Madison Avenue, 1962 (closed for OnHarry)

[wideeyedone]

Lauren Prescott, tapped her pen in irritation as the meeting progressed. She had prepared a proposal for the ad campaign for Morrison Corn-kits, but Jim Phelps was acting as if he had come up with the entire thing. She tucked her dark hair behind her ear. She shot a hard look at Jim with her big brown eyes and the jackass had the nerve to wink at her. It was the final straw. She wouldn't make a scene in front of clients, she was just a junior copy writer and she knew her place was precarious at best.

After the meeting, she smiled and shook hands, she watched the men all leave to celebrate the deal with drinks and hookers.t

She sighed in exasperation. It was time to go talk to Florence Hope. Florence wasn't a partner, but she had been at the agency for as long at it had been in existence. She was the wizard behind the curtain.

Lauren closed the door behind her and sat across from Florence.

"I can't work with Jim Phelps anymore. Can't you assign me to another person in creative?" Lauren knew she sounded like a whiner. "I know I am lucky to have this job, and the men don't take me seriously, but there has to be someone better than Jimmy."

Lauren bit her lip nervously. She smoothed her emerald green pencil skirt, and tugged at her black silk blouse.

"Florence, if I could work with one of the partners, I would be a great asset. I won't complain if they make me fetch coffee or they call me honey."

Florence looked at Lauren with a raised eyebrow. Florence had taken a shine to Lauren. Lauren was smart and a hard worker, she didn't bring her personal life into the office and she managed to keep up with the boys in the office when they were dishing out their ribbing.

"I need to talk to him about it, but I would like to assign you to Stanley Kirkland. Let me talk to him, I will get back to you by the end of the week. Play nice with Phelps till then."

Lauren knew not to press her luck. She thanked Florence and skittered out of her office and back to her own desk.

 

[OnHarry]

Stan walked to his credenza and poured out a stiff drink of Old Granddad Bourbon, he never really took to the office favourite Canadian Club.

The desk phone rang again and reluctantly he picked up, knowing who would be on the other end.

"Anne is that her again?" he said sitting down glass in one hand phone in the other.

"Afraid so Mr. Kirkland, she never called this much when you were married."

"Yes well, can you put her off at least for now, jeesh I have to figure out what to do with the 'Fairchild Automotive' account. They want a new look for Christ sake, and Phelps is about as inspirational as," here he softly massaged his forehead roughly.

"Wait a moment sir, Miss Hope is just entering the outer office."

"Ahh saved by the bell, show her in now, don't even ask what she wants just put Emily off if you would, and I hope she does not abuse you too much when you do."

"Very good Mr. Kirkland consider it done, but you know Mrs. Kirkland will not be put off for long"

"Mrs. Kirkland is no longer Mrs. Kirkland and will soon be Mrs Ziggy Moline if that jerk actually commits to marry her."

The phone rang off and Stan sipped his bourbon contented for at least a moment as he leaned back in his chair and turned to look out at the Manhattan skyline.

The door opened and Florence walked in, a full bodied older woman, who dressed sensibly with no hint of ostentation. "Thanks for seeing so easily Sir, it is not that big a matter you know. I know you have a lot of issues with the British buyers and that Fairchild Group."

"Not your problem Flo, but dealing with Mrs. Kirkland is one of my biggest irritants just now. So tell me what you would wish from me."

Florence sat down opposite Stanley smoothing her longer, old lady style skirt, "I have a new ad designer who shows, what I personally think, is worth investing some time and effort in bringing her along."

"HER, what her, some young cotton brained Bryn Mawr grad looking to snag a husband before she goes to seed?"

"With respect SIR" Florence answered indignantly, "She is a graduate of Harvard and frankly smarter than many here already."

"Okay Flo I will listen, what about her?" Stan asked as he sipped the whisky in his glass. "Why are you coming to me with this woman?"

"She shows tremendous promise sir, and I would respectfully suggest that I have been a pretty good judge in the past of new applicants. You may recall Art Solitski, no one wanted him due to his Polish name but I saw the promise in him."

"Yeah you got me there, he got the biggest campaign this agency has ever handled, so is this skirt that sort of material, and what makes you think she is?'

"Well sir she orchestrated a new account, pretty much on her own by talking to the other representatives, and we got the account, but her appointed mentor took the credit for that." Florence sat back on her own and waited for an answer.

"Really, well with respect Flo," he said with obvious sarcasm, " what led you to believe she could do better, this new rising star in nylons, than she has already. Chances are the account was better handled by the rep in charge and she in her little mind thought she could do better." Stan sipped some more and then off headedly asked, "what account and who was the rep?"

