Chapter
2
(Scene Five: The
Morgendorffer residence, the next day, in the morning. Jane, wearing her book
bag, walks up to the front stoop, and rings the doorbell. After a moment, Daria,
wearing her own book bag, opens the door)
JANE: (Smirks:) Yo!
DARIA: (Returns a brief smirk:) Hey. So, you're here at my house first yet again. I seem to recall that it used to be the other way around.
JANE: (Small, sheepish shrug:) Well, I can't seem to get out of my new little rut of rising really early to jog. Maybe it's because it's still kinda warm out, and I just wanted to get my jogs out of the way for the day before school. I’m sure that it’ll change back soon, and I can get back to my afternoon, post school romps.
DARIA: (Mock ponders:) Orrr, maybe it's because my brother's influenced you on all those early morning jogs you two took over this summer, and you've decided to stick to your little schedule.
JANE: (Wry look:) Go ahead and ruin my take, why don't you?
DARIA: I already have.
JANE: (Snaps fingers:) Curses! Hoisted by my own petard! (Daria shows her a brief, Mona Lisa smile. Jane swings her fist, mock-enthused, grins:) Anyhoo, ready for yet another rip-roaring day at Lawndale Penitentiary?
DARIA: Of course not, but I suppose we have no choice. Lead the way--(before Daria can step through the doorway, an excited Quinn, holding her pink book bag, jostles by her from within, almost running into Jane as well) Whoa! Hey, where's the fire, “Red”?
JANE: (Turns, looks after her:) Yeah! I want to take some pictures, dammit!
QUINN: (Stops, turns back to them both, slight smile:) Oops! Sorry, Daria! 'Morning, Jane! (Plows on before Jane can respond:) I'm on my way over to Sandi's so we can get to school a little early with the rest of the Fashion Club! (Gives a smug look:) We volunteered to do the interior decorations, since we are fashion experts, you know, and that goes for dressing walls, too! Ms. Li wants our final opinion on the colors of the flower arrangements and the welcome banner for when Darren visits tomorrow!
DARIA: (In a mock serious deadpan tone:) You mean, there were other previous opinions on the critical choices of the flowers with the banner, and you didn’t let us know about this? We feel so insulted. (Jane nods fiercely in “agreement”) We could’ve helped you pick out the school colors, right, Jane?
JANE: (Same mock serious tone, waves her off with a limp wrist:) Oh my, yes. I could’ve told you that sunflower yellow and midnight blue would’ve been the perfect school colors to use during the daylight hours, as opposed to banana yellow and navy blue.
QUINN: But we’re not using banana yellow with navy blue, we’re using lem--(realizes, narrows eyes, suspicious tone:) hey! Are you two like, playing with me? Because if you are—
Daria and Jane silently smirked at her.
DARIA: Somehow, I don’t think our brother will take the time to stop and smell the roses, pansies, or any other flowers in our school, Quinn. He’s only coming to talk to Ms. Li about his donation, you know that.
JANE: Besides, I don’t think Darren wanted it to be turned into some sorta state visit. (Grins, amused tone:) There’s no need to go overboard and get Brittany or the rest of the cheerleaders to give that special welcome cheer to Darren.
QUINN: (Cocks eyebrow:) Hey, how’d you know about that? Did Brittany mention it? We were gonna spring it on Darren when he walked through the doors tomorrow afternoon! (Jane gives her a surprised look with Daria. Quinn then grins:) Hah! Gotcha! Bye--ee! (Quickly leaves)
Daria and Jane could only stare after Quinn in stunned amazement as she literally bounced down the street, giggling.
DARIA: (As she shuts the door behind her, joins Jane on the stoop:) Well, whattaya know. My sister, the comedienne. Next thing you know, she’ll want her own improv stage in the middle of our living room.
JANE: (Snickers as they start walking:) Still, ya gotta admit that Quinn caught us a little off guard, there. (Pauses:) Is it just me, or has she developed a lighter sense of humor lately?
DARIA: Normally, I’d say it’s just you and your warped sense of humor, but yeah, she’s been more of a playful soul recently. I’d say that it’s a combination of Darren‘s impending visit, along with, well, you know—
JANE: (Takes it up, nods:) –Uh, her getting over that “David” guy you told me about?
DARIA: (Sighs:) You got it. (Pauses:) I think she’s finally putting him behind her, once and for all.
JANE: (Senses something’s not quite right, cocks eyebrow:) Buttt--?
DARIA: But, I heard her speaking to Sandi over the phone this morning about possibly seeing David “One more time” at Lawndale State University. I thought about confronting her over it, but I decided not to. (Shrugs:) Maybe Quinn wants to see if she still has any feelings left for him. (Sighs, shakes head:) I think I’ll just stay out of this from now on, and not play Dr. Phil anymore…
JANE: --Unlessss she comes to you again to talk about him, (looks up for a moment:) or even perhaps to Darren while he’s here--? (Smirks:) No need for you to feel left out of their cute, little sibling talks, you know.
DARIA: (Rolls eyes disdainfully:) Funny. Even though I’ll admit that Quinn’s into her schoolwork more these days, she’d probably bore Darren to death with her take on fashions instead. Look, I’ll reserve my opinions until asked, if that’s what you’re inferring. In the case of Darren, I’m sure he’d probably jump right in on the subject of David if Quinn asked him what he thought.
JANE: (Chuckles:) Or, instead of the subject per se, Darren might want to jump in on David himself for hurting his “baby” sister! (Daria stops, frowns briefly at Jane. Jane walks past her for a moment, then stops as well. Jane turns back to her, then returns:) Huh? What?
DARIA: Jane, did Darren happen to add anything more to you about that?
JANE: (Drops eyebrow:) Come again? On what? (Pauses, realizes:) Oh, you're talking about that "David" guy, aren’t you?
DARIA: Well, nothing else but. Darren was the person who called me last night after our talk. At the end of our jabbering, he wanted to know yet again how Quinn was doing after what happened with her former tutor. Though he didn't directly say it, I could tell that Darren sounded a tad peeved again about the situation. I told him that Quinn was still doing okay, but he didn't seem completely convinced.
JANE: He didn't say anything more to me about it when we spoke yesterday. (Pauses, realizes, adds:) Don't tell me Darren inferred to you that he's gonna actually do something nasty to Quinn's former tutor?
DARIA: (Looks off for an instant, then back to Jane:) Um, well--no, of course not, but after I hung up, I couldn't help but to remember what you told me about his reaction to Mr. Reardon's accusations against him for quickly “forgetting” about his deceased fiancée Stephanie, and how Darren was with Rory McKinna in that "Reynaldo's" place. He was royally pissed both times; he even grabbed them both.
Jane mildly frowned for a bit, pondering. Daria continued on after a moment.
DARIA: I’m just—(pauses:) a little worried that he might try to let David know (finger quote:) “directly” on how wrong Quinn was treated from his point of view. Darren was pretty damn lucky both times that he wasn’t arrested for attempted battery, when I think about it. What if the third time’s a charm? (Sighs:) I know he took that Zen Buddhist teaching along with his martial arts to calm himself down, but I’m still wondering a little bit about what might happen if Darren happens to meet him here…
JANE: (Small nod:) Okay, I admit that you do have a point or two, amiga, but what good would it do, other than bringing Darren some unwanted attention, especially from the tabloids, and maybe even a lawsuit after he’s arrested, from that "David" guy, to boot? Besides, it’s not as if Darren’s even seen him, so he doesn’t know what he looks like. I also don’t think Darren would want Quinn angry at him. Plus, he’s promised me that if he happens to meet that “David” guy here by chance, he won’t do anything bad, and that’s good enough for your's truly because Darren knows it would make me become seriously pissed at him, too.
