Lil at work

"I understand your position, but Mr. Walker paid you in advance, in good faith, that you would get those supplies here by the end of the week. No, that's unacceptable. You signed a contract. I'm willing to be flexible, but we have commitments of our own. ..I'll speak to Mr. Walker when I see him, but I can promise you he'll say the same thing. We'll be in contact."

Lil watched the older woman at the desk huff once in annoyance as she hung up the phone. Lil had been assigned to Frances Wagner, Jim Walker's top aide in the management of his business, to learn from her example. Lil had been doing it for a few days now and thought she had a good impression of the woman. She was stern, but fair, had little time for bullshit, and was loyal to a fault. She had a dry sense of humor and when amused, she'd laugh quietly and give a small smile. She was also very smart and knew a great deal. Lil felt like she was sitting under a learning tree shadowing the woman.

"Was that the guy who's supposed to get us the materials Bernie said were in short supply?" Lil asked.

Frances looked up, a bit embarrassed she forgot the younger woman was there. "Sorry about that, Lillian. Yes, he says they're backlogged, but personally I think he's just stalling. I told Jim paying in advance would make them lazy."

Lil watched as Frances got up from her desk. She was a tall, statuesque woman, with short blonde hair, and very long legs. She reminded Lil of Brigitte Nielsen from Beverly Hills Cop 2, beautiful but could easily kick the crap out of most men. Normally Lil would insist on being called "Lil", but for some reason she liked how Frances said her full name.

"What are we going to do?" Lil asked.

Frances smiled, showing a warmness that her cinema likeness would never convey. "It'll be fine, Lillian. They know we have a contract so they'll get us the materials on time, but they likely won't be bothered getting it in any sooner then they have to. It's a good lesson to learn, Lillian: Never assume those you do business with will live by the same standards you hold yourself to."

"I'll definitely keep that in mind." It was a lesson she'd learned the hard way with Steve. Hearing Frances say it just reinforced it.

"I think it best we check in with Bernice, see how much supplies we have in the meantime," Frances mused.

"I could call her," Lil offered.

"That's all right. I need to peruse her findings anyway. She's done well so far, but she's still new to this," Frances explained.

As Frances turned to head out, Lil couldn't help but once more admire those long, lovely legs. She shook her head once, she was there to be professional after all. She quickly followed after Frances as they headed to the room where Bernie was working on cataloging.