Morning rounds to his Lady Bell’s desk to confirm whether she’s arrived yet.

Peeking ever so inconspicuously over the overhead, not wanting to be seen or heard.

Wanting to speak only to Lady Bell, not a word he says to her pod mates.  No hellos, no good mornings, no messages, no inquiries whether she might be in or late.

He later returns to check on her.  But what excuse can he offer for being so bold?

Can he discuss score received on latest call?  Dare he bring it up and cause an uproar?

She seems approachable, so very calm she sits … so he advances until he draws close.     He extends his arm and presents her with a token of his admiration … a red rose!

Not a simple rose, but one from putty, intricately and delicately fashioned.  A rose he hopes will clear the way for a position well established and bastioned.

Rehearsed words and verses seem so trite to say to such lovely Lady Bell.  Armed with boyish charm, awe, and admiration he hopes that she’s not by him repelled.

“I’ve made this tiny rose for you, Lady Bell,” he states.  Sweetly she acknowledges the rose and is ready to return to the duties of the day.  But he’s not about to be deterred or waved away.

Age and marital status are discussed and to Lady Bell’s surprise, his age leaves her nonplussed.  A cradle robber she has never been and has not intentions now to begin.

Discouraging words she hurls at him, but the chances to turn him off are very slim. He’s determined to woo Lady Bell just as she’s determined his attentions to quell.

A couple of days pass and he returns to his Lady Bell to say his goodbye.  He’s been assigned to another call site and is not too thrilled at the prospect of her not being nearby.

He wants an answer from Lady Bell about their chances of a love affair, but because of his youthfulness, she’s not about to embark on a relationship with him and become a pair.

Forlorn and rebuffed, he silently slips away, but glances one more time at Lady Bell.  Silently he murmurs, “time will tell” as he, for now, bids his Lady Bell farewell.