29. Name Dropper

Everybody has a Patrick at their workplace.

Patrick checked his watch and saw that it was almost noon. The office manager got up from his desk and headed toward the lobby to see if the day's mail had arrived yet. When he got there he noticed a well-dressed, middle-aged woman sitting in one of the chairs perusing a magazine. He leaned closer to the receptionist and whispered in earnest, “Do you know who that is?!”

She shrugged and shook her head.

“That's Meredith Fini!” he continued in a hushed tone, “She and her husband own Fini Manufacturing over on Enterprise Road. She personally knows the mayor and half of the city council and she's on the board of directors for three local non-profit organizations.”

“She said she's here to meet someone for lunch,” the receptionist whispered back.

“Probably Derek. I wonder if they'd let me tag along,” he replied. Then he began to boast quietly, “I met her at a party last week. We talked for a while. It pays to have important friends like her, you know.” He straightened up and and said out loud, “Hello, Ms. Fini. Nice to see you again.”

She looked up from her magazine. “I'm sorry,” she said with a puzzled look, “Have we met?”

“Yes,” answered Patrick a little sheepishly, “At the Humane Society fund raiser. Remember? My name's Patrick.”

She smiled warmly. “Oh, I met a lot of people that night. It's difficult to remember them all.”

Just at that moment, he noticed Chrissy coming down the hall toward the lobby. It was casual Friday and that meant that she was dressed in ripped black jeans, black tank-top, black work boots and burgundy lipstick. She held a navy hoody draped over her left shoulder and most of her tattoos were on full display. Patrick started to panic. He didn't want someone like Meredith Fini to think that Chrissy was typical of the employees at Brosky Software Solutions. He quickly tried to think of an excuse to send Chrissy back to her office.

“Say Chrissy,” he said nervously as she approached the lobby, “Could you go back and --?”

“Nope. I'm off the clock,” she answered dismissively as she brushed past him. To his horror she walked right up to Meredith and stopped in front of her. “Okay, I'm ready,” she said.

“Great! Where do you want to eat today?” asked Meredith as she set the magazine down and stood up.

“There's a new lunch wagon by the courtyard. Their kraut-dogs are to die for.”

“Mmm... sounds delicious.” Meredith turned to Patrick as she and Chrissy headed toward the door and said, “It was nice meeting you, Philip”

“P-Patrick,” he corrected. As they walked out the door, Patrick turned to the receptionist with a look of astonishment.

She was grinning at him.

Author's Note

As always, suggestions and constructive criticisms are welcome.

Reviews

[SpeedyHobbit Armstrong]

Ha! Owned! Talk about making a very bad judgment call and stereotyping people like crazy!

I haven't read previous chapters to know for sure, but I get the impression he's one of those people who uses others to climb the social ladder while not actually caring about those people he uses. All he cares about is the prestige, and if those people he's trying to impress are suddenly poor or made to look bad, he'll drop them like a hot coal.

[Craig2591]

That does describe Patrick very well, though he plays a very minor roll in these stories. Chrissy and Meredith are best of friends, as unlikely as that may seem. If you get time, read "A Table For Two, Please" for another good laugh by these two at more pretentious peoples expense.

[SpeedyHobbit Armstrong]

Oh, I can believe it, I have enough unlikely friendships to believe any pair! I shall definitely have to check out that story. The whole concept of "pleasing/impressing the right people" has always rubbed me the wrong way. Not a fan of the Patrick types#

[EdgarAllanPoet]

I think this is good as is.

[Craig2591]

Thank you.

[Joseph Greene]

Very creative, even funnier. Irony at its finest.

[Craig2591]

Thank you very much.

[fitz Roberts]

Lmao poor Patrick and that wrong tree

[Craig2591]

Thank you.

[lissalovesyou]

Wow! Poor Patrick's reaction!
lissalovesyou:)

[Craig2591]

Thank you.

[John Lauterbach]

Nice little clip. I especially liked the bit at the end where Meredith forgets his name.

[Craig2591]

One of my favorite chapters. Thanks.

[Kaya]

Perfect!!! That definitely shows him!!! As always I can't wait to read more.

[Craig2591]

Thanks. A very fun chapter to write.

[Tabitha t]

hahaha he got whatb he deserved. as always a great write and I am looking forward to more and more and more!

[Craig2591]

Thank you, Tabitha. Your reviews encourage me to write more and more and more!

[Tabitha t]

thats what fans are for!

[Barbara Walker]

Oh I liked where this chapter went! Nice to see Patrick speechless! Great chapter!

[Craig2591]

Thank you.

[Tina Kline]

A fun chapter. And yes, there is always that one person who thinks a little bit too highly of themselves and looks down their long nose at someone they think is not quite up to standard.

[Craig2591]

Agreed. The fun of writing is being able to put them in their place.