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Today's Topics:

1. Re: And so it begins....Evangeline & Marion (Margaret Dean)
2. Re: At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive (Jvstin)
3. Re: At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive (Mrfury28@...)
4. Re: At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive (Allen Veazey)
5. Re: ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela & Michael
(Dorothea Salo)
6. RE: And so it begins....Evangeline (Brian Schoner)
7. Re: And So it Begins ... Nicola (Heather Mace)
8. Re: At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive (Heather Mace)
9. Re: And so it begins....Evangeline & Marion (Ree Moorhead Pruehs)
10. Re: At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive (Jvstin(Mindspring))


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 22:32:18 -0500
From: Margaret Dean <margdean@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] And so it begins....Evangeline & Marion


Ree Moorhead Pruehs wrote:

> Eventually Vangie selected a plain strand of pearls and matching earrings
> and donned them before stepping into her plain, low-heeled, sensible dress
> shoes. It was, she thought, the one good thing about getting old. One need
> no longer completely enslave oneself to fashion as opposed to allow aging
> legs and feet the comfort they deserved.
>
> She heard Philip thumping around in his bedroom, but did not tap on the
> door. She had noticed he didn't like being fussed over. And she had never
> been particularly maternal by nature anyway.
>
> "I'll see you upstairs, then," she called loud enough for him to hear.
> Picking up her clutch purse -- the evening's compromise between her more
> typical large and overfilled bag and going completely naked -- she stepped
> out into the hallway.

The clanking of the lift announced its arrival from the floor
below. As it halted, Vangie could see that Marion Mauberly was
inside. She smiled when she saw Vangie and opened the iron
grille for her.

"Is Philip coming?" she asked.


<tag Vangie, anyone else emerging into fourth floor hallway>


--Margaret Dean
<margdean@...>



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 21:45:51 -0600
From: Jvstin <jvstin@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive


On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 19:20:40 -0800 (PST), Jonathan Katalenic
<jjkatalenic@...> wrote:
> At this point, the host of the party, Marty Fitzroy
> himself entered, with Nicola Diamond on his arm. They
> were closely followed by Anton Barowenski with
> Marjorie Higgins.
>
> "More drinks, 'Odges!" ordered Fitzroy. "What will
> you 'ave, my dear?" he said, turning with an
> oleaginous smile to Nicola. The sound of the
> doorbell ringing brought a frown to his face. "You
> get that, Esme," he ordered abruptly.
>
> "Au contraire," said Anton, with a little bow. Mrs.
> Fitzroy, if you will permit ... and Miss Higgins, if
> you will excuse me ... "
>
> Another bow and he was gone down the stairs.
>
> "Well," said Esme faintly, sinking back in her chair.
>
> Marty Fitzroy was scowling - clearly his client's
> intervention had not pleased him. Then he gave a
> short laugh. "Foreigners!" he said contemptuously,
> before turning again to Nicola. "Now, Miss Diamond,
> what 's your poison?" The last was said almost with a
> leer.
>
> 'It's Douglas, you boorish ass of a man. You'd think
> you'd remember that Diamond is the one you're carrying
> on with and Douglas is the one you WISH to carry on
> with,' Nicola said, but only in her head. Remember,
> her mother had told her, a lady never corrects her
> host unless it is a matter of life or death. She bit
> her tongue and obeyed her mother's sage words.
>
> "Oh, I never know what to order," she demurred,
> batting her heavily-mascared eyelashes. To Hodges, she
> said politely, "Anything with gin in it will do me
> just fine, Mr. Hodges."
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> When this group arrived, they found Hodges, the flats'
> maintenance man, solemnly mixing drinks for Nicola
> Diamond and Majorie Higgins, the post woman who lived
> on the ground floor, while Marty Fitzroy gazed
> avariciously at Miss Diamond. Also present was the
> dark young American from Flat 11, Braham Davis and -
> as usual in the background - Mrs Esme Fitzroy.
>
> Nicola brightened at the sight of new guests and,
> drink in hand, headed over to greet the new arrivals.
> 'Thank God. One more minute with that awful Fitzroy
> and I would have screamed,' she thought.
>
> "Mr. and Mrs. Skeffington-Nottle!" she said warmly.
> "How delightful to see you. Come, have a drink!"
>
James smiled at this point, more to himself than anything else.

"Greetings to you, Miss Douglas." James said pleasantly, turning the
smile from himself, to her. He stepped away from the
Skeffington-Nottles and moved into the room, his hazel eyes looking
around at the gathered guests.

