand until the cherry was consumed, then conspicuously put the whole stem into her mouth. It was obvious that she was working the cherry stem inside her mouth. A few moments later Judy's face lit up.