DARIA: (Cocks an eyebrow as they resume walking, smirks:) Got him on a leash, eh?
JANE: (Grins:) Ahhh, something like that, I guess. (Pauses, red-faced, hesitates, looks off for a moment as she quickly adds:) I, uh, wouldn’t want anything to mess up what Darren and I are starting to have, you know? Our relationship’s, uh, getting really serious, (Daria cocks a very raised eyebrow) and this, (sighs, frowns:) along with Krystal liking Trent, is not gonna change that.
DARIA: (Appears as if she wants to say something more, but doesn’t:) Um, sure…
JANE: (Quickly changes the subject:) Mooooving on, unfortunately speaking of Krystal, guess what my brother did last night?
DARIA: (Smirks, mock-hopeful tone:) He came to his senses, and he’s gonna tell her to hit the road?
JANE: (Grins, teasing tone:) Oh, you dreamer, you. And here I thought you’d said that you’d never try to deliberately spread good cheer, unless it’s to make others feel miserable. (Daria releases a low snort) He’s just prepared our place for Krystal’s visit.
DARIA: (Cocks eyebrow:) “Prepared”? (Pauses, adds:) As innn--?
JANE: Cleaning up his room, spotlessly, I might add, (smirks:) along with the rest of Casa Lane. (Daria suddenly stops while Jane continues walking) I was so into painting, (pauses:) er, something last night, I didn’t even not--ice? (Sees once again that her friend isn’t beside her, stops yet again, grins, returns:) This is gettin’old, Morgendorffer…
DARIA: (Speaking through her shock:) So we’ll work out a new routine. (Pauses:) Let me understand this—Trent’s room, and the rest of the house, is “clean”, as in the opposite of “dirty”?
JANE: Last time I checked, that’s what “clean” meant. (Chuckles out loud:) I was shocked beyond belief when I saw his room! But after I recovered, he told me about the rest of the house, too! See, Max and Nick had come over to help him out after Trent had bribed them with some cartons of cigarettes and beer, since, you know, Jesse’s gone to see Fiona, and they had decided to take a few days off from playing because of it. They had cleaned Summer’s, Penny’s, and Wind’s old rooms first, with Trent cleaning his own afterwards. Big Brother showed me a whole load of trash at the curb, and-- (Daria suddenly turns from her, now going in the other direction) hey! Where are you going? (Starts to follow her)
DARIA: (As Jane catches up, and walks beside her:) To witness history in the making at Casa Lane by eyeing those rooms myself. I may never live to see this day again.
JANE: I can’t believe I’m about to say this, and I’ll deny it to the death if you snitch, but what about the penitentiary? Won’t we be late?
DARIA: (Shrugs:) Eh. We’re actually pretty well ahead of schedule, thanks to your dragging your ass out of bed earlier than usual these days. (Jane snorts) It won’t be too long, and I think we can make the first tardy bell. Besides, thanks to Ms. Li’s salivating at my brother’s pending donation, she’s falling all over herself to be nice to us, remember? In the event that we are late, I‘ll just say that I forgot something at home, which I won’t add is actually your's, and I had to get it back. I think she’ll let us off with just a mild warning, and tell us not to let it happen again.
JANE: Hm.Yeah.You’re probably right. Li wants some of Darren’s moolah pretty badly.
DARIA: Exactly. (Pauses, hesitates, worried expression:) Um, I just thought of something, Jane. If Trent’s gone to this much trouble…
JANE: (Grim look, nods:) –Yeah, yeah, I know, Daria. (Deep frown:) He must really like Krystal. (Pauses, very low tone, bitter:) Dammit. (Daria cuts her eyes over, says nothing as the two continue to walk. Jane shrugs:) Of course after what else he told me last night about her, it's not all that much of a surprise.
DARIA: (Cocks an eyebrow:) Come again? About Krystal? You mean there's more, other than the huge clean up?
JANE: (Snorts:) Oh yeah. There's Trent's apparent perception that he (finger quotes:) "already" knew that I didn't like Krystal from the beginning. (Daria's eyebrows rise) Here's what he said...
**********
(Scene Six: The
same time, in front of Sandi's)
Quinn, still on her little high from needling Daria and Jane, bounced up to the rest of the Fashion Club, who were waiting for her. Sandi crossed her arms and showed an amused look, while Tiffany exhibited her usual vacant expression. Stacy smiled, but appeared uncomfortable.
SANDI: (Cocked eyebrow:) Well, now. You certainly appear to be in a good mood, Quinn, despite your rather, (pauses:) unfashionable expression of mirth.
TIFFANY: Yeah...whatever Sandi...said... (Stacy, with a nervous smile, nods wordlessly in agreement)
QUINN: (Giggles:) I just put one over on Daria and Jane, guys, that's all! I'll tell you about it on the way to school... (begins walking with the others)
STACY: (Swallows hard, interrupts:) Uh, before you tell us, Quinn, could I say something first, (quickly adds to Quinn’s surprised expression:) if that's okay--? I, um, have some really good news. (Grins:) I was going to tell you guys at school, but I'm so excited, I just couldn't wait!
QUINN: (Glances at the others, and vice-versa:) Good news? Oh, yeah, sure, Stacy. What is it?
STACY: (Grins wider:) Um, do you guys remember that contest for the Bliss cosmetic line of beauty products, you know, the sweepstakes where the top five winners would get an interview to be a model for their stuff, even though it wouldn’t guarantee that they all would get it, just one?
SANDI: (Furrowed eyebrow:) Hmmm, yes. I seem to recall us talking about it in passing several months back, just before we met Darren, as a matter of fact. We all decided later not to pursue it after we agreed to go into Circa. (Quinn and Tiffany look at each other and nod) What of it?
STACY: (Pauses, then
reaches into her purse, suddenly pulls out a folded, medium-sized slip of paper,
wildly giggles:) Well, I wanted to tell you all that I had decided to enter it
at the last second, writing why I wanted to be a model, and providing a picture
of myself, you know, stuff that they wanted, and guess who’s one of the top five
winners? (Gives paper to Quinn, which causes them to all stop. Sandi and Tiffany
read it over her shoulders) Me!
QUINN: (Gasps with the others in shock:) S-Stacy--? You entered, and WON? (Looks up, grins:) That's great! (Hugs her lightly)
TIFFANY: (Slowly smiles:) Yeah...that's great…Stacy...(ditto with the hug)
Sandi had taken the paper from Quinn and had read it again, this time more carefully. She narrowed her eyes at the small print on the bottom, suddenly suspicious. She looked up at Stacy, cocking an equally-suspicious eyebrow.
SANDI: Stacccy—this paper also says you’re leaving Lawndale the day after tomorrow to go to Baltimore to speak to the Bliss representatives in one of the interviews.
STACY: (Releases Tiffany, unsure expression:) Uh, yeah, Sandi--? (Swallows hard again:) So--?
SANDI: (Direct look at Stacy:) So, Bliss’s main headquarters is in New York City. (Cocks eyebrow:) Why are you going to Baltimore? I seem to recall that all of the five winners were supposed to go to New York City...
