The newcomer is curious.

“She yours?” she asks.

“We’re not related.” You reply.

“Okay, you win, Ah won’t pry.” she says.

“Won’t you come in?” You ask. “Now that we’ve figured out what we’re having for lunch, I figure it’s only fair we start on the guest list.” The young woman smiles.

“Ah’m Marie O’Neil.” she says. “An’ before you ask, yes, mah grandmaw was Japanese.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” You reply. “I think you’re very pretty.” Marie smiles. “I’m Victor Phillips.”

“So if’n yer borrowin’ yer boss’s lake lot, where do YOU live?” she asks.

“Belmead, just a little shy of Waco.” you reply.

“Whatcha doin’ way down here?” she asks.

“Recruiting for Channel 5.” You reply.

“No shit?” Marie asks. “Y’all shorthanded or somethin’?”

“I’ll explain about employee turnover later, but suffice it to say the station’s execs are tired of people taking jobs with us only as a stepping stone to something else.” you say.

“Oh, okay.” Marie says. “Kinda hard t’trust workers if ya think they’re gonna head on off to the competition.”

“That and it’s an expensive pain to keep retraining everybody but the executives and the news team every couple of months.” you reply.

“Ouch.” Marie replies. “Ah got a coupla friends that’re tired a’ flippin’ burgers. If’n you could git ‘em a steady job, Ah’m sure they’d appreciate it.”

“What about you?” You ask.

“Cain’t say’s Ah like car-hoppin’ fer Sonic, if that’s an offer.” Marie says with a smile.

After lunch, You put away the remainder of the fish. Penelope turns on the TV, giving you an obvious opening. You can tell Marie is attracted to you, but she is too shy to admit it.