“CRACKED ICE” by Leora Tozer © 2013 - Part 5
Herb talked to his brothers briefly and left for his meeting. Leo and Art left for lunch. Henry
stood in the doorway and asked, “Do you want to help me shop for books?”
“Are you asking me to spend your money on books? How can a girl say no to that?” I replied.
“I should have known. A woman wouldn’t turn down a chance to spend my money,” Henry teased.
“Ah, but who are we spending the money on?” I asked.
“Books for me,” he answered.
“See,” I replied. “That’s how I’m different.”
“Let’s go, wiseacre.” Henry grabbed my left elbow and led me towards the door. After we walked out of
the building, he locked up the office.
Henry drove towards Hollywood Blvd. and parked the car on the 6600 block. We entered the bookstore. The store owner was in the middle of the store, talking with a group of friends.
I walked over to a shelf and started looking at the titles. One area had current books and another area had modern classics. Henry had gone to a back shelf in the store. I was looking for some of my favorite books of the era, when I glanced up and saw Henry motioning for me to come over there.
I walked over and saw he was holding a book, so I asked, “What did you find?”
He raised his eyebrows at
me and replied, “I’ve found the ‘Sexual Lives of the Savages’. Now we can have afternoon reading hour.”
“Who’s to define either?” I responded. “I was going suggest some wholesome classics as Lawrence’s ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ and Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’.”
“If I get ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover,’ will you call me Tiger?” Henry asked.
I replied, “It depends if the situation warrants it.”
“Like a search warrant? I could search you without a warrant,” he teased. “Do they have Huxley?”
“I was just going to check,” I replied. “If you don’t behave, I’ll buy you ‘Elmer Gantry’.”
“Buy me what you want,” he answered. “I’m in your hands."
“What do you want to read?” I asked. “I wouldn’t want you to get something you wouldn’t enjoy.”
“I like the suggestions so far,” Henry said. “Anything else?”
“People don’t read enough H. G. Wells. And, do you like poetry? Or short stories?” I queried.
“Let’s just get a couple of books today,” Henry decided.
We found a few books, including “Brave New
World” and “Elmer Gantry.” Henry paid the book seller for the books and we headed for the door.
Henry looked back wistfully and said, “I should have gotten the savages book for you to read to me
out loud.”
After we came back to the office, I sorted and filed letters the rest of the afternoon. This could be a pretty interesting job. I like getting things organized and putting a system into place that could be used by others.
I also liked the energy of the office. It’s enjoyable to work for kind and fun people. Of course, the
flirting is just the way men in the 1930s communicated with women. It didn’t really mean anything else. I decided to ignore any odd fascination I might be feeling about any of my bosses.
To be continued...
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Cracked Ice Part 4
“CRACKED ICE” by Leora Tozer © 2013 - Part 4
The next day, I was busy with paperwork. Leo entered the office early.
“Hey, do you play cards?” he asked.
“What type of cards?” I replied.
“Bridge, pinochle, or poker,” he answered.
“I had played poker or blackjack when I was a kid, but we only bet with buttons,” I responded.
“Well, come here,” he said. “We’ll play for pennies.”
I found two rolls of pennies in the desk drawer, and snatched them out. So that’s what they were there for. I rolled my office chair into Leo’s office and sat across from him at his desk. He was shuffling his cards, and had me cut the cards.
“How about five card draw?” he asked.
“Alright, but I’m rusty,” I answered.
“Rusty? Need oil?” he smiled. “That’s fine, I’ll teach you.”
He dealt the cards and we played a couple of hands. He won the first one and I won the second hand. While we played the third hand, Art came in, pulled a chair up with the back facing the desk, sat down with his arms leaning on the back of the chair, and watched. Leo won the third hand and for the fourth hand, he dealt Art in. I handed Art the unopened roll of pennies I had.
“Hey, you might need those later,” Leo said.
“Found these in the desk drawer. There’s more if needed,” I said, smiling.
As we played cards, Art tried to look at my hand a few times. When he did that, I’d swat his hand lightly away. I was dealt a full house, bet 2 pennies and won the hand. Leo dealt another round and I won again with three of a kind.
“Hey, when did you become a card shark?” Leo teased.
“Just beginner’s luck. Besides, do I look like a card shark?” I teased back.
