AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Wednesday September 20^th, 2000
"Where is home now Tiffany?  Are you still staying in a hotel room?"  Jan asked watching Tiffany closely as she sat in a chair beside Tiffany's desk.
"How do you know that I was staying in a hotel?"  Tiffany asked.
"As I said Tiffany.  You seem to hang out your dirty laundry for the world to see.  The media has it rumored that you're staying at the Tribeca Grand Hotel," Jan said examining at her perfectly manicured nails.
"You do seem to know a lot.  Did you call me at my apartment the other day?"  Tiffany asked hoping to get to the bottom of seeing Jan's number on Skeeter's caller ID when she stopped by his apartment the other day.
"You don't have an apartment do you?"  Jan said wondering how Tiffany would know that she had called Skeeter's apartment.  He had said he was on the way out of the door and would call back.  She could feel the jealousy start to race through her body.
"The apartment that my ex-husband is living in," Tiffany said.
"You mean Skeeter?"  Jan said starting to enjoy the game.
"Yes Skeeter.  Were you in that neighborhood over the weekend Jan?"
"I'm not the one with the problems Tiffany.  You're the one that's facing losing your job.  I suggest you be careful how you address me.  I don't have to answer to you ever and I'm sure your ex husband doesn't feel he has to either", Jan said staring at Tiffany's red face.
"You seem to think you have the right to talk to me any way you want."
"See that's your problem Tiffany.  You still don't understand how social order works.  You came here from nowhere and you were lucky  that Clark was naïve enough to hire you.  You sleep with his client Amir to get publicity for yourself then expect everyone to put up with you.  Then you manage to involve your ex-husband in your scandals.  Men aren't going to put up with you", Jan said getting up and walking towards the window.
"You're out of line Jan.  You're totally out of line," Tiffany said wiping tears from her cheek.
"Oh yeah.  Well, quit then.  Go ahead and walk out the door.  I have a list of more qualified employees for Clark to choose from.  You are easily replaceable Tiffany."
"That's what you want isn't it.  For me to lose my job," Tiffany said hearing her voice break in pain.
"I'll tell you something right now Tiffany. If I wanted you fired, you'd be gone.  If you make one more wrong move, I might give Clark the word to get rid of you."
"This isn't fair you talking to me this way when he's gone.  Clark doesn't know you are treating me like this," Tiffany said as tears freely flowed down her cheeks.
"He told me that if he sees you throw yourself on one more man, you're out!  You better watch your step.  Everyone's tired of you.  You're a disgrace.  Now do you want me to help you with this party or do you want me to page Clark and tell him that you won't work with me," Jan said walking back to Tiffany's desk and staring down at her.
"I've always tried to work with you Jan. I really have.  Why do you dislike me so much?"  Tiffany said realizing she could lose her job.
"I don't dislike you Tiffany. I don't care about you one way or the other.  I'm doing a job.  I'm doing your job.  You're the one that should be getting this party together, but you don't know anyone worth while in New York.  I do.  I'm the one with the contacts.  I bring something to Clark's business.  I control Amir's business.  I bring something to people Tiffany."
The telephone rang giving Tiffany a much needed break from her accuser. 
"Manhattan Party Planning", Tiffany answered on the first ring.
"I'd like to plan a party with you honey," Stanley Morgan joked into the phone.  Tiffany glanced up at Jan.  If Jan knew what her Father had just said on the phone she would certainly be angry.  If she knew how many times her Father had made passes at her she would surely have her fired.  She heard noises on the phone as if they were losing the connection.  She quickly realized that Stanley was calling from his cell phone.  All she needed today was for the old man to stop by the office.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.
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