AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Thursday February 7th 2002
"Starlene, how are you?"  Stanley's receptionist asked surprised to see her bosses' girlfriend stop by the office at the Empire State Building.
"Good how about you?" Starlene asked in her southern accent.
"Fine.  Stanley's not in," she said sure that Starlene had come to see him.
"I know.  I came to see Nicole.  She's here isn't she?"
"Yeah.  She's here alright."
"I'm sick of her.  You know the other day when you left and she was in there with Stanley?"
"Yeah.  I remember." She had worried she would get in trouble for not warning her boss that Starlene was coming into his office.
"I caught her on the sofa with my Stanley."
"Really?" the receptionist asked.  Her suspicions now confirmed.
"Yeah. That little hussy is nothing but trouble."
"So why are you here to see her?"
"Starlene, what are you doing here?" Nicole asked opening the door to the office and walking into the lobby carrying the key to the ladies room.
"I came to see you," Starlene said.
"Me?" Nicole asked tossing the key on the receptionist's desk.
"Yes.  I think we should go to your office and talk."
"I guess I have time," Nicole said glancing at her watch.
"I think you better make time to talk to me," Starlene said.
"You sound hostile. Should I have the NYPD standing by?" she asked walking down the hallway towards her office.
"Maybe…" Starlene said glancing back at the receptionist and winking.
"If Stan calls tell him I went uptown, okay?" Nicole said glancing back to the receptionist.
"Tell him that his real girlfriend is here if he calls," Starlene said walking behind Nicole towards her office.
Nicole opened the door to her office and walked in taking a seat at her desk. "Would you like coffee?" Nicole asked pushing her leather office chair as she turned slightly towards the window overlooking the skyline of the city.
"No.  I didn't come here to socialize with you Nicole."
"What's the matter with you Starlene?"
"You know what's the matter Nicole.  I caught you with my Stanley."
"That was nothing."
"He's my man.  And I know you've been seeing my sister's ex-husband Skeeter too," Starlene said.
"Why do you say that?" Nicole asked shocked.
"I just know. I think it's time you leave Nicole."
"I'm not going anywhere Starlene," Nicole said opening her notebook computer and turning it on.
"Oh yes you are.  I mean it Nicole.  If I have to call your Father in Florida and tell him then I will."
"You don't know my Father."
"I could meet him."
"I don't think so Starlene.  My Father is a very powerful and important man."
"Then he would be really mad if he knew his daughter was sleeping with every man in New York City."
"He would never believe you Starlene.  Never," Nicole said touching the keyboard of the computer as if she wasn't interested in the conversation.
"We'll see," Starlene said walking to the door and opening it. "We'll just see Nicole.  You're finished," Starlene said walking out into the hallway and slamming the door behind her.
"Stanley.  When did you come in?" Starlene asked shocked to see her lover walking towards her in the hallway with his head down.
"Just now.  Is Nicole in there?" he asked with a serious expression on his face.
"Yes.  I told her off Stanley. I know you'll be mad at me but I couldn't help it," Starlene said ready to defend her actions.
"It's okay.  I don't think she'll be working here much longer anyway," Stanley said with a solemn look on his face.
"Oh Stanley. You're firing her!" Starlene whispered.
"No.  You need to leave Starlene.  I'll talk to you later," he said taking her arm and walking her towards the front lobby.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.