Florence knew she had an in here, " it was Jim Phelps actually sir, he took full credit for getting the account.

Stan looked up from his glass without raising his head saying, "Jim Phelps couldn't sell a snowball to an Eskimo, I still don't know why the board keeps that suck hole on staff." then another sip and Stan added, "though I suppose because
his granddad started the firm back in the thirties."

Florence suppressed a smile as she knew that Stan could not stand Jim, and merely said, "that is not for me to say sir."

Stan sighed heavily but did not hide a slight trace of a grin and said, "So Flo why come to me, what do you think I can do or what do you think should be done?"

"Whatever you think is appropriate sir, I just think that this young lady may be of great service to the firm, assuming she gets a chance to show what she is capable of."

Stan waved his hand dismissively and said, "Sure send her to me tomorrow morning and let me see what your advocating, BUT, don't fill her silly head with any false expectations I have no time for being a nurse maid for some young up and comer, OKAY"

"Yes Sir I will her her know but believe me I do not think you will be disappointed."

"Yeah well that remains to be seen, but you know if anyone else had come to me with this I would have laughed you out of my office, but I will accept your suggestion, FOR NOW, we shall talk later on this, and if you would I need to call Mrs. Kirkland yet again." With that he waved Florence away.





.

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren arrived in Florence's office early the following day. She wore her most demure office outfit. Her dark hair was pinned up primly. She wore her best white silk blouse, red pencil skirt and her nude stockings with red heels. She wore very minimal makeup, save her Crimson lipstick.

She had her portfolio ready when Florence arrived. Florence looked at her and sighed.

"Mr Kirkland is willing to try you out. But he isn't enthusiastic about it. He knows his stuff. But he isn't one for women outside of the typing pool, and you will have to be cautious of his gruffness. But he is fair. "

Lauren agreed to be amenable and thanked Florence for her trouble. Florence popped up and then led Lauren down the hall to Stan's office.

"Mr. Kirkland, this is Lauren Precott. " Florence looked over her shoulder and asked Stan's secretary for three cups of coffee.

 

[OnHarry]

As Lauren entered his office, Stanley's phone rang and he picked it up gesturing absent mindedly to the leather chair in front of his desk.

"Yes Anne?"

"Sorry sir but it is Mrs. Franklin yet again, she is most insistent about the school fees."

Stan looked about as if Lauren was not even there, "Jeeesuzzzz why do I have to deal with this," then remorsefully he said, "sorry Anne not your issue, ahh tell her I am with a new prospective agent, and add that she," Stan then looked directly at Lauren thoroughly as if he noticed her for the first time. Tell Mrs. Kirkland that she is young attractive and a girl."

"Yes sir if that is really what you want."

It did not occur to Stan at the moment that the young lady kin his office was only privy to half the conversation.

Then hanging up he looked again directly at Lauren staring intently frowning slightly, "SO you are the new rising star that Florence puts so much store by, very well show me what you have!"

Stan detected that perhaps maybe Lauren was a bit put off by him, but nevertheless accepted her preferred portfolio.

Reading it thoroughly he occasionally glanced up and noted she was sitting stiff but quiet and maybe unaffected. After reading through the whole document, which to Lauren must have seemed a disconcerting time, he laid it down in front of him.

"I have read your bit now tell me what do you really have to offer, none of the platitudes in your seemingly impressive portfolio, show me what you are really about, sell yourself to me, make me want to buy your offering, what you want to sell to ME."

"WELL[/B]

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren was taken aback by Stan's request of her to sell herself.

"I am eager to learn, Mr. Kirkland. And I have been successful with the accounts I have landed. I bring a woman's perspective to the table, but I also know what men like. I am good with clients, I know when to be a little flirtatious and when to be demure. I also know that sometimes it is best not to have a woman in the room, I can make myself scarce."

Lauren took a deep breath.

"I am creative, I have an artistic eye and I have a degree in business and marketing from Harvard. I also have some clients in my back pocket. I have been working on landing the Morrison Hotels account, and I already have Bella Rose cosmetics, and Lander's Skin Cream."

Lauren watched him for a reaction, but his face was unreadable. He was a good looking man, and she found herself wanting him to be impressed with her.

"Bella Rose is worth about $500,000 in billings." Lauren looked at him directly.

"I know that you aren't used to working with a woman, but I think we can do good work together."

Lauren got up and made her way to the wet bar. She poured them both a few fingers of scotch, and added an ice cube to each glass. She passed him the drink.

"If you save me from Phelps, I will be forever grateful." She took a few sips of her drink and waited for his response.

