Fairy Tales and Finance in France (Part 1)

There once was a woman named Theresa who totally got why Madonna slept with her Blackberry under her pillow. Theresa was sure that Madonna would still have her Berry long after her divorce from Guy. Guys come and go but Berries—well, they’re always there for you. Provided you have an extra battery on hand, which Theresa always did. She was a big believer in back-up.

Theresa was busy backing up her files at this moment, while her girlfriends ordered a third round of spiced pina coladas.

Her friend Cynthia flagged down the good-looking young waiter and ordered up another round. She turned to Theresa and said, “He’s scrumptious enough that I should wrap him up with a bow for your present,” and they all laughed. Except Theresa, who was still pecking away.

Barb tapped Theresa the shoulder. She said, “This is a party, girlfriend. Get your head out of that thing and into the fun.”

Theresa’s eyes never left the screen. “I’m downloading some mini-French lessons here, almost done.”

Andrea said, “They say the best way to learn a language is to take a lover,” and Barb said, “I wonder what language our waiter speaks!”

“The language of loooove I’m sure,” laughed Cynthia. Theresa just shook her head as she punched the keys.

“I won’t be there long enough, you know that. I just need enough words to navigate around in case they don’t speak English.” She looked up at her French. “I understand they all actually do speak English, but they just wanna make us suffer so they pretend not to. Anyway, I only need to speak enough to get in, get the deal done, and get out.”

Andrea shook her head. “Sweetheart, why don’t you stay on a few days? It’s your forty-third birthday! It would be fabulous to spend it in Paris.”

“Yes,” Theresa nodded, “Paris is great, but I want something really spectacular for my birthday. Like closing this deal.”

Barb said, “Funny, that’s not my definition of spectacular.”