Welcome to Week 2 of the Klaus Brother's Invasion. For five consecutive Mondays the Klaus brothers (Nicholas, Sven, Wolfgang, Gregor and Oskar) from Penny Watson's debut novel Sweet Inspiration, will be entertaining us at Penelope's. Today we have Gregor Klaus visiting with us...financial guru of Klaus Enterprises, snappy dresser extraordinaire, and most likely president of his high school math club. Gregor lives in Manhattan, and jets back and forth (via sleigh, of course) to the North Pole. Please leave a question or comment for Gregor, because one lucky commenter will be winning an Amazon gift card. Congrats to Jessica who won last week's prize!
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Pen: Welcome, Gregor. Thanks so much for hanging with us today. How are things going?
Gregor: Hi Pen. Thanks for inviting me. I'm feeling pretty good today. The economy seems to be on an upswing right now, so it's all good.
Pen: Hmm. That smells delicious. Are you drinking coffee?
Gregor: (lifts left eyebrow) Actually, I'm drinking 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Nicely balanced, fruity, high acidity. It's an excellent bean.
Pen: (silence)
Gregor: What?
Pen: I guess you don't go to Dunk-ee Donuts or Starbucks, do you? Actually, my new favorite coffee is pumpkin spice latte. Very festive for the holiday season.
Greg: (silence)
Pen: What?
Gregor: I don't drink flavored coffee.
Pen: (rolls eyes) I need to add something to your bio.
Greg: Yeah. What's that?
Pen: Coffee Snob.
Greg: (laughs) And proud of it. Maybe we'll have a little tasting later and see what you think. I'll bet I can get you hooked on the good stuff, and Dunk-ee Donuts will just be a distant, ill-tasting memory.
Pen: You can try, bubs. So, why don't we talk about your job a little bit. How tough is it overseeing the finances of Klaus Enterprises? You guys certainly have a big organization.
Gregor: It is very complex. Klaus Enterprises is not just about toys, as one might imagine. We also produce holiday baked goods and candies, winter clothing, household items, etc. And our toy production includes educational materials for children. My brother Wolfie is also in charge of our charitable division, and we funnel a lot of money into that, not just at the holidays, but year-long. So yeah, my job is pretty intense. But I love it.
Pen: What do you do for down-time? Any hobbies?
Greg: Sleep is always good.
Pen: Geez, Gregor, you sound like a work-aholic. You must do something for fun.
Gregor: I do love to travel, but I haven't been able to fit in any leisure trips lately with the market fluctuations over the past year. I must admit that traveling to tropical destinations is a welcome change from the arctic temperatures in Glasdorf.
Oskar: Hey Pen. Gregor must have forgotten how much he enjoys Vegas.
Sven: Vegas isn't tropical.
O: It is when you're getting a lap dance. (O and Sven bump fists)
Gregor: Jesus, O, do you have to keep reminding me about that trip? I am trying valiantly to forget it. I am still feeling the effects of that hang-over from hell.
Pen: Hard to imagine Gregor with a hang-over. You're so buttoned up in your nice suit.
Greg: Thanks, Penny. I'm wearing a 2-button wool suit by Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci shirt, and the tie is Giorgio Armani.
O: And my ensemble is tattered T-shirt from the Oskar Klaus Collection.
Sven: I prefer Birkenstocks, circa 2002. (laughter in background)
Gregor: (does not look amused) An appreciation for well-tailored clothes obviously skipped several of the brothers in my family.
Pen: Well, I personally love your tailored look. You fill out that suit nicely. And the goatee...Yowzah. Looking fine, Gregor.
Gregor: (blushing) Uh, thanks.
Sven: Hey Pen, did Gregor tell you about his cool glass hobby? He is an amazing designer. Works with this crazy-ass elf Ewald. They create stained glass windows for all of the cottages in Glasdorf.
Pen: Gregor, is that true? You holding out on me?
Gregor: (shrugs) It's not that big a deal. Designing with glass is a nice way to unwind. Ewald is a Bleiglasfenster Master (master of stained glass). His designs are extra special because of the elfin magik. The designs are not static; they are constantly shifting and changing. Very cool.
Pen: Woa! I would love to see that. When's my trip to Glasdorf? Hint, hint....
Gregor: You're so subtle, Penny. Have to get permission from the Council of Seven before any Suddies are allowed to visit. You know that.
Oskar: Good luck with that, Pen. The council can get a little bit....
Sven: Grouchy.
Gregor: Irritable.
Oskar: Judgmental. Pissed off. Irate. Veins popping out of their foreheads, spittle flying....
Pen: Sorry, O, didn't mean to conjure up any bad memories.
O: (grimaces) I'll just think happy thoughts. Lap dances. Vegas show-girls named Lola. (smiles)
Pen: For the love of God, Oskar. Gregor, did you really go with these hooligans to Vegas?
Gregor: (laughs) I did. It was a blast. Don't think I could handle that much partying all the time, but every once in a while it's nice to hang out with my brothers. And Lola. (winks at Pen)
Pen: (blushing) Are you flirting with me? I'm married you know.
Gregor: I know. Look, it's been fun but I have a morning meeting at the bank.
Oskar: I gotta run too. I have to finalize my trip to Mammoth. I heard a nice snow storm is brewing.
Sven: Later, Pen. I have a quota to fill today for wooden train sets. Don't want any kids to be disappointed this Christmas.
Pen: Okay, guys, see you later. Gregor, don't forget to check in and chat with my visitors. I know the ladies will have a lot of questions for you.
Gregor: Don't worry. I'll be returning, and bringing bags of high-end coffee beans with me. I'll have you off the pumpkin spice lattes by the end of the day.
Pen: Don't bet on it!
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Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment for Gregor, and you might win a gift card from Amazon (an early holiday treat!). Also, please feel free to make fun of Gregor for being a coffee snob. He can take it!
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