Meanwhile, Henry noticed it was quiet. He walked out of his office and no one was at the front desk, so he decided to see what was going on. Henry seemed vexed as he walked into Leo’s office and saw us playing cards.
“How dare you have a card game without dealing me a hand,” Henry said.
“You in?” Leo asked.
“Now that you’ve corrupted the new secretary, is the game strip poker?” Henry inquired, smiling at me and raising his eyebrows slightly.
Before Leo could answer, I piped up. “For that, I would require 24 hours notice to play.”
“How come?” Henry asked.
I replied, “So I would be wearing layers of 4 days of clothes.”
Leo laughed, “Henry, you don’t want to lose your pants to her that way. I just taught her to play and she’s already a genuine card shark.”
Before the cards were dealt, Art suddenly stood up and grabbed the back of my chair, “Time for a new game! Chair race.”
Art pushed me in my chair to the hallway and said, “Who’s in?” I pretended to put on a pair of driving goggles and a pair of driving gloves.
Leo stood up and offered the seat of his wheeled chair to Henry. They were soon in the hallway. I was pantomiming starting a car, moved my feet as if to adjust the gas and clutch petals, and then using my right hand to shift the car into gear.
As soon as they said, “Get ready…Get set,” Art whispered, “Hang on tight, honey.” I quickly linked my arms through the chair arms.
“Go!” The chairs barreled down the hall.
At first, Art had a good jump on Leo and pushed my chair ahead. Leo was able to catch up and they were even. Henry asked, “Can I get abreast of a woman driver?”
I replied, “Not if her dad raced jalopies from time to time.”
Once again, Art pulled ahead of his brothers, and we reached the end of the hall. He spun my chair around, and we past Leo and Henry as they arrived at the end of the hall.
I could hear Henry tell Leo to “hurry up” as we scooted down the hall. In the middle of the hall, it felt like someone was trying to pull on the back of my chair. After I shifted around, I could see Henry trying to slow down my chair by hanging onto the back. Art gave his hand a friendly swat.
When we neared the open office door, I could see younger man standing in the doorway. Art moved to the side, to avoid knocking his youngest brother over. After we reached the end of the hall, Art raised my hand up, “The winner!” Leo, pushing Henry’s chair, was close behind and nearly ran over Herb’s foot.
Herb shook his head at his brothers, “Is this how you spend most days?”
Art smiled, “No, just Wednesdays.”
Henry answered, “Stick around. Let’s find out if your tie can be fed into the adding machine, preferably when you’re still wearing it.”
“Maybe next time. I’m on my way to a meeting. Just stopped by for the letters that were sent here by mistake,” Herb said.
“You mean Fan mail?” Henry asked. “Why yours are mainly letters from 40 year old divorced dames.”
“Well, they need answers too,” I replied. I hopped out of the chair and ran to my desk. I grabbed the manila envelope marked “Herb” and walked back into the hall.
“Here are the letters for you. I’ve included some ideas for answering them faster, if your secretary is interested,” I offered.
“Thank you,” Herb replied.
I went back to my desk and worked.
To be continued...
The next day, I was busy with paperwork. Leo entered the office early.
“Hey, do you play cards?” he asked.
“What type of cards?” I replied.
“Bridge, pinochle, or poker,” he answered.
“I had played poker or blackjack when I was a kid, but we only bet with buttons,” I responded.
“Well, come here,” he said. “We’ll play for pennies.”
I found two rolls of pennies in the desk drawer, and snatched them out. So that’s what they were there for. I rolled my office chair into Leo’s office and sat across from him at his desk. He was shuffling his cards, and had me cut the cards.
“How about five card draw?” he asked.
“Alright, but I’m rusty,” I answered.
“Rusty? Need oil?” he smiled. “That’s fine, I’ll teach you.”
He dealt the cards and we played a couple of hands. He won the first one and I won the second hand. While we played the third hand, Art came in, pulled a chair up with the back facing the desk, sat down with his arms leaning on the back of the chair, and watched. Leo won the third hand and for the fourth hand, he dealt Art in. I handed Art the unopened roll of pennies I had.
“Hey, you might need those later,” Leo said.
“Found these in the desk drawer. There’s more if needed,” I said, smiling.
