The Lady And The Investment Advisor
#25 Real Estate Man
Have you ever met an individual who’s persona was so attractive you felt that you’d known that individual for years? A comfortable glow sets in and there’s almost no first meeting stress. Virtually everybody has met someone who was in that select few. Real Estate Man has:
Stockbroker Dan inspected # 54 1906 Sansom early in the morning. It was a nice apartment, complete with a beautiful mosaic fireplace — old elegance. Dan said he “Loved it!” (actually thinking, something like….It will do until I stash enough money for my mini mansion on Philadelphia’s Main Line.) Surely, Dan’s optimism and positive thinking were part of his charm. He had just been hired by Robinson&Co., the largest brokerage firm in Philadelphia.
Real Estate Man’s Story:
Dan was an immediate success as an investment advisor. His cheerful gift of gab and way of presenting all things positively served him well in the investment business. My feeling was that he would be able to get that mansion when his lease was up in a year. When the lease was, he did.
Dan gave me the proper 60 day notice which coincided with his settlement on his new house in Bryn Mawr. I told Dan that I, or my agent Jesse, would be showing his apartment every weekday between 12:00 and 2:00 until it was rented. Using this method would eliminate the need for daily calls to ask Dan for permission to gain access to his place. Good for him because he would be at work and wouldn’t be bothered by prospective tenants going through his apartment.
Jesse was working, showing apartments in University City (about 10 blocks from the office). I was in my office alone when the 2 well dressed, professional looking women appeared. They were attractive ladies in their early 30’s. They sashayed into the office with no appointment around 12:00 noon. I rarely had “walk-ins”, almost everyone made appointments. These 2 lovely ladies walked in off the street with no prior appointment. As so often the case, one women was looking for an apartment, the other was there to advise. Perfect situation to show them #54. Having already alerted Dan that someone would be showing his apartment from 12:00 to 2:00 every weekday (when he was at work), perfect timing.
I and the 2 women walked the 3 Center City blocks to Dan’s apartment. It was a no-knock situation, as agreed. He should know we’re coming, as previously agreed, between 12:00 to 2:00 weekdays.. Dan was at work anyway, right?
The women and I entered. I sensed something was amiss but couldn’t quite put his finger on what.
Until:
Dan came bounding out of the bathroom having just showered. His body was glistening with water droplets. In point of fact — droplets were all he was wearing.
They don’t teach you how to handle this kind of situation in the Temple University Real Estate School.
Would this be grounds for license revocation if any party cared to exaggerate and report? Were there rules for nudist-interruptus?
Then, the unexpected:
Dan (totally at ease): “Hey girls, welcome to my humble abode!”
One of the women (not to be outdone): “ Like your outfit; not showing enough skin though!”
Me (awkwardly, apologetically): “I’m sorry Dan, I though you’d be at work.”
Interested? Wait… there’s more:
Dan ,ever the salesman, proceeded to go into his bedroom bald-ass naked. I figured that he was going to, quick put something on and join the women and me. A romantic, I thought there may have been a spark there between Dan and the woman who quipped she like his outfit.
Dan did come out…far too early to have thrown something on. Dan returned as naked as he went in. He proceeded to hand each woman a business card and abruptly returned to his bedroom.
I never found out whether either of the women became Dan’s lover or investment client; nor did I hear from the woman who expressed an interest in renting an apartment that summer.
Dan (who talked his way into my wallet) continued to manage my investments until I didn’t have any more money to invest.