STACY: (Shrugs uneasily:) W-Well, gee, Sandi, I guess they have a branch office in Baltimore. (Weak shrug:) They also probably changed their minds at the last minute for everybody’s interviews, or something, you know, sending them to locations near where they lived--? (Forced grin:) I couldn't care less, I won, right? (Now develops a "curious" look:) Um, what's the problem--? (Quinn and Tiffany also look curiously at Sandi)
SANDI: (Again looking, and now sounding suspicious:) Well, it would seem to me that they'd fly all of you up to New York City to their corporate office, since you all were the grand prize winners. It also seems, like, a step down that they'd want you to come to Baltimore, especially since you can practically almost walk to there from here. (Glances down at paper yet again:) This doesn't make any sense, the more I think about it...
STACY: (Swallows hard yet again:) What are you saying, Sandi--? That I'm-- (panics, begins to hyperventilate:) lying for some reason?
QUINN: (Mild gasp of shock with Tiffany:) Stacy!
SANDI: (Caught off-guard at this, actually surprised:) I most certainly am not saying that you're lying, Stacy! There would be no reason for you to do that! I’m happy for you—(pauses, looks pained for some reason, seemingly forces herself to reply:) really!
Quinn stared at Sandi in mild surprise while Tiffany maintained her vacant expression. Even though to her Sandi obviously had undergone a change over the summer because of recent events, becoming nicer and even more open emotionally, she still had half-expected Sandi to say something at least mildly nasty.
Quinn immediately kicked herself mentally. Dork! That shouldn’t have surprised you, you know, not now, anyway! Sandi’s just really concerned that something’s not right, here. It does seem kinda strange that Bliss changed where the grand prize interviews would be...
STACY: (Shows an
uneasy look, calms down a little, but still hyperventilating:) You--you really
are happy for me, Sandi? Then why--
SANDI: (Regains initiative, frowns, sounding like her old, nasty self, interrupts:) --If you must know, it just seems to me that there's something that feels wrong with all of this! (Narrows eyes, looks off:) I can't, like, totally explain how or why, but--
Stacy stopped hyperventilating for an instant, and then stared pointedly at Sandi, narrowing her eyes. To Quinn, Stacy seemed different, somehow, as if she had suddenly found a sense of bravery, similar to that night at the lake on Darren's estate when she, Tiffany, and Tina had discovered her with Rory. Now, even the usually-vacant Tiffany had a touch of worry on her face.
STACY: (Cuts Sandi off:) --What could possibly be wrong with it, Sandi? (Pauses:) I entered the contest, and I won! I told you that!
SANDI: (Hesitates:) Perhaps, but—
STACY: (Interrupts,
begins to hyperventilate again:) –But what, Sandi? (Raises voice, becomes
wide-eyed:) WHAT?! (The others stare at Stacy, now wide-eyed themselves in
shock:) You don’t believe me! Why won’t you believe me?! All I did was enter the
contest, and I won! Why can’t you just be happy for me like Quinn and Tiffany
are?!
QUINN: (Alarmed look with Tiffany:) Stacy, calm down—
STACY: (Shakes head quickly, now glares at Sandi:) No, I won’t calm down, Quinn! I’m not gonna back off like I used to do, not anymore! Don’t you see? Sandi’s just jealous that I won!
SANDI: (Now really enraged, snarls through clenched teeth:) WHAT?!
STACY: (Still hyperventilates, but gamely continues, keeping her glare:) Y-You heard me! You’re jealous because I entered, and won, while you didn’t! Admit it!
SANDI: (Walks up to her face, still in her snarl. Stacy stands her ground, though inside, she’s quivering like Jell-o:) Listen, Staaacy---like, I couldn’t now care less if you won that stupid contest, okay?! If you wanna go to Baltimore, then that’s your business!
STACY: T-That’s right, it is my business, Sandi! My parents told me that I could go by myself, since it’s just for a day, that I’m old enough, that they trust me, since it’s nowhere from here, and that’s what I intend to do!
SANDI: Fine! Then go on!
STACY: I will! (Turns to leave, then stops, turns back to them, hesitates, adds in a meek, but defiant manner:) I--I know you don't completely believe me, Sandi, no matter what you said! To prove to you that I'm telling the truth, why don't you call the phone number and check the website on the paper? You can keep it; it’s just a copy, anyway! Maybe that will convince you! (Frowns:) Oh, and if you want to punish me for "defying" you, then do it, I don't care! (Storms off to the stunned looks of the other Fashion Clubbers, save for Sandi, who looks red-faced and enraged, shaking)
QUINN: Stacy! Wait! (Stacy ignores her, continues on. Quinn appears to want to go after her, but stops)
**********
As she walked away, Stacy couldn't help but to develop a smile, though she was trembling, a bundle of excitement and nervousness inside.
I--I actually
did it! All I had to do was to get up enough nerve to pretend to stand up
to Sandi, and get her to "approve" of me going without her even knowing it! I
even fooled Quinn and Tiff--well, Tiffany doesn't really count. Anyway, I can
now go to Baltimore, and be with Rory without them suspecting anything! Even if
they check out the number and the website, which Rory's said that he's taken
care of, they'll hear and see what he wants them to hear and see!
Stacy then slowly showed an uncharacteristic-looking smirk.
Oh, Sandi, you're
so naive. You deserved to have me chew you out! I was so sick and
tired of the way you had bullied me around in the Fashion Club! I should've done
this a long time ago, for real--
Almost immediately, Stacy formed a pained expression of disbelief and guilt, slowing down her pace to a very slow walk, now slumping. She was now of out sight of the other Fashion Clubbers.
OhmyGodohmyGod! What am I thinking? After seeing what she went through this summer with almost getting killed that night, and of finding out Mrs. Griffin's not her birth mother, Sandi--had changed somehow, even going to a psychologist to help her through both! Sandi wasn't as mean to us--to me, anymore. I shouldn't have enjoyed pretending so much, even if—if…I liked it…
Now out of sight of the others, Stacy stopped, and glanced back.
I'll--apologize to
Sandi and the others--if they—she’ll accept it. I—I can't go right back
now, not after the way I pretended to…
Slumping once again, Stacy sighed, and quietly walked to school.
**********
After watching Stacy storm out of sight down the street, Quinn cut her eyes over to Sandi.
QUINN: (Carefully choosing her words:) Um, Sandi, I don't think Stacy meant that the way it came out, you know--?
TIFFANY: (For once understanding the art of eggshell walking:) Yeah...I don't think...she was herself... (narrows eyes:) liiiike that time...on the lake...at Darren's...remember...Quinn...? (Quinn cocks a surprised eyebrow at Tiffany's noticing, as well as her remembering. Sandi, though furious, takes note as well. She had been told by Quinn about Stacy’s behavior that night, sans Tiffany)
SANDI: (Calming down, but still obviously P.O.'d, fists clenched at her sides:) Oh, she meant it, all right, there's no doubt about that! (Spits out bitterly:) Let's see what the little bitch thinks about being kicked out of the Fashion Club! (Quinn and Tiffany stare at her, wide-eyed) And that's just for starters! When I get through with her, she'll be so unpopular, she'll have to--to--(slowly shuts eyes, appears torn, slumps, sighs:) no...I...that's not right, not anymore, at least... (puts her hand on her forehead, seems to briefly wobble, starts taking slow breaths. Quinn and Tiffany immediately rush to each side of her)
QUINN: (Worried look with Tiffany, puts hand on Sandi's right shoulder briefly:) Sandi! Are you alright?
