My Five Best Stories

By Mario V. Farina

This book contains five of my very best stories. The titles are, "Be My Wife For A Day," "I Won My Husband In A Lottery," "I Married The Boss," "I Married For Love, You Married For Gain," and "A Meal To End All Meals." I'm 96. Since I retired at age 90, I authored over 300 short stories. These are my best! If you don't like them, please tell me. I'll try carpentry next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mario V. Farina
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463721896

Mario V. Farina

Mario V Farina has worked all his life, from age 18 to 90. He worked for the American Locomotive Company, served in the U. S. Army during WWII, was employed at General Electric. He taught computers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After leaving his position with RPI, he became employed with the State Labor Department of New York. He’s a car buff, a pun creator, and a computer enthusiast. He wrote textbooks for the programming languages COBOL and FORTRAN and wrote a book of puns and short stories called, “A Little Light Reading,” as well as over 20 other books. Several of his books were translated into other languages. This is his first foray into the world of digital publishing, with the help of his computer tutor ([e-mail]).

Book preview

My Five Best Stories

By

Mario V. Farina

Copyright 2019 Mario V. Farina

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

Electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information

Storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author.

Correspondence may be directed to:

Mario V. Farina

Email: [e-mail]

Be My Wife For A Day

"Will you be my wife for a day, Judy," Walter Watkins asked?

What kind of stupid question is that, she responded with a tone engraved with a measure of anger? You know I'm married! You know I love Ed! Have you suddenly lost your mind? And your sense of decorum?

Oh, Judy, he hastened. I didn't mean to upset you! It's not what it sounds like! Let me explain!

This had better be good, she responded!

"The company I work for has a policy of recognizing people. Somehow, it became my turn. Mr. Morgan, my supervisor, told me today I was being honored tomorrow as being, Husband of the Month. I'm not married, as you know, but I don't want to miss out on this. There may be some sort of prejudice to men who are not married, and it may hurt my opportunities for advancement if I admit that I'm not married. What I'm asking you to do is pretend to be my wife for only the time I'm being celebrated. It would be a sort of playacting for you, and it may even be fun."

How couldn't they know you're not married, Judy asked? Surely, your personnel record shows it.

Lee Thorne, the person who makes these honorary assignments, is not known for having a full set of brain cells in his head. He makes a lot of mistakes like this, but he is the owner's son-in-law.

But, why me? Aren't there a lot of women you could call upon for the same thing?

"They'd say, no, Judy. You and me, we've known each other since childhood. You probably understand me as well as you do your husband. You know that I have no ulterior reason for asking this. And, I don't think Ed would mind."

Ed likes you, Walt. You may be right on that point. But there may be someone there who will recognize me, and realize I'm faking.

You could use your blond wig, suggested Walter. It will change your appearance dramatically!

I know I shouldn't do it!

Please!

All right, said Judy, but you'll owe me one!

Probably more than one! You know where the company is located. The proceedings will be in the main conference room. Dress beautiful!

What time, Walt?

Noontime, Judy.

See you! They hung up.

There were already a dozen people in the conference room when Walter, accompanied by Judy, entered the room. There was a round of applause.

Judy was wearing a white lace dress that could have substituted for a wedding gown. Today, rather than her hair being fiery red, it was luminous blond. All eyes were turned toward her.

A middle-aged man, excessively round at the stomach, short of stature, balding, rushed to greet them. Hello Walter, welcome! We'll be starting the festivities as soon as a few more people arrive!

Walter turned to Judy and said, this is Mr. Morgan, my supervisor. Then facing him, he introduced Judy with, "Mr. Morgan, this is .