A Grand Idea

Saturday morning rolled around and Mike started his weekend routine beginning with household chores. All the while, his thoughts kept wandering back to the previous day at the gym; refusing to let him focus. With a sigh, Mike decided to put his current project on hold and to go for a run to clear his head.

Starting his jog he took off in a random direction with no destination in mind. After about half an hour of aimless wandering he stopped for a breather and looked around to get his bearings of where he had ended up. Looking around Mike notices that he had made it all the way to the downtown district and started to slowly stroll around to see if anything caught his eye. Wandering around for a bit Mike was ready to head home when he saw a building with a "Grand Opening" sign for the following night. Approaching the building, Mike realized that it was a high-end Italian restaurant that he has been hearing about for some time now. A smile formed on his face as he put a plan together in his head while he walked into the closed building.

Looking around the restaurant, Mike was blown away. The outside was fancy, but the inside was over the top. Finally, someone who looked to be a manager noticed him, and, with an annoyed expression, walked over and informs him that the building was closed to the public and he shouldn't be in there. Mike responded with an apology before asking "Is Mario, the owner, in right now?"

The manager stared at him suspiciously but eventually said "Yes, he is."

It took a while, but Mike was able to convince him to bring Mario out of the back to see him. Mike patiently waited at the front of the store until he heard a booming voice call from the other side, "Mike, my boy! How have you been!?"

With a smile, he stood up to greet Mario with a firm handshake and Mario lead him into a back office. Sitting down they made the usual small talk, then Mario told him, "The next investment meeting isn't until next month, so I hope that you haven't lost all of your money."

Mike just chuckles and says, "No, everything is still going according to plan; with my investments to increase."

Mario relaxed at the news then asks, "What's the nature of this surprise visit then?"

"Well," Mike explained, "I was running by and saw the restaurant was going to have its grand opening and I was curious if I could make a reservation for tomorrow night?"

Mario just stared at Mike in disbelief. "I'm sorry, but we've been completely booked up for our Grand Opening two months ago."

Mike laughed and responded, "That's why I came in to talk to Mario in person, and not ask over the phone."

"Mike, you're a pain in the ass." Mario sighs. "But with all the help you've done for me I can maybe fit you in tomorrow right at opening time."

Mike thanked Mario with a smile and took his leave with the first part of his plan competed. Once he reached home he called Ashley and asked "What are your plans for tomorrow night?"

"I'm dancing." she replied to Mikes dismay. He informed her that he had wanted to take her on a date and even had something lined up but wouldn't tell her where because it was a 'surprise'. After a bit more prodding she finally gave in and agreed to call in to work and get someone to dance in her place. Mike told her that the dress code will be high end and with that, hung up and began putting the finishing touches on his plan.