AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Monday November 20^th, 2000
"I don't believe we've met have we?"  Laney asked of the man standing in front of her in the hallway near the entrance to the ballroom of Manhattan Gold International.
"No.  But I know who you are Miss July," Skeeter said in his slow southern accent as his eyes quickly absorbed the outline of her voluptuous body in the transparent clinging skin toned long gown.
"You saw my picture in Playbody, huh?"
"Yeah.  I sure did," he answered never moving his eyes from the  bodice of her low cut dress.
"Do you always meet women like that?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember women by their cup size," she asked somewhat annoyed with his prolonged attention to her cleavage.
"I've never met a woman quite like you.  I'm sorry Baby.  You just took me by surprise.  I saw your pictures but I had no idea you'd look this good," he said smiling as he watched her pretty face light up at his words.
"You liked the pictures, huh?" she asked.
"Wish I had the magazine with me so you could autograph it for me", he said as his eyes slipped back down her dress.
"I usually have a copy with me, but this little bag isn't big enough", she said holding up her small sequined purse.
"Maybe we could get together and you'll give me your autograph."
"Did you say you were looking for a model earlier?"
"Yeah.  I'm always on the look for someone that might be able to wear my line," he said pushing his shoulders back in pride.
"What kinda' line you talkin' about?"
"Lingerie.  I'm with one of the stores here in the new spa."
"You never told me your name," she said remembering her phone call with Tiffany a few minutes ago.  Tiffany had just asked her to watch for her estranged husband Skeeter.  She had seemed certain she saw him on the television camera and possibly with her their mutual enemy Jan Morgan. Jan hated her for being involved with her Father, Stanley and hated Tiffany because she was jealous of Amir.
"Oh.  Excuse me.  Diamond, Skeeter Diamond", he said extending his hand.
Laney started to extend her hand but immediately covered her mouth in shock at his words.  "You' re Tiffany's husband?" she asked.
"How'd you know that?"
"I just talked to her on the phone."
"You're friends with Tiffany?" he asked shocked.
"Yeah.  We just became friends.  She's a great person."
"Yeah.  Yeah".
"Who are you here with tonight?"  Laney asked getting right to the point.  She was thinking how impressive it would be to call Tiffany back and give her the report she had just requested.
"I'm alone.  I travel alone to social situations like this," he lied hoping Jan wasn't watching. It served Jan right he thought, she didn't want anyone to know she was involved with him. Sure he was married to Tiffany, but he suspected it was because she was ashamed that he wasn't of the social level she was accustomed to being seen with.
"Why when you've got a pretty wife like Tiffany."
"Let's just say Tiffany and I don't get along. We're almost divorced.  Did she tell you that?"
"She said you were separated."
"Why isn't Tiffany here tonight?" he asked knowing that his date Jan had helped get Tiffany fired.
"She didn't want to come.  I think she had other plans.  Did you say you're looking for a model?" she repeated twirling a strand of blonde hair around her finger and smiling at him.
"Yeah, here's my card.  Call anytime.  I represent a couple of high-class designers; one's Italian and this Frenchie dude.  Maybe we can work something out.  How gooda' friends are you with Tiffany?" he asked in his slow southern accent as his eyes feasted on her cleavage.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.