About a month ago, a colleague from the London office called me to ask for my assistance on a project he was working on. He had recently joined to company and I had heard of him mentioned time to time by others in both the Paris and London offices--from what I could gather was he was quite eager and ambitious, somehow always managing to juggle a number of tasks at once. Before I had even spoken to him, I felt slightly jealous. Although he has more senior position than me (well, he is one step up from myself), he seemed to be, from the threads of conversations I over heard, the star new guy.
He began his request by email, one that I was anticipating since I had over heard my editor on the phone unvolunteeringly volunteering my services to him. The email was polite but casual, simply asking if I wouldn't mind giving him a call when I had a chance. I wasn't opposed to helping at that moment but I was in the middle of some editing crisis so I put off calling him for a few hours. Not to be out polited, I sent an email back, promising to call soon.
When I finally did call him back, I wasn't prepared for what I was about to hear. The request was simple enough but it was the voice that delivered the request that took me aback. I knew when calling London I was most likely going to speak with an Englishman. And in fact I call the city quite regularly for all sorts of reasons, speaking with English people all the time. But there was something about this particular voice that grabed my attention. And it wasn't just his voice, it was his delivery, and the manner of his sentences. We spoke for a very short time, less than five minutes. In this business there is not much time for small talk.
Our next phone call came perhaps the next day or two days later. Just a check-in really but this time we both managed to divluge some personal information. But still quite surface level--how long have you been working for the company, how are you enjoying it so far--but the questions were always delivered quite friendly and answered somewhat charismatically. The third time we spoke, I had previously sent him a somewhat panicked email apologizing for a delay in the project. He called back to reassure me that there was no rush and ask me what had happened. Our first alliance was built over that conversation and for me it was quite a relief. Most of the people I work around are quite senior to me, so those little details that you eventually learn to accept unconditionally and seem less important after a few years, were still sometimes lost on me. And since we work in such a fast paced environment there are many more important questions to be asked and answered. At least this time, a sarcastic comment wasn't perceived at as immature or inexperienced but, I can only imagine, with a cracked smile and nod.
I instantly found this to be a connection between us. Maybe it was a connection lost on anyone but myself, nevertheless, after that day I started to look forward to our conversations, even if they were short and sweet. Often, a few more personal questions are asked and we both slowly gotten to know a little a bit about one another. Yet, I still do not know what he looks like, how tall he is, what color his eyes are, the color of his skin and hair, or what kind or smile he has. Of course, what someone looks like is not everything but it is often the descriminatory tool you use when you meet a stranger for the first time. Whether or not you always want to admit it, the way in which someone looks play a big roll in your initial interest in that person.
Ok, before I go on, I will admit I have somewhat of a weakness for English accents. There is something charming and commanding in them as well as innately intelligence--maybe even a bit arrogant and snobbish but at times this can be a very attractive trait. I have even dated the odd Englishman here and there, so the idea that I find this faceless person's voice sexy is not a surprise. Rather, it surprises me how excited I get at even the thought of speaking with him. In the beginning it was his voice that I found to be a turn-on but as I have gotten to know a little more about him, I have not only found his voice to be sexy and charming but he, without knowing all of him, has become so as well. Clearly, it is not only physical and maybe I am attracted to him only because I don't know him therefore he truely has become the unattainable man.
I will only be in this position for a few more weeks before moving. I am sad to admit it but this will probably become the end of our converstations unless I suddenly find myself in London. He is like the pen-pale I once had when I was 12: I sometimes feel closer to those who don't me than with those who do. At the very least, he gave me butterflies during sometimes long and tedious days.
And if I do move to London well I won't hesititate to ask him for a drink. Let's just hope he doesn't have a girlfriend--a subject I doubt we will ever touch upon.
