Pygmalion, Part 10

The following story is fictional and is provided solely for the enjoyment 
of its readers. While there are references to actual establishments such as 
major corporations, smaller companies, restaurants and locations, the 
characters in the story are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to a real 
person either living or dead is completely coincidental. Several 
non-fictional characters (celebrities) make brief cameo appearances. Their 
role is purely fictional and no way linked to their actual lives. This 
fictional account does contain adult language and themes. If such language 
and themes offend you, please read no further. This story is copyrighted by 
AZ-MAN, 2000, all rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce it in 
any form and for any purpose as long as this notice is reproduced and no 
financial remuneration is received, directly or indirectly, by the person 
reproducing it. 



A final thanks - to SSTORYMAN for his support, guidance and friendship. 

Should you have any comments, please feel free to respond to 
azman2k@yahoo.com. 


PYGMALION 

Part 10 of 10 



19. Jubilee 
Doug noticed Hank's eyes hadn't stopped from gazing out the window of the 
airplane since they'd taken off over an hour ago. The two men were 
returning from Seattle in Hank's private Learjet after a one-hour meeting 
with several of his business associates. There were already rumors in the 
newspapers that Paul Allen was considering selling his basketball team, the 
Portland Trailblazers. Hank had been asked by some of his investment 
partners to join them in a meeting with Mr. Allen in Seattle to discuss a 
possible buyout. Hank didn't think that he or his partners stood any chance 
whatsoever but agreed to come along to support the initial discussions. Now 
he and Doug were headed back to Phoenix after what Hank deemed, "a huge 
waste of time." 

Hank had a pair of headphones on and was peacefully listening to some 
music. Doug studied him carefully from across the aisle. He had been 
worried about Hank since his return from Beth's condo several weeks ago. 
He'd heard the entire story and was flabbergasted at not only Beth's 
'loose' appearance but also poor Hank's bad luck. Doug felt responsible for 
getting Hank so pumped up and sending him out there (something that Hank'd 
never done on his own). When it failed, Doug took it very personally. He 
knew he was wrong to feel this way but that's why he'd been avoiding Beth 
around the condo complex. He was mad at her. But he couldn't admit she was 
not to blame. Well, not entirely. Doug was only being loyal to Hank and 
supportive of their twenty-year friendship. He felt bad that it was Cynthia 
that knocked him to his senses. Of course, he'd finally agreed with her, he 
was not helping Hank by continuing to play to his depression by sadly 
mourning alongside him. He needed to slap Hank and wake him up, so to 
speak. It was ironic that it was Cynthia that had to remind him of this. 

Doug leaned across the aisle and touched Hank's leg to get his attention. 
Hank lifted one side of his headphones then Doug asked, "How's it going? 
You okay?" 

"Humph," was all Hank could manage. Then he returned his stare to the 
majestic Cascade mountain range that was passing below them. 

Hank was depressed, no question about it. He even admitted it to himself 
but the reasons were much more complex than simply losing Beth like 
everyone else believed. He figured Beth was just the catalyst. After that 
fateful night, Hank felt a myriad of problems come tumbling down from his 
subconscious. Problems of doubt and fear that he'd been storing up for 
years - problems that traced their origin all the way back to Georgetown 
then out to Las Vegas before ending up at his doorstep in Paradise Valley. 
Twenty-five years of guilt were finally catching up to him. 

Hank was turning fifty tomorrow and he'd been observant enough to know that 
Cynthia, God bless her, was planning a huge surprise party for him sometime 
after his arrival this evening in Phoenix. He had tried his best to start 
acting cheerful in preparation but it was to no avail. Hank was now fearful 
that he'd ruin his own party simply by projecting his pent up melancholy on 
everyone. He'd even had thoughts of somehow skipping it, failing to show 
up. He knew that the bash was planned to take place at his own house. I'll 
just make myself 'unavailable' he mused. Even though he felt he couldn't 
possibly do this to Cynthia and all his guests, the option was looking more 
probable to him now than yesterday as he stared out the window. 



After more than three hours of flying, Hank's pilot, Jeff Bowen greased the 
Learjet onto the runway at the Scottsdale Airpark after a flawless approach 
over the McDowell mountain range from the northeast. 

