AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Monday April 22nd 2002
"Tiffany could you run over to the printers and pick up Nicole's business cards?"  Clark asked as he walked towards Tiffany's desk with his head down avoiding her eyes.
"Sure.  Sorry about this morning," Tiffany said referring to opening his office door and catching him on the sofa with the new secretary Nicole.
"When you see my office door closed you are never to open it without knocking.  Is that understood," he said his voice rising.
"I said I was sorry Clark.  I didn't see your car in its usual place this morning. I was afraid something had happened to you."
"You don't usually worry about me.  I've worked in my office with the door closed before and you didn't barge in like that."
"I'm sorry."
"Let's just forget it as if it never happened. Can you do that? Or is this going to be a problem for you?" he said his eyes narrowing suspiciously as he looked at her.
"It's not a problem.  I'll never mention it again," she said picking up her purse and starting towards the front door.
"I hope this won't cause you to resent Nicole either," he said as watched her put her hand on the doorknob to open it.
"No, of course not.  We're all adults."
"Good.  She told me that you've seemed resentful in the past. I don't want what you think you saw to make it hard on her. She's young," Clark said feeling his face redden.
"No problem. I'll be right back," Tiffany said walking out into the bright sunshine and pulling the door closed.  She quickly walked towards the gate of the MacDougal Alley and opened it.  She could feel the tears starting to come to her eyes and she fought hard not to cry. She decided to pass by her apartment and regroup before going to the printer to pick up Nicole's business cards.  Besides, she wanted to see the newspaper article her sister Starlene had told her about on the telephone.  She changed her mind when she saw a newspaper rack on the corner near the mailbox.  She took a quarter from her purse and inserted it into the metal box and pulled the lever down.  She took a fresh newspaper from the top of the stack and closed the box. She opened the front page and glanced down at the bottom of the page and saw a picture of her lover Amir being taken on a stretcher into St. Vincent's Hospital the other day. She slowed down her pace as she started to read the article.
"Florida crime bosses daughter bailed out jilted husband that landed billionaire builder Amir Hada in hospital." Tiffany stopped walking and continued to read.
"Reliable sources report that the daughter of a well known Florida crime boss posted bail last night for Mr. Skeeter Diamond. Mr. Diamond is accused of the recent assault on wealthy billionaire builder Amir Hada owner of Manhattan Gold International.  Sources say that Mr. Diamond became enraged when he serendipitously caught Mr. Hada attempting to visit Mrs. Diamond's apartment building on MacDougal Street. A scuffle broke out between the two married men and Mr. Hada was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital where he is listed in 'stable condition'."
Tiffany heard a familiar voice calling her name.  She turned to see her estranged husband Skeeter walking towards her.
"Tiffany, we need to talk," he called out.
Tiffany watched Skeeter's macho swagger as he picked up his step and walked towards her.
"What do you want now Skeeter?"
"Is that any way to greet me after all I've been through for you?"
"Have you read today's paper Skeeter?" she asked turning the newspaper around for him to see the front page.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.