MYSTERY OF THE TEXAS TWOSTEP

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE:

RISKY BUSINESS

Written by Rick Archer 

SUNDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 30 THE ULTIMATUM

On my way home after my 4th Meyerland class on Sunday night, I was desperate to know what Jennifer had decided to do about her fiancé Jeff.  She had not called Friday.  She had not called Saturday.  So far she had not called Sunday.  Since I did not know what time Jennifer's plane was coming in on Sunday, I prayed there would be a message from her when I got home from Meyerland.  No such luck.  The answering machine was blank.  No one called, not Jennifer, not even the Black Magic Woman.  In the dark, I sat by the phone and brooded.  An hour passed while the phone stayed silent.  Another hour passed, another hour of brooding.  The silence and darkness were tough to bear.  It was 10 pm.  Jennifer should be back in Houston by now, so why didn't she call me?  I decided to tough it out.  If I called Jennifer, it would show how insecure I was.  If Jennifer cared, she would call me. 

In the meantime, my insecurity was driving me nuts.  It was tough to accept that another man had the advantage.  But it wasn't too late.  If I could just free myself from Victoria's infernal puppet strings, I was certain I could win Jennifer back.  However, before I risked everything to confront Victoria, first I had to know where Jennifer stood. 

Finally around 11 pm I couldn't stand the tension any more.  I broke down and called Jennifer.  No answer.  I felt sick.  No news was not good news.  I decided if Jennifer had good news, she would have answered the phone.  That is when I snapped.  If I was going to fight for Jennifer, I had to get rid of Victoria soon.  No, change that.  I had to get rid of her NOW!  So much for my ineffective Appeasement Strategy.  Since waiting for Victoria to make up mind was not working, I had to take action.  What other choice did I have?  Jennifer's visit to Jeff had forced my hand.  So I said to heck with my dance career.  It was almost gone anyway, so what difference did it make?  I wanted Jennifer so badly I was willing to risk losing my dance career.  It was time to stand up to Victoria.

Victoria had been driving herself nuts trying to keep me from leaving her.  Now I was in the same spot.  I was driving myself nuts trying to keep Jennifer from leaving me.  There is something about fear that makes people do really stupid things.  I call it 'Betting with Scared Money'.

Gamblers claim a person's attitude makes a difference.  They say people who bet with scared money always lose.  The tense player is so worried, he or she simply can't seem to think straight.  They take stupid risks because the anxiety is driving them crazy. 

I have no interest in gambling for money.  I have always assumed Gambling is for people who flunked 5th grade math.  However, I was willing to gamble on Jennifer.  Convinced I needed Jennifer in order to be happy, I decided tomorrow I would tell Victoria about Jennifer and ask for my freedom.  I turned on a light at my desk and wrote out an Ultimatum.  Here is what it said:

"Victoria makes up her mind TODAY.  She is welcome to consult everyone she knows.  She either leaves her home AND moves in with me OR I want her to leave my life till circumstances permit a return."

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1979 MONDAY MORNING SHOWDOWN

It was Monday, October 1.  An important day.  A Fateful Day.  Convinced the only way I could hold onto Jennifer was to ditch Victoria, I arranged to meet her at noon.  As I drove to the coffee shop to meet Victoria, I was furious at Jennifer for not contacting me last night.  For that matter, she had not answered her phone this morning at home or at work.  Jennifer had to know I was worried sick.  So why didn't she call? 

As things stood, I was going into this meeting blind.  Jennifer's failure to communicate did not bode well as Victoria walked into the coffee shop.  Sensing this visit was going to be ugly, Victoria did not look happy.  Well, tough.  No turning back.  I had decided to roll the dice.

For the past month I kept hoping Michael would say, "Victoria, decide now, me or Rick."  If Michael had done that, then he would be the Bad Guy and save me the trouble.  But the entire month of September had passed without any sign of change.  As a result, the sudden threat of Jeff had forced me to do the dirty work instead. 

Here is what I wanted to say. "Victoria, I have met someone else.  I have chosen her over you."

But did I say that?  No.  I could not say that.  Why not?  Because I had a dance program to protect.  By telling Victoria that I had lied about having a girlfriend, I risked triggering the scorn Victoria needed to justify carrying out her Blackmail Threat.  So instead I took a different approach by offering Victoria a simple choice: "your house or mine, decide today."

