Seduction (in Advertising)

To: Michael @ Creativenet. com.
Hello! I am inquiring about the part-time job. I am a free lance writer and I live in Birmingham. I am interested in learning more about the position. Thank you, Samantha Edwards.

To: SMEdwards @ Yahoo. com.
Hey Samantha, thanks for your response to my ad. I run a small, busy, full service ad agency in California. Most of my business is in San Diego but my hometown is Birmingham. As my Michigan business grows, I need an Account Manager to research local prospects; meet with clients; brainstorm ideas; and join me for killer dinners and live music when I’m in town. Now, a bit about me . . . hmm, eclectic, fun, surfer, athlete, arts and music lover, writer, food freak - dining out and cooking . . . kind of hard to label. I like to work with the same kind of people. Did I mention the extra bonus if you know of a good massage therapist or how to give a good massage. The stress of running a business and being an athlete make them one of my regular indulgences. Hey, do have an AIM name? Mine is MKB425. Michael

Hello Michael, thank you for your quick, detailed and energetic reply. After what you have shared with me, my interest has definitely peaked. I have held a few executive positions – my attached resume has the details. As for personal interests: I practice Tai Chi and I have recently taken up Belly Dancing and the Tango. I used to dance and model professionally. I ski and enjoy ccuba diving. I love to travel - I lived in Athens, Greece for a while. And yes, I love food: both cooking in and dining out. Oh, I almost forgot - I am not a massage therapist (though, I know some) but I did apprentice under a shaman for years. My AIM name is "Only1Sammy2." Hope to hear from you, Samantha

Hey Only1Sammy2, I like your eclectic style. You must be quite attractive given your dancing and modeling history. Send me a photo if you have one, I’m curious. So, is your husband Greek? Michael

My ex-husband.

I’m going through a divorce myself. To change the subject: I surfed last night and a big pod of dolphins swam by. I’ve seen them hundreds of times but their fins still startle me. Got to go cook breakfast . . . I make a mean quiche.
By the way, you are by far the most interesting of all the applicants. I’m looking forward to meeting you as it sounds like we share a lot in common. Michael.

I love quiche. I’m getting hungry. Surfing with dolphins . . . how beautiful! Sounds so romantic. I am looking forward to meeting you too. Sam

Hey . . . so maybe we can whip up a delicious meal together when I’m in town? How about penne pasta with goat cheese and pesto Toscana . . . and anything with artichokes!

Ok, so you are trying to drive me crazy with hunger. I am having lunch in an hour. I brought some fresh figs.

Fresh figs, yum! They are quite the sexy looking fruit. Are they a fruit? You tell me what it looks like . . . and what you look like.

I am told by many people that I look like a certain red-headed actress. Any guesses? And, yes, figs are a fruit.

I’m drawing a blank . . .

Julianne Moore.

Wow . . . she is super sexy. Now you have me distracted. I just did a Google image search on her. You had mentioned something about a shaman and massage? Tell me more. I just purchased a nice massage table. Too bad I can’t bring it. I guess I could check it.

The Shaman story is a long one. About massages: I have no formal training, but I have "healing" hands.

Good to know. Hey, I just tried calling you. I left a message with your son?

Yeah, that was my son. I’m at work now. I’ll e-mail you a photo when I get home.

Hey Sam . . . thanks for sharing the photo . . . just as I thought, you are quite stunning. I could use your healing hands today - the surf was big last night and I twisted around in the waves. My back is sore. So what kind of music are you listening to these days? Michael

I’m listening to some old Todd Rundgren right now. What about you? Sam

Marvin Gaye - “Let’s get it on.”

Do you tell all your applicants that?

Depends what they’re applying for. No, really, you’re my first.

Well, I have a few things to do around here, including preparing for a job interview, before I take a long soak in a hot bath. I love water too . . . I love baths.

I love baths as well . . . I need to take them more often. I just had a nice visual of you in yours though . . . OK, with that I’m off to um, yeah, take a cool shower.

Ok, I got a visual. And with that . . .

So, how was your bath?

Only if you tell me how your shower was.

Let’s just say it was therapeutic. How is your interview preparation going?

Got any tips?

You’ve already got the hometown advantage.

What about attire?

I can tell you what not to wear. So, tell me about some things that turn you on.

Like you said, I’ve got the hometown advantage, let’s keep it that way.

Ok, you already have me way too distracted and I still have to get some work done.

Pardon me sir . . . I am an innocent.

Ah yes, oh so innocent . . . So how did this job reply turn into this? Not that I have a problem with it. Let’s meet Monday when I get in . . . I guess I still have to interview you. That is how this all started, right?

Reflection

“It’s nice, grandma. Really cozy.” Melissa quickly wiped a tear from the side of her nose as she spread the yellow and white floral quilt across grandma’s legs. Looking around at the sterile room as she opened the cardboard box labeled ‘Clara Barron room 721,’ she unpacked the faded wedding photo of grandma and grandpa and placed it on the table next to the bed where Clara now lay sleeping. At the bottom of the cardboard box was the silver tea pot, old and tarnished. It still had the scent of peppermint tea, grandma’s favorite. A manila envelope leaned against the inside of the box. Melissa took it out, lifted flap, slid her hand inside and pulled out a silver polishing cloth. She began rubbing the tea pot with the cloth. Grandma would be so happy to see the pot shining like new again. She wiped it until every inch of the cloth was black.

Clara opened her eyes. “Dad says ‘hi’ and to give you a big kiss”, said Melissa. “He’ll be here first thing tomorrow morning.” She walked over to the large window and pulled open the blinds. “Oh my God, the view is amazing, grandma! You can see the entire skyline of Chicago from in here. You have a better view from your room than I do from my apartment!”

“I’ll trade you,” Clara said. “Too bad I can’t see that view. You know, I just love this city – ever since I first came here.

“Really, grandma, I thought you were born here?”

“No, grandpa was born here, but I came here from Buffalo with a traveling dance troupe and when the show ended, I stayed because I fell in love with this handsome waiter. He was so charming, your grandpa. He swept me right off my toes. We had many good times here . . . so many memories. Once, we ate dinner at a restaurant right next to the table of Mister Al Capone.”

“I never knew you led such an exciting life, grandma. I can’t believe you met Al Capone!”

“Well, it’s good to know that even though your grandpa is gone now, and I’m stuck in here for the rest of my time, the heartbeat of that old city keeps pounding.”

“Grandma, don’t talk like that.” Melissa’s voice cracked.

“Oh, I almost forgot to show something I did.” Melissa said changing the subject. She brought the shiny silver tea pot over for Clara to see.

“It looks as beautiful as it did the day your grandpa gave it to me.”

Melissa started away with the pot.

“Wait a minute. I think I saw it.” Clara said.

“What do you mean, grandma?”

“I saw the reflection on the tea pot.”

“Reflection?”

“The city. My city”