Caryn Elizabeth 2023 ReDux Survival

By R. H. Politz

When War destroyed everything, Caryn and her daughters ran to escape the dangerous aftermath only to find themselves in an unknown strange land of spells, magic and mystery.
Have they jumped from the frying pan into the fire or is this a great new beginning of their future lives?
A strange tattered white dove had somehow guided them to an ancient castle where an invisible lookout had been on duty in a tower for years and time for him seems to have completely stopped.
Can She and her daughters adapt to living in this radically different world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. H. Politz
• Release date: Feb 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463900390

R. H. Politz

Business consultant in finance, accounting/tax, operations, planning and writing occasional articles, stories and books about whatever catches my interest.Creator and owner of the Trade Mark four letter word "IBAX"Excerpts from some Op-ED's I wrote about the future.May 2017: - Dictators always create crises and wars to gain more power and I suspect such crises and wars will be coming very soon..December 2023 - And that is exactly what they did.December 2022: - The obvious agenda of the Dictators' internal War against the USA is enticing me to rewrite the fantasy Story "Caryn Elizabeth - Survival" as a twenty first Century redux of "The Roaring 20's" followed by a redux of "The 30's Great Depression" crisis that caused World War II.May 2023: - I've placed re-writing "Survival" on the back burner for now.I HOPE YOU ALL WILL KEEP SMILING, ENJOY THE DAY AND STAY WELL. ♥

Book preview

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Caryn Elizabeth

R H Politz

Copyright © 2010 - 2023

Robert H Politz

All rights reserved

No part of this work may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

For information regarding permissions, write to R. H. Politz at 9849 Masked Duck Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117

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This is a work of fiction based on the original story

After 2012

By

R. H. Politz

Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, entities, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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We hope you enjoy this tale of struggle and chaos in a world of danger, paranormal beings and magical wishes.

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C O N T E N T S

Caryn Elizabeth

R H Politz

Copyright © 2010 - 2023

Robert H Politz

All rights reserved

Dempsey’s Incompetence

The Contract

Armageddon

The White Dove

The Valley Awakens

A Puzzling Puzzle

The Teacher’s Name

The Dark Tower

The Book of Prophesies

A Holiday Surprise

Christmas Eve Day

Christmas Day

The Secret Stairs

Spells and Curses

The Gift of a Name

The Counter-Spell

Bixby’s Treasure Hunt

The Silver Sheath

The Knight’s Dagger

The Ghosts of Blackthorn

A New Mission

Hestia’s Bracelet

Hestia's Warning

The Illusion

Reconstruction

Dempsey’s Incompetence

Caryn had already counted her tips and was anxious to leave when her replacement arrived. She gave her tip sheet to George and scowled. Yuck, politics. Why do you watch that depressing news all the time?

Her boss looked at her tip total, shook his head and turned off the sound. Because Caryn, those people are dangerous. If they start a war, I'd like to know about it.

War? Yeah, right, like that's going to happen.

Hey, you never know. Anyway, thanks for staying late. I really appreciate it.

No problem Boss. Just tell Stella to get here on time tomorrow. I have to pick up my kids..., five minutes ago.

She hurried to her car, sped out to the street, and stopped. Oh crap she mumbled. Total gridlock. I'm late and I need gas. I’ll never make it to the highway in this mess. If I take the back streets maybe I can make it on time.

She eased along a parking lane and turned into cross traffic to a surface route with stop signs and traffic lights. Progress was slow but at least she was moving. The school bus was already pulling away when she arrived and parked.

Ridiculous. she sputtered exiting her car. I barely got here in time.

She hurried toward the bus stop but stopped mid-way to listen when she saw her daughters arguing.

Cut it out, Julie! Amy shouted pushing her.

Julie stumbled backward spilling her books to the ground. She clenched her fists and blustered, Will not. You said it. Now take it back Amy. Take it back!

I will not! rebutted Amy. It’s all Mom’s fault. If we hadn’t moved, I’d still have some friends. These kids are mean and stupid. I hate it here.

Julie leaned toward Amy’s face. "Yeah? Well, I do too. But it’s not that bad. And it’s not Mom’s fault either. We had to move. She got another job. Remember? Anyway, some of the kids aren’t so stupid and we’ll be here for a long time. You’ll see. We can make new friends."

Amy scowled and kicked some dirt out over the curb. Yeah, right, new friends, as if. What do you know? You’re only in fourth grade.

