The Playboy and the Widow

The Playboy was fast. Very fast. He knew he had to be. The Playboy’s life began on the run and almost without a country. He was born when war-torn borders were shifting and three different armies were on the move. After he became a gypsy, or what many were calling a misplaced person, his early years taught lessons that were indeed rough and tough. Honesty was hard to come by without a normal childhood, but when The Playboy began to realize he could get away with almost anything because of his good looks, a pattern began to emerge that became a pathway and then a lifestyle.

After attending enough schools in enough different countries to learn almost every culture that was either emerging or ancient, The Playboy began to realize he had an aptitude for language. Because linguistics was not a problem, the boy who passed beyond teenage years and into early manhood understood he could readily converse in almost any language and comfortably adapt into any culture or environment.

The Playboy was aware and confident with his unique education and skillset until he became frustrated with his need for the polish of a finishing school. What he did not know at the tender age of twenty was that his teacher for the fine arts of the hustle would be an older American widow who was lonely, wealthy, and ready for the fringe benefits of creating a protégé.

The older American widow was the spider who caught the fly when she met The Playboy for the first time. Even though The Playboy was drowning in the mundane, he was outstanding. He was clearly the sharpest of the valets who were parking very expensive cars at a casino near a beach and a port on the Mediterranean Sea.

When The Widow saw the dazzling flash of a smile, the looks and youth that money could never buy, and the wolfish eyes that were searching for the next big tip, The Widow was suddenly aware her teaching role would be an adventure. The aging dowager also understood her new protégé would provide the perfect arm candy in the world of European wealth and sophistication.

After The Widow began her evaluation with the pretext of an inquiry for a guide to see the local sights, The Playboy was wolfish with anticipation and agreed to meet the following day. The offer to drive the stylish American and her expensive rental car to visit the best of the local scenery, culture, and cuisine was exactly why he was hunting big game in the wealthy world of monetary opportunity.

When The Widow discovered the potential and the raw talent of an individual who would clearly become either a spy, a movie star, or more likely, a hustler and con artist, she was thrilled with the novelty of her new escapade. She was also wary, because previous experiments had led to precarious outcomes.

After The Widow decided to enroll The Playboy as her personal assistant, she was optimistic that the dashing, eager, and clever young man would ultimately become a film star. At the very least, she was hoping The Playboy would become a proper hotelier or perhaps a five-star concierge. However, after spending the entire summer season with her dashing experiment and traveling over most of Europe, The Widow became convinced her protégé, who had extravagant tastes and an unquenchable appetite for anything and everything of luxury, was indeed a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She also, with a fond understanding, knew that the experiment she started at the casino would forever be a relentless predator with the smile of a pirate.

When August was halfway home to September, and the winsome colors and fond memories of autumn began to cast the ever-attractive spell of an upcoming fall, The Widow, who was the teacher in every facet of finery, made a decision that was not unlike Doctor Frankenstein when he decided to flee from the monster he had created.

The ski resort in the Alps was five stars and very expensive. Upward, and on the winding road through the mountain passes snow began to fall, and when arriving at the refuge for the wealthy, the temperament of her protégé was troubling. Beneath the lofty entrance to the lodge, the resort was bustling and festive, but as The Widow warily watched, she understood with a clarity as clear as the mountain air that her young man was now garnering the appetites of a monster.

As every head at the busy entrance turned to watch, The Playboy viscously snapped at a valet who was eager to park the next car. A young and good-looking valet was about to take the key fob for the pricey rental, when The Playboy saw the young man who was not unlike himself at the beginning of the summer. With a cringe of disgust, he snapped out a curse and turned away to approach another member of the car parking staff.

After The Widow gained the great room of the alpine resort and stood beside the hearth and the fireplace that was alight and casting warmth, she felt the cold grip of reality and decided the whimsical relationship was over. A vindication of her decision soon became apparent as The Playboy, who was now the wolf in elegant clothing, began to charm an older manageress at the reception.

When The Playboy turned away from the desk and saw The Widow and her expression, he too knew the relationship of embezzlement and opportunity was at an end. He also knew it was time for his new plan and a trip to Marco Island, Florida, where endless possibilities were waiting along with many wealthy widows who were looking for a new adventure.