In my position as an investment portflio manager, I often have to make
phone calls to other departments in the financial organization I work
for. Several months ago, I placed a phone call to our accounting
department, which is located on an entirely different floor in our
building.
Instead of the usual voice I am used to hearing, I was pleasantly
suprised by a sultry "Accounts receivable, this is Regina speaking".
After inquiring on what happened to Ralph, the accounts receivable
manager I had grown to know and loathe, I was informed that Regina was
taking over his old position. This was great news for me, not only
because of her voice, but also because Ralph was the one person in the
company I could never get along with.
I conducted the inquiry I needed to, said goodbye, and didn't give it a
second thought. A few days later, I had reason to call accounts
receivable again. This time, in the process of conducting my business,
I detected that I was being flirted with. Being a bachelor and hearing
that incredible voice made me curious, but at the same time I realized
that not having ever seen me, it was highly unlikely that this woman
could be anywhere close to serious. I coughed it up to casual
friendliness and again went back to my work. The third time I called
after the changeover, Regina asked if I had been on the second floor
with our mutual funds manager the previous week. I had been, so I
surmised that she knew what I looked like and I answered affirmitavely.
This set in motion a conversation that wasn't disguised friendliness
but instead, overt flirting on her part. Now I was somehwat smitten. I
said goodbye and tried to go back to my work but visions of a young
buxom professional with a voice that could break a heart with a whisper
had me in a frenzy. The next day, I decided it was high time I
introduced myself to the new employee. I made my way down to the second
floor, somewhat exited and nervous and all the while hoping to not be
disappointed. I opened the door to the accounts receivable office and
saw the most beautiful woman talking on her headset. She smiled at me
and made a "hold on a minute" gesture. After her phone call ended, I
reached out my hand and said, "Hi Regina, I'm Jim from upstairs".
She answered, "Hi Jim, I'm Amy, Regina's clerk...did you need to speak
to Regina?". My heart sank a little, and then the woman I would come to
know as Regina came walking out, happy to finally meet me. As you might
guess, she had the aesthetics of a water buffalo with a face that even
a mother couldn't love. I smiled, shook her hand and had a polite but
short conversation before retreatring back to my office. I have since
heard that as Ralph was retiring, he was able to hand pick his
replacement. Why do I get the feeling that somewhere, he is laughing
right now?