 

[OnHarry]

As Lauren went through her resume, or at least her sense of accomplishments, Stan remained implacable. He listened attentively not even nodding or making any outward expression of interest.

When Lauren concluded her speech she walked over to the credenza and poured out two drinks, Scotch he noted, on ice. He did note quietly her pencil skirt, and thought to himself, white silk blouse and red pencil skirt fetching but hardly business like.

He accepted the drink and then just to put her at unrest he said," I prefer Bourbon, and a bit of water with my scotch, not ice. However I am not considering your skills as a waitress but rather as a sales rep."

The look on Lauren was hard to read though he thought it showed some dismay, he had made a living reading the emotions of clients.

Going on he said, "Tell me Miss, he refused to use her name yet, how is it that I as a senior partner in this firm, and the Bella Rose account worth, how much was that again $500,000 in billing , and yet somehow it never crossed my desk?"

Lauren looked a bit taken aback, but otherwise implacable herself, and surprisingly not overly agitated by his directness.

When she did not immediately reply Stan went on, "the one great unquestionable selling point you made in your, little speech, was that you had some disagreement with the sycophant Phelps, wanted out from under him did you, I trust you were not engaging in intimacy with him." then sipping his scotch Stan added immediately, "no you were not your not his type."

Again Lauren was again sphinx like and betrayed no emotion or anger, at least outwardly.

"Come back and see me again tomorrow with the Bella Rose account survey and sales potential and then we will talk about perhaps you will get out from under Phelps. It better be convincing what do you have to say before I dismiss you?"

 

[wideeyedone]

It took all of Lauren's mettle to not scream at Stan. She just smiled and nodded, thanked him for his time and agreed to return in the morning.

She went to her desk and gathered up her Bella Rosa work. She spent the next few hours bent over her desk, hard at work. She crunched numbers and sketched designs. She had the tagline already crafted.

"Bella Rosa.... European Beauty for the All American Girl."

She stayed until only the janitorial staff were left. She put every thing into her valise and headed home.

She arrived bright and early in the morning, dressed in a simple black dress. She wore her hair down with a black headband.

When Stan arrived, she waited for him to put up his hat and coat, and for his secretary to fix his morning coffee and deliver it to him at his desk.

Then Lauren was escorted in.

She presented her ad copy and her designs. Then she laid out the financials.

"The reason this hasn't been across your desk, is because the client approached me, personally. He was looking for a copy writer that wouldn't tart up his campaign. I told him I could come up with something elegant and sweet with just a hint of sex. And he likes the work."

She laid the prospectus in front of him and waited.

 

[OnHarry]

Stan sat down to his coffee and promptly went to the sideboard and put a dash of bourbon in the cup, sitting back down just as Lauren was shown in, dressed this time more business like he thought.

"Okay honey let me see what you got."

Lauren handed him the portfolio then sat back down again a bit stiff and formal.

He looked at the contents remarking as he went, "I thought you were a business major not an art major." then as he sipped the coffee he looked at the figures and without realizing it nodded seemingly in approval.

"Was Phelps leading on this account to start with?"

Lauren nodded slightly and as Stan thought a bit uncertain of what to say. "Yet the client wanted your ideas right?"

Again a non committal nod from Lauren, though an infinitesimal bit of lightening at the corner of her eyes as if she may have sensed the hint of approval.

"This must be relatively new as I don't know the client, but this is your work right?"

Again a nod and perhaps a slight bit of relaxing on Lauren's part, again all of which Stan noted to himself.

Stan repeated aloud the slogan that Laruen had written,
"Bella Rosa.... European Beauty for the All American Girl." Hmmm sounds Italian, that is always sexy with the populous."

Then Stan looked over the balance of the figures and market strategy listed in the presentation, "Okay I will pinch this from Phelps, I doubt he would have given you any credit, but I like the design, I think maybe targeting could use some work but the basic concept works well."

Then Stan leaned back and looked straight at Lauren pondering, thinking for a while, then he said, "I have a problem account, Laurie is it?"

"Lauren sir," she said without any obvious trace of resentment though perhaps in a moment of weakness added "I am good at remembering the names of people I meet."

"Yeah well about that, it is a group of car sales people in Great Britain who want to establish a sales network here in the US, Fairchild who want to sell British and European imports here, not those awful Kraut things that the students drive but up market stuff for the better class of buyer."

Lauren nodded saying nothing, "The Brits that bought us out foisted the account on us and it landed on my desk. If you know your history maybe you should look up the 1930's ads for Duisenberg cars, they had balls considering they were selling a luxury car in the depression."

