Like Zalman, Morris was a gifted architect, a meticulous one, proud of his handiwork. But that was where the similarities ended. While Zalman was mostly self-educated, Morris was trained in all the best schools, had received certificates, and was also a licensed Realtor. He had far more knowledge on the new technology, handled the floppy disk with ease, and was able to navigate Microsoft programs on the new Commodore 64 in the office. He also took every opportunity to remind Jacob of his skills.
While Jacob acknowledged that the man was something of a show-off, he could not deny that Morris could contribute to the business and even take some of the weight off his own shoulders. So, after observing him for a few months, he extended an offer to Morris to be his assistant, with the possibility of becoming a partner one day. Morris jumped at the chance. Four months later, Jacob could no longer deny that Morris had become an asset. The business was thriving, more homes at a lower cost were being constructed, paperwork was reduced through the new computer system, rentals were in demand, and even some of the clients were commenting on what a pleasure it was to work with the new man. Still, as he watched Morris’s fingers tap quickly across the computer keyboard, the man incessantly making glib remarks about the AIDS crisis or the starving children in Africa as if he were commenting on the weather, Jacob couldn’t help but feel there was something about the man he didn’t like.
Each time Jacob would come home and relay the achievements of his new assistant, even if he was a bit talkative, Esther would get more excited. She anticipated the day when Morris would become a partner in EMI Realty and assume half of the worries and labor that went into the business. She also saw this as an opportunity for friendship. Jacob was spending so much of his time with Morris already, perhaps the two who shared a similar past could become friends outside of the office too. She suggested that he invite Morris and his wife over for dinner the following Saturday evening. Jacob adamantly rejected the idea at first, but after Esther noted that she and the wife could become friends now that she was not seeing so much of Florrie, he relented. When he proposed the idea to Morris, the man rushed from his desk and flung his arms around Jacob.
“We’d be so delighted to visit your home, my friend,” he said, using the term for the first time, “and Leora will be so happy to meet your wife. Oh, I know we will have such fun!” His reaction was enough to almost make Jacob regret the invitation.
Saturday evening came all too quickly. Jacob opened the door to their guests, Morris wearing a light-gray herringbone jacket and blue tie, and Leora wearing a mink coat over a pale-pink knit dress that strained at the stomach. As he helped her off with the coat, Jacob caught Esther’s eye, questioning why she would wear a mink coat in April, but neither said a word. Morris extended a big box of Barricini assorted chocolates wrapped in a bright-red bow.
“How kind! Thank you so much!” Esther said, leading them to the couch in the living room. The couple sat and surveyed the room, as Jacob and Esther took chairs across from them.
“Your home is so lovely! I hear Jacob built it especially for you!” said the wife, her head and the blonde beehive that sat atop it swiveling from side to side. Jacob sat back, a contented look on his face. He had not forgotten the time a year earlier when Esther suggested they sell the home, and he hoped Esther had paid attention to the remark.
“Would you like me to take you on a tour of the house?” Esther asked, standing up. Leora smiled broadly, revealing the stain of her red lipstick on her front teeth as she wobbled on high heels, following Esther out of the room.
Morris looked at the two women appraisingly.
“So glad that the girls could finally get together! It’s important since we’ll be working with each other for a long time, my friend.” Jacob gritted his teeth at the mention of “friend” but sat quietly. Morris took no note of Jacob’s silence as he continued his nonstop monologue about the plans for a new office building on Thirty-Fourth Street, the problem with a nonpaying tenant who faced eviction, and a new software program he was looking into. Jacob felt relieved when he saw Esther and her new friend descend the stairs.
“Your house is just magnificent!” Leora enthused, showing the stain on her teeth again.
“Ready for some dinner?” asked Jacob.
During the dinner, which received no fewer compliments than the home, Morris continued his nonstop talk. He had abandoned his talk about work and was relating the adventure of being a child in hiding.
“I fit in so well with the family’s three children, you would have thought I was baptized! Some of the neighbors were told I was studying for the priesthood! Can you imagine? But I suppose I learned to be an actor, a good little liar!” He laughed, scratching his balding head.