© 1997 Derrick, M. Water Hole Custom Leather Inc. This manuscript can not be published in any form or by any medium with out written consent from the author(s).
In the morning, during breakfast, the phone rang. It was the Lady! "I must remember to get her name" he thought. She mentioned that she had a proposition that she would like to run by him later that day. She wondered if he could perhaps meet her for lunch. He said "sure" and got the directions to a restaurant she recommended. He hung up the phone, only to then remember that once again he had no name.
The young man became increasingly nervous and agitated as noon time approached. He found himself trying not to get too sweaty during the morning, and he even brought his personal toiletries to the saddle shop so that he could clean himself up and make a good impression during the lunch meeting. He was a bit embarrassed that he was making such a big deal out of this. He tried to convince himself that he was really just trying to make a good impression so that he would get the job.
He traveled to a restaurant that he had never heard of before
called the Stables. It was quite out of the way. He had to travel
down many winding roads and past the most lovely country side
he had ever seen. He was quite taken by the views. Once he got
there, he was also very impressed by the restaurant. It looked
like a genuine stables. In the back were roving fields and beautiful
fences that clearly signified that this restaurant bordered a
lovely ranch. Way in the background were many barns and stables.
And, if one looked carefully, magnificent horses could be seen
roaming the property. God, how beautiful! Just the environment
one might want to work in.
The beauty surrounding the young man drew him to stay still and
take it all in before walking into the restaurant. He noticed
many stable hands grooming horses, feeding horses, leading horses,
riding horses. He again felt that jealousy -- although he still
could not actually identify it as such. The jealousy was especially
strong when he watched the horses just being left to run in the
fields. How beautiful they all were. What a lovely place they
lived in. How well they were all taken care of. Ummmm. He got
lost in the daydream of it all. But, before he could think too
much more about it, he recognized he must have been outside for
quite sometime, and that he was now late for his appointment.
SHIT! Here he is trying to make a good impression, and he starts
off by being late. He scurried into the restaurant.
As he entered, a young gentleman greeted him. "Hello Michael, may I take your coat?" Michael was a bit startled. How did this young man know his name, and why was he being so kind? All Michael could muster was "yeah, sure", and then he handed over his coat.
"Let me take you over to your table" the gentleman then said. And, still feeling a bit startled, Michael simply followed the gentleman. As he walked, he noticed that all the people who worked in this restaurant were quite young and beautiful -- and all seemed to be very happy with their work -- almost proud to be a part of such a fine restaurant. Michael wondered why people would look proud just working in a restaurant. What was so special about this restaurant? And every one was dressed so nicely -- although Michael could not exactly make out the significance of their outfits. He knew these all related to the stables theme. Also, as he walked, he noticed that he was in some main hall of the restaurant. It was clear that other rooms and halls were off to the sides. It also was clear that no mere stranger would be walking into those rooms. They seemed reserved for something very special. Michael felt curious, but then got back on task. I have to impress this Lady, if I am to get this job. The most eerie thing about his walk to the table was how many eyes he felt were upon him -- as though he was being judged or evaluated in some way. This made his gait awkward. he felt clumsy. He could not wait to sit down.
He finally reached the Lady's table. She was reading something and barely looked up, until the young gentleman was by her side and whispered "The young man you have been waiting for has finally arrived". Michael gulped. SHIT. He did not believe he was late. The Lady just smiled and gestured for Michael to sit down, which he did.
"I took the liberty of ordering for you, as I do not have much time, but I wanted to be sure you were well fed before you made the long trip back. You seem like a hamburger kind of guy -- medium -- I hope this is OK?"
Still feeling a bit awkward, Michael simply said yes and thanked her. Then she began talking about the types of repairs that she needed to have done at her ranch and in her home, which also was situated on the ranch. Some fixing of stables and roofs. Some fence work. Some cabinetry work in her home. Making a stair case. And helping with creating good spaces for training. Of course there also would be additional work if he proved himself competent, committed, and eager to assist.
Michael listened and tried to assess if he could do the types of manual labor the Lady was talking about. He determined that he could do most of it, and that he knew enough persons with the necessary skills he would need to learn. He remained unsure of why he was so drawn to working on this ranch and for this lady, but he was quite clear that he wanted to.
The Lady told him that it was essential that he could begin right away, but that she could work within his schedule, so long as she received a full eight hours a day. It did not matter to her when these hours occurred -- so long as there were definitely eight hours a day that he could give to her.
