The Introduction Phase

For me, a good story is all about setting up expectations and delivering on them in an exciting and surprising way.
--THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN,
a novel by Garth Stein

June 26, 1989Mario C. Boucieguer didn’t waste much time in writing back to me.   He sent a letter and included a postcard of a quaint church in a small town in Connecticut with this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson imprinted on it: 

“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again” I liked that quote a lot.   Mario also wrote (in his not-so-great handwriting) on the postcard:
Michael, here it’s a beautiful day.   The sun is out and the weather is perfect.  This picture is not exactly summer but it is fall and the library is only a couple of blocks from home.   This will give you an idea of how it looks where I live.   I hope you get this card before you take off for Florida.   See you soon.   MARIO

He also included a typewritten letter.  This lead me to believe that he is aware of his not-so-good handwriting.   I liked that he typed it but it also added a bit more formality to it.  Mario typed: Glastonbury, CT
June 26, 1989

I really can’t find the words to describe how beautiful the day is today.  It is hot but not so humid and I wish it would stay like this all summer.  It feels good to be home even though after being away for almost one month there are tons of bills to pay. My plan to go to San Francisco is still up in the air.   I think I will be leaving home on Friday the 29th.   It will be a long journey, probably four or five days driving all by myself.   I received a call from EASTERN AIRLINES last Friday, asking me if I wanted to work in New York for one month and after that period I would be transferred back to Hartford, CT.   I told them I would think about it and call them back.   I still don’t know if I should take that opportunity of just head on to California.   Hopefully everything points to California right now.

I was very happy to hear from you the other day.   I guess I’ll have to admit that I am not the best writer when it comes to express feelings but that doesn’t keep me from telling you how good I felt about those phone calls.   Though I am not able to write as much as I’d like to…let me tell you that it is a joy finding people like you. It makes me feel happy to know that I’ll be seeing you again, that we will talk about our comings and goings, our desires and goals.   I know that sharing all of these will put us through what you called once “The Introduction Phase”. 

Your Friend Always,Mario C Boucieguer

I laughed out loud after reading his letter as I did recall explaining to him about ‘The Introduction Phase’.   I had said to him, “Like any new product that is introduced it has a 12-month period of hopeful success.   I believe that every relationship is the same way.   If it survives the first 12 months (The Introduction Phase) then it’s time for growth, growing the relationship.”

I love that he remembered that discussion.  He was also involved in MARKETING.   He’s an interesting professional and I find it fascinating that EASTERN AIRLINES and other companies are entranced by his business prowess and ability.

June 30, 1989Dorothy sent me another amusing card of a giant pickle.   It was short and sweet (although she signed her name and two of the other coworkers).  I wondered.   Couldn’t Laverne or Tonee send their own individual handwritten words to me themselves?     Dorothy wrote:

Dear Michael, How the heck are you going to have a terrific time in Ft. Lauderdale when you left your pickle back here with us?

Guess you’ll just have to draw on all of those other talents you have!
Enjoy every minute of all that freedom and fresh air…and bring all of that positive energy back with you!   Your pickle may need to be re-charged!  Have fun!!! Love,  Dorothy, Laverne and Tonee

I wish I could get at what is the object of the latter.  He seems to have some settle scheme of his own, but what it is I do not know.-Bram Stoker, DRACULA