As we played cards, Art tried to look at my hand a few times. When he did that, I’d swat his hand lightly away. I was dealt a full house, bet 2 pennies and won the hand. Leo dealt another round and I won again with three of a kind.
“Hey, when did you become a card shark?” Leo teased.
“Just beginner’s luck. Besides, do I look like a card shark?” I teased back.
Meanwhile, Henry noticed it was quiet. He walked out of his office and no one was at the front desk, so he decided to see what was going on. Henry seemed vexed as he walked into Leo’s office and saw us playing cards.
“How dare you have a card game without dealing me a hand,” Henry said.
“You in?” Leo asked.
“Now that you’ve corrupted the new secretary, is the game strip poker?” Henry inquired, smiling at me and raising his eyebrows slightly.
Before Leo could answer, I piped up. “For that, I would require 24 hours notice to play.”
“How come?” Henry asked.
I replied, “So I would be wearing layers of 4 days of clothes.”
Leo laughed, “Henry, you don’t want to lose your pants to her that way. I just taught her to play and she’s already a genuine card shark.”
Before the cards were dealt, Art suddenly stood up and grabbed the back of my chair, “Time for a new game! Chair race.”
Art pushed me in my chair to the hallway and said, “Who’s in?” I pretended to put on a pair of driving goggles and a pair of driving gloves.
Leo stood up and offered the seat of his wheeled chair to Henry. They were soon in the hallway. I was pantomiming starting a car, moved my feet as if to adjust the gas and clutch petals, and then using my right hand to shift the car into gear.
As soon as they said, “Get ready…Get set,” Art whispered, “Hang on tight, honey.” I quickly linked my arms through the chair arms.
“Go!” The chairs barreled down the hall.
At first, Art had a good jump on Leo and pushed my chair ahead. Leo was able to catch up and they were even. Henry asked, “Can I get abreast of a woman driver?”
I replied, “Not if her dad raced jalopies from time to time.”
Once again, Art pulled ahead of his brothers, and we reached the end of the hall. He spun my chair around, and we past Leo and Henry as they arrived at the end of the hall.
I could hear Henry tell Leo to “hurry up” as we scooted down the hall. In the middle of the hall, it felt like someone was trying to pull on the back of my chair. After I shifted around, I could see Henry trying to slow down my chair by hanging onto the back. Art gave his hand a friendly swat.
When we neared the open office door, I could see younger man standing in the doorway. Art moved to the side, to avoid knocking his youngest brother over. After we reached the end of the hall, Art raised my hand up, “The winner!” Leo, pushing Henry’s chair, was close behind and nearly ran over Herb’s foot.
Herb shook his head at his brothers, “Is this how you spend most days?”
Art smiled, “No, just Wednesdays.”
Henry answered, “Stick around. Let’s find out if your tie can be fed into the adding machine, preferably when you’re still wearing it.”
“Maybe next time. I’m on my way to a meeting. Just stopped by for the letters that were sent here by mistake,” Herb said.
“You mean Fan mail?” Henry asked. “Why yours are mainly letters from 40 year old divorced dames.”
“Well, they need answers too,” I replied. I hopped out of the chair and ran to my desk. I grabbed the manila envelope marked “Herb” and walked back into the hall.
“Here are the letters for you. I’ve included some ideas for answering them faster, if your secretary is interested,” I offered.
“Thank you,” Herb replied.
I went back to my desk and worked.
To be continued...
Friday, August 23, 2013
Cracked Ice - Part 3
“CRACKED ICE” - Part 3 by Leora Tozer © 2013
The next day I arrived at 7:15am. Since I was uncertain about the Yellow Car schedule, I decided that it’s best to be early. No one was there; the building was locked. I didn’t mind. I brought a copy of the book “Dodsworth” to read.
I sat on the step, leaned against the wall and read. The sun was rising and getting warmer. I was pretty engrossed in my reading and didn’t notice a car driving up. Suddenly, a shadow was cast on my book page, and I looked up.
“Hey toots, I wasn’t serious when I said to come in at 7,” Henry said.
“I know. I figured it was more fun to read outside than at the musty boardinghouse I’m staying at,” I answered. I stood up, and straightened the skirt of my dress. When putting my book away in my satchel, I noticed he was trying to read the title.