The meals came, and -- true to her word -- it was a hamburger, cooked medium. On the side were any fixings you could imagine -- so he could create exactly the type of sandwich he wanted. Her food was a little less regular -- roast duck he believed. Food was not his primary love, however, so he really was not certain. As they began to eat she asked him to think about her proposition through the meal, and to give her an answer by the end of the meal.
Michael said there were a few questions that he had, but she really looked disinterested to answer these questions. Although she looked polite, it was clear she was done talking about the job. Michael seemed awkward now and really did not know what to talk about. Then she directed him to tell her a little bit about himself. He was relieved to have some guidance so that he could converse with her. He began with name, rank, and serial number sort of stuff, but could tell that this was not entirely what she was looking for. She seemed distracted. She also carried on some business with those people that Michael felt were watching him as he walked to the table. Each one in turn came up to her -- whispered in her ear -- smiles at Michael -- and then went about other business. Michael just went on -- telling her about the details of his life. He felt a little nervous again -- or was it excited?
Finally the Lady rose her hand gently to stop his conversation. She tapped his hand, delicately rubbing it. "Now Michael, I am sorry, but I really am not interested in such details about who you are in your life out there. I am much more interested in various other things about you -- more personal things -- like --- What do you like? What are you drawn to? What are your deepest fantasies? To me, your answers to such questions would definitely take my mind away from my work, and provide for very interesting lunch time conversation."
As she said this, she put down her fork, and leaned forward -- showing her intense interest in what he might say now. While Michael was clearly nervous, he thought he would try this out and see where the conversation would go. Michael took a deep breath and sipped his Pepsi in an attempt to calm himself down. His hands were getting sweaty and he had to keep them moving -- doing something -- as he tried to get his first words out.
"Well I like scuba diving, wood working, sailing, leather work, and, lately, I have been drawn closer and closer to horses. There is something about them. They seem so free, yet so dependent on their trainer or owner. At times I just wonder what it would feel like to be in their shoes so to speak. Even my dreams have taken me to stable situations. But in these dreams, I only walk by or with the horses, side by side. These dreams make me wonder more about my fascination when I wake up. This is why I took the job at the tack shop -- to be around horses and learn more about the saddles and harness work they wear. I have always played around with leather before, so picking up the tricks of the trade was pretty easy for me."
Michael finally looked up at the Lady. She was intensely focused on him and biting her lower lip just a small bit. Then he said:
"This is why I was looking for full time work. The tack shop is only to be part time work until I find a full time position, or until the construction work around here picks up some. I would really like this job and would like to take you up on your offer. I can start the beginning of next week. I would like to give the owner of the tack shop some notice, as he was helping me out by giving me the job in the first place. He did not really need anyone, but I needed a place to stay and -- Oh shit -- whoops -- sorry -- I mean oh no -- if I let that job go I am going to have to find a place to stay -- this is going to cost me a lot of money. The only reason I could get by on the part time work was because I got a free room. It was a small tool shed that was cleaned out. It had a bed and chair and small table -- that was it. But I do not own too much anyway, and just needed a place to sleep. Well, I really would like this job. It will bring me closer to the horses and ponies, and I will be doing what I do best -- fixing and repairing things.
The Lady looked bored again. "Why are you speaking of work, dear Michael. I had asked you to speak of other things. Are you done telling me of your fantasies?"
Michael felt he was being too eager --SHIT -- another mistake. So he tried to continue on with something about the joys of scuba diving. The Lady watched him intently -- his face, his hands, the way he shuffled.
"Michael, tell me more about these fantasies of yours -- about being in the shoes of the horses or the ponies. I am particularly intrigued with this notion of yours, and would like to hear more about it through dessert. I will take the liberty of ordering while you think a bit about what you would like to share with me."
Michael thought he had said too much already. He clearly did not know what else to say, and wondered what interested her so about this fantasy. But he did think -- as he was asked to do -- as she left the table to order desserts. What would he tell her next?
She was gone for a while. It seemed rather long for just ordering dessert. And all those who were watching him went through the same door she had slopped into to order the desserts. What was all this about? He did not have much time to think on this, because she then returned, walking slowly and deliberately toward him. He detected no nervousness in her. She brushed Michael's arm lightly, and leaned a bit toward him, whispering."Now, where were we Michael?" And then she sat down, staring even more intently at him. Desserts were brought to the table. She had amaretto cheesecake. She ordered for him apple crisp, with an oatmeal topping, and honey.
And Michael continued about his fantasy..... he was very nervous now and had a hard time looking the Lady in the eye. But he did start again.