Yeah? Well, you’re only in fifth Amy. And you’re just mad cause those boys made fun of you. And you didn’t have to push me out of the seat. That big idiot was just trying to impress his friends so they'd think he's cool.

"If he tries that again I’ll clean his clock. And it is Mom’s fault. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her."

Amy stood frozen for a moment and then exhaled a long breath as her anger began to subside. Oh never mind Sis. Come on, let’s go wait for Mom at the corner.

Caryn felt hurt and guilty from Amy’s angry words but forced herself to pretend she hadn’t heard anything as she scooped them up to take them home.

How was school today, girls? she asked looking at their scowls in the rearview mirror. Their only response was an angry grunt. Did you have a good day? she continued with a smile hoping to defuse the squabble.

Amy made a face and started to whine. That stupid kid in –– But Julie’s quick elbow followed by a whispered, Don’t say anything. interrupted her complaint. Amy pushed back and whispered, Okay. All right. and then answered, Yeah, it was okay Mom.

What about the softball team signups, did you get your names in for the tryouts?

No Mom, we can’t sign up till next week and we have to have some kind of insurance thing signed.

Insurance…? I thought we had that already.

We don’t know Mom. The coach said she’d give us a form to take home next week. Guess we’ll find out then.

As she pulled into her aunt’s driveway, Caryn thought, .Insurance so they can play softball? Great. I wonder what that’s going to cost.

Hi kids, greeted their aunt as they jumped out of the car with scowls on their faces. My, my, don’t we look grumpy today. The girls said nothing and Caryn shrugged with an, Oh well look on her face. Okay then kids. Grab your books. What do you want to do first today, homework or clean the rec’ room?

Julie hated cleaning the recreation room. It was always a mess. Oh, um, we’ve got lots of homework. You know, like tests and things.

Amy, on the other hand, didn’t really care. Whatever you want us to do. Bye Mom. See you tonight.

Yeah, see ya Mom. Then, Julie silently mouthed to her sister, Homework… tell her we have lots of homework so we don’t have to clean.

Caryn chuckled at her daughters shenanigans, gave them a quick kiss and drove off to her second job.

It would be another long night of waiting tables while trying to force her daughters’ quarrel out of her mind, but do it she would. Christmas was coming and she needed extra money for gifts. It was her favorite time of the year. A time to be with her daughters and watch their joy as they opened the few presents she hoped she could afford.

The week crawled by without further arguments and work was quiet with few customers and even fewer tips.

Sunday evening: Her daughters had gone to bed and everything was done. She had some free time, a rarity indeed. There was nothing interesting on television and she was too tired to do any more housework. Her eyes closed as she settled back against a cushion and sunk into the comfortable folds of a chair. Rest at last she thought.

Then, reality struck. She stood up, rubbed her face with both hands and shook herself awake. Okay, whew, Can’t go to sleep yet…, too early. I’ll wake up at four and be exhausted by noon. Guess I’ll catch up on my diary.

She would occasionally scribble notes on scraps of paper and later, copy them into her diary. It gave her a chance to have an imaginary conversation and talk things out with herself. A quick glance at the note in her checkbook made her sigh. Nuts. she muttered shaking her head.

She opened her diary and began to write.

Just when I thought we were getting ahead I had to take a second job again. Tips have been crummy for the last two years and business is getting slower every month.

The credit card bills came in this week. I’m back to paying only the minimum. Interest is eating up every dollar I have and grocery shopping is a nightmare. Julie won’t eat hot dogs and Amy won’t eat hamburgers. Meatloaf doesn’t work for them both anymore either but at least they still like macaroni and cheese. I have to make something different for each of them almost every day and I can’t afford some of the things they really like. They’re sisters. How can their tastes be so different? Boy, I really hope something changes soon. I can’t take much more of this new economy stuff.

The government had passed legislation to increase taxes on everything average people needed and started issuing new grants to study the flight habits of the extinct Dodo bird. Pork barrel spending had reached its zenith and the elite ‘good-ole-boy’ network knew the voters would rebel at the next election. So while they had control of the government’s purse-strings, they filled their pockets and left ordinary people with less money, higher living costs and empty promises.

The economists called it The great recession. To Caryn and other average working people, it meant much more than a phrase as government tax and spend programs squeezed every penny from their paycheck-to-paycheck pockets.

Even in the face of all this, Caryn would not let the smile evaporate from her face and continued her fight to improve their lives. Her tenacious determination eventually paid off with a better paying job as a lead butler in a five-star hotel which she approached with all the enthusiasm and vigor she could muster.