Then thinking back for a second to Lauren's remark about remembering names he added, "like you they had balls, metaphorically speaking of course you obviously don't."

"Have a look at the background and get back to me in a day or so with some ideas, just rough but something to consider, if I like it you can do the ad copy presentation and we, you and me, along with the art staff will present it when it is developed."

"I should add the Fairchild people are snotty as hell but wanting good plans. Okay LAUREN," He said with obvious emphasis sounding the name out slowly, "so give me something I can sell, than you will work on it with me as we try and sell it to them." then with a dismissive wave of his hand he said, "okay go and work on it while I deal with my domestic matters."

After she left Stan called Anne, "Book me a table at Mama Leoni's for me and Phelps, oh and also add that new up and comer Laur whatever her name is to the table as well, she likes Italian I think."

After hanging up he smiled thinking to himself, 'this is going to make Phelps blood pressure go up, might even give him a stroke.'

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren bit the inside of her mouth. Of course she knew about the famous Duesenberg ad campaign. She just took her assignment and headed back to her desk. She fixed herself a steaming cup of tea. She dropped in a sugar cube and stirred it until the sugar dissolved.

She tapped her pen, and began to doodle and sketch. Luxury. Elegance. She drew fine china, diamonds, South Hampton, a bottle of Chanel no. 5. These were her first impressions of luxury, but she knew that they were cliche.

She dropped her pen and walked out of the office. She rode the elevator down to the sidewalk on Madison Avenue. She watched the businessmen scurry between high rises and looked at the women from the secretarial pools as they visited the coffee carts and gossiped in clusters.

She watched them, imagining the type of couple that might be buying a car from Fairchild Automotive. She spotted one man wearing a very sharp navy suit. Yes, he would be her ideal customer. She imagined his wife, and his house. She invented a life for him in her head.

Maybe he used to like fast cars that were all chrome and a loud muffler, but this guy was successful now, he had a wife, and a house outside of the city. She closed her eyes and imagined him taking his wife out, him opening her door. Her long legs, sliding out of the car.

"Grown up tastes." She whispered.

She headed back to her desk. She sketched out a few ideas, one of the secretaries came by and informed her that she had a business lunch on the books.

 

[OnHarry]

Anne booked a table at Mama Leone's for 1pm and as per Stan's instructions she added Lauren's name to the list along with Phelps but setting her up for 1:30. Stan wanted to soften up Jim before Lauren arrived.

True to form Stan arrived at the restaurant at 12:45 so he could select his table and await Jim Phelps arrival.

While waiting Stan ordered a Manhattan heavy on the bourbon, and perused the regular menu while he waited knowing that Jim was not much for Italian food he preferred steak house stuff usually.

True to form Jim arrived five minutes late, and sat down irritably and ordered a Canadian Club on the rocks.

"So what do you want from me Stan, you could have asked me in the office, so why the lunch meeting?"

"Truth is Jim your not exactly a high flier are you?"

Taking his drink in hand, and swirling the ice cubes around for a moment, he answered "what is your point Stan?"

"Well Jim it seems a that a quite possibly lucrative account has slipped through your hands, lost opportunity there Jim, not exactly kosher if you get my drift."

"I might get your drift if you would tell me what the fuck your talking about," he answered indignantly.

"Well there was this account for ladies cosmetics, Bella Rose I believe, might be good for decent billings, you let that one slip by."

Phelps snorted, "that account isn't worth the powder to blow it to hell, don't know where your information is coming from." He then sat back smugly sipping his whisky.

"Well it seems we almost lost it," Stan replied.

"What do you mean almost I turned it down flat, selling junk to stupid house wives in Staten Island or Queens, they all buy that Avon shit, no sale." He suddenly had a change of mood and said, "are you saying that dog is still around?'

"Yup, it is Jim, one of your interns saw the potential in in it, and did a projection and make up on it and it looks very tasty."

"Yeah shit what intern?"

"Lauren I believe was her name, and she presented the workup to me and frankly I am convinced this one has great potential." Stan sat back with a smirk on his face waiting for Jim's initial reaction, knowing it would be atomic.

"You telling me that young cunt with her so called fancy degrees presented that to you, I cannot believe you fell for that dumb bitches sales pitch."

"Well I did and I still think you were wrong to shove it off, but the company will be going ahead with it, and now she will be reporting to me, not you. What do you want for lunch Jim?"

"You can go fuck yourself Stan, if you want to deal with that cunt go ahead but when I see her again," he said as he stood up, " I will give her what for, and show her who is in charge."

