The Sun Tzu Art of ...

Chapter 4 - The War Continues

Continuation of:
Chapter 1 - The Last Supper That Never Was,
Chapter 2 - A Family Love Affair and
Chapter 3 - Putty in His Hands

Guy B saw the glazed looks on Girl A's most trusted advisors and felt smug. He could almost taste the victory that will surely come.

To see victory only when it is within the ken
of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

His handphone rang just then. His heart skipped a beat when he heard the tune "Unchained Melody". It was specially reserved for Girl A.

"B, what are you trying to do? I thought I was clear enough - that we shouldn't see each other again. And you did say that you like my frankness when I told you that over the phone."

"Well, I appreciate your honesty. I like it even. But notice that I didn't say that I agree with it."

Girl A was flummoxed. This was not going the way she planned at all. She took a deep breath and said what she had call him to say. "B, I like you, I really do, but only as a friend. I, or rather my friends and family appreciate your rambutans and kampung chicken but this has got to stop. You and I are just not meant to be, B. Really."

"So, what if I give you some sunflowers then? Would that change your mind?"

"No!!! No, it won't," A nearly hyperventilated. "We can't see each other anymore, B. That's all there is to it. We're just too different and frankly, I don't see myself being a work widow."

B felt strange, like he was losing more ground than he had initially anticipated. Thankfully, he remembered this bit from his favourite book on warfare:

By altering his arrangements and changing
his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge.
By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes,
he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.

"Life... it's a lonely journey," B suddenly said in the saddest tone that he could muster.

Girl A fell silent. This was not the usual Guy B speak. He was never a poetic nor philosophical person. She didn't know quite what to make out of it.

"It's a different ballgame when you have to run your own business, A. But that's the way it works. Think about all the holidays and a better lifestyle that can be had by us. There is no ceiling to what you can possibly earn."

Girl A shook her head and said, "To each his own, B. With your dedication to your business, I'm sure you will take it to greater heights. I just don't see myself there. I'm a 9-to-5 kinda girl and that's all there is to it. Goodbye."

With that she hung up.

B thought for a moment and then solemnly decided to excute the next part of his plan. Spies.

Be subtle! Be subtle! And use your spies for every
kind of business.

He couldn't believe that any girl in her right mind would reject someone as successful and as handsome as he was. There must be a third party involved. Some other guy in the wings. And by jove, he was going to find out the answer to this gnawing question.

Is there a Guy C?