Della came into the office close to 8:45, one Monday morning. Perry was waiting in the reception room. "Hi, Della. Happy Monday!"

"You too, Chief! Why are you standing out here?"

"I wanted to see the new carpeting in my office, but I thought I'd wait for you to share it with me."

"Oh, right! Well, let's go!"

"Yes, Della!"

They went into his inner office. Over the weekend, carpet-layers came in to lay down new carpet. It was an off-white cream color.

"Nice!" said Della.

"I'm extremely impressed! The carpet-layers did exceptionally good work!"

"Of course, it helps that you represented the owner of the company, in a case!"

He chuckled. "Of course, Della!"

"This carpet is very soft. Excuse me, a moment, Chief." She slipped her shoes off. "This is really nice!" She rubbed the carpet with her feet.

He smiled. "I think I'll be taking my shoes off at my desk, a lot!"

"I don't blame you!"

"I'll have the rest of this job done next weekend. It'll be by your desk, as well."

"I can't wait! Speaking of which, I'd better get to work!"

She started to leave, but Perry stopped her. "Della, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Huh?" And then, she realized she was still stocking-footed! "Oh, sorry, Chief!" She put her pumps back on.

"No problem. Nice toenails!" They were bright red, under her hose.

"Jane and I went to the Cosmopolitan Spa on Saturday and got manicures and pedicures. See?" She showed him her fingers.

"Pretty! You didn't take their mud bath, did you?"

"Chief, from now on, I'll only do it with you!"

"Aw, thank you!"

She went to her desk, and he sat at his desk. Later that day, he called the carpet-layers to congratulate them and discuss the next phase of the work.