h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Promotion! How wonderful
*waves to the new ACE*

Aaarrggghhhhh!!!
When did that happen? Perhaps that's why my page wsn't updating earlier. Blimey Gov'nr!

Will you still talk to me, or do I have to make an appointment with your secretary? (Better still, can I apply for the job as your secretary?)

You know better than that, my dear. My door is always open.

Are you sure it isn't a cubicle ?

*sporky, trying to lighten the mood

Toilet or workspace?

Does that mean I get to push past any assistants saying
"No, I don't have an appointment - I don't need one"
leaving them spluttering and trying to phone security.
I've always wanted to do that.

But naturally

Can I flounce when I do this too? Please!
Get some huge double doors so that I can push them both aside. The assistant will be running behind to apologise to you ("Sorry Sir, I couldn't stop her") and you will swivel round on your chair from behind the big desk, looking cross at first. Then a big smile will appear on your face.

"Coely, darling!", I'll croon, standing and sweeping you into a huge hug. "That will be all Miss. er Smith. Cancel the rest of my afternoon appointments, and 'Old Friend' just arrived form out of town. Oh and I won't be taking any calls, and close the door on your way out, thank you!"

Do you have a lock on that door? And remember to switch off the intercom. Wouldn't want Miss Smith listening in now, would we!
I imagine you have a sound system in the office? Put on some music, hold me tight, and dance. You choose the track.

*Flicks a switch on the desk, the doors lock with an audible click.
Hermetic seals, wonderful invention. A flick of another switch and the intercom goes dead. A third switch is thrown and a previously concealed partition slides back to reveal a fully stocked bar. Standing ready to pour is a chilled bottle of Dom Perignon and two exquisitely wrought champagne flutes. A CD clicks into the B & O sound system and the opening chords to Vic Damone's 'It Had To Be You'
drift lightly across the room. He pours the champagne, and passes a glass to his companion, they sip, and he takes the glasses and places them on the side. He takes her in his arms and holds her tight as they waltz to the music*
He whispers in her ear, "Is this what you had in mind?"

*Quite overcome she is barely able to whisper back*
"Oh yes. This is perfect. How did you know?"
Safely in his arms they dance together. She presses her head against his chest and he can smell the perfume in her hair.*

Giddy with her closeness, and the familiar perfume, memories of another time rise up. A smile plays across his lips. How could he have forgotten? He holds her tighter. The music continues and they dance on. My God! It was good to see her again, to feel her so close to him again. What had happened to her? Where had she been for all these years? No matter. There would be time to sort all that out. For now he relishes in contentment that she is here, in his arms, dancing, and he is happy. The music continues.

One track glides seamlessly into another. The magic of the old familiarity makes it easy for them to dance as one. Neither wants to break the spell, but there are so many questions to ask. For the moment, they are content to hold, and be held, neither wanting to let go.

*In the outer office, Miss er Smith is being chatted up by the suave and debonaire Mr Sporkulious Eglon, both oblivious to what is happening behind the locked doors, and little caring.*

*Meanwhile within.......*
The last melody fades and the music stops. They cling to each other a moment longer, not wishing to lose the moment. She tilts her head back and looks up. Their eyes lock and they lose themselves in each others gaze. Her lips part slightly. She feels his muscular back beneath his pristine white shirt. A million thoughts and posibilities race through his mind. Hoarsly, his voice thick with emotion, he whispers her name. She, her gaze darting from one eye to the other, questioning, searching, quietly replies 'yes?'
His pager goes off. A frown creases his brow.
For now, the moment is lost. He pulls away and fumbles with his pager.
'Sorry' he mumbles. He checks the number flashing on the little screen, and a quiet curse escapes his lips. 'Damn!'
Still standing where they stopped, she queries 'What's wrong?'
'My Boss', he replies.'A summons', 'Oh' she responds,'I better go'.
'Yes, I suppose. NO. Wait, before you go. Dinner? At the Regency? Say 7 o clock in the cocktail lounge? I can't let you just dissappear again. We need to catch up. Say you will.'
She smiles as she collects her bag and coat from where she had let them fall. 'Yes, dinner would be nice. I'll let you get on. Could you?'. She gestures towards the doors. 'Of course', he flicks a switch and the doors click. He is already busy gathering papers.
She reaches the doors,'Till 7?', he looks up briefly and nods, a quick flick of a smile, and she is gone.
'Damn' he thinks, and rushes out to his summons.......

Later that evening, a taxi draws up at the door to the Regency...