"You haven't got the balls Jim but hey she just walked in, why don't you show her your manly power."

Phelps looked around and saw Lauren walking toward them directed by the maître's di. He stomped off walking past her looking at her he just said one word, "BITCH"

Lauren sat down looking confused and not a little pissed as she was probably aware she had been set up.

Looking at her Stan smiled and said, "That was great, that asshole will hate me forever , maybe you to but no issue, you always get hated in this profession sooner or later just take it in and go with it."

Lauren looking at Stan told him just what she thought of what just happened.

Stan nodded and said "Sorry that was unfair to you, and I accept your anger, I probably deserve that, however you do have talent and you will work with me in future, and don't worry I am not Jim Phelps, you will have a new level of independence. So now what would you like for lunch?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren had walked into the restaurant with a mixture of excitement and anticipation in her stomach. She felt like this could be a real chance for her, but she also knew not to blindly trust the men in her office. She had trusted Phelps and he had stolen her work, and taken credit for her ideas. And then she saw Phelps storming towards her. She wasn't really surprised to hear him loudly call her a bitch, she was a little surprised for him to do it in public, outside of the office. She felt the host flinch when he heard the obscenity.

She shook it off and kept walking. Then Stan tried to make it sound as if it was just part of business.

Lauren looked at him with hard eyes. "I know this isn't personal, that this is just business.... but the next time you want to use me for a prop as part of some stunt. Just tell me." She sighed and took a sip of water. "I know you are used to being the bigger fish, eating up the little fish, but I am always a little fish. Not because of my talent, my experience, or my work ethic. I am the little fish, because I am a skirt, or a girl, or a broad. Well, I can take it. I am going to be the little fish that eats the whale one bite at a time."

Stan asked her what she wanted to eat.

"I am going to have the chicken piccata. But first, some bread and olive oil. I am starving. I was too nervous to eat before I came over."

The waiter came over and took their order. Lauren didn't look ruffled at all, she allowed Stan to order for her. An uninformed observer might have thought they were on a date.

The food was excellent, the wine was well paired and the service was impeccable.

"I have some ideas for the Fairchild account, are you up for business yet, or should we wait for the office?" Lauren asked brightly.

 

[OnHarry]

Looking at Laruen Stan cocked his head to one side for a moment, he often would do this, thinking to himself before answering a question put directly to him, when she asked about the Fairchild Account.

Lauren started to look a bit puzzled, but before he could answer her the waiter came to the table and excused himself, but there was a call for Mr. Kirkland from his office.

Stan stopped perusing Lauren for a second and said, "tell them I am not here."

"With regret Mr. Kirkland I did inform the caller that you were here."

"SHIT; alright bring the phone to the table."

The waiter did while Stan said, "this should only take a minute."

With the phone on the table Stan picked it up and saying hello his face changed expression immediately," Ellen What do you want I am in a business meeting right now with an important client," Stan paused as he listened then replied," I told you already the school fees for Annabel Lee are paid no worry."

There was a longer pause as Stan listened and replied sighing heavily, "in future send me any correspondence through that over priced divorce lawyer you retained and no doubt enjoying his sexiness you seem to admire, goodbye Ellen."

Stan shook his head as Lauren sat there watching silently no doubt waiting for Stan to speak first.

"I apologise for that bit of domestic acrimony you did not need that after Phelps and such." Then changing his expression again le looked at Lauren and asked her okay before you go on let's order dessert, then I will tell you what the clients at Fairchild are expecting, and what I expect from you, nice dress by the way."

When the dessert was ordered, Lauren politely declined accepting espresso instead, Stan explained, "The Fairchild group want to establish a sales network here in the US to market upscale British cars which they feel are ignored. They want to push Hillman, Humber and others. The market for Rolls Royce and Bentley is sewed up but the other lessor brands, though apparently still up scale do not get enough attention."

Stan consumed his Americanised Italian dessert and asked between mouthfuls "give me an idea of what you are thinking, I was impressed, surprisingly to be honest, by your take on that foreign ladies toiletries firm, so I think you may be able to appeal to the client with a similar pitch."

He stopped talking now and looked at Lauren, perhaps a bit more that casually, awaiting her answer.

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren ordered a tiramisu and promised herself that she would eat more sensibly over the next few days.

After the waiter brought their desserts. Lauren took a bite and made a happy little sound when she tasted the espresso soaked lady fingers.

"I think we should focus our pitch to men, a little older, successful. And we should show them these lovely cars, with elegant women in them. A good cigar, an aged bourbon, a lovely grown up woman... a car for a man with grown up tastes. He doesn't need to be a rebel in some drag racing car, he is a man in his own right."