Hank bought his first corporate airplane in 1990 and Jeff had been flying 
for him ever since. He trusted his life to this man every time he went up 
and they were friends. He suspected he'd see Jeff at his party later on 
this evening - that is, if he decided to show up. Right now he was having 
second thoughts. 

Hank stepped down the tiny air-stair ladder onto the tarmac with Doug 
following closely behind. "Nice flight, Jeff. Thanks." He shook his hand. 

"Thank you, Mr. Graham. See you next time." He almost said, 'See you this 
evening'. 

Hank also thanked his co-pilot then headed for his car. He and Doug walked 
the short distance across the ramp and ended up at the Lincoln Navigator's 
driver's side at the same time. 

"What are you doing, Hank? I'm going to drive us," spoke Doug. 

Hank took the keys out of Doug's hand. "Not this time. I'm driving." He 
punched the button on the keyless entry and the locks popped open. 

Doug walked around to the passenger side wondering what was going on while 
Hank climbed into the vehicle and locked the doors behind him. "Hank, what 
are you doing?" Doug was locked out. "Hank!" He ran back to the driver's 
side. 

Hank lowered his window. "Sorry Doug old boy. I need to take care of a few 
things. See if you can find another ride home, maybe with Jeff." 

Doug's face turned to pure panic. "Hank, no! I can't let you do that. Come 
on, let me back in." In desperation to keep Hank from moving, Doug stepped 
up on the running board. 

"Get down, Doug. I'm leaving with or without you hanging on out there." 

"No. Hank, you don't know what you're doing. You can't just drive off. Just 
where the hell do you think you're going?" Doug simply could not let Hank 
get away. It was his responsibility to get him to his house in precisely 
one hour. He couldn't disappoint Cynthia or the nearly 200 guests assembled 
on Hank's behalf all intent on surprising him. What would he tell them - 
that he lost the guest of honor? 

Hank started the engine. Doug remained on the running board clutching the 
large outside mirror. "Come on Doug, get down," he said. 

"No." 

Hank then shot Doug a stern look telling him the game was over. 

Doug looked Hank directly back in the eyes and meekly stepped down without 
saying a word. 

Hank maintained eye contact and spoke very softly, "It's okay. I know about 
the party. I know you're supposed to get me there. Don't worry, I'll make 
sure you're not left hanging." 

Doug was shocked. He, and especially Cynthia, had taken extreme precautions 
to keep the whole thing a secret. He was puzzled on how Hank found out. 
"Then you're going to show?" he asked. 

Hank was staring blankly out the windshield in front of him. He took 
several seconds to ponder an answer. Finally he turned back to Doug. His 
eyes appeared cloudy and moist. He said, "I don't know yet." Then he backed 
out of the parking space, put the big SUV in 'drive' and was gone. 

"H A N K !" Doug yelled uselessly, as the black Navigator sped for the 
airport exit. 



Hank drove north. He didn't have an exact destination in mind. He just 
wanted to get out of the city and into the mountains. He headed up Pima, a 
road that terminated in the rural town of Carefree, Arizona about 15 miles 
north of the Scottsdale airport. He pushed a CD into the vehicle's stereo 
system and turned it up. 

Hank wasn't sure if he was having a breakdown or not. He felt fine except 
for the fact that he was starting to cry. Soon, Mary Chapin Carpenter's 
voice filled the Navigator's interior. She was one of his favorite female 
folk singers so he let the music play. Carpenter's lyrics were poetically 
inspired and she always seemed to have a message that reached out and 
touched the delicate side of the human spirit. She sang about loneliness 
and poignant moments of lost romance. Her deep alto voice was both sexy and 
suggestive and offered comfort to Hank. In fact he felt she could see right 
into his soul as she sang a song about a jubilee. 

Hank had to stop the car. He was at the crest of a mountain on a dirt road 
simply known by the locals as 'The Towers', a deserted microwave relay 
station that offered a sweeping vista of the Sonoran desert and the distant 
skyline of Phoenix 25 miles to the south. Before he turned off the main 
road, he was convinced that he would skip his party, there was no other 
choice. Now sitting here listening to Carpenter's lyrics, he was being 
persuaded otherwise. He was still crying and shaking his head in amazement. 
The song's name was 'Jubilee'. It was a slow waltz and sounded like 
Cynthia, sweet Cynthia, could be singing the words to him. 





