Grunter Inquires (Socks CXLVII)

"Christner?" But the door was closed.
Grunter stood in the center of the room, and took out his phone. The phone said, "Beep, beep, beep."
"There it is," he pushed the green button.
"Randy, This is..."
*
"No, I didn't call for more advise."
*
"No, I don't need a new slogan."
*
"I called to ask about Christner."
*
"Why did he get fired?"
*
"He quit? Why?"
*
"Why would his wife..."
*
"Oh. With who?"
*
"Essex? What was her name?"
*
"But you're sure it was someone from Essex?"
*
"Ok, ok. Go back to your dinner."
*
"It's been programmed in my phone since..."
"Hello? Hello?"

Grunter Listens (Socks CXLVI)

"Your pretty, young wife called the day after we, supposedly, played Racquetball."
"What...I..."
"Don't worry, I covered for you."
"I don't..."
"The words you're looking for are 'Thank-you."
"Thank-you, Mr. Petersen."
"It's still Frank."
"Thank-you, Frank."
"I surmised what, or rather who you were up to."
"I won't try to lie to you, sir."
"No need to, just let me know before I need to cover for you."
"I'll remember that, Sir."
"Remember something else. Don't let your nightlife interfere with your business life."
"I will."
As Frank was leaving, "I would hate to see you end up like Christner."

Frank Talks (Socks CXLV)

Lar noted that as much as Grunter was squirming under Gina's questioning, his feet were shuffling and tapping more now.
"Maybe Frank won't notice us."
"I don't care if he does."
"But I'm married."
"You chicken, this is a business meeting."
"Good, he didn't see us. I'm going to the bathroom."
"Balk balk."
Grunter was in the restroom, the door opened, "Gina said you were in here."
"Hi Frank."
"So, you and Gina are here working out some of the bugs on the Essex campaign?"
"Yep. Just finishing up."
"Did I mention that your wife called me a while ago?"

Interrogation (Socks CXLIV)

"All that intrigue, just for some tail?"
"Gina..."
"Shelly's right. You're a snake."
"That was in the past."
"How long ago? And don't lie, I'll call Shelly over here."
"Almost a year."
"Was she the first during your marriage?"
"No."
"How many others?"
"Two."
"So, that's four indiscretions. In how many years?"
"Five and a half."
"Well, finish your drink, lets go to my house."
"I knew you'd understand."
"I understand that we, you and I, are going to my house tonight, and you, will, perform. Understand?"
Silence.
"Oh look, the real Frank Petersen, and his wife, just walked in."

Truth Extraction (Socks CXLIII)

They ate in silence.
Then, "I want to hear why you chose the name Frank?"
"I don't think it's important."
"Look, over at the end of the bar. She's still here. Shelly, that is her name? Maybe she'd like to meet the real Frank Petersen. Tell her story to him."
"OK, OK, I knew that Frank had an unlisted number."
"Keep talking. I want the whole story."
"The address I gave her was the house I grew up in, there was a fire ten years ago that destroyed five houses."
"Any more?"
"I told her that I worked at Pioneer."

Truth Hurts (Socks CXLII)

The ankles turned, "What is your real name?"
"Miss, were are having a business meeting here. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"Shelly, don't you..."
"Don't use my name unless you give me yours."
"Miss, don't make me call the manager."
"OK, I'll go, but remember, this guy is a snake."
The smooth ankles left.
"Frank Petersen? That was either gutsy, or just plain stupid."
"Did you mean what you said? That we are only colleagues?"
"You look hurt."
"Well did you mean it?"
"What do you care? You're married."
"Well I..."
"Get used to it. Frank."

You're What? (Socks CXLI)

"Miss, I don't know what your problem is, but the object of your anger is my work colleague. No more, no less."
"He took me to the casino for the weekend once. We had fun, gambled, saw a show. Then on Sunday morning while we were still in bed, he told me that he was married."
"Miss, I'm sorry for your misfortune..."
"Then he wouldn't answer his phone. I went to where he said he lived, it was a vacant lot. I called where he said he worked, they never heard of him. Is Frank Petersen even his real name?"