AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Thursday June 6th 2002
Starlene held her breath as she listened outside of her lover Stanley's office door. He was on the phone with Nicole, his former secretary, with his back to the office door.  She had caught Stanley and Nicole together on his sofa months ago.  Nicole's Father found out that his young daughter was intimately involved and confronted Stanley.  Fearful of her Father and his reputation as a Florida crime boss, Stanley quickly arranged for Nicole to work in the office with Clark.  It had seemed everything would be okay now that Clark was engaged to Nicole. Stanley had even given Starlene a large diamond ring to calm her nagging anxiety over his cheating.
"Like I said honey, it's okay. It was an expensive lunch," he said laughing as he leaned back in his leather chair and gazed at the view of the city from his office in the Empire State Building. "I thought the Plaza Hotel was expensive but I never dreamt I would be footing the bill for your engagement party too," Stanley said laughing loudly as he lit his cigar and stared at the panoramic view of the city.
Starlene put her hand on his office door and fought her desire to push it open and confront him over what she was hearing.
"Look honey.  You're worth it. Buy yourself some pretty lingerie and model it for him…that'll make him forget what he suspects about lunch today.  I guess I better go honey.  I've got this damn Congressman in town today that I have to meet for drinks.  You stay sweet honey and save it for me," Stanley said hanging up the phone and taking his feet off of the credenza. He swung around in the leather chair facing the office door and his angry young lover.
"Hi Stanley," Starlene said pushing the door open and walking into his office.
"Starlene!  I didn't know you were here," he said feeling a sudden pain in his chest as his body slumped back in the leather chair.
"Oh I know you didn't know I was here. I could tell Stanley."
"Come on in honey.  Want me to make you a drink?" he said coming to his feet and trying to smile.
"No. I don't want a drink.  I want some explanations Stanley Morgan."
"What?  What are you talking about Starlene?" he asked wondering how long she had been outside his door.
"I heard every word Stanley.  Clark told me that he saw you at the Plaza Hotel having lunch with Nicole today."
"Yes.  It's really a small world isn't it?"
"Small world.  Small world!  That's what you are going to say after what I heard."
"Come on in and close the door," Stanley said feeling his face turning red.
"There!  I'll close the door," Starlene said grabbing the door and slamming it shut.  The walls shook briefly from the impact.
"Calm down Starlene."
"You tell me what you were doing with her today Stanley!"
"I ran into her downtown while she was shopping.  She said that she and Clark were planning an engagement party and she didn't know where, so I took her to the Plaza Hotel to see if she would like it."
"Why? After her Father knew you were with her.  After I saw you on the sofa in this very office doing it. Doing it right there!" she said pointing to his sofa.
"Come on Starlene. That's all in the past now.  I felt bad about how everything ended and I simply decided to give Clark and her a party for their engagement.  You know…no hard feelings."
"It sounds like to me you do have hard feelings Stanley Morgan."
"You're making something of nothing."
"Nothing!  I heard you on the phone a few minutes ago saying 'deny, deny, deny'. Then I heard you say that after she was married you'd go out of town with her."
"Oh that was a joke.  Just a joke."
"Joke?  You think that's funny? I also heard you telling her that you hadn't set a date to get married like she had.  So this ring you gave me was just to calm me down after what I saw?  Is that it Stanley?"
"No. Of course not honey," he said taking a seat, as the pain in his chest grew stronger.
"Then when are we going to set our wedding date Stanley?"
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.