First published by Tektime 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Francois Keyser
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission
from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or
distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents
portrayed in it are the work of the authors imagination. Any resemblance
to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Francois Keyser asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this
work.
First edition
Cover art by Kseniia Lopyreva
FRANCOIS KEYSER
Cold Feet
VIOLA
The Los Angeles Wedding Exhibition. The largest and most important annual wedding exhibition in Los Angeles. Anyone who is anyone in the industry is there and anyone who wants to be someone in the industry should be there.
Its the first year Ive been able to rent a booth. My initial doubts about whether I can justify the cost and whether Ill recover the investment from a brand awareness and income perspective remain to be seen. So far, it would appear that renting a booth was the right thing to do.
I have had plenty of customers register with me for follow-up appointments and even a few confirmed bookings on the spot. All told, Im on top of the world.
Then I see her. My role model in the industry. Christine Jackson. She is the number one in the industry. I have admired her from afar for so long. While we are competitors, I hold her in the highest regard. Theres room enough for both of us and then some in the industry. Ive never met her though but today, at last, I see her in the flesh.
She is as beautiful as the photos I have seen of her. Her long, straight blonde hair is perfect and seems to be magically held in place. Her voice is welcoming and soothing and her emerald green eyes sparkle. She wears a smart suit that accentuates her figure in all the right places. It has the effect of creating a professional image as opposed to a sexy one, depending on who shes talking to. Im sure men want to talk to her for the reason that she is so sexy while their wives talk to her because she looks so professional and confident. Its a no-brainer for a husband and wife to agree on using her for their childrens wedding or for a couple to agree to use her for their wedding even if they have different reasons for being convinced to use her.
Dont get me wrong. I dont mean to stereotype, and not everyone will fall for the trick but there is a reason why dressing sexy is one of the oldest tricks in the book to getting attention. It works.
Mentally, I take a page out of her book as I study myself surreptitiously in the mirror of the booth opposite mine. I might not be dressed as sexy as Christine but Im not doing badly at all businesswise. So maybe I dont need to dress like her and I just need to keep doing what Im doing.
Im surprised by a voice behind me.
Are you Viola?
I turn around hastily blushing at having been caught studying myself in the mirror. Its Christine and I blush even more just because its her. I recover quickly and nod.
Yes. I am. You are Christine Jackson. I offer my hand but she ignores it.
Everyone knows me, she smiles.
You have no idea. Ive been a fan of yours ever since I started in the industry. Youre my role model.
Really? Christines eyes flash as she takes in my remark. Im happy to hear that. I had no idea that someone like you was just a follower.
Im fawning over Christine like a school girl when her first crush notices her for the first time. Before I can say anything more my assistant, Jessica catches my attention. I look at her and she holds up her mobile phone and indicates that someone wants to talk to me.
Um excuse me for a moment, I say. I cross to Jessica who takes me by the arm and turns away from Christine.
Whos on the phone?
No-one, she whispers. but take my advice. Pretend theres someone on the phone and walk away right now. Come back when shes gone.
I look at her quizzically but her expression tells me shes in charge and furious. I take the phone and press it to my ear. I start a fake conversation with no-one and walk away.
Jessica steps up to Christine.
Im so sorry. Viola had to take that call. Another booking.
Christine nods and smiles. She extends her hand, No problem. And you are?
Jessica ignores Christines hand just as Christine ignored mine. Jessica. Can I help you?
You are, Christine smiles as she picks up one of our brochures. I just came to see your booth to make sure Im not making any amateur mistakes.
Well then I guess you can see that you have a lot of fixing to do, Jessica retorts coldly.
Christines eyes harden and she casts one last glance around my booth. Despite Jessicas loyalty to me, Christine presses on, If ever you want to work with a true professional, call me. Ill pay more. Besides, I dont think your boss is going to be in business much longer.
Why is that? Jessica asks.
Just a hunch, Christine says. My offer stands as long as this joke is in business. When its not in business anymore, my offer will be gone. Get out while youre ahead.
I am ahead, Jessica responds. We are ahead of you. Now, why dont you go and be mens fantasy at your booth before I have to call the cleaners.
Christines face flushes with anger. She opens her mouth then closes it again before walking briskly away.
I watch Jessica and Christine from afar but cant hear what is said. After Christine leaves, I return to the booth.
What was that about? I ask Jessica.
Jesus, girl! You were fawning all over that tart! She mimics me, Youre my role model. Shes probably telling the guests at her booth that shes your role model. She even offered me a job and said that you wont be in business much longer.
What? I ask astounded.
Yeah, so much for your role model, Jessica says.
Let me go over there and give her a piece of my mind
Jessica stops me. Leave it, Vi. Theres no need to make this any worse. Shes just jealous because were better than her and she knows it. Take the high road and let it go. Theres more than enough room for both of us in this game.
I sigh. Yeah, I guess youre right. Thanks, Jessica. I enter the booth and sit down. Inside I am still fuming. I had nothing but respect for Christine but with what Jessica just told me, I have lost all respect for her. Im hurt too and finally take a walk to calm myself down.
The rest of the exhibition passes without further contact between Christine and myself. The clients we have gained from being present have made the exhibition well worth it and help me to forget about the disappointment of what happened with Christine.
CHRISTINE
Ive been a wedding planner for a long time. Im the best in the game and Im not about to let a young upstart challenge for my crown. Theres one person who I come up against more and more and its her. Viola. Ive lost a lot of business to her. Im still doing great numbers and growing but I could grow so much faster if she wasnt fishing in my pond.
