Dr. Baxter procures a loan

Dear Dr. Johnson,

This entry will have to be a short one, as my man will be arriving soon with my newly acquired dinner jacket and trousers. To my surprise, neither getting the money for this expensive suit nor having it tailored for me in just one day turned out to be as hard as I anticipated. In fact those two things might be the easiest parts of my day.

I'm sure, Sir Williard that I have mentioned in the past my strong desire not to make myself indebted or to live above my humble means, but today I have done exactly that. The loan officer in the Bank of the Crown was a short gentleman dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit that fit his slightly over-weight body so well that I asked for the name of his tailor before leaving his office. But, I get ahead of myself. The Bank of the Crown is an impressive edifice right across from the Edwardian Hotel in the center of New Thames, upon entering the marble lined hall I was met by a Hindi man and asked to sign a ledger with my name and the nature of my business at the bank.

I confess Sir Williard that I almost turned heel and walked away, but a quick inspection of the page indicated that many men (most with a much higher station than I) had already acquiesced to what at the time I found to be a most troubling invasion of my privacy. After signing my name and indicating that I wanted to discuss financial planning I was escorted by a young woman who seemed more modest in her attire than I was becoming accustomed to here in Rajah-4 to a waiting room where I was offered tea as I waited. As I admired the fine figure of the young woman walking towards one of the private offices I realized that I had seen that same exact figure as I boarded the HMS Siegfried back on Earth. Could it be that this young woman had arrived on the very same cosmoliner as I had? That would explain the skirt that fell all the way to her ankles and the way her tightly buttoned blouse completely covered her slender arms. In spite of the way her figure was demurely covered (or perhaps because of it) I found myself studying at her pretty face when she approached just a few minutes later.

The sudden blush on her cheeks made me too aware that I had overstepped my bounds, but what could I say under the circumstances?

"Dr. Baxter," she gestured for me to follow her, "Mr. Danielson is looking forward to meeting you."

"Excuse my boldness, Miss ah..." I realized belatedly that this lovely young woman had not introduced herself, but I plowed on with only the slightest hesitation. "Do I recognize you from the space port?" It was, Sir Williard a most forward question, but I perhaps thought that I could better relate to someone like this than the bold women that seemed to be everywhere on Rajah-4. I got little more than a shy nod before she led me into a spacious office where I first met the aforementioned banker.

"Thank-you Miss Hendrix," the banker smirked at his assistant, "I'm sure Dr. Baxter and I would be thankful for a cup of tea and a pastry perhaps." With a inaudible murmur and an old-fashioned curtsey she disappeared from the room leaving me alone with the grinning banker.

"Welcome, Dr. Baxter, welcome have a seat." He pointed me towards a plush leather covered seat and folded his plump hands in front of him on the desk. "To be honest, Doctor, we were expecting you two or three weeks ago." What followed, Sir Williard was pleasant chat about how I was settling in and how glad he was to see the Alterson cottage once again being cared for. After a brief lull in conversation Miss Henderson returned carrying a silver tea platter which she set on a small table under a window that appeared to be there for just this reason. Mr. Danielson and I watched her gracefully pour two delicate bone-china cups and set them on saucers.

"Milk or sugar, Dr. Baxter?" Her clear eyes lift to meet mine for the first time and I confess, My lord I was startled at how blue they were. She seemed to understand my stammered response because she tipped in a little milk and stirred it daintily with a silver spoon no bigger than my smallest finger. Mr. Danielson took his tea with three lumps of sugar along with the milk and when Miss Hendrix brought him his tea I saw a slightest tremor of her hand.

"Thank-you, my Dear." He patted her arm possessively as he dismissed her "That will be all - for now." The banker's eyes followed the retreating figure as she carried away the silver tea service, watching her with an almost predatory intent. When we were once again alone, Mr. Danielson gave me a shrug and a sly smile. Perhaps the astute banker sensed that I was going to ask about his personal assistant, because before I could form the words he reached for his check book.

"The Imperial Bank of the Crown and I look forward to doing business with you, Dr. Baxter," Mr. Danielson's voice is more businesslike although still surprisingly friendly, "but for now let's get you settled in properly her in New Thames. Will 500 pounds be enough to cover the expenses of setting up a new household?"

"Ah more than enough..." I tried to hide my surprise, Sir Williard, but judging by the banker's twitching lips he was more than a little amused by my reaction. "Sir, I don't have any collateral, but I would be happy to -"

"Come now, Doctor." Mr. Dollard interrupted me, "we are both men of honor. I am sure that a paltry sum like this will be repaid soon enough." With a flourish he tore off the check and presented it to me. "Welcome to Rajah-4 Doctor, my associates and I look forward to dealing with you in the near future."