What time do I need to be there? (Unedited and unformatted excerpt from by upcoming book)
I was typing away at considerable speed when I heard a firm knock on the door. I assumed that it was my neighbor, maybe she took me on my offer for help.
It wasn’t Laura. A lady with short reddish-brown hair and dark rimmed glasses was about to knock again when I opened the door. She quickly pulled back her hand and used it to squeeze a leopard skin purse.
“Hello,” I said. “What can I do for you?”
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to bother you sir, especially since you just arrived but I have a problem and I hope that maybe you are able, and willing to help me out.”
“Sounds very serious,” I answered. “Maybe you better come in.” She accepted the invitation with a nod and a short “Thank you.”
I pointed to the loveseat. “Please have a seat and by the way; my name is James.”
She waved her right hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so upset that I even forgot to introduce myself. I’m Beverly, Beverly Wilson.”
“So, what can I do you for you Beverly?”
She put her purse next to her feet and folded her hands.
“Well, the problem is this. We have a social club, and we organize all kinds of activities. By the way, I’m the chairperson. A few times a year we invite someone to tell us a little bit about his, or her, work and everything that comes with it. Of course, it must be someone who has interesting things to share and who is able to entertain us for about an hour. Not long ago we had an actor, not somebody famous though. Once we had a former racecar driver and last time there was a forest ranger.”
She coughed twice and resumed. “The next event is planned for tomorrow night and just this morning our guest cancelled because of an accident. Luckily, he will be fine, but it leaves us stranded. I really don’t want to cancel it altogether but how and where am I going to find a replacement at this short notice?”
“I see the problem but how can I help you?”
She raised both arms in the air. “I was at the store just now and talked to Earl about it. He mentioned something about you being writer and then I thought you may be willing to be our guest tomorrow.”
That solved the mystery as why she had come to see me.
Before I could respond she asked me two questions. “What kind of books do you write? Are you, let’s say, well known to the public?”
I got up from my chair. “Let me show you something Beverly.” I handed her a copy of my first best-seller. I always take it with me for good luck.
She looked at front at back. “Wait a minute.” she said. “You are telling me that you are James White? You are famous. Too be honest, I never read one of your books myself, but I have heard a lot about them. Some of my friends are avid readers.”
She handed back the book. “It would be great to have you as our guest. What do you say?”
I sat back down. “What would be expected of me?”
Beverly waived her right hand. “It’s quite simple really. I will introduce you, then you tell us about you work and career, may be with some humor which is always appreciated. Then there will a break with drinks and snacks. And after the break people will be able to ask you questions. The whole affair shouldn’t take more than an hour and a half.”
At this point I felt that I couldn’t refuse. Besides, during my writing career I have done talks and presentations many times and they were usually very pleasant experiences.
“Alright, you can count on me. What time do I need to be there and where?”