SANDI: (Recovers, slight smile:) I'm--fine, Quinn, Tiffany. (Pauses:) Really. (Looks off, small frown:) My--shrink last week said I should try to calm myself down by breathing slowly if I ever get really angry, and stuff. (Frowns, as if she seems to struggle to speak:) I’m—(pauses:) sorry for blowing my stack like that.
QUINN: (Smiles after a moment:) It’s okay, Sandi. (Pauses, now develops a small frown of her own:) Look, Stacy still had no right to go off at you like that, especially, well, after this summer, you know--(the others give her a quiet look. Quinn quickly goes on:) anyway, we're gonna hunt her down at school and get her to apologize to you. (Thought v.o.: Which is really weird. Just last year, it would've sorta been the other way around--or we would've at least tried to shame Sandi into doing it...)
TIFFANY: (Now even she has a tiny frown:) Yeah...that was...sooo...wrong of Stacy…
SANDI: (Hard sigh, appears as if she wants to agree, then relents:) Perhaps, but--well, (very low tone, looks off:) Stacy was sort of...right. I was kind of--jealous.
QUINN & TIFFANY: (Raised eyebrows:) Huh? You…were? (The two stare at each other, shocked at their precisely agreeing)
SANDI: (Very brief glare at them, looks off:) You heard me, okay?! (Throws arms out:) I admit it! I was—(pauses, small scowl of frustration:) sorta jealous that Stacy got that interview! (Quickly adds:) Not as jealous as I might've used to have been, mind you, but I was jealous. It's just seems like something's not totally right about this, you know, and it’s more than just me being jealous!
QUINN: You mean, the way Stacy really went off at you, (glances over at Tiffany, uncertain look:) like, um, what we told you how she was acting over Rory that night near the lake, the same for the sudden location change of the interview from New York City to Baltimore? (Tiffany gives her a brief, odd look)
SANDI: (Also glances at Tiffany, gets Quinn’s inference:) Er, precisely, Quinn. (Looks down at paper again, drops eyebrow:) I wonder... (reads for an instant:) you know, like, is it me, or did Bliss' business phone number change? (Quinn looks over her shoulder with Tiffany) I seem to recall that the issue of Waif with that cover model Manha Manha a few months ago had a different front page telephone number on that contest...
QUINN: (Narrows eyes as she reads:) Hmm...hey, you're right, Sandi, though the area code’s still the same. The company’s e-mail address on the cover has changed, too. I wonder why they changed both? (Pauses:) Now, I'm kinda wondering if anything’s going on myself…
SANDI: (Shrugs:) I dunno. (Pauses:) Maybe we can at least check out the new e-mail and phone number later? Stacy said she didn’t care, right?
TIFFANY: Yeah...
QUINN: (Nods:) Good idea. (Looks at her wristwatch:) We'd better get on so we can meet Ms. Li. (Begins walking with the others:) With any luck, Stacy will be waiting there with her, wanting to apologize to you, Sandi… (suddenly gasps:) Oh! I almost forgot to tell you guys about something!
SANDI: (Amused, cocked eyebrow:) You mean, about what you put over your sister and Jane, Quinn?
QUINN: (Shows a bit of a confused expression:) Huh? (Realizes, narrows eyes:) Oh, yeah, there's that, but I just remembered something else, too. I think it's more important for me to talk about this, first.
TIFFANY: What is it...Quinn...?
QUINN: (Suddenly uncomfortable look:) Well, I happened to look something up last night on my laptop after I thought Daria was playing around with me, and, um, well, it turns out that she wasn't, at least not completely. (Sandi and Tiffany give each other odd looks. Quinn shows a disgusted expression:) Have you guys ever heard of something called, ew, "dust mites"...?
**********
(Scene Seven: The
law firm of Vitale, Davis, Horowitz, Riordan, Schrecter, Schrecter & [Gasp!
Yes!] Morgendorffer, Helen’s office, the same time)
Helen sat stiffly at her familiar desk, staring down at the very thin, but neatly stacked set of papers on it. After a moment, she mildly scowled, then stared forward and quietly sighed as she leaned over forward, placed her chin in her left hand, and her left elbow on her desk, looking bored.
In the foreground, facing directly away from Helen, Marianne, actually looking relaxed for a change, crisply typed at her work desk PC while looking down to her right side at her thicker stack of papers. In the far left background, to the side of Helen, another woman, a younger-looking, glasses-wearing, shoulder-length redhead, who appeared as if she had just graduated from secretarial school (which she had), was also typing at her work desk PC. She was a new secretary that the now-equal partner Helen had recently hired to work primarily for Marianne, although the newbie actually worked for Helen.
Unlike Marianne's professional keystrokes, however, this woman appeared to be struggling somewhat, typing slower. The woman paused, frowned briefly, tapped the backspace key, and then continued to type at her slower rate. She was looking at her own stack of papers down at her left side, which was thicker than Helen’s or Marianne’s.
Helen wordlessly glanced over at the redhead for a moment. She resumed her bored expression, looking forward.
Well, you wanted to
come in early, even though you didn't have to, didn't you, Helen? The only
problem is there's little work for you to do. Hell, you've already
finished these two depositions, and it only took 30 minutes! Ever since you've
become a full partner here, it’s been just like this every day. Oh, sure, you've sat
at the conference table with the big boys as an equal. You helped to give out all sorts of
caseloads to the other lawyers, their interns, and secretaries--something you
used to be on the receiving end of, and of course going to the courthouse for the
firm's cases.
Speaking of the
courthouse, just a few days ago, you won a financial settlement there for a
family concerning a faulty unicycle from a bike maker, a cool $1,000,000--before
we got our standard 30% fee, of course. Eric and the other partners were
delighted, patting you on the back, and praising you in front of all of those
reporters.
Helen gave another sigh, this time a bit louder. Marianne overheard, cut her eyes to the side without turning around for an instant, but continued to type. The other woman continued typing as well, apparently not noticing.
The trouble is, you didn't do most of the arguing for the plaintiff. Since you're an equal partner now, which meant all that you did was to observe and be the head advisor for one of the firm's newly-arrived lawyers. They did the real work, what you used to do, too. Yet, you received the full credit, whereas the newbie was cast aside as someone who simply did what you told him, and nothing more. You remembered how he dutifully packed up his briefcase after the verdict, and left, begging off the victory celebration at Milligan's because he wanted to spend some private time with his new wife. You thought that was so sweet. Later that night, you had somehow convinced Eric and the other partners at the restaurant to give him a few days off with pay as a reward. That way, he could spend more time with her, what you now have yourself after all of these years with your husband and family.
Helen closed her eyes slowly.
Time, Helen. What
to do, what to do...
Helen then sat back in her chair, sighing even louder. Once again, Marianne noticed. This time she stopped, and spun around in her computer chair with a concerned expression.
MARIANNE: Helen, is everything all right? (The other woman now stops, notices Marianne’s expression, turns to look at Helen as well)
HELEN: (Shaken out of
her thoughts, sits up:) Hm? What is it Marianne? What did you
say?
MARIANNE: I overheard you sighing, um, rather loudly, and I thought
something was wrong.
HELEN: I did? Oh, um, sorry. It’s--nothing. (Quickly adds in her falsetto voice to Marianne’s doubtful look, smiles:) I, ah, think it’s just that I rushed out of the house this morning, and I didn’t have time to get any breakfast. I suppose I’m feeling a little famished.
