AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Monday July 30^th 2001
Tiffany pushed open the door to the townhouse where she worked at Manhattan Party Planning.
"Mornin' Tiffany," Clark said as he walked from the kitchen with a cup of coffee.
"Mornin' Clark," she said closing the door quickly hoping he wouldn't notice the long white limo pulling away outside at the curb in front of his townhouse.  Her secret lover Amir had his driver bring her to work this morning after they had shared an intimate evening in his mansion.
"Tiffany, the check for the Anderson party hasn't come in yet.  If it comes in the mail this morning please let me know.  Otherwise I'll have to turn that account over to collections," he said walking past her towards the stairway to go up to his office.
"Sure," she said walking towards her desk and glancing back to see him ascend the stairs.  She pulled out her chair and took a seat at her desk as the phone rang.
"Manhattan Party Planning," she answered.
"Hay."
"Skeeter.  You got my message?" she asked referring to the message she had left on his answering machine yesterday.
"Yeah.  What the hell are you talking about?"
"Jan came by here the other day and left your cigarette lighter on the coffee table."
"I don't know how she got it," he lied.
"Maybe out of your bedroom."
"You jealous Baby?"
"No, of course not.  I just think you've been seeing her Skeeter."
"What makes you say that?"
"I've thought so for a while now.  You are seeing her aren't you?"
"Nope," he lied.
"How did she get your lighter then?"
"I must have left it at the party at Gracie Mansion the other night."
"Starlene told me you were there.  How would you get invited to that party if it weren't for the fact that you're seeing Jan?"
"I have connections too Tiffany. You aren't the only one that knows people."
"Who…who do you know Skeeter?"
"Elizabeth Ford."
"That wealthy woman Starlene saw you with?"
"Yeah."
"You're seeing her."
"No.  I was just her escort for the party."
"Now you're an escort to wealthy older women?"
"I escorted her. She was alone for the evening. Maybe Jan picked up my lighter when we were all talking."
"I don't believe you Skeeter.  I think you and Jan are together.  I think this other woman just happened to be there.  I think both of you want to hurt me."
"I didn't call to be abused by you.  I want my lighter back."
"Get it from Jan.  I know you're lying to me Skeeter."
"You have room to talk? How does it feel being Amir's other women when his wife is in a coma, Tiffany?"
"Stop it."
"Don't throw stones Tiffany.  You're the one with something to hide and you aren't doing a very good job either," he said hanging up the phone.
Tiffany placed the phone on the receiver and took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves.  Last night with Amir had been so romantic and peaceful; she wouldn't allow her jealous estranged husband to ruin her happiness. 
The doorbell sounded and Tiffany quickly got up and walked to the foyer.  She saw the mailman through the window and opened the door. 
"Thanks," she said taking the bundle of mail from the older overweight man.  When she looked up she noticed that the mailman was looking at her longer than appropriate.
"Thanks again," she said.
"Anytime… and you have a nice day," the mailman said winking and obviously looking down at her bosom in the white cotton sweater.
Tiffany quickly closed the door and walked towards her desk carrying the stack of mail.  She placed it on her desk.  As she walked around the desk to take her seat the folded heavy newspaper on top of the stack opened revealing today's headlines with a picture that immediately explained the mailman's stare.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.