{Tag anyone who wants to break the ice first}



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:03:39 EST
From: Mrfury28@...
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive


"Excellent," he proclaimed for both Hodge's and Esme's sake. "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome, Mr. Braham." Hodges replied. As more people
entered, the older man found himself quite busy preparing drinks. ~Gin
seems to be
the drink of the evening.~ He noted to himself, mentally checking Fitzroy's
inventory to make certain there were several bottles on hand.

"Oh, I never know what to order," she demurred, batting her heavily-mascared
eyelashes. To Hodges, she said politely, "Anything with gin in it will do me
just fine, Mr. Hodges."

"Yes, miss." Hodges responded a bit stiffly. "And for you, Miss Higgins?"
He turned his attention to the other young woman.
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 22:44:35 -0600
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive


> "Excellent," he proclaimed for both Hodge's and Esme's sake. "Thank you."
>
> "You are quite welcome, Mr. Braham." Hodges replied. As more people
> entered, the older man found himself quite busy preparing drinks. ~Gin
> seems to be the drink of the evening.~ He noted to himself, mentally
> checking Fitzroy's inventory to make certain there were several bottles on
> hand.
> "Oh, I never know what to order," she demurred, batting her
> heavily-mascared
> eyelashes. To Hodges, she said politely, "Anything with gin in it will do
> me
> just fine, Mr. Hodges."
>
> "Yes, miss." Hodges responded a bit stiffly. "And for you, Miss
> Higgins?"
> He turned his attention to the other young woman.

There was another knock at the door, which turned out to
be the Flight Officer, Warren Worthington. A relative newcomer
to most, still he had been seen here and there. His face was
pale, and he was patting his face and neck with a handkerchief.
He gave a weak smile.

"Missed the lift," he said. "I knew it would be a while before
it came back down, so I tried the service lift. Stuffy in there."
He leaned heavily on his cane, added, "Ah... forgive me.
Good to see you all."



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 22:44:59 -0600
From: Dorothea Salo <dorothea@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela & Michael


>> "Good evening, ladies. Happy Christmas," Michael greeted as he joined
>> them in waiting for the lift. He looked up and said, "Seems some of
>> the others are on their way already."
>
>
> "And a Happy Christmas to you, Group Captain," Arabella said with a
> smile. "It does look as if there will be a good turnout... As far as
> that goes, I think this party may be a very good thing. We all know
> we're at war, but fellowship and celebration are things worth fighting
> for, don't you think?"

Pamela repressed a salute, murmuring a polite greeting instead. One
would not have thought that a woman taller and more imposing than her
mother could so easily disappear into the background behind her.

The lift bobbed to a stop and opened; Pamela stepped aside to let her
mother go before her, brushing past Coldsmith-Briggs with a murmured
apology as she followed.

<tag Michael, Arabella, anyone who cares to welcome us off the lift>



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:28:37 -0500
From: "Brian Schoner" <brianschoner@...>
Subject: RE: [MaC] And so it begins....Evangeline


> She heard Philip thumping around in his bedroom, but did not
> tap on the door. She had noticed he didn't like being fussed
> over. And she had never been particularly maternal by nature
> anyway.
>
> "I'll see you upstairs, then," she called loud enough for him
> to hear.

"I'll be right there," he replied, slightly muffled by the door. He did his
best to mask the frustration in his voice, but Evangeline had heard it often
enough to pick it up. "Just finishing up here. You go ahead and take the
lift with Ms. Mauberly; I'll take the stairs and be right along." [Both my
feet still work, after all,] he didn't say.

*There.* The last recalcitrant button was finally in place. He glanced at
the small mirror over the aged bureau that served him as a wardrobe; apart
from the slight flush on his face and the bandages on his hand, he looked
quite good. Uniforms did that for a man, particularly in the eyes of the
ladies. If only one particular lady could see him as she once had...

Shaking his head, he brushed a comb through his hair one last time and
headed for the door.

<tag anyone still on the landing>





------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:35:24 -0800
From: Heather Mace <hmace@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] And So it Begins ... Nicola


>>
>> "But you look smashing!" Marjorie said enthusiastically.
>> "Like a real celebrity! I bet the men won't be able to
>> take their eyes off you," she said cheerfully.
>>
>
> The sound of their voices seemed to spark off a response. The door
> opposite opened and Anton Barowenski, the Polish cocnert pianist
> emerged, impeccably dressed in the white tie and tails of his profession
> - perhaps a little excessive for a cocktail party.
>
> He bowed, with a click of his heels. "Ladies," he said formally. "Good
> evening ... and Merry Christmas."
>
> Just then the door opened, and Marty Fitzroy emerged. His moon face lit
> up in a smile as he saw Nicola. "My dear Miss Diamond! And Miss ...
> Miss Higgins. Glad you could make it."
>
> He bowed low over Nicola's hand. "You and me should 'ave a little
> talk," he said. "Later on."
>
> He slipped her heand through his arm and turned to lead her to the
> stairs to the upper dloor, leaving Majorie and Anton to follow. Anton
> listed his eyebrows briefly and gave a resigned shrug - clearly he was
> used to this sort of behaviour from his agent. Instead he bowed to
> Marjorie.
>
> "Shall we go up, M'mselle?"

