Chapter 2 -- San Francisco
I was not very happy about the demand my client had placed on me. When I agreed to the contract, it was with the understanding that I would have the flexibility to work remotely and would not have to spend that much time in the city. But after a month, the scenario changed, and the client demanded I be physically present in their offices at least four days a week. Too lucrative a deal to walk away from, and too long a commute to tolerate, too expensive and impersonal to stay in a hotel, and too financially alluring with the housing down-turn to contemplate renting, I caved in and started seeking a condo in the city to purchase. Of course, this was just another of my vivid dreams, and while the circumstances might be entirely different, the same theme would play out once again.
San Francisco is a magnificent city, but the parking situation is positively damnable. Everyone knows it's insane but nothing ever gets done about it. This day it had tortured me as I moved through the city from property to property, seeking something that would be pleasant enough for me as a temporary home, and also a sound financial investment. Each place I stopped, I had to circle and search for a place to park, like a vulture waiting for its prey to finally expire. This made me late, so that by the time I arrived at my last stop it was a full hour after the open house was due to have ended. What the hell, I was there and might as well at least get a feel for the building.
The doorman called upstairs and learned that the agent was still on the premises and willing to let me see the place, so I was admitted. When I arrived on the 28th floor of the high rise, I was surprised to hear the sounds of an argument in the hallway. Rounding the corner it became clear -- the homeowner had arrived and was none too happy that the unit had still not sold.
"Listen, I'm not paying you to explain all the reasons why it isn't selling, I'm paying you to sell it!" He was a big guy, and the pretty realtor was visibly intimidated by him. "I understand Mr. Singh, and I assure you we are taking all possible measures to make it happen for you."
"You had better be, Nicole. I return to Bangalore in one week and I need this place sold! If you cannot do it then I will find another realtor who can!" With that he stormed off, leaving the poor realtor distraught, and worse in a very weak negotiating position. No matter what you're selling, it never helps for the prospective buyer to be aware how desperate you are.
"Mr. Walsh, I'm Nicole Randall, the listing agent. So sorry you had to witness that little exchange. I'm afraid my client is becoming impatient with the slow market." Despite her distress, or maybe because of it, I found her absolutely stunning. She had quickly thrown off the high stress of the confrontation and now turned on me a charm that is rare, even among realtors. Dark blonde hair framing a lovely round face, golden-brown eyes, deep red lips and the most perfect smile I think I've ever seen. How that guy could be yelling at such an exquisite creature eluded me. I was so struck it took me a moment to regain my composure, and in that time she gazed straight through my eyes into the very heart of me.
"Oh, uh, hi Nicole, nice to meet you. And don't worry about the little scene with your client, I completely understand. I know how tough clients can be -- you can't live with 'em and you can't kill 'em." She managed a small chuckle at my weak attempt at humor, and it was clear that something was going on. We had just met but were obviously affecting each other already.
"Won't you come in and look around?" "Well, I don't want to keep you, but if you can spare me a few minutes I'd love to see the place." "My time is yours, Mr. Walsh. Trust me when I say I have nothing more important than this to do tonight." "Well thanks for staying late. And please call me David..."
I followed her into the condo and began looking through the place. Mr. Singh was obviously a minimalist when it came to home furnishings -- to say it was sparse would be generous. But he spared no expense when it came to the bed -- enormous, even bigger than a CA king. "My gosh I've never seen a bed that big!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, it certainly stands out given how few other furnishings are here, doesn't it? I think it was custom made." I glanced at Nicole and could seer her beginning to blush. "It's been quite a topic of speculation among the staff in my office..." she trailed off.
I finished looking over the unit, and found it very attractive. Of course the company may have had some influence over that. I told Nicole how much I liked the place. "Do you have a buyer's agent, David?" she responded.
"No actually, I was hoping we could skip that and all benefit financially, if you're okay with that approach."
"Oh believe me, I am okay with any way you want to do it. As you heard a little while ago, my butt's on the line for this sale. In fact, if I don't sell this place this weekend, there's a good chance I'll be fired."