I was able to gain a better insight into my new boss when I followed Henry down the hall. Just from his walk and quiet nature, I could see that he’s a person who can be serious; he reads and thinks too much at times. He’s a handsome man, but doesn’t realize it. He’s a man who’s witty and smart, but is wracked by some insecurity, even though he’s in his early 40s and is in a successful part of his life.
After getting settled in at my desk, I go back out into the hall to pick up the rest of the letters, crawling on my hands and knees in order to scoop them up quicker. Since I was preoccupied, I didn’t notice Henry standing in the doorway, watching me with amusement.
Once I saw him standing there, I stood up quickly and asked, “How did these letters get strewn around like this?”
Henry shook his head, “Leo’s last girlfriend caused this.”
I took a few steps forward, but was not able to walk into the office, since he was standing in the doorway. “I’ll start sorting these letters today. Was there anything else you wanted me for?” I innocently asked.
I could see something cross his mind, but he didn’t say anything. He kept a semi-stern expression; he replied, “No, that should be fine for now.” He moved so I could pass by. I quickly entered the office.
I sat down on my chair and sorted the letters. I couldn’t help but watch him walk back into his office. Just from watching their movies, I would have never guessed how handsome and intriguing Henry appeared to me in person. I didn’t put much thought into this new fascination, since I’m not the type of woman that guys generally notice. Besides, I’m here to learn, and not get distracted in any sort of crush. I decided to focus on my work and to learn within this experience.
By the end of the day, I sorted the letters into four piles. I had sorted out all of Herb’s letters and had started a couple of templates for him, in case his secretary wanted to borrow the idea. Henry mentioned this morning that I wouldn’t need to do his younger brother’s letters, since Herb had his own office across town. I put them all into an envelope marked his name on it, and placed them in the top right desk drawer, so I’d know where they were in case he stopped by.
To be continued...
The next day I arrived at 7:15am. Since I was uncertain about the Yellow Car schedule, I decided that it’s best to be early. No one was there; the building was locked. I didn’t mind. I brought a copy of the book “Dodsworth” to read.
I sat on the step, leaned against the wall and read. The sun was rising and getting warmer. I was pretty engrossed in my reading and didn’t notice a car driving up. Suddenly, a shadow was cast on my book page, and I looked up.
“Hey toots, I wasn’t serious when I said to come in at 7,” Henry said.
“I know. I figured it was more fun to read outside than at the musty boardinghouse I’m staying at,” I answered. I stood up, and straightened the skirt of my dress. When putting my book away in my satchel, I noticed he was trying to read the title.
I was able to gain a better insight into my new boss when I followed Henry down the hall. Just from his walk and quiet nature, I could see that he’s a person who can be serious; he reads and thinks too much at times. He’s a handsome man, but doesn’t realize it. He’s a man who’s witty and smart, but is wracked by some insecurity, even though he’s in his early 40s and is in a successful part of his life.
After getting settled in at my desk, I go back out into the hall to pick up the rest of the letters, crawling on my hands and knees in order to scoop them up quicker. Since I was preoccupied, I didn’t notice Henry standing in the doorway, watching me with amusement.
Once I saw him standing there, I stood up quickly and asked, “How did these letters get strewn around like this?”
Henry shook his head, “Leo’s last girlfriend caused this.”
I took a few steps forward, but was not able to walk into the office, since he was standing in the doorway. “I’ll start sorting these letters today. Was there anything else you wanted me for?” I innocently asked.
I could see something cross his mind, but he didn’t say anything. He kept a semi-stern expression; he replied, “No, that should be fine for now.” He moved so I could pass by. I quickly entered the office.
I sat down on my chair and sorted the letters. I couldn’t help but watch him walk back into his office. Just from watching their movies, I would have never guessed how handsome and intriguing Henry appeared to me in person. I didn’t put much thought into this new fascination, since I’m not the type of woman that guys generally notice. Besides, I’m here to learn, and not get distracted in any sort of crush. I decided to focus on my work and to learn within this experience.
By the end of the day, I sorted the letters into four piles. I had sorted out all of Herb’s letters and had started a couple of templates for him, in case his secretary wanted to borrow the idea. Henry mentioned this morning that I wouldn’t need to do his younger brother’s letters, since Herb had his own office across town. I put them all into an envelope marked his name on it, and placed them in the top right desk drawer, so I’d know where they were in case he stopped by.
To be continued...
