AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Soap Opera "As The Mouse Moves" - Tuesday September 17th 2002
"Tiffany do you know of any other parties that aren't in the appointment book?"  Clark asked as he stood at her desk glancing through her book.
"No.  I think they're all in there."
"Not much coming up and this should be the busy season."
"Well the economy isn't what it should be either."
"This isn't enough to keep us going here."
"Didn't you say Nicole's father would be sending business our way?"
"Yeah, he's got a big party coming up next week, but that's in Florida."
"Oh, are you and Nicole going to Florida next week?"
"I'm going.  I want Nicole to go but she doesn't want to."
"Where is your new bride Nicole?"
"Probably shopping.  I left early this morning to go jogging and she was gone when I got back."
"It's almost lunch time.  She must be really finding a lot at the store," Tiffany said wondering if Nicole was at her estranged husband Skeeter's apartment again.
"I want her to be happy," he said remembering the passion they shared last night and early this morning before he left to go jogging.
"I guess her father will be happy to see her again next week."
"If she goes.  Look I need to talk to you Tiffany," he said taking a seat in the chair in front of her desk.
"Sure. What's wrong?" she asked noticing the serious look on his face.
"We've got some problems," he said picking a piece of lint from his trousers in order to avoid her eyes.
"What kind of problems."
"Nicole's father will be booking a lot of parties with my company now."
"That's great Clark. I mean you said yourself we need more business, things have slowed down since last year."
"Yeah.  But the parties will all be in Florida."
"That's not a problem Clark. I can handle it here while you're gone. I've worked for you for four years now."
"That's the problem Tiffany."
"What?" she said dreading what he might say next.
"I've already talked to Jan about handling the parties.  She's not that busy with Amir since his wife has been missing."
"They'll find his wife though."
"It doesn't look good.  I mean they don't have any leads and she's been gone for weeks now."
"So Jan isn't going to be working for Amir anymore?" she asked wishing her secret lover would call her and fill her in on the progress of locating his missing wife.
"Jan wants to work for me while I'm in Florida."
"Oh.  Well, I guess I could get along with her."
"I know that's a problem.  The two of you have never hit it off and that's a concern."
"I'll do my best," she said.
"I don't think it's necessary. I think Nicole wants to handle everything while I'm gone."
"But Nicole hasn't really ever done any of the parties.  She doesn't know how to do the organization."
"I know. But she's insisting. I don't want to leave her here. I want to be with her every minute.  I can fly back and forth."
"I'll just do the work."
"She's worried about getting along with you.  She thinks I should fire you to be honest," he said believing that Tiffany had offended his new bride.
"Me?  Why?"
"I don't know Tiffany. As you can see this puts me in a bad position."
"Clark.  I wasn't going to tell you but I think maybe I should," she said remembering how she had seen Nicole coming from her estranged husband's apartment yesterday.
"Now's the time if you have something to say.  I have to make a decision right away."
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE SOAP PHOTOS BELOW.