The Porter Dialogue

KATHY - I was a single mother of two and on my 36th rejection letter sitting at the desk at my receptionist’s job back then. You could have wallpapered our bathroom with all the “unfortunatelys”, "utmost thanks”, and “services not needed at this time”s. It was a bleak life answering calls for an unseen executive, and to make matters worse, the building had the noisiest construction happening outside. I recall knowing it was bad news, seeing how hot it had been all summer.

DANIEL - A hot, dusty day, but a job that never failed to be entertaining. You get nasty looks and lungs full of plaster and grit, but what better way to feel alive when you’re almost dead. I remember a section of scaffolding, two planks on top of each other as a walkway with a lip we called “the half inch to hell”, ‘cause if your arms were full or you weren't keeping an eye on your feet, and you stepped off the end to the plank beneath, there was a moment where you saw Jesus himself. You find ways to stay occupied.

KATHY - I heard the crash first, then the laughter. I thought someone had dropped some tools or something. Then the front doors opened and a man called out, asking someone to call an ambulance. I thought of all the paperwork I’d have to fill out. They were carrying in a beet-red worker who had obviously just passed out from the summer heat. I got some water from the fountain and took the handkerchief from his pocket to try cooling him down. He opened his eyes.

DANIEL - Like a red lipped, white collared angel sent from heaven right to my side. I dead near fainted away.

KATHY - Again.

DANIEL - Again.

KATHY - I felt bad for the thing, so we propped him up with a copy of Rolling Stone and a water bottle. After five minutes, he was well enough to stand, much to my dismay.

DANIEL - I had to thank the pretty lady for saving my stupid life. We had a wonderful talk.

KATHY - He stood and made needless conversation for the better part of an hour.  

DANIEL - Finally, I took my leave.

KATHY - The power tools outside aren’t that bad. (beat) He was- Well…cute. In sort of a lost dog kind of way. But I knew I’d never see him again.

DANIEL - I really hoped we’d meet again.

KATHY - As bad luck would have it, the air conditioning unit went out a week later. And since Pautler’s and Son’s Construction had done such a damn fine job on the outside, why not let them back in for some easy maintenance. 

DANIEL - After high school, I had got my GED and started a few apprenticeships, and as lady luck had been smiling upon me, I found myself in the presence of my angel once again.

KATHY - He was back.

DANIEL - She smiled when she saw me. 

KATHY - I most certainly didn’t. (beat, a sigh) Yes. I guess I did.

DANIEL - I got right to work. Couldn’t leave her suffering in the heat like that. Before long everything was back up and running, so I said my goodbyes and headed out.

KATHY - Conveniently leaving his toolbox on my desk. 

DANIEL - She took it home and cleaned it for me. 

KATHY - It was only polite, he should have a better toolbox for all the work he does.

DANIEL - It was very kind, she did the same thing every time I forgot my glasses too.

KATHY - When he came to pick it up, he had the gall to tell me I was pretty.

DANIEL - Right so. She blushed like a fire engine.

KATHY - The next day, I came to work and a delivery man placed a bouquet of roses in front of me. “From a secret admirer.” I couldn’t imagine who had sent them.

DANIEL - Search me! I came by a few days later to see her… AC unit again. 

KATHY - “Those are awfully pretty!” What a nutcase. I should have thrown them out, it was entirely unprofessional.

DANIEL - She has them dried in a picture frame in the kitchen now. If I remember correctly, that was the day she invited me to dinner. She said she’d introduce me to her daughters, and make liver and onions, which I hadn’t had since I’d been home. It wasn’t bad, certainly wasn’t great, but don’t tell her.

KATHY - I’d like to think I’m a decent cook, but I was a mess all day. Who wanted to be with someone who was already a mother?  I cleaned the girls up and told them the plan, though they had very different reactions.

DANIEL - To my surprise, the angriest looking little girl you ever saw opened the door. “Are you Daniel.” I could tell it wasn’t a question. “Guilty as charged.”

KATHY - Alyssa didn’t take to him right away, kept an eye on him all night. I thought it was very sweet of her. Tanya seemed to know right away that he would be sticking around though, she was all over him. I thought he’d run for the hills.

DANIEL - I fell in love that night, all over again. I knew Kathy was the woman for me, and I knew that I’d die for her daughters as well. I was the luckiest man in the world. It’s funny. There’s a beauty in never knowing when you’re going to find love like this. 

KATHY - That’s how he ended his speech at our wedding. Already drunk on three glasses of wine. I was surprised he found the chair when he sat down again.

DANIEL - I’m not the most lightfooted man. Perpetually starry eyed if you will.

KATHY - He’s always had birds flying around his head.

DANIEL - No bird as pretty as you.