AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Wednesday December 27^th 2000
"I don't know Starlene.  I mean I've missed you a lot and everything.  But moving here.  I mean I don't have a job right now.  How would we make it?"  Tiffany asked still in shock that her younger sister had quit her job in Lillard Georgia before coming to visit her for the holidays in New York City.
"You've got Amir," Starlene said in her slow southern accent.
"Yeah.  He's done enough though getting me this big apartment that I can't afford. I can't ask him to help."
"You don't have to ask.  He'll give it to you.  Besides I can get a job."
"It's almost January Starlene.  What kinda job could you get?"
"I could always apply at that theater we passed by."
"You mean the Waverly?"
"Yeah.  Why not?"
"You should have mentioned this first before you quit your job in Lillard," Tiffany said clearly concerned.
"Look if it's a problem, I can just go home.  No big deal," Starlene said pouting as she got up from her chair and walked towards the window to look down on Washington Square Park.
"No.  Let's see if you can find a job then decide.  I mean I've been lonely, this would be great!"  Tiffany said hopefully walking over to the window and putting her arm around her younger sister's shoulder.
"Thanks Tiffany.  I'm so excited.  I'll find a job you'll see.  I think I was always meant to live in a big city like New York," Starlene said waving her hand towards the view of the city and the park from Tiffany's living room window.
"Okay, we'll see how it goes. In the meantime I'll have to find a job right away," Tiffany said feeling responsible for her younger sister.
"I've got some money I brought with me.  It's enough to last a while," Starlene said proudly.
"Good since I haven't gotten my unemployment yet.  How much?"
"Three hundred dollars".
"Oh…" Tiffany said turning and walking back to the sofa and taking a seat.
"What's the matter?"  Starlene asked.
"Three hundred dollars won't get us around the corner in New York Starlene.  You have no idea how expensive this place is."
"I'll get a job.  Let's go to that movie theater around the block and I'll talk to them today."
"OK, but ticket people at the theaters probably don't make that much." Tiffany said as the phone started to ring on the table beside the sofa. She reached to pick it up.
"Hello.  Hi Laney.  How was Christmas?"  Tiffany asked and paused a few minutes to listen to her friend.  "I don't know if I can.  My sister came in from Lillard Georgia."
Starlene picked up a magazine and opened it trying to appear that she wasn't listening to her sister's conversation.
"You want to meet a friend of mine Starlene?"  Tiffany asked holding her hand over the mouthpiece of the telephone.
"Sure"
"Okay.  We'll met you there," Tiffany said hanging up the phone.
"That was Laney.  She's the one I've been telling you about that goes out with Stanley," Tiffany said.
"Stanley?" Starlene asked trying to remember what Tiffany had said.
"Jan's Father.  The really rich older man."
"What does Laney do?"
"She's a model for Playbody," Tiffany said.
"Oh good.  I can't wait to meet her," Starlene said walking up to the mirror and checking her make up. She could feel her heart racing with excitement.  All she needed was to make a good contact like this.  She knew she was always meant to be a model.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.