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Cracked Ice - Part 2
“CRACKED ICE” - Part 2 by Leora Tozer © 2013
I entered the office and saw Leo standing by what will be my desk. He’s smiling, and says to Art, “Did you find the new temp?”
“Yes, I think so. What’s your name?” Art asked.
“I’m Leora Benson,” I replied; then, I held out my hand.
Art beamed, “Yes; another Benson.”
Leo shakes my hand and asks, “Nice to meet you. Hope you’ll be here a while longer than our last secretary.”
“Thank you Mr. Archer. I don’t know how long the temp agency will want me here,” I replied. As we talked, I calculated mentally that Leo is 46 and Art is 45, but neither man looks their age.
They explained that the letters in the hall and in a file cabinet all need to be organized and answered. I looked at a few, and decided it’s easier to sort them by who they are to and when they were sent.
It will take a while to sort through, but my mind quickly mapped the next steps. It would be easy to figure out a few templates that could be personalized for each answer. After that, they could be typed up fairly efficiently on the Underwood typewriter.
While I was sorting the letters, I sensed someone was watching me. Leo walked over, stood next to my desk and asked, “Do you want to go out on the town after work?”
“No thanks,” I answered. “You know, if you keep asking the secretaries out, you won’t have anyone left in town to answer all these letters.”
I thought I heard muffled laughter from the closed office nearest to my desk. Leo replied, “That’s fine. It doesn’t hurt a fellow to ask.”
He went back to his office and I kept sorting the letters. After an hour or so, Leo and Art left the office for the day. It was quiet and I still wasn’t sure who was in the main office by my desk, since the door was shut and no one had come out of there since I arrived.
After they left, I was sorting some of Leo’s letters. I found one from well-known gangster stating that Leo owed him money, and that he was going to be stopping by if he didn’t receive payment in 30 days. I looked at the date the letter was written and quickly realized that today was 30 days later.
I was trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly, two burly guys in pinstriped suits came in the office. I turned on the intercom and covered it with some letters, not certain that anyone was in the other office. Both men wore fedora hats and walked towards my desk. The main tough guy asks, “Is Leo here?”
“No, Mr. Archer isn’t here.” I reply.
“Where is he?” he demanded.
“I don’t know,” I answer.
“Why don’t you know?” he pressed.
“It’s my first day working here. Why would anyone tell the temp where they’re going?” I stated. “I can take down your name and contact information, so Mr. Archer can get back to you.”
“Nah,” he answered. “I’ll find him tomorrow.” The two fellows left.
The door closed. I shut off the intercom.
The office door that had been closed opened and a serious man in a nice suit came out. When he spoke, I was taken aback, because even without his stage makeup, I’d know that voice anywhere. I’ve heard him in so many movies.
He said, “Sorry you had to deal with that. Leo didn’t say anything about this.”
I handed Henry the letter I had found. “I’m sure he forgot. I just found this letter. Why didn’t the last secretary give this letter to him?”
Henry smiled, “Leo was too busy messing around with her. It’s nice to know that won’t be a problem.”
“Would you mind if I leave early after that friendly visit?” I asked.
Henry had a look of concern cross his face, “You could wait a bit and I could drive you home. Maybe they’re still out there.”
“No, it’s alright. I don’t think they’ll bother me, since I didn’t know anything.” I replied. I had a gut feeling from their behavior that they needed to go and check with their boss before they did anything else. “What time did you want me here tomorrow?” I asked.
Henry joked, “Earlier than today.”
“Next time you’ll need to hire a clairvoyant if you want someone here before being hired.” I teased back. Henry gave me a disarming smile. I clarified, “So, 7 or 8 am?”
“You can be here at 7, but I won’t be here until 8,” Henry answered.
To be continued...
I entered the office and saw Leo standing by what will be my desk. He’s smiling, and says to Art, “Did you find the new temp?”
“Yes, I think so. What’s your name?” Art asked.
“I’m Leora Benson,” I replied; then, I held out my hand.
Art beamed, “Yes; another Benson.”
Leo shakes my hand and asks, “Nice to meet you. Hope you’ll be here a while longer than our last secretary.”
“Thank you Mr. Archer. I don’t know how long the temp agency will want me here,” I replied. As we talked, I calculated mentally that Leo is 46 and Art is 45, but neither man looks their age.