Lauren tried to gauge Stan's reaction, but he was hard for her to read. She took another bite of her dessert. "Maybe even an elegant dessert in the pitch too, or deep, dark bitter espresso. The finer things in life...." She let her voice trail off.

Lauren noticed two business men at the next table looking at her. One of them even winked at her. She smiled back, she wasn't really interested but he might be a prospective client.

 

[OnHarry]

Stan noticed the up and coming executive at the nearby table winking at Lauren and that she took little or no notice of that. Normally he would not pay that much attention to the other tables, and he was surprised that she did not seem to notice or mind that much.

'She most have a boyfriend or something,' he surmised to himself, 'as that guy would be near her age and maybe attractive,... he guessed.'

That aside he sat back after Lauren made her pitch and regarded her for a brief moment saying nothing again as he often did then said, "You are on the right track with that I think, maybe some wife dressed up to go to the country club, or maybe in tennis clothes. Probably not some teen bride but rather a more mature refined type."

Then he asked for the bill and stood up saying, "I think we can walk back if you wish so I can think on this and you can bounce any other ideas off me. I will book a meeting with the client when we get back and we, you and me, will discuss it with them. When we get their approval or at least their interest get me the sketches and ad design and I will consider it on the weekend at my house in Brighton Beach I think clearly when I am near the water, even if it is a bit working class."

While they walked Stan looked at Lauren again closely and while waiting for a traffic light to cross a street asked her, "Tell me about yourself, not what you put in the resume', but you, and what you want, what you think, where you want to be sometime after this, or what you do to entertain yourself?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren was enjoying the staccato rhythm of walking on the Manhattan street when he asked her about herself. She smiled at the question.

"I am not all that interesting. I love to read and I go to the movies, quite a bit. I hope to work my way up in this firm, but I will go to another if I have to to get ahead." She realized that might have been too much, so she did her best to dial it back.

"Maybe someday I will fall in love and be some man's wife, but I enjoy working, and I can't imagine myself just being a housewife."

Lauren leaned down and adjusted the strap on her heel, before continuing down the street. A man across the street let out a loud wolf whistle.

Lauren had to do her best not to smile a little, she loved the way she felt in the heels she was wearing.

"I am thinking you are right about the country club route. A luscious wife in a tennis whites with long legs and Liz Taylor looks."

 

[OnHarry]

"I am thinking you are right about the country club route. A luscious wife in a tennis whites with long legs and Liz Taylor looks."


Stan laughed softly, "yeah Liz's looks and no doubt some of her other more specific attributes."

Stan looked at Lauren again not concerned if his constant survey of her made her uncomfortable, truth was if it did she did not seem concerned and he was not either. Then out of the clear clue sky Stan said, "if I were selling to that more sophisticated crowd, I would think maybe someone more like Audrey Hepburn. Her calm demeanour and classic looks would maybe get the attention of the wives maybe. You know some model who looks like, say you, for instance." Then Stan turned away not seeing Lauren's reaction.

They were at the entrance to the office tower and Stan said to Lauren, "I like your ideas and don't mean to disavow them but let me see what you think for sure about this campaign and assign that make up account to the art department, your right it would sell I am sure."

Then while without thinking he opened the door like he would for any female nearby. "Get me your ideas and we will talk before you, rather I mean we, present it to the board first, then the client. Now I am signing off for the weekend even though it is only Thursday, so I can go to my place and think, and maybe do some fishing. One of the few pleasures still left to me after my divorce."

Then he was all business, work up what you think I want YOUR honest ideas and don't be surprised if I question them or shoot them down. If you have any doubts or serious questions Anne my secretary has my phone number and if need be my address."

With that Stan left Lauren in the lobby to the agency and quickly made his way to his office first, telling Anne where and when he could be contacted over the weekend, and then discretely withdrawing from the office .

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren was still a little on edge, but she felt so much better with Stan than she had with Phelps. She mentally took notes as he gave her instructions. She noticed his eyes lingering on her, but she didn't mind. As long as he wasn't a letch about it, and he was good looking, even if he was a little older than she was.

He held the door open for her. She smiled and whispered a quick thank you. But then she headed to the art department. There she sat with the head of art, Fred Martin, she told him what she was envisioning and then soon he had sketches. He told her he would have finished art work by the end of business the following day.

Lauren headed to her desk and got to work on the auto account. She typed up her proposal and made a plan for the country club add. She made some calls to casting to let them know they would be looking for an "Audrey Hepburn" or a "Grace Kelly."

