Chapter 6
When she awoke the following morning, Pat felt somewhat sore inside, but it was a good sore. She would gladly endure such soreness again, if only to repeat the entire experience.
Lying in her bed, she wondered how David Vane was able to perform so well and be such a rat. At least she didn't feel frustrated this morning, as she had felt on awakening many of the other mornings.
Getting out of bed, she took a long, hot bath. It helped to ease the soreness inside her. Then she dressed in pink slacks and a yellow polo shirt with red and green stripes. After combing out her black, fluffy hair, she went downstairs and had breakfast, and then decided to go shopping. She had put forty dollars aside and felt it was time to treat herself.
Taking the bus, she rode it to Main Street, and there bought herself two blouses, a skirt, and a dress. When she returned home, she found herself alone. Her parents both worked on Saturday.
Pat was about to watch some TV when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, she found herself face-to-face with what looked like a chubby teenage boy, dressed in a fancy three-piece grey suit. He had a full head of short, black hair, and a round cherubic face.
"I'm looking for Miss Patricis Callahan," he told her in what sounded like a girl's voice.
"That's me," she nodded.
"Hey, terrific. I'm Mike Fesschlocker from the firm of Stevens and Fesschlocker. My father is a senior member of the firm. I'm just starting out, myself."
"Well just what do you want?" Pat asked.
"May I come in?" Fresschlocker asked.
"I guess so," Pat shrugged, stepping aside and letting him enter.
They went into the living room where Fresschlocker sat on the red sofa, and Pat sat in a red chair, opposite.
"You're the young lady who operates the penthouse elevator in the Stern Building, am I right?" he asked.
"Yes," Pat nodded.
"Excellent. Miss Callahan, you might be able to do me a big service, and you would be suitably rewarded in return."
"How can I help you?" Pat asked.
"Very simply. You see, the elevator starter, Eric Ross, has told us about the shenanigans Dave Vane pulls in that elevator. Now if you could find some way to keep him in that elevator Tuesday afternoon, our firm would show its gratitude to the tune of a thousand dollars."
"What are you talking about?" Pat asked, her heart racing.
"According to Eric, Mr. Vane does all kinds of ... well ... funny things in that elevator, especially with women. And Eric tells us every operator on the elevator is eventually ... uhhh ... tested by Mr. Vane. Sometimes, Vane becomes so engrossed in what he's doing in there, he forgets the time. Well, Tuesday afternoon, we have a big court case with our client against that of Mr. Vane. And if Mr. Vane fails to show in court, we have the case sewn up."
"Why should I care?" Pat asked.
"A thousand dollars is a lot of money," Fresschlocker told her.
"And what am I supposed to do to earn it?"
"Keep him in the elevator for two hours."
"Just what do you think I am?" Pat snapped. "How dare you come into my house and make a suggestion like that. Why I ought to tell Mr. Vane."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Fresschlocker said, standing. "We would only deny it, and since it would be your word against ours, obviously who do you think would be believed? And it might cost you your job. Be smart and say nothing. Here's my card," he said, handing her a card. "If you should change your mind, please let me know."
"That's really a very low thing," Pat said to the man as they walked to the door. "And a boy like you is much too young to become involved in things like this."
"I'm a lot older than I look," he said, smiling. "In fact, I'm almost the same age as Mr. Vane."
"But you look to be about seventeen."
"I just stopped aging," he said, smiling. "I only shave twice a week. But this innocent-looking face wins a lot of cases in court. Remember, if you change your mind, please call me. And remember, Dave Vane also uses dirty tricks."