In other words, I was trying to make her choose between Michael and me.  In this way, I hoped to contain some of her wrath.  It is important to understand that under no circumstance did I actually want Victoria to actually move in with me.  I had only used that language to PRETEND I was serious about a relationship.  Of course it was a gamble, but giving her that choice seemed like the only way to protect the studio and Jennifer as well. 

So how risky was my gamble?  To be honest, I was not terribly worried.  When push comes to shove, I expected Victoria would fold like a wet rag.  Never in her wildest dreams would she actually exchange the comfort and security of her beautiful home for my termite-riddled old shack.  Over the past months she had made her distaste for my house so obvious that I felt very secure taking this chance.

Victoria blinked as she read the note. 

"Victoria makes up her mind TODAY.  She is welcome to consult everyone she knows.  She either leaves her home AND moves in with me OR I want her to leave my life till circumstances permit a return."

"Rick, are you crazy?  I cannot make a decision as serious as this on the spur of the moment."

"Victoria, you have had three months to make up your mind.  I am tired of waiting."

"But I have a child to think about."

"Yes, that's true, and you have had three months to think about her.  Make up your mind."

"This is all very surprising.  Why have you become so aggressive?"

I did not answer.

In the silence Victoria stared long and hard at me.  Suddenly her expression changed and she gasped.

"You have another woman, don't you?"

Unfortunately I flinched.  Taken off guard, I looked away, a classic 'Tell' in poker lore.  So much for my poker face. 

Victoria pounced immediately.  "Tell me the truth.  I deserve to know."

What was the point of lying?  I had already given myself away.  "Yes, Victoria, your instincts are correct.  I have met someone else."

Victoria stared at me blankly.  This surprised me.  I had expected Snarling Tiger Woman to rage and snarl, but I was wrong.  Nor was there any 'deer in the headlights' shocked look.  All I saw was resignation.  Noting the absence of surprise in her expression, I had just confirmed something Victoria was already certain about. 

A good minute passed before Victoria decided to speak.

"I confronted you about this last week, but you denied it.  I am very disappointed in you for lying to me.  So this would be a good time to start telling the truth.  Who is she, Rick?"

"You don't know her."

"Don't beat around the bush, I deserve to know.  Who is she?"

"Look, Victoria, we've been through this before with Joanne and Patricia.  We are going to do this one my way.  Call her Madame X.  Her identity stays secret.  This is between you and me."

We argued for a while over Jennifer's identity until Victoria realized I wasn't going to budge.  Jennifer's name would stay 'Madame X' for now. 

"What do you want me to say, Rick?  The last time I checked, you and I were discussing moving in together.  You have not been dealing with me in good faith." 

"No, Victoria, that is not correct.  You are the one who brings up the subject of moving in, not me.  I have been asking you to make up your mind for three months.  In that time, you have made no commitment to me.  You are married and living with your husband.  As far I am concerned, Madame X is your own fault.  Your endless indecision has allowed another woman to enter my life."

Now it was Victoria's turn to flinch.  Believe it or not, I did have a backbone.  However, since keeping my dance program intact was more important than standing up to Victoria, so far I had always backed down.  I was like the man with a tyrant for a boss who bites his tongue because his family depends on him to keep his job.  In this case, however, saving my relationship with Jennifer had finally become more important than my job.  Now that the threat of Jennifer's fiancé had pressed my back to the wall, the time had come to stand and fight.

Victoria sized me up, then responded.  "How long have you known her?"

"About a month."

"Given the seriousness of my decision, I had hoped you would have the decency to keep your pants on till I figured out what is best for us."

"What gives you the privilege to know what is best for us?  What gives you the right to tell Michael or me just how long we need to keep our lives suspended so you can continue to chase your tail?  For that matter, how am I supposed to know if you are keeping your pants on?"

"You know darn well my husband and I sleep in separate rooms!!"

"Oh, really?  So you say.  Listen, we have argued about this a million times over the past three months.  You are a mess.  I am a mess.  Your husband is a mess.  Add Stephanie to the list.  All four of us are miserable thanks to you.  You say your daughter cries a lot and is afraid of losing her parents.  Why not admit how senseless it is to break up a marriage for something as risky as our relationship?"

"I need more time."

"Time for what?  No, Victoria, you do not need more time."  Pointing to my Ultimatum laying on the table, I added, "You need to decide today." 

Victoria took another look at the Ultimatum.  Steeling herself, Victoria read it aloud softly. 