She noticed a small package on the corner of her desk. She opened it, thinking it might be a gift... but when she looked inside she stifled a startled yelp and dropped the box. It was a dead rat and written inside the lid of the box was the word BITCH.

She kicked the box towards the wastebasket. She was embarrassed that she had made such a noise. She saw Phelps and some of his boys snickering over at the corner. She refused to give them the pleasure of responding.

She sat back down and got back to work.

 

[OnHarry]

Stan went home shortly after leaving the office, taking his Austin Healey a car his ex hated though he loved the feeling of driving in an open top car in good weather though he cursed it when the weather went wintery.

After arriving at his dwelling he firstly got out of his suit and into a pair of slacks and pull over sweater. For the rest of the day and early evening he indulged himself in a quick trip to the shore and tried unsuccessfully to catch something for his supper.

Returning to his place a few hours later after sampling some libations at the local bar, mainly Old Grand dad Bourbon. He considered what to do this evening, thinking he would go over some campaigns and then subsequently ruled that out until the morning.

Then he considered what to do for dinner and eventually walked to the nearest restaurant and ordered up a shrimp cocktail appetizer and ended with a broiled sirloin topped with grilled mushrooms and onions, having a glass or two of Chateau Palmer with the steak.

Returning home he settled in and again eschewing work related activity he poured himself some more bourbon and put on a few jazz records, settling down with one of Michener's older novels he had just now gotten around to reading, "the Fires Of Spring"

After dosing later on, the book falling into his lap several times, he decided to go to bed and work on real work in the morning.

When he arose he showered and dressed for the day at home, and after looking over the files he had brought with him yesterday he nursed several cups of coffee until he knew that Anne would be at work and checked in.

She told him there was nothing much to tell him, and then she recalled the day before and she recounted the incident with Phelps and Lauren.

"Apparently, " she said, "Florence read the riot act to the conspirators including Phelps and that was that, no more was heard in that regard."

Stan sighed and said to Anne, " Tell Lauren if she has any issues let me know, and if she has any revelations regarding the account she is working on let me know that as well and if need be give her my address here, ....." he hesitated briefly an then added, "let her know if she has something really interesting call me and if I feel the need I will meet her over the weekend, or in the office on Monday. Okay Anne?"

Anne replied in the affirmative and rang off.






..

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren spent the morning, doodling and thinking at her desk. She did her best to not act like she was bothered by Phelps's prank the day before. She thought about details. Details were what made a car a luxury car. And it was the details that made a woman's appearance flawless.

She took some notes. She imagined the details of the car contrasted with the details of a woman. Perfect lipstick, sleek paint job. The curves of a car, the trim waist and swell of the hips.

A masterpiece for a man with grown up tastes.

She dropped her notes off at Anne's desk and asked her to forward the work on to Stan.

Then she went back to her regular assignments, working on the shoe ads and coupons that were part of her usual accounts.

Lauren twisted her hair up off of her neck and absently stirred her hot tea, hoping the sugary tea would help keep her mind on her work and allow her to make it through the rest of the day without another run in with Phelps.

At lunch time, Lauren went by herself downstairs and across the street to the luncheonette. She usually ate lunch alone. The girls from the typing pool didn't want to eat lunch with her, and neither did the guys from creative. It was just easier to eat on her own.

She ordered a chicken salad sandwich and a coke. She curled up in her favorite corner booth with a book to read as she ate. She hoped the book might inspire some ideas for the car campaign.

 

[OnHarry]

Later in the day on the Friday, sometime after lunch, Stan sat back and reread what Lauren had done with the Bella Rose account, and pondered the depth of it and considered calling the office that day and connect with Lauren about the details of the sales projections.

When he did actually call he was told by Anne that Lauren had gone out to lunch that day. "Fair enough tell her that when she gets in that I want to discuss that account with her in depth."

"Which account was that Sir," Anne asked?

"The Bella Rose account," he said, "she will know what it is, and I suspect have a firm grasp of it, that girl is good I think."

Then almost as an after thought he added, " Tell her to, give me some more ideas on the Fairchild Account as well, I was thinking that the target might be more upper middle class house wife's, hell their husbands probably were driving Cadillac's or Lincolns not some snotty limy car."

"Very good sir, I will tell her that and should she call you there if needs be?"

Stan paused for a moment and then thought, " Yea, tell her to call me here I gave you the number here, Right?"

"Indeed you did sir, and she will be told."

When Lauren returned from her lunch there was a message on her desk to call Anne right away.

When Lauren called Anne informed her, "Mr. Kirkland called and wishes you to call him at his place regarding the accounts you are working up for him, he wants some details."