Her new employer provided very valuable training and she happily gave the Movie stars, corporate CEO’s, kings and even presidents from several countries the five-diamond service they expected. Becoming the best butler on the team was Caryn’s goal and she focused her efforts toward that end.

Two years later the hotel was sold to a large conglomerate that had a different view of how it should be run. Guest satisfaction was replaced by the short term bottom line and five-diamond service was no longer a priority.

Her supervisor was replaced by a new manager who concentrated solely on his own personal gain at the expense of those around him. His first order of business was to lay down his rules by scheduling a meeting for the lead butlers.

Hi guys. said Caryn as she entered the conference room where the other butlers had already gathered. Does anyone know what this meeting’s about?

"We don’t know Caryn. Our new dictator –– Oops. He put his hand over his mouth. I mean… Manager... just ordered us to be here. Didn’t say why. I hear he’s a real –– He froze in mid-sentence. Oh-oh, here he comes."

A stout bald man walked in, closed the door and announced, "My name is Dempsey. I’m your new boss and I will be making some changes around here."

He looked at everyone and then continued with: I’m taking your access to the ordering system away. All orders have to go through me. And if any of our guests contact you for a party or convention, refer them to me. I’ll take care of everything. None of you will create a menu or take an order for any party or function from now on. This week’s schedule is on the board.

His announcement was short, abrupt and definite. Without waiting, he turned and left the room preventing anyone from asking questions.

They all looked at Dempsey’s new schedule. This is ridiculous Caryn exclaimed! He’s changed everyone’s shift and days off. Look at this. He’s only got one butler in the tower on Friday and no one in the villas on Tuesday. And look at these days, no grave people on Wednesday or Thursday. We can’t possibly cover the floor like this. Boy are we going to have some really irritated guests.

Oh, who cares? said one of the other butlers as he shrugged and left the room. My shift is the same. Doesn’t affect me.

What do you mean Caryn shot back. What happened to our team spirit? Are we just going to ––

Oh Caryn, give it a rest interrupted another. So he’s an idiot. So what. Just punch in, punch out and go home. There’s nothing we can do anyway.

Well, I’m going to ––

He put his hand on her shoulder. Caryn, here’s some advice. Just do your job and maybe, just maybe, you won’t get fired. I’ve seen his kind before, so just keep it together. And keep your mouth shut.

The butlers left leaving Caryn standing with clenched fists and a face red with anger. She was livid. She gritted her teeth and hurried back to her floor.

How can he be so stupid? Okay, I’ll be nice. I’ll send him a schedule that works, one that covers the floor for the guests we have coming in. I’ll be polite and congenial. Please and thank you. That might work.

Back in her office, she sent her suggested schedule. There was no reply. She called. Did you get the schedule I sent? I put Stan and David on swing and ––

I got it! interrupted Dempsey and hung up.

He hung up on me she gasped. Holy buckets he’s a nasty sort. What am I in for now?

Customer complaints quickly shot up ten-fold. But, as manager, Dempsey was able to blame each case that made it to his supervisor, on someone else. A high-roller, Mr. Smyth, lodged a complaint with the President of the hotel who handed it off to the Vice-President of Food and Beverage. Sally, would you ask Dempsey to come to my office. See if he can make it today.

An hour later, Dempsey walked in. Hi John, you wanted to see me, what’s up?

Oh hi Dempsey. The boss told me to handle this complaint from Mr. Smyth. He said that the food for his party was two hours late, there were things missing, the wine he asked for never arrived and things he didn’t even order just showed up. Guess he was pretty upset. What happened?

John, it’s the staff, they’re terrible. They don’t get the orders right, they call them in late, terrible. I have to get rid of some of them.

Well, tough problem Dempsey. Most of them have been in that department since this place opened. Just make sure you document a good reason when you fire them.

Sure John, I’ll find something to use. Maybe I can get someone in a different department to file a complaint. That way, I can suspend them for a while and fire them later.

Sounds okay. Just be careful. We don’t want any more lawsuits.

Okay, I’ll take care of it. Golf Saturday John?

Yup, tee time is at ten. Oh, and don’t forget that little package you promised me.

Dempsey decided to use the failure to follow company procedure charge. He would change a procedure, not tell anyone and, when someone he wanted to fire breached it, he would print it, post it and suspend that victim. When the employee came back to work after the suspension period, Dempsey would fire him or her on the spot.

