Matchmaking at The Towers

Elinor and Frank and the Tea Party Pt. 1

Lane was so private and so busy that he didn't really have bosom buddies or guy pals. He never had gone drinking with the guys or ogling women at a club, even when he was a teen or attending college. Lane missed the comfortable camaraderie he had had with Elinor and Olivia. He thought for the hundredth time "I'd like to see them and make up for neglecting them." He hadn't spent time with them except at the Towers Dance. He hoped that they hadn't forgotten him.

Wondering how he could get them to come here...together, he realized that he couldn't just go visiting them one at-a-time all over the county. He needs to throw a party. The more he thought about it the more he thought that it was a good idea. (..."You know what? I could reciprocate for a lot of missed obligations...")

Sitting at his desk, he made a note for his Pad to remind him to give a party. He realized, "That's bad when I have to have my computer remind me to do something...or anything, for that manner. Damn. I guess I'm overbooked." He punched a button and requested, "Ellis?"

Ellis appeared from his new digs next door to Lane's office. "Whatcha need, Lane...uh, sir?"

"Oh, knock it off." He grinned at Ellis's non-obsequious obsequiousness. "I need some help..."

Ellis mumbled under his breath, "As usual..."

Lane's brows shot up, and he ignored Ellis's remark and continued. "As usual..." He paused and looked Ellis in the eyes. They both chuckled. "As usual...I've taken on more than I can handle...again." He handed a thumb drive to Ellis. "Can you check my figures and handle this for me? I'm going to plan a party."

"A party, sir?"

"Yep. It's mostly for the ladies. I owe several folks some reciprocal hospitality. And of course, most of them are women."

"What do you have in mind...sir?

"Please...do knock it off...I don't have anything in mind. I was going to ask Ayla and Lisa, maybe Ellen what they think would do."

"If you don't mind a male perspective..." Ellis raised his brows waiting for a response.

"Go ahead..."

"How about a tea party?" Lane pursed his lips and considered the possibilities. "You could hold it in the Conservatory and use flowers as your theme. They could have a 'plus one' to make it worth your while." He snickered. "You might even have a couple guys get roped into the visit...cover some other obligations maybe."

Lane was already deep into the idea and brainstorming ways to make it special. "Thanks, El. That's really great. Do you want to help me with it? It is your idea. That way I don't have to bother Ayla or Lisa and can surprise them, too."

"Certainly."

"Thanks. I've already thinking about an international thing, with special teas, designs, flowers and such. For gifts, I'm thinking pretty parasols, traditional tea services from all over..." He stopped and looked up at Ellis. "What?"

"Lane. You are too nice a guy. Your ideas are great, but you're trying to do too much. The ladies will be pleased with a lousy cup of tea and just your good company."

"But I wouldn't be. What's the good of having all this"...He gestured with his hands to indicate not just the room, but the Towers. "...if you can't share it." Ellis nodded sagely thinking that this man is too damn good for his own good. He seated himself across from Lane in an overstuffed chair provided for visitors.

"Lane. Your idea is good, but let's pare it down a little bit. I'm guessing that you're looking at around eight to ten invitees and a few plus-ones. They're not going to want to visit several displays. Not that they're lazy, but they'd rather just sit and talk with you. Okay?" Lane nodded. "When I think of tea, I generally think of Great Britain and Japan, maybe India." Lane nodded again. "Great Britain doesn't suit your venue. That leaves Japan and maybe India."

"Yes."

"Either makes for some pretty exotic ideas for food, décor, and gifts. Do you agree?"

"Yes...Ellis?" Ellis looked him in the eyes. "Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate the good advice. I think I'm leaning toward Japan. India is exotic, but hot and dry. Japan will be a better fit for the conservatory. I'm guessing that's what you wanted from me. A decision?" Ellis grinned.

"Yes, sir."

"That does it. You're fired. Okay. So now I can direct my thoughts to the one area, rather than have them scattered trying to cover everything. Tell me why I hired you again." He smiled his sweet smile, and Ellis dropped his eyes to acknowledge the compliment. "Have you done your part, or are you going to help some more?" Ellis wasn't sure what Lane wanted.

"Sir?"

"Oh, come on...Help me." He paused. "Please?"

"Of course."

The two settled down to some real planning and decided on a date three weeks hence, so they'd have time to realize some of Lane's ideas. He still wanted to give gifts. Tiny dainty parasols, gorgeous painted fans, wooden hair sticks, (...He eschewed the opportunity to give carved ivory sticks and actually lectured the dealer that offered them...) and colorful silk kimonos were at the top of his list for the ladies. He selected karategis, Towers-logoed throwing stars, and traditional short swords in sheaths for the gentlemen. (He snickered to himself as he remembered Ayla's very bad "sheath" metaphor.) He planned to dress as a well-to-do Japanese gentleman, a Shogun perhaps. He wanted to emulate Clavell's cover art with Chamberlain. He knew Ayla would "swoon" for him.

He planned on having a couple of generic outfits in case he didn't know who would be there. This was actually a part of Ellis's job. Knowing he would be discreet and not blab to the whole household, he handed him a list of invitees and rightfully expected the task to be handled quickly and accurately. Swearing him to secrecy, Lane also asked Airen to start locating appropriate dealers to order as many different top-of-the-line Japanese teas as he could readily get there in time.

Ellis excused himself to get the invitations out right away. RSVPs received quickly would make the whole enterprise go more smoothly. He would enlist Airen to order them from the list of attendees that would RSVP. Ever too generous, he wanted to include the plus-ones if he could. His invitees included Olivia, Elinor, Denise, Diane, Joyce, Brandi, Sherry, Isabel, and of course Lisa and his Ayla. He was trying to figure out how he could keep Ayla from finding out. He may have to let her in on it. At least he knew who her plus one would be.