"Victoria makes up her mind today.  She is welcome to consult everyone she knows.  She either leaves her home AND moves in with me OR I want her to leave my life till circumstances permit a return."

Victoria shook her head in despair.

"Rick, what is wrong with you?  Are you really suggesting I make a decision of this magnitude without sufficient time to evaluate?  You know I can't do that!  I have a child.  I have a marriage.  I have a home.  You can't just snap your fingers and demand I give all this up on the spot."

Victoria did not know it, but I secretly agreed with her.  My 'put up or shut up' Ultimatum was an outrageous demand.  And why would I make such an outrageous demand?  Because I did not actually want her to accept the terms.  My hope was she would demand more time.  In that case, I would stand up and walk away without a reply.  In the days to follow, I would say she missed her deadline, she had her chance.  My job today was to get Victoria to reject my Ultimatum without angering her too much.  The best way to avoid angering her more than necessary was to say as little as possible.   So did I get up and leave?  No, I stuck around.  Typical me, I just had to argue.  My big mouth had gotten me thrown out of graduate school, but obviously I had not learned my lesson.  Call it my Fatal Flaw. 

"What makes you say I am snapping my fingers?  Damn it, Victoria, I have been asking you to make up your mind for three months.  This cannot go on indefinitely.  What is magically going to come along to break this impasse?  One month from now it will be the same old tune!  'Oh, Rick, please, I need more time...'  I am sick of it, Victoria!  Sick of it.  This has to end now."

What I really wanted to say was, "Victoria, leave me the heck alone.  I want to marry Jennifer."  But I could not say that for fear that Victoria would retaliate in some way. 

"Rick, you forget something.  I am in love with you.  And you are supposed to be in love with me."

"Victoria, I COULD be in love with you, but I am not in love with you.  You have never opened the door wide enough to let me in.  I will never be in love with you unless you make a commitment to me first.  How many times have I told you that?  I can't turn my feelings on and off.  The risk of getting hurt is too great.  I won't let myself be vulnerable to your erratic mood swings."

For the first time this morning I had told the truth.  My inability to trust Victoria spelled doom for any future together.

"What about my threat to bury your dance program you if you leave me?"

"I don't care any more.  Your threat was valid in September, but this is October.  The September enrollments were so small, what difference does it make if you ruin me?  I'll just get another job, but you will have a divorce to deal with.  So, tell me, Victoria, what do I have to lose?  If you carry out your threat, all you will do is cost me the few remaining students I have.  Besides, have you forgotten I have a copy of the mailing list?  After I write my rebuttal and mail it out, people will see you as you really are, the woman who threw away her marriage for nothing.  Meanwhile, your husband will read both letters.  Michael will be so disgusted, his next move will be Divorce Court.  And I will offer to join him as a witness for the prosecution."

Victoria gasped, then froze.  My threat to side with Michael had been a knife to her heart.  In that instant Victoria was overwhelmed with fear.  She was so used to seeing me back down, my broadside flattened her.  I saw the look on her face when I said 'Divorce Court'.  I doubt she had ever imagined I would take Michael's side in the dispute. 

In addition, Victoria knew Urban Cowboy had taken the steam out of her threat.  Nor did she know I was secretly planning to become a Western dance instructor.  From her point of view, since I had little to lose, I might be willing to gamble away the last crumbs of my failing dance program.  This was Risky Business to be sure, but for once I held most of the cards.

Victoria looked defeated.  My counter-punch was tougher than her blackmail threat.  However, to her credit, she tried again.  Without much enthusiasm, Victoria replied, "Your teaching career will be over.  No one will stick around after my letter."

"Don't be ridiculous.  People won't even care.  In fact, most of them will laugh at you.  They will think it is hysterical that you lost your marriage chasing Disco of all things.  Who throws away a marriage for a failed dance instructor over a good man like Michael?  Besides, Class Factory will send me new students who have no idea who you are.  Once you're gone, I can pick up the pieces and rebuild my program, but you will never get Stephanie back."

Victoria gasped.  "You wouldn't do that!"

"Actually, yes, I would.  You keep forgetting I can write a letter of my own, Victoria.  No matter what you say, my rebuttal letter will reach those same people.  I will tell the world you had three months to make up your mind.  I will add that no lines have been crossed, which proves that I have not tried to seduce you.  That counts for something in the court of public opinion.  How much sympathy do you expect to get after I tell everyone what you have subjected Stephanie and Michael to?  After I reveal how Stephanie cries pitifully every time you guys argue, what they will think of you as a mother?  So go ahead, write your letter.  Then I will write mine.  After I point out I stepped aside for the good of your child and out of respect for your husband, no one will be on your side."