Then before hanging up Anne also added, " He seems very impressed with you Lauren, I would call him sometime to day when you can."

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren was pleased by Ann's report that Mr. Kirkland was pleased with her. She couldn't help but like Kirkland. He was smart and well thought of in the industry. He had listened to her ideas and on top of all of that, he couldn't stand Phelps. She also thought he was attractive for a fellow a bit older than she, but she knew that he was in the middle of a messy divorce. She wasn't particularly interested in diving into that mess. She had overheard his wife's screaming phone calls to the office.

Lauren didn't have an office of her own. She worked in the bull pen of lower level creative folks. So, she gathered her notes and sketches and then called Kirkland at the number that Ann had given her.

She bit her lip nervously and then mentally ordered herself to get it together. She didn't need to be nervous. This wasn't personal. This was about ideas.

She said hello in a bright cheery voice when she heard him answer the phone. "This is Lauren. Ann told me you asked me to call, so I have gathered my ideas for you." After they exchanged pleasantries, Lauren went through the Bella Rose campaign. She planned on using typical All American Girls to sell the european sounding beauty line. Girls getting ready together to go on the town, looking like they might be sorority sisters. A bride getting ready for her wedding day. A young coed getting ready for a date. A wife putting on lipstick before her husband got home. She walked through the campaign and the financials. She knew that the president of Bella Rosa cosmetics was on board. he had loved her pitch.

She proposed that they do a formal pitch to the Bella Rosa folks.

"I think we should have them come in. Maybe take them to a nice dinner. Mr. Hoskins, he is the president, he and his wife love everything glamorous."

 

[OnHarry]

After talking to Anne Stan reread the Bella Rosa account outline from Lauren once again, trying to think how to appeal to that market. He concluded maybe mass marketing or maybe television ads in conjunction with the print ads.

Late that afternoon the phone rang, Stan was not thinking of Lauren at that point, but rather the Fairchild Account so he was caught a bit off guard by her call.

He answered noncommittally and was brought back to the moment by her cheerful though he thought a bit strained tone, making him think she was trying to impress him.

After the quick discussion on lunch and work he settled in to hear her thoughts on the account he called on. He was restrained and said little or nothing except the odd interjection until her thoughts had run their course.

after what might have seemed a long pause to Lauren he said, "the ideas are interesting, but I wonder are they too general, maybe trying to appeal to too broad a customer base."

He said nothing more for a moment while he sipped his ever present bourbon and then said on reflection, "maybe I am thinking on too narrow a line here. I was wondering today while reading your rather excellent and well thought out presentation ideas. Maybe what is needed a perspective that comes from someone who is much like the market you seem to be going for. Maybe that is why Phelps and maybe even myself tend to lose touch with the targets."

Lauren asked what he meant, "I mean you and perhaps some of the other ladies in the office would be able to serve as a sort of potential customer base, unencumbered by a lot of male outsiders. I can and would sell this along with your ideas, maybe you could be like one of those secret agents we see in the films these days, an undercover person with inside knowledge."

He paused again to added "we,you and me, will present it your way and make sure he does bring his missus, and maybe we can bounce some of this off her as well. Then while YOU present I can watch his and her reactions, that of course is assuming he is one that will listen to his wife as opposed to tell her what to think."

Stan was in full blown thought now, "I think if maybe you could do some research on him personally and try to fathom his depths and maybe hers as well, maybe she is active in his business and is not some dummy whodoes not think for herself."

Then sipping the last in his glass, Stan said, "If there is anything else that comes to mind call me here again I will be here all weekend, but maybe in and out. Then after you do the research think again along the line of Fairchild as well, good job Lauren, we will work together I think on this. Think over the weekend and let's get this done on Monday"

He signed off then, but after hanging up he said aloud to himself, "What does she actually look like nice legs I think, dark hair,hmm I should pay closer attention to her physical self rather than her ideas."

 

[wideeyedone]

Lauren was all smiles when she got off of the telephone. She worked on the proposal until well after the other employees left. She called the Fairchild office and made arrangements for them to wine and dine those folks. She also called the Bella Rosa offices and set up a dinner and formal pitch. She asked the secretary what kinds of flowers the Mrs. liked and what kind of liquor the Mr. enjoyed.

She took notes and made arrangements. Then she slid her things into her valise and headed out. She normally rode the subway but at this hour, she opted for a cab. She was smiling and humming as she got to her apartment.

Once inside she made a cup of tea and heated up a can of soup. She curled up with a good book and her tea.

"Finally, it was a good day." She said with a smile.