AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Monday March 19^th 2001
"Just thought I'd be polite and say hello," Skeeter said in his slow southern accent smiling as he enjoyed the shock on Jan's face as she turned to face him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked frowning.  She was shocked to  see that Skeeter was the person that had tapped her on the shoulder as she danced with her wealthy young date Steve. She had never been to the China Room Club in Times Square but Steve wanted to come after they left the celebrity party at the Waldorf Astoria.  Steve said he had an inside scoop that the new rock group "Pistols" was going to be showing up later this evening.
  "You know this guy?"  Steve asked Jan wondering who this southerner in the leather jacket and jeans was that had interrupted his dance with Jan.
"Yeah she knows me.  Does she know you?" Skeeter asked eyeing Jan's tuxedo clad date.
"Jan…"  Steve said waiting for an explanation.
"Steve this is Skeeter Diamond.  He's a lingerie salesman that works in one of the stores at Manhattan Gold International," she said.
"And who is Steve?"  Skeeter said ignoring the young man's hand as he extended it towards him.
"I'm Jan's date," Steve said retracting his offer for a handshake.
"Date?"  Skeeter asked staring at Jan.
"Steve if you don't mind.  I need to speak with Skeeter alone for a moment", Jan said glancing towards her angry young date.
"If you need me I'll be right over there," he said nodding towards their table and starting to walk off the dance floor.
Jan stood next to Skeeter watching Steve walk to the table and take a seat.  Skeeter took her hand and started dancing with her.
"Skeeter what are you doing here?" she asked as they danced to the   club music.
"I think I should be asking you that."
"I've been to the party at the Waldorf and then I came here."
"I know Jan.  I know you were at the party at the Waldorf tonight. I saw you on TV.  What are you doing coming in here with that jerk anyway?"
"He's not a jerk Skeeter.  He's got a lot of money.  His Father is making a large contribution to the City for the libraries.  He's a political insider Skeeter.  This is business," she said pronouncing each word deliberately trying to maintain control of her anger.
"So are you taking him home tonight?"
"No.  It's not like that Skeeter," she said remembering the years she had wished Steve would see her as a woman instead of a family friend. 
"Then why didn't you ask me to meet you here?  Why didn't you ask me to go to the party tonight?"
"You know why Skeeter.  It was Amir's party and he's seeing your wife."
"That doesn't mean I couldn't be with you after the party."
"Skeeter.  This isn't what we agreed to when we started seeing each other.  We understood that our relationship could never be public."
"Why is that Jan?"
"Because of who I am and my Father's reputation".
"So you're ashamed of me aren't you Jan?  I'm only good enough to sleep with you in the dark.  I'm not of the right social status to go out with you in the light of day.  That it?"
"No Skeeter.  Hold your voice down.  There are television cameras right outside the door tonight."
"I know that Jan."
"Then don't make a scene."
"You're the one that's created this scene coming in here with" (music stops as he screams) "the date your Daddy bought!"  He quickly turns to see Steve get up from his chair and start toward them.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.