One butler was fired for leaving early even though he had followed the early out procedure. But of course, Dempsey had secretly changed it for his department. Another was suspended for eating a muffin in the wrong place and a coordinator was fired for coming back five minutes late from her scheduled dinner break even though she had taken less than the allotted time.

His message that he would find a reason to fire anyone who failed to submit to his whims came through loud and clear. Several people quit and more were fired but no replacements were hired. He just wanted to reduce payroll to maximize his bonus. The results of his actions clearly showed his greed and ineptitude often bordering on sheer stupidity. But, management kept him on.

He was connected.

High rollers, celebrities and billionaires were their guests and Caryn wanted to make their stays enjoyable and memorable. But it was always frustrating. When she arrived at work, she might discover a cocktail party on her floor with only twelve bottles of water for a hundred guests.

It was always obvious that the itinerary and menu had been given to Dempsey ahead of time. But if one of the butlers asked him why he didn’t let any of them know, he would ignore the question and walk out of the room.

Caryn’s team constantly had to scramble, and apologize –– apologize –– apologize. The hotel’s glowing reputation was rapidly becoming tarnished.

Dempsey attempted to cut every cost he could find. He eliminated tried and true successful policies, created constant problems and his offensive behavior angered everyone with whom he had contact.

Did he care? Not at all. He knew he was very well connected and immune to complaints. Only the staff would have to pay the price of rushing to placate angry guests while enduring longer shifts and making less money.

His only concern was himself, and regardless of the problems he created, his superiors backed him up –– He was very, very connected.

When one particular guest saw all the mishaps Dempsey had caused for his corporate party and how well Caryn was able to quickly correct them, he decided she was the one for whom he searched. This subtle observation by an absolute stranger would soon change her life forever.

The Contract

Caryn’s observant guest flew back to his own country satisfied he had found the right people for his newest flagship resort. Only weeks remained before its opening and, for certain key positions, he wanted only the best and brightest and would offer whatever it took to get them.

The epitome of luxury in accommodations was his new direction. It would be showcased with the latest technology and the most effective operations the hospitality industry had ever seen. The entire complex would be energy efficient, environmentally friendly, sumptuously appointed, unique in design, extremely profitable and, above all, the most desirable place to stay.

Shark fin or bird’s nest soup, obscenely expensive wines, large bowls of imperial caviar from Black Sea sturgeons; these and other rare delicacies would be served by a staff of formally trained butlers on sterling silver and gold-trimmed china as routine fare.

Guests at this level of wealth had a common standard. If the service impressed their friends and satisfied their whims, cost was not a consideration. It would take a very special individual to be able to satisfy such demands and time was of the essence. The list of names for key employees was short. Time was even shorter.

Mr. Stanwick –– Caryn’s observant guest –– looked at his calendar and pressed the intercom button on his desk. Barbara, have Collins come see me please.

Yes sir, I’ll call him right now.

Stanwick was gazing out the window when Collins arrived. You wanted to see me sir?

Ah, yes. Afternoon Collins. I have an important task I’d like you to handle. I’ve had the boys do a background check on these employee candidates and I want you to personally interview them. Here is the list. –– It displayed each position Stanwick wanted filled with a numbered list of candidate names. –– As you can see, they’re in order of my preference. If you can’t hire the first choice, go to the second one and so on and so forth. Any questions?

This one sir. There’s only one name next to it. Who’s your second choice?

"Ah yes.That one is a very special person for a very important position. There is no second choice. She’s the one who managed to fix all the problems at our executive party in America. I want her."

Oh yes sir. I remember. Incredible that she was able to do what she did. Terrible hotel service, except for her efforts of course. I can see why you want her.

Very good. Now we only have about three weeks. Lots to do, so let’s get this moving directly. Any conflicts? Can you get started today?

No conflicts sir. Collins looked at the calendar. Hmm, the weekend, it may be difficult to get immediate flights. If I could take ––

Absolutely. Take a company jet and anything else you need to get this done. I have too much riding on this opening to cut corners at this late date. After all, we do have only one chance to make a first impression. Right?

Yes sir. Collins turned and hurried to his office.

Lori, here’s a list of information on each new-hire candidate. This is a top priority so ring them up and schedule appointments for next week please. And pay particular attention to this one. He pointed to the position of Manager of Butler Services with a single name next to it. Special case that one is. Book my room and keep my reservation open-ended. I’ve been ordered to come back only if I have a signed contract from her. That may take a day or two of convincing. Not quite sure yet. The rest seem pretty straight-forward.

