Road to Casablanca Read Online Free PDF

his father.
    “Dad, trust me.   I know what I’m doing.”
    “What do you mean, son?”
    “That was my travel agent on the phone.   I met a wonderful woman from Dallas and she’s agreed to go with me on the trip to Morocco .”
    “If she’s like this other….”
    “Dad, she is the nicest girl in the world.   Grew up on a farm in Iowa .   She’s everything you and I hoped for.”
    Forrest scowled at his son and Erick knew he was going to have to lay it on thick for his father to buy it.
    “Dad, you think I like being fodder for the tabloids?   I don’t.   I want to meet someone special, but as you know, it’s tough to do.   I’m as sick of these Hollywood starlets as you are.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Of course, Dad!   And Cindy is the most wholesome, wonderful girl I’ve ever met.   I know you’ll approve.”
    “That is wonderful, son.   If what you say is true, then I assume you’ll prove it to me.”
    “I will prove it; just tell me how.”
    “I want you to be married by year’s end.”
    “What?   Are you crazy?”
    “The board is gravely concerned about our stock price, and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.”
    “What does that have to do with my getting married?”
    “Everything.   We discussed it and everyone would feel more comfortable if you were married when I step down and hand the reins over to you.”
    “Yeah, but that won’t be for at least….”
    “That’s one of the things I wanted to tell you today, son.   I’m retiring at year’s end.   You need to find yourself a decent, respectable wife, or I’m afraid the board might have other plans for the company after I leave.”
    Erick felt like he’d been kicked in the stomach, and at the same time realized that his ventures overseas could not have come at a better time.
    “Dad, I promise that I am seeing a new and wonderful woman.   I cannot reasonably promise to marry her by year’s end.   That is ludicrous.”
    “When you get home, Erick, I will expect us all to meet for dinner.”
    Startled by a loud knock at the door, Erick turned away.
    “Sir? The driver is here.”
    “Sorry, dad, but I’ve gotta run.   I’ll be home in a little over a week.”
    “You better take care of this, son.   I don’t want to have to explain something like this to the board again.   Ever.”
    “Fine, dad.   Now go home and have yourself a drink and a nice round of golf or two, will ya?   Everything is fine.”
    The driver took the bags to the car, and Erick smiled, filled with anticipation of what was to come.  
    The next time I sit in this office behind this desk and look out over the Hollywood Hills, I’ll be Erick Redmund, Film Producer extraordinaire.
     
    Chapter Five
     
    “Hello, Mom?   It’s Cindy.”
    “Hi.   You’re up awfully early.   What is going on?”
    Cindy realized she would have to tell her parents about her plans to leave the country, and she conveniently waited until the last possible moment to do so.
    “I am going on a trip out of the country and I will be back in a week.”
    “What?   Where are you going?”
    “To Morocco .”
    “ Morocco ?   Where is that?”
    “It’s in Africa, mom.”
    “Who are you going with and when will you be back?”
    “I am leaving in a few minutes.   It’s a…business trip, I guess you’d call it. I’ll be back on Sunday.”
    “Are you sure it’s safe?   You’re worrying me here.”
    Cindy looked out her window and saw Victoria ’s sports car in her driveway and heard her repeatedly honking her horn.
    “Mom, I love you and there is nothing to worry about.   My ride is here and I have to go now.   Victoria has your numbers and I will call you as soon as I get home, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    “Bye, Mom.”
    An urgent rush of adrenaline filled Cindy as she heard the doorbell ring.
    “Coming.”
    “Hey, you!   Are you ready for the time of your life?”
    Victoria immediately grabbed Cindy’s bags while Cindy kissed her cat and locked up.