Ive been a wedding planner for a long time. Im the best in the game and Im not about to let a young upstart challenge for my crown. Theres one person who I come up against more and more and its her. Viola. Ive lost a lot of business to her. Im still doing great numbers and growing but I could grow so much faster if she wasnt fishing in my pond.
Who the hell does she think she is? I know this business inside out. There isnt that much to it when youre an expert. Its easy to pinpoint the weak points in any wedding planners business. Hell, theyre the same weak spots as mine and that makes it even easier to take her down. Her assistant didnt want to take my offer but thats okay. Its just one point of attack.
When Im finished, theyll both be crawling to me.
I look at the brochure I took from their booth and start to formulate my plan of attack. I boot up my laptop and am soon on Violas website looking for the information I need. I cant find what Im looking for so I try another angle. I go to the gallery and testimonials.
Bingo! I make notes of the information I am looking for and then close the site.
I pick up the phone and dial Violas office number.
The phone is answered promptly.
Hi, this is Mrs. Anderson.
Yes, Mrs. Anderson. How can I help you? This is Jessica.
The assistant. Were having a party soon for Mr. Andersons office and he asked me about the band that we had at the wedding. I thought Id give you a call and find out if I could contact them to see if theyre available. Would it be possible to give me their number?
Sure, Mrs. Anderson. Id be only too happy to. Hold on while I get the details.
I wait a few moments and then Jessica comes on the line again. Here you go, Mrs. Anderson.
She gives me the contact name and number for Steve from the band called Plastered. I thank her and hang up.
I smile and mentally congratulate myself. Its that easy.
When Steve answers the phone I arrange to meet him to discuss hiring the band for a party.
Steve is already waiting when I enter the coffee shop. He recognizes me from the clothes I told him Id be wearing and waves to me. I cross to the booth and slide in opposite him. I feel his eyes appraise me as I sit down. Ive worn a short skirt and a tight, white cotton blouse that accentuates my breasts. Its unbuttoned just far enough to reveal a glimpse of my bra which is visible through the soft material of the blouse anyway. I shake Steves hand.
How can I help you? Steve asks.
I have a confession, Steve, I reply conspiratorially.
Whats that? Steve asks, intrigued.
Well, when I said I need a band for a party, I wasnt being totally honest. Id like your band to play for all my parties unless my clients insist otherwise.
All your parties? Steve frowns. I dont understand.
Im a wedding planner, just like Viola who you work with regularly.
Steve nods as the penny drops. Well, you know we go back a long way. I mean Id be happy to support you when you have a wedding if we dont have a wedding booked with Viola.
I smile and shake my head. I thought youd say that Steve but I have to say Im looking for a reversal of that proposed arrangement. You play all my weddings and fit her in where you can. Ill pay you one and a half times what she pays you per wedding.
Steve looks at me and says nothing. I can tell his mind is working overtime and I can tell where its headed so I cut it off.
This is a one-time deal. Right here, right now. Theres no going to Viola and bargaining with her. Im not into horse-trading.
Well, what about if I call the band and discuss it with them? Steve asks.
Why would they care? A gigs a gig. Doesnt matter who you play for or where you play. Right?
Steve sighs. Hes tempted but his loyalty is still to Viola. Whens the first gig?
Saturday.
Saturday? Thats two days away!
And?
Were booked for a wedding with Viola. We cant just drop her at such short notice. Its not ethical.
Look, I say hardening my tone. You guys have a good name out there. Its why I came to you first. But youre not the only band. Ill say this too, and I dont mean to sound like Im bragging but when it comes to wedding planners, I. Am. The. Best. So, you can decide if youre going to be loyal to number two or three or whatever the hell Viola is, or you can come along with me. Success breeds success. You know that as well as I do.
Steve ponders my words. I can tell hes not happy. Then he shakes his head. We can start next week. Not this weekend. I just cant do that to Viola or her client.
I look at Steve. Hes serious. Well, I guess Ill have to find another band then, I say and begin to gather my things to leave.
No deal? Steve asks.
I offered you a deal, I say firmly.
A deals only a deal where both parties are happy
I pause. And what wouldnt make you happy about the deal? One weekend? One weekend when you could be earning one and a half times what you get now every weekend from now on?
You know, I think this isnt so much as our band being paid more as it is a personal issue between you and Viola. Am I right? Because if thats the case, the band isnt going to make a difference. If you dont have what she offers shes always going to be one ahead of you
and pray tell me, Steve, what does she have that I dont have?
Aside from the band, shes got a great assistant
got one, I say.
rapport with clients
Got it, I add.
Wedding Whisperer
A what? I ask frowning.
Steve smiles. See. Youre not close to what she offers.
I ignore his remark. What is a Wedding Whisperer?
A person who encourages the bride or groom to work through their fear of getting married at the last minute. You know, cold feet? He makes inverted commas in the air with his fingers.
I sit back. Oh, that! Who doesnt have that? I lie. I just dont call it that.
Well, I have to be going. Its been a pleasure to meet you but I guess we wont be doing business, Steve says.
Well, remember I did try to help.
Thank you for that, Steve says as I stand. He stands too and we shake hands. I leave the coffee shop and he sits down again and takes out his cellphone. I know hes going to try to horse trade anyway. Maybe Ill let him do it. Ill see how I feel later. Right now, Im more interested in the wedding whisperer concept that he mentioned to me.
I think of the cancellations Ive had when the wedding has been about to kick off in church. Not many but it happens. Its ingenious and Im even more adamant to shut Violas business down than before.
VIOLA
Steve, this is really difficult. I cant just increase the bands fee. You know this wedding was booked months ago. I calculated the fee based on what I was paying you then. Whoever is offering you this, obviously has the budget to pay what theyre offering.