MARIANNE: Did you want to get something from the break room's vending machine? Maybe a microwavable breakfast sandwich would hit the spot--?
HELEN: (Slight smile:) Mmm, yes. Yes, Marianne, as a matter of fact, I do think I’d like a breakfast sandwich. (Reaches into her purse behind her desk:) Let me get some money…
MARIANNE: (Returns the smile:) Okay, Helen. (Spins in her computer chair towards the redhead, more of a commanding tone:) Cindy, get Helen that breakfast sandwich, pronto. (Cindy immediately nods, stands, goes over to Helen) Make sure it’s piping hot, and without the wrap. Put it on a napkin, and the napkin on a paper plate. Get the plates from the cabinet above the counter.
CINDY: (Sounding like an older version of Stacy, eager look, nods:) Sure, Marianne!
MARIANNE: Helen, did you want a soda or anything else with that?
HELEN: Oh, no, I’ll just drink the coffee in here with it. (Smiles:) Thank you, Cindy. (Gives money to her)
CINDY: (Small smile in return:) You're welcome, Helen. Marianne, did you want anything?
MARIANNE: (Still in her commanding tone, narrows eyes:) Hm--yes. Get me a breakfast burrito, along with a can of iced tea. A donut just doesn't do the job when you’re rushing from the house as well. Hang on a second... (pulls out her top drawer, takes out some bills, gives them to Cindy:) don't dawdle, now. We've got to get those papers done by today. (Helen forms a bemused expression)
CINDY: (Perky expression, tone:) I won't, Marianne! Be back in a few! (Quickly leaves)
Helen watched Cindy leave, and then turned back to Marianne.
HELEN: (Retains her bemused expression:) Well, you've certainly taken to having a secretary of your own, haven't you, ordering her around like that--? (Pauses, falsetto voice:) Don’t you think you were a bit rough on her, Marianne? (Pauses, realizes, small frown:) Now when I think about it further, you’ve sounded pretty rough on her ever since she first started working here...
MARIANNE: (Mildly embarrassed expression:) I was, er, “rough” on Cindy? (Small, uneasy chuckle:) Um, well, maybe I was a little, Helen. I didn’t mean to be like that toward her. (Pauses, looks away, then back at Helen:) I, er, suppose I had gotten carried away, a little. (Pauses:) It just made me feel so, I don’t know, good to order someone around like that, (adds, under her breath, cuts eyes over to Helen briefly:) for a change…
Helen stared at Marianne for an instant, and then Helen’s eyes lit up in slow realization. Marianne quickly picked up on Helen’s look, and immediately spoke in an alarmed tone, as if she knew exactly what Helen was thinking.
MARIANNE: Uh, Helen, look, it’s not that--!
HELEN: (Droll, even look:) Isn’t it, Marianne? (Pointed tone:) I think you’re sort of taking out on Cindy what I had done to you these past few years, aren’t you?
MARIANNE: (Completely at a loss of words, for Helen’s hit the bull’s-eye:) Helen—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—(looks down, grows silent)
HELEN: (Weary smile, gentle tone:) Marianne, look at me. (After a moment, Marianne does) As much as it pains me to say this, you’re right. (Marianne shows a stunned expression) Oh, don’t look so surprised. Now that I’ve become a partner around here, I’ve had—(pauses:) more time to see things as they really are on my job, since I’ve had less work to do. (Pauses, narrows eyes:) I was a rather demanding bitch to you at times, wasn’t I, Marianne? All you did was work your ass off for me, and all I did was to grind your face into my millstone even harder. (Quickly adds, mild frown to Marianne’s opening mouth:) Don’t you dare deny it, I mean it. Since I have equal clout now with Eric and the others, you don’t have to worry about losing your job. Be completely honest with me.
MARIANNE: (After a moment, carefully considers her words despite Helen’s assurance, sighs:) Well, you did ride me pretty hard more often than not, Helen. I admit it was rather stressful. (Helen says nothing, but shows a mildly grim expression, which Marianne picks up on, gentle tone:) But I know you only wanted to be the best lawyer you could be, (reluctantly adds in a lower tone, looks around:) especially since you were a female, (Helen shows a reflective look) having to work twice as hard for the all-male bosses here to prove to them that you were worth it, and it’s paid off with your partnership, plus, I have my own secretary to boot, which means I’m doing less work than ever, like you. (Thought v.o.: Thank God.)
HELEN: (Slumps back in her chair, sighs:) And that’s just the point, Marianne. I’m—we’re doing less work. (Marianne gives her a confused look) I guess I'm just bored because I have far less to do these days. Ever since I first arrived here, I've coveted getting a partnership in the firm, and now that I have it, (looks off briefly, voice trails off:) it doesn't seem like all it's cracked up to be…
MARIANNE: (Thought v.o.: Oh, no, please don't let her go in that direction...:) Um, don't tell me that you want to give up being an equal partner, Helen--?
HELEN: (Very raised eyebrows:) What? (Chuckles:) Oh God, no, of course not! Not after all that I've gone through to get this! (Pauses, sighs:) It's, well, it's that I'm used to doing more work, that’s all.
MARIANNE: (After a moment:) Well, if you’ve felt this strongly, why haven’t you spoken to Eric or the other partners about it?
HELEN: (Narrows eyes:) I've hinted at it, but Eric and the others either seem to always say that things are going "slow" at the moment, and that they'll pick up soon, or that as a partner, I simply don't have to do as much work anymore, (mumbles, brief scowl:) which would help to explain why I worked my ass off so hard before, while they took up most of the afternoons with each other, playing golf... (Marianne covers her mouth and chuckles very quietly. Helen's eyes light up, embarrassed:) Oh! Marianne! You did not hear that!
MARIANNE: (Quickly recovers:) Don't worry, Helen, I won't say anything. (Becomes serious:) Is not doing as much these days really that bad? You, well, have more time for your family, now. (Thought v.o.: Like I do…)
HELEN: (Nods:) Yes, that's true, but while I've had more time with my husband, it's been a bit more of a challenge to spend some quality time with my daughters. (Shakes head slowly, small chuckle:) Why, just last night, I was so desperate to be around Daria and Quinn, my husband and I listened in on their--(catches herself, glances at a bemused Marianne:) er, well--ahem--anyway, I hope that when Darren comes in tomorrow, we'll be able to have that time together as a family.
MARIANNE: (Smiles:) I'm sure you all will, Helen.
At that moment, Eric walked in, smiling. Marianne immediately spun back around, and resuming her typing.
ERIC: (Goes over, pats Helen on the shoulder:) There's my go-getter, and she's here really early! How's everything, (emphasizes:) partner?
HELEN: (Sighs. Marianne cuts her eyes to the side for an instant while typing:) Truth be told, Eric--? (Throws arms in the air, leans back in her chair:) It's boring! I don't have anything to do! I've just finished the Hardesty and Moore depositions in what seems to be record time, (mutters:) given that there wasn't that much to them, anyway--
ERIC: (Chuckles:) Ah! Feeling "needy" again, eh, Helen? Well, we'll both be with the other partners in a meeting in an hour or two--
HELEN: (Rolls eyes, interrupts with a long sigh:) --And afterwards, you and the others will play some golf at the Sedimentary Rock Country Club and Links as usual, I take it--?
