AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Wednesday November 1^st, 2000
Tiffany hadn't prepared herself for running into Stanley Morgan today. She only planned to run into Clark's townhouse and pick up her final paycheck after being fired last week. Seeing Stanley reminded her of her hate for his daughter Jan.  Jan was probably the main reason she had lost her job.  She also suspected that Jan was secretly seeing her estranged husband Skeeter but she couldn't prove her intuitions.  She smiled at Stanley realizing it wouldn't be smart to insult one of the most influential men in New York.  He was Clark's wealthiest client and probably could help her find another job.  If only the older man hadn't cornered her so many times with those roaming hands. Tiffany pulled the hood up on her coat as the rain started to fall steadily as they stood near Stanley's waiting limo outside of Clark's townhouse at Washington Square Park. 
  "I'm sorry Tiffany.  If Jan was involved, then I think Clark will change his mind soon.  It wasn't Jan's place to have any input into Clark's business.  I know my daughter.  Jan does push.  Come on honey.  I can help you out.  Get in the car, we're getting wet", Stanley Morgan said watching the pained expression on her pretty young face.
"I have to pick up my check for vacation pay," she said nodding her head backward towards Clark's townhouse.
  They stood gazing at one another eyes filled with questions.  Tiffany glanced beyond the iron gate onto the cobblestone alley off of MacDougal Street.  She knew Clark wasn't expecting her at any certain time today.  The last thing she wanted was for her former boss to see her talking at the curb beside his business with his most powerful client.  For the first time she felt pains of guilt remembering Clark's words when he told her he was 'letting her go because she seemed to involve her personal life with his business.'  She glanced quickly down the street towards the park.  She thought it might be safer to go somewhere in public with this lecherous old man, but she realized she had just left Skeeter at a nearby restaurant.
  Seeing her indecision quickened his pulse.  He'd let his hands roam a few times when he cornered her at parties.  All the women allowed him that freedom.  His money afforded him pleasures most men dreamt of.  It was that day that he kissed her unexpectedly before Clark walked in that really made up his mind for him.  She resisted him.  She wasn't a socialite or a starlet.  She was different from the others.
"Come on Tiffany, get in the car", he said grabbing her arm as the wind and rain became horizontal.
Tiffany glanced back at Clark's townhouse hoping he wasn't watching her as she ran from the front of his office on the unsteady arm of Jan's Father.
The driver dutifully stood with the door open to the long limo as Tiffany slid into the back seat.  She fought the tears at the thought of this being the first time she had been in a limo since Amir's car a few weeks ago.  Amir... she wondered if Stanley knew about Amir and his wife.  Did Stanley know if his daughter was seeing her husband Skeeter?  She pulled her damp heavy coat as she slid across the leather seat as Stanley pushed his way in beside her.
"I hope Clark didn't see us talking," Tiffany said looking towards Clark's townhouse through the dark tinted windows of the limo.
"I'll talk to Clark for you," Stanley said taking a decanter of Brandy from the bar, pouring a glass and handing it to Tiffany.
"I don't think so," Tiffany said thinking about having to face Clark in a few minutes.
"Just one.  I have mints," Stanley said smiling and raising the glass.
"Okay," Tiffany said taking the drink and holding it as he poured himself a glass.  "To a most beautiful and powerful woman," Stanley said.
"What are you talking about?", she laughed for the first time in days.
"You my dear".
"Why on earth would you ever say that?  I've lost my job!  My whole life is out of control."
"Then you have to grab control honey.  You have to use your assets.  You my dear have lots of assets," Stanley said as his hand made it's way past the hem of her skirt.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.