Rome-Mance

After John took a shower and changed into clean clothes he sat down on the bed, TV remote in his hand he stared at the blank screen, but didn't turn it on, he finally tossed the remote down on the bed. He looked over to the mirror on the wall, and then spoke in a low scolding voice while he stared at himself. "John, what is going through your mind? The thoughts you are having are bad, they're for an engaged woman, and one that belongs to your boss and that's double trouble, what kind of an idiot are you?" John got up and picked up his cell phone from the desk, sat back down on the edge of the bed and looked at his watch then pressed a speed dial number.

His best friend Ron answered on the other end. "Bon Journo Signore Ron, remember me?"

"Hey, you don't have to rub it in. While I'm sitting in the office working my Butt off you're playing around in Italy. How's everything going in Italy?"

"Great, all of our first meetings went smoothly yesterday and my next obligation will be an inspection of their production facilities tomorrow. Today, I took an all-day ride and walk tour of Rome, and the company's paying for all of this, can you believe it? Honestly, I think I'm ripping the company off. "

"That's fine until Mr. Pine finds out what you're doing on his dime and time, then you'll be in trouble."

"I know you won't believe this Ron, it was his idea. He even reminded me to use the company credit card and not mine for gift purchases. The only thing he asked me to do was to take my cell phone with me in case he had a question for me. Cool Huh?"

"That just isn't fair. Does that include the purchase of a new Ferrari? All kidding aside, I'm very happy for you. Everyone here is calling you the Golden Child, you were able to fix the problem with the CASTER that no one here or at the original two companies could fix and you did it in less than two weeks, simply amazing."

"Yeah, well I had help with it, it wasn't all me."

"John, you are extremely good at what you do, but you're always too modest when it comes to your talent. I've known you since college and you've always been this way. I don't remember the name of the movie, but there was a great line from a Dolly Parton movie that said if you don't honk your own horn, no one will know you're coming."