Victoria covered her mouth in shock.  Yes, I had finally decided to play dirty.  I was so desperate to get rid of Victoria, I had just played the 'Stephanie Card'.  That is how serious I was about ending this now.  It gave me no pleasure to talk like this, but I felt cornered.  Seeing Victoria on the ropes, I continued.

"I will wrap myself in the guise of being noble.  First I will print a copy of your 'Husband List' from back in July.  That will prove that you admit your husband is a good man, a man who has done nothing to deserve being treated in such a shabby way.  What exactly are you going to tell the court to explain why you would abandon a good husband who has done nothing wrong?  People will call you a fool for betraying Michael.  I will admit I have feelings for you, then explain that I have chosen to break away while you still have the chance to save your marriage.  Due to my respect for your marriage, I will testify I tried to end this infatuation because it is the right thing to do.  I will add I am also doing this for your daughter who cries all the time because she afraid of losing her parents."

"Do you really expect people will buy that?"

I scoffed.  "You better believe they will.  I will explain how my father ruined my life with his affair and that I swore to myself I would never do the same thing to your daughter.  Trust me, they will believe me.  Ultimately you will be the biggest loser.  I will either rebuild the dance program from scratch or get another job.  But you're the one who faces divorce and the loss of your child.  You're the one who has caused your daughter to have nightmares.  Next month Class Factory will send me new students who could care less who you are.  You will be forgotten in a flash.  Furthermore, the next time you see me, I'll be sitting next to Michael and his lawyer in Divorce Court."

I paused to let my words sink in.  Victoria was in shock.  After sufficient time, I resumed.

"It does not have to come to that, Victoria.  I would much rather take the high road.  I would like for us to stay friends.  If you promise to drop your Blackmail Threat, we can try to rescue what is left of this dance program.  Maybe there's still time to turn it around."

I meant what I said.  I wanted Victoria to be my friend.  But first these threats and demands had to stop.  She had to accept that I had a girlfriend and promise not to interfere.  Nor more Car Talk, no more phone calls, no more coffee shops.  If Victoria would do that, hopefully we could mend fences.  Would she agree to do that?  I had no idea.  Victoria was very frightened.  I had never threatened her like this before.  I think my counter-attack caught her off guard the same way she caught me off guard a week ago with her explosive Blackmail Threat.  Victoria was shocked to see me fight fire with fire.   As well she should be.  My aggressiveness was a serious departure from my passive, patient approach over the past three months.   To be honest, I was kind of shocked myself.  This was the first time in my life I had ever gone for someone's throat.  It wasn't my style to play dirty, but I was fed up.  This nonsense ends here.  Today.  No more postponements.  Jennifer was far too important to delay one more moment.

Victoria stared at me wordlessly.  She could scarcely believe I had dared her to go public.  Not only had I called her bluff, she had just discovered I had a hand of cards better than hers.  "You wanna go for my child?  Hey, I'll go for your child!"  Mutually assured destruction.  Maybe Victoria really was in love with me.  However, her love for her daughter went much deeper.  She knew Stephanie needed her mother and needed the security of the home she was raised in.  For all her faults, Victoria was a terrific mother.  She would die if Michael took Stephanie from her.  Hmm.  Maybe dropping the bomb on Rick was not such a good idea after all.  It could easily backfire.  Nevertheless, Victoria did not give up.  Victoria was a born fighter.   As we went back and forth, I was able to contradict every argument she presented with a strong argument of my own.  I rattled off the facts. 

•  Victoria had attempted to betray her husband, a decent man who had done nothing to deserve this.
•  Victoria was making her daughter miserable.
•  The Husband List would make Victoria look like a fool for choosing a man with a failing career over her successful husband.
•  What kind of woman chooses something as frivolous as Disco dancing over her own family?  
•  In May I had made Victoria sign an Affirmation Letter promising not pursue an affair.  That would be convincing evidence that I had been trying to do the right thing all along.
•  The Forbidden Line had not been crossed. 