They explained that the letters in the hall and in a file cabinet all need to be organized and answered. I looked at a few, and decided it’s easier to sort them by who they are to and when they were sent.
It will take a while to sort through, but my mind quickly mapped the next steps. It would be easy to figure out a few templates that could be personalized for each answer. After that, they could be typed up fairly efficiently on the Underwood typewriter.
While I was sorting the letters, I sensed someone was watching me. Leo walked over, stood next to my desk and asked, “Do you want to go out on the town after work?”
“No thanks,” I answered. “You know, if you keep asking the secretaries out, you won’t have anyone left in town to answer all these letters.”
I thought I heard muffled laughter from the closed office nearest to my desk. Leo replied, “That’s fine. It doesn’t hurt a fellow to ask.”
He went back to his office and I kept sorting the letters. After an hour or so, Leo and Art left the office for the day. It was quiet and I still wasn’t sure who was in the main office by my desk, since the door was shut and no one had come out of there since I arrived.
After they left, I was sorting some of Leo’s letters. I found one from well-known gangster stating that Leo owed him money, and that he was going to be stopping by if he didn’t receive payment in 30 days. I looked at the date the letter was written and quickly realized that today was 30 days later.
I was trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly, two burly guys in pinstriped suits came in the office. I turned on the intercom and covered it with some letters, not certain that anyone was in the other office. Both men wore fedora hats and walked towards my desk. The main tough guy asks, “Is Leo here?”
“No, Mr. Archer isn’t here.” I reply.
“Where is he?” he demanded.
“I don’t know,” I answer.
“Why don’t you know?” he pressed.
“It’s my first day working here. Why would anyone tell the temp where they’re going?” I stated. “I can take down your name and contact information, so Mr. Archer can get back to you.”
“Nah,” he answered. “I’ll find him tomorrow.” The two fellows left.
The door closed. I shut off the intercom.
The office door that had been closed opened and a serious man in a nice suit came out. When he spoke, I was taken aback, because even without his stage makeup, I’d know that voice anywhere. I’ve heard him in so many movies.
He said, “Sorry you had to deal with that. Leo didn’t say anything about this.”
I handed Henry the letter I had found. “I’m sure he forgot. I just found this letter. Why didn’t the last secretary give this letter to him?”
Henry smiled, “Leo was too busy messing around with her. It’s nice to know that won’t be a problem.”
“Would you mind if I leave early after that friendly visit?” I asked.
Henry had a look of concern cross his face, “You could wait a bit and I could drive you home. Maybe they’re still out there.”
“No, it’s alright. I don’t think they’ll bother me, since I didn’t know anything.” I replied. I had a gut feeling from their behavior that they needed to go and check with their boss before they did anything else. “What time did you want me here tomorrow?” I asked.
Henry joked, “Earlier than today.”
“Next time you’ll need to hire a clairvoyant if you want someone here before being hired.” I teased back. Henry gave me a disarming smile. I clarified, “So, 7 or 8 am?”
“You can be here at 7, but I won’t be here until 8,” Henry answered.
To be continued...
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Cracked Ice, Part 1
The Time Travel Agency had a vital mission to increase the positive vibrational frequency of our time. This work is done by twin flames when they meet. Since many twin flames are incarnated on earth in different time periods, it became the Agency’s mission to connect people to their twin flame from another time period. The positive vibrations will increase exponentially and finally counteract the negative energy in the current time.
It took at least a week to get ready for the trip. Each person had to meet with the counselors to be evaluated, learn about culture and history. It was also necessary to meet with a doctor to have a complete physical and to have shots protecting us against the various diseases of the era we were traveling to. In addition, each traveler needed to research specific places, meet with teachers to learn speech patterns, language usage, and manners, and receive lessons on clothing and hair styles. In addition, a personal stylist met with the women to pick new glasses frames, learn makeup tips and have their hair cut in the historical way. The personal stylists had been employed at the movie studios. They needed new work, however, since much of their old work is now replaced by CGI technology.
The Agency also determined after the styling how old you would “be”. [The Agency determined after the first travelers entering the past returned that people’s ages need to be adjusted. Our current methods of diet and general health make us look much younger than we actually are when compared to people several generations ago.]