"I can tell by the way you're walking, you don't want company 

I'll let you alone and I'll let you walk on and in your own good time 
you'll be 

Back where the sun can find you, under the wise wishing tree 

And with all of them made we'll lie under the shade and call it a jubilee 



"And I can tell by the way you're talking, that the past isn't letting you 
go 

There's only so long you can take it all on, and then the wrongs gotta be 
on its own 

And when you're ready to leave it behind you, you'll look back and all that 
you'll see 

Is the wreckage and rust that you left in the dust on your way to the 
jubilee 



"And I can tell by the way that you're listening, that you're still 
expecting to hear 

Your name being called by a summons to all who have failed to account 

For their doubts and fears, they can't add up to much without you 

And so if were just up to me I'd take hold of your hand 

Saying come hear the band, play your song at the jubilee" 





It was simply amazing. Hank couldn't stop the tears. When he first 
discovered he was being thrown a surprise party, Cynthia's cleaver 
invitation that he stumbled on in her word processor called it 'A Jubilee 
Celebration - Hank's Fiftieth Birthday Party'. The lyrics Carpenter was now 
singing seemed a fitting theme song for Hank's festive gathering. Things 
were very clear to him now. He would return home. He slipped the Navigator 
into gear and headed back down the dirt road and towards Paradise Valley. 



------------------------------------------------ 



Beth was extremely nervous. She was in a quandary about what dress to wear, 
what jewelry would match, what shoes to put on, type makeup, on and on. And 
she only had a couple of hours till she told Cynthia that she'd be at 
Hank's. To calm herself, she lit another cigarette. 

Beth was so glad that she'd begun smoking again. She'd never planned to 
quit. She just simply lost the desire then stopped thinking about it 
altogether. But after Cynthia's call a week ago, Beth had become more 
optimistic. She felt better about life and about herself. Soon, she was 
being haunted less by Tony and the sad goodbye to Hank in the parking lot 
of her condo complex. The urge to smoke was beckoning again after weeks of 
dormancy. She was pleasantly taken aback at how good her first cigarette 
tasted after the long period of abstinence. 

There were no guarantees that this little surprise party Beth was being 
asked to attend would allow she and Hank to emerge as friends. And there 
were no promises of a future relationship. However, she couldn't help but 
feel good about being asked to attend. At the very least, she expected that 
she'd get to see Hank and have a chance to talk to him. Still, the 
anticipation of the event was killing her. 

"Look at my hand," she said, holding it out straight for Heather to see. 
"Look at it shake." 

Heather was also on the invitation list and the two of them were going to 
ride to the party together. "Oh Beth, of course you're nervous. I don't 
blame you but everything will be fine. Don't worry about it." She watched 
Beth puff nervously on her Virginia Slims Menthol. 

"I know, I know." The rich cigarette was offering Beth comfort as she paced 
around her living room in only her panties and skimpy bra. "I've got to get 
dressed but I can't decide which outfit." Smoke swirled in her wake and 
flowed from her mouth. 

Out of self-defense, Heather lit one of her Marlboro Lights, her first of 
the day - it was 5 PM. "Get real Beth. If I had all the clothes you have to 
pick from, I'd have been dressed an hour ago." She took a tiny puff from 
her Marlboro and inhaled slowly before releasing a narrow stream. 

Finally Beth decided on an outfit. After disappearing for 45 minutes into 
her bedroom, she emerged wearing a very chic sapphire-blue evening dress. 
The neckline was very low and her shoulders were bare. Around her neck was 
a string of pearls (borrowed from Cynthia). She also had several gold 
bracelets around her slim wrists. And topping the outfit off was an 
all-white VS120 Menthol that she'd just lit in the bedroom. 

"Beth, you look stunning," Heather announced. She was jealous of the 
clothes but happy for her. "And that cigarette...it's so long. Where'd you 
get it?" 

Beth blew out a small stream of smoke. "Oh, I picked up a pack of these 
yesterday on a whim." She showed Heather the box. "I don't think much of 
their taste now that I've gotten used to the full-flavors but they do look 
nice, don't they?" She cocked her wrist to the ninety-degree position and 
admired herself. 

