“Be a man, for Christ’s sake.”
Then Clarissa stopped talking.
“Sounds like you’ve got a real firecracker on your hands, if you don’t mind me saying so,” the chauffeur said. “My name is Ralph, by the way. You know, I was a part-time cab driver and part-time therapist. I helped all my clients with their relationship problems,” Ralph continued.
“And who were your clients, exactly?” I asked skeptically.
“Well, all the people who rode with me in my cab back home, of course,” Ralph said playfully.
Ralph looked at me through the rearview mirror.
“Those types of women are no good. Always trying to get you into something or other.”
I nodded.
“Who the hell is that?” Clarissa yelled.
“Oops,” Ralph whispered as his eyes widened.
I turned off loudspeaker mode on the phone.
“Never mind, Clarissa. This conversation is over. I’m going to meet new talent right now, and I need to be in the right headspace. I need to let you go now.”
Click.
“Good riddance for now,” I sighed.
“I hear you, my friend,” Ralph said.
Friend? Who the hell does this guy think I am?
“Listen, Ralph, that’s your name, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s right,” Ralph replied.
“My longtime friend Moretti recommended you for this job. He said you were the son of one of his close associates. Is that right?”
“Umm, yes, that’s right,” Ralph said uncomfortably.
“Good, good. So do both of us a favor and just stick to driving, please. I need to get to this meeting by 2:00 p.m.”
“I understand,” Ralph said. “I’m sorry. I can be a little nosy at times, but believe you me, I’m very helpful when it comes to relationship advice. I helped my neighbor who has been married five times and had six kids,” Ralph said proudly. “And don’t you worry, we’ll arrive at the jazz club at 1:45 p.m.”
“Well, thank you, Ralph. You sound like a very helpful person.”
Jesus Christ! Five wives, six kids. Who has that kind of money? I could barely handle my divorce from Clarissa. She would have taken me to the cleaners if it weren't for the prenup.
The rest of the five-minute ride was silent.
Ralph pulled over and parked next to the curb.
“Here you are, Mr. Bennett.”
“Thank you, Ralph.”
I stepped out of my luxury SUV. I put on my hat and jacket, closed the door, and gave it two gentle knocks.
“Hey, Ralph, thank you for getting me here on time. This is a good start.”
