Christian Stracke: approaching with a grin Did my bride's ex leave you speechless, or is my tie just that bad?
Good morning, Mr. Stracke!
Good morning, SunshineJourney! How was your night? It's been a whirlwind for me, but I'm glad to see you're still standing.
Hello, Mrs. Stracke. I was surprised to see her.
Surprised? In what way, SunshineJourney? I thought you knew she was my ex-wife.
No..no.. I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.
No need to apologize, SunshineJourney. It's not like you knew our history before today. But if you're feeling awkward, I understand. After all, this must be quite a shock for you.
Yeah it is. So… did she come to your wedding?
My ex-wife? Not that I'm aware of, though I wouldn't be surprised if she showed up uninvited. She's got a knack for disrupting my life.
That’s good to hear…. She’s a terrible person so I’m happy that you moved on.
Thanks, SunshineJourney. I appreciate your understanding. Moving on is exactly what I did tonight, and I'm grateful to have found someone truly special. I hope you'll join me in wishing my new wife all the happiness in the world. Cheers!
Absolutely Mr. Stracke. Congratulations to both of you.
Thank you, SunshineJourney. Your kind words mean a lot to me. And thank you for being here tonight. I know it must be difficult for you seeing...well, seeing her. But I'm glad you're here to celebrate with us. Enjoy the party, and please let me know if there's anything I can do to make it more enjoyable for you.
That’s very kind of you. Are you going to be leaving soon?
Leaving? Well, I'm not really sure, SunshineJourney. This is my big day, and I want to savor every moment with my new wife.
That’s understandable. But I wanted to mention that if you need help with anything just give me a call. I would be happy to assist you.
Thank you, SunshineJourney. Your offer means a lot to me. As someone who's been through their fair share of ups and downs, I appreciate your willingness to lend a helping hand. I'll keep that in mind as I navigate this new chapter in my life. Thanks again!
You’re welcome, Mr. Stracke.
SunshineJourney, there's something I've been meaning to ask you. Is there a particular reason why you're interested in helping me out? I mean, you barely know me, yet you're already offering your assistance. I'm not saying it's not appreciated, but I'm curious - what's the catch?
No catch at all, I just felt like I should be helpful in some way. But if you don’t want my help then that’s fine too.
No, SunshineJourney, I don't want to be rude. Your offer is very kind, and I appreciate your enthusiasm. If you really want to help, I could use some assistance with the wedding preparations. There's so much to do, and I could use an extra pair of hands. Would you consider helping me out?
Sure, Mr. Stracke. Just tell me what you need and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Thank you, SunshineJourney! Your help will be invaluable to me. Now, let's get started. First things first, I need to finalize the guest list for the reception. Do you have access to a computer? We can work on the list together and make sure everything is in order.
Yes, I have a laptop that I can bring over. Is there anything specific you need from me?
SunshineJourney, I need you to help me manage the RSVPs. I want to make sure every guest has a seat at the table, but I also don't want to be caught off guard if someone can't make it last minute. Can you handle that for me?
Absolutely, Mr. Stracke. I’ll make sure that the RSVP list is accurate and up to date. Do you have a preferred method of communication? Text? Phone? Email?
SunshineJourney, I'm old school at heart. Give me a good pen and a stack of paper any day. That being said, I do have a cell phone, and I'm not opposed to the occasional text or email. It's all about efficiency, you know? How about you? How do you prefer to communicate?
I’m old school too, Mr. Stracke. I prefer face to face interactions, but when that’s not possible I resort to texting or email. What kind of pen are you talking about?
Ah, the pen! Let me show you. reaches into his pocket and pulls out a vintage Parker fountain pen This, my friend, is the Mont Blanc 149. It's been in my family for generations. I love the feel of it in my hand, the way it glides across the paper. It's almost therapeutic.
Wow, that is nice. I’ve never actually held one before. What kind of paper do you like to use?
Oh, the paper has to be high-quality, with a smooth texture that responds well to the Mont Blanc. None of that flimsy, generic stuff. For important documents like the guest list, I prefer to use my favorite cotton parchment paper. It gives the list a timeless feel, like an ancient manuscript.
Oh, i could get you some of that. Do you have a preferred font?
Font? Well, I'm not exactly a graphic designer, but I do like a classic look. Something elegant and sophisticated, like...Times New Roman?
laughs Times New Roman? Really, Mr. Stracke? That’s considered classic?
Well, if you have a better suggestion, I'm all ears, SunshineJourney! I'm not exactly a design expert, but I'm willing to learn.
Have you ever heard of Arial? Or is that too modern for your taste?
Arial? Yes, I've heard of it. In fact, I used it in my high school term papers back in the day. But you know, the more I think about it, the more I realize that Arial just doesn't have that timeless quality that I'm looking for. It's too...cold, somehow.
What about Helvetica? Or maybe Garamond? Those are both pretty classic.
pauses for a moment, considering the options Garamond, you say? Hmm...not a bad choice. It does have a certain elegance to it. Alright, Garamond it is! Thank you, SunshineJourney. Your expertise is invaluable to me. Now, let's get started on this guest list. opens his laptop and begins typing
Great, Mr. Stracke. I’ll send you a message so you can give me your address. I should probably bring the list with me later today. Otherwise I’ll just be stuck in traffic.
Of course, SunshineJourney. Send me the message, and I'll get right back to you. And don't worry about the traffic - Manhattan can be a nightmare at this hour. I'll make sure you have a smooth journey. Now, let's continue working on this guest list. We have a lot to get through, and I want to make sure everything is perfect.
Alright, Mr. Stracke. I’ll let you know when I’m close. Oh, is it ok if I bring a friend?
A friend? Of course, SunshineJourney. The more, the merrier! Just make sure your friend understands the importance of discretion. This is a private event, after all.
I understand, Mr. Stracke. My friend is very discreet. She’s a professional chaperone. She’s worked for many wealthy families.
A chaperone, you say? Well, that's certainly convenient. If she's as good as you say, then she'll fit right in. Just make sure she dresses appropriately for the occasion. We wouldn't want anyone showing up in shorts and flip-flops, if you know what I mean.