AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Wednesday February 28^th 2001
"Tiffany I'll need for you to stay here at the office for a few hours later tonight and answer the phone," Clark said walking towards Tiffany's desk with a folder.
"What about Stanley's party?  Don't you need me there?" Tiffany asked shocked that she would be late going to the party tonight.
"I need for you to stay.  If Denise calls from California I want you to go over these numbers with her," he said opening the file folder and pointing to a party proposal for one of his bi-coastal clients.
"Okay," she said disappointed as she glanced down at the proposal.
"Thanks Tiffany.  Try to convince her that she should let us do the party for her too.  If you bring this one in, then I might put you in sales," he said smiling as he put on his coat and walked quickly towards the front door.
"I hope everything goes great tonight. I guess Denise will call soon?" she asked wondering how long she would be stuck at the office waiting.
"Yeah, she should call within a couple of hours. After she calls you can leave and go home to get ready for the party.  I'll call you and check in a little later."
"Okay.  You sure you won't need me there?" she asked worried that she would miss something while she waited.
"No.  I'll be fine," he said opening the front door and starting to walk out.  "Besides, I've got your sister Starlene to help me out", he said smiling and closing the door behind him.
Tiffany glanced down at her watch and realized she wouldn't have a lot of time to get ready for the party if she was stuck in the office for a few more hours.  She wanted to be home to make sure that Starlene dressed appropriately too.  At Laney's going away party Starlene had dressed so seductively it had embarrassed her.  She quickly picked up the phone and dialed her apartment overlooking Washington Square Park. 
"Hellooo" Starlene answered.
"Starlene it looks like I'm stuck here at the office.  I have to wait for a phone call for Clark.  Why don't you wait for me and we'll go to the party together," she suggested.
"I can't do that Tiffany."
"Why?  Why not?"
"Cause I told Clark I would help him out".
"You don't work for Clark, I do.  He just invited you to be nice."
"Tiffany he could help me find a job.  I told him I'd be there at 4:30 so I have to be there."
"You don't know how to get there though," Tiffany said hoping to change her sister's mind.
"I'm taking a cab."
"What are you wearing Starlene?" Tiffany asked clearly worried.
"I bought a new dress just for the party."
"How could you buy a new dress?  You don't have any money and you don't have a job?"
"It's an investment in my future.  I charged it," Starlene said proud of her decision.
"What does it look like Starlene?" she asked hoping it wasn't too revealing.
"It looks good Tiffany.  Don't worry.  It looks really nice.  I bet I get a job tonight," Starlene said her voice full of hope as she glanced at the revealing new dress hanging on the closet door.
"Yeah.  We'll see," Tiffany said worried sick.
"What's the matter with you Tiffany?  You nag me about getting a job and then when I make a real effort to do something positive you act all worried.  You don't have any more confidence in me than Daddy did," Starlene said allowing her voice to trail off as if she were ready to cry.
"No.  It's not that…. I guess I'm worried about not being there to keep an eye on Amir and Celinda the fashion designer," Tiffany said telling half the truth.
"I'll be watching Tiffany.  Don't worry about anything.  Do you think they'll have TV cameras there?"  Starlene asked almost breathless with excitement.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.