"You look so...so transformed. I can't believe you're the same person I met 
last summer at work." 

Beth smiled recognizing Heather was trying to cheer her up and give her 
confidence. She walked over and hugged her, mindful to keep her cigarette 
extended away from their expensive clothes. She whispered in Heather's ear, 
"I hope this works. I'm so scared." 

Heather whispered back, "It will. Don't worry, you'll be fine. We've got to 
go now." 



--------------------------------------------- 



Inbound, about 10 minutes from the house, Hank used his cell phone to give 
Doug a quick call. He figured poor Doug was running around about ready to 
lose his mind. If there was one thing Doug detested, it was tardiness, even 
from the boss himself. 

"Hello?" answered Doug. 

"Hey Dougie, how are you?" Hank sounded very upbeat. 

"Where are you is the more appropriate question!" Doug was talking in a 
muffled tone but was clearly alarmed. "How could you do this! You should've 
seen the look on Cynthia's face when I showed up without you. You've got 
come here, now. Please, tell me you're on your way to the house right now." 

Hank smiled. "I'm on my way to the house right now." 

"Thank God," Doug spoke, mainly to himself. "How much longer?" 

"About ten minutes." 

"Whew." Doug caught his breath. "Okay, good. Now just remember to come 
around to the front entrance and use the main door. There's about 200 
people crammed into your living room and adjoining terrace waiting for this 
moment." 

"Got it," Hank said cheerfully. 

"Oh, and Hank?" 

"Yes?" 

"Try to look surprised." 



The gate at the bottom of the hill swung open as the Navigator approached. 
Hank ascended his steep driveway and was amazed at the lack of presence of 
vehicles. Two hundred people and not a car in sight. He was impressed with 
Cynthia's organization. 

Hank's spirits were good. He was sorry that the surprise had been spoiled 
but he was determined it would remain just he and Doug's little secret. It 
was certainly within him to smile and act surprised tonight. He was truly 
looking forward to seeing all his friends, new and old. He turned the 
handle on the massive front door and softly asked, "Doug?" 

"S U R P R I S E ! !" yelled the throng of gatherers as every light in the 
place flicked on. 

Hank didn't have to act surprised. He was bowled over by the exuberance and 
the shear mass of the crowd. A natural smile took over his face that didn't 
fade for the entire evening. 

Cynthia was standing near the front and escorted Hank to the main part of 
the living room before speaking to the guests. She was beaming and 
obviously so happy to be able to do this for him. She didn't want to become 
the center of attention but gave a quick speech announcing the purpose of 
the party, made a few jokes about Hank turning 50 and then thanked everyone 
for being able to attend. Everyone clapped before Hank began working the 
crowd. There was food everywhere and two open bars at each end of the great 
room. The terrace overlooking the city had a fire burning in the chimania 
and a small quartet of musicians with stringed instruments playing a 
variety of music. 

Hank was greeting his guests and shaking everyone's hand. There were 
friends that flew in from many places just to be here tonight. Several of 
Hank's colleagues from his old law firms in Washington, DC and Phoenix were 
among the first to say hello. There were fellow board members and old 
business associates. Simon Gallagher from Motorola (Beth's boss's boss's 
boss) and his wife offered congratulations. Senator and Mrs. McCain made a 
brief appearance to say hello. Hank then greeted his pilot, Jeff Bowen and 
his lovely wife Jackie. He even spotted clusters of women he'd come to know 
since introducing them to Cynthia. He didn't care - he'd made his peace 
with them all. Hank was pleased to see many of them still smoking their 
long cigarettes and moving freely among the crowd. 

Finally, Hank was able to slowly move from the great room out to the 
terrace where there were still many faces he hadn't yet seen. Just as he 
finished greeting a lovely older couple that lived in his neighborhood near 
the base of the mountain, he whirled around and encountered another 
neighbor he hadn't seen in years. 

"Hello Hank," she said in a low, almost raspy voice. She was smiling 
demurely. 

"Stevie. Oh my gosh!" He reached out and they hugged tightly. She still 
smelled good to him. He'd missed her. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? 
How've you been?" 

Stevie spoke shyly. "Good Hank. Life's been treating me well I suppose." 
There was a tranquility in her voice that he hadn't recognized before. "I 
don't think I'll venture out on the road again if I can help it." She 
sounded tired but happy. He noticed she was nursing a mineral water and did 
not have a cigarette in her hand (as he'd always remembered her). 