"Every time I look at horses or ponies, I think I almost get jealous over them. Isn't that odd? It is as if I think they have got it made. Every one is taking total care of them and they just have to work out and show off for their owners. I dream a lot about if I were a pony. Though that must sound a bit silly, I know. I mean no one can be a pony for real. But ... well, I don't know ... something about being treated like one would be nice ... I think. In fact, I often close my eyes and dream of different tack items being placed on me, or used on me ... or of being put through tests and drills ... and then, after the work, being pampered by being washed down and rubbed ... fed and put up for the night."
At this point, Michael sighed deeply with his eyes closed, and he almost drifted off in another day dream.
As Michael's fantasy seemed to be slowing down, the Lady looked at her watch. Clearly, Michael could tell she was about ready to depart. "Michael -- why did you stare so long at my ranch --enough so that it made you late for our meeting?"
He gulped. Had she been watching him? This was her ranch? He
managed an answer of some sorts.
"Ahhhhhhh ... ahhh ... I ... I just like to watch horses.
I could watch them for hours."
And then she rose and said.
"Michael I have had a wonderful time. I have also spent some time conversing with some my staff on the ranch. The job is yours, so long as you can give me eight hours per day -- no matter when in any particular 24-hour period. While I hear your need for lodgings, I am sorry that I am not ready to offer you any such thing at this point. I need to see the quality of your work, and your commitment to my ranch before any such offer is made. So, I would suggest that you not give up your tool shed just yet. We will talk more about lodgings once I get a chance to evaluate your work."
Michael rose too, as was proper for a gentleman. But the Lady signaled for him to reseat himself. "In your fantasy, dear Michael, would a pony know such proper and socialized ways to greet or say goodbye to his company -- I bet not." She smiled, both broadly and gently, and then pet his shoulder as she walked by him. He felt the breeze of her presence and the essence of her perfume. "Finish your dessert and enjoy my restaurant a bit more -- but do not go into any of the side rooms. These are off limits to all of my employees."
And she continued walking.....only to turn around a minute later, calling out, "Oh Michael, recognize you may see some things on the ranch that are not clearly understandable to you. Should you have questions, do not ask my employees -- you are not to converse with them. You are -- at this point -- a probationary employee, and thus have no rights to converse with the others yet. Any questions should be directed solely to me. And finally, what happens on my ranch and in my restaurant is my business only. It does not leave the restaurant and it does not leave the ranch -- is that clear?"
Startled by the way she called to him across the restaurant, and by the stern tone of voice that overtook her persona, all he could muster was "Yes Mistr..... er .... I mean ma'am" Where did that come from, Michael wondered. Why was I going to call her that --SHIT -- was that another mistake? This time, however, he was not sure. But before he could even figure it all out, she was gone. And still, he did not get her name.
As he left the restaurant he could not help but to turn his head and look around. He did behave himself and he did not ask any questions of the employees, but he did stare at the hallways that seemed to go no place -- with lines of doors that looked like stalls -- only very fancy and closed off rather than open like most stalls are. This was very puzzling. As he was thinking about what all these rooms could possibly represent, he was not actually paying attention to where he was walking. Then ... wham ... he bumped right into a column. All those in the restaurant turned and stared at him. Also, the Lady happened to come out a door. This caught his attention as his clumsiness caught hers. She looked at him, puzzled as to what happened. Trying to gather himself, he said he was very impressed with the structure of the building and that he was not watching where he was going. Then he asked her when she would like him to start and she said that he should stop to register with the guard at the gate of her ranch as soon as humanly possible -- or even sooner. This guard would ID him and provide him a list of tasks that needed attention immediately. He would receive different tasks each day. Additionally, Michael had to bring his own tools. All materials would be provided for what ever tasks were on his list, so he would just have to supply labor, and make sure that each job was completed before starting another. With this last bit of information, she turned and left. Damn, what is her name?
Michael walked out side and turned around and looked more closely at the ranch. It was very well built and he could not see what could possible be so wrong that it needed immediate attention. But then he could not see all the barns or stables. He drove back to his room and got his truck in shape and all his tools ready. He also told the owner of the store of his new job, and asked if he might still keep this part time work, in case this did not work out. The owner had no problem with this. But he also had a huge smile on his face. Michael managed to ask him what was so funny. The man just let out a laugh and told Michael to have fun at the ranch.
This made Michael wonder what he knew. But he ended up just
shrugging his shoulders, happy that he still had the part time
job and the shed as back up. He had a very hard time sleeping
this night. He knew he could arrive at work early in the morning.
However, he did not want to just pop in too early, as he knew
that horses did not take too kindly to being startled too early
in the day. He decided he would arrive at 8:00 am. He remembered
he still did not ask the Lady her name. Odd.