ERIC: (Pauses, taken aback:) Why, yes, as a matter of fact, we will, Helen. We’ll be meeting a few more potential clients there. You’re, (pauses:) er, welcome to come, if you wish…
HELEN: (Shakes head:) No, that’s okay, Eric. (Eric subtly forms a relieved expression, which Helen doesn’t notice) Generally, with very few exceptions, any golf I play is with my husband, and that’s only when he asks me to join him. Besides, I really don’t feel like playing, anyway.
ERIC: (Pauses, cocks an eyebrow, now concerned:) Is...there anything wrong, Helen--?
HELEN: (Long stare, then shakes her head slowly:) No, Eric, there's--nothing wrong. (Marianne appears surprised that Helen would hold back, but continues to type. Helen sighs:) I guess I could take the extra time to go home early, and get ready for my son's visit tomorrow, since there’s nothing to do here...
ERIC: (Brightens:) Why, that's a wonderful idea, Helen! (Suddenly develops another concerned expression, narrows eyes:) Sooo, Darren's definitely coming, eh?
HELEN: (Drops an eyebrow when she now notices Eric's demeanor:) Yesss, he is, unless something suddenly comes up out of the blue. (Eric appears alarmed, which Helen also notices:) But he and I don't anticipate anything. (Eric now forms a relieved expression. Helen speaks in a monotone voice:) So, we'll meet at the usual time in the conference room?
ERIC: (Smiles:) Yes, 10:00 a.m. (Pauses, adds to Helen's now-bored expression:) Look, I think we'll have, uh, a few new caseloads to discuss, Helen. (Hesitates, shrugs:) I'm, er, pretty sure of it. I'll try to insure that some of them will be your babies exclusively to handle however you wish. (Pauses to Helen's suddenly-hopeful look:) However, we'll--ahem--probably really get into them after your son leaves, (Helen cocks an eyebrow. Eric quickly adds:) since, well, you'll want to take up your off-time with him, right?
At that moment, Cindy quietly came in with Helen and Marianne's trays of food and drink, forcing Helen to pause. Cindy sat them on a nearby table beside the office's coffee maker, and returned to her desk. She then promptly resumed her typing. In her mind, though, she sensed she had returned at an awkward time, for she constantly found herself cutting her eyes to the side, listening in, which in turn slowed her typing even more. After a moment, Helen continued.
HELEN: (Falsetto voice, smile:) Now, Eric, I'm sure that I can continue to work at least a little while Darren's here--
ERIC: (Waves her off, chuckles as he backs toward the doorway:) Nonsense, Helen! After all, Darren's come here to see you and your family, and his girlfriend Joan, right? In fact, just consider taking the days off you need right after our meeting! (Pauses, stops at the doorway, adds to Helen's surprised look:) Er, you will come by with Darren to say hello while you’re off, right?
HELEN: (Pauses:) Of course, Eric, but really, you don’t--
ERIC: (Turns, laughs:) --Atta girl! See you at 10:00! (Quickly leaves)
Helen glared after him for a moment, then sighed and rose from her seat with her empty coffee mug, going over to the table to retrieve her food. Marianne stopped typing, getting up to join her.
Helen wordlessly bit into her sandwich, chewing in a mechanical manner as she stared outside through the office’s window. After taking a quick bite from her burrito and swallowing, Marianne glanced at Cindy, and then turned to Helen, speaking in a whisper.
MARIANNE: Helen, why didn't you air out your complaints for more work to Eric? It was the perfect opportunity. (Bites into her burrito)
HELEN: (Swallows after another bite, returns the whisper:) It wouldn’t have made any difference, Marianne. You saw how evasive he was. (Fills her coffee mug, drinks a swig, then swallows:) Besides, he's said that there's going to be more work coming down the pike.
MARIANNE: (Mild eyeroll:) Don't tell me that you really believe that? Hasn’t he promised you that a few times before? (Helen remains silent, bites into her sandwich. Marianne hesitates:) I’m sorry, Helen, but if you ask me, Eric sounded as if he were making that up yet again, like he’s done several times previously! I don’t think that even he knows it himself for sure! (Bites into her burrito, speaks while chewing:) And what about those questions that he asked about Darren, making sure that he'd be with you when you said "hello" on your off days, as if you had to come in? (Pauses:) Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd think--
HELEN: (Interrupts, annoyed:) --Yes, yes, I know what you're going to say, Marianne, (pauses, scowls:) that all Eric, and yes, the other partners care about is meeting Darren and his billions again! Dammit, don't you think that I don't know that?! (Marianne is taken aback) I know the only reason why I had gotten the partnership was because of Darr--(Cindy now overhears, stops for a moment, looks over at the two, concerned. Helen covers, grins, in her falsetto voice:) Oh, ah, it’s nothing, sweetie! We're just disputing about the, er, Wendell case! Keep typing, hmmm--? (Cindy gives her an odd look for a moment with Marianne, then she resumes her typing)
Helen sighed, and then slumped a little. She glanced out of the office’s window again.
HELEN: (Resuming her whisper:) I’m--sorry for snapping at you like that, Marianne.
MARIANNE: (After a moment, ditto with the whisper, smiles:) It’s alright, Helen. I shouldn’t have inferred what I thought Eric had done concerning your son. I was way out of line. Sorry. (Quickly bites into her burrito again)
HELEN: (Pauses, nods as she continues to look through the window, far off tone:) No. No, you were right to hint at that, the same for me pointing it out literally. My being Darren’s birth mother helped me to acquire the partnership, there's no doubt about that... (bites into her sandwich)
MARIANNE: (Pauses, then adds:) Okay, even if that's true, Helen, (hesitates:) and it probably is, you still got it, albeit in a roundabout way, but you got it, and you deserved it. Eric and the others probably wanted to do business with Darren through you, but that doesn't take away the fact that you're a very good lawyer. Nobody around here earned their way to the partnership more than you.
HELEN: (Turns to Marianne, small smile:) Why, thank you, Marianne. I really appreciate your words.
MARIANNE: (Smiles:) And I meant them, Helen. (Pauses, more serious expression:) What will you do now?
HELEN: (Sighs:) I--don't know, Marianne. Maybe I'll just follow Eric’s idea, take the rest of the day off after the meeting, and go home to get my head together, not to mention getting ready to meet my son. Excuse me; I'm going to freshen up for the meeting. Be sure to have your notes ready for the Hardesty and Moore deposition presentations. (Heads towards the office's restroom, tosses the tiny remnant of her sandwich into a nearby waste basket, goes in)
Marianne stared after Helen, shaking her head slowly. She then finished her burrito, chewing wordlessly, deep in thought. After a moment, Cindy stopped her typing, spun around, and stared meekly at Marianne.
CINDY: Um, Marianne--?
MARIANNE: (Shaken out her thoughts:) Hm--? Oh, what is it, Cindy?
CINDY: Is—(pauses:) everything okay with Helen? I couldn't help but to wonder--
MARIANNE: (Drops an admonishing eyebrow, slips into her commanding tone, sharply interrupts:) --Helen's fine, Cindy. (Cindy flinches) You and I need to finish these papers before the end of the day. (Goes over to her desk, sits down, begins to type)
CINDY: (Taken aback:) I-I'm sorry for asking, Marianne. I just wanted to know if anything was wrong... (slowly spins back, begins to type again)
Marianne sighed, and then stopped typing. She spun around.