Victoria was a smart woman.  She could see my counter-attack would be devastating.  Sure, Victoria could damage my reputation with some well-chosen words.  But what about her own reputation?  Did Victoria really wish to invite scandal?  She was a married woman with a child.  She had no business chasing a dance instructor with a failing career.  She had hurt a husband who had done nothing to deserve this kind of cruelty.  If she wasn't careful, she would lose me, she would lose her husband, maybe even lose her home and daughter too.  Most of all, she would be widely criticized for throwing away a good husband for a silly dance fad teetering on the edge of extinction.  Given the plethora of factors in my favor, I was feeling very confident.

"Listen carefully, Victoria.  After I send my letter, people will wonder if you have lost your mind.  You could very easily end up as a laughing stock for spurning a decent man in order to chase a 'Playboy'.  After I point out how you praised Michael in the Husband List, they will call you the biggest fool on earth for throwing your marriage way.  Why would you want to take that chance?  Do you have even the slightest idea what your Husband List would do to damage your chances in divorce court?"

Victoria was clearly intimidated by my tough talk.  If she wasn't careful, Victoria could end up looking like a confused, desperate woman who jilted her husband and crippled her child in the process.  Victoria became very quiet.  Yes, she could ruin me.  But I could ruin her too.  Was she really willing to risk going nuclear?  To do so was insanity.

Victoria crossed her arms and stared blankly at her coffee cup.  With an air of resignation, she brought up Madame X again.

"Who is she, Rick?  Who is this other woman?  I have to know.  I deserve to know."

The moment Victoria said that, I knew I had won.  It was over.  What should I do now?  I decided to soften the blow.

"Look, Victoria, you don't know Madame X, so what difference does it make who she is?  You've never met her, you've never seen her.  I know you are upset about this woman and I don't blame you for a moment, but this conversation is not about Madame X.  This is about you and me.  You are MARRIED, Victoria.  I have not seen one action on your part that makes me think you are serious about leaving your husband.  I have heard nothing but empty words for the past three months.  This has gone on long enough.  Please set me free and let's be friends.  No, I am not going to chase you away.  You don't have to leave the studio.  On the contrary, if you want to stick around, then I want you to stay [which was actually the truth].  I want to return to being friends."

Would Victoria accept the olive branch?  Victoria looked sad, but she did not reply.  This was unusual.  Victoria always had a comeback, but not this time.  Her silence invited me to continue, so I decided to swing for the fences.

"Victoria, the moment you decide you are definitely willing to become my life partner... and convince me that my goals are goals which you can willingly embrace... that is when I will give up any other sexual, romantic relationships I now have.  I will give 100% to making OUR relationship work.  No one else.  Just you and I, doing the best we can to share our lives together.  But until that moment arrives, what I do with my free time is my own business."

Did I mean what I said?  No.  Never in my wildest imagination did I wish to enter into a committed relationship with this woman.  But I felt it was important to say something nice.  I suppose I said it because I felt guilty for crushing Victoria today.  I did not enjoy kicking Victoria in the teeth.  When I was not busy despising Victoria, I was fond of her.  I prayed my actions would lead to her reconciliation with Michael. 

Did I fear Victoria would misinterpret my speech?  No.  Convinced that Victoria would never leave her husband on a day's notice, I felt safe in saying something kind.  Perhaps I could ease her pain and help her save face.  Hoping to keep my reputation intact was another good reason to soften the blow.  Let her down easy.  I wanted it all.  I wanted Jennifer, I wanted to avoid triggering Victoria's wrath, I wanted her continued good will.  In the best of all worlds, maybe I could even persuade Victoria to help me repair the damage at the studio.  After all, despite her stupid threats, I knew she loved the studio as much as I did.

If Victoria walked away feeling spurned, she might turn vindictive and spread ugly rumors behind my back.  By softening the blow, I hoped to avoid the return of Snarling Tiger Woman.  Victoria did not reply to my parting words.  She just sat there looking at me with a curious expression.  Pleased with my effort to end things on a high note, I ended the conversation with one last statement.

"You are very important to me, Victoria.  We came close, didn't we?  I will remember the good times when we used to laugh and dance.  But this doesn't have to be the end.  Is it possible for us to find a way to return to those days of friendship?"

Victoria responded in a soft voice.  "I hear what you say.  I need time to think about what you said."

To my surprise, Victoria picked up my Ultimatum and left.  Victoria did not seem angry, so I smiled as she walked out the door.  What a relief.  I had won my freedom and somehow managed to keep the studio safe in the process. 

"There is a time for playing it safe and there is a time for Risky Business."