Yes Mr. Collins, I’ll take care of it immediately. When will you be leaving?

As quickly as possible…, yesterday…, now if that’s feasible. How long will it take to ready one of our jets?

I’ll check right now sir. Lori called their hangar, then for a car. They’ll be ready for you in twenty minutes. Do you have all of your ––

Twenty minutes? he gasped. Well, I’ll just make do with what I have. No time to waste. Have to get moving. Thank you. And let me know if there’s anything else I need. Now you know why I keep that valise in my office ready to go at a moment’s notice.

With valise and briefcase in hand, Collins hurried out the door and Lori began dialing. The number highlighted in yellow was first. Glad I don’t have to run all over the world like that she mused.

When Caryn heard her telephone ringing and ringing and ringing, she rinsed the soap from her eyes and jumped out of the shower sputtering, Oh fudge face. I must have forgotten to turn the answering machine back on.

She wrapped herself in a towel and ran to pick it up. Butler services. This is Caryn.

She had gotten so used to answering that way at work it became a habit, even at home.

Hello Caryn, my name is Lori. Mr. Collins asked me to call. He would like to meet with you to discuss hiring you for our company.

Mr. Collins, hiring me for what? I already have a job. What company are you talking about? Caryn was slightly irritated at the interruption in her busy schedule but intrigued at the word, ‘hiring’.

All I can say Caryn, is that Mr. Stanwick was quite insistent that we find a convenient time for you and Mr. Collins to meet for an hour or so. You remember Mr. Stanwick don’t you? He said you did a dinner party for the company’s executives in your suites recently, and he was very impressed. Apparently, your supervisor, Mr. Dempsey, failed to let anyone know about the menu, or even that there was a party scheduled. And you, as Mr. Stanwick put it, pulled quite a few rabbits out of your hat. He told our Vice President, Mr. Collins, that anyone who could put on the dinner you did, with no advance notice, was someone he wanted working for us.

Caryn wasn’t sure which party Lori was talking about. Oh, I see, well…, thank you. That’s quite a compliment. But what job are you talking about?

Mr. Collins will explain all the details himself. Let’s see, I show that you're working a two to ten p.m. schedule this week. Would a Thursday lunch be okay, say…, about twelve-thirty?

That statement immediately got Caryn’s attention. You know my schedule? How did you get my schedule?

Mr. Stanwick gave it to us. I can set you up for lunch at the Rain Tree right next to your work. Will that be convenient for you? Mr. Collins promises he won’t make you late. Oh, and don’t be concerned about wearing your work uniform. He understands you’re on a tight schedule.

It sounded legitimate and any opportunity to escape Dempsey’s incompetence was certainly worth investigating. Oh. Thursday, um, well, I guess that’s…. At the Rain Tree you say? All right. But how will I know Mr. Collins?

Just give the host your name and they’ll take you right to his table. Thursday at twelve-thirty then. Thank you Caryn. It was a pleasure speaking with you.

She stood for a moment looking at the telephone wondering if the call was real or someone’s prank. Why would someone call and offer me a job? Humph, better check it out though. She leaned over to jot the appointment down on a notepad. Oh fudge-bananas, I’m dripping all over the place. She wiped up the puddles, ran back to the bathroom and finished getting ready for work.

The next day, she looked up the company and found that it was a well-established chain with properties all over the world. She called one of the larger locations and spoke to a waiter, a front desk clerk and a maintenance person.

Every one of them said it was a good place to work. Even a chef who worked at another location seemed genuinely happy with his job. As Thursday approached, her excitement rose.

Leaving early today asked her aunt?

Yup, I have a lunch appointment before work. Do I look okay for a business meeting? Her aunt nodded approval. Don’t’ worry. I’ll get those invoices done for you tomorrow. See you sometime tonight.

Traffic was the usual stop-and-go but, on this day, Caryn didn’t mind. It gave her a chance to mentally prepare for this potentially important interview. She parked in her usual spot, checked her appearance, and walked next door to the restaurant. It was impressive, and she was about to have a gourmet lunch. Today, she would be served instead of the other way around. I hope the offer is for a place close by she thought as she entered the front door. Schedule, what kind of schedule do they want me to work, what department…, do they have butler service?

Hello, my name is Caryn. I’m meeting a ––

Oh yes Caryn. We’ve been expecting you. Please follow me. Right this way.