MARIANNE: (Softer tone:) Cindy--?
CINDY: (Stops typing, turns back:) Yes, Marianne?
MARIANNE: Look, I'm sorry for talking to you like that, okay? It's just not a good time for Helen right now, all right? She needs to have some quiet time to herself, and I think she'll be leaving early today to get that after the daily meeting.
CINDY: (Pauses:) Okay, Marianne, I understand--(turns around, begins typing again)
MARIANNE: (Pauses:) There’s something else I’d like to add, Cindy. (Cindy stops her typing, turns around again) I also wanted to apologize for the way I've been treating you ever since you first came here... (Cindy shows a surprised expression)
**********
(Scene Eight:
Jake's office, the same time. Like Helen, he's arrived at his job early, and is
on the phone. Just outside his office's opened door, there is a gray-haired,
heavy-set woman in her late fifties, dressed in a white blouse and jeans typing at her
desk)
JAKE: (Nods:) Sure, Mr. Hennigan, I can look at the top hat-dancing penguins idea, but I can't promise you anything. (Pauses:) A meeting tomorrow? Well, I'm afraid not. My son's coming to town, and I plan to be off for the days that he's visiting. (Pauses, sighs, weary answer:) Yes, that Darren Appleton, the one you’ve seen on TV. (Pauses:) No, I'm sorry, but my son's basically here to relax, and he doesn't really to want to talk too much about any potential business projects while he's here, like those penguins. (Pauses:) No, that's okay, no offense taken. Look, how about you and me meeting here early next week, sayyy, Tuesday at 9 a.m.? (Pauses, grins:) You can? Great! See you then!
Jake hung up the phone wearily, and leaned back in his chair.
Whew! This is already the eighth call I've had this morning, all in the last 45 minutes! Boy, business has been comin’ down the pike lately, hasn’t it? Heck, I’ve had to come in even earlier recently just to keep up! I don't think I've ever worked this hard before, not even for that tyrant bastard on my old job, just before I became a consultant on my own while we stayed in Highland! When in the hell did all of this happen?
Jake stared forward in space for a moment in realization.
Oh, yeah, when my
son came into my—our family’s lives.
Jake sighed, suddenly leaning forward, and then put both of his elbows on the desk. He stared forward in space again while he held his chin in his hands, and then frowned briefly.
Then again, the
only reason so many darn offers are coming my way now is because of my
son and his zillions of bucks. Those jerks wouldn't have even noticed me if it
weren't for Darren! Well, at least I showed them all by giving out some damn
good ideas, which they all took! I was a good consultant even before we found my
son, and I'm one hell of a businessman outside of that, to boot! Hah! Take
that, Old Man!
Jake then sat back again, this time looking weary.
Still, it's been so
much work. At least I've made myself get off at five, most of the time, no
matter how much stuff I had left on my desk. Andrew and the others have tried to
get me to work more hours, which kinda bugs me since they don't seem to wanna
see me during my off-hours, though Andrew will occasionally join me for a
drink, and that’s really rare in itself.
Why is that, I wonder? Am I that bad to have as a friend, for crying out loud?! It's a good thing I'll be playin' some golf with my son while he's here, though Angier Sloane will be playing with us, too, after he practically begged his son to ask for a little get-together on the local golf course. It's more than likely because Angier's hoping he can handle some of my son's company stocks, and stuff...
I've at least kept
Landon, Taylor, and Hopkins off my back when I casually tell them that Darren
wouldn't be pleased if he heard that I was harassed by them. I'm not complaining
about the extra work, really, but I don't wanna run myself into the ground like
Helen, answering cell phone calls at home all of the time, and--waitasec--Helen
isn't doing that anymore, is she? In fact, I don't recall artsy-smartsy Eric
calling since, well, since Helen's become an equal partner at her job…
Now when I think
about it, she's been at home more often than not when I come in. We've even
cooked some dishes together from Henri's e-mailed recipes. I've liked having
more private time with you, honey. I'll bet you're so happy with less
stuff to do these days on your job! You deserve it, after bringing in most of
the bacon all of these years. Now, it’s my turn to catch up, and make up
for it…
Jake then smiled.
I've tried to spend
some more time with Daria and Quinn, but like me, they seem so busy in their
lives, too. My Kiddo's out with Tim--no, wait, that "Tom" guy when Jane-o's up
at Darren's, and she's having the time of her life, I bet! Having a boyfriend's
gonna do wonders for her! I just hope that they don't do anything, well, ewww!
Nah. Daria's
smarter than that, and even if they do, well, Tom seems nice and responsible
enough, the same for Jane-o, who I know is. I think she and Darren will
be careful enough if they, uh, do
it, and even if my grandchild is born by “accident”, my son will have plenty of
moolah to help raise him, not that having money could replace love, of course,
but it sure can cover the baby's needs. I just hope if things get that serious,
they'll marry, especially after the fact. Hm--if a baby is born to those
two, I wonder if he or she will be a Morgendorffer, or an Appleton? Oh, God, I
really haven't thought about that! I'd love the Morgendorffer name, of course,
but I know my son's proud of his last name, not that I could blame him. Maybe
the baby could have a Morgendorffer-Appleton name? I could accept that. As for Quinn…
Jake suddenly frowned, and made a fist, shaking it in a fury.
Damn that Turley!
He screwed up everything, didn't he?! I should've smelled that sleeping stuff
that he put on my mask that night, whatever the hell it was, knew immediately
that he was trying to knock me out, then ripped it off, and kicked his ass!
Yeah! Kicked his--his--oh, crap, who am I kidding? I did smell the stuff,
and it put me right out. All of those crappy years, I thought I had fainted, and
failed my wife on the most important night of our lives. At least it lessened
the guilt when I found out that I didn’t faint, along with our discovering that
our son was still alive.
Jake formed a sad expression, looking into space.
Kinda did, anyway.
Missed almost twenty years with my son no matter how I look at it. Probably best
that I did, with that nightmare I had the other night. I hated lying to Helen
about it when I accidentally woke her up, using my Old Man as the fall guy, but
it was so crappy scary, realistic, and horrible--!
Jake developed a deep scowl, worse than before, in fact perhaps the worst he had shown in years.
"Doctor" Turley, I'm sure you're with my Old Man in hell, you bastard! I hope you both burn forever with that Willard guy--no, wait, William guy. Yeah, that’s him, Darren’s dead uncle…
Jake quickly shook his head, grinning.
Dammit, I'm getting
into my own little world, again. Helen's tried to keep me focused when I do
that, bless her heart, and by golly, I'm gonna give it the ol' college try!
I plan to stay alive, and not have another heart attack, no
siree!
Where was I? Oh,
yeah, my other daughter. Quinn's been really busy with her little friends and
their fashion stuff, whatever it is, and she seems happy enough. At least she
looks like she’s gotten past her old tutor, that Denton fella. Helen told me
about our Princess’ developing little crush on him. Aw, that was so cuuuute!
No, wait, it wasn’t
Denton. Was it Dennard? No, that's not it, either. Who the hell was it?
Damien? No. Dreven? No. Dinky? No…
The next instant, Jake's desk phone intercom came on. A booming, gravelly-sounding, female voice came over the speaker. At the same time, the woman in the outer office leaned over far enough from her desk to glance in, grinning as she held down her button, and spoke in her sending speaker.