The Agency also suggested that people work on their own research before signing up. Some of us have done deeper research on some of the people we were hoping to meet once we’ve arrived to our planned destination. Of course, the Agency didn’t tell us who they believed our twin flame was, since only twin flames know for certain that they are linked.
Overall, the Time Travel Agency made sure there were safety nets in place, so that peoples’ lives in the past were not adversely change or affected by these temporary visitors. It also worked on ensuring that the travelers were safe and undetected by the people who populated the time period they traveled to. After all, twin flame work was not understood by many in the past, and it could jeopardize both the travelers and the mission if they were detected. Part of how this was done was that they didn’t allow several people who were interested or traveling to the same time period travel together.
So, here I am, Leora Benson, Agency-determined age of 35, traveling alone to Hollywood, California, Fall 1932. The travel destination was a special “safe house” that was set up by the Time Travel Agency to be the time traveler’s place of residence. It appeared to be an ordinary boarding house; of course the boarding house owner is an agent with the travel agency.
After spending at least 12 hours napping, the recommended way to acclimate to the weather and air, I woke up and sat up in my brass bed, stretched and walked across the room to wash my face in the small basin on the table. I found the antibiotic prescription left for me, and took the prescribed dosage. After washing up, I got dressed, which took me longer than I figured because of buttons on my dress and putting my stockings with garters on straight.
I quietly slipped downstairs for breakfast and ate a hard boiled egg and toast and glanced at the newspaper being passed around the table. The other boarders didn’t seem to notice me; they talked amongst themselves or read the paper.
After my meal, I stepped outside and looked at my map. I walked down the street towards the temp worker agency the Time Travel Agency. The T. T. Temp Agency (TTTA) was set up as a way for travelers to earn money, interact with society and potentially connect with their twin souls while they were visiting. The Hollywood studios considered temps from TTTA highly skilled, knowledgeable and hard working.
After my skills were tested by the TTTA, they told me the 3 jobs they had available. While I read the descriptions, the placement worker went and talked with her colleague who just took a new phone order. They both came over to me and said, “We just received a call and a secretary is needed immediately.
They handed me a public transport schedule, the address and fare for the Yellow Car and sent me on my way without telling me anything else about the new assignment. On the way to the Yellow Car stop, I found a newsstand and picked up the current issue of Time Magazine. It caught my eye since my favorite comedy team was on the cover. After paying for it, I slipped it into my satchel to read later, since the Yellow Car had arrived.
Within 15 minutes, I arrived to the small office building off of a residential street. I really didn’t have time to even be nervous about this surreal situation. I snapped into my routine temp worker mode and walked in, quiet, humble, and polite.
I entered the building and am surprised to find a paper trail of letters strewn on the floor. Automatically, I crouched down and picked up each letter, following the trail and collecting the letters down a hallway on my hands and knees. Due to the overwhelming number of letters, I hadn’t read who they were to. I’m so involved in taking the letters from the floor that I didn’t hear a door opening at the end of the hall.
I adjusted my wire-rim glasses, since I’m still getting used to them. I picked up another letter in front of me and then turned around to gather some I missed behind me. I heard a clear baritone voice ask, “Can I help you?” This startles me and a few letters go flying out of my left hand.
I looked up, quite embarrassed, and am met with the kindest eyes and smile I’ve seen. The man in the door is dressed in a nice suit, shirt and tie. His face was familiar even without his stage wig. He quickly moved down the hall, picked up the spilled letters and helped me up in one quick swoop. He touched my shoulder and I felt a strange shock on my upper arm that took my breath away. “Thank you,” I said inaudibly.
He shepherded me towards the door; “The temp agency said they’d send someone right away and we’ve wondering what happened. Come in, meet my brothers and get settled in before we gather the rest of the letters.”
I couldn’t help but be stunned and speechless as Art Archer (of the famous comedic brothers) directed me into the office.
To be continued...
Copyright Reserved © Leora Tozer 2013
It took at least a week to get ready for the trip. Each person had to meet with the counselors to be evaluated, learn about culture and history. It was also necessary to meet with a doctor to have a complete physical and to have shots protecting us against the various diseases of the era we were traveling to. In addition, each traveler needed to research specific places, meet with teachers to learn speech patterns, language usage, and manners, and receive lessons on clothing and hair styles. In addition, a personal stylist met with the women to pick new glasses frames, learn makeup tips and have their hair cut in the historical way. The personal stylists had been employed at the movie studios. They needed new work, however, since much of their old work is now replaced by CGI technology.
