Chapter_02

     The screening for It’s Just Lunch was fairly painless, a questionnaire, question of occupation �" which of course Leo replied he was a professor, and a recent photo, in which was a selfie with his camera phone.

     The dating, on the other hand, was a debacle.  There was:

1.  An uptight Washington lawyer

2.  A plastic surgeon

3.  Widower

4.  And a divorced homemaker

Leopold had all but given up hope when phone rang with a familiar caller I.D. on Black Friday, the day following a Thanks Giving which he spent alone.

     “Hello, Leo.  It’s Stacy with It’s Just Lunch.”

     “Stace, I’m thinking about taking a break from the whole blind date thing.

     “But how will you get to a second date, you gotta keep fishing.”

     “I know!”

     “Well, I just wanted to tell you about a women that signed up today in our Black Friday sale.  Remember how you said you are a patron of the symphony?  You might even recognize her �" Jea �" first chair violin virtuoso.  She’s even picked out a possible first date, tea at the Four Season’s this upcoming Monday.  Leo gasps. 

     “I’m there.  Forward me the details.”

 **********

     Being a brisk September day, Leo decided to valet park at the Four Seasons.  Sporting a conservative blue blazer and khaki slacks, he tentatively made his way across the lobby.  With a flick of the wrist, he checked of his watch, which he rarely wore, reading ten minutes past.  He really should have allowed more time but it is what it is.  Finding the hostess, he waited for the party immediately in front of him to be seated.

     “Do you have a reservation,” ask the hostess, returning to the podium.

     “I’m not actually sure, I didn’t make one.”

     “Well, afternoon tea is by appointment only.”

     “It would be under Kim.”

     “I have a Jung Kim �" umm �" and Jea Seo Kim.”

     “Yes.  Jea is correct.”

     “Table for two, allow me to seat you.  You are the first to arrive. Right this way Sir.”

     “Thank you.”  The hostess leads Leo to a wrap around booth.

     “Watch your step in!”  Leo acknowledges the step up into the booth, drapes his blazer across the ample seating area and scooches towards center of the round table top.  Seated, Leo pulls out his phone and completes a couple rounds of Luminocity games to pass the time.  At least Jea would not know he arrived late.  Then again maybe she wouldn’t show at all.

     Setting down his smartphone, Leo looks up to see a petite Asian in Lululemon Lemon legging, knee high boots, a peat coat, and sporting a violin hard case.

     “Are you Jae?”

     “Yes.  I take it you’re Leopold.”

     “Call me Leo.”  She sets her violin case atop Leo’s blazer and reaches up to give him a lighthearted hug.  “Pleasure to meet you Jea.  That’s Korean right?”

     “The last name Kim gives it away,” as she scooches into the booth.  “What’s Dvorak, Russian?”

     “Close, I’m actually Czech.  Born in Prague.  I left Europe to Study in America following the Velvet Revolution in ’93.”

     “Do you ever go back to visit family?”

     “Never.  I was born to an out of wedlock to a prominent watchmaker and his housemaid.  Their both past now, my mother died five years ago.”

     “But you didn’t attend her funeral?”

     “I did.”

     “But you said you never have gone back to Prague?”

     “Okay, you caught that, yeah for the funeral, the only time I’ve been back.”

     “Well, I sympathize with your situation.  I was born of a Korean mother and American GI stationed on the DMZ.  I have no memory of him though; he left us high and dry when I was hardly one year old.”

     “I’ve never really lamented or anything, maybe I lack feelings.”

     “I over achieve to substitute the loss, perhaps you do the same.  Don’t you have a PHD?”

     “Yeah, I’m a professor.”

     “Where?”

     “I teach at the University of Maryland.”

     “No.  Where did you do your post graduate work?”

     “MIT.”

     “You’re an overachiever too Leo.”

     “Just high functioning.”

     “Call it what you want.”  Leo slowly stretches his left arm up and around Jea’s shoulders.

     “Shall we order?”

     “Sure.”  Leo raises his right hand trying to gain the attention of the waiter.

     “Waiter,” Jea hollers a few tables down.  His attention diverts from the tray he is carrying.

“Yes.  Be right with you two,” says the waiter.

     Looking into Jea’s eyes, Leo sees something he cannot place yet.

     “You’re direct.”

     “Well yeah… we’re waiting here.”

     “No not in a bad way.  I really like that about you.  You really know what you want.”

     “Act now.  Ask questions later.”

     “Yes exactly.  Not to stereotype women, but they can sometimes be so wishy-washy, giving mixed signals and all.”

     “Stop there.  I’m not like other girls.  A statement ago, I thought I just might blow you, now you’re making me second guess.”

     “Excuse me?”

     “You heard me.  Keep it up and you’ll f**k it up.”  She runs her hand down his pant leg underneath the tabletop.  “Waiter.  Two cup oolong tea.”  Turning back toward Leo, Jea looks up to his thick mop of black hair.  “Just a ting of salt and pepper round the ears.  I like it, makes you looks distinguished, like a professor perhaps.  How old are you Mr. Dvorak?”  Leo grabs Jea’s hand and places back on top of the table.

     “Turned 43 just this month and you Ms. Kim?”

     “Don’t you know it’s offensive to ask a woman her age?   “You asked first.”

     “35 and a have a Valentines Day birthday, hint, hint.”

     “7 years between us, I could be your sugar daddy.”

     “Not quite, but I like my men slightly more mature.”

     “Are you saying I’m mature?”

     “We’ll have to find out.”

     Just then, out rolls a cart with clay teapot.  The waiter sets out a metal stand and lights a candle within it, then set down the teapot.  He pours two cups.

     “Our oolong is one of our finest tea, enjoy,” says the waiter.

     “Oh, waiter, might I be able to bother you for a cup of ice,” asks Leo.

     “Absolutely.”  Each raises their teacup.

     “Proust,” says Leo.

     “Salute,” replies Jea.  They each take a sip.

     “Yazaa, that’s hot.

     “Here’s your ice Sir.”

     “Thank you kindly.”  Turning to Jea, “Can I see your instrument?”  She pulls on the metal lapse, popping open the case open.  Leaning over Jea, Leo takes a peek.  “Oh my, is that what I think it is?”

     “You mean violin, yes.”

     “Obviously, but judging by the intricate carving and worn caramel coloring, I’d say that is in fact a Stradivarius.

     “It is.”

     “Have you ever gotten it appraised?”

     “It last sold for a million.”

     “Dollars?”

     “No Euros.”

     “That’s roughly 1.4 million American, why do you know it its value in Euros?”

     “Because it’s actually owned by a Swiss Hedge Fund.”

     “I’m confused.  It’s not actually yours.”

     “A Vienna violin dealer contracts me to play an instrument usually 3 to 6 months.  The Hedge Funds own them, they can afford these violins, and music gets to be heard on these beautiful old instruments.  Win win.”

     “Interesting concept, what’s the name of this violin dealer.”

     “Herr Dimitri Schlauft.  Why?”

     “Just curious.”  Closing the case, Jea places one hand on the handle of the violin case and the other on Leo’s thigh.

     “What do you say we take this tea to go, get a room upstairs, and I play you a solo?”

     “Really!  A room!  Play me a solo.”

     “And I just might solo on you when I’m done.”

Author's Note

Please ignore grammar and spelling mistakes. What do you think of it as a piece?