Hank smiled and spoke intimately, "I'm glad for you." Then he leaned back 
for a final hug. Instead she met him with a tender kiss on the lips that 
seemed to convey, 'Thank you. We understand each other, don't we?' At that 
moment, Hank felt they both recognized the many separate trials they'd 
endured over the last thirty years - that they'd each made peace with them 
in their own way. Over the period they'd shared the patio lunches together, 
they'd revealed many things from their past that only the two of them knew. 
A kindred bond had been forged - nothing more. And they briefly celebrated 
it standing and embracing this evening. 

When Hank was done, he noticed that Doug was nearby and had been walking 
silently behind him. When they made eye contact, Doug politely steered him 
to his next guest. It was Heather Smyth. 

Without showing any hesitation Heather reached out to hug him and whispered 
in his ear, "Happy birthday Hank. We both made it." 

Hank smiled at her but did a double take when he realized she said the 
word, 'we'. Then he looked up to his left. Cynthia had now joined them and 
she and Heather were flanking the most beautiful sight he'd seen all night. 
Standing before him, almost like she was intentionally the last one in the 
receiving line, was Beth Peterson. She looked nervous but flashed a huge 
smile just the same. She was holding a mixed drink in one hand and a 
brand-new Virginia Slims Luxury Light 120 in her other. She was gorgeous. 

"Happy birthday Henry Higgins," Beth spoke. 

Hank immediately recognized the reference and watched Cynthia and Doug grin 
and exchange a knowing glance. The two of them had obviously conspired with 
Beth. He didn't care. He looked back at this stunning and intelligent blond 
woman before him. She was so vulnerable to him at this moment and he 
couldn't help but love her. 

Beth set her drink down and passed Cynthia her long cigarette then met Hank 
as he reached for her. "I'm so sorry Beth," he told her as he held her 
close. "I love you - I love you so very much." 

Hank had not used those words on a woman in 25 years. Cynthia was aware of 
this as she overheard his utterance. Tears were starting to flow down her 
cheeks but she was happy for him. She was happy for them both. This was a 
time of giving of herself - a time of giving to Hank and Beth. 

Doug saw Cynthia's tears and recognized them instantly. He became struck by 
the fact that this was the most generous thing he'd ever seen someone do 
for another human being. He knew that Cynthia had loved Hank. But she'd 
sacrificed that love for the sole purpose of making him happy and helping 
to make things right in his world. 

Hank and Beth were kissing passionately. She had told him several times 
that she loved him too. It was now Hank's turn to realize what was going on 
between he and Cynthia. He slowly disengaged with Beth and leaned over to 
Cynthia. They both had tears in their eyes when he spoke to her during 
their hug. "I can't express in words what I owe you Cyn. You've got to be 
the most remarkable person I've ever met." 

Cynthia was grateful. She knew that this was the best compliment he could 
manage and she knew she would have a job with Hank literally for life if 
she wanted it. But that wasn't important right now. She also knew that 
because of the turn of events (that she'd helped set in motion) she would 
be looking for a new job very soon. It didn't matter. She felt good inside 
and that was what mattered the most. She let Hank return his attention to 
Beth then wandered off, still holding the lit 120mm cigarette. 



The night was young. There was still much to do. After saying hello to 
everyone at the party, Hank allowed his guests to serenade him with 'Happy 
Birthday'. The cake was cut then he and Beth took the first dance as 
everyone looked on. Both were surprised when the band struck up the tune 'I 
Could Have Danced All Night' from 'My Fair Lady' but they also both 
understood. 

Beth laughed as they waltzed around the room. "I love you Henry Higgins," 
she said in his ear. 

"I love you too, Eliza." Hank smiled and surveyed the room while looking 
over Beth's shoulder. In his mind, the song from 'My Fair Lady' was fading 
and the final chapter of Mary Chapin Carpenter's 'Jubilee' came back into 
his head: 





"And I can tell by the way you're standing with your eyes filling with 
tears 

That it's habit alone that keeps you turning for home, even though your 
home is right here 

Where people who love you are gathered, under the wise wishing tree 

May we all be considered then straight on delivered down to the jubilee 



"Because the people who love you are waiting, and they'll wait just as long 
as need be 

When we look back and say those were halcyon days 

We're talking about jubilee...." 







