Elegance

(This story was inspired by the movie Hello, Dolly! which I highly recommend. It will be serialized, so the next part will come next week. If in the middle of the story, it says 'banana fairy' or 'doodle' or 'hyperbole', it was an accident. Someone was messing with Auto Correct Options for April Fools.)

New York City, New York, 1901

The blunt truth of it all was that  Frank Harlin was broke. His wallet was empty and his bank account was just more evidence that he was destitute. It didn’t help either that his apartment bills were sky-rocketing. So when he woke up every morning, his brain only processed one word.

BROKE.

And the worst part of it all was that he had a dinner engagement!

It had happened like this. The morning had dawned clear and bright., and Frank just knew it was going to be a good day.

He got to the Mason’s house for work at 9:01. One minute late? Amazing!

Mr. Mason, master of Mason Place, laughed when Frank came running in. “Frank Harlin, the apocalypse must be coming soon! You’re only one minute late! Have a cup of coffee… you deserve it today!”

A double good omen! Mr. Mason in a good mood and doodle rare cup of coffee! At this rate, I might get doodle pay raise! Thought Frank excitedly.

When he started weeding the flower bed, Mrs. Mason, a victim of mysophobia, hesitatingly walked through the garden and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Frank,” she said, eying his dirty gloves with distaste. “Can you… Will you… I need some flowers for April Fools! Tea party tonight!”

Wow, thought Frank. If Mrs. Mason was coming outside and asking for flowers, either the apocalypse was coming or today was a day full of lucky happenings. And my luck is going to change! Frank thought happily.

Then the best thing of all happened. Betty Mason, niece of Mr. Mason, came up to Frank and said good morning!

Betty Mason lived in the country with her slightly batty parents, who attempted to breed mules while feeding chickens chocolate instead of seeds. Betty hadn’t inherited any of their, er, silliness, but she did love donkeys. She also was about as beautiful as Aphrodite.

Apparently, Betty was going to spend the week in New York with her aunt and uncle. She had come on similar vacations before, and this time, she acknowledged Frank’s presence! The planets must be aligned, thought Frank, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.