The Agency also determined after the styling how old you would “be”. [The Agency determined after the first travelers entering the past returned that people’s ages need to be adjusted. Our current methods of diet and general health make us look much younger than we actually are when compared to people several generations ago.]
The Agency also suggested that people work on their own research before signing up. Some of us have done deeper research on some of the people we were hoping to meet once we’ve arrived to our planned destination. Of course, the Agency didn’t tell us who they believed our twin flame was, since only twin flames know for certain that they are linked.
Overall, the Time Travel Agency made sure there were safety nets in place, so that peoples’ lives in the past were not adversely change or affected by these temporary visitors. It also worked on ensuring that the travelers were safe and undetected by the people who populated the time period they traveled to. After all, twin flame work was not understood by many in the past, and it could jeopardize both the travelers and the mission if they were detected. Part of how this was done was that they didn’t allow several people who were interested or traveling to the same time period travel together.
So, here I am, Leora Benson, Agency-determined age of 35, traveling alone to Hollywood, California, Fall 1932. The travel destination was a special “safe house” that was set up by the Time Travel Agency to be the time traveler’s place of residence. It appeared to be an ordinary boarding house; of course the boarding house owner is an agent with the travel agency.
After spending at least 12 hours napping, the recommended way to acclimate to the weather and air, I woke up and sat up in my brass bed, stretched and walked across the room to wash my face in the small basin on the table. I found the antibiotic prescription left for me, and took the prescribed dosage. After washing up, I got dressed, which took me longer than I figured because of buttons on my dress and putting my stockings with garters on straight.
I quietly slipped downstairs for breakfast and ate a hard boiled egg and toast and glanced at the newspaper being passed around the table. The other boarders didn’t seem to notice me; they talked amongst themselves or read the paper.
After my meal, I stepped outside and looked at my map. I walked down the street towards the temp worker agency the Time Travel Agency. The T. T. Temp Agency (TTTA) was set up as a way for travelers to earn money, interact with society and potentially connect with their twin souls while they were visiting. The Hollywood studios considered temps from TTTA highly skilled, knowledgeable and hard working.
After my skills were tested by the TTTA, they told me the 3 jobs they had available. While I read the descriptions, the placement worker went and talked with her colleague who just took a new phone order. They both came over to me and said, “We just received a call and a secretary is needed immediately.
They handed me a public transport schedule, the address and fare for the Yellow Car and sent me on my way without telling me anything else about the new assignment. On the way to the Yellow Car stop, I found a newsstand and picked up the current issue of Time Magazine. It caught my eye since my favorite comedy team was on the cover. After paying for it, I slipped it into my satchel to read later, since the Yellow Car had arrived.
Within 15 minutes, I arrived to the small office building off of a residential street. I really didn’t have time to even be nervous about this surreal situation. I snapped into my routine temp worker mode and walked in, quiet, humble, and polite.
I entered the building and am surprised to find a paper trail of letters strewn on the floor. Automatically, I crouched down and picked up each letter, following the trail and collecting the letters down a hallway on my hands and knees. Due to the overwhelming number of letters, I hadn’t read who they were to. I’m so involved in taking the letters from the floor that I didn’t hear a door opening at the end of the hall.
I adjusted my wire-rim glasses, since I’m still getting used to them. I picked up another letter in front of me and then turned around to gather some I missed behind me. I heard a clear baritone voice ask, “Can I help you?” This startles me and a few letters go flying out of my left hand.
I looked up, quite embarrassed, and am met with the kindest eyes and smile I’ve seen. The man in the door is dressed in a nice suit, shirt and tie. His face was familiar even without his stage wig. He quickly moved down the hall, picked up the spilled letters and helped me up in one quick swoop. He touched my shoulder and I felt a strange shock on my upper arm that took my breath away. “Thank you,” I said inaudibly.
He shepherded me towards the door; “The temp agency said they’d send someone right away and we’ve wondering what happened. Come in, meet my brothers and get settled in before we gather the rest of the letters.”
I couldn’t help but be stunned and speechless as Art Archer (of the famous comedic brothers) directed me into the office.
To be continued...
Copyright Reserved © Leora Tozer 2013
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