AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Wednesday June 5th 2002
"Is Stanley here?"  Starlene asked as she rushed towards the receptionist's desk in her lover's office in the Empire State Building.
"He just came back from lunch Starlene.  How are you?" the receptionist said smiling.
"I've been better," Starlene said remembering the times that the receptionist had helped her when Nicole worked for Stanley.
"What's the matter?  I thought you would be really happy now that Nicole's not working here anymore."
"Yeah, but I heard she was with Stanley at lunch today."
"Oh.  Well, maybe there wasn't anything to it Starlene.  I mean he's engaged to you now and she's engaged to Clark."
"They were having lunch together at the Plaza Hotel," Starlene said raising her eyebrows suspiciously.
"Oh.  I see.  That girl just never stops."
"No she doesn't.  Has she been in here lately?"
"No."
"Any other women been hanging around Stanley?"
"No.  I thought you and Stanley were happy and that there would be a wedding soon."
"Well, that's what I want but he never wants to talk about setting a date and now this."
"Well, maybe it was innocent."
"We'll see.  Is there anyone in the office with him?"
"No. I'll tell him you're here."
"No.  Let me surprise him.  I'll tell him you were in the ladies room when I came in," Starlene said walking past her desk towards the hallway.
"Well, maybe that's where I better be," the receptionist said picking up the key and walking towards the heavy glass door to leave the office.
Starlene walked down the hallway towards Stanley's office and stopped when she noticed the door was only partially closed. She listened and heard him talking to someone inside. She thought about knocking but quickly decided to surprise her lover. She quietly pushed the door open and saw him talking on the phone with his back to the door.  He was looking out of the window at the view of the city as he leaned back in his leather chair.
"Look it's nothing to pay for the party. Anything beats your old man after us again. I think we smoothed it over good."
Starlene quickly stepped back into the hallway and listened.
"Next time we'll just have to be more careful that's all honey," the older man said. "Look he's probably happy that I'm paying for the party. I didn't have to do that.  We've got this history and he knows I feel bad about everything. I don't think anyone would ever suspect anything.  At least I hope not."
Starlene's heard the chair squeak and she prayed he wouldn't turn around until she had heard all of the conversation.
"You're worth it honey.  Just don't worry about anything.  Deny, deny, deny and the next time we'll have room service," he said laughing.
Starlene glanced through the crack in the door to look at him as she fought back the strong desire to push the door open and scream.  She calmed herself and decided to listen to the entire conversation if possible before letting him know what she had heard.
"Look you're the one that's setting a date to get married.  I haven't made any hasty plans.  I'm free for lunch anytime. Like I said.  We just have to do room service next time," he hesitated as he listened.  "Well, we could always go out of town after you get married."
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.