Marjorie nodded decisively. "Let's, Mr. Barowenski. And
call me Marjorie," she said with a smile as she took Anton's
arm and allowed him to show her in to the Fitzroys' flat.



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:41:53 -0800
From: Heather Mace <hmace@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive


>>"Oh, I never know what to order," she demurred, batting her
>>heavily-mascared
>>eyelashes. To Hodges, she said politely, "Anything with gin in it will do
>>me
>>just fine, Mr. Hodges."
>>
>>"Yes, miss." Hodges responded a bit stiffly. "And for you, Miss
>>Higgins?"
>> He turned his attention to the other young woman.

"I'd... like.. a gin and tonic if you please, Mr. Hodges,"
Marjorie answered. "Been a while since I could afford the
nice stuff, if you know what I mean," she grinned at the
maintenance man.


> There was another knock at the door, which turned out to
> be the Flight Officer, Warren Worthington. A relative newcomer
> to most, still he had been seen here and there. His face was
> pale, and he was patting his face and neck with a handkerchief.
> He gave a weak smile.
>
> "Missed the lift," he said. "I knew it would be a while before
> it came back down, so I tried the service lift. Stuffy in there."
> He leaned heavily on his cane, added, "Ah... forgive me.
> Good to see you all."




------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:32:17 -0500
From: Ree Moorhead Pruehs <rmpruehs@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] And so it begins....Evangeline & Marion



> > Eventually Vangie selected a plain strand of pearls and matching
> > earrings
> > and donned them before stepping into her plain, low-heeled, sensible
> > dress
> > shoes. It was, she thought, the one good thing about getting old. One
> > need
> > no longer completely enslave oneself to fashion as opposed to allow
> > aging
> > legs and feet the comfort they deserved.
> >
> > She heard Philip thumping around in his bedroom, but did not tap on the
> > door. She had noticed he didn't like being fussed over. And she had
> > never
> > been particularly maternal by nature anyway.
> >
> > "I'll see you upstairs, then," she called loud enough for him to hear.
> > Picking up her clutch purse -- the evening's compromise between her more
> > typical large and overfilled bag and going completely naked -- she
> > stepped
> > out into the hallway.
>
>The clanking of the lift announced its arrival from the floor
>below. As it halted, Vangie could see that Marion Mauberly was
>inside. She smiled when she saw Vangie and opened the iron
>grille for her.
>
>"Is Philip coming?" she asked.

"He'll still be a bit....said he'd take the stairs," Vangie said, stepping
in. =Stubborn pride,= she thought, but not unfondly. She smiled at the
younger woman. "How lovely you look!"

She closed the grille again, and the elevator creaked upward.

<tag Marion, anyone on fifth floor landing>






------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:01:33 -0600
From: "Jvstin(Mindspring)" <jvstin@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: More guests arrive


on 12/21/2004 1:41 AM Heather Mace said the following:
>
>>> "Oh, I never know what to order," she demurred, batting her
>>> heavily-mascared
>>> eyelashes. To Hodges, she said politely, "Anything with gin in it
>>> will do me
>>> just fine, Mr. Hodges."
>>>
>>> "Yes, miss." Hodges responded a bit stiffly. "And for you, Miss
>>> Higgins?"
>>> He turned his attention to the other young woman.
>
>
> "I'd... like.. a gin and tonic if you please, Mr. Hodges,"
> Marjorie answered. "Been a while since I could afford the
> nice stuff, if you know what I mean," she grinned at the
> maintenance man.
>
>
>> There was another knock at the door, which turned out to be the Flight
>> Officer, Warren Worthington. A relative newcomer
>> to most, still he had been seen here and there. His face was
>> pale, and he was patting his face and neck with a handkerchief.
>> He gave a weak smile.
>> "Missed the lift," he said. "I knew it would be a while before
>> it came back down, so I tried the service lift. Stuffy in there."
>> He leaned heavily on his cane, added, "Ah... forgive me. Good to see
>> you all."
>

James turned from his spot and gave a nod to the Flight Officer. "Good
eve, Officer Worthington. The, ah, skies in here are still not overly
crowded." he said, with a trace of a smile.




------------------------------

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