"Is that the swimsuit edition?"
"Uh-huh"
"You like that a lot? It's been out three -- four months now!"
"You're point?"
"I don't no, I like looking too, at broads I mean, Looks like they're getting skimpier and skimpier."
"Yeh."
"Look at the tits on that one!"
O.o.o..Yeh.." I was on the RTA Rapid going downtown for classes at CCC. I was a first year freshman. I know, the freshman year is your first year but at CCC lots of guys take two or more years to get enough credits to move up to sophomore status. Anyway, it was early September; just three months into my eighteenth year. My seatmate was a middle-aged guy. He was nicely dressed and well groomed; his hair slicked back with Vasoline or Valvoline or something. His pock-marked face sported a pencil thin moustache. A Rolex on his left wrist and a pinky ring completed his "look".
I put my SI back in my book bag and stood up. "My stop." I said. I don't know why, it was Terminal Tower, everybody on the Shaker line got off here.
"Mine too." The man replied, softly. "Have fun at school."
I didn't even look back as I worked my way to the door. That's the way it went for the next few weeks. I got on at Green, he got on at Warrensville. It was after the morning rush so quite often the seat next to me was open. He made small talk; about the Browns, the weather, the Buckeyes, every once in a while a comment about a woman on the train. Eventually I learned his name. He was a name partner in a prominent law firm so naturally I'll just call him "Rich", not his real name, of course! My real name isn't Don either, but that's what I'll call myself.
The day before Thanksgiving he handed me an envelope. "Remember that swim suit edition? I thought you might be interested."
It was a photographic art magazine, nudes! I'm sure my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I didn't know that this sort of "art" was available. I mumbled my approval of page after page of very seductively posed women.
"You don't have classes Friday, do you?
"No," I answered hesitantly. "I'm working on some briefs for a trial that starts after the first of the year." He handed me his card. "Why don't you come to my office, I've got a ton of this stuff. I bet you'll like it." He didn't give me a chance to reply. He just stood up, turned to leave and glanced back, "See you Friday!" It wasn't a question or statement of fact, it was almost a command.
I looked up and nodded my agreement.
Classes ended Wednesday and I went to my job at Higbee's, a downtown department store in Terminal Tower. I thought about Rich's offer but dismissed it as sort of strange.
Thanksgiving Day was spent with the family and I didn't think about visiting the office of a man I really didn't know but Friday was different. I was due in at Higbee's at three pm anyway so what was the problem with going downtown a little earlier? At ten thirty am I found myself on the Rapid heading downtown. At eleven fifteen I was in an elevator going to the thirtieth floor.
The doors opened on an office lobby and a receptionist greeted me. "Good morning, sir! How may I help you?"
"I'm here to see Mr. Hedde." I said as I handed her his card.
"You must be Donny, he's been expecting you! Please have a seat; I'll let him know you're here."
"Mr. Hedde, ......... the young man you've been expecting is here. Yes, I'll tell him. ...... Yes, Mr. Hedde."
"Donny," she smiled sweetly as she spoke. "Mr. Hedde is in conference with James C........., our senior partner and Charles F....., one of our paralegals. He said he's sorry to make you wait but he won't be long. Would you care for some coffee or perhaps a soft drink?"
"Coffee would be very nice." I replied timidly as I seated myself in a large overstuffed leather chair. Looking around the room I was impressed by the dark walnut paneling, the portraits of the partners, the chandelier. I was surprised that the ceiling was very high, maybe twelve or fourteen feet. I glanced at the name plate on the receptionist's desk: Veronica Williams. I glanced at the receptionist as she prepared my coffee at the built-in kitchenette. Nice! I thought. She wore a navy blue skirt and a white blouse with lace trim at the neck and cuffs. Her hair was pulled back and she wore dark framed glasses. Her heels matched her skirt; very professional, I thought. Except for her bright red lips!
She turned on her heel and glancing over her shoulder asked, "Cream and sugar?"
"Black, please."
She left the spoon she had placed on my saucer on the shelf and brought me my coffee and two small cookies. "I hope you like shortbread." She said as she handed me the cup and saucer. Not paper or Styrofoam! Real china and not cheap either! I know, I've been through the china department downstairs.
"Thank-you very much!" I felt out of place and a little overwhelmed.
"Are you here for a job interview, Donny?"
"What! Ah... no...ah just a social call."
"Really. I'm a bit surprised. Mr. Hedde will be looking for someone to replace Charles when he finishes law school in the spring and he usually likes his assistants to start as interns with his current assistant."
"Well I'm really not qualified to work in a law office, besides, we're just acquaintances, we ride the Rapid most mornings."
"I see....." With that the door to the inner office opened and the man I knew as "Rich" came out with two other men.
"Donny! I'm so glad you could join us. I'd like you to meet James C........., our senior partner and Chuck, my assistant these past six years. We are just going to lunch, won't you join us?"
"Thank-you, Mr. Hedde, but I'm really not dressed for a business luncheon..."
"Nonsense, Don, you're dressed just fine," James interjected; besides we're just going downstairs to the Quill.
Chuck reinforced the opinion, "You'll be OK, Don, besides it's mostly old ladies at the Quill, we'll all be out of place."
With that they ushered me towards the elevator. Lunch was completely unremarkable except in its simple elegance and quiet dignity. The Silver Quill may have been a department store restaurant but it was from another time and place. There'll never be another like it!
The conversation was all small talk; sports, local politics, movies, nothing you wouldn't hear in any bar in the land. What impressed me was how easily Chuck interacted with his two superiors and how they seemed genuinely interested in his opinions. Time passed quickly and before I knew it James and Chuck excused themselves. Rich took one last sip of coffee and pushed himself away from the table, "Let's go back to the office, Ronnie should be gone by now so we'll have the office to ourselves."
I followed meekly, like a lamb to slaughter. In the next two hours my life would change forever. I was clueless!
When the elevator arrived at the thirtieth floor Rich used a key to open the door. The reception area was empty. We made little sound as we walked a crossed the thick plush carpet. What struck me first was the size of his desk. I'd never seen one so big and so neat; everything had a place and nothing was out of place. There was a leather couch and two side chairs and a coffee table. The walls were lined with books. But then the view from his windows struck me; Public Square, Old Stone Church, The Mall, all the office buildings, Burke Lakefront Airport, in the distance an ore boat on Lake Erie. To say I was impressed wouldn't describe my wonder at this glimpse into a world I could never have imagined.
I heard a click as Rich locked the door with a dead bolt. "I'd rather not be surprised while we're looking at my collection. That doesn't bother you does it?"
"I suppose not." I answered softly, still in awe at the view from his window.
He took off his jacket and hung it up on a wooden hanger on the coat tree next to his door. Crossing the room he took out his keys and unlocked a file drawer under the book shelves. "This is the prize of my collection; it's a first edition Playboy. Have you ever seen one?"
I admitted I hadn't. He seated himself on one side of the couch and patting the cushion next to him said, "Sit here, we'll both be able to view it."
I was starting to feel uncomfortable but I did as he asked. I sat on the couch about a foot away from him as he opened the rare magazine. My first impression was that the photography was much less explicit than the Playboy I was used to.