VOICE: Jake? It's Agnes! You've got a call on line three! (Jake sighs. Yet another call. No rest for the wary.) It's Calvin Hopkins, your former rival-now-kiss-ass-minion! (Sneers, amused:) Aren't you the busy one today? (Releases button, resumes typing)
Jake couldn't help but to chuckle as he briefly eyed Agnes. Ever since he decided to get a secretary to help him, at Helen's insistence (something he still wondered about until this day, particularly since she didn't ask for his help when she chose one for herself only a few days earlier), he came to appreciate the feisty older woman, with her excellent bookkeeping, typing, and phone-answering skills, ironic in itself when he wondered about her mild, scathing remarks, something that briefly reminded him of Daria. In fact, the two sort of hit it off when they first met.
It was a few days ago, when he had an evening dinner business meeting with a female client. Jake had called Daria from the office after he remembered that she had gotten out of school, and had asked her to borrow her mother's SUV to drop off his dry-cleaned suit, since he didn't have the time to come right home and change. Jake figured he could get Daria to do the favor, which, of course Daria did--right after Jake had bribed her $20 after she asked, for which he didn't mind, since he was rolling in the dough these days. Jake had told Agnes offhandedly beforehand that a “young lady” was coming to bring his suit, but in a typical fashion for him, had forgotten to tell her it was his eldest daughter.
When Daria entered the office with his suit, Agnes bluntly remarked in a joking way that is was bad enough the “young lady” was seeing a married older man after hours, but to bring in his clothes herself took the cake, since she should've allowed him get his own funeral suit to be buried in.
Daria, being caught off-guard momentarily, smirked briefly, and quickly retorted before a shocked Jake could speak in her defense that the suit was for Jake's birthday, not for a funeral, though his wife would probably kill and bury him in it if she had caught him cheating.
Jake frowned a little at this, confused while Agnes chuckled, and Daria continued to smirk. He finally (and actually) got it after a minute, and laughed out loud. Daria and Agnes, now by this time conversing casually, and of having introduced themselves to one another, stopped and looked at him stoically. After a moment, Jake, embarrassed, meekly went in and locked his office door to change.
By the time Jake had left his office, his daughter had gone, but Agnes was still there, chuckling at how she liked Daria's sense of humor, and how she hoped to meet her again soon. Jake couldn't help but to be stunned at his secretary's delight, or even how Daria had actually taken to talking to someone so casually and apparently nicely the first time she had met them. Jake couldn't help but to beam proudly went he thought his little Kidd—
AGNES: (Leaning over the desk, waving her right hand in his face:) HEY, EARTH TO JAKE! IS ANYONE THERE?!
JAKE: (Shaken out of his reverie, blinks:) Huh?! Uhh, Agnes--?
AGNES: (Mild eyeroll:) Sheesh, Jake! You've been out of it for a few, haven't you? For a second there, I thought you were in a diabetic coma, or something! The ass-kisser Hopkins is waiting on the phone, remember? There are also four other messages that I took for you while you were in la-la land. They're on your desk.
JAKE: Oh, uh, yeah, I forgot! Sorry about that, Agnes, and thanks for the messages! (Quickly grabs the phone as Agnes shakes her head, but shows a small, almost sympathetic smirk, leaves the office)
**********
(Scene Nine:
Lawndale High, a few minutes later. Quinn, Sandi, and Tiffany arrive at the
front of the school, their faces lined with concern)
SANDI: (Stops with the others at the front glass doors:) This is most worrisome, Quinn. Who knew that these—ugh--dust mites existed? We've got to do something to get them out of our rooms, somehow! Who knows what might happen? They could eventually destroy our make-up or clothes by systematically feasting on them a little at a time! I simply cannot go to school, like, with holes in my Giamanti blouse!
QUINN: (Shudders:) I know, Sandi, and what's worse, the dust mites can't be seen at all! They're even invisible to the naked eye!
TIFFANY: Naked...? Ewww...
SANDI: (Sighs:) Tiffany dear, that's just a play on words.
TIFFANY: Oh...yeah...like an orange dress...really isn't...an orange.
QUINN: (Gives her a brief, odd look with Sandi:) Um, yeah, Tiffany, like that.
The three entered the front doors, where they saw Ms. Li waiting for them with crossed arms--as well as a sad-looking Stacy standing beside her. Before the other Fashion Clubbers could say a word, Stacy suddenly ran over, and wrapped her arms around a stunned Sandi in a crushing hold while crying frantically. Ms. Li narrowed her eyes.
STACY: I'm soooo sorry, Sandi! Please forgive me for that outburst! I didn't mean to bite your head off, I wasn't myself!
SANDI: (While struggling to breathe, as well as trying to escape Stacy's iron grip:) Okay, Stacy, it's--alright! Now--let--me--go! (Stacy continues to hold on for dear life. Quinn shows a tiny smile of relief, while Tiffany appears blank, as usual)
MS. LI: (Comes over while Sandi continues to try and pry Stacy off of her:) Whaaat exactly is going on here, ladies? Miss Rowe entered these halls with a saaad expression, and when I asked her what was wrong, she became so upset, she couldn't tell me, preferring to wait for all of you! (Sandi tries to answer, but gasps instead under Stacy’s grip)
QUINN: Oh, uh, it's just a little misunderstanding about, um, some fashions, Ms. Li. Sorry about the scene, it has nothing to do with the school, right, Tiffany? (Gives a quick nod of the head to Tiffany, who cocks a confused eyebrow, then simply nods)
MS. LI: (After a moment glances at Sandi's continued struggling:) Weeeell, since it seems that Miss Rowe is quite--(pauses:) repentant over her actions, whatever they were, I suppose I can allow this to pass. (Pauses, narrows eyes:) However, we waaaant your brother to have the best impression of our school, and sudden outbursts like this while he's here will not help! Do you understand, Miss Morgendorffer?
QUINN: (Thought v.o.: God, Daria's right. You definitely want my bro's money pretty badly, an' you're determined to make sure everything's "perfect", aren't you?) (Perky smile:) Sure, Ms. Li! No problem! I'm sure everything will work out when Darren visits tomorrow afternoon, you'll see!
MS. LI: (Stern nod:) See to it that it does! (Suddenly puts on her own perky smile and tone:) Well, now, let's go over the final decorative preparations, ladies! Follow me! (Starts to walk down the hallway, followed by Quinn and Tiffany)
A frazzled Sandi finally was able to get Stacy off, though Stacy stayed right behind her, looking miserable. Both girls joined the others. Sandi suddenly turned to Stacy while they were walking.
SANDI: (Small frown, glances back:) Um, Sta--cccy, I need some space, okay? You’re, like, crowding me…
STACY: (Jumps back, timidly:) Oh! Um, sorry, Sandi!
SANDI: (Narrows eyes:) I, er, need to speak to Quinn. (Pauses, adds in what she hopes to pass as her old, frosty tone:) Alone. We need to, uh, decide your, uh, punishment for, um, defying me. (Adds with a pseudo-mock tone to Stacy’s stunned expression:) After all, you said that you didn’t care if I punished you, right? (Quinn overhears this, glances back) Go on ahead with Ms. Li and Tiffany.
STACY: (Weakly responds:) I—I—yeah, I did say that, didn’t I? (Sandi nods firmly, convinced Stacy’s cowered. Stacy slumps, and walks forward. Sandi, using her head, subtly motions to Quinn)
QUINN: Um, could you excuse me, Ms. Li? I think Sandi wants to talk to me about something in private--