AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Tuesday February 19th 2002
Starlene sat in the back of the restaurant in Little Italy watching as Nicole walked in handing her coat to the waiter.  She watched Nicole tell the waiter something and he nodded his head as he started to lead her towards the table where Starlene was seated.  She watched Nicole's long thin legs in the black tights and short skirt as she walked towards the table. 
"Hello Starlene," Nicole said as the waiter pulled out her chair for her.
"Hello Nicole."
"Have you been waiting long?" Nicole asked taking her seat as the waiter unfolded the napkin and handed it to her.
"You know I have. You told me you'd be here an hour ago," Starlene said careful to keep her voice down so the people at the table beside them wouldn't overhear her.
"Oh.  Well, you don't work nor have anything to do Starlene.  It certainly didn't kill you to wait."
"Oh.  So my time isn't valuable like your time is.  Is that what you're saying.
"Could I get you ladies a bottle of wine?" the waiter asked reluctantly.
"Yes Mario.  Bring us my usual," Nicole said.
"Mario.  You know him?"
"Yes."
"You eat here that often?"
"I've been coming here from Florida with my Father since I was a child."
"Really?" Starlene asked glancing around the restaurant with a new interest.
"Are we going to talk about the restaurant or what's going on between us?"
"I don't think it's what's going on between us that we need to talk about Nicole," Starlene said.  She could feel her face redden with anger as she remembered opening Stanley's office door and catching him in the act with Nicole on his office sofa.
"You're jealous of me and Stanley."
"Nicole you act as if I didn't see what I saw that day," Starlene said her voice a little louder than she had anticipated.
"That's nothing."
"That is too something. You were in the act with my Stanley."
"Your Stanley?  What makes you think you own that old man?" Nicole said referring to her boss and Starlene's older lover.
"I do."
"Oh?"
"Yes.  Look at this…" Starlene said holding out her hand turning it several times so that the diamond would sparkle.
"Stanley gave you that?"
"Yes."
"So you think you're going to marry him?" Nicole asked laughing.
"Yes.  I know I'm going to marry him."
"Did he ask you to marry him?"
"Well…yes," Starlene lied.
"I see. Then congratulations," Nicole said watching the waiter uncork the expensive bottle of wine and pour some in her glass to taste.
"That's great Mario," Nicole said nodding for the waiter to fill the glasses.
"Thanks," Starlene said satisfied that she had forced Nicole to acknowledge her relationship with Stanley.
"There be anything else Madam?" the waiter asked in his thick Italian accent.
"Yes, Mario.  When my Father called a few minutes ago, did he say exactly what time he would be arriving?" Nicole asked glancing towards Starlene to enjoy the shock on her face.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.