So, this is where the executives meet when they’re off property. I hope no one recognizes me and asks why I’m here.

Pleasure to see you Caryn, said a well-dressed man holding out his hand. Glad you could make it for lunch.

Thank you Mr. Collins. It is Mr. Collins isn’t it? She shook his hand and sat down.

"Yes Caryn, I am Mr. Collins and it’s good to see you once again. I was at the party last month, the one where your hotel lost all our information. Lots of people there so I’m sure you don’t remember me. But I do remember you, quite well in fact. Excellent recovery. Well done."

It was embarrassing to not remember him. Then the host draped a napkin on her lap and suggested some wines before reciting that day’s specials.

No wine for me. I think, um, the roasted chicken salad. No tomatoes, and please put the dressing on the side.

No wine with lunch?

"Not for me. Drinks are for after work."

Collins smiled and gave his order sans the wine. You served quite a dinner at our party last month Caryn. Mr. Stanwick saw how frazzled you were and did some investigating whilst playing golf with a few senior executives from your hotel. Frankly, he was astounded at their lackadaisical attitude toward employees.

She wanted to cheer at that statement.

My assistant sent all the details and menus for that party weeks ahead of time, even called to confirm. But when we arrived, we found that your supervisor, a Mr. Dempsey I believe, had not ordered any of the supplies we requested nor had he even alerted anyone on your floor that we would be having such a function. Astoundingly bad show, especially for a five-star establishment.

Oh yes, that party, I remember. I had to call in a few favors to get your food ready in time. I really do apologize for that. We aren’t normally so unprepared. I hope we didn’t ruin your event.

Oh no, quite the contrary, it turned out to be one of the better parties we’ve ever had. When you managed to get almost everything Lori had ordered –– and on a moment’s notice it seemed –– Mr. Stanwick told me that you should be working for us. Then his forehead furrowed and he tilted his head. Does that sort of thing happen often?

Well, it’s just something that’s unavoidable once in a while. But we don’t want the guests to see the problems we’re having in the back of the house. I guess we didn’t do as well as we should have.

"Quite the contrary Caryn. You did very well. And, I have to say, I admire your loyalty. To not throw someone else right into the fire is admirable. I’m not sure I’d be able to shield your supervisor the way you just did. Stanwick was right, but then, he usually is."

Right…? Right about what?

"Let me just say that he’s a fantastic judge of people. The day we played golf Mr. Stanwick said employees should never be treated like that. Later he said the attitudes of your hotel’s executives have opened the door for us to steal you away. We don’t usually recruit people from other companies but he said that someone of your caliber should not have to put up with, um, well, with that sort of treatment. It’s almost as if this Dempsey bloke is trying to sabotage your floor. Incredible that your CEO has allowed it to go on this long."

He tore off a piece of bread and pointed it at Caryn before it reached his mouth. "Oh, and yes Caryn, we checked, and he will probably continue operating that way, and they will probably keep him on. How have you put up with him for all this time? He leaned back in his chair. Ah well, but that will soon be history I hope. Yum, good bread this."

Caryn was astounded that anyone outside her hotel would know, or even care, about the problems they’d been having. It felt good that someone, knowledgeable in the business, actually noticed.

Okay, you know a great deal about me, much more than I expected. But how did we get to this meeting? Your assistant mentioned hiring, for what and where?

Collins smiled and pulled out a folded document. I love it when someone gets right to the point.

Caryn, we want you to set up and run the butler department in our newest hotel. Our opening is just a few weeks away and this –– He handed her the contract –– will be a great opportunity for you. Take a look. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Caryn reached for it trying to not let Collins see her hand shaking in nervous excitement. Well, it seems that the competition is offering me a job. Are you talking about the property that was just in the news? I’ve heard about it but it’s so far away.

"Yes, from here it is, but this really is a wonderful opportunity and you’ll love the area. It’s quite beautiful and a very good place to live. Besides, it’s obvious your current company doesn’t care about its employees very much. Bit of an understatement I think. But no mind, we’re different. We know our people are the life blood of our business and we support and treat them with the respect they deserve. Can you say that about your present position? You really should accept you know. And I’m sure you’ll like working for us. So…. What do you think?"

Caryn scanned the first page of the contract. I’m flattered that you’re offering me such a position but, the foreign location, I don’t know. My daughters just got settled here and it was very difficult for them. Another move? I’m just not sure I can do this to them again.

Collins looked obviously disappointed but he was also determined. "Well, I understand. Such a move is