A Really Bad Date

Oh, boy. Time to do some fast tap dancing. Mindy smiled up at her boss and occasional date. "Hello, Bernard! What are you doing here?"

"I came to meet a friend," Bernard replied somewhat icily. "I think the more interesting question is what are the two of you doing here? Together?"

Fritz shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Mindy could see that he was agitated as his face turned a deep shade of red. "I don't really see how that's any of your affair, Bernard."

"I disagree. You both work for me and I'd like to know what you're up to."

"My, my," Mindy laughed. "Isn't that a touch paranoid? We're out for dinner. We aren't trading company secrets--not that I'd know if Kutrate Kemical had anything. We both know how far out of the loop I am."

Bernard looked slightly placated but Fritz continued to look ticked off. "I suppose that's all right," Bernard said slowly. "Mindy, don't forget we have a meeting first thing tomorrow. I'll expect you to be there to make the coffee bright and early. And bring some pastries from the bakery downtown."

"Yes, sir," Mindy said, fighting to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. What a jerk she worked for. Make the coffee, bring the pastries--the worst part was that she knew that Bernard would never, ever say thank you.

Nodding at both of them, Bernard moved away. Mindy tilted her head slightly so she could see who was with her creepy boss but all she could see were a pair of long, slender nylon covered legs sticking out of the corner booth. Hmmmm. So there was another woman in the picture. Then why had Bernard been coming on to her lately? Mindy was amazed to realize that she felt a flash of jealousy. What was up with that? She didn't care about Bernard...or did she?

Pushing the alarming thought out of her head, Mindy refocused on Fritz who was still red-faced and shaking with anger. "Are you all right?"

"That...pig!" Fritz spit out. "How dare he question the validity of the two of us being out together? How dare he act as if he can control our private lives!"

"Well, he is a pompous, self-serving jerk," Mindy agreed. "But he's the boss--what do you expect?"

"What do I expect? I expect respect, I expect admiration and I expect gratitude."

"I think you're expecting way too much. Maybe you should start looking for another job. After all, if your fat loss product is a success, why should you let Kutrate Kemicals share in the glory with you?"

"Believe me, I'd love to do that but I'm unable to."

"Why?" Mindy leaned closer to make sure she got Fritz's answer on her recorder.

Fritz hesitated. "Because I owe Bernard Morton, that's why."

"What do you owe him?"

Fritz shook his head. "Not now, my little flower. Perhaps later, when the walls don't have ears. You come up to my apartment for a little schnapps and we'll talk frankly then."

Mindy didn't think that was going to happen in this lifetime. As much as she wanted to find out what Bernard was holding over Fritz's head, there was no way she was going to go to his apartment for schnapps. That would be like asking to be attacked. "Let's order," she suggested. "I'm suddenly starving."

Fritz smiled at her approvingly. "I do like a girl with a healthy appetite."

"Oh, I have a huge appetite. I hope you get Fat Off smelling better because I could really use it."

"No, Mindy, not you. You're perfection."

Mindy felt slightly nauseous as Fritz leered at her. Great. How was she going to get herself out of this one?