The Corporate Escape Read Online Free Page A

in the hour, to whisk her away.
     
    *****
     
    As Lynn waited at the gate for her plane, she rechecked her possessions. Her passport was in her purse next to her ticket. She glanced again at her boarding pass, and heard them announce her plane was boarding.
    She took her seat in first class, and thanked the Lord for Susan. She had one of the longest flights of her life in front of her, and thanks to Susan she had plenty of room to stretch out. She planned to sleep most of the flight. The movies were some of the few she had seen that year, and the quiet allowed her to sleep soundly. The flight attendant woke her for breakfast, so she reviewed her schedule again. She was truly going on vacation for a month! She smiled to herself and thanked God for the adventure.
    The man across the aisle from Lynn was an Australian Banker. He had been to the States on Business and was eager to get home to his family. Yet he had a meeting to attend in New Zealand and would be stopping there first.
    Duane Coleman was 59-years-old, married with three children. He told Lynn that she reminded him of his oldest daughter Katherine, who was a lawyer in Sydney. As usual, Lynn found it easy to carryon a conversation. By the end of the flight Duane knew more about her than most of her work associates. Since Lynn was restricted about talking about her work, they had discussed all the other subjects of her life. The usually taboo subjects of politics and religion were the two which they found they had the most in common. Lynn and Duane shared a deep faith in the Lord, and a semi conservative view of politics. Lynn had shared her itinerary and he was pleased that she would be spending a good deal of time in Sydney.
    “You must meet my daughter Katherine,” he said enthusiastically. “I know she would love to show you all the great places to shop.”
    “That would be wonderful,” Lynn replied. But, she was a bit skeptical. She knew how parents often committed their children to things they would really rather not do. Duane proceeded to give her both Katherine's address and the family address.
    “You must promise to come to church with us on Sunday. And you can come to dinner at least one night. My wife Barbara will positively dot on you, but by then perhaps a good home cooked meal will sound exciting.”
    Lynn accepted the offer. She gave him the number and address of her hotel in Sydney and promised to call her first day in town.
    Duane was exhausted, as was Lynn, so they ended their conversation and both nodded off into their dreams. Lynn smiled to herself. She had been concerned about being lonely on a vacation by herself. But realized that she need not have worried, as there truly are nice people everywhere.
    After her short nap, and another meal, Lynn was being instructed to buckle up for their landing. She was there! Lynn and Duane picked up their conversation where they left off, as the plane circled.
    “I was thinking,” Duane mentioned pensively. “The company I am meeting with is having a party tomorrow night. If you wouldn't feel too out of place, I would love to have you come.”
    “Thanks for the offer,” she said gratefully. “But if your work parties are anything like ours, it isn't exactly a gala event.”
    “Actually,” smiled Duane, “This is going to be quite a party. Formal event. It is the Annual Sales Conference extravaganza.”
    Lynn thought of the conference her team was having that same night, and felt a twinge of homesickness.
    “And besides,” he added. “The men down under are always eager to meet and entertain a beautiful Yank.”
    Duane continued to persuade her by filling her in on the details. The party was to be given in the grand ballroom of Lynn's hotel.
    “We'll be so loud that you won't be able to sleep anyway,” teased Duane. “I have some friends I'd like you to meet, too.”
    Lynn laughed, “Alright. You've closed the deal. I'm sold.”
    They shared a taxi to their hotels, as Duane's was very close