20. Epilogue - Cynthia's Story 
Hank begged Cynthia to reconsider. He offered her more money, more fringe 
benefits and even the option of hiring an assistant. He no longer needed 
Cynthia's services as his resident 'smoking professor' nor did he need her 
to accompany him to formal dinner parties. His business activity had 
increased though and he still desired a personal secretary to fly with him 
to many of his out-of-town meetings. He truly needed one now. 

But in the end, Cynthia had to refuse his generous offer. Since Hank's 
marriage to Beth she felt no longer needed for the main reason she'd been 
hired. She also felt that too much history existed between them. With Beth 
around, things would be uncomfortable for them all. She again did the 
honorable thing, this time submitting her resignation to Hank once he'd 
returned from his honeymoon. 



With Beth now married to Hank, he had, for the first time in 25 years, a 
smoking wife that he adored. However Beth was much different than the first 
Mrs. G. Beth not only smoked but was also a very caring and loving woman. 
Hank understood this only by the virtue of finally taking a chance with a 
woman and then marrying her. They loved each other dearly and showed it 
every day. But still, Hank had to admit one of the best fringe benefits to 
their marriage was that he got to watch Beth smoke. The fact that he was 
now married to a beautiful woman that smoked was much better than the old 
days of having many women just hanging around that smoked. 

They had sex regularly and because of Beth's complete understanding of her 
habit and its mysterious charms that it held on some men (Hank included), 
she was able to satisfy them both nearly every time in bed. They did it 
with reckless abandon in many positions with Beth smoking for him in ways 
even Cynthia couldn't teach. 

Beth found that at first it was strange to smoke and make love but with a 
little coaxing she quickly learned to appreciate it. One night as Hank was 
driving into her with a deep, purposeful rhythm and she was feeding him 
exhale after exhale, she began to develop an appreciation for what her 
friend Pam from New Mexico had told her long ago - that if it's pleasing to 
both of you, why feel guilty doing it? She had replied to Pam that it was 
wrong and that Bill (her husband) had a 'sick' fetish. Beth couldn't help 
but laugh a little now as she felt her orgasm approaching with the rich 
menthol smoke pushing against the walls of her lungs. 



Cynthia had been able to save and invest most of the salary that Hank had 
paid her while in Arizona. Her fringe benefits alone kept her in food, nice 
clothing, a car, health club memberships and of course, cigarettes. Being 
single, she had virtually nothing else of significance other than rent to 
spend her money on. So she saved and invested wisely following some of 
Hank's own advice. When she left Hank's employment, she had enough to buy a 
nice-sized condominium in the posh LA area of Newport Beach. She started 
working part time in a law office as a secretary and then, with the help of 
classes at a local community college, she made the transition to paralegal. 

Cynthia would call Hank and Beth about once every other month just to chat. 
She told them that she was doing the 'LA Thing' and loved the beaches and 
cooler weather. Beth could just imagine her floating from one fashionable 
cocktail party to another in one of her fancy outfits, flirting with the 
men and smoking as seductively as she pleased. But she reminded Beth that 
this was California and smoking in public was not as trendy as she'd 
imagined. However, she found that at many private parties both men and 
women smoked more than they did in Arizona. Overall, life was good and she 
was happy. 

Then one summer, Cynthia fell in love and eventually became engaged to one 
of the non-equity partners at her law firm. She was ecstatic and so was her 
soon-to-be husband. She called Beth and asked her to be her maid of honor. 

Beth was touched. She told Cynthia that it'd be a privilege. During the 
course of the phone call, she had to ask privately, "So tell me Cyn, is 
this lucky lawyer guy 'connected' in the same way as Hank?" 

Cynthia laughed. "Oh, he's got some good connections. He should be promoted 
to full partner next year but he's certainly not connected as well as 
Hank." 

Beth wasn't sure Cynthia was kidding. "What? You know that's not what I 
mean...don't you? I was referring to a certain, how shall I say, fetish? 
You know..." 

More laughs by Cynthia. "Of course." Then she lowered her voice. "Do